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Science News Archive August 2010 - Page 18


Page 18 of 23

Popping cells surprise living circuits creators

Researchers found that bacteria cells start dividing normally but unexpectedly 'pop' when the colony reaches a certain density. This phenomenon is linked to the amplification of plasmids in response to cell density, highlighting the importance of considering hidden interactions in engineered gene circuits.

SourceDuke University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 9, 2010

Competing for a mate can shorten lifespan

A new study reveals that men who experience stiff competition for female attention live shorter lives, with mortality rates increasing by 1.6% among those with higher sex ratios. The researchers suspect that this phenomenon is caused by a combination of social and biological factors, including stress and embodiment of the social world.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalDemography·DateAug 9, 2010

Forest fires help power the nitrogen cycle

Recent research found that forest fires stimulate the conversion of ammonia to nitrates, a crucial step in the nitrogen cycle. This process is triggered by charcoal deposition and can continue well after the fire has passed, benefiting coniferous forests in the inland Northwestern US.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateAug 9, 2010

Single cell injections

Researchers at Duke University have developed a method for injecting substances into single cells using sharp fluid jets, which may revolutionize stem cell research and cellular-level studies. The technique allows for the introduction of live cells to nontoxic substances without significantly damaging them.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 9, 2010

A strategy to fix a broken heart

Engineers and physicians at the University of Washington have developed a scaffold that supports the growth and integration of stem cell-derived cardiac muscle cells. The scaffold accelerates oxygen and nutrient supply to transplanted tissue, promoting heart repair and vascular tissue engineering.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 9, 2010

JCI online early table of contents: Aug. 9, 2010

Researchers at Columbia University have found that ROCK2 may be a good therapeutic target for treating autoimmune disorders, while targeting CD13+ CSCs in liver cancer could provide a new treatment approach. Additionally, scientists at Stanford University developed ways to enhance RNAi efficacy and persistence while decreasing toxicity.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 9, 2010

On-the-job injuries hurt home health care industry

A Penn State study found that home health aides who received training had lower injury rates and higher job satisfaction. Training also reduced turnover intentions, benefiting both employees and organizations. Employees' perceptions of their training and workplace played a crucial role in their risk of injury.

People think immoral behavior is funny -- but only if it also seems benign

A recent study published in Psychological Science found that people find humor in moral violations when they seem harmless or non-threatening. The researchers tested this theory by presenting volunteers with different scenarios and rewarding them with candy bars. They discovered that the situations involving a moral violation were more...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateAug 9, 2010

In breakthrough, nerve connections are regenerated after spinal cord injury

Researchers at UCI, UCSD, and Harvard have induced robust regeneration of nerve connections that control voluntary movement after spinal cord injury. By deleting a cell growth inhibitor called PTEN, they achieved this breakthrough by turning back the developmental clock in a molecular pathway critical for the growth of corticospinal tr...

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateAug 8, 2010

Help from the dark side

Researchers from Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB) used X-ray absorption spectroscopy to observe electron transfer in biochemical substances. They discovered a 'dark channel' where excited electrons remain longer, preventing fluorescent light emission.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature Chemistry·DateAug 8, 2010

Autism: Lack of evidence for antidepressants

A recent study published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews found no evidence that antidepressants can treat autistic spectrum disorders in children. In fact, the medication may cause serious harm due to the small number of trials conducted and varying assessment methods.

SourceWiley·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·DateAug 7, 2010

The worst impact of climate change may be how humanity reacts to it

A recent study suggests that humanity's response to climate change could do more harm than the changes itself. The research highlights the devastating impact of human activities on tropical forests and biodiversity. To mitigate this damage, experts emphasize the importance of planning and adopting sustainable practices.

SourceWiley·JournalConservation Letters·DateAug 6, 2010

Rutgers nuclear physicists study 'magic' nature of tin

Researchers at Rutgers University studied the doubly magic isotope of tin with 50 protons and 82 neutrons, providing insights into its stability and potential formation in supernova explosions. The study's findings may also contribute to developing next-generation nuclear reactors and forensic analysis techniques.

SourceRutgers University·JournalNature·DateAug 6, 2010

UC Denver study finds beautiful women face discrimination in certain jobs

A recent UC Denver study found that attractive women face discrimination when applying for certain jobs considered masculine, such as research and development or construction supervisor roles. In contrast, attractive men faced no similar disadvantage. The study highlights the existence of a double standard in hiring practices between m...

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalThe Journal of Social Psychology·DateAug 6, 2010

Constant overlap

Scientists at EMBL identified two proteins, PRC1 and kinesin-4, that control the formation and size of microtubule overlaps in the spindle. This adaptive mechanism ensures the overlap remains constant without affecting microtubules elsewhere in the cell.