Volume 6, Number 19 May 7, 2007

Physical sciences and technology Historical climate change Global warming Advanced magnetic data storage Supersolids Star cluster with multiple star generations Water on Mars Earthquakes VERITAS telescope array James Webb Space Telescope Nanoimprint lithography Extrasolar planets Ultrashort light pulses Nanotechnology Quantum-dot-based photovoltaics Connecting string theory with gauge theory Solar cells Combining microfluidics and mass spectrometry Self-assembly of nanoelectronic components Optoelectronics Quantum computing Interacting anyons of topological origin Life sciences MicroRNA control of genes in algae Language and color perception Gesture language in chimpanzees and bonobos Brain-imaging studies Olfaction Linking DNA and histone methylation Brain control of cardiorespiratory response to exercise Phytoplankton and photosynthesis Protein movement in cells Wolf clones Sexual selection in ducks Dynamin and synapse formation Stimuating slow wave brain activity Neanderthals Hominin diet Gene related to caloric restriction and longevity Oxytocin and heartbeat regulation Structural biology Coral genome MicroRNA and cancer Personality genes in birds 'Insulators' in herpes virus DNA Asymmetric cell division Organization of genes on chromosomes Photosynthesis Extending lifespan of yeast Event structure perception Protein conservation and function Noise in very thin axons Communication between proteins in cell membranes G-protein coupled receptors and nitric oxide Bacterial weapon against insect hosts Health and medicine Alzheimer's disease Cancer AIDS Stem cells Gene therapy Rheumatoid arthritis Reversing tumor development and metastasis Avian flu Health benefits of cherries for metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and heart disease Health benefits of coffee for diabetes and cancer Mental health risks of cannabis Test for risk from hidden fat Anti-inflammatory properties of fish oil Potential treatment for genetic disorders Antibiotics Health benefits of pistachios Hepatitis B Risks of high doses of polyphenols and flavonoids Drug to stimulate burning of fat Health benefits of macadamia nuts Health risks of nanoparticles Metal allergies Diabetes Nicotinic receptor activation Beneficial effects of statins for heart failure ACE inhibitor activity of nutritive plants Leptin and the obesity-cancer connection Risks of high calcium and vitamin D intake Immune system genes and cognitive decline after heart surgery Nicotine addiction Genetic risks of cardiovascular disease Obesity, inflammation, and metabolic disorders Vaccine against prion diseases Schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder Hypertension Ischaemic heart disease and age Inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer Escherichia coli infection and inflammatory bowel disease Parkinson's disease Crohn's disease Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes, and amyloid fibrils Autism and mirror neurons Autism and a gene affecting glutamate synapses Soy protein, weight loss, and leptin

Physical sciences and technology

Historical climate change

1. April 30, 2007 - Earth's Climate Is Seesawing, According To Climate Researchers

Global warming

1. April 30, 2007 - Arctic Ice Retreating More Quickly Than Computer Models Project - also here, here
2. April 30, 2007 - Arctic melt faster than forecast
3. May 1, 2007 - Arctic ice cap melting 30 years ahead of forecast - also here
4. May 2, 2007 - The Incredible Shrinking Sea Ice
5. May 2, 2007 - Arctic ice melting 30 years too soon
6. May 2, 2007 - Melting Greenland ice could raise ocean seven meters

Advanced magnetic data storage

1. April 30, 2007 - Manipulating Magnetism for Future Data-Storage Devices
2. May 4, 2007 - Moving Walls with Current

Quantum entanglement sudden death

1. May 1, 2007 - Entanglement dies a sudden death

Supersolids

1. May 1, 2007 - Supersolids reliant on disorder, say physicists

Star cluster with multiple star generations

1. May 2, 2007 - Star cluster's triple baby boom puzzles astronomers
2. May 2, 2007 - Hubble Finds Multiple Stellar 'Baby Booms' In A Globular Cluster - also here
3. May 2, 2007 - Boom, Boom, Boom Goes Starbirth
4. May 3, 2007 - Hubble sees multiple star generations in a globular cluster

Water on Mars

1. May 2, 2007 - 'Bumpy' ice on Mars points to active water cycle
2. May 2, 2007 - Ice Patches Found on Mars Eyed for Next Mission
3. May 2, 2007 - Mars's Ice Patchy, Water Cycle Quite Active, Study Reveals
4. May 3, 2007 - Ice On Mars Is Patchy And Variable, According To Scientists - also here, here
5. May 3, 2007 - Martian Water: New Mapping Tool Heats Up Quest for Icy Gold

Earthquakes

1. May 2, 2007 - Deep tremors may hold key to predicting big quakes

VERITAS telescope array

1. May 2, 2007 - Dark Matter May Be Easier To Find With New VERITAS Telescope Array - also here

James Webb Space Telescope

1. May 2, 2007 - New Technologies for James Webb Space Telescope Approved Early - also here
2. May 4, 2007 - Ten Inventions Created for James Webb Space Telescope Approved

Nanoimprint lithography

1. May 2, 2007 - HP Licenses Technology to Create Nanoscale Electronic Devices

Extrasolar planets

1. May 2, 2007 - Several Jupiter sized planets found to have only weak Earth like gravity
2. May 2, 2007 - Astronomers Find Extrasolar Planet Heavyweight Champ
3. May 3, 2007 - European planet hunters on brink of Earth-sized prize
4. May 3, 2007 - Space Satellite Spots Its First Extrasolar Planet
5. May 3, 2007 - Space telescope spots new planet
6. May 6, 2007 - COROT discovers its first exoplanet - also here, here, here

Ultrashort light pulses

1. May 2, 2007 - Ultrashort Light Pulse Blazes New Paths For Science, Industry - also here, here

Nanotechnology

1. May 3, 2007 - Nano-crystal 'gems' are powerful chemical catalysts
2. May 4, 2007 - Platinum Nanocrystals Boost Catalytic Activity For Fuel Oxidation, Hydrogen Production - also here, here

Quantum-dot-based photovoltaics

1. May 3, 2007 - Quantum dot recipe may lead to cheaper solar panels - also here, here, here, here

Connecting string theory with gauge theory

1. May 3, 2007 - Physicists Connect String Theory With Established Physics - also here, here

Solar cells

1. May 3, 2007 - Efficiency Boost Makes Solar Cells Cheaper - also here, here

Combining microfluidics and mass spectrometry

1. May 3, 2007 - Lab-on-a-chip Device To Speed Proteomics Research - also here, here

Self-assembly of nanoelectronic components

1. May 3, 2007 - IBM Brings Nature To Computer Chip Manufacturing
2. May 3, 2007 - Self Assembling Chips

Optoelectronics

1. May 4, 2007 - 'Energy harvesting' can boost optoelectronic efficiency

Quantum computing

1. May 4, 2007 - Toward Quantum Computers: New Circuit Technology Enables Execution Of Quantum Algorithm - also here, here

Interacting anyons of topological origin

1. May 4, 2007 - The equivalent of a new quantum liquid?

Life sciences

MicroRNA control of genes in algae

1. April 30, 2007 - MicroRNAs Found In Unicellular Organism For First Time - also here, here
2. April 30, 2007 - Small Organism, No Small Feat

Language and color perception

1. April 30, 2007 - Seeing the blues
2. May 1, 2007 - Russian speakers get the blues

Gesture language in chimpanzees and bonobos

1. April 30, 2007 - Bonobos and chimps 'speak' with gestures
2. April 30, 2007 - Scientists look to apes for language origin clues - also here, here
3. April 30, 2007 - The Handy Way of Speaking
4. May 1, 2007 - It's Not What Chimps Say, It's What They Gesture
5. May 1, 2007 - Ape Gestures Offer Clues To The Evolution Of Human Communication
6. May 1, 2007 - Ape gestures 'show human links'

Brain-imaging studies

1. April 30, 2007 - Response to gains or losses depends on age
2. May 2, 2007 - Why Losing Money May Be More Painful Than You Think
3. May 3, 2007 - Culture Sculpts Neural Response To Visual Stimuli, New Research Indicates
4. May 4, 2007 - Can culture dictate the way we see?
5. May 4, 2007 - Sleep Deprivation Can Threaten Competent Decision-making - also here

Olfaction

1. April 30, 2007 - Brain Processes Sense Of Smell Better Than Previously Thought - also here

Linking DNA and histone methylation

1. April 30, 2007 - Linking DNA and histone methylation

Brain control of cardiorespiratory response to exercise

1. April 30, 2007 - Study finds role of mid-brain in integrating heart and respiratory response to exercise - also here
2. April 30, 2007 - Area of brain controlling the body's response to exercise identified

Phytoplankton and photosynthesis

1. April 30, 2007 - Puzzling plankton yield secrets to role in evolution, global photosynthesis - also here
2. May 1, 2007 - Plankton Species' Genome Analysis Yields Surprises Regarding Evolution And Global Photosynthesis - also here

Protein movement in cells

1. April 30, 2007 - Trafficking in Proteins

Wolf clones

1. April 30, 2007 - Probe clears S Korea wolf cloners
2. April 30, 2007 - Wolf Clones Real, Errors "Unintentional," Review Finds
3. May 1, 2007 - Wolf clones confirmed

Sexual selection in ducks

1. May 1, 2007 - Duck penises show battle of the sexes
2. May 1, 2007 - Twisted Duck Love
3. May 1, 2007 - 'War Between The Sexes': The Coevolution Of Genitalia In Waterfowl

Dynamin and synapse formation

1. May 1, 2007 - Gene Critical For Sophisticated Brain Function Found

Stimuating slow wave brain activity

1. May 1, 2007 - Deep Sleep: Researchers Discovery How To Simulate Slow Wave Activity

Neanderthals

1. May 1, 2007 - Neanderthal extinction hypothesis offered
2. May 2, 2007 - Climate Change Pushed Neanderthal Into Extinction In Iberian Peninsula, Spanish Researcher Says
3. May 4, 2007 - Climate Change, Not Humans, Trounced Neanderthals

Hominin diet

1. May 2, 2007 - Human ancestors went underground for dinner

Gene related to caloric restriction and longevity

1. May 2, 2007 - A Lean Gene for Low-Cal Longevity
2. May 2, 2007 - Study identifies gene linked to longer lifespan
3. May 2, 2007 - New Clue to Longevity
4. May 2, 2007 - Eat Less, Live Longer? Gene Links Calorie Restriction To Longevity
5. May 2, 2007 - Gene clue to longevity uncovered
6. May 3, 2007 - The gene for longevity, if you're a worm
7. May 3, 2007 - Scientists Identify Gene that Boosts Lifespan, Quality of Life

Oxytocin and heartbeat regulation

1. May 2, 2007 - Does A Peptide Affect The Heart's Response To Social Isolation? - also here

Structural biology

1. May 2, 2007 - Structural Biology Breakthrough: New Way To Analyze Moving Parts Of Large Proteins - also here, here

Coral genome

1. May 2, 2007 - Corals -- More Complex Than You?

MicroRNA and cancer

1. May 2, 2007 - U.S. scientists find pancreatic cancer clues
2. May 4, 2007 - Pancreatic Cancer Markers Identified, May Predict Survival - also here

Personality genes in birds

1. May 3, 2007 - 'Personality Gene' Makes Songbirds Curious: Exploratory Behavior In Great Tits - also here

'Insulators' in herpes virus DNA

1. May 3, 2007 - 'Insulator' helps silence genes in dormant herpes virus - also here, here

Asymmetric cell division

1. May 3, 2007 - Researchers work out the mechanics of asymmetric cell division - also here

Organization of genes on chromosomes

1. May 4, 2007 - Essential Genes Cluster Clue To Order In The Genome - also here

Photosynthesis

1. May 4, 2007 - Scientists Offer New View Of Photosynthesis - also here, here, here
2. May 5, 2007 - Protein Enables Discovery Of Quantum Effect In Photosynthesis - also here

Extending lifespan of yeast

1. May 4, 2007 - Vitamin Extends Life In Yeast, Scientists Find - also here

Event structure perception

1. May 4, 2007 - Human Brain Breaks Down Events Into Smaller Units - also here

Protein conservation and function

1. May 4, 2007 - Cell Biology: Assumption Of Function Not Always Correct

Noise in very thin axons

1. May 4, 2007 - Role of noise in neurons - also here, here

Communication between proteins in cell membranes

1. May 4, 2007 - Elastic interactions of membrane proteins

G-protein coupled receptors and nitric oxide

1. May 4, 2007 - Nitric oxide: Key to cardiovascular and pulmonary function and drug effectiveness - also here

Bacterial weapon against insect hosts

1. May 5, 2007 - Rare 'Gene-for-gene' Interaction Helps Bacteria Kill Their Host - also here

Health and medicine

Alzheimer's disease

1. April 29, 2007 - Scientists 'reverse' memory loss
2. April 30, 2007 - Reversing Alzheimer's memory loss may be possible - also here, here
3. April 30, 2007 - Memory Restored In Mice Through Enriched Environment: New Hope For Alzheimer's - also here
4. April 30, 2007 - Alzheimer's-like Mice Regain Memory
5. April 30, 2007 - Omega-3 may fight Alzheimer brain changes
6. May 1, 2007 - Statin Treatment Improves Spatial Memory In Mouse Models Of Alzheimer's
7. May 2, 2007 - Study: Hormones May Ward Off Dementia - also here
8. May 2, 2007 - Patterns Of Brain Tissue Loss In Early Alzheimer's Disease May Predict Course Of Disease, Study Suggests
9. May 3, 2007 - Protein cutback stops Alzheimer's progress in mice
10. May 3, 2007 - Estrogen Use Before 65 Linked To Reduced Risk Of Alzheimer's Disease
11. May 3, 2007 - Mice Lacking Tau Protein Can Resist Siezures And Alzheimer's Related Memory Loss - also here

Cancer

1. April 30, 2007 - Why alcohol boosts breast cancer risk: study
2. April 30, 2007 - Catching cancer's spread by watching hemoglobin
3. April 30, 2007 - Lymphoma Drug Failure Frustrates Experts - also here
4. May 1, 2007 - Drug combination helps certain breast cancer cases
5. May 1, 2007 - Bile Duct Obstruction Is Correlated WIth Ductal Cancer, Study Shows - also here
6. May 1, 2007 - Elevated Tungsten In Trees Coincides With Nevada Leukemia Cluster - also here, here
7. May 1, 2007 - Drinking 'fuels growth of tumour'
8. May 2, 2007 - Lung Cancer Risk Can Now Be Assessed With New Model
9. May 2, 2007 - Biomarker Discovery Bodes Well For Better Cancer Diagnostics, Pharmacologist Says - also here
10. May 2, 2007 - Scientists Locate And Treat Tumors Using Novel Technology, In Mice - also here, here
11. May 2, 2007 - 'Wrapping' Gleevec Fights Drug-resistant Cancer, Study Shows - also here
12. May 2, 2007 - New Class Of Nontoxic Cancer Treatments Discovered - also here
13. May 3, 2007 - Herceptin gets European OK for breast cancer
14. May 3, 2007 - Diabetes drugs may lower risk of lung cancer
15. May 3, 2007 - Barbecue lovers may have higher breast cancer risk
16. May 3, 2007 - Women unaware of when breast cancer risk is greatest
17. May 4, 2007 - Tea drinkers may have lower skin cancer risk - also here
18. May 4, 2007 - Tamoxifen Prevents Breast Cancer in High-Risk Women, Study Confirms
19. May 4, 2007 - Molecules With Potential To Treat Breast Cancer Discovered - also here
20. May 4, 2007 - MR imaging helps predict recurrence in prostate cancer patients - also here
21. May 5, 2007 - Decrease In Breast Cancer Rates Likely Reflect HRT Reduction And Saturation Of Mammography - also here
22. May 7, 2007 - CORRECTION: Why alcohol boosts breast cancer risk: study

AIDS

1. April 30, 2007 - Working Toward A Vaccine To Cope With Viral Diversity In HIV
2. April 30, 2007 - AIDS virus hides quickly inside babies' blood
3. May 1, 2007 - Resistant HIV Quickly Hides In Infants' Cells - also here, here
4. May 5, 2007 - Selenium pills 'may combat HIV'
5. May 6, 2007 - New Insight Into HIV Infection

Stem cells

1. April 30, 2007 - Stem Cell Propagation And Neurogenesis Can Now Be Studied In Cell Culture
2. April 30, 2007 - Adult Stem/progenitor Cells Repair Of Damaged Brain, Pancreas, Kidney Cells Newly Understood
3. April 30, 2007 - Study: Stem cells report olfactory nerves
4. May 3, 2007 - Stem Cells Fill In When Smell-related Cells Fail - also here
5. May 4, 2007 - Master regulatory gene of epithelial stem cells identified - also here

Gene therapy

1. April 30, 2007 - Novel Gene-Repair Technology Under Development
2. May 1, 2007 - First trial of gene therapy to restore human sight
3. May 1, 2007 - UK doctors test gene therapy to treat blindness - also here
4. May 1, 2007 - Gene therapy first for poor sight
5. May 2, 2007 - Gene Therapy For Childhood Blindness In First Clinical Trial - also here, here
6. May 3, 2007 - Doctors test gene transplant to restore sight

Rheumatoid arthritis

1. April 30, 2007 - Rheumatoid Arthritis And The Impact Of Genetic Factors On Mortality
2. April 30, 2007 - Green Tea Compound, EGCG, May Be A Therapy For People With Rheumatoid Arthritis - also here
3. April 30, 2007 - Green tea compound suppresses factors causing cartilage, bone destruction in arthritis

Reversing tumor development and metastasis

1. April 30, 2007 - Reversing Cancer Cells To Normal Cells - also here

Avian flu

1. April 30, 2007 - 'Supermap' Of Avian Flu Yields New Info On Source And Spread - also here
2. May 1, 2007 - Researchers create interactive map with Google technology to track avian flu spread
3. May 2, 2007 - Peramivir Protects Mice From Lethal H5N1 Infection
4. May 6, 2007 - Bird flu re-emerges in central Vietnam, kills ducks

Health benefits of cherries for metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and heart disease

1. April 30, 2007 - Tart Cherries Can Alter Factors Linked To Heart Disease And Diabetes, Animal Study Suggests - also here
2. April 30, 2007 - Cherries may help reduce metabolic syndrome and heart disease risk factors

Health benefits of coffee for diabetes and cancer

1. April 30, 2007 - Moderate Coffee Drinking Reduces Many Risks, Panel Says
2. May 1, 2007 - Coffee can be good for you, experts say - also here

Mental health risks of cannabis

1. April 30, 2007 - Brain scans pinpoint cannabis health risk
2. April 30, 2007 - Cannabis 'disrupts brain centre'
3. May 1, 2007 - Doctors: Pot Triggers Psychotic Symptoms - also here

Test for risk from hidden fat

1. April 30, 2007 - Test points to 'hidden' fat risk

Anti-inflammatory properties of fish oil

1. May 1, 2007 - Fish Oil May Help Kidney Disease Sufferers - also here

Potential treatment for genetic disorders

1. May 1, 2007 - New Agent To Fight Genetic Disorders Found - also here, here

Antibiotics

1. May 1, 2007 - Arming The Fight Against Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria

Health benefits of pistachios

1. May 1, 2007 - Pistachios May Calm Acute Stress Reaction
2. May 1, 2007 - Pistachios Lower Cholesterol, Provide Antioxidants - also here

Hepatitis B

1. May 1, 2007 - Toward A Banana-based Vaccine For Hepatitis B

Risks of high doses of polyphenols and flavonoids

1. May 1, 2007 - High Doses Of Phytochemicals, Including Flavanoids, In Teas And Supplements Could Be Unhealthy

Drug to stimulate burning of fat

1. May 1, 2007 - Real Diet Pill? New 'Exercise Pill' Tells Cells To Burn Fat; Works in Mice

Health benefits of macadamia nuts

1. May 1, 2007 - Hawaiian Treasure, Macadamia Nuts Good For The Heart

Health risks of nanoparticles

1. May 1, 2007 - Nanoparticles may cause arterial disease

Metal allergies

1. May 2, 2007 - Infections may trigger metal allergies

Diabetes

1. May 2, 2007 - Diabetes treatment said no threat to mental skills
2. May 3, 2007 - Tight Diabetes Control Does Not Impact Cognitive Ability In Type 1 Diabetes, Study Shows - also here
3. May 6, 2007 - Why Wounds Are Slow To Heal In Diabetics

Nicotinic receptor activation

1. May 2, 2007 - Cognitive Disorders May Be Treatable With New Class Of Compounds - also here
2. May 3, 2007 - New cognitive disorder treatment possible

Beneficial effects of statins for heart failure

1. May 2, 2007 - Statin Drugs May Reduce Risk Of Heart Failure, Sudden Cardiac Death, New Study Suggests - also here
2. May 2, 2007 - Cholesterol-lowering drugs reduce risk of stroke, heart attack - also here

ACE inhibitor activity of nutritive plants

1. May 2, 2007 - Wild Garlic And Other South African Plants May Have Potential For Treating High Blood Pressure - also here

Leptin and the obesity-cancer connection

1. May 2, 2007 - Obesity-breast Cancer Link May Be Due To Fat Tissue-derived Hormone Leptin - also here

Risks of high calcium and vitamin D intake

1. May 2, 2007 - High Calcium And Vitamin D Intakes Associated WIth Higher Risk Of Cognitive Impairment In Elderly

Immune system genes and cognitive decline after heart surgery

1. May 2, 2007 - Inflammatory system genes linked to cognitive decline after heart surgery

Nicotine addiction

1. May 2, 2007 - Researchers Present New Ideas On How Smokers Get Hooked

Genetic risks of cardiovascular disease

1. May 3, 2007 - Heart attack gene variants may double risk
2. May 3, 2007 - DNA mutation causes heart disease in whites - also here
3. May 3, 2007 - A Genetic Clue to Heart Disease
4. May 3, 2007 - DNA variant puts Caucasians at higher risk for heart disease
5. May 6, 2007 - Common Genetic Variation Is Linked To Substantial Risk In Heart Attack

Obesity, inflammation, and metabolic disorders

1. May 3, 2007 - When the Levee Breaks: Protein Overwhelmed by Overeating Leads to Metabolic Diseases
2. May 3, 2007 - Keeping the immune system from starting a 'food fight' - also here

Vaccine against prion diseases

1. May 3, 2007 - Vaccine Prevents Prion Disease In Mice - also here, here
2. May 3, 2007 - No More Mad Mice
3. May 4, 2007 - Vaccine may protect against CJD

Schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder

1. May 3, 2007 - Study Of Damaged Gene Gives Insight Into Causes Of Mental Illness

Hypertension

1. May 3, 2007 - Cause of gender differences in blood pressure, kidney damage under study
2. May 4, 2007 - Blood pressure climbs along with weight

Ischaemic heart disease and age

1. May 3, 2007 - Making old hearts young again

Inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer

1. May 4, 2007 - Cancer risk factors identified in bowel disease - also here

Escherichia coli infection and inflammatory bowel disease

1. May 4, 2007 - E. coli involved in bowel disease: study - also here, here

Parkinson's disease

1. May 4, 2007 - Parkinson's treatment best for "younger" patients
2. May 4, 2007 - Link Between Parkinson's And Narcolepsy Discovered - also here

Crohn's disease

1. May 4, 2007 - New Therapy For Patients With Crohn's Disease Identified

Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes, and amyloid fibrils

1. May 4, 2007 - Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Type II Diabetes Are Similar At The Molecular Level

Autism and mirror neurons

1. May 4, 2007 - Why Autistic Children Do Not Imitate Or Empathize: It Could Be A Dysfunctional Mirror-neuron System

Autism and a gene affecting glutamate synapses

1. May 4, 2007 - Researchers learn more about genetic mutation linked to autism - also here

Soy protein, weight loss, and leptin

1. May 6, 2007 - How Does Soy Promote Weight Loss? - also here, here

Copyright © 2007 by Charles Daney, All Rights Reserved