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Science News Archive January 2012 - Page 9


Page 9 of 24

Ancient dinosaur nursery oldest nesting site yet found

A 190-million-year-old dinosaur nesting site has been found in South Africa, providing significant insights into the evolution of reproductive behavior in early dinosaurs. The discovery includes clutches of eggs, embryos, and tiny footprints, shedding light on the complex behaviors of these ancient creatures.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2012

Study suggests association between cognitive activity and brain protein related to Alzheimer's disease

Researchers found a direct association between cognitive engagement and lower levels of β-amyloid protein, which is associated with Alzheimer's disease. Participants who engaged in cognitively stimulating activities had reduced β-amyloid uptake, while those with the lowest activity had higher uptake comparable to patients with AD.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateJan 23, 2012

Bonobos' unusual success story

Researchers at Max Planck Institute found that high-ranking male bonobos were more aggressive and had higher mating success, but also invested in friendly relationships with females. These relationships correlated with lower male testosterone levels, challenging the common notion of masculine behavior.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalAnimal Behaviour·DateJan 23, 2012

Biochip measures glucose in saliva, not blood

Researchers at Brown University have developed a biochip that can measure glucose levels in saliva, providing a potential solution for non-invasive diabetes monitoring. The biochip uses surface plasmonics to detect glucose molecules in water, with results showing concentrations similar to those found in human saliva.

SourceBrown University·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 23, 2012

How cells dispose of their waste

Researchers have elucidated the structure of the 26S proteasome, a key protein degradation machinery, using a combination of structural biology methods. The discovery sheds light on how cells dispose of their waste and could have important implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2012

Mighty mesh

Biofilms expand by swelling and then spreading due to the force generated by the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM increases osmotic pressure within the biofilm, causing it to absorb water from its surroundings and swell. This process allows the biofilm to grow and spread horizontally.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2012

Waiting for Death Valley's Big Bang

Geologists have determined that Death Valley's Ubehebe Crater was created just 800 years ago and still has enough groundwater and magma to potentially produce another eruption. The crater, which formed from a phreatomagmatic explosion, may be due for another blast in the near future.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 23, 2012

Dog skull dates back 33,000 years

Researchers have discovered an ancient dog skull in Siberia dating back 33,000 years, indicating multiple lines of dog domestication and suggesting modern dogs may have descended from multiple ancestors. The discovery uses radiocarbon dating to determine the age of the skull, which predates a period known as the Last Glacial Maximum.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 23, 2012

Rate of physician referrals nearly doubled

A new study finds that physician referral rates in the United States increased by 92% over a decade, leading to an estimated 159% increase in visits resulting in referrals. This surge in referrals is attributed to increased specialization and the increasing responsibilities of primary care physicians.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateJan 23, 2012

Lifelong brain-stimulating habits linked to lower Alzheimer's protein levels

A new study reveals that people with no symptoms of Alzheimer's who engaged in cognitively stimulating activities throughout their lives had fewer deposits of beta-amyloid, a destructive protein that is the hallmark of the disease. Lifelong cognitive engagement may affect a primary pathological process in the disease, suggesting potent...

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalArchives of Neurology·DateJan 23, 2012

The influence of estrogen on female mood changes

Research suggests that estrogen can improve mood in women, particularly during the premenstrual phase. Studies have shown a significant increase in activity in brain areas related to emotional processing premenstrually, and estrogen has been linked to reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety in postmenopausal women.

Rare kidney disease shows how salt, potassium levels are moderated

A rare kidney disease study reveals how sodium and potassium levels are moderated in the body, shedding light on hypertension and familial high blood pressure disease. Researchers identified novel mutations linked to increased sodium activity and decreased potassium activity, providing a better understanding of this inherited condition.

Saving the snow leopard with stem cells

Researchers generated induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from ear tissue of adult snow leopards, paving the way for cryopreservation and cloning techniques to save endangered species. This breakthrough raises hopes for the conservation of the snow leopard and other cat family members.

SourceMonash University·JournalTheriogenology·DateJan 22, 2012

DNA motor programmed to navigate a network of tracks

Researchers at Kyoto University and the University of Oxford have successfully constructed a DNA motor capable of navigating a programmable network of tracks with multiple switches. The breakthrough uses DNA origami technology, allowing for autonomous nanoscale devices to produce predictable outputs based on different starting conditions.