Volume 6, Number 31 July 30, 2007

Physical sciences and technology Global warming Interstellar organic compounds Microfluidics Milky Way black hole Nanotechnology Climate models Extrasolar planets Black holes and active glactic nuclei Graphene Quantum computing Brain-computer interface Carbon nanotubes Molecular electronics Quantum interference between particles Solar cells Terahertz radiation Hurricanes and global warming Life sciences Computer model of language learning Cloning Genomic variability of Arabidopsis thaliana NK T cells Microglia and aging Embryo development Antibodies and autoimmune disease Evolution and 'investment' Nicotine and neuronal cell signaling Cell identity Aging, stem cells, and inflammation Brain representation of numeric quantities New gene origination Molecular gene switch Adrenaline effect moderation and longevity Brain control of sleep-wake states MicroRNA and neurons Species variability and evolution rate Synesthesia Gene transcription MicroRNA Cancer biology Extremophiles Social cognition functions of the amygdala Memory formation Second language learning Mitochondria Evolution of antibiotic resistance Protein folding Genetics of emotional recall Health and medicine Cancer SIRT1 and neurodegenerative diseases Metabolic syndrome Diabetes Parkinson's disease AIDS Autism Benefits of omega-3 fatty acids Fitness and abdominal fat Vitamin D and hypertension Cardiovascular disease Hepatitis C Alzheimer's disease Gene therapy and Parkinson's disease Tuberculosis Dietary causes of obesity Avian flu Vitamin D metabolism Ketamine and depression Stem cells Gene therapy Multiple sclerosis Genetic risk factor in obesity Diabetes and inflammation Cannabis and psychosis Inflammatory bowel disease Malaria Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus Lupus

Physical sciences and technology

Global warming

1. July 23, 2007 - Influence of global warming seen in changing rains
2. July 23, 2007 - Humans to blame for global changes in rain: study
3. July 23, 2007 - Humans 'affect global rainfall'
4. July 23, 2007 - The Power to Influence Showers
5. July 23, 2007 - Humans 'affect global rainfall'
6. July 23, 2007 - Rainfall changes linked to human activity
7. July 24, 2007 - Humans clearly linked to rising rainfall, study says
8. July 24, 2007 - Mankind causing rain, snow changes study
9. July 24, 2007 - Tibet is warming at twice global average
10. July 24, 2007 - Climate change already affecting rainfall
11. July 25, 2007 - Smog to accelerate global warming: scientists
12. July 25, 2007 - Ozone has 'strong climate effect'
13. July 26, 2007 - Smog may speed up global warming
14. July 27, 2007 - Rising Surface Ozone Reduces Plant Growth And Adds To Global Warming - also here
15. July 28, 2007 - Iodine enters the climate-change mix
16. July 28, 2007 - Stunting Growth: Ozone will trim plants' carbon-storing power

Interstellar organic compounds

1. July 23, 2007 - Interstellar Chemistry Gets More Complex With New Negatively-Charged Molecule Discovery - also here, here, here
2. July 23, 2007 - Astronomers Discover Supergiant Star Spews Molecules Needed for Life
3. July 24, 2007 - Organic compound found in the stars
4. August 1, 2007 - Scientists positive there's negativity in space

Microfluidics

1. July 23, 2007 - Probing The Microbial Universe The Easy Way

Nanotechnology

1. July 23, 2007 - Self-Assembling Nanoparticles Image Tumor Cells
2. July 24, 2007 - Nano-sized Generator Gets Big Power Boost
3. July 24, 2007 - Scientists Discover New Way to Study Nanostructures - also here, here
4. July 24, 2007 - Antique engines inspire nano chip
5. July 25, 2007 - Physicists create first superconductor hybrid nanoscale heat transistor
6. July 26, 2007 - FDA finds no proof of harm with nanotech products
7. July 26, 2007 - Self-assembled Nanostructures Function Better Than Bone As Porosity Increases
8. July 26, 2007 - Simple Method Yields Complex Micro- and Nanoparticle Shapes
9. July 27, 2007 - Tightly Packed Molecules Lend Unexpected Strength To Nanothin Sheet Of Material - also here
10. July 27, 2007 - See-through transistor fabricated for future e-displays

Milky Way black hole

1. July 24, 2007 - Is a second black hole lurking in the Milky Way's heart?

Climate models

1. July 24, 2007 - The Rain in Spain Stays Mainly in the Plain. Or Does It?

Extrasolar planets

1. July 24, 2007 - Spitzer Finds Evidence for Planets with Four Parents
2. July 25, 2007 - Quadruple star system may host a planet
3. July 25, 2007 - Quadruple Sunsets Possible on Other Worlds

Black holes and active glactic nuclei

1. July 24, 2007 - Black Holes Devour Matter Like Piranhas
2. July 25, 2007 - Chandra Catches 'Piranha' Black Holes - also here, here

Graphene

1. July 25, 2007 - Size matters when it comes to graphene circuits
2. July 25, 2007 - Graphene Nanoelectronics: Making Tomorrow's Computers From A Pencil Trace - also here, here
3. July 25, 2007 - It's Super Paper!
4. July 25, 2007 - Graphene oxide weaved into 'paper'
5. July 25, 2007 - Carbon makes super-tough paper
6. July 26, 2007 - Wafer-thin paper beats bucky tubes
7. July 27, 2007 - Graphene Oxide Paper Could Spawn A New Class Of Materials - also here, here

Quantum computing

1. July 25, 2007 - Dancing atoms hold prospect of superfast computing
2. July 25, 2007 - Atoms swap spins
3. July 26, 2007 - Trick of light advances quantum computing
4. July 26, 2007 - Thousands Of Atoms Swap 'Spins' With Partners In Quantum Square Dance - also here, here
5. July 27, 2007 - Discovery Of 'Hidden' Quantum Order Improves Prospects For Quantum Super Computers - also here, here
6. July 27, 2007 - Discovery of 'hidden' quantum order improves prospects for quantum super computers
7. July 30, 2007 - Professor Works With International Researchers to Make Quantum Physics Discovery

Brain-computer interface

1. July 25, 2007 - The Future Of Medicine: Insert Chip, Cure Disease? - also here

Carbon nanotubes

1. July 26, 2007 - Innovative Carbon Nanotube Growth Tool Selected For Nanocomposites And Mechanical Sensor Research

Molecular electronics

1. July 26, 2007 - The inside dope: new technique may speed the development of molecular electronics - also here, here

Quantum interference between particles

1. July 27, 2007 - More Support For Quantum Theory: Opposites Interfere - also here

Solar cells

1. July 27, 2007 - Unique Quantum Effect Found In Silicon Nanocrystals - also here, here

Terahertz radiation

1. July 28, 2007 - Extremely Short Bursts Of Light Produced: Could Probe Motion Of Electrons - also here, here

Hurricanes and global warming

1. July 29, 2007 - Frequency of Atlantic Hurricanes Doubled Over Last Century; Climate Change Suspected - also here, here, here, here
2. July 29, 2007 - Study links more hurricanes, climate change - also here, here
3. July 29, 2007 - More Hurricanes Forming Today than Century Ago
4. July 29, 2007 - Study blames climate change for hurricanes - also here, here
5. July 29, 2007 - Researchers blame rise in storms on warming - also here, here, here, here
6. July 30, 2007 - Freq. of Atl. Hurricanes Doubled Over Last Century
7. July 30, 2007 - Frequency of Atlantic Hurricanes Doubled During Last Century
8. July 30, 2007 - Global warming debate is stormy
9. July 30, 2007 - Hurricane boost 'due to warm sea'
10. July 30, 2007 - Tropical storms stepping up with climate change
11. July 30, 2007 - Study Says Hurricane Numbers Have Doubled
12. July 30, 2007 - Climate Change Linked to More Hurricanes - also here
13. July 30, 2007 - Stronger Link Found between Hurricanes and Global Warming
14. July 30, 2007 - Researchers: Global Warming Could Cause Hurricane Spike
15. July 30, 2007 - Big rise in number of Atlantic storms blamed on global warming
16. July 30, 2007 - Big Storms Double Since Last Century
17. July 30, 2007 - Global warming doubles number of hurricanes, study finds

Life sciences

Computer model of language learning

1. July 23, 2007 - Bare-Bones Program Learns English and Japanese Vowels
2. July 23, 2007 - A Baby Step for Computer Learning
3. July 24, 2007 - Computer program can learn baby talk
4. July 25, 2007 - Software finds learning language child's play

Cloning

1. July 23, 2007 - China claims a first with cloned rabbit

Genomic variability of Arabidopsis thaliana

1. July 23, 2007 - One Species, Many Genomes - also here
2. July 23, 2007 - Charting Ever-changing Genomes

NK T cells

1. July 23, 2007 - Keeping Killer T Cells Under Control In The Liver

Microglia and aging

1. July 23, 2007 - Immune Cells In The Brains Of Aging Mice Prove More Functional Than Expected

Embryo development

1. July 23, 2007 - Fruit Fly Research May 'Clean Up' Conventional Impressions Of Biology

Antibodies and autoimmune disease

1. July 23, 2007 - Removing A Sugar Turns Protective Antibodies Into Attackers

Evolution and 'investment'

1. July 24, 2007 - Mothers Invest More In Reproduction When Their Mates Are Attractive

Nicotine and neuronal cell signaling

1. July 24, 2007 - Nicotine Rush Hinges On Sugar In Neurons - also here

Cell identity

1. July 24, 2007 - Specialized Cells: A Question Of Identity

Aging, stem cells, and inflammation

1. July 23, 2007 - Effects of aging in stem cells - also here, here

Brain representation of numeric quantities

1. July 25, 2007 - Neurons For Numerosity: Parietal Neurons 'Sum Up' Individual Items In A Group - also here
2. July 27, 2007 - Counting on Your Brain to Keep Score

New gene origination

1. July 25, 2007 - Fruit Fly Gene From 'Out Of Nowhere' May Change Ideas About How Genes Are Formed

Molecular gene switch

1. July 26, 2007 - New molecular switch for genes
2. July 26, 2007 - Bioengineers Devise 'Dimmer Swith' To Regulate Gene Expression In Mammal Cells - also here

Adrenaline effect moderation and longevity

1. July 26, 2007 - Single gene deletion boosts lifespan

Brain control of sleep-wake states

1. July 26, 2007 - Sleep-Wake Controls Identified: Implications For Coma Patients And Those Under Anesthesia

MicroRNA and neurons

1. July 26, 2007 - Brain Cells Need MicroRNA To Survive

Species variability and evolution rate

1. July 26, 2007 - Fossils Older Than Dinosaurs Reveal Pattern Of Early Animal Evolution On Earth - also here

Synesthesia

1. July 26, 2007 - Hearing Colors And Seeing Sounds: How Real Is Synesthesia? - also here, here

Gene transcription

1. July 26, 2007 - Gene-transcription machinery seen poised for action, held in check until needed - also here, here, here

MicroRNA

1. July 26, 2007 - Researchers find key to messenger RNA control
2. July 27, 2007 - MicroRNA works with Ago2 protein to regulate blood cell development - also here

Cancer biology

1. July 26, 2007 - First Detailed View of Molecular Structure May Usher in New Class of Cancer Drugs

Extremophiles

1. July 26, 2007 - Pond Bacterium Converts Light to Energy
2. July 27, 2007 - Sun-Swilling, Heat-Resistant Extremophile Discovered in Yellowstone
3. July 27, 2007 - Surprising New Species Of Light-harvesting Bacterium Discovered In Yellowstone
4. July 27, 2007 - Innovative Research Technique Reveals Another Natural Wonder in Yellowstone Park: A Unique, Photosynthesizing Life-Form

Social cognition functions of the amygdala

1. July 27, 2007 - A Mind for Sociability

Memory formation

1. July 27, 2007 - New Protein Synthesis Not Essential To Memory Formation - also here
2. July 29, 2007 - Scientists Unveil The 'Face' Of A New Memory - also here

Second language learning

1. July 27, 2007 - Learning A Second Language: Is It All In Your Head? - also here

Mitochondria

1. July 27, 2007 - A new brake on cellular energy production discovered - also here, here

Evolution of antibiotic resistance

1. July 27, 2007 - How bacteria evolve into superbugs

Protein folding

1. July 27, 2007 - Microscope unravels the intricacies of protein folding

Genetics of emotional recall

1. July 29, 2007 - Emotional recall is in your genes
2. July 30, 2007 - A Gene to Better Remember Traumatic Events
3. July 30, 2007 - Bad Memories Tied to DNA
4. July 30, 2007 - Genes influence emotional memory

Health and medicine

Cancer

1. July 23, 2007 - Testicular protein vaccine may fight ovarian cancer
2. July 23, 2007 - Cancer research summaries
3. July 24, 2007 - Study links low cholesterol levels and cancer
4. July 24, 2007 - Can cholesterol go too low? Study sees cancer link - also here, here, here, here
5. July 24, 2007 - New drugs improve breast cancer survival
6. July 24, 2007 - Biodesign Institute Leads Innovative Project To Prevent Cancer
7. July 24, 2007 - Latest Drugs Improve Survival For Metastatic Breast Cancer - also here
8. July 24, 2007 - Lycopene as Cancer Blocker? Review Says Evidence Is Scant
9. July 25, 2007 - Broccoli and Other Vegetables Linked with Decreased Risk of Aggressive Prostate Cancer
10. July 25, 2007 - Low Cholesterol Levels Associated With Cancer, Study Finds
11. July 25, 2007 - Breast Cancer And Hormone Therapy -- A Looking-glass Mirror? - also here
12. July 25, 2007 - New Combination Treatment For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Increases Progression-Free Survival And Response, Study Suggests
13. July 26, 2007 - Confirmed: A Link Between Breast Cancer and Hormone Therapy
14. July 26, 2007 - Added chemotherapy improves lung cancer survival
15. July 26, 2007 - Study Confirms That NSAIDs Treatment Can Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk - also here
16. July 26, 2007 - Living Virus Destroys Cancer Cell: Novel Phase II Study For Sarcoma Begin
17. July 27, 2007 - Rash means cancer drug Tarceva is working
18. July 27, 2007 - Advanced Therapy Offers Cure For Relapsed Cancer Patient - also here
19. July 27, 2007 - New Gene Linked To Breast Cancer Risk Identified - also here
20. July 27, 2007 - New Algorithm Matches Any Tumor Cells To Best Possible Anticancer Treatments - also here
21. July 27, 2007 - Soy isoflavones may prevent prostate cancer

SIRT1 and neurodegenerative diseases

1. July 23, 2007 - Saving Memories

Metabolic syndrome

1. July 23, 2007 - Study Links Diet Soft Drinks With Cardiac Risk - also here
2. July 23, 2007 - No safe haven: Diet sodas linked with health risks - also here, here
3. July 23, 2007 - Soda linked to increased metabolic risk
4. July 23, 2007 - Study: Diet soda associated with same heart risks as regular soda - also here
5. July 23, 2007 - Daily soft drink hikes risk for heart disease, study finds
6. July 24, 2007 - Diet soda, metabolic syndrome linked
7. July 24, 2007 - Soft drinks - heart disease study sparks reaction - also here
8. July 25, 2007 - Diet And Regular Soft Drinks Linked To Increase In Risk Factors For Heart Disease - also here, here
9. July 30, 2007 - Soft drink dilemma
10. August 13, 2007 - Can diet drinks make you fat, less healthy?

Diabetes

1. July 23, 2007 - Hepatitis C strongly linked to type 2 diabetes
2. July 27, 2007 - Diabetics may do well on Mediterranean diet
3. July 29, 2007 - Study: Capsules around insulin cells may help transplants - also here, here
4. July 31, 2007 - New Technique To 'See' And Protect Transplants Successful In Diabetic Animal Model
5. August 1, 2007 - Insulin Capsules Have Potential To Prevent Diabetes Before Symptoms Appear And Treat The Disease In Its Later Stages

Parkinson's disease

1. July 23, 2007 - Investigating The Causes Of Parkinson's Disease - also here
2. July 28, 2007 - Degenerative Changes That Mimic Parkinson's Linked To Reduced Dopamine Storage

AIDS

1. July 23, 2007 - First genome-wide study of infectious disease opens new avenues for HIV treatment, vaccines
2. July 24, 2007 - Long Term Antiretroviral Therapy Could Restore Normal CD4 Cell Counts In HIV Positive Patients
3. July 24, 2007 - Modern technology and ancient surgery battle AIDS
4. July 25, 2007 - Researchers Discover New Method To Combat HIV - also here, here
5. July 26, 2007 - Scientists find key HIV protein makes cell membranes bend more easily - also here, here
6. July 27, 2007 - New target for HIV/AIDS drugs and vaccines discovered - also here, here

Autism

1. July 24, 2007 - New Theory about Autism Roots
2. July 24, 2007 - New mutations implicated in half of autism cases
3. July 26, 2007 - New Model For Autism Suggests Women Carry The Disorder And Explains Age As A Risk Factor - also here, here

Benefits of omega-3 fatty acids

1. July 24, 2007 - Some polyunsaturated fats may protect the colon
2. July 25, 2007 - Eat Fish -- Especially If You Drink High Levels Of Alcohol - also here
3. July 27, 2007 - More fish oil, less vegetable oil, better for your health - also here, here

Fitness and abdominal fat

1. July 24, 2007 - Fitness means less belly fat at any weight

Vitamin D and hypertension

1. July 24, 2007 - Low vitamin D levels tied to higher blood pressure

Cardiovascular disease

1. July 24, 2007 - Two Drugs Better Than One In Lowering Blood Pressure
2. July 26, 2007 - Pollution-cholesterol link to heart disease seen

Hepatitis C

1. July 24, 2007 - Fighting Drug Resistance In Hepatitis C Virus
2. July 27, 2007 - Hepatitis C helicase unwinds DNA in a spring-loaded, 3-step process

Alzheimer's disease

1. July 24, 2007 - Bacteria Suggest New Approach To Alzheimer's Therapy
2. July 26, 2007 - A New Century Of Alzheimer's Disease Research - also here, here

Gene therapy and Parkinson's disease

1. July 24, 2007 - Gene Therapy For Parkinson's Hitches Ride On Virus

Tuberculosis

1. July 24, 2007 - Researchers Find Way To Starve TB
2. July 24, 2007 - TB Tests Show Promise, but Flaws Limit Progress
3. July 27, 2007 - S.Africa tests first new TB vaccine in 80 years
4. July 28, 2007 - Trials start on new TB vaccine

Dietary causes of obesity

1. July 24, 2007 - Examining obesity: What should we eat?

Avian flu

1. July 25, 2007 - India reports new outbreak of bird flu in chickens
2. July 26, 2007 - India confirms bird flu outbreak is H5N1 strain
3. July 29, 2007 - Myanmar reports new bird flu outbreak

Vitamin D metabolism

1. July 25, 2007 - Enzyme Discovery Sheds Light On Vitamin D - also here, here

Ketamine and depression

1. July 25, 2007 - Experimental Medication Ketamine Relieves Depression In Just Hours: Points To Targets For New Medications - also here, here

Stem cells

1. July 25, 2007 - A New Path To Facial Reconstruction
2. July 27, 2007 - Gene That Regulates Blood-forming Fetal Stem Cells Identified - also here, here
3. July 29, 2007 - Stem cells may mend a broken heart
4. July 29, 2007 - Scientists Find Stem Cell Switch In Plants - also here, here

Gene therapy

1. July 26, 2007 - Fresh Worry for Gene Therapy Approach
2. July 26, 2007 - FDA probing death in gene therapy trial
3. July 27, 2007 - New Gene Therapy Tools For Inherited Blindness Identifed - also here
4. July 27, 2007 - Patient dies during gene therapy trial
5. July 28, 2007 - Death clouds a gene-therapy's future

Multiple sclerosis

1. July 26, 2007 - Childhood Sun Exposure May Lower Risk Of Multiple Sclerosis - also here
2. July 26, 200 - Sunshine 'protective' against MS
3. July 29, 2007 - Research teams uncover risk genes for Multiple Sclerosis - also here
4. July 29, 2007 - First New Multiple Sclerosis Gene Found in 30 Years - also here
5. July 29, 2007 - MS Gene Uncovered After 30-year Search University of Miami Geneticist Co-Led the Research
6. July 29, 2007 - Scientists pinpoint 2 DNA variants linked to MS
7. July 29, 2007 - Research identifies new genes linked with MS - also here
8. July 29, 2007 - New MS genes after 30 year hunt
9. July 30, 2007 - First new MS genes in 20 years
10. July 30, 2007 - New Genetic Risk Factors For Multiple Sclerosis Identified -- First In Decades - also here
11. July 30, 2007 - Risk genes for multiple sclerosis uncovered
12. July 30, 2007 - Hard on the Nerves
13. July 30, 2007 - Advances Cited in Research on Multiple Sclerosis
14. July 30, 2007 - New multiple sclerosis genes identified
15. July 30, 2007 - Breakthrough as genes behind MS are identified
16. July 30, 2007 - Multiple sclerosis findings could help pinpoint cause
17. July 30, 2007 - Researchers find genetic link to MS
18. July 30, 2007 - MS: Is it all in the genes
19. July 30, 2007 - Genetic find raises hope for Canada's MS patients
20. July 30, 2007 - Second Gene That Increases MS Risk Found
21. July 30, 2007 - Hope for MS cure: Researchers find gene linked to long baffling disease
22. July 30, 2007 - Discovery of genes linked to MS may bring new treatment
23. July 30, 2007 - Genetic breakthrough offers MS sufferers hope of new treatment

Genetic risk factor in obesity

1. July 26, 2007 - Metabolic Defect In Liver Can Lead To Obesity - also here

Diabetes and inflammation

1. July 26, 2007 - Connecting Diabetes And Inflammation

Cannabis and psychosis

1. July 26, 2007 - Cannabis/schizophrenia link questioned
2. July 27, 2007 - Cannabis use increases risk of psychotic illness
3. July 27, 2007 - Psychosis From Pot?
4. July 27, 2007 - Cannabis 'raises psychosis risk'
5. July 27, 2007 - Pot smoking linked to psychotic disorders
6. July 27, 2007 - Medical opinion comes full circle on cannabis dangers
7. August 1, 2007 - Cannabis Could Increase Risks Of Psychotic Illness By 40 Percent

Inflammatory bowel disease

1. July 27, 2007 - Biologics Valuable Treatment Option For Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease - also here

Malaria

1. July 28, 2007 - Novel Approach For Rapid Identification And Development Of Malaria Vaccines - also here

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus

1. July 28, 2007 - Gene clues from dying MRSA victim

Lupus

1. July 29, 2007 - Research links genetic mutations to lupus - also here, here

Copyright © 2007 by Charles Daney, All Rights Reserved