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Science News for May 11, 2011


Toward a vaccine for methamphetamine abuse

Three new vaccine formulations show potential in preventing long-term relapse and reducing costs associated with methamphetamine addiction. The formulations produce a good immune response in mice, offering a unique approach to treating the highly addictive substance.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 11, 2011

Blood pressure drug shows some muscle

Researchers discovered losartan improves muscle regeneration and prevents wasting away from inactivity in geriatric mice. The study suggests losartan may have broader clinical applications in protecting against immobilization atrophy in older adults.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 11, 2011

Serendipity leads to lifesaving discovery

A McGill research team identified two distinct disease-causing mutations in the IRF8 gene, which causes severe immunodeficiency and disseminated BCG infection. These findings led to a successful stem cell transplant that saved the life of a three-month-old baby girl.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 11, 2011

Beware of predatory male black bears

Research reveals that lone male black bears are the primary cause of fatal attacks on humans, with a significant increase in attacks linked to human population growth. The study also found that familiarization with humans and previous bear encounters do not necessarily lead to increased attack rates.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalJournal of Wildlife Management·DateMay 11, 2011

Human lung stem cell discovered

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have identified a human lung stem cell capable of regenerating damaged lung tissue. The discovery has the potential to offer a new treatment option for those suffering from chronic lung diseases.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 11, 2011

The urea cycle: An anabolic steroid for diatoms

A team of researchers has identified the urea cycle in diatoms as a key player in recycling inorganic carbon and nitrogen, enabling them to quickly recover from nutrient withdrawal and respond to changes in their environment. The discovery sheds new light on the evolutionary relationships between diatoms, plants, and animals.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateMay 11, 2011

Mother and kid goat vocals strike a chord

New research from Queen Mary University of London has found that mother and kid goats can recognize each other's calls shortly after birth, a finding that suggests robust mechanisms of memorization and recognition in goats. This study's results have implications for understanding animal communication and behavior.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalAnimal Cognition·DateMay 11, 2011

MIT Study: conventional fossil fuels sometimes 'greener' than biofuels

A new MIT study highlights the variability in greenhouse gas emissions from alternative fuels, suggesting that conventional fossil fuels may sometimes be a more environmentally friendly choice. The research found that different types of land used for biofuel production can result in varying levels of carbon dioxide emissions, with some...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMay 11, 2011

Lessening the dangers of radiation

A Tel Aviv University researcher has found that ultrasound scans are as effective as CT scans for diagnosing head and neck ailments, suggesting a safer alternative. The study's results have implications for the use of CT scans in medical procedures, particularly those involving radiation exposure.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalEuropean Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology·DateMay 11, 2011

Study finds cryopreserved endothelial progenitor cells phenotypically identical to non-frozen

A study published in Cell Transplantation found that cryopreserved endothelial progenitor cells have the same phenotypic, structural, and functional properties as non-frozen cells. This discovery eliminates the need for cell isolation procedures before using these cells in clinical transplantation.

Adult stem cells take root in livers and repair damage

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully coaxed adult human cells into an embryonic state and used them to regenerate liver tissue in mice with chronic liver damage. The induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) showed promise as a potential alternative to liver transplants for patients with serious liver diseases, offering...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 11, 2011

Vitamins may hitch a protected ride on corn starch

Researchers have developed a method to deliver vitamins using corn starch, potentially creating stable vitamin-enriched ingredients. This technique could offer an inexpensive and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional methods of producing medications and food supplements.

SourcePenn State·JournalCarbohydrate Polymers·DateMay 11, 2011

Learning through mere exposure

Scientists at Ruhr-University Bochum find that passive stimulation can induce lasting changes in human behavior and perception, opening new perspectives for intervention and treatment of visual perceptual disorders. Visual perception is impaired after slow stimulation but improved with rapid stimulation.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 11, 2011

Musical experience offsets some aging effects

A Northwestern University study finds that lifelong musical training can benefit adults by offsetting age-related decline in memory and ability to hear speech in noisy environments. Musicians aged 45-65 outperform non-musicians in auditory memory, hearing speech in noise, and other cognitive functions.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 11, 2011

Wine yeasts reveal prehistoric microbial world

Two wine yeasts, S. cerevisiae and Dekkera bruxellensis, have been studied to reconstruct the evolutionary history of ethanol production. They developed similar abilities around 100-150 million years ago, likely driven by environmental pressures such as competition from other microbes.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 11, 2011

Drought tolerance in crops: Shutting down the plant's growth inhibition under mild stress

Plant hormone ethylene plays a major role in shutting down growth inhibition during mild drought stress. The study shows that plants grow slower when water becomes limiting but can resume growth if the stress is temporary. By targeting this response, crop varieties can be developed to improve productivity and reduce yield losses.

University pond reveals hidden history of fungi

Scientists have found a hitherto unknown type of fungi, cryptomycota, which has significantly expanded our knowledge of fungal diversity. The discovery was made possible by analyzing DNA samples taken from the University of Exeter's pond, revealing a previously hidden branch in the fungal tree of life.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature·DateMay 11, 2011

Coping with climate change

A new study reveals that some species are adapting to rising temperatures by migrating northward and upward, while others are struggling to keep pace. The researchers found that predicting which species will thrive in a warming world is challenging, as general traits such as body size or diet may not be sufficient to determine success.

Flipping hot Jupiters

Astronomers at Northwestern University have developed a computer simulation that explains how hot Jupiters form with flipped orbits around their stars. The study, published in Nature, suggests that gravitational perturbations from other planets in the system can cause the inner planet to lose energy and orbit closer to its star.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature·DateMay 11, 2011

Slow road to a synapse

A study led by Subhojit Roy reveals how certain proteins in neurons travel at a slower pace than others, assembling into larger complexes that move down the axon. The proposed model suggests a 'plume' of proteins, where complexes disassemble and reassemble as they progress, making the overall motion slow and coordinated.