Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized PHYSorg.com Newsletter for October 13, 2010:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
- Scientists propose 'hidden' 3D optical data storage technique- New image-manipulation software makes morphing quicker (w/ Video)
- Twin fetuses learn how to be social in the womb
- Growing galaxies gently
- Bizarre X-shaped intruder linked to an unseen asteroid collision (w/ Video)
- Doubt cast on existence of habitable alien world
- Triple-mode transistors show potential: Researchers introduce graphene-based amplifiers
- A crucial link in immune development and regulation unearthed
- New discoveries in North America's Great Plains bring ammonites to life
- Virus that causes genital warts linked to oral cancer: study
- Evolutionarily young protein helps ancient RNA get into shape
- Research shows a promising new method to reduce graft-versus-host-disease after bone marrow transplantation
- Gravity up close: Looking for extra dimensions by measuring gravity at the microscopic level
- Study finds protein that sets the stage for exchanges of DNA code in eggs and sperm
- US allows higher ethanol content in gasoline for newer cars
Space & Earth news
Image: Toxic sludge in Hungary
On Oct. 4, 2010, an accident occurred at the Ajkai Timfoldgyar alumina (aluminum oxide) plant in western Hungary, when a corner wall of a waste-retaining pond broke, releasing a torrent of toxic red sludge down a local stream.
A new system for locating and capturing satellites in space
Spanish scientists at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid have developed a new system for docking and capturing space satellites based on robotics and computer vision technology to autonomously guide a space vehicle to dock and capture the satellites.
Catastrophe in Hungary was avoidable: researcher
In Hungary, as in many parts of the world, toxic bauxite sludges created during aluminium production are stored in the open air. Prolonged rainfall probably pushed the collection pond to its limits. The dam failure has now caused the biggest environmental catastrophe in Hungary's history.
CSIRO 'hot rods' old telescope
CSIRO has helped transform the University of Sydney's radio telescope into a world-class instrument, and along the way has learned lessons for its own ASKAP (Australian SKA Pathfinder) telescope.
NASA and Etsy partner on a new type of spacecraft
(PhysOrg.com) -- NASA and Etsy, an online marketplace for handmade arts and crafts, have partnered to launch "Space Craft," a contest where entrants share an original handmade item or work of art inspired by NASA and NASA's programs, such as the Space Shuttle Program and human spaceflight, aeronautics, science and exploration of the universe.
University of Utah microbubbles clean dirty soil in China
Microbubbles are much bigger than they sound. If all goes as planned during a demonstration project in eastern China, microbubble technology developed at the University of Utah has the potential to boost a wide range of environmental cleanup efforts around the world. Uses include removing oil and gas byproducts from water, removing organics and heavy metals from industrial sites, and removing harmful algae from lakes.
US lifts Gulf of Mexico deepwater drilling ban
The United States lifted a ban on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico imposed after the BP oil spill, but set operators tough new safety conditions, officials said.
UBC underwater robot to explore Antarctic ice (w/ Video)
Researchers at the University of British Columbia are deploying an underwater robot to survey ice-covered ocean in Antarctica from October 17 through November 12.
Time to find a second Earth, WWF says
Carbon pollution and over-use of Earth's natural resources have become so critical that, on current trends, we will need a second planet to meet our needs by 2030, the WWF said on Wednesday.
Can Hungary's red sludge be made less toxic with carbon?
The red, metal-laden sludge that escaped a containment pond in Hungary last week could be made less toxic with the help of carbon sequestration, says an Indiana University Bloomington geologist who has a patent pending on the technique.
Insights into environmental conditions that affect highly pathogenic bird flu virus survival
On the eve of the 2010-11 influenza flu season, scientists and engineers have identified the environmental conditions and surfaces that could enable a highly pathogenic (H5N1) bird flu virus to survive for prolonged periods of time — at least two weeks and up to two months. Among them: The virus appears to thrive at cooler temperatures and low humidity. The study, which could lead to new strategies for preventing the flu virus from spreading, appears in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology.
MIT researches cause of pain in spacesuit gloves
All spacesuit gloves stiffen and fill with gas during an astronaut spacewalk, also known as extravehicular activity, or EVA. This pressure production is required to keep astronauts alive in space, and current spacesuits provide one-third of an atmosphere, which is sufficient to ensure astronaut well-being. But the pressurized gloves in a pressurized spacesuit make it very difficult, and often painful, for astronauts to grasp objects during an EVA, which can last up to eight hours each day. Not surprisingly, the most common type of injury reported by astronauts involved in EVA work is hand-related, including a condition known as fingernail delamination, in which the nail completely detaches from the nail bed.
Ghosts of the future: First giant structures of the universe
(PhysOrg.com) -- Astronomers using the South Pole Telescope report that they have discovered the most massive galaxy cluster yet seen at a distance of 7 billion light-years. The cluster (designated SPT-CL J0546-5345) weighs in at around 800 trillion Suns, and holds hundreds of galaxies.
Doubt cast on existence of habitable alien world
Last month, astronomers announced the discovery of the first potentially habitable extrasolar planet. But this week at an International Astronomical Union meeting, doubts were raised about the existence of this exciting new planet said to be orbiting the star Gliese 581.
Bizarre X-shaped intruder linked to an unseen asteroid collision (w/ Video)
Last January astronomers thought they had witnessed a fresh collision between two asteroids when images from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope revealed a bizarre X-shaped object at the head of a comet-like trail of material.
Growing galaxies gently
The first galaxies formed before the Universe was less than one billion years old and were much smaller than the giant systems -- including the Milky Way -- that we see today. So somehow the average galaxy size has increased as the Universe has evolved. Galaxies often collide and then merge to form larger systems and this process is certainly an important growth mechanism. However, an additional, gentler way has been proposed.
Technology news
Training computers to classify pictures and videos
Spanish researchers have developed a new computer technique that allows to "train" computers to interpret the visual contents of a video or picture. This advance will allow to classify automatically pictures basing on whether individuals or specific objects are present in such images. Videos can also be classified according to specific poses.
Grant to fund 'pioneering' brain-computer interface technology
Efforts to advance technology to aid people who have lost communication and movement abilities are getting support from an Arizona Biomedical Research Commission grant for a project combining resources and expertise at Arizona State University and the Children's Neuroscience Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital.
Lawyer: Satellite providers don't seek tax refund
(AP) -- An attorney for satellite TV providers fighting a state sales tax not applied to their cable competitors told Ohio's high court Wednesday that the industry isn't looking for a refund.
Facebook rejects ownership lawsuit as a 'scam'
Facebook on Wednesday rejected as a "scam" a lawsuit filed by a New York man who claims he is entitled to 84 percent of the wildly successful social network.
Phone app fights distracted driving with rewards
(AP) -- Having trouble leaving the cell phone alone while you're driving, even though it could get you and bystanders killed? Now, there's an app for that - with cash rewards for resisting the phone.
Google king of online ads but Bing a contender: SearchIgnite
Industry tracker SearchIgnite said on Tuesday that Google has tightened its powerful grip on US internet advertising revenue but a Bing-Yahoo! alliance is fielding a viable challenge.
FCC rules seek to avoid surprise wireless bills
(AP) -- Federal regulators want to stop cell phone "bill shock" by requiring wireless companies to alert subscribers before they run out of minutes, hit data usage or text messaging caps or start racking up international roaming charges.
S.Korea unveils huge clean energy investment plan
South Korea Wednesday unveiled a five-year plan to spend 36 billion dollars developing renewable energy as its next economic growth engine.
Ning launches social network tools for any website
Bands, politicians, charities and more are turning to Ning to imbue websites with the kinds of social networking features credited with making stars out of Facebook and Twitter.
China's wind power capacity to grow five-fold by 2020
China's wind power capacity will increase more than five-fold over the next decade from 2009, a report forecast on Wednesday, as the country steps up its drive to develop clean energy.
Britain faces 'real and credible' cyber threat: intel chief
Britain faces the threat of cyber attacks from hostile states and criminals which could damage its critical infrastructure, the head of the country's electronic spying agency warned Wednesday.
Renaissance Rome plays host to new 'Assassin' game
Saint Peter's Basilica half-built, the Colosseum in ruins and a blank space where the Trevi fountain now stands: computer whizzes rebuilt 16th-century Rome, with a twist, for the latest instalment of the video game phenomenon "Assassin's Creed".
Tech giants Samsung and Apple more friends than rivals
Apple has the iPhone and the iPad, Samsung has several smartphones and its new Galaxy Tab computer -- wherever Apple goes these days, it seems, the South Korean giant is sure to follow.
Start-up launches to bring affordable, efficient wind power to the masses
(PhysOrg.com) -- Totempower Energy Systems Ltd – a cleantech start-up which aims to create small-scale wind turbines that are cheaper, more efficient, and easier to install and maintain than current models – has launched, with backing from City University London.
The benefits of space technology for dentists
Dentists and their patients will soon benefit from a tiny new high-resolution X-ray camera. A Swedish company has adapted an advanced technique used for miniaturising space hardware to make a visit to the dentist a little more comfortable.
Methanol: The fuel of the future?
Tapped by USC in 1977 during the world oil crisis to start a hydrocarbon institute from the ground floor, George Olah headed west, where he was more than up for the challenge. Olah, the Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, and Donald P. and Katherine B. Loker Chair in Organic Chemistry, established the Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute that is housed in USC College.
AOL revives voter-driven city guide, City's Best
(AP) -- Internet company AOL Inc., pinning much of its resurrection hopes on local Web content, is bringing out of retirement a city guide that lets people vote each year for their favorite local businesses.
Apple shares top $300 a share for first time
(AP) -- Apple's shares topped $300 for the first time Wednesday as stellar iPad sales and a planned expansion into China continued to give investors high hopes for the iPhone maker's already healthy prospects.
Danish court blocks media from quoting Facebook 'friends'
Journalists may not use information from the Facebook accounts of their "friends," a Danish media tribunal ruled Wednesday in a case pitting the prime minister's brother against a tabloid.
Facebook tightens security for members on the move
US Facebook fans inclined to connect with the leading social networking site while out and about have a couple of new security tools at their disposal.
Apple hints at new Mac OS in invitation to media
(AP) -- Apple is inviting media to its Cupertino, Calif., headquarters for a Macintosh computer-related event on Oct. 20.
Microsoft aims barrage of fixes at Stuxnet and more
Microsoft on Tuesday released a record high number of software patches aimed at countering computer threats including a Stuxnet "worm" attacking industrial networks.
Making sense of Google's seemingly kooky concepts
In its self-proclaimed drive to make the world a better place, Google has immersed itself in far more than Internet search and online ads. But driverless cars and a wind energy farm in the Atlantic Ocean?
German scientists see golden future for 'self-driving' cars (Update)
Scientists in Germany unveiling the latest self-driven car Wednesday said the days of humans behind the wheel are numbered and that their technology can slash accidents and help the environment.
US allows higher ethanol content in gasoline for newer cars
The United States lifted Wednesday a cap on the amount of ethanol that can be blended into gasoline for vehicles for the first time in more than 30 years, calling it a step toward energy independence.
Michigan to get 5,300 charging stations for electric cars
More than 5,300 charging stations will be installed in Michigan as the birthplace of the US auto industry prepares for the introduction of electric cars like the Chevrolet Volt, General Motors said.
Facebook and Bing fuse social networks and online search
Facebook and Microsoft on Wednesday began personalizing Internet searches by letting people imbue results with perspectives and "likes" of friends at the leading online social network.
New image-manipulation software makes morphing quicker (w/ Video)
(PhysOrg.com) -- A new type of image-manipulation software has been developed in Germany that will considerably speed up the process of manipulating images in movies to make actors seem slimmer, more muscular, taller, and so on.
Medicine & Health news
Metabolic status before pregnancy predicts subsequent gestational diabetes
Cardio-metabolic risk factors such as high blood sugar and insulin, and low high density lipoprotein cholesterol that are present before pregnancy, predict whether a woman will develop diabetes during a future pregnancy, according to a Kaiser Permanente study in the current issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology.
Considerable proportion of patients with advanced cancer continue to undergo common cancer screening
A sizeable proportion of patients with advanced cancer and a life expectancy of only a few years continue to undergo common cancer screening tests that are unlikely to provide meaningful benefit, according to a study in the October 13 issue of JAMA.
Restrictive use of blood transfusions during cardiac surgery shows comparable outcomes
Use of stricter guidelines for the use of red blood cell transfusions for patients undergoing cardiac surgery was associated similar rates of death and severe illness compared to patients who received more transfusions, according to a study in the October 13 issue of JAMA. Another study in this issue of JAMA examines the variation in the use of blood transfusions for patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Patients and doctors are being misled by published data on medicines
The drug reboxetine is, overall, an ineffective and potentially harmful antidepressant, according to a comprehensive study of the evidence published in the British Medical Journal today.
Are patient surveys a reliable way to assess the performance of doctors and practices?
To assess the performance of general practices, it is better to ask patients about their actual experiences of care rather than ask for satisfaction ratings, according to new research published in the British Medical Journal today.
Promising HIV prevention microbicide tenofovir gel being tested for safety of rectal use
Tenofovir gel, a vaginal microbicide that has shown promise for preventing HIV through vaginal sex, is being tested in a new trial looking at its safety and acceptability when used rectally. The results of the study, being led by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Microbicide Trials Network (MTN), will help determine if the gel should be evaluated further for its potential to prevent HIV among both men and women who engage in receptive anal intercourse.
Hospital readmission studies: Influencing factors identified
In two studies published today in the Journal of Hospital Medicine, the risk factors for readmission to the hospital are examined based upon general medicine inpatients and those with at least two admissions in a six-month period. Alongside clinical factors such as having cancer, chronic diseases such as heart failure or lung disease, or being on high-risk medications, the studies identified other factors which increase the likelihood of a patient being readmitted which could help hospitalists focus in on these groups.
Figuring out suicidal behavior
Matthew Nock is the son of an auto mechanic, a Harley-Davidson aficionado, and the first member of his family to graduate from college. He’s now also a tenured member of the Harvard faculty.
Lung injury study could save lives in critically ill
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast are investigating a potential new treatment for lung disease that could save many lives each year.
Loyola pediatrician provides Halloween tips for nut allergy sufferers
The scary reality is that food allergies are becoming more and more common in the United States. In the last 10 years there has been an 18 percent increase in children with food allergies. In fact, one in 22 children has a food allergy. That means most likely there is at least one child in each classroom with a food allergy. Halloween parties and trick or treating are just a few of the fall activities that can heighten the danger for kids with food allergies.
New book from the AGA helps patients achieve greater freedom from IBS
A new book from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) offers patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) a variety of strategies to lessen the burden that IBS puts on their everyday lives. IBS is a common disorder of the intestines that leads to crampy pain, gassiness, bloating and changes in bowel habits; there is no cure. The new book, "Master Your IBS," includes a variety of strategies to help patients learn how to manage their IBS symptoms and achieve greater freedom from IBS.
Life expectancy higher in Israel than in US, researcher says
A new study conducted by a researcher at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) for Jerusalem's Taub Center for Social Policy Studies in Israel reports that Israeli's have a higher life expectancy on average than Americans and residents of other OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries.
Nutrition rating enhancing front-of-package nutrition rating systems and symbols: phase 1
Nutrition rating systems and symbols on the fronts of food packaging would be most useful to shoppers if they highlighted four nutrients of greatest concern – calories, saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium – says a new report from the Institute of Medicine. These food components are routinely overconsumed and associated most strongly with diet-related health problems affecting many Americans, including obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
Web-based questionnaire can be cost-effective tool for survey responses
Investigators from the Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have reported that the use of a web-based questionnaire can be a cost-effective tool for obtaining survey response.
Unexplained childhood disorders
Parents of children with undiagnosed learning disorders, developmental deficits, and congenital abnormalities face a host of psychological and social challenges, which are explored in detail in a reflective article in Genetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
The Medical Minute: Acoustic neuromas -- benign but lethal
(PhysOrg.com) -- Have you had a gradual hearing loss in one ear? Have you noticed worsening ringing in one ear? Do you find yourself getting dizzy or feeling off-balance just standing still? Have you “switched ears” when talking on the phone? These may all be signs that you might need to have your hearing checked. They may also be symptoms of a benign, or slow growing tumor on the nerve that plays a large part in your hearing and balance.
To the Point: Experts offer advice to students in distress
(PhysOrg.com) -- Recent news headlines across the United States have shed light on mental health concerns among teens and young adults in distress -- whether questioning their sexual orientation or dealing with an unhealthy relationship -- where others resorted to bullying, harassment and other violence against them. The most visible recent incidents involved four male teens who committed suicide in September, in separate incidents, after enduring homophobic bullying or harassment from peers.
Rescue of chilean miners provides lesson in human resilience, psychologist says
(PhysOrg.com) -- While many people might assume that the men rescued from the mine in Chile might suffer from psychological problems that require therapy, the miners' survival of the ordeal may actually provide a worldwide lesson on the remarkable strength of human resilience, says a University at Buffalo researcher.
Diagnosing autism with MRI is one step closer
University of Utah (U of U) medical researchers have made an important step in diagnosing autism through using MRI, an advance that eventually could help health care providers indentify the problem much earlier in children and lead to improved treatment and outcomes for those with the disorder.
'Western' diseases spread to developing world: experts
Chronic illnesses like obesity and diabetes, generally seen as "Western", are making worryingly rapid inroads in the developing world, health experts warned at a meeting in Berlin this week.
Consensus reached on use of Parkinson's treatment
Since the late 1990s, deep brain stimulation (DBS) has proven to be a lifeline for some patients suffering from Parkinson's disease, a cruel neurological disorder that can cause lack of control over movement, poor balance and coordination, and rigidity, among other symptoms.
Researchers find evidence of early marker for autism
Most health care professionals agree that early intervention is critical for the nearly 1 in 100 children now diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, and repetitive behavior patterns.
Being true to yourself: Psychologist publishes new research on being authentic
(PhysOrg.com) -- Staying true to yourself and not changing your personality to fit different situations is highly valued in Western culture. Shakespeare’s famous line "to thine own self be true," has been echoed across the centuries by parents, pop singers and motivational speakers.
Neuroscientists discover nicotine could play role in Alzheimer's disease therapy
A team of neuroscientists has discovered important new information in the search for an effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease, the debilitating neurological disorder that afflicts more than 5.3 million Americans and is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Hey-Kyoung Lee, associate professor in the University of Maryland Department of Biology, and her research team have shown that they may be able to eliminate debilitating side effects caused by a promising Alzheimer's drug by stimulating the brain's nicotine receptors.
Japanese infants hear foreign words by 14 months, research shows
A new study on Japanese and French infants by researchers at the RIKEN Brain Science Institute (Japan) and their collaborators has provided first-ever clues on the development of mechanisms governing how people perceive the words of a foreign language.
New hope for sun-burned eyes
People whose vision is badly damaged by over-exposure to bright light may be able to restore their sight, according to research from The Australian National University.
Hemostatic powder stops bleeding ulcers: doctor
A new material similar to that used by the U.S. Military to treat traumatic injuries is showing promise as the next novel treatment for bleeding ulcers, a condition that commonly affects up to 15 per cent of adults, according to Hong Kong physician Dr. James Lau.
Early role of mitochondria in AD may help explain limitations to current beta amyloid hypothesis
Before Alzheimer's patients experience memory loss, the brain's neurons have already suffered harm for years.
National study shows 1 in 5 children meet criteria for a mental disorder across their lifetime
Mental disorders in children are often difficult to identify due to the myriad of changes that occur during the normal course of maturation. For the first time, researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health have reported on the prevalence data on a broad range of mental disorders in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adolescents, which show that approximately one in five children in the U.S. meet the criteria for a mental disorder severe enough to disrupt their daily lives.
Compound in celery, peppers reduces age-related memory deficits
A diet rich in the plant compound luteolin reduces age-related inflammation in the brain and related memory deficits by directly inhibiting the release of inflammatory molecules in the brain, researchers report.
Can Wii help control gestational diabetes?
Many women have trouble finding time to exercise in their busy lifestyles. That's especially true for pregnant women who live in northern climates such as Canada, where the weather can limit outdoor activity during winter months every year.
South Africa to test all HIV patients for TB
(AP) -- Health officials in South Africa said Wednesday they recommend screening all HIV patients for tuberculosis and want automatic TB tests for HIV patients to become normal procedure within five years.
Scientists solve mystery of arsenic compound
Scientists have solved an important mystery about why an arsenic compound, called arsenite, can kill us, and yet function as an effective therapeutic agent against disease and infections.
In US, Hispanics outlive whites, blacks by years
(AP) -- U.S. Hispanics can expect to outlive whites by more than two years and blacks by more than seven, government researchers say in a startling report that is the first to calculate Hispanic life expectancy in this country.
Scientists uncover mechanism for the major genetic risk factor of Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an extremely complicated disease. Several proteins seem to be involved in its cause and progression. For example, the lipid-transport protein apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4) is the major genetic risk factor for AD, and apoE4 carriers account for 65% of all Alzheimer's cases, but exactly how apoE4 contributes to the disease is unclear.
FDA warns of fractures with osteoporosis drugs
(AP) -- Government health officials warned doctors and patients Wednesday about an increased risk of thigh fractures with a widely used group of bone-strengthening drugs.
Walk much? It may protect your memory down the road
New research suggests that walking at least six miles per week may protect brain size and in turn, preserve memory in old age, according to a study published in the October 13, 2010, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Bacteria in mouth and gut also found in arteries
(PhysOrg.com) -- The same types of bacteria found in arterial plaque, which causes atherosclerosis, are also found in the mouth and gut, according to the first general survey of all bacteria found in plaques from the mouth, gut and blood.
Scientists believe technophobia starts in the womb
Having a good grasp of, or an aversion towards, using technology can be predicted by the hormones we are exposed to in the womb, researchers at the University of Bath have discovered.
I win, you lose: Brain imaging reveals how we learn from our competitors
Learning from competitors is a critically important form of learning for animals and humans. A new study has used brain imaging to reveal how people and animals learn from failure and success.
A crucial link in immune development and regulation unearthed
An Australian team of scientists has uncovered a quality control mechanism that must take place for our immune system to subsequently effectively destroy harmful viruses and bacteria.
Virus that causes genital warts linked to oral cancer: study
Mouth and throat cancer could be caused by the virus that causes genital warts and cervical cancer, and it could be spreading through sex and French-kissing, a study published Wednesday says.
Research shows a promising new method to reduce graft-versus-host-disease after bone marrow transplantation
(PhysOrg.com) -- University of Michigan researchers have discovered a new method to prevent the immune-system attacks that often occur following bone marrow transplants.
Study finds watermelon lowers blood pressure
(PhysOrg.com) -- No matter how you slice it, watermelon has a lot going for it –– sweet, low calorie, high fiber, nutrient rich –– and now, there’s more. Evidence from a pilot study led by food scientists at The Florida State University suggests that watermelon can be an effective natural weapon against prehypertension, a precursor to cardiovascular disease.
Twin fetuses learn how to be social in the womb
(PhysOrg.com) -- Humans have a deep-seated urge to be social, and new research on the interactions of twins in the womb suggests this begins even before babies are born.
Biology news
Alternative fish feeds use less fishmeal and fish oils
As consumers eat more fish as part of a healthy diet, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists are helping producers meet this demand by developing new feeds that support sustainable aquaculture production.
Farmers, ranchers served by stream bank biodiversity
On farms and rangelands in Yolo County, Calif., the stream and canal areas with the greatest variety of plants and soil organisms have the healthiest soil and least pollution potential, according to a novel UC Davis study.
Predicting extinction risk to birds with a model
(PhysOrg.com) -- Yale University researchers have developed a tool for biodiversity conservation in the face of global change: a statistical model that helps predict the risk of extinction for almost 90% of the world’s bird species.
Taming wild grapes for better wine
When you think about "wine country," Illinois may not be the first state that comes to mind. But it's actually big business on the prairie. There are 90 wineries licensed in Illinois and 1,500 acres of wine grapes. One acre of wine grapes can bring as much as $8,000 in sales, though more commonly it's $3,000 to $5,000. The largest wineries in Illinois produce 90,000 gallons per year, while many produce 3,000 to 10,000 per year.
Improving health with the power of purple
Tomato plants, bearing rich purple fruit, line the inside of Biology Professor Zheng-Hui He's lab in the San Francisco State University Greenhouse. The unusually colored plants are the result of He's research, exploring how to grow purple fruits and vegetables, enriched with the same health-promoting pigment that gives blueberries their purple color.
INL scientists help harness bacteria power to brew eco-friendly plastic from waste
Three samples of premium wood-plastic composite lumber sit in a stack on a shelf in David Thompson's office at Idaho National Laboratory. The dense, fine-grained boards are uniformly colored in shades that range from light to dark brown.
Study of planarian hormones may aid in understanding parasitic flatworms
A study of peptide hormones in the brain of a seemingly primitive flatworm reveals the surprising complexity of its nervous system and opens up a new approach for combating a major parasitic disease, researchers report.
Forget the Coppertone: Water fleas in mountain ponds can handle UV rays
Some tiny crustaceans living in clear-water alpine ponds high in Washington state's Olympic Mountains have learned how to cope with the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays without sunblock – and with very little natural pigmentation to protect them.
Humpback whale beats long-distance record
A humpback whale has broken the world record for travel by any mammal, swimming at least 9,800 kilometres (6,125 miles) from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean in search of a mate, marine biologists reported on Wednesday.
Invasive animals threaten natives as oceans heat up
Warmer oceans promote invasive animals and threaten natives, say UC Davis marine biologists who report striking new evidence from the eastern Pacific fishing harbor of Bodega Bay, Calif.
Unlike us, honeybees naturally make 'quick switch' in their biological clocks: research
Unlike humans, honey bees, when thrown into highly time-altered new societal roles, are able to alter their biological rhythms with alacrity, enabling them to make a successful "quick switch" in their daily routines, according to research carried out at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Evolutionarily young protein helps ancient RNA get into shape
(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists once believed that proteins govern most cellular activities. However in recent years scientists have found that a diverse group of RNA molecules regulate numerous biological activities. Despite their ancient origin, these RNA molecules have come to rely on younger protein partners to carry out their functions.
Study finds protein that sets the stage for exchanges of DNA code in eggs and sperm
A team led by a scientist at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has discovered a regulatory protein that influences where genetic material gets swapped between maternal and paternal chromosomes during the process of creating eggs and sperm. The findings, which shed light on the roots of chromosomal errors and gene diversity, appear in tomorrow's issue of Nature.
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