Gene expression is found to be highly variable in cloned mice, with imprinted genes showing widespread aberrant regulation. This variability may contribute to the large offspring and respiratory problems commonly seen in clones.
Researchers propose that the APP tail participates in gene expression by binding to DNA, potentially activating transcription. This finding may shed light on mechanisms behind Alzheimer's disease and raise concerns about the effectiveness of drugs intended to prevent plaque formation.
The new Court Appointed Scientific Experts (CASE) project connects federal judges with credible experts to address complex scientific and engineering issues in courtrooms. By leveraging the AAAS's network of esteemed scientists and engineers, judges can better understand emerging technologies and make informed decisions.
The Merck Company Foundation and AAAS announced the 2001 winners of the expanded program providing research experiences in chemistry and biology for undergraduates. The awards aim to build bridges between chemistry and biology fields to encourage students to pursue graduate education.
The AAAS atlas shows how human activities affect natural resources, land use, and biodiversity. It provides case studies examining the relationship between population growth and environmental degradation in various regions.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has launched a web-based forum on the debate over genetically modified foods, providing a balanced scientific view on related issues. The site features commentaries from top scientists, a glossary of terms, and a model curriculum for teaching genetic modification.
A genetically modified monkey, ANDi, carrying an extra gene may suggest a way to speed new treatments for human conditions. The modification method used could lead to laboratory animals carrying genes associated with specific medical conditions.
Researchers made significant breakthroughs in genome sequencing, decoding the script of life in various organisms. These advances have profound implications for society and human health.
President Bill Clinton emphasizes the importance of understanding basic scientific concepts, citing climate change, the human genome, and nanotechnology as key areas of research. He also proposes solutions to improve science education, including paying teachers more or bringing in new instructors.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has received $1.34 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop seven plain-language booklets on biomedical research for public libraries as part of the Healthy People 2010 initiative.
Researchers believe that parts of ancient Mars may have resembled a land of lakes, with layered geologic outcrops suggesting sedimentary rock deposited in horizontal layers. The discovery suggests an extremely dynamic environment on early Mars, with water likely playing a key role in shaping the planet's geology.
Alka Agrawal's groundbreaking research reveals the role of 'jumping DNA' in creating our modern-day immune system, which has evolved over 450 million years. Her discovery, made possible by a unique petri-dish system, shows how genes like RAG1 and RAG2 enable complex immune responses.
A team of scientists discovered bacteria that can clean up contaminated water by stripping away impurities and re-packaging them into zinc sulfide crystals. These microorganisms, found in the Desulfobacteriaceae family, have the potential to improve the efficiency of mining waste removal.
Researchers found that interrupting therapy in rhesus macaques with HIV led to a vigorous immune response and controlled virus levels. The study's results suggest patients might be able to take fewer drugs, stimulating the immune system to better control the virus.
Eight-month-old babies demonstrate ability to bind attributes to form a whole object, as seen in the Kanizsa Square test. This skill, previously thought to develop later in childhood, reveals insights into early infant development and cognitive processing.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories discovered that dancing tin crystals can convert chemical energy into forward motion, overcoming friction between tin and the copper surface. This phenomenon could lead to surprisingly efficient nanomotors that can be controlled externally and refueled.
A group of scientists and policymakers are convening a conference to develop a federal science policy blueprint that addresses critical national issues. The conference aims to link basic science research with vital areas of public interest, such as education, energy, and global climate change.
Researchers found evidence that supernovae explosions can leave behind iron-rich gas clouds that feed gamma-ray bursts. The 'supranova' model suggests that the gamma-ray burst arises from the delayed collapse of a neutron star formed by the supernova explosion.
A 290 million-year-old reptile's nearly complete skeleton reveals it was a bipedal runner that probably used its speed to escape predators. Its unique posture, with long legs and short arms, indicates an upright locomotion similar to humans'.
A 300-year record of oceanic nitrogen in Alaskan lake bottoms suggests a need for flexible management policies that account for climate and lake nutrient levels. The study found population swings related to known climate changes, with the biggest decline occurring in the 20th century.
Researchers found that fish and flies can differentiate according to specific habitats within nine and 13 generations, respectively. These findings provide a basis for studying the role of natural selection in species evolution and offer insights into the processes of rapid speciation in nature.
A DNA vaccine paired with an immune protein successfully controls a highly pathogenic AIDS virus in monkeys, strengthening their immune response and preventing disease. The approach could decrease HIV-1 transmission rates by reducing viral replication in vaccinated individuals.
A fragile, charcoal-like meteorite that plummeted onto a frozen Canadian lake last January may represent the most primitive solar system material yet studied. Analysis of its mineral composition and oxygen and carbon isotopes suggests it could be part of a new class of carbonaceous chondrites, more primitive than any found previously.
Researchers have discovered 18 planet-like objects drifting free of a central star in the Orion constellation. The objects' cool temperatures suggest they may be planets or brown dwarfs, challenging current theories on planetary formation.
US presidential nominees Governor George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore express differing views on global warming, environmental policies, and education reforms in their responses to the Science questionnaire. They agree on supporting research funding and tax credits for biomedical research.
According to a report by Lawrence S. Lerner, 31 states handle evolution adequately, but only nine explicitly cover human evolution and another nine do so by implication. The remaining 19 states receive poor grades for teaching evolution, with some even avoiding the term altogether.
Researchers discovered that snapping shrimp produce sound by collapsing bubbles from their snapping claw. The bubbles collapse and generate a shock wave that stuns prey, using cavitation damage previously thought to be harmful to ship propellers.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science recommends that human trials of inheritable genetic changes should not be initiated until reliable techniques for gene correction or replacement are developed. Serious ethical and religious issues also must be addressed as research policy is formulated, including concerns about ju...
Researchers have discovered that normal prions may fine-tune neuronal functions at the cellular level through a signaling pathway. This discovery could provide new insights into how brain-degenerating diseases occur and potentially lead to treatments.
A recent study found consistent evidence of later freeze and earlier breakup of ice on northern waterways over a 150-year span, corresponding to a 1.8 degrees Centigrade increase in air temperature. The trend suggests climate change, but other drivers like solar activity may also be involved.
A new study in Science predicts that genetically modified herbicide-tolerant (GMHT) crops may severely reduce bird populations on a small percentage of farms, particularly those with high seed densities. The consequences depend on which farmers adopt the new crop types, with intensive farms experiencing more significant declines.
A new model of the northern Hayward Fault in California's San Francisco Bay Area suggests that a major earthquake along that portion of the fault may be less likely than previously suspected. Aseismic creep has been relieving strain on the northern part of the fault, making a large earthquake on this segment unlikely.
Scientists have successfully cloned a piglet using microinjection, marking a significant step towards xenotransplantation and genetically modified organs. The breakthrough could lead to human-friendly pig organs, reducing rejection rates and increasing the success of organ transplants.
A protein called Wnt-10b appears to help prevent fat formation by quieting two molecules that promote it. The discovery offers fundamental new information on obesity and may suggest targets for anti-obesity drugs.
Scientists have identified a class of ceramic materials that may safely contain radioactive waste for long-term storage, featuring disordered atomic structures. The fluorite-type complex oxides show promise as radiation-proof materials, warranting further development for containing nuclear wastes.
Scientists have successfully implanted the lens of a sighted fish into cavefish, resulting in the growth of a normal eye. This breakthrough may provide new avenues for understanding the genetic factors involved in eye growth and development, potentially leading to improved treatments for certain forms of blindness. Further research is ...
A French study on circadian clocks found that female zebrafish 'set' the clocks of their young before birth, influencing how easily the body adjusts to day/night cycles. Variations in maternal genes may also affect this process.
Two conferences will be held to present scientific findings on ocean issues, including fisheries, pollution, health, and gas hydrates. The events aim to develop a policy agenda for the US and internationally, with keynote speakers like Robert Ballard and Jean-Michel Cousteau.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is seeking entries for its Science Journalism Awards competition, including a new online news category. The awards recognize excellence in science writing for a general audience and will support journalists covering emerging media platforms.
The new microrobots, made of gold and polypyrrole, can function in salty broths, blood, and other liquids. They may be useful for fundamental studies, manufacturing small devices, or minimally invasive surgery, according to the researchers.
The Special Issue of Science documents the devastating impact of AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, with 24.5 million HIV-infected people facing inaccessible treatments and preventive tactics. The article highlights the need for increased funding, estimated to be between $1.6 billion and $2.6 billion annually.
Fossil evidence suggests that reptiles existed before dinosaurs and sported feathers, challenging the theory of bird evolution from dinosaurs. The discovery of 'Longisquama' features key clues indicating that its appendages were indeed feathers.
Researchers from Malin Space Science Systems found steep-sided gullies and sinuous channels that suggest liquid water may be present beneath the Martian surface. The team proposes a scenario where water seeps through porous rock layers, builds up pressure, and eventually bursts forth in short-lived torrents.
Chinese President Jiang Zemin outlines China's commitment to global scientific collaboration, highlighting initiatives such as Sino-Israeli and Sino-Australian scientific collaboration funds. He also calls for curriculum reform in China's education system and acknowledges the country's brain drain, with Chinese students studying abroad.
Scientists at the University of Manchester and the Natural History Museum in London found water-bearing salt crystals within the Zag meteorite that may have formed just two million years after the solar system's birth. This discovery could indicate that hospitable conditions for life might have arisen earlier than previously thought.
AAAS and UCSF launch a premier online AIDS prevention information forum, linking peer-reviewed papers, daily features, and resources for scientists. The site aims to accelerate HIV vaccine development by facilitating global collaboration and information exchange.
A new study reveals that reprogrammed adult neural stem cells can differentiate into various cell types, including heart, liver, muscle, and intestine cells. This breakthrough adds to the growing evidence suggesting that adult stem cells may be more versatile than previously thought.
A team of researchers has discovered two nearly complete fossil skulls from the Dmanisi site in Georgia, which may represent the first hominid species to migrate out of Africa. The fossils show clear signs of African ancestry and are dated to around 1.7 million years old.
Researchers found that cow clones exhibit youthful telomeres, indicating a potential for increased lifespan, whereas normal cells age prematurely. This breakthrough erases doubts about cloning's utility by showing it doesn't rob cells of their normal lifespan.
French researchers develop gene therapy to treat human severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) X1, a life-threatening disease. Two infants experience 'striking' clinical improvements and return to normal immune system functioning without side effects.