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Science News Archive 2012 - Page 4


Page 4 of 333

The paths of photons are random -- but coordinated

Researchers have shown that even in disordered structures, photons can sense and coordinate their travel through a medium. This is due to the wave properties of photons, which allow them to interact with each other. By analyzing these interactions, valuable insight into complex microscopic structures can be gained.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 20, 2012

Poison for cancer cells

Researchers developed a new testing reaction to identify active agents in mixtures of hundreds of substances. They found two compounds, cepafungin I and glidobactin A, which inhibit the proteasome, causing cancer cells to suffocate on their own waste.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 20, 2012

Production of 5-aminovaleric and glutaric acid by metabolically engineered microorganism

A Korean research team successfully produced 5-aminovaleric acid and glutaric acid using metabolically engineered Escherichia coli. The study demonstrates the first microbial process for producing these C5 platform chemicals, showcasing the potential for sustainable production of chemicals and plastics.

Italian wolves prefer pork to venison

Researchers found that Italian wolves primarily consume wild boar, accounting for two-thirds of their diet, with roe deer making up around a third. The study suggests that wolves prefer wild boar even when roe deer densities are high, indicating a strong preference for this prey.

SourceDurham University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 20, 2012

Mutation hotspots in autism genes

A study found that autism genes are more prone to mutation hotspots, contributing to disease risk. The researchers used whole-genome sequencing on monozygotic twins with autism and their parents, identifying clusters of nucleotide substitutions in specific parts of the genome.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateDec 20, 2012

Wallace's century-old map of natural world updated

The University of Copenhagen's researchers have produced a next-generation map depicting the organization of life on Earth, combining evolutionary and geographical information for over 20,000 species. The new map shows 11 large biogeographic realms and has major conservation significance in light of the ongoing biodiversity crisis.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalScience·DateDec 20, 2012

Game changing diagnostic & prognostic prostate cancer genetic tests revealed by Jefferson

Researchers at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson developed diagnostic and prognostic genetic tests to better predict prostate cancer survival outcomes. The tests distinguish clinically-relevant cancers from normal prostate tissue in men with elevated PSA levels, offering a superior alternative to existing gene tests and the Gleason...

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalCancer Research·DateDec 20, 2012

Doing the math for how songbirds learn to sing

Scientists have created a statistical explanation for why some things are harder for the brain to learn than others by studying songbirds. They found that adult birds correct small errors in their songs more rapidly and robustly than large errors, which may help develop human behavioral therapies for vocal rehabilitation.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 20, 2012

Neuroscience: The extraordinary ease of ordinal series

A recent fMRI study published by David Eagleman in Frontiers found that ordinal sequences, such as numbers, have a strong spatial quality and stimulate less brain activity than non-ordinal sequences. This suggests that the brain can predict and process familiar sequences more efficiently, leading to reduced neural activity.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateDec 20, 2012

Death of hemlock trees yields new life for hardwood trees, but at what cost to the ecosystem?

The loss of hemlock trees due to exotic pests and pathogens has an unexpected benefit: it allows hardwood species to thrive by releasing phosphorus into the soil. However, this shift also leads to increased nitrogen leaching from the soil, which can harm aquatic organisms.

Supportive role models, coping lead to better health in poor teens

A new study published in Child Development found that low-income teenagers with supportive role models and adaptive coping strategies have lower levels of an inflammatory marker for cardiovascular risk. Researchers from Northwestern University and the University of British Columbia discovered that these adolescents showed improved phys...

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateDec 20, 2012

2 problems in chemical catalysis solved

Researchers at the University of Jyvaskyla have solved two acute problems in chemical catalysis using a novel intramolecularly assisted catalyst for beta amino acid synthesis. They also identified a new mechanism for the amine-catalysed Michael addition reaction between aldehydes and nitroalkenes.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateDec 20, 2012

Cancer diagnosis later in life poses significant risk to offspring

A nationwide prospective cohort study found that offspring of cancer patients diagnosed at older ages are still at higher risk of developing the same cancer. The study suggests a significant genetic component to familial risks, with increased risks observed for various cancers including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, breast, and prostate cancer.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Open·DateDec 20, 2012

Unlocking new talents in nature

Researchers have created new biocatalysts using the power of protein engineering and evolution, allowing nature's premier oxidation catalyst to drive synthetically useful reactions. This breakthrough enables the production of pharmaceutical drugs and natural products in a more efficient and environmentally friendly manner.

Newborn baby screening for fragile X syndrome

A large-scale study on newborn screening for fragile X syndrome reveals the high prevalence of the premutation allele among carriers. The research identifies one in 209 females and one in 430 males with the premutation, highlighting the need for better understanding of its impact on families and systems.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalGenome Medicine·DateDec 20, 2012

A urine test for a rare and elusive disease

A new urine test using protein biomarkers may enable early diagnosis and treatment of Kawasaki disease, a rare but increasingly prevalent condition that can cause inflammation of blood vessels and lead to heart attacks. The test has shown promising results in distinguishing children with Kawasaki disease from those with other conditions.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateDec 20, 2012