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Science News for April 14, 2010


The onion, a natural alternative to artificial preservatives

Researchers found that onions' flavonoids have antimicrobial properties, increasing the life of foods and inhibiting the growth of microorganisms like Bacillus cereus. This natural alternative reduces reliance on artificial additives used in food industry, offering a stable component with beneficial health effects.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalInternational Journal of Food Science & Technology·DateApr 14, 2010

Study finds changes in fetal epigenetics throughout pregnancy

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that epigenetic marks on human placentas change throughout pregnancy, potentially allowing for early diagnosis and prevention of complications. The study's findings suggest that genomic imprinting appears to be an ever-changing process in the placenta.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateApr 14, 2010

New class of drug kills lymphoma cells

Researchers design compound that effectively blocks BCL6's cancer-causing actions, killing off cancer cells with minimal toxicity. The discovery opens possibilities for treating other tumor types and improving survival rates for patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

SourceNewYork-Presbyterian·JournalCancer Cell·DateApr 14, 2010

Random, but not by chance

Researchers have developed a new, certifiably random number generator using fundamental principles of quantum mechanics. This method ensures private randomness, crucial for secure data encryption and communication, making it difficult to predict the sequence of numbers.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature·DateApr 14, 2010

Patents block competition, slow innovation in gene testing

Exclusive licenses to gene patents hinder competition and innovation in genetic testing, according to researchers at the Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy. The findings suggest that overly broad patent claims are the primary issue, rather than patents themselves.

SourceBurness·JournalGenetics in Medicine·DateApr 14, 2010

New data presented at the American Academy of Neurology meeting showed that Neupro (Rotigotine Transdermal System) improved both motor and nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson's disease

New data from the RECOVER study showed that Neupro (Rotigotine Transdermal System) effectively improved both motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease, including sleep quality, mood, cognition, and pain. The treatment also translated into significant improvements in quality of life for patients.

Genetic patterns rise from huge yeast samples

Researchers have devised a method to identify genetic material responsible for complex traits in millions of yeast cells, shedding light on the missing heritability problem. By studying regions of the genome that cause specific traits in offspring, scientists can detect subtle patterns previously undetectable.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature·DateApr 14, 2010

Exclusive licensing deals a tool for collaboration, study says

Researchers found that exclusive licensing deals are a tool for collaboration and risk management in product development, allowing innovators to manage risks while leveraging cooperation. The study analyzed over 200 exclusive licensing deals and suggests that granting rights to a sole partner can curb risk and incentivize cooperation.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalStrategic Management Journal·DateApr 14, 2010

Wildlife still exposed to Exxon Valdez oil 20 years after disaster

Scientists have discovered lingering oil from the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill is still being ingested by wildlife in Prince William Sound. The study used biomarkers to reveal long-term exposure to oil in harlequin ducks, demonstrating that consequences of oil spills can last for decades.

SourceWiley·JournalEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry·DateApr 14, 2010

Why humans believe that better things come to those who wait

New research identifies a brain circuit that enables humans to make choices with high long-term benefits by delaying reward. The study found that vividly imagining the future reduces impulsive choice behavior, suggesting the anterior cingulate cortex plays a key role in dynamic adjustment of preference functions.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateApr 14, 2010

Pinning down a proton

Researchers have developed a new method for describing proton and neutron binding in nuclei, enabling more accurate predictions of astrophysical reactions. This breakthrough may improve our understanding of star life cycles.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 14, 2010

BioTorrents: An OA file sharing service and more

The study presents BioTorrents, a website that allows open access sharing of scientific data via BitTorrent. It features keyword searching, category browsing, and error checking for reliable transfers. The article discusses the implications of BioTorrents on file transfer challenges.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 14, 2010