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Science News for January 31, 2010


Novel studies of decomposition shed new light on our earliest fossil ancestry

Researchers from the University of Leicester used a new method to extract information from 500 million-year-old fossils, revealing that some early vertebrates may have been more complex than thought. The study found that decomposition altered characteristic anatomical features, providing clues for interpreting ancient fossils.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalNature·DateJan 31, 2010

New technology aims to repair the after-effects of gum disease

Researchers have developed a new technique to restore lost bone and gum tissue following periodontal disease, using layers of cells such as stem cells and gingival fibroblasts. The method has been shown to be successful in laboratory studies and has potential applications in other fields like skin grafts.

SourceResearch Australia·DateJan 31, 2010

Dog studies reveal strong risk factors for SLE

Researchers found five genome regions that increase the risk of developing an SLE-like autoimmune disorder in dogs. The study identified strong risk factors that may double the risk of human SLE, and could provide new avenues for studying the disease.

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature Genetics·DateJan 31, 2010
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

No difference in survival between leukaemia patients 10 years after undergoing stem-cell or marrow transplant

Patients who underwent peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSC) had similar overall survival rates as those given bone marrow transplants, with no significant differences in mortality or late effects. However, subgroup analyses revealed improved leukaemia-free survival and overall survival for patients with acute leukaemias

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateJan 31, 2010

Seeing the brain hear reveals surprises about how sound is processed

Neurobiologists at the University of Maryland discovered that the brain's auditory cortex is more complex and chaotic than previously thought, with neighboring neurons creating different outputs. This disorder could indicate that the brain is far more adaptable than previously thought.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJan 31, 2010

Dogs may provide an excellent model for understanding human complex diseases

Researchers identified five loci associated with a canine systemic lupus erythematosus-related disease complex in Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers. This study suggests that dogs can serve as an excellent model for identifying pathways involved in human complex diseases, particularly autoimmune disorders.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Genetics·DateJan 31, 2010

Gene function discovery: Guilt by association

Researchers created AraNet, a network that connects over 19,600 plant genes based on physical neighborhood and co-expression patterns. The network accurately predicted the functions of three uncharacterized genes in Arabidopsis thaliana, demonstrating its potential to revolutionize fundamental plant biology and agricultural research.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJan 31, 2010
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

HIV researchers solve key puzzle after 20 years of trying

Researchers have grown a crystal that reveals the structure of integrase, an enzyme found in HIV, and how it interacts with antiretroviral drugs. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatments for HIV by understanding how existing drugs work and how to improve them.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNature·DateJan 31, 2010

Cells send dirty laundry home to mom

Scientists have discovered a mechanism by which yeast cells transport damaged proteins to mother cells using conveyor-like structures called actin cables. This process ensures that newly formed daughter cells are born without age-related damage, paving the way for potential treatments of age-related diseases.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalCell·DateJan 31, 2010
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.