Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for December 11, 2011


A lake fauna in a shot-glass

A Danish research team has developed a new DNA-based method to monitor rare and threatened animal species in freshwater environments, showing it can be effective even for extremely rare populations. The study found a clear correlation between DNA detection and population density, enabling the estimation of population sizes.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateDec 11, 2011

The world's smallest steam engine

Researchers develop tiny Stirling engine with a plastic bead that performs work and runs with the same efficiency as a macroscopic heat engine under full load. Microscopic processes cause the machine to run rough due to collisions with surrounding water molecules.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Physics·DateDec 11, 2011

Scripps research scientists elevate little-studied cellular mechanism to potential drug target

Scientists have elevated little-studied cellular mechanism sulfenylation to potential drug target by showing its importance in cell signaling and cancer. A new chemical probe allowed detection of minute differences in sulfenylation rates, revealing a key role for hydrogen peroxide in activating epidermal growth factor receptor.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateDec 11, 2011