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Science News Archive August 2011 - Page 4


Page 4 of 27

New salts for chemical soups

Researchers at LMU München have developed a facile route to versatile organozinc compounds by synthesizing them as salt-stabilized solids. This allows for easier storage and transportation compared to traditional liquid forms, making them more suitable for industrial applications.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 29, 2011

It's official -- chocolate linked to heart health

A review of seven studies involving over 100,000 participants found that higher levels of chocolate consumption were associated with a 37% reduction in cardiovascular disease and a 29% reduction in stroke. However, the authors caution that further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

New perspectives on sensory mechanisms

The Perspectives in General Physiology series provides an in-depth look at the mechanisms of sensory information processing, including visual, auditory, olfactory, and tactile processes. The series reveals key strategies used by researchers to quantify and characterize sensory information across multiple systems.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of General Physiology·DateAug 29, 2011

Alley to receive first Schneider Award

Richard B. Alley has made extraordinary scientific contributions and communicated his knowledge to a broad public in a clear and compelling fashion, earning him the Stephen H. Schneider Award. The award was established this year in honor of Stephen Henry Schneider, one of the founding fathers of climatology.

Tiny wires change behavior at nanoscale

A new study from Rice University reveals that gold nanowires less than 20 nanometers wide can become brittle-like under stress, exhibiting unique properties on the nanoscale. Researchers found twins in nanowires to be a key factor in reducing ductility, leading to premature fracture.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateAug 29, 2011

Scientists develop new technologies for understanding bacterial infections

Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed a novel approach for studying molecules within their natural environment, allowing for unprecedented detail on bacterial infection mechanisms. The breakthrough utilizes a lateral molecular force microscope to measure biological phenomena directly on a living cell surface, enabling...

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 29, 2011

Magnetic memories manipulated by voltage, not heat

Scientists from Tsinghua University tested three structures commonly used in magnetic memory experiments and found that voltage directly controls changes in the magnetic properties of all three materials. This is a significant advantage for real-world device performance, as it eliminates the need for heat-controlled systems.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateAug 29, 2011

From mild-mannered to killer plague

Scientists identify genetic differences between mild and deadly Plague bacteria, revealing the role of small non-coding RNAs in disease severity. The study provides new insights into the evolution of pathogens and potential therapeutic targets for deadly diseases like the Plague.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 29, 2011

Virus attacks childhood cancers

Researchers from Yale University discovered that a virus from the same family as rabies can target and kill soft tissue sarcomas. The oncolytic activity of VSV-rp30a was found to be effective against 12 out of 13 different sarcoma lines, with resistance overcome by interferon antagonizers.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalJournal of Virology·DateAug 29, 2011