Volume 6, Number 38 September 17, 2007

Physical sciences and technology Microfluidics Digital storage technology Hypervelocity stars String theory and inflation Nanotechnology Astrochemistry Arctic ice cover Global warming Extrasolar planets Dwarf galaxies Planetary system formation Water on Mars Neutron stars Dark matter Star formation Extreme ultraviolet lithography Inflatons and dark matter Magneto-resistive random access memory Spintronics Magnetic cataclysmic variable stars Carbon nanotubes Graphene Gamma-ray bursts Planetary nebulae Life sciences Gene copy number variations Systems Biology Genetic imprinting Predation Neanderthals Neuronal Conduction Of Excitation Fetal neurons DNA repair Brain-imaging studies, networks, and intelligence Ultraconserved noncoding RNA and cancer Ghrelin and T cells Control of brain area patterning Perception of color contrast Lonliness and the immune system Platelets, neutrophils, and inflammation Flash-lag effect in visual perception Regulatory T cells MicroRNA and cancer C-reactive protein and cancer Synthetic biology Shape perception Health and medicine Gene therapy Cancer Cancer and antioxidants Vitamin D Adiposity of mothers and children Autism Diabetes and inflammation Stem cells Prions and neurodegenerative diseases AIDS Alzheimer's disease Schizophrenia Sleep deprivation Cardiovascular disease Bipolar disorder Diabetes Cancer stem cells Malaria Nanoparticle drug delivery for cancer Metabolic syndrome Prions Mathematical modeling of disease cycles Gene regulation and disease

Physical sciences and technology

Microfluidics

1. September 10, 2007 - 'Lung On A Chip' And Other Marvels From Microfluidic Devices

Digital storage technology

1. September 11, 2007 - Redefining the Architecture of Memory

Hypervelocity stars

1. September 11, 2007 - Did our galaxy's black hole eat its baby brother?

String theory and inflation

1. September 11, 2007 - Can string theory accommodate inflation?

Nanotechnology

1. September 10, 2007 - IBM Claims Ultra-Tiny Art Project
2. September 11, 2007 - Nanoscale Printing Has Big Implications for Science and Technology
3. September 11, 2007 - Drawing Nanoscale Features The Fast And Easy Way - also here, here
4. September 11, 2007 - Tiny Tubes and Rods Show Promise as Catalysts, Sunscreen - also here, here
5. September 11, 2007 - Nanomaterials with a Bright Future
6. September 12, 2007 - Smallest Piece Of Art Ever Printed Could Herald Ultra-Tiny Nanowires, Biosensors And Optics For Future Chips - also here
7. September 14, 2007 - New DNA-based Technique For Assembly Of Nano- And Micro-sized Particles - also here, here
8. September 14, 2007 - Team develops novel method for nanostructured polymer thin films - also here, here

Astrochemistry

1. September 11, 2007 - Life's Ingredients May Have 'Sprinkled' on Earth

Arctic ice cover

1. September 11, 2007 - Arctic sea ice cover at record low
2. September 14, 2007 - Sea Ice Is Getting Thinner - also here, here
3. September 14, 2007 - Satellites witness lowest Arctic ice coverage in history - also here, here
4. September 14, 2007 - Arctic ice loss: Northwest Passage now open, says space agency
5. September 14, 2007 - Warming 'opens Northwest Passage'
6. September 15, 2007 - Arctic sea route opens as ice melts - also here, here
7. September 15, 2007 - Canada to be forced to boost Arctic security, expert says
8. September 16, 2007 - Northwest Passage Opens: Arctic Sea Ice Reaches New Low
9. September 16, 2007 - Arctic Ice Melt Opens Northwest Passage - also here
10. September 16, 2007 - Ice melt opens up famous Arctic passage
11. September 16, 2007 - Arctic thaw opens fabled trade route
12. September 17, 2007 - Arctic sea ice loosens grip on Northwest Passage

Global warming

1. September 12, 2007 - Ancient Shells Harden Link Between Climate Change and Greenhouse Gases
2. September 12, 2007 - Experts: Europe Heating Up Faster
3. September 12, 2007 - Experts: Climate Change Puts Sea at Risk
4. September 14, 2007 - Peat and forests save permafrost from melting - also here

Extrasolar planets

1. September 12, 2007 - Planet survives close call with searing red giant
2. September 12, 2007 - Planet Survived Brush with Red Giant
3. September 12, 2007 - First known planet to survive red-giant phase found - also here
4. September 12, 2007 - Hope for Earth: Planet Survives Star's Death Throes
5. September 12, 2007 - Planet survives stellar explosion
6. September 12, 2007 - Earth could survive a red-giant Sun
7. September 13, 2007 - This planet's a true survivor
8. September 13, 2007 - Earth May Survive Sun’s Demise in 5 Billion Years
9. September 14, 2007 - Exoplanet Offers Clues To Earth's Future - also here, here
10. September 27, 2007 - Oldest Planet Yet Discovered Hints Earth May Survive Our Sun Becoming A Red Giant - also here

Dwarf galaxies

1. September 12, 2007 - Smallest Galaxies Ever Seen Solve a Big Problem - also here, here
2. September 12, 2007 - Finding the Missing Dwarf Galaxies
3. September 12, 2007 - Small 'Hobbit' Galaxies Made Almost Entirely of Dark Matter
4. September 14, 2007 - Why is the Hercules Dwarf Galaxy so flat? - also here, here
5. September 20, 2007 - A Galaxy with the Wrong Shape

Planetary system formation

1. September 12, 2007 - Astronomers Will Trace Planet Formation With Neon
2. September 14, 2007 - Scientists plug gap in how planets form

Water on Mars

1. September 12, 2007 - Cold planet: The many ice ages of Mars
2. September 13, 2007 - New Theory Explains Ice On Mars

Neutron stars

1. September 12, 2007 - Bizarre Parasitic Star Found
2. September 13, 2007 - NASA Astronomers Find Bizarre Planet-mass Object Orbiting Neutron Star - also here

Dark matter

1. September 13, 2007 - Warm dark matter solves mystery of giant black holes
2. September 13, 2007 - Dark matter key to formation of first stars - also here
3. September 13, 2007 - First Dance With Dark Matter
4. September 13, 2007 - Explanation of Dark Matter Might Lie in Origin of Stars
5. September 13, 2007 - Stringy 'filaments' could have produced first stars
6. September 14, 2007 - Oldest Stars May Shed Light On Dark Matter - also here, here
7. September 14, 2007 - Study sheds new light on early star formation in the universe - also here
8. September 14, 2007 - Dark matter clues in oldest stars
9. September 14, 2007 - "Warm" dark matter lights up earliest stars

Star formation

1. September 13, 2007 - Coronet: A Star Formation Neighbor

Extreme ultraviolet lithography

1. September 13, 2007 - Lighter gas reduces damage to optics in extreme ultraviolet lithography - also here, here

Inflatons and dark matter

1. September 14, 2007 - Dark matter and inflation - one and the same?

Magneto-resistive random access memory

1. September 14, 2007 - Ability To Write And Store Information On Electronic Devices Improved - also here, here

Spintronics

1. September 14, 2007 - Physicists Pin Down Spin Of Surface Atoms - also here, here

Magnetic cataclysmic variable stars

1. September 14, 2007 - The missing link in the evolution of magnetic cataclysmic stars? - also here, here

Carbon nanotubes

1. September 14, 2007 - Scientists carve 3D microstructures in carbon nanotube forests

Graphene

1. September 14, 2007 - Sheet of carbon atoms acts like a billiard table, physicists find - also here
2. September 14, 2007 - Experiment finds graphene's missing pi

Gamma-ray bursts

1. September 15, 2007 - Gamma-ray bursts spring cosmic surprise

Planetary nebulae

1. September 15, 2007 - Hubble Captures Stars Going Out In Style

Life sciences

Gene copy number variations

1. September 9, 2007 - Starch 'fuel of human evolution'
2. September 13, 2007 - Carb-reliant people show better starch digestion - also here
3. September 14, 2007 - Extra Gene Copies Were Enough To Make Early Humans' Mouths Water - also here

Systems Biology

1. September 10, 2007 - Systems Biology Poised To Revolutionize The Understanding Of Cell Function And Disease - also here

Genetic imprinting

1. September 11, 2007 - Why Genes Of One Parent Are Expressed Over Genes Of The Other: New Ideas In Genomic Imprinting
2. September 11, 2007 - Platypus DNA a clue to 'battle of sexes'

Predation

1. September 11, 2007 - Have predators boosted biodiversity?
2. September 14, 2007 - Predation Linked To Evolution, Study Suggests - also here

Neanderthals

1. September 12, 2007 - Big climate change did not kill Neanderthals - also here
2. September 12, 2007 - Neanderthals 'not killed by climate change'
3. September 13, 2007 - Climate Link To Neanderthal Demise Abates
4. September 13, 2007 - New Evidence On The Role Of Climate In Neanderthal Extinction - also here
5. September 13, 2007 - Neanderthal climate link debated

Neuronal Conduction Of Excitation

1. September 12, 2007 - Neuronal Conduction Of Excitation Without Action Potentials Based On Ceramide Production

Fetal neurons

1. September 12, 2007 - 'Fetal' Neurons Play Role In Adult Brain - also here
2. September 13, 2007 - Fetal Neurons Still Operate in Adult Brain

DNA repair

1. September 12, 2007 - New Mechanism Discovered For DNA Recombination And Repair - also here

Brain-imaging studies, networks, and intelligence

1. September 12, 2007 - Brain network related to intelligence identified - also here

Ultraconserved noncoding RNA and cancer

1. September 12, 2007 - New Class of RNA Molecules May Be Important in Human Cancer - also here

Ghrelin and T cells

1. September 13, 2007 - Hunger Hormone Fights Aging In The Thymus

Control of brain area patterning

1. September 13, 2007 - Novel Mechanism That Balances Sizes Of Brain's Functional Areas Identified

Perception of color contrast

1. September 13, 2007 - Color Contrast Is 'Seen' By The Brain's Early Doors - also here

Lonliness and the immune system

1. September 13, 2007 - Loneliness is a molecule - also here
2. September 14, 2007 - Loneliness Is in the Genes
3. September 14, 2007 - Sick? Lonely? Genes tell the tale - also here
4. September 14, 2007 - Lonely? Your immune system's in overdrive

Platelets, neutrophils, and inflammation

1. September 14, 2007 - Potential new way of treating inflammatory diseases identified - also here

Flash-lag effect in visual perception

1. September 14, 2007 - Our visual system may react more rapidly when visualising 2 objects which might collide - also here

Regulatory T cells

1. September 14, 2007 - Immune police recognize good and bad guys in the body - also here

MicroRNA and cancer

1. September 15, 2007 - Altered Expression Of Ultraconserved Noncoding RNAs Linked To Human Leukemias And Carcinomas

C-reactive protein and cancer

1. September 15, 2007 - Human C-reactive Protein Regulates Myeloma Tumor Cell Growth And Survival - also here

Synthetic biology

1. September 15, 2007 - Scientists synthesize memory in yeast cells - also here, here

Shape perception

1. September 16, 2007 - Shape Encoding May Start In The Retina - also here, here

Health and medicine

Gene therapy

1. September 10, 2007 - Improved polymer shuttles genes into cells
2. September 16, 2007 - Making Gene Therapy Safer: Delivering Genes Via Polymers - also here

Cancer

1. September 10, 2007 - New Treatment Option For Life-Threatening Symptom Of Parathyroid Cancer
2. September 10, 2007 - New Drug Paradigm: Liquid Crystal Pharmaceuticals
3. September 11, 2007 - Low-fat, vegetarian diet may stall prostate cancer - also here
4. September 11, 2007 - Tangerine peel could help fight cancer
5. September 11, 2007 - Targeting Nerve Growth Factor May Cure Liver Cancer, Study Suggests
6. September 11, 2007 - Pill use 'may cut risk of cancer'
7. September 11, 2007 - Drug May Help Lung Cancer Patients
8. September 12, 2007 - New Options In 'Personalized' Cancer Treatment And Prevention
9. September 12, 2007 - Customized Virus Kills Brain Tumor Stem Cells That Drive Lethal Cancer
10. September 12, 2007 - Taking Contraceptive Pill May Reduce Risk Of Developing Cancer, Study Suggests - also here, here
11. September 12, 2007 - Generic prostate drug helps find high-risk cancers early - also here, here
12. September 12, 2007 - Studies lessen fear of using prostate drug
13. September 12, 2007 - Birth control pill may cut cancer risk: study
14. September 13, 2007 - "Lumpectomy" possible for some prostate tumors - also here
15. September 13, 2007 - Targeted drug combos could outsmart cancer - also here
16. September 13, 2007 - Signaling Protein For Multiple Myeloma Identified - also here, here
17. September 13, 2007 - Unique role for blood formation gene identified - also here, here
18. September 13, 2007 - Shrinkage of prostate led to overestimation of cancer risk in trial - also here, here
19. September 14, 2007 - Knee arthritis may be sign of early lung cancer - also here
20. September 14, 2007 - Study suggests brain tumors need treatment with multiple 'targeted' drugs
21. September 14, 2007 - Bright tumors, dim prospects - also here, here
22. September 16, 2007 - New Clues To Breast Cancer Development In High-risk Women - also here, here

Cancer and antioxidants

1. September 10, 2007 - Vitamin C a surprise cancer fighter - also here, here
2. September 12, 2007 - How Vitamin C Stops Cancer - also here

Vitamin D

1. September 10, 2007 - Vitamin D supplements cuts early death risk: study - also here
2. September 11, 2007 - Vitamin D might be factor in longer life
3. September 12, 2007 - Vitamin D has life-boosting effect
4. September 14, 2007 - Vitamin D Supplements Appear To Be Associated With Lower Risk Of Death - also here

Adiposity of mothers and children

1. September 10, 2007 - Overweight Mother Before Pregnancy, Overweight Child At Age Nine
2. September 14, 2007 - Fat Mum Hastens Path To Childhood Obesity - also here, here

Autism

1. September 10, 2007 - Social Cues Used By Those With Autism Illuminated
2. September 11, 2007 - Prenatal testosterone may play autism role: study - also here
3. September 11, 2007 - Hormone linked to autistic traits
4. September 11, 2007 - Autistic traits linked to testosterone in mother's womb
5. September 12, 2007 - Testosterone in womb may prime autism
6. September 13, 2007 - Testosterone In Womb Linked To Autism

Diabetes and inflammation

1. September 10, 2007 - When Does Being Obese Not Lead To Diabetes? When Mice Lack Osteopontin

Stem cells

1. September 10, 2007 - Embryonic Stem Cells Thrive When Shaken - also here, here
2. September 11, 2007 - Neural Stem Cell Study Reveals Mechanism That May Play Role In Cancer
3. September 11, 2007 - Stem cells make new heart valves
4. September 13, 2007 - A step toward tissue-engineered heart structures for children - also here
5. September 13, 2007 - Putting stem cell research on the fast track - also here
6. September 14, 2007 - How To Isolate Stem Cells In Womb Tissue - also here, here
7. September 14, 2007 - Stem Cell Research Produces A Key Discovery For Fragile X Syndrome - also here
8. September 14, 2007 - Transforming Mouse Cells Into 'Embryonic' Stem Cells Easily - also here, here

Prions and neurodegenerative diseases

1. September 10, 2007 - Small Clumps Of Prion Proteins May Be Primary Cause Of Neurodegenerative Diseases

AIDS

1. September 11, 2007 - Understanding Why Infection With HIV-2 Is Not As Bad As HIV-1
2. September 14, 2007 - HIV variant offers vaccine hope
3. September 16, 2007 - Decline In Blood Platelet Count Associated With Increased Risk Of HIV-related Dementia - also here

Alzheimer's disease

1. September 11, 2007 - Mediterranean Diet May Help Alzheimer's Patients Live Longer
2. September 13, 2007 - Mediterranean diet extends life in Alzheimer's - also here

Schizophrenia

1. September 11, 2007 - Mouse Model For Schizophrenia Has Genetic On-off Switch - also here

Sleep deprivation

1. September 11, 2007 - Women's Health Much More At Risk From Sleep Deprivation, Study Suggests - also here

Cardiovascular disease

1. September 11, 2007 - Actos protects heart; study confirms Avandia risks
2. September 12, 2007 - Excess weight hard on the heart, study confirms
3. September 13, 2007 - Genes and drugs team up to lower blood pressure - also here
4. September 13, 2007 - Nicotine May Accelerate Atherosclerosis, May Be As Dangerous As Tar
5. September 16, 2007 - Being Overweight May Independently Increase Risk For Heart Disease - also here
6. September 16, 2007 - Cholesterol byproduct blocks heart health benefits of estrogen

Bipolar disorder

1. September 12, 2007 - Cancer drug hints at treatment for bipolar disorder
2. September 12, 2007 - Breast cancer pill helped bipolar mania: study
3. September 14, 2007 - Manic Phase Of Bipolar Disorder Benefits From Breast Cancer Medication - also here

Diabetes

1. September 12, 2007 - Diabetes: Expanding Beta-cell Numbers
2. September 13, 2007 - Diabetes Drugs' Potential Adverse Side Effect Explained
3. September 13, 2007 - Blocking Formation Of Toxic Plaques Implicated In Type 2 Diabetes - also here

Cancer stem cells

1. September 12, 2007 - Cancer stem cells drive metastasis
2. September 13, 2007 - Cancer Stem Cell Subpopulation Drives Metastasis Of Human Pancreatic Cancer - also here

Malaria

1. September 13, 2007 - Sugar Identified As Key To Malaria Parasite Invasion - also here
2. September 14, 2007 - Progress in understanding the malarial parasite - also here, here

Nanoparticle drug delivery for cancer

1. September 13, 2007 - Taxol bristle ball: a wrench in the works for cancer - also here

Metabolic syndrome

1. September 14, 2007 - Metabolic Syndrome Heightens Risk For Development Of Uric-acid Kidney Stones - also here, here

Prions

1. September 15, 2007 - Prions May Activate Retroviruses In Infected Brain Cells

Mathematical modeling of disease cycles

1. Spetember 16, 2007 - Mathematics Might Save You A Trip To The ER - also here, here

Gene regulation and disease

1. September 16, 2007 - The importance of gene regulation for common human disease - also here, here

Copyright © 2007 by Charles Daney, All Rights Reserved