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Science News for April 29, 2012


Breastfeeding is associated with a healthy infant gut

A new study published in Genome Biology reveals that breastfeeding leads to a wider range of beneficial microbes in the infant's gut compared to formula feeding. The research also shows that breastfed infants' immune systems have developed to cope with the differences, promoting intestinal stability and defense against pathogens.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalGenome Biology·DateApr 29, 2012

Orangutans harbor ancient primate Alu

Researchers have identified an ancestral Alu element in orangutan genomes, which has uniquely multiplied within the species. This discovery provides insights into primate evolution and diversity, with implications for understanding speciation processes.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalMobile DNA·DateApr 29, 2012

A middle-ear microphone

Researchers have created a tiny, prototype middle-ear microphone that can be implanted in the ear to avoid problems with current cochlear implants. The device has been successfully tested in cadavers and aims to reduce size and improve sound detection abilities for future human testing.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalIEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering·DateApr 29, 2012

Bioluminescent technology for easy tracking of GMO

A new bioluminescent real-time reporter (BART) technique combined with loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) detects genetically modified crops at 0.1% GM contamination levels, surpassing EU limits. This approach simplifies DNA extraction and detection, providing a field-ready solution for monitoring GMOs.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Biotechnology·DateApr 29, 2012