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Science News for September 29, 2009


How the 100th protein structure solved at Diamond impacts our understanding of how insects smell

Researchers at Rothamsted Research and Birkbeck University use Diamond Light Source's X-rays to unravel the mechanisms linked to pheromone detection in silkworm moths. This breakthrough has significant implications for developing new eco-friendly pest control methods, which could also benefit biosensors and detect explosives.

SourceDiamond Light Source·JournalJournal of Molecular Biology·DateSep 29, 2009

Living, meandering river constructed

Researchers successfully built a scale model of a living meandering river, demonstrating the critical role of vegetation in slowing erosion and reinforcing banks. Sand, typically avoided in stream restoration, was found to be essential for building point bars and blocking cut-off channels, leading to a more balanced ecosystem.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 29, 2009

Institute for Aging Research study links high-heels to heel and ankle pain

A new study by the Institute for Aging Research found a significant association between high-heel wear and hind-foot pain in older women. The researchers analyzed data from over 3,300 men and women and found that nearly 64% of women who reported hind-foot pain regularly wore high-heels or pumps at some point in their life. The study su...

New perspectives on cancer surgery

Researchers have developed a new technique that combines electrosurgery with mass spectrometry to analyze tissue during surgery. This allows surgeons to distinguish between malignant tumor cells and healthy tissue in real-time, potentially sparing patients from unnecessary second surgeries.

SourceWiley·DateSep 29, 2009

Women who make poor shoe choices at risk for foot pain later in life

A recent study by Boston University School of Public Health and the Institute for Aging Research found that women who wear poor shoes are at risk of developing foot pain in later years. The Framingham Foot Study assessed over 3,300 participants and revealed a strong correlation between improper footwear and hindfoot pain.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis Care & Research·DateSep 29, 2009

Australian study sheds light on kidney repair and disease

A Monash University study has identified the role of microscopic antennas in the kidney's repair process, shedding light on a potentially fatal disease. The research, led by Dr. James Deane, showed how hair-like structures called cilia change their length in response to injury, amplifying signals that turn off the repair process.

SourceMonash University·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateSep 29, 2009

Social isolation worsens cancer

Researchers found that social isolation caused increased tumor growth and altered gene expression in mouse mammary glands, suggesting potential molecular biomarkers and targets for preventive intervention in human breast cancer. The study also supports previous epidemiologic studies linking social isolation to chronic disease mortality.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalCancer Prevention Research·DateSep 29, 2009

Combining sun, sand and science in the Bahamas

Researchers from the University of Miami collaborated with developers to establish a sustainable development project in the Bahamas. The Baker's Bay Golf and Ocean Club project employed environmental scientists to guide construction, resulting in key findings on environmental impacts and mitigation measures.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalJournal of Sustainable Tourism·DateSep 29, 2009

Did Tyrannosaurus rex suffer from a common bird disease?

Researchers discovered that Tyrannosaurus rex and its relatives had a potentially deadly infectious disease similar to trichomonosis, which causes swollen jaws and holes. The study found evidence of face-biting marks on many specimens and suggests that cannibalism or head-biting may have spread the disease.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 29, 2009

Eat soybeans to prevent diseases

Researchers have found that soybeans contain high levels of tocopherols, which have antioxidant properties and may play a role in cardiovascular diseases and cancer prevention. The study suggests that selection for high α-tocopherol content in soybeans will be possible, making it easier to develop functional foods with specific health-...

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalAgronomy Journal·DateSep 29, 2009

Telltale moss

Researchers found that moss shares basic development processes with humans and discovered a key component in stem cell programming. This discovery has implications for cancer research and could lead to better reprogramming of implanted stem cells.

Rediscovering the dragon's paradise lost

A new study reveals that the Komodo dragon most likely evolved in Australia and dispersed westward to Indonesia. The research, published in PLOS ONE, also details fossil evidence of a new species of giant varanid found on the island of Timor.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 29, 2009