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Science News Archive September 2010 - Page 12


Page 12 of 27

Taking the pulse of coral reefs

Coral reefs are surprisingly noisy places with fish and invertebrates producing clicks and grunts that provide useful information about the state of the reef. Healthier reefs were found to be louder, with a clear association between overall noise level generated and the amount of living coral.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalJournal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology·DateSep 20, 2010

New study indicates higher than predicted human exposure to the toxic chemical bisphenol A or BPA

A new study published in Environmental Health Perspectives ties rodent data to predictions of human health effects from BPA, suggesting human exposure is much higher than estimated and likely from unknown sources. The study's findings renew the call for governmental agencies to identify all products containing BPA.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateSep 20, 2010

JCI online early table of contents: Sept. 20, 2010

Researchers identified ways to preserve motor neuron cells in ALS and enhance CD8+ T cell therapy for leukemia. Expanding immune suppressors via TNFRSF25 could prevent allergic lung inflammation in asthma. These findings may pave the way for new therapeutic approaches for these diseases.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 20, 2010

4 possible risk factors for ovarian cancer found

A consortium of cancer researchers has identified four chromosome locations with genetic changes that may alter a woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer. These findings are based on a large genome-wide association study and could lead to individualized risk assessments for ovarian cancer.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalNature Genetics·DateSep 19, 2010

Technology in the extreme

Researchers at Newcastle University create a wireless sensor that can withstand extreme temperatures to monitor volcanic activity and collect real-time data. The device uses Silicon Carbide electronics, which also offers radiation tolerance for potential use in the nuclear industry.

SHSU to study ballistics database

Sam Houston State University will study the use and effectiveness of the national Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) database to connect crimes to a single firearm. The research aims to identify best practices for improving the system's effectiveness and understand why some law enforcement agencies do not use it.

Pickle spoilage bacteria may help environment

Agricultural Research Service microbiologist Ilenys Pérez-Díaz and her colleagues discovered that certain Lactobacilli species can modify azo dyes into non-mutagenic substances. This finding has potential applications for wastewater treatment, making food-grade bacteria a promising option for cleaning up textile industry dye waste.

Gene limits learning and memory in mice

Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine have found that deleting a certain gene in mice can improve their learning and memory abilities. The RGS14 gene, which is primarily active in one region of the hippocampus, appears to limit some forms of learning and memory when present.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 17, 2010

Light is the friend of lovers

Permanent night lighting affects songbirds' reproductive behavior, with males singing earlier and females laying eggs up to 1.5 days sooner in artificial light environments. This can lead to maladaptive mate-choice decisions, potentially impacting survival and fitness.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 17, 2010

Researchers at SUNY Downstate find drug combination may treat traumatic brain injury

A study published in PLoS One suggests that minocycline plus N-acetylcysteine may be a valuable treatment for traumatic brain injury. Researchers at SUNY Downstate Medical Center found a synergistic improvement of cognition and memory after experimental traumatic brain injury, and are planning to bring this combination to clinical trials.