Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for January 26, 2011


February 2011 Lithosphere highlights

The article discusses recent movements and past deformation in Central America, California, Turkey, and Canada. Key findings include the present rates and directions of movement between El Salvador and Nicaragua, as well as the role of low-angle normal faulting in active tectonics in the northern Owens Valley.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalLithosphere·DateJan 26, 2011

Making a point

Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new method for rapidly prototyping nanoscale devices and structures, combining the benefits of scanning-probe lithography and polymer pen lithography. The technique, called hard-tip, soft-spring lithography, produces patterns with sub-50-nanometer resolution and scalability.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature·DateJan 26, 2011

Eating poorly can make us depressed

A six-year study of 12,059 volunteers found that high intake of trans-fats increased the risk of depression by up to 48%, while polyunsaturated fats and olive oil were associated with a lower risk. The researchers suggest that diet may play a key role in both depression and cardiovascular disease.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 26, 2011

Racial stereotyping found in US death certificates

A study found that US death certificates exhibit racial stereotyping, with discrepancies in racial classifications varying across the population. The researchers' review of 22,905 death certificates revealed patterns reflecting long-running stereotypes about violence and alcoholism.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 26, 2011

Hormones dictate breeding success in birds

Scientists found that birds' hormone levels, particularly corticosterone and prolactin, play a crucial role in determining their reproductive success. Birds with low corticosterone values before breeding raised the most offspring, while those with high prolactin levels started laying eggs earlier and produced more offspring.

First study of dispersants in Gulf spill suggests a prolonged deepwater fate

A recent study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution scientists found that a major component of the dispersant used in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill remained intact in an oil-gas-laden plume three months after application. The study's results raise questions about the potential toxic effects of deep-water residue on marine life and...

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJan 26, 2011

Genetic archaeology finds parts of our genome more closely related to orangutans than chimps

A recent study published in Genome Research found that certain regions of the human genome are more similar to those of orangutans than chimpanzees, contrary to previous assumptions. This suggests that humans and orangutans shared a common ancestor with high genetic diversity, while chimpanzees may have experienced a genetic bottleneck.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenome Research·DateJan 26, 2011

Brain 'GPS' illuminated in migratory monarch butterflies

Researchers have identified a complex brain navigation system in migrating monarch butterflies that integrates internal compass, sun compass, and skylight cues to guide their long-distance migrations. The study reveals the integration of seemingly contradictory signals into a consistent neural representation of the environment.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateJan 26, 2011

RIC study suggests researchers are entering a new era of advances in brain research

Advances in recording technology and data analysis are set to revolutionize brain research, enabling better understanding of the brain's functional principles. Researchers at RIC have found that the number of simultaneously recorded single neurons has grown exponentially since the 1950s, doubling approximately every seven years.

SourceEdelman Public Relations, New York·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJan 26, 2011

Mount Sinai researchers identify potential therapeutic target for improving long-term memory

Mount Sinai researchers have identified insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) as a potential therapeutic target for enhancing long-term memory and preventing its loss. IGF-II, a gene expressed during brain development that declines with aging, was found to improve long-term memory in rats by promoting stable LTP.

Data point to role of cellular bioenergetics as a new mechanistic approach to treat immune disorders

Researchers demonstrate the role of cellular bioenergetics in selectively inhibiting pathogenic lymphocytes while preserving normal immune function. Lycera's prototype compound Bz-423 induces selective apoptosis of alloreactive donor T cells, reversing graft-versus-host disease and improving survival in mice.

SourcePure Communications Inc.·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 26, 2011

Megalomaniac CEOs: Good or bad for company performance?

A study published in the Journal of Management Studies found that dominant CEOs can drive companies to extremes of performance. However, a strong board of directors can mitigate this effect and improve company performance. Companies with powerful boards tend to have better outcomes than those without them.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Management Studies·DateJan 26, 2011

Agave fuels global excitement as a bioenergy crop

Two Agave species have yielded significantly more than other biofuel crops in independent studies, making them a promising alternative for global energy needs. The crop's potential to thrive in semi-arid regions without significant land demands offers a sustainable and environmentally-friendly production method.

SourceWiley·JournalGCB Bioenergy·DateJan 26, 2011

2011 Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine

Stefan Jentsch receives prize for discovery of ubiquitin's role in genome maintenance and DNA repair, while Edvard and May-Britt Moser win for grid cells discovery that enables spatial navigation and memory.

SourceEMBO·DateJan 26, 2011

First pediatric surgical quality program shows potential to measure children's outcomes

A new quality improvement program for pediatric surgery has shown promise in identifying reasons for complications and implementing improvements to reduce mortality rates and post-operative complications. The program, based on the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, uses data to target specific p...

SourceWeber Shandwick Worldwide·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJan 26, 2011