Volume 8, Number 46 November 16, 2009

Physical sciences Global warming Supernovae Ocean oxygenation Large Hadron Collider Paleoclimatology Intermediate mass black holes Extrasolar planets Rosetta gravitational anomaly Lithium-depleted stars and planetary systems Rapid star formation in early galaxies Stars from Omega Centauri White dwarfs with oxygen-rich atmospheres Ocean water mass Solar cycles Bose-Einstein condensate tests of relativity Active galaxies Technology Quantum algorithm for linear systems of equations Quantum computing Bose-Einstein condensates Photovoltaics Carbon nanotubes Graphene Fin field-effect transistors Organic electronics Plasmonics Nanotechnology Nanoscale optical fibers Fullerenes Life sciences Dock8 mutations and immune memory problems Genome annotation Organismality TAL effector proteins DNA dating Telomerase and longevity Prevailing temperatures at the time of early life on Earth Bacterial spores Exome sequencing Escherichia coli sugar transporters Meiosis DNA repair Neuroscience, psychology, and behavior Corticotropin-releasing factor and food addiction Short-term memory and the hippocampus Shared processing of words and gestures Erasure of traumatic mmories Autism Mapping syllable syntax in birdsong Long-term memory Brain-imaging studies Mirror neurons FOXP2 and language Neurogenesis and memory Dopamine and expectations of pleasure Oxytocin Depression and mood regulation Circadian rhythm and metabolism Bipolar disorder and circadian rhythm Lipid role in neural apoptosis NMDA receptor structure Shape perception Stress and inflammatory cytokines Health and medicine Multiple sclerosis Tissue engineering Gene therapy Cancer Cancer biology Alzheimer's disease Rheumatoid arthritis Cardiovascular disease Stem cells Drug discovery Antibiotics Nanobiotechnology Effects of weight-loss diets on mood AIDS Malaria Asthma Dementia Cancer drug targeting Notch Drug side effect predictions High-fat diet, inflammation, and cancer Diabetes Obesity Cancer stem cells Cognitive impairment Parkinson's disease Inflammatory bowel disease Bioinformatics

Physical sciences

Global warming

1. November 9, 2009 - Record-high U.S. temps outpace record lows: study
2. November 9, 2009 - Greenland ice loss accelerating: study
3. November 9, 2009 - Changing Arctic Affecting Air, Ocean, And Everything In Between
4. November 9, 2009 - Antarctica glacier retreat creates new carbon dioxide store - also here
5. November 10, 2009 - Antarctica's ice loss helps offset global warming: study
6. November 10, 2009 - Controversial new climate change results - also here
7. November 10, 2009 - Energy agency warns of 'irreparable' damage
8. November 11, 2009 - Reducing greenhouse gases may not be enough to slow climate change - also here
9. November 11, 2009 - Antarctic ice loss offsets warming: study
10. November 12, 2009 - Greenland ice cap melting faster than ever - also here
11. November 12, 2009 - Greenland ice loss 'accelerating'
12. November 12, 2009 - Record high temperatures far outpace record lows across US - also here
13. November 12, 2009 - Study Links Climate Change to California Droughts
14. November 17, 2009 - Ice retreat creates new CO2 store

Supernovae

1. November 9, 2009 - Colliding White Dwarfs May Mimic Supernovae Used to Gauge Astronomical Distances

Ocean oxygenation

1. November 10, 2009 - Asteroid impact could have stirred the ocean - also here

Large Hadron Collider

1. November 10, 2009 - Peckish bird briefly downs atom smasher - also here
2. November 13, 2009 - LHC to Finally Start Next Week, Again

Paleoclimatology

1. November 10, 2009 - Cave study links climate change to California droughts - also here
2. November 10, 2009 - Central Africa's tropical Congo Basin was arid, treeless in Late Jurassic
3. November 11, 2009 - Mini ice age took hold of Europe in months

Intermediate mass black holes

1. November 10, 2009 - Swift, XMM-Newton satellites tune into a middleweight black hole - also here
2. November 10, 2009 - New Study Finds Middle Child of Black Hole Family

Extrasolar planets

1. November 10, 2009 - Wild Solar System Spotted Around Distant Star
2. November 12, 2009 - Exoplanet with extremely tilted orbit raises new interest in stellar astronomy
3. November 16, 2009 - Outlandish planet has wonky orbit
4. November 18, 2009 - Discovery of a Retrograde or Highly Tilted Extrasolar Planet

Rosetta gravitational anomaly

1. November 10, 2009 - Will probe's upcoming fly-by unlock exotic physics?
2. November 12, 2009 - Rosetta spacecraft may help unravel cosmic mystery - also here

Lithium-depleted stars and planetary systems

1. November 11, 2009 - Exoplanets Clue to Sun's Curious Chemistry - also here, here
2. November 11, 2009 - Chemical fingerprint found for planet hunting - also here
3. November 11, 2009 - To Find New Planets, Look for the Lithium?
4. November 11, 2009 - Lithium loss may be the planet-hunter's gain
5. November 11, 2009 - 60-Year-Old Solar Mystery Finally Explained
6. November 11, 2009 - Lithium clue for planet-hunters
7. November 11, 2009 - Planets May Affect the Chemistry of Their Stars
8. November 12, 2009 - A Shortcut for Detecting Alien Worlds
9. November 13, 2009 - Lithium provides clue to planet presence

Rapid star formation in early galaxies

1. November 11, 2009 - Rapid star formation spotted in 'stellar nurseries' of infant galaxies - also here

Stars from Omega Centauri

1. November 11, 2009 - Backward star ain't from around here

White dwarfs with oxygen-rich atmospheres

1. November 12, 2009 - Two Earth-sized bodies with oxygen rich atmospheres found -- but they're stars not planets - also here
2. November 12, 2009 - Study Finds Missing Link in How Stars Die
3. November 13, 2009 - Failed stellar bombs hint at supernova tipping point

Ocean water mass

1. November 12, 2009 - How much water does the ocean have? - also here

Solar cycles

1. November 12, 2009 - Distant stars shed light on the solar cycle

Bose-Einstein condensate tests of relativity

1. November 12, 2009 - Quantum 'trampoline' to test gravity
2. December 9, 2009 - 'Quantum trampoline' measures gravity

Active galaxies

1. November 13, 2009 - Mysterious X-rays from a Nearby Galaxy

Technology

Quantum algorithm for linear systems of equations

1. November 9, 2009 - Solving big problems with new quantum algorithm

Quantum computing

1. November 9, 2009 - Super-Fast Quantum Computer Gets Ever Closer: Quantum Particles Pinned Down
2. November 15, 2009 - Scientists demonstrate 'universal' programmable quantum processor - also here
3. November 15, 2009 - First universal programmable quantum computer unveiled

Bose-Einstein condensates

1. November 9, 2009 - First Bose-Einstein condensation of strontium - also here
2. November 17, 2009 - Rice ties in race for atomic-scale breakthrough - also here
3. November 18, 2009 - Photo finish in race for strontium condensate

Photovoltaics

1. November 9, 2009 - Commercialization of new solar technology to boost solar efficiency
2. November 10, 2009 - Argonne 'homegrown' hybrid solar cell aims for low-cost power

Carbon nanotubes

1. November 10, 2009 - Ultra-Long Carbon Nanotubes Could Serve as Future Transmission Lines
2. November 10, 2009 - Scientists develop DNA origami nanoscale breadboards for carbon nanotube circuits - also here
3. November 12, 2009 - Electric fields cause huge change in CNT optical behaviour
4. November 12, 2009 - LLNL licenses carbon nanotube technology

Graphene

1. November 10, 2009 - Researchers invent new method for graphene growth - also here
2. November 13, 2009 - Graphene FETs get up to speed

Fin field-effect transistors

1. November 10, 2009 - New 'finFETs' promising for smaller transistors, more powerful chips - also here

Organic electronics

1. November 10, 2009 - Research helps overcome barrier for organic electronics - also here

Plasmonics

1. November 10, 2009 - Sculptured materials allow multiple channel plasmonic sensors - also here

Nanotechnology

1. November 11, 2009 - Understanding mechanical properties of silicon nanowires paves way for nanodevices - also here
2. November 12, 2009 - New nano color sorters from Molecular Foundry - also here
3. November 15, 2009 - Nanodevices Bend under the Force of Light
4. November 17, 2009 - Small optical force can budge nanoscale objects

Nanoscale optical fibers

1. November 12, 2009 - Pushing light beyond its known limits - also here

Fullerenes

1. November 12, 2009 - In touch with molecules - also here

Life sciences

Dock8 mutations and immune memory problems

1. November 9, 2009 - Gene behind vaccine memory revealed

Genome annotation

1. November 9, 2009 - New discovery allows scientists for the first time to experimentally annotate genomes

Organismality

1. November 9, 2009 - What is the meaning of 'one'? Evolutionary biologists argue for new meaning of 'organismality'

TAL effector proteins

1. November 9, 2009 - Researchers discover key to vital DNA, protein interaction - also here

DNA dating

1. November 10, 2009 - Ancient penguin DNA raises doubts about accuracy of genetic dating techniques - also here
2. November 17, 2009 - Penguin DNA evolving faster than thought - also here

Telomerase and longevity

1. November 11, 2009 - Longevity tied to genes that preserve tips of chromosomes - also here
2. November 12, 2009 - One Key Found for Living to 100
3. November 15, 2009 - Mutant genes 'key to long life'

Prevailing temperatures at the time of early life on Earth

1. November 11, 2009 - Early life on Earth may have developed more quickly than thought
2. November 11, 2009 - Earth's early ocean cooled more than a billion years earlier than thought - also here
3. November 11, 2009 - Isotope study puts a chill on ancient oceans

Bacterial spores

1. November 12, 2009 - New explanation for nature's hardiest life form - also here

Exome sequencing

1. November 13, 2009 - Selective sequencing solves a genetic mystery

Escherichia coli sugar transporters

1. November 12, 2009 - Sweet as can be: How E. coli gets ahead - also here

Meiosis

1. November 13, 2009 - Chromosomes dance and pair up on the nuclear membrane - also here

DNA repair

1. November 13, 2009 - Two proteins act as molecular tailors in DNA repair - also here

Neuroscience, psychology, and behavior

Corticotropin-releasing factor and food addiction

1. November 9, 2009 - Chocolate Cake: The New Heroin?
2. November 9, 2009 - Diet switching can activate brain's stress system, lead to 'withdrawal' symptoms - also here

Short-term memory and the hippocampus

1. November 9, 2009 - Theory about long and short-term memory questioned - also here

Shared processing of words and gestures

1. November 9, 2009 - Words, gestures are translated by same brain regions, says new research - also here
2. November 14, 2009 - Gestures Processed in Brain's Language Center - also here, here

Erasure of traumatic mmories

1. November 9, 2009 - Traumatic memories can be erased

Autism

1. November 9, 2009 - Children with autism more likely to have handwriting problems
2. November 10, 2009 - Handwriting Is Real Problem For Children With Autism
3. November 10, 2009 - Children with autism show slower pupil responses, study finds - also here

Mapping syllable syntax in birdsong

1. November 10, 2009 - The Link Between Birdsong And Human Language

Long-term memory

1. November 10, 2009 - Scientists decipher the formation of lasting memories - also here

Brain-imaging studies

1. November 10, 2009 - New study sheds light on brain's response to distress, unexpected events
2. November 12, 2009 - Hypnosis has 'real' brain effect
3. November 12, 2009 - Signature of consciousness captured in brain scans

Mirror neurons

1. November 10, 2009 - The Mind Is a Mirror

FOXP2 and language

1. November 11, 2009 - Why can't chimps talk? It's more than just genes
2. November 11, 2009 - Genetic effects suggest FOXP2 role in language evolution
3. November 11, 2009 - Human-Chimp Gene Comparison Hints at Roots of Language
4. November 11, 2009 - Evolution of a single gene linked to language
5. November 11, 2009 - What's Behind Our Gift of Gab?
6. November 11, 2009 - Study links evolution of single gene to human capacity for language - also here
7. November 11, 2009 - Gene found that seems key in evolution of speech
8. November 11, 2009 - Suite of chatterbox genes discovered
9. November 12, 2009 - Tiny mutation led to human speech
10. November 12, 2009 - 'Language gene' effects explored

Neurogenesis and memory

1. November 12, 2009 - Newborn cells clear space in brain's memory-maker - also here
2. November 12, 2009 - New Neurons Make Room for New Memories
3. November 12, 2009 - To make memories, new neurons must erase older ones - also here

Dopamine and expectations of pleasure

1. November 12, 2009 - Dopamine enhances expectation of pleasure in humans - also here

Oxytocin

1. November 12, 2009 - The narrow line between love and jealousy - also here

Depression and mood regulation

1. November 12, 2009 - Gene knockout may cheer up mice - also here

Circadian rhythm and metabolism

1. November 12, 2009 - New study describes connections between Circadian and metabolic systems - also here, here

Bipolar disorder and circadian rhythm

1. November 12, 2009 - Faulty body clock may make kids bipolar - also here

Lipid role in neural apoptosis

1. November 12, 2009 - Research reveals lipids' unexpected role in triggering death of brain cells - also here

NMDA receptor structure

1. November 12, 2009 - Researchers solve structure of NMDA receptor unit that could be drug target for neurological diseases - also here

Shape perception

1. November 13, 2009 - Shape perception in brain develops by itself - also here

Stress and inflammatory cytokines

1. November 13, 2009 - Thoughtful words help couples stay fighting fit - also here

Health and medicine

Multiple sclerosis

1. November 9, 2009 - Teenage obesity link to future MS
2. November 9, 2009 - Teenage obesity linked to increased risk of MS - also here

Tissue engineering

1. November 9, 2009 - Lab-grown penis helps rabbits mate ... like rabbits
2. November 9, 2009 - Engineered Rabbit Penises Raise Human Hopes
3. November 9, 2009 - Advance growing animal penile erectile tissue in lab may benefit patients - also here
4. November 10, 2009 - Engineered penis raises reproduction hopes
5. November 10, 2009 - Researchers restore rabbit's manhood
6. November 10, 2009 - Penis tissue replaced in the lab

Gene therapy

1. November 9, 2009 - Gene therapy strengthens muscles in monkeys
2. November 11, 2009 - Boys with ALD bring gene therapy in from cold
3. November 12, 2009 - Gene therapy may be used to treat muscular dystrophy
4. November 14, 2009 - Gene Therapy Can Improve Muscle Mass and Strength in Monkeys, Research Suggests

Cancer

1. November 9, 2009 - Dense breasts linked to return of breast cancer
2. November 9, 2009 - Thyroid cancer may be more common near volcanoes
3. November 9, 2009 - Scientists uncover new key to the puzzle of hormone therapy and breast cancer - also here
4. November 9, 2009 - Breast density associated with increased risk of cancer recurrence - also here
5. November 9, 2009 - Proton therapy clinical trial to begin
6. November 9, 2009 - FDA-approved drugs eliminate, prevent cervical cancer in mice - also here
7. November 9, 2009 - Hundreds of genes distinguish patients likely to survive advanced melanoma - also here
8. November 9, 2009 - Time Between Treatment And PSA Recurrence Predicts Death From Prostate Cancer
9. November 9, 2009 - Bubbles used to find cancer cells
10. November 9, 2009 - Cancer recurs in 'dense' breasts
11. November 10, 2009 - The childhood nerve cancer neuroblastoma shows weakness
12. November 10, 2009 - Drug shrinks lung cancer tumors in mice - also here
13. November 10, 2009 - Detecting overall survival benefit derived from progression-free survival - also here
14. November 10, 2009 - Age-specific evaluation of HPV DNA testing vs. cytology screening - also here
15. November 10, 2009 - Routine evaluation of prostate size not as effective in cancer screening - also here
16. November 10, 2009 - FDA approved leukemia drugs shows promise in ovarian cancer cells - also here
17. November 10, 2009 - Minimally invasive surgery shown safe and effective treatment for rectal cancer - also here
18. November 10, 2009 - Antitumor activity of nutlin-3 in neuroblastoma with wild-type p53 - also here
19. November 10, 2009 - Drug 'shrinks lung cancer tumour'
20. November 11, 2009 - 1 in 4 breast cancers 'not threatening'
21. November 11, 2009 - Software for solving life-threatening medical puzzles - also here
22. November 11, 2009 - Simple Questionaire Can Identify Patients At High Risk For Lung Cancer, Study Suggests
23. November 11, 2009 - Deadliest lung cancer breakthrough
24. November 12, 2009 - Acrylamide not tied to thyroid, head-neck cancers
25. November 12, 2009 - Coffee break: Compound brewing new research in colon, breast cancer - also here
26. November 12, 2009 - Stereotactic Radiotherapy Offers Noninvasive, Effective Treatment For Lung Cancer Patients
27. November 13, 2009 - Researchers find two units of umbilical cord blood reduce risk of leukemia recurrence - also here
28. November 13, 2009 - Genetic changes shown to be important indicators for disease progression in cervical cancer patients - also here

Cancer biology

1. November 9, 2009 - Study shows that some malignant tumors can be shut down after all - also here
2. November 9, 2009 - Researching Growth-Regulation Proteins That Underlie Cancer
3. November 10, 2009 - Discovery in worms points to more targeted cancer treatment - also here
4. November 11, 2009 - Researchers find a weak link in cancer cell armor - also here
5. November 13, 2009 - 'Cross-talk' mechanism contributes to colorectal cancer - also here
6. November 13, 2009 - Paradoxical protein might prevent cancer - also here

Alzheimer's disease

1. November 9, 2009 - More muscle power means lower Alzheimer's risk
2. November 9, 2009 - Amyloid beta protein gets bum rap - also here
3. November 9, 2009 - Reduced muscle strength associated with risk for Alzheimer's - also here
4. November 9, 2009 - NSAIDs prevent early sign of Alzheimer disease in mice - also here
5. November 9, 2009 - Test improves Alzheimer diagnosis
6. November 11, 2009 - Mouse Gene Suppresses Alzheimer's Plaques and Tangles
7. November 11, 2009 - Novel mouse gene reduces major pathologies associated with Alzheimer's disease - also here
8. November 13, 2009 - Fatty acids clue for Alzheimer's
9. November 13, 2009 - High Blood Pressure and Markers of Inflammation in Blood More Common in Offspring of Parents With Alzheimer's Disease

Rheumatoid arthritis

1. November 9, 2009 - Arthritis on the Move
2. November 9, 2009 - Deepening the search for clues to rheumatoid arthritis
3. November 13, 2009 - Adeona gives positive clinical data on arthritis drug

Cardiovascular disease

1. November 9, 2009 - Dirty air, heat, cold may all trigger heart attacks
2. November 9, 2009 - Obesity leading risk factor of left atrial enlargement during aging - also here
3. November 9, 2009 - Yoga boosts heart health - also here
4. November 9, 2009 - Exposure to several common infections over time may be associated with risk of stroke - also here
5. November 9, 2009 - New Mechanism Increases Atherosclerosis In Mice
6. November 10, 2009 - Findings suggest lipid assessment in vascular disease can be simplified, without the need to fast - also here
7. November 10, 2009 - Popular anti-platelet therapy reduces risk of cardiovascular events in men and women - also here
8. November 10, 2009 - Researchers using excimer laser angioplasty to blast arterial blockages in heart and kidneys
9. November 11, 2009 - 'No fasting' for cholesterol test
10. November 12, 2009 - Too much selenium can increase your cholesterol - also here
11. November 12, 2009 - Doctors' tests often miss high blood pressure in kids with kidney disease - also here
12. November 13, 2009 - No need to fast for cholesterol test
13. November 13, 2009 - Fat collections linked to decreased heart function - also here
14. November 13, 2009 - Patient research to benefit from cutting edge heart scanner
15. November 15, 2009 - Heart and bone damage from low vitamin D tied to declines in sex hormones
16. November 15, 2009 - Postmortem Genetic Tests After Sudden Death May Provide Less Expensive Way to Identify Risk
17. November 15, 2009 - AstraZeneca drug tops Plavix in sickest patients - also here

Stem cells

1. November 9, 2009 - Scientists successfully reprogram blood cells - also here
2. November 9, 2009 - Stem cells restore cognitive abilities impaired by brain tumor treatment, study finds
3. November 9, 2009 - Breath of fresh air transforms stem cells
4. November 10, 2009 - Stem cells restore mobility in neck-injured rats - also here

Drug discovery

1. November 9, 2009 - New imagining technique could lead to better antibiotics and cancer drugs

Antibiotics

1. November 9, 2009 - Antimicrobials: Silver (and copper) bullets to kill bacteria - also here
2. November 13, 2009 - Study reveals why certain drug combinations backfire - also here

Nanobiotechnology

1. November 9, 2009 - Ideal nanoparticle cancer therapies surf the bloodstream - also here
2. November 9, 2009 - Nano bubble gum for enhancing drug delivery in gut - also here

Effects of weight-loss diets on mood

1. November 9, 2009 - Mood improves on low-fat, but not low-carb, diet plan - also here
2. November 9, 2009 - Feeling down? Try a high-carb, low-fat diet
3. November 10, 2009 - High-carb diets lower weight and raise mood levels, study shows

AIDS

1. November 9, 2009 - Scientists explain binding action of 2 key HIV antibodies; could lead to new vaccine design - also here
2. November 12, 2009 - No-entry zones for AIDS virus - also here
3. November 12, 2009 - How HIV is assembled and released from infected cells - also here
4. November 12, 2009 - Shape of things to come: Structure of HIV coat could lead to new drugs - also here

Malaria

1. November 10, 2009 - Malaria's deadly leap from chimps to humans
2. November 14, 2009 - In a Malaria Hot Spot, Resistance to a Key Drug

Asthma

1. November 10, 2009 - Interstitial macrophages: immune cells that prevent asthma
2. November 30, 2009 - Immune Cells That Prevent Development of Asthma Identified

Dementia

1. November 10, 2009 - Unravelling the pathology of dementia - also here

Cancer drug targeting Notch

1. November 11, 2009 - Researchers "notch" a victory toward new kind of cancer drug - also here, here
2. November 11, 2009 - New drug target for cancer
3. November 12, 2009 - Cancer protein 'can be disarmed'

Drug side effect predictions

1. November 11, 2009 - New Way To Predict Drug Side Effects

High-fat diet, inflammation, and cancer

1. November 12, 2009 - High fat diet increases inflammation in the mouse colon

Diabetes

1. November 12, 2009 - Researchers discover mechanism of insulin production that can lead to better treatment for diabetes - also here
2. November 13, 2009 - Low Birth Weight and Diabetes Have a Common Genetic Background

Obesity

1. November 12, 2009 - Bacteria in intestines play role in weight gain, study finds

Cancer stem cells

1. November 12, 2009 - Tumor-initiating Cells Detected in Pten Null Prostate Cancer Model

Cognitive impairment

1. November 13, 2009 - Trouble thinking? Better see the dentist

Parkinson's disease

1. November 15, 2009 - Mutant genes linked to Parkinson's in some: study
2. November 16, 2009 - Five genes linked to Parkinson's disease

Inflammatory bowel disease

1. November 15, 2009 - Largest gene study of childhood IBD identifies 5 new genes - also here
2. November 15, 2009 - Gut disorder 'blamed on leaks'

Bioinformatics

1. November 15, 2009 - Computer Database Compresses DNA Sequences Used in Medical Research

Copyright © 2009 by Charles Daney, All Rights Reserved