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Science News Archive November 2010 - Page 2


Page 2 of 27

The couch potato effect

A new study reveals that a key muscle protein is necessary for exercise but not normal muscle development. PGC-1-deficient mice exhibit mitochondrial problems but remain insulin-sensitive and do not develop diabetes.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalCell Metabolism·DateNov 30, 2010

Diabetes may clamp down on brain cholesterol

Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center discovered that diabetes can reduce brain cholesterol synthesis, which could impact brain function and increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. This finding has broad implications for people with diabetes and may also play a role in diabetic neuropathy.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalCell Metabolism·DateNov 30, 2010

Mystery dissolves with calcium pump discovery

Researchers from Arizona State University have discovered a calcium-driven pump mechanism in endolithic cyanobacteria, which dissolves carbonate substrates. This finding has implications for coral reefs and mussel aquaculture, addressing a long-standing geochemical paradox.

SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 30, 2010

Nano-diamond qubits and photonic crystals

Researchers have successfully fabricated a hybrid system using nano-diamonds and photonic crystals, paving the way for multi-qubit systems on a single chip. This achievement brings the dream of a quantum computer closer to reality, with potential applications in various fields of science and engineering.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateNov 30, 2010

From the brain of a locust

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have made a groundbreaking discovery that mechanical stress is instrumental in several key phenomena in neuronal development. The team used insect cells, including those from the desert locust, to build an in vitro nervous system and observe how neurons form a network.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateNov 29, 2010

U of I scientists develop tool to trace metabolism of cancer-fighting tomato compounds

University of Illinois scientists have developed a new tool to study the metabolism of carotenoids in tomatoes, which are believed to provide cancer-preventive benefits. The researchers will use isotopic labeling to trace the absorption and metabolism of three carotenoid compounds in human bodies.

In Lancet: Artesunate suppositories are cost-effective intervention for severe childhood malaria

A study led by Boston University School of Public Health researcher Yesim Tozan found that giving emergency artesunate suppositories to children with suspected severe malaria before referral improves management and is cost-effective. The intervention could avert 37 child deaths and 967 disability-adjusted life-years over five years.

Heat wave deaths highest in early summer

A Yale University study found that the risk of dying from a heat wave is highest when they occur early in the summer and are hotter and longer than usual. The average daily risk of non-accidental death increased by an average of 3.74 percent during heat waves.

SourceYale University·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateNov 29, 2010

Chemistry for greenhouse gases

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a new metal complex that can convert methane into ethane, a crucial step towards building longer-chain hydrocarbons as alternative energy sources. This breakthrough could pave the way for a cleaner and more sustainable method of producing fuels from greenhouse gases.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateNov 29, 2010

Duke scientists look deeper for coal ash hazards

A Duke University study identifies new monitoring protocols to accurately measure and predict ecological impacts of coal ash contaminants. The research found that arsenic levels remained high in pore water long after surface waters dropped below safe thresholds, posing significant risks to aquatic life.

SourceDuke University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateNov 29, 2010

Subsurface scattering in point-based rendering

A new framework for rendering subsurface scattering on surfaces represented by points is introduced, providing a significant improvement in transparency and realism for translucent materials. The method uses two additional computation passes to simulate the light diffusion phenomenon inside multilayered materials.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Information Sciences·DateNov 29, 2010

Study: Avoidance, poor coping challenge prisoners returning to society

A study of 20 individuals returning to society after prison found that avoidance and problem-focused coping strategies were frequently used but often ineffective in managing barriers. Healthy coping mechanisms, such as emotion-focused strategies, were infrequently employed, contributing to recidivism.

SourceDick Jones Communications·JournalInternational Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology·DateNov 29, 2010

New approach may help dialysis patients fight anemia

Researchers have discovered a new treatment option for dialysis-related anemia using FG-2216, which increases erythropoietin (EPO) production in both healthy individuals and patients with end-stage renal disease. The study's findings suggest that the kidneys of dialysis patients retain significant EPO production capacity.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateNov 29, 2010