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Science News for August 30, 2013


From cancer treatment to ion thruster

Researchers at Michigan Technological University have developed a new type of micro rocket engine using ferrofluids, which could enable efficient propulsion for nanosatellites. The thrusters use electrically sprayed fluid to produce thrust, with the ferrofluid forming a stationary pattern of sharp tips that can spray jets of fluid.

The more the merrier

A study found that female mice mate with multiple males when they produce similar levels of scent markings, indicating a preference for reducing the danger of infanticide. Litters sired by multiple males were larger than single-sired litters under intense competition among males.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateAug 30, 2013

Drug design success propels efforts to fight HIV with a combination of 2 FDA-approved drugs

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center have developed a new delivery system for a combination of two FDA-approved drugs that may serve as an effective treatment for HIV. The discovery allows for a pill-form combination of decitabine and gemcitabine, marking a major step forward in patient feasibility.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Academic Health Center·JournalAntiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy·DateAug 30, 2013

Possible links: Epigenetics, aging, nucleus protein mutations to cancer, rare disorders

A study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine reveals that epigenetic factors play a role in senescence, a process linked to normal aging and tumor suppression. The researchers found large-scale changes in gene expression and chromatin architecture when a nuclear protein called lamin B1 is deleted in senescent cells.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalGenes & Development·DateAug 30, 2013

Researchers a step closer to finding cosmic ray origins

Researchers have used data from the IceCube Neutrino Observatory to identify new information about the origin of cosmic rays. The study provides new constraints for models explaining the acceleration and propagation of cosmic rays, with potential implications for understanding their impact on human DNA and electronics in space.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalPhysical Review D·DateAug 30, 2013

Little changes -- large effects

Researchers at the University of York found that small chemical changes to dietary flavonoids significantly impact the production of inflammatory mediators. The study demonstrates the importance of a molecule's shape in its recognition by immune cells, paving the way for designing new drugs and immunomodulators.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateAug 30, 2013

AGU Journal Highlights -- Aug. 30, 2013

Researchers found that the Amazon rainforest's stability and resilience to widespread deforestation may be lower than previously thought. Deforestation-induced precipitation changes can trigger a forest-to-grassland shift in different zones of the Amazon, with some areas experiencing sharp declines in rainfall. Meanwhile, scientists al...

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 30, 2013

Whales feel the (sun)burn!

Researchers found that some whale species darken their skin with UV exposure, accumulating DNA damage, similar to humans. Fin whales, however, were resistant to sun damage, offering insights into evolutionary adaptations to counteract UV radiation.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 30, 2013

Mosquitoes smell you better at night, study finds

Researchers found that mosquitoes have higher olfactory sensitivity and protein abundance of odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) at night, making them more effective at detecting human hosts. This discovery has significant implications for developing novel insect control methods to reduce malaria transmission.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 30, 2013