Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for January 2, 2014:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Fly dreams and the boundaries of evolutionary science- Cape Wind, Siemens agree to Siemens turbines for offshore wind farm
- Novel noninvasive therapy prevents breast cancer formation in mice
- Plant used in Chinese medicine fights chronic pain
- Roses are red—why some petunias are blue
- Researchers find ways to minimize power grid disruptions from wind power
- Money talks when ancient Antioch meets Google Earth (w/ Video)
- Brain training works, but just for the practiced task, say researchers
- Geckos in space: Novel robot takes a step to cosmos
- Earthquake lights linked to rift environments, subvertical faults
- Scientists uncover image of muscular dystrophy defect and design targeted drug candidates
- Atlas Mountains in Morocco are buoyed up by superhot rock, study finds
- Turning off the 'aging genes'
- Study finds patients give 'broad endorsement' to stem cell research
- Pine Island Glacier sensitive to climatic variability
Astronomy & Space news
Space science stories to watch in 2014
There's an old Chinese proverb that says, "May you live in interesting times," and 2013 certainly fit the bill in the world of spaceflight and space science. The past year saw spacecraft depart for Mars, China land a rover on the Moon, and drama in low Earth orbit to repair the International Space Station. And all of this occurred against a landscape of dwindling budgets, government shutdowns that threatened launches and scientific research, and ongoing sequestration.
Happy New Year's Day 2014 from Mars – Curiosity celebrates 500 sols spying towering mount sharp destination
Today, New Year's Day 2014, NASA's Curiosity mega rover celebrates a huge mission milestone – her 500th Martian Day on the Red Planet since the death defying touchdown of August 2012.
Geckos in space: Novel robot takes a step to cosmos
A wall-crawling robot inspired by the gecko has taken a small but important step towards a future in space, scientists said on Thursday.
Technology news
Philippines allows phone use on planes
The Philippines' civil aviation authority said Tuesday it would allow passengers to use mobile phones and laptops to make calls and access the Internet during flights.
NY suit challenging laptop searches is tossed
U.S. border agents should have the authority to search laptop computers carried by news photographers and other travelers at international border crossings without reasonable suspicion, a federal judge in Brooklyn ruled Friday.
Bump, Flock apps to be discontinued
Smartphone file-sharing apps Bump and Flock have announced that they will be discontinued at the end of January.
Car manufacturing – fast track towards mass production
New models of automobiles are initially manufactured in a pilot production run. A new procedure now makes it possible to transfer the parameters applied there directly to serial production.
Explainer: the science of fireworks
While large firework displays have become even more more popular over the past ten years or so, most of the chemistry behind these exuberant displays has been known for centuries. Marrying this with modern digital technology provides the fiery choreography of our New Year celebrations.
Watches, glasses and super-tablets: tech predictions for 2014
With Microsoft losing its controversial CEO, Apple launching new iPads and iPhones and the rise of wearable devices all making headlines, it's been another huge year for technology. That's before you look at the gobbling up of Nokia, Amazon's embrace of drones and the ongoing NSA affair.
Social network connects widely scattered Puerto Rican scientists
A social network designed in 2006 by a young Yale professor to link Hispanic scientists now boasts more than 6,500 members and has not only spurred research collaborations, but has increased interest in science among Hispanic students, particularly those of Puerto Rican descent, a new paper claims.
Syrian group hacks Skype
The Syrian Electronic Army hacker group set its sights on Skype's social media accounts Wednesday to accuse Microsoft of spying on user data.
Snapchat hackers post phone numbers of 4.6 million users online (Update)
Hackers broke into Snapchat, the hugely popular mobile app, accessing the phone numbers and usernames of 4.6 million users and publishing them online, tech news website TechCrunch has announced.
How best to go about getting seed money through crowdfunding
Early on in our careers, many of us were tutored as to how to best write an effective and attention-getting curriculum vitae (CV) in looking for a job. But in today's world, many are looking not for just a job, but are engaged in wide, often Internet-based searches for seed money to launch entrepreneurial ventures of one sort of another. But what guidelines exist as to the best way to go about securing this kind of funding?
Troy Wolverton: A look back at the year in tech
This past year saw few breakthrough tech products, but it was anything but a boring year in tech.
Invention alerts ice anglers to fish on the line
A couple of guys in Wisconsin have combined a tradition dating back at least 1,500 years with the Internet age.
Open collaboration, which led to Bitcoin, TedX and Wikipedia, likely to grow
which has brought the world Bitcoin, TEDx and Wikipedia – is likely to expand into new domains and displace traditional organizations, according to a paper in a journal of the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS).
Tech blog AllThingsD relaunches as Re/code
The technology news blog AllThingsD has relaunched under the name Re/code under a partnership with NBCUniversal, after splitting with News Corp's Wall Street Journal.
Apple denies 'backdoor' NSA access
Apple said Tuesday it had no "backdoor" in its products after a security researcher and a leaked document suggested the US National Security Agency had unfettered access to the iPhone.
30C3: SD card tricks can deliver MITM attacks
(Phys.org) —This year's 30th Chaos Communication Congress (30C3) in Hamburg from December 27 to December 30 carried numerous informative presentations, including a reverse-engineering story about SD cards, which two investigators explored for malware potential. The presenters were identified as "bunnie" and "xobs," taking center-stage to discuss their work. The presentation was titled " The Exploration and Exploitation of an SD Memory Card." (SD cards are the small flash-memory cards used to store data on phones, digital cameras and other portable devices.) As Gizmodo put it, "the next time you plug in an SD card, just remember that it's actually a tiny computer of its own." In short, some cards' embedded microcontrollers can be exploited. The two found that some SD cards contain vulnerabilities that allow arbitrary code execution—on the memory card itself. They talked about reverse-engineering and loading code into the microcontroller within a SD memory card.
Warping images using your PC graphics card
By projecting images onto contoured surfaces you get a virtual experience that puts you at the center of the action. Now, a quick and easy calibration technique could help the concept find a wider application beyond the planetarium.
Click away the snow
The control center at the Cologne Bonn Airport coordinates a number of actors during winter services. The new software upgrades the airport's central control of winter service activities. Now, one click is enough in order to respond to weather changes.
Ultra-thin tool heating for injection molding
In future, thin-film heating will allow plastic parts to be produced with greatly improved surface quality. Researchers have also found a way to make the whole process more energy efficient.
New MIT technology allows 3D image interaction
(AP)—Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have found a way to allow people in one place to interact with three-dimensional versions of people or objects in a different location.
Ford to unveil solar hybrid concept car at CES
(AP)—Ford plans to unveil at this month's International CES gadget show a solar-powered concept car that offers the same performance as a plug-in hybrid but without the need for a plug.
Researchers find ways to minimize power grid disruptions from wind power
Researchers from North Carolina State University and Johns Hopkins University have found that an increase in the use of wind power generation can make the power grid more fragile and susceptible to disruptions. But the researchers didn't just identify the problem – they have also devised a technique for coordinating wind power generation and energy storage in order to minimize the potential for such power disruptions.
Cape Wind, Siemens agree to Siemens turbines for offshore wind farm
(Phys.org) —Siemens last month inked a deal with the Cape Wind project that could be a significant step to advance wind farm activity in the United States. The plant is to operate in New England, on Horseshoe Shoal, an area of water toward the center of Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts. This would be America's first offshore wind farm, capable of powering on average three-quarters of the Cape and Islands with renewable energy. The wind turbines are to be spaced six to nine football fields apart. Siemens' role is major and comes in three parts. Siemens will provide the wind turbines; an electric service platform (ESP) positioned toward the center of the wind farm site, transforming voltage of the electricity produced by the turbines; and a service agreement for the first 15 years of commercial operations.
Medicine & Health news
Supreme Court exempts nun group from Obamacare birth control clause (Update)
US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor has granted a temporary reprieve to a group of nuns challenging a requirement of President Barack Obama's healthcare reform law that health insurance they offer include birth control.
2.1 million sign up for 'Obamacare' health insurance
More than 2 million people have signed up for private health insurance through President Barack Obama's signature reform after a botched rollout, the US government said Tuesday.
Marketing efforts to uninsured youth ramp up
The so-called "young invincibles," are so important to the success of the Affordable Care Act that supporters and detractors are spending millions to reach them with racy ads, social media campaigns and celebrity endorsements.
New US health law needs youth to sign up
Healthy young adults are so important to the success of the U.S. health care overhaul that takes effect Wednesday that both supporters and critics are spending millions to reach them with racy ads, social media campaigns and celebrity endorsements.
Health overhaul benefits take effect with new year
(AP)—After a troubled rollout, President Barack Obama's health care overhaul now faces its most personal test: How will it work as people seek care under its new mandates?
Study on pregnancy and alcohol fails to take psychological factors into account
"It is OK to drink a little bit of alcohol during pregnancy" or "a pregnant woman should not touch alcohol at all during her pregnancy". These statements represent the contradictory conclusions that large population studies on pregnancy and alcohol can reach. Psychologist Janni Niclasen has just defended her PhD thesis on the subject at the University of Copenhagen.
Survival rates similar for gunshot/stabbing victims whether brought to the hospital by police or EMS
A new study from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania has found no significant difference in adjusted overall survival rates between gunshot and stabbing (so-called penetrating trauma injuries) victims in Philadelphia whether they were transported to the emergency department by the police department or the emergency medical services (EMS) division of the fire department.
New drug approvals from FDA declined in 2013
(AP)—The Food and Drug Administration approved fewer first-of-a-kind drugs in 2013 compared with 2012, when new drug approvals reached a 15-year high.
Jumping DNA in the brain may be a cause of schizophrenia
Stretches of DNA called retrotransposons, often dubbed "junk DNA", might play an important role in schizophrenia. In a study published today in the journal Neuron, a Japanese team revealed that LINE-1 retrotransposons are abnormally abundant in the schizophrenia brain, modify the expression of genes related to schizophrenia during brain development, and may be one of the causes of schizophrenia.
Study shows benefit in activities of daily living and savings in caregiver time with vitamin E
Difficulty with activities of daily living often affect Alzheimer's patients, which is estimated to affect as many as 5.1 million Americans. These issues are among the most taxing burdens of the disease for caregivers, which total about 5.4 million family members and friends. New research from the faculty of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai working with Veterans Administration Medical Centers suggests that alpha tocepherol, fat-soluble Vitamin E and antioxidant, may slow functional decline (problems with daily activities such as shopping, preparing meals, planning, and traveling) in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease and decrease caregiver burden. There was no added benefit for memory and cognitive testing with the vitamin. The study is published online first in the Jan. 1 Journal of the American Medical Association.
Study identifies factors associated with pain one year after breast cancer surgery
In a study that included more than 800 women who had undergone surgery for breast cancer, the majority reported some level of pain 12 months after surgery, and factors associated with pain included chronic preoperative pain, chemotherapy, preoperative depression and pain in the area to be operated, according to a study appearing in the January 1 issue of JAMA.
Alcohol, tobacco, drug use far higher in severely mentally ill
In the largest ever assessment of substance use among people with severe psychiatric illness, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the University of Southern California have found that rates of smoking, drinking and drug use are significantly higher among those who have psychotic disorders than among those in the general population.
Study finds novice teen drivers easily fall into distraction, accidents
Teens may begin their driving habits with great caution, but as months behind the wheel pass, they begin to multi-task at higher frequency rates – dialing cell phones, eating, and talking to passengers, etc. – and therefore greatly raise their risk of crashes and/or near-crash incidents.
US global share of biomedical research spending declines
The United States' global share of biomedical research spending fell from 51 percent in 2007 to 45 percent in 2012, while Japan and China saw dramatic increases in research spending.
US ready to usher in 'Obamacare'
President Barack Obama's landmark health care reforms take effect on Wednesday, granting coverage to millions of previously uninsured Americans after nearly four years of bitter wrangling that has loomed large over the US political landscape.
Hundreds monitored in Taiwan after bird flu case
Taiwanese authorities are monitoring hundreds of people who may have had contact with a mainland Chinese tourist infected with the H7N9 strain of bird flu, officials said Wednesday.
27 eagle deaths in Utah caused by West Nile Virus
The mystery illness that has killed 27 bald eagles in Utah this month appears to be West Nile Virus, state officials said Tuesday.
High blood pressure potentially more dangerous for women than men
Doctors may need to treat high blood pressure in women earlier and more aggressively than they do in men, according to scientists at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.
Treating chronic kidney disease using clay minerals
Clay has healing powers. This natural product is destined to help treat chronic kidney disease: a well-tolerated agent based on clay minerals lowers patients' excessive phosphate levels.
The meaningful life is a road worth traveling
A Stanford research project explored the key differences between lives of happiness and meaningfulness. While the two are similar, dramatic differences exist – and one should not underestimate the power of meaningfulness. "The quest for meaning is a key part of what makes us human," the researchers concluded.
Ugly in the brain of the beholder
When people think of mental illness related to body image, the first thing that usually comes to mind is anorexia or associated eating disorders. But, the lesser known body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is five times more prevalent than anorexia and also causes higher levels of psychological impairment.
1st legal recreational pot industry opens in US
(AP)—The first recreational marijuana industry in the U.S. opened in Colorado, kicking off an experiment that will be watched closely around the world.
Biologists discover solution to problem limiting development of human stem cell therapies
Biologists at UC San Diego have discovered an effective strategy that could prevent the human immune system from rejecting the grafts derived from human embryonic stem cells, a major problem now limiting the development of human stem cell therapies. Their discovery may also provide scientists with a better understanding of how tumors evade the human immune system when they spread throughout the body.
Doxorubicin-associated mitochondrial iron accumulation promotes cardiotoxicity
Doxorubicin is a widely used as a component of chemotherapy regimes; however, the use of doxorubicin is associated with severe cardiotoxicity. It is unclear exactly how doxorubicin promotes cardiotoxicity, but it has been proposed that doxorubicin-associated cardiomyopathy develops as the result of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and iron accumulation.
Opioid tolerance and pain hypersensitivity associated with mTOR activation
Currently, opioids are the standard treatment for chronic pain. Patients on opioids for long periods of time become desensitized to these drugs or become paradoxically hypersensitive to pain (hyperalgesia); however, the adaptive mechanisms are not well understood.
Want a good night's sleep in the New Year? Quit smoking
As if cancer, heart disease and other diseases were not enough motivation to make quitting smoking your New Year's resolution, here's another wake-up call: New research published in the January 2014 issue of The FASEB Journal suggests that smoking disrupts the circadian clock function in both the lungs and the brain. Translation: Smoking ruins productive sleep, leading to cognitive dysfunction, mood disorders, depression and anxiety.
Scientists explain age-related obesity: Brown fat fails
As most people resolve themselves to lose weight this New Year, here's why it seems to get easier and easier to pack on unwanted pounds: New research published in the January 2014 issue of The FASEB Journal, shows that as we age, the thermogenic activity of brown fat is reduced. Brown fat is a "good" fat located in the backs of our necks that helps burn "bad" white fat around our bellies. Additionally, the researchers also discovered a possible metabolic on/off switch that could reactivate brown fat.
When being called 'incredibly good' is bad for children
Parents and other adults heap the highest praise on children who are most likely to be hurt by the compliments, a new study finds.
Hispanic women are less aware of weight and heart disease risk
Minority women tend to be less aware of the increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) they face by being overweight or obese. The results of a study that compared Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women based on their knowledge of heart disease risk factors and their perceptions of their own weight is published in Journal of Women's Health, a peer-reviewed publication from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available free on the Journal of Women's Health website.
Study supports a causal role in narcolepsy for a common genetic variant
A new study conducted across Europe found an extraordinary association between narcolepsy and a specific gene variant related to the immune system.
Overweight linked with reduced lung function in children with a history of early childhood wheezing
Overweight and obesity are significant risk factors for reduced lung function in school-aged children with a history of early childhood wheezing, according to a study carried out at the University of Eastern Finland. The results also showed that the use of inhaled corticosteroids for asthma in childhood may result in reduced bone mineral density in early teenage years.
New cell mechanism discovery key to stopping breast cancer metastasis
Researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah discovered a cellular mechanism that drives the spread of breast cancer to other parts of the body (metastasis), as well as a therapy which blocks that mechanism. The research results were published online in the journal Cell Reports on January 2.
Residual activity 'hot spots' in the brain key for vision recovery in stroke patients
Scientists know that vision restoration training (VRT) can help patients who have lost part of their vision due to glaucoma, optic nerve damage, or stroke regain some of their lost visual functions, but they do not understand what factors determine how much visual recovery is achieved.
More evidence suggests type 2 diabetes is an inflammatory disease
As people's waistlines increase, so does the incidence of type 2 diabetes. Now scientists have a better understanding of exactly what happens in the body that leads up to type 2 diabetes, and what likely causes some of the complications related to the disease. Specifically, scientists from Denmark have found that in mice, macrophages, a specific type of immune cell, invade the diabetic pancreatic tissue during the early stages of the disease. Then, these inflammatory cells produce a large amount of pro-inflammatory proteins, called cytokines, which directly contribute to the elimination of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, resulting in diabetes. This discovery was published in the January 2014 issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology.
Think you're an expert bettor? You're probably wrong
If there's one thing you can bet on in horseracing, it's this: so-called successful bettors will always think that their little black books hold superior 'inside' knowledge that makes them experts. However, in the long run, the majority of horseracing punters will lose money at the track – and there will always be more losers than winners. Serious punters will often keep track of how well they are doing, in the fond hope of identifying a 'winning system.' So says Matthew Browne of CQ University in Australia, whose research group found that the amount of wins required to show that one is doing better than chance is extremely high. The results are published in Springer's Journal of Gambling Studies.
Having Medicaid increases emergency room visits
Adults who are covered by Medicaid use emergency rooms 40 percent more than those in similar circumstances who do not have health insurance, according to a unique new study, co-authored by an MIT economist, that sheds empirical light on the inner workings of health care in the U.S.
New MRI technique illuminates the wrist in motion
If a picture is worth 1,000 words then a movie is worth far more, especially when it comes to diagnosing wrist problems.
The mouse that ROR'ed: ROR1 oncogene combines with another to accelerate, worsen blood cancer
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine report that an oncogene dubbed ROR1, found on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B cells but not normal adult tissues, acts as an accelerant when combined with another oncogene, resulting in a faster-developing, more aggressive form of CLL in mice.
Shingles linked to increased risk of stroke in young adults
Having shingles may increase the risk of having a stroke years later, according to research published in the January 2, 2014, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
How invariant natural killers keep tuberculosis in check
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a major cause of death worldwide, and a formidable foe. Most healthy people can defend themselves against tuberculosis, but they need all parts of their immune system to work together. A study published on January 2nd in PLOS Pathogens reveals how a special class of immune cells called "invariant natural killer T cells" make their contribution to this concerted effort.
Men's and women's soccer: Physical or technical?
When the sports performance of elite men and women soccer players is compared using absolute criteria, the differences are significant. This is one of the conclusions of the study by the Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences (UPV/EHU), conducted in collaboration with other universities in Europe. Over a hundred soccer players of both genders were monitored during UEFA Champions League matches to conduct this research. Apart from this conclusion, one of the practical applications of the study in the short term could lead to adapting the physical and technical preparation to the needs of each gender. Another to be applied in the long term could be the possibility of adapting soccer to the physical capacity of women, as in other sports.
Patch outperforms Holter for prolonged heart rhythm tracking
Research by the Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI) has found that a small adhesive wireless device worn on the chest for up to two weeks does a better job detecting abnormal and potentially dangerous heart rhythms than the Holter monitor, which is typically used for 24 hours and has been the standard of care for more than 50 years.
Insight into likelihood of retinal detachment following open globe injury
Ocular trauma causing open globe injury, or a breach in the wall of the eye, remains an important cause of vision loss, with more than 200,000 open globe injuries occurring worldwide each year. In many cases, retinal detachment follows the traumatic injury, causing significant vision loss or blindness.
Tripling tobacco taxes worldwide would avoid 200 million tobacco deaths, study finds
Tripling taxes on cigarettes around the world would reduce the number of smokers by one-third and prevent 200 million premature deaths from lung cancer and other diseases this century, according to a review published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Hydrocephalus: sensors monitor cerebral pressure
If the pressure in a patient's brain is too high, physicians implant a system in the head that regulates the pressure. A sensor can now measure and individually adjust brain pressure. The sensor system is approved for use as a long-term implant.
Scientists identify key structural qualities that distinguish novel anticancer agent
A team led by Fengzhi Li, PhD, of Roswell Park Cancer Institute has reported significant new findings regarding the chemical structure of the novel anticancer agent FL118. The research, which included comparative analysis of the agent and several similar compounds, confirms the broad, superior antitumor activity of FL118 and suggests promising directions for further studies.
Plant used in Chinese medicine fights chronic pain
A plant used for centuries as a pain reliever in Chinese medicine may be just what the doctor ordered, especially when it comes to chronic pain. A key pain-relieving ingredient is a compound known as dehydrocorybulbine (DHCB) found in the roots of the flowering plant Corydalis, a member of the poppy family, according to researchers who report their findings in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on January 2.
Brain training works, but just for the practiced task, say researchers
Search for "brain training" on the Web. You'll find online exercises, games, software, even apps, all designed to prepare your brain to do better on any number of tasks. Do they work? University of Oregon psychologists say, yes, but "there's a catch."
Scientists uncover image of muscular dystrophy defect and design targeted drug candidates
Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have revealed an atomic-level view of a genetic defect that causes a form of muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy type 2, and have used this information to design drug candidates with potential to counter those defects—and reverse the disease.
Animal cells can communicate by reaching out and touching, team discovers
In a finding that directly contradicts the standard biological model of animal cell communication, UCSF scientists have discovered that typical cells in animals have the ability to transmit and receive biological signals by making physical contact with each other, even at long distance.
Molecule discovered that protects the brain from cannabis intoxication
Two INSERM research teams led by Pier Vincenzo Piazza and Giovanni Marsicano (INSERM Unit 862 "Neurocentre Magendie" in Bordeaux) recently discovered that pregnenolone, a molecule produced by the brain, acts as a natural defence mechanism against the harmful effects of cannabis in animals. Pregnenolone prevents THC, the main active principle in cannabis, from fully activating its brain receptor, the CB1 receptor, that when overstimulated by THC causes the intoxicating effects of cannabis. By identifying this mechanism, the INSERM teams are already developing new approaches for the treatment of cannabis addiction.
Novel noninvasive therapy prevents breast cancer formation in mice
A novel breast-cancer therapy that partially reverses the cancerous state in cultured breast tumor cells and prevents cancer development in mice, could one day provide a new way to treat early stages of the disease without resorting to surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, a multi-institutional team led by researchers from the Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University reported January 1 in Science Translational Medicine.
Biology news
Elephant put down after attacking tourists in S.Africa
An elephant was put down in South Africa's Kruger National Park after it attacked and overturned a vehicle, ripping open a British woman's thigh with its tusk, the park said Tuesday.
To grow or to defend: How plants decide
Scientists have discovered how plants use steroid hormones to choose growth over defence when their survival depends on it.
Cat collars provide big benefits for low risk
A new study has challenged the belief that cat collars are 'risky', showing that collars can actually enhance the welfare of our feline friends.
Two by two: London Zoo counts its many inhabitants
(AP)—From aardvarks to zebras, the residents of London Zoo are coming forth to be counted.
Under preassure—A harness for guide dogs must suit both dog and owner
A guide dog communicates with a blind person via a harness and its handle. Researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna (Vetmeduni Vienna) have investigated for the first time the forces guide dogs are exposed to during their work. Physiotherapists and movement analysts compared three types of harness to find which is best for the dog and the owner. The results were recently published in the Veterinary Journal.
Trapping insects by color: Will it work in Montana?
Red and green traps attract more sweetpotato weevils than other colors, and a Montana State University researcher who made that discovery wants to know if Montana insects react the same way.
Research into fruit fly cells could lead to cancer insights
New research by scientists at the University of Exeter has shown that cells demonstrate remarkable flexibility and versatility when it comes to how they divide - a finding with potential links to the underlying causes of many cancers.
Genetically identical bacteria can behave in radically different ways
Although a population of bacteria may be genetically identical, individual bacteria within that population can act in radically different ways. bacterial cells split
Mathematical modelling disproves long-held view of bacterial cell cycle
A key theory of the cell cycle of asymmetric bacteria, which has prevailed for the last ten years, has been disproved by a combined approach using mathematical modelling and genetic experiments.
Roses are red—why some petunias are blue
Researchers have uncovered the secret recipe to making some petunias such a rare shade of blue. The findings may help to explain and manipulate the color of other ornamental flowers, not to mention the taste of fruits and wine, say researchers who report their findings in the Cell Press journal Cell Reports on January 2nd. From the flowers' point of view, the findings also have important implications, since blue petals instead of red might spell disaster when it comes to attracting pollinators.
Turning off the 'aging genes'
Restricting calorie consumption is one of the few proven ways to combat aging. Though the underlying mechanism is unknown, calorie restriction has been shown to prolong lifespan in yeast, worms, flies, monkeys, and, in some studies, humans.
Study finds patients give 'broad endorsement' to stem cell research
In an early indication of lay opinions on research with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are stem cells made from skin or other tissues, a new study by bioethicists at Johns Hopkins University indicates that despite some ethical concerns, patients give the research "broad endorsement".
Environment affects an organism's complexity
Scientists have demonstrated that organisms with greater complexity are more likely to evolve in complex environments, according to research published this week in PLOS Computational Biology. The researchers, based at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and University of Vermont, created a programme that simulated the evolution of virtual creatures in a variety of landscapes.
Fly dreams and the boundaries of evolutionary science
In 2002, Secretary of state Donald Rumsfeld made a statement regarding weapons of mass destruction that today is still well known. He famously parsed the evidence (or lack thereof) into "known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns." In squeezing virtually all that it can from the ideas of Darwin, evolutionary biology has produced a mountain of facts and ideas that fall squarely in the realm of Rumsfeld's first two categories.
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