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Science News Archive November 2009 - Page 17


Page 17 of 24

Elsevier sponsors 2009 Semantic Web Challenge

The 2009 Semantic Web Challenge recognized four outstanding applications that demonstrated practical applicability to real-world issues. The winners were awarded cash prizes sponsored by Elsevier, promoting the dissemination of knowledge from academia to society.

Darwin meets Facebook

Natural historians can now share and manage their data using the Scratchpads platform, which serves over 1100 users across 100 sites. The system allows users to create virtual workbenches to study aspects of organisms, promoting biodiversity informatics approaches.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Bioinformatics·DateNov 9, 2009

Sniffing out memories

Researchers found that the first association between a smell and an experience leaves a lasting impression in the brain. After one week, they could predict which associations would be remembered based on brain activity alone.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 9, 2009

UCSD discovery allows scientists for the first time to experimentally annotate genomes

Researchers at UCSD have made a breakthrough discovery that enables the experimental annotation of genomes. By combining multiple genome-scale measurements, they can identify the location and use of genomic elements with precision. This innovation has significant implications for metabolic engineering, disease research, and drug design.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateNov 9, 2009

Yoga boosts heart health

A study published in International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics found that yoga practitioners exhibit higher heart rate variability compared to non-practitioners. This suggests a strengthening of parasympathetic control, indicative of better autonomic function and a healthier heart.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics·DateNov 9, 2009

Study: Credit crisis, debt load a double whammy for investment

A University of Illinois study found that firms with heavy long-term debt that came due during the recent credit crisis slashed investment more than three times as much as companies whose paybacks dodged the meltdown. This can have a ripple effect on the overall economy, leading to reduced employment and profits in the future.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalReview of Financial Studies·DateNov 9, 2009

Amyloid beta protein gets bum rap

Researchers found that low doses of amyloid beta protein improved learning and memory in healthy mice, while blocking the protein caused learning impairment. The study suggests that the optimal amount of amyloid beta is crucial for maintaining cognitive function.

Air pollution increases infants' risk of bronchiolitis

A new study found that air pollution increases the risk of bronchiolitis in infants, with higher exposure levels associated with a significant increase in risk. The research analyzed data from nearly 12,000 infant diagnoses and found that traffic-derived air pollutants were linked to an increased risk of bronchiolitis.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateNov 6, 2009

Possible help in fight against muscle-wasting disease

Researchers at the University of Oregon and University of Rochester discovered a compound that reverses genetic defects in RNA leading to type 1 myotonic dystrophy. The compound, pentamidine, disrupts complexes formed by expanded repeats and protein molecules, allowing proper splicing errors to be rescued.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 6, 2009

Babies with an accent

Researchers found that French infants produce rising crying tones and German babies cry with falling intonation, suggesting early exposure to language-specific intonation patterns. This study suggests that the sense of hearing develops before other senses and influences a child's ability to learn their mother tongue.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 6, 2009