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Monday, March 25, 2013

ScienceDaily: Top News

ScienceDaily: Top News


Amniotic fluid stem cells repair gut damage

Posted: 24 Mar 2013 05:20 PM PDT

Stem cells taken from amniotic fluid were used to restore gut structure and function following intestinal damage in rodents, according to new research. The findings pave the way for a new form of cell therapy to reverse serious damage from inflammation in the intestines of babies.

Losing wetlands to grow crops

Posted: 24 Mar 2013 05:18 PM PDT

Getting enough to eat is a basic human need – but at what cost to the environment? New research demonstrates that as their crops on higher ground fail due to unreliable rainfall, people in countries like Uganda are increasingly relocating to wetland areas. Unless the needs of these people are addressed in a more sustainable way, overuse of wetland resources through farming, fishing, and hunting will continue.

Nature versus nurture: Better looking birds have healthier babies, finds study of great tits

Posted: 24 Mar 2013 05:18 PM PDT

A female great tits' (Parus major) appearance is shown to signal healthy attributes in offspring in a new paper. The black stripe across her breast and white patches on her cheeks correlate to a chick's weight at two weeks and immune strength respectively -- though the former seems to signal a genetic benefit and the latter can affect an 'adopted' chick's health, suggesting nurture is involved.

Nuclear life of actin uncovered: Protein with key job in muscle function moonlights in nucleus to help regulate genes

Posted: 24 Mar 2013 12:23 PM PDT

Actin, a protein with a well-known job in the cytoplasm and an active role in muscle contraction, moonlights in the nucleus. It's function there was not understood, but now scientists find that it connects with chromatin.

Parkinsons' drug helps older people to make decisions

Posted: 24 Mar 2013 12:23 PM PDT

A drug widely used to treat Parkinson's disease can help to reverse age-related impairments in decision making in some older people, a new study has shown.

Molecular roots of Down syndrome unraveled

Posted: 24 Mar 2013 12:23 PM PDT

What is it about the extra chromosome inherited in Down syndrome -- chromosome 21 -- that alters brain and body development? Researchers have new evidence that points to the protein SNX27. SNX27 is inhibited by a molecule encoded on chromosome 21. The study shows that SNX27 is reduced in human Down syndrome brains. Restoring SNX27 in Down syndrome mice improves cognitive function and behavior.

Peach genome offers insights into breeding strategies for biofuels crops

Posted: 24 Mar 2013 12:23 PM PDT

Rapidly growing trees like poplars and willows are candidate "biofuel crops" from which it is expected that cellulosic ethanol and higher energy content fuels can be efficiently extracted. Domesticating these crops requires a deep understanding of tree physiology and genetics. Scientists are turning to fruit trees for hints, leading to an international initiative, publishing the 265-million base genome of the Lovell variety of Prunus persica.

Nanowire solar cells raise efficiency limit

Posted: 24 Mar 2013 12:23 PM PDT

Scientists have shown that a single nanowire can concentrate the sunlight up to 15 times of the normal sun light intensity. The results are surprising and the potential for developing a new type of highly efficient solar cells is great.

DNA damage occurs as part of normal brain activity, scientists discover

Posted: 24 Mar 2013 12:22 PM PDT

Scientists have discovered that a certain type of DNA damage long thought to be particularly detrimental to brain cells can actually be part of a regular, non-harmful process. The team further found that disruptions to this process occur in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease -- and identified two therapeutic strategies that reduce these disruptions.

Venus vortices go for chaotic multi-storey strolls around the poles

Posted: 24 Mar 2013 12:21 PM PDT

A detailed study of Venus' South Polar Vortex shows a much more chaotic and unpredictable cyclone than previously thought. The analysis reveals that the center of rotation of the vortex wanders around the pole differently at different altitude levels in the clouds of Venus. In its stroll around the Pole, in layers separated by 20 km, the vortex experiences unpredictable changes in its morphology. The results of this study are published online in Nature Geoscience today.

Molecular ‘signature’ for rapidly increasing form of esophageal cancer discovered

Posted: 24 Mar 2013 12:18 PM PDT

New research may offer clues to why rates of esophageal adenocarcinomas (EAC) have risen so sharply. The findings point to abnormal genes and proteins that may be lynchpins of EAC cell growth and therefore serve as targets for new therapies.

Paint-on plastic electronics: Aligning polymers for high performance

Posted: 24 Mar 2013 12:18 PM PDT

Semiconducting polymers are an unruly bunch, but now engineers have developed a new method for getting them in line that could pave the way for cheaper, greener, "paint-on" plastic electronics.

Hubble digs up galactic glow worm

Posted: 24 Mar 2013 06:51 AM PDT

The image of a charming and bright galaxy, known as IRAS 23436+5257, was captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. It is located in the northern constellation of Cassiopeia, which is named after an arrogant, vain, and yet beautiful mythical queen.

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