Volume 8, Number 37 September 14, 2009

Physical sciences and technology Neutron stars Nanotechnology Fuel cells Dark matter Photovoltaics Earthquakes Carbon nanotubes Microfluidics Hydrocarbons on Titan Hubble Space Telescope Atmospheric oxygenation Quantum computing Star formation Gamma-ray neutron stars and pulsars Robotics Graphite digital storage Image recognition Brain-machine interface Exotic physics near black holes Quantum theory Quantum memory Global warming Simulation of black holes with metamaterials Grid computing Earth's core Radio astronomy Extrasolar planets Paleoclimatology Life sciences Induced pluripotent stem cells Oxidative stress and DNA damage Marine bacteria Protein production in bacteria Transmembrane cell signaling Evolutionary erosion of nonfunctional traits Absorbability of antioxidants MicroRNA method for study of evolutionary relationships Adaptive radiation Genome sequencing Pathogenic Escherichia coli Protein structure database Archaeal ribonucleoprotein complex MicroRNA degradation Cell shape regulation in mitosis RNAi in yeast Agricultural biotechnology Natural Killer cells Zinc transport protein Neuroscience, psychology, and behavior Unconscious memory Astrocytes and learning Schizophrenia Endoplasmic reticulum and synaptic strength Feeding behavior and the amygdala Aging and brain atrophy Long-term memory Dopamine and ADHD Dopamine, learning, and memory Biological clock Energetics of axon potentials Sleep and memory accuracy Antidepressants Nicotine and memory Sleep and learning Nicotinic receptors, memory, and aging Fear memory Time-space synaesthesia Monoamine oxidases and aggressive behavior Health and medicine Cancer Viral involvement in prostate cancer Cardiovascular disease Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Autoimmune disease Alzheimer's disease Diabetes Cancer biology Lupus AIDS Cancer stem cells Influenza vaccines MicroRNA and cancer Anti-inflammatories Stem cells Multiple sclerosis Obesity Cognitive performance benefits of antioxidants Nanobiotechnology Malaria Antibiotic resistance Hepatitis B Cannabinoid receptors and inflammation Antibiotics Dementia Muscle loss with aging

Physical sciences and technology

Neutron stars

1. September 7, 2009 - Astronomers get neutron star's measure

Nanotechnology

1. September 7, 2009 - IBM Scientists Effectively Eliminate Wear at the Nanoscale
2. September 8, 2009 - Scientists Build Nanostructures out of Single DNA Strands
3. September 10, 2009 - Gold solution for enhancing nanocrystal electrical conductance - also here

Fuel cells

1. September 7, 2009 - Making more efficient fuel cells - also here
2. September 8, 2009 - Carbonized TiO2 nanotubes with semimetallic properties increase the efficiency of methanol fuel cells

Dark matter

1. September 8, 2009 - A Theory of Dark Matter

Photovoltaics

1. September 8, 2009 - Researchers develop thin films showing promise for solar applications - also here
2. September 10, 2009 - Carbon nanotubes could make efficient solar cells - also here
3. September 10, 2009 - Nanotubes set to shine for solar energy
4. September 11, 2009 - New Solar Cell Design Serves Up Seconds
5. September 13, 2009 - Looking deeply into polymer solar cells - also here

Earthquakes

1. September 8, 2009 - New way to track quakes - also here
2. September 11, 2009 - First complete image created of Himalayan fault, subduction zone - also here

Carbon nanotubes

1. September 8, 2009 - Electroluminescence from Electrolyte-Gated Carbon Nanotube Field-Effect Transistors
2. September 10, 2009 - Using Nanotubes in Computer Chips

Microfluidics

1. September 8, 2009 - NIST Calculations May Improve Temperature Measures for Microfluidics - also here
2. September 9, 2009 - The Shrinky Dink solution

Hydrocarbons on Titan

1. September 8, 2009 - Saturn's Moon Titan Could Power 150 Billion Labor Day Barbecues
2. September 11, 2009 - Defogging Titan's methane mystery

Hubble Space Telescope

1. September 9, 2009 - First Images from Rejuvenated Hubble Unveiled
2. September 9, 2009 - Refurbished Hubble Shows Its Stuff
3. September 9, 2009 - Hubble Opens New Eyes on the Universe - also here
4. September 9, 2009 - New images and spectra from a rejuvenated Hubble
5. September 9, 2009 - New Hubble pictures: First Shots From Upgraded Orbiter
6. September 9, 2009 - Hubble Is Back! With New Stunning Images
7. September 9, 2009 - NASA Releases Hubble's First Photo After Repair
8. September 9, 2009 - Rebirth of an icon: Hubble's first images since Servicing Mission 4
9. September 9, 2009 - Hubble Telescope is Back: Fantastic New Images Released
10. September 9, 2009 - Superb vistas from reborn Hubble
11. September 9, 2009 - Upgraded Hubble telescope spies cosmic 'dragon'
12. September 9, 2009 - After Hubble Repair, New Images From Space
13. September 9, 2009 - Newly fixed Hubble's deep space photos again amaze

Atmospheric oxygenation

1. September 9, 2009 - Atmospheric rollercoaster followed Great Oxidation Event
2. September 9, 2009 - Chromium isotopes track oxygen's rise
3. September 9, 2009 - Ancient oceans offer new insight into the origins of animal life - also here

Quantum computing

1. September 9, 2009 - Proposed Quantum Computer Consists of Billions of Electron Spins
2. September 9, 2009 - Scientists working on super-fast, secure computing

Star formation

1. September 9, 2009 - Magnetic fields play larger role in star formation than previously thought - also here
2. September 10, 2009 - Birth Control for Stars
3. September 29, 2009 - Magnetic Fields Guide Star Birth

Gamma-ray neutron stars and pulsars

1. September 9, 2009 - Fermi Large Area Telescope reveals pulsing gamma-ray sources - also here

Robotics

1. September 9, 2009 - iCub, the Toddler Robot

Graphite digital storage

1. September 9, 2009 - Researchers simplify fabrication of nano storage, chip-design tools - also here

Image recognition

1. September 9, 2009 - Machines can't replicate human image recognition, yet - also here

Brain-machine interface

1. September 9, 2009 - Robot to be controlled by human brain cells

Exotic physics near black holes

1. September 9, 2009 - Black holes are the ultimate particle smashers

Quantum theory

1. September 10, 2009 - Physicists propose 'Schrödinger's virus' experiment
2. September 15, 2009 - Could we create quantum creatures in the lab?
3. September 16, 2009 - Creating 'Schrödinger's virus' in the lab
4. September 24, 2009 - Schrodinger's Cat Experiment Proposed

Quantum memory

1. September 10, 2009 - Researchers perfect quantum memory
2. September 10, 2009 - Quantum device stores pulses of light
3. September 14, 2009 - How Photon Echoes Can Be Used To Create A Quantum Memory Device

Global warming

1. September 10, 2009 - Dramatic biological responses to global warming in the Arctic
2. September 10, 2009 - More oxygen -- colder climate
3. September 10, 2009 - Effects of Arctic warming seen as widespread
4. September 10, 2009 - The Climate's Warm Future Is Now in the Arctic
5. September 11, 2009 - Greenland's melt mystery unfolds, at glacial pace - also here

Simulation of black holes with metamaterials

1. September 10, 2009 - 'Metamaterials' used to look at effects of black holes, other celestial objects

Grid computing

1. September 10, 2009 - How do you say grid computing in Spanish?

Earth's core

1. September 10, 2009 - Earth's core catches a wave

Radio astronomy

1. September 10, 2009 - How to build cheaper radio telescopes

Extrasolar planets

1. September 11, 2009 - New Extrasolar System Allows Planetary 'X-Ray'
2. September 11, 2009 - Big moons could orbit hot Jupiters

Paleoclimatology

1. September 13, 2009 - New CO2 data helps unlock the secrets of Antarctic formation - also here

Life sciences

Induced pluripotent stem cells

1. September 7, 2009 - 'Liposuction leftovers' easily converted to IPS cells, study shows - also here
2. September 7, 2009 - Flab and freckles could advance stem cell research
3. September 8, 2009 - Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Created from Fat Cells
4. September 8, 2009 - Liposuction leftovers make easy stem cells: study
5. September 8, 2009 - Liposuction Fat Turned Into Stem Cells, Study Says
6. September 8, 2009 - Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Created from Fat Cells

Oxidative stress and DNA damage

1. September 7, 2009 - Study of huge numbers of genetic mutations point to oxidative stress as underlying cause - also here

Marine bacteria

1. September 7, 2009 - Genomes reveal bacterial lifestyles
2. September 8, 2009 - More Clues Found in Ocean Microbe Mystery
3. September 9, 2009 - New Genomic Model Defines Microbes By Diet; Provides Tool For Tracking Environmental Change

Protein production in bacteria

1. September 7, 2009 - Making bacteria make useful proteins - also here

Transmembrane cell signaling

1. September 8, 2009 - Cell discovery opens new chapter in drug development - also here

Evolutionary erosion of nonfunctional traits

1. September 8, 2009 - Study examines the evolutionary fate of 'useless' traits - also here

Absorbability of antioxidants

1. September 9, 2009 - Model backs green tea and lemon claim, lessens need to test animals - also here

MicroRNA method for study of evolutionary relationships

1. September 9, 2009 - Scientists Use MicroRNAs to Track Evolutionary History for First Time - also here

Adaptive radiation

1. September 9, 2009 - Study confirms classic theory on the origins of biodiversity

Genome sequencing

1. September 9, 2009 - Complete Genomics deciphers 14 human genomes

Pathogenic Escherichia coli

1. September 9, 2009 - Disease-causing Escherichia coli: 'I will survive' - also here

Protein structure database

1. September 9, 2009 - Chemists create protein structure database

Archaeal ribonucleoprotein complex

1. September 10, 2009 - Study Reveals Unexpected Ancient Cellular Structure
2. September 10, 2009 - Extremophile Yields a Key Cog in Life's Protein Factory

MicroRNA degradation

1. September 10, 2009 - RNAs taking center stage - also here

Cell shape regulation in mitosis

1. September 10, 2009 - Dividing cells 'feel' their way out of warp - also here

RNAi in yeast

1. September 11, 2009 - RNA interference found in budding yeasts - also here

Agricultural biotechnology

1. September 11, 2009 - Engineered pea seeds protect against parasites - also here

Natural Killer cells

1. September 13, 2009 - Master gene that switches on disease-fighting cells identified by scientists - also here
2. September 13, 2009 - Key gene 'controls disease fight'
3. September 13, 2009 - Master gene creates armies of natural-born killers

Zinc transport protein

1. September 14, 2009 - High-Res View of Zinc Transport Protein - also here

Neuroscience, psychology, and behavior

Unconscious memory

1. September 7, 2009 - Movement may reveal memories that the brain recalls even when a person isn't aware of them
2. September 9, 2009 - Forgotten Memories Are Still in Your Brain
3. September 9, 2009 - Memories exist even when forgotten, study suggests - also here
4. September 9, 2009 - You can believe your eyes: New insights into memory without conscious awareness - also here
5. September 9, 2009 - Eye movements reveal processing of hidden memories
6. September 10, 2009 - Remembering Without Knowing It

Astrocytes and learning

1. September 7, 2009 - Star-shaped cells in the brain aid with learning - also here

Schizophrenia

1. September 7, 2009 - Brain Defect Implicated in Early Schizophrenia - also here
2. September 8, 2009 - Brain Scans for Schizophrenia?

Endoplasmic reticulum and synaptic strength

1. September 8, 2009 - Function of a neglected structure in neurons revealed after 50 years - also here

Feeding behavior and the amygdala

1. September 8, 2009 - Rats move toward the food but do not eat - also here

Aging and brain atrophy

1. September 8, 2009 - Healthy older brains not significantly smaller than younger brains, new imaging study shows - also here
2. September 15, 2009 - Do Brains Shrink As We Age?

Long-term memory

1. September 8, 2009 - Researchers identify one of the necessary processes in the formation of long-term memory - also here

Dopamine and ADHD

1. September 8, 2009 - ADHD brain chemistry clue found
2. September 10, 2009 - Deficits In Brain's Reward System Observed In ADHD Patients; Low Levels Of Dopamine Markers May Underlie Symptoms

Dopamine, learning, and memory

1. September 9, 2009 - Dopamine reinforces drug-associated memories

Biological clock

1. September 9, 2009 - Individual cells isolated from biological clock can keep daily time, but are unreliable - also here

Energetics of axon potentials

1. September 10, 2009 - Neurons don't waste energy
2. September 10, 2009 - Neurons Go Green
3. September 10, 2009 - Earlier Model of Human Brain's Energy Usage Underestimated Its Efficiency
4. September 11, 2009 - Brain cells slicker than we thought

Sleep and memory accuracy

1. September 10, 2009 - Sleep helps reduce errors in memory, research suggests - also here

Antidepressants

1. September 10, 2009 - Researchers develop biomarker for rapid relief of major depression - also here

Nicotine and memory

1. September 10, 2009 - Nicotine Creates Stronger Memories, Cues To Drug Use

Sleep and learning

1. September 11, 2009 - The Role of Sleep in Learning New Words

Nicotinic receptors, memory, and aging

1. September 11, 2009 - Key Brain Receptors Linked To Learning and Memory Decrease with Age

Fear memory

1. September 11, 2009 - Protected fear memories

Time-space synaesthesia

1. September 11, 2009 - Can you see time?

Monoamine oxidases and aggressive behavior

1. September 13, 2009 - Are the monoamines involved in shaping conduct disorders?

Health and medicine

Cancer

1. September 7, 2009 - Where one lives impacts colon cancer survival
2. September 8, 2009 - Autoimmune response can induce pancreatic tumor rejection - also here
3. September 8, 2009 - New method monitors early sign of oxidative stress in cancer - also here
4. September 8, 2009 - How salmonella kills tumors - also here
5. September 8, 2009 - Enzyme inhibitor takes an unexpected approach toward blocking cancer-promoting protein - also here
6. September 8, 2009 - Prevent periodontitis to reduce the risk of head and neck cancer - also here
7. September 8, 2009 - Lapatinib shows minimal effect against liver cancer - also here
8. September 8, 2009 - Researcher Eyes Collagen to Follow Tumor Metastasis
9. September 8, 2009 - Obesity, alcohol consumption and smoking increase the risk of second breast cancer - also here
10. September 9, 2009 - Similar outcomes for new and old prostate surgeries
11. September 9, 2009 - FDA panel backs Glaxo cervical cancer vaccine - also here
12. September 9, 2009 - UK's NICE again rejects Bayer liver cancer drug
13. September 9, 2009 - Link found between Trichomonas sexual infection and risk of aggressive prostate cancer - also here
14. September 9, 2009 - Clinical study rejects cancer safety fears of most common heartburn treatment - also here
15. September 9, 2009 - Yeast unravels effects of chemotherapy drugs - also here
16. September 9, 2009 - Researchers aim to simplify a compound that acts on alpha-tubulin to slow down the process of cell division associated with cancer
17. September 9, 2009 - Fish-Killing Toxin Could Kill Cancer Cells
18. September 9, 2009 - FDA panel backs Glaxo's cervical vaccine for women - also here
19. September 10, 2009 - Nearly any lifetime smoking ups breast cancer risk
20. September 10, 2009 - Lifestyle affects risk of second breast cancer - also here
21. September 11, 2009 - Gum disease linked to head and neck cancer
22. September 11, 2009 - Prostate size does not affect results of surgery
23. September 11, 2009 - Scientists report adulthood body size associated with cancer risk
24. September 11, 2009 - Genes identified may help breast cancer diagnosis - also here
25. September 11, 2009 - Delcath's cancer trial gets OK from expert group

Viral involvement in prostate cancer

1. September 7, 2009 - Virus might be one cause of prostate cancer: study
2. September 7, 2009 - Viral cause for prostate cancer?
3. September 7, 2009 - A Viral Cause of Prostate Cancer? - also here
4. September 7, 2009 - Retrovirus Linked to Aggressive Prostate Cancer
5. September 7, 2009 - Virus linked to prostate tumours
6. September 7, 2009 - Retrovirus Linked to Aggressive Prostate Cancer
7. September 8, 2009 - Vaccine hope after animal leukaemia virus linked to prostate cancer
8. September 9, 2009 - Virus may cause prostate cancer: study
9. September 18, 2009 - Prostate cancer may be caused by virus, study indicates

Cardiovascular disease

1. September 7, 2009 - Benefits of exercise differ by sex and race
2. September 7, 2009 - Whole flaxseed, but not oil, may cut cholesterol
3. September 7, 2009 - Targeting the molecular 'grip' of thrombosis
4. September 9, 2009 - Lead in bone associated with increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease in men - also here
5. September 11, 2009 - Children with fatter midsections at increased risk for cardiovascular disease - also here

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

1. September 7, 2009 - How manuka honey helps fight infection - also here
2. September 8, 2009 - How Honey Curbs the MRSA Superbug

Autoimmune disease

1. September 7, 2009 - Scientists pinpoint critical molecule to celiac disease, possibly other autoimmune disorders - also here
2. September 8, 2009 - Genes Associated With Celiac Disease Studied

Alzheimer's disease

1. September 7, 2009 - Cancer drug may improve memory in Alzheimer's patients - also here
2. September 7, 2009 - Infections may lead to faster memory loss in Alzheimer's disease - also here
3. September 7, 2009 - Infections 'speed memory loss'
4. September 8, 2009 - Infections may speed Alzheimer's memory loss - also here
5. September 8, 2009 - Saturated fats linked to Alzheimer's
6. September 9, 2009 - New look at Alzheimer's could revolutionise treatment
7. September 10, 2009 - Alzheimer's Gene Alters Brain Function in Young Adults

Diabetes

1. September 7, 2009 - Fat reprograms genes linked to diabetes
2. September 8, 2009 - Team reveals molecular mechanism underlying a form of diabetes - also here
3. September 8, 2009 - Study shows regular CGM use increases diabetes control for all age groups
4. September 9, 2009 - Medicine wheel model for nutrition shows promise for control of type 2 diabetes - also here
5. September 10, 2009 - Size of fat cells and waist size predict type 2 diabetes in women - also here
6. September 11, 2009 - Inner workings of molecular thermostat point to pathways to fight diabetes, obesity - also here
7. September 11, 2009 - Exercise Alone Shown To Improve Insulin Sensitivity In Obese Sedentary Adolescents

Cancer biology

1. September 8, 2009 - 'Second hit' pushes noninvasive breast cancer towards deadly metastasis
2. September 9, 2009 - Overexpressed Protein Converts Noninvasive Breast Cancer Into Invasive Disease
3. September 9, 2009 - Malignant Signature May Help Identify Patients Likely To Respond To Therapy
4. September 10, 2009 - Replication at DNA damage sites highlights Fanconi anemia and breast cancer proteins - also here
5. September 10, 2009 - Scientists Discover A New Protein Partnership That Leads To Pediatric Tumor Regression - also here
6. September 11, 2009 - Novel 'On-Off Switch' Mechanism Stops Cancer in Its Tracks
7. September 11, 2009 - Renal Cancer: Protein Triggers A Snowball Effect - also here

Lupus

1. September 8, 2009 - Race Shown to Affect Severity of Lupus Disease

AIDS

1. September 8, 2009 - Engineered human fusion protein inhibits HIV-1 replication - also here

Cancer stem cells

1. September 8, 2009 - Lung cancer oncogene holds key to turning off cancer stem cells - also here
2. September 9, 2009 - Researchers find prostate cancer stem cell
3. September 9, 2009 - New type of adult stem cells found in the prostate may be involved in prostate cancer development - also here
4. September 10, 2009 - Stem cell link to prostate cancer

Influenza vaccines

1. September 8, 2009 - Researchers seek better vaccine procedure - also here

MicroRNA and cancer

1. September 8, 2009 - MicroRNAs Circulating In Blood Show Promise As Biomarkers To Detect Pancreatic Cancer
2. September 18, 2009 - Researchers Home In on an Early Diagnostic Marker for Deadly Pancreatic Cancer

Anti-inflammatories

1. September 8, 2009 - Novel Anti-inflammatory Molecules Of Microbial Origin

Stem cells

1. September 8, 2009 - Osiris' stem cell drug fails in two late-stage trials - also here
2. September 10, 2009 - Snort stem cells to get them to brain
3. September 13, 2009 - How stem cells make skin - also here

Multiple sclerosis

1. September 8, 2009 - Opexa shares soar on multiple sclerosis drug data
2. September 11, 2009 - Scientists identify 2 genes as potential therapeutic targets for multiple sclerosis - also here
3. September 11, 2009 - New data shows promise of German Merck's MS drug
4. September 11, 2009 - Sanofi oral MS drug promising in mid-stage trial

Obesity

1. September 9, 2009 - Elderly? Check obesity using waist, hips, not BMI
2. September 9, 2009 - Vivus says obesity drug effective - also here
3. September 11, 2009 - Food habits are more important than the most important obesity risk gene - also here
4. September 11, 2009 - Children with emotional difficulties at higher risk for adult obesity - also here
5. September 11, 2009 - Low self-esteem leads to obesity

Cognitive performance benefits of antioxidants

1. September 9, 2009 - High fruit and vegetable intake positively correlated with antioxidant status, cognitive performance - also here

Nanobiotechnology

1. September 9, 2009 - Toward a nanomedicine for brain cancer - also here
2. September 10, 2009 - Researchers develop drug delivery system using nanoparticles and lasers - also here

Malaria

1. September 9, 2009 - New research confirms potential deadly nature of emerging new monkey malaria species in humans - also here
2. September 9, 2009 - New malaria 'poses human threat'
3. September 11, 2009 - New Antibiotic Shows Promise In Fighting Malaria

Antibiotic resistance

1. September 10, 2009 - Study exposes how bacteria resist antibiotics
2. September 10, 2009 - Scientists discover mechanism to make existing antibiotics more effective at lower doses - also here
3. September 11, 2009 - NO enzymes help bacteria resist antibiotics
4. September 11, 2009 - Nitric Oxide May Be Key to Overcoming Antibiotic Resistance
5. September 13, 2009 - Antibiotic resistance clue found
6. September 13, 2009 - Study explains bacteria's resistance to antibiotics
7. September 13, 2009 - Antibiotic resistance clue found

Hepatitis B

1. September 10, 2009 - FDA gives Dynavax OK to resume hepatitis B trials

Cannabinoid receptors and inflammation

1. September 10, 2009 - Cannabinoid controversy

Antibiotics

1. September 10, 2009 - Chemical Additive Could Make Old Antibiotics Viable Against Antibiotic-Resistant Bugs

Dementia

1. September 11, 2009 - "Long sleepers" show higher dementia risk

Muscle loss with aging

1. September 11, 2009 - Muscle: 'Hard to build, easy to lose' as you age - also here

Copyright © 2009 by Charles Daney, All Rights Reserved