| 1. | Largest ever epigenetics project launched (Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT)
(King's College London) One of the most ambitious large-scale projects in Human Genetics has been launched today: Epitwin will capture the subtle epigenetic signatures that mark the differences between 5,000 twins on a scale and depth never before attempted, providing key therapeutic targets for the development of drug treatments. The project is a collaboration between TwinsUK, a leading twin research group based at King's College London, and BGI, one of the world's largest genomic organizations headquartered in Shenzhen, China. |
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| 2. | With HMGB1's help, cells dine in (Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT)
(Rockefeller University Press) Like some people, cells eat when they are under pressure -- but they consume parts of themselves. A multi-function protein helps control this form of cannibalism, according to a study in the Sept. 6 issue of the Journal of Cell Biology. |
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| 3. | Researchers define role of CEP290 in maintaining ciliary function (Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT)
(Rockefeller University Press) A new study in the Sept. 6 issue of the Journal of Cell Biology helps define the role of an important ciliary protein, CEP290. The results could be applied toward targeted gene therapy in cilia-related diseases. |
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| 4. | Biologists find way to reduce stem cell loss during cancer treatment (Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT)
(University of California - San Diego) Biologists at the University of California, San Diego have discovered that a gene critical for programmed cell death is also important in the loss of adult stem cells, a finding that could help to improve the health and well-being of patients undergoing cancer treatment. |
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| 5. | DNA fingerprinting pioneer discovers role of key genetic catalyst for human diversity (Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT)
(University of Leicester) One of the key drivers of human evolution and diversity, accounting for changes that occur between different generations of people, is explained by new research published September 5 by world-renowned scientist Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys, who discovered DNA fingerprinting at the University of Leicester. |
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| 6. | In a changing climate, erratic rainfall poses growing threat to rural poor, new report says (Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT)
(Burness Communications) Against a backdrop of extreme weather wreaking havoc around the world, a new report warns that increasingly erratic rainfall related to climate change will pose a major threat to food security and economic growth, especially in Africa and Asia, requiring increased investment in diverse forms of water storage as an effective remedy. |
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| 7. | Fears of a decline in bee pollination confirmed (Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT)
(University of Toronto) Widespread reports of a decline in the population of bees and other flower-visiting animals have aroused fear and speculation that pollination is also likely on the decline. A recent University of Toronto study provides the first long-term evidence of a downward trend in pollination, while also pointing to climate change as a possible contributor. |
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| 8. | Talented bacteria make food poisoning unpredictable (Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT)
(Society for General Microbiology) While we are often exposed to bacteria in our food which could cause food poisoning, we don't always become ill -- why should this be so? Professor Colin Hill who is presenting his work at the Society for General Microbiology's autumn meeting in Nottingham today describes how bacteria use different tricks to aid their survival inside the body, helping to explain why food poisoning can be so unpredictable. |
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| 9. | Backstabbing bacteria: A new treatment for infection? (Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT)
(Society for General Microbiology) Selfish bacterial cells that act in their own interests and do not cooperate with their infection-causing colleagues can actually reduce the severity of infection. The selfish behaviour of these uncooperative bacteria could be exploited to treat antibiotic-resistant infections, according to research being presented at the Society for General Microbiology's autumn meeting today. |
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| 10. | 'Jailbreak' bacteria can trigger heart disease (Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT)
(Society for General Microbiology) Plaque-causing bacteria can jailbreak from the mouth into the bloodstream and increase your risk of heart attack says a scientist at the Society for General Microbiology's autumn meeting in Nottingham. |
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| 11. | Death of the "doughnut" (Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT)
(Michigan Technological University) In 1998, Charlie Kerfoot discovered a "doughnut" of phytoplankton circulating in Lake Michigan, helping to feed the lake's famous fishery. Just 12 later, the doughnut is disappearing, and Kerfoot fears that the lake's ecosystem will crash, taking with it much of the fish biomass. |
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| 12. | Transition metal catalysts could be key to origin of life, scientists report (Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT)
(Marine Biological Laboratory) Scientists propose that an overlooked type of biological catalyst -- metal-ligand complexes -- could have jump-started metabolism and life itself, deep in hydrothermal ocean vents. |
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| 13. | Biophysical Society names 2011 award recipients (Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT)
(Biophysical Society) The Biophysical Society is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2011 Society awards. The eight recipients will receive their awards at the Society's 55th Annual Meeting on Monday, March 7, 2011, at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Md. |
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| 14. | Biophysical Society announces 2011 society fellows (Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT)
(Biophysical Society) The Biophysical Society is delighted to announce its 2011 Society Fellows. Fellows are chosen based on their demonstrated excellence in science, contributions to the expansion of the field of biophysics, and support of the Biophysical Society. The fellows will be honored at the awards ceremony during the Biophysical Society's 55th Annual Meeting on Monday March 7, 2011, at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Md. |
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| 15. | Moonstruck primates: Owl monkeys need moonlight as much as a biological clock for nocturnal activity (Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT)
(University of Pennsylvania) An international collaboration led by a University of Pennsylvania anthropologist has shown that environmental factors, like temperature and light, play as much of a role in the activity of traditionally nocturnal monkeys as the circadian rhythm that regulates periods of sleep and wakefulness. |
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| 16. | Research about Brazilian marine biodiversity brings researchers from 5 countries together (Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT)
(Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo) The Sao Paulo Research Foundation presents the Marine Biodiversity Workshop: Recent Improvements in Bioprospection, Biogeography and Phylogeography to be held on September 9 and 10. This scientific meeting is intended to stimulate the formation of research groups involving both Brazilian and foreign scientists towards the development of research on bioprospection, geographic distribution of sea organisms in the Brazilian Coast as well as the search for natural bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical production. |
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| 17. | UT Health Science Center San Antonio lands $11.6 million to study cardiac proteins (Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT)
(University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio) Analysis of protein fragments released into the bloodstream after a heart attack may reveal who is at risk of heart failure. |
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| 18. | Magnetism's subatomic roots (Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT)
(Rice University) Theoretical physicists from Rice University have created a new model that helps define the subatomic origins of ferromagnetism -- the everyday "magnetism" of compass needles and refrigerator magnets. The model, which is detailed in a new paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was created to explore the inner workings of ferromagnetic compounds that are related to high-temperature superconductors. |
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| 19. | Afla-Guard also protects corn crops (Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT)
(United States Department of Agriculture-Research, Education, and Economics) Afla-Guard, a biological control used to thwart the growth of fungi on peanuts, can be used on corn as well, according to a study by US Department of Agriculture scientists who helped develop it. After extensive study and research trials in Texas, Afla-Guard was registered by the US Environmental Protection Agency for use on corn, beginning with the 2009 crop. |
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| 20. | Increase in Cambodia's vultures gives hope to imperiled scavengers (Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT)
(Wildlife Conservation Society) While vultures across Asia teeter on the brink of extinction, the vultures of Cambodia are increasing in number, providing a beacon of hope for these threatened scavengers, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society and other members of the Cambodia Vulture Conservation Project. |
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