EurekAlert! - Biology

Saving the single cysteine: New antioxidant system found

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(University of Michigan) We've all read studies about the health benefits of having a life partner. The same thing is true at the molecular level, where amino acids known as cysteines are much more vulnerable to damage when single than when paired up with other cysteines.

It's a gas: New discovery may lead to heartier, high-yielding plants

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(Genetics Society of America) In a research report in the November 2009 journal Genetics, scientists show how a family of genes (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase, or ACS genes), in the weed Arabidopsis thaliana, are responsible for production of ethylene. This gas affects many aspects of plant development, and this information, which will be applicable to other plants, lays the foundation for future genetic manipulation that could make plants disease resistant, able to survive and thrive in difficult terrain, and increase yields.

NJIT receives NSF funding to improve Big Bear Telescope, study solar energy

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(New Jersey Institute of Technology) The National Science Foundation has recently provided support that totals nearly $4.3 million for the diverse efforts of the following investigators under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

International expedition investigates climate change, alternative fuels in Arctic

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(Naval Research Laboratory) NRL marine biogeochemistry and geology and geophysics scientists return from Arctic expedition exploring methane hydrate deposits in the Beaufort Sea and spatial variation of sediment contribution to Arctic climate change.

Special sessions announced for World Congress on Osteoporosis 2010 - IOF WCO - ECCEO10

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(International Osteoporosis Foundation) Researchers are invited to contribute their abstracts to the World Congress on Osteoporosis 2010, the largest global meeting devoted to all aspects of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis research and patient care. The Congress will be held in Florence, Italy from May 5-8, 2010.Beginning today, abstracts can be submitted online. The submission deadline is Feb. 4, 2010.

NSF awards $7.5M grant to University of Oklahoma for plant genomics

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(University of Oklahoma) A decade ago, a group of University of Oklahoma researchers were sequencing the first human chromosome as part of the human genome project. Today, the OU Advanced Center for Genome Technology is contributing to an international effort to sequence the tomato genome with a $7.5 million grant awarded by the National Science Foundation for plant genomics.

Genetic analysis helps dissect molecular basis of cardiovascular disease

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(Public Library of Science) Using highly precise measurements of plasma lipoprotein concentrations determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, researchers performed genetic association analysis across the whole genome among 17,296 women of European ancestry. This large scale analysis of the effects of common genetic variation on plasma lipoprotein profile, a critical component of cardiovascular risk, identified 43 genetic loci contributing to lipoprotein metabolism. The findings are published on Nov. 20 in the open-access journal PLoS Genetics.

Researchers identify role of gene in tumor development, growth and progression

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(Virginia Commonwealth University) Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center and VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine researchers have identified a gene that may play a pivotal role in two processes that are essential for tumor development, growth and progression to metastasis.

Just like old times: Generating RNA molecules in water

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) A key question in the origin of biological molecules like RNA and DNA is how they first came together billions of years ago from simple precursors. Now, in a study appearing in this week's JBC, researchers in Italy have reconstructed one of the earliest evolutionary steps yet: generating long chains of RNA from individual subunits using nothing but warm water.

From toxic dust and algae to ill winds from Africa

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(United States Geological Survey) Media tipsheet on USGS scientific presentations at SETAC conference, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.

Barn personnel experience higher-than-average rates of respiratory symptoms

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(Tufts University, Health Sciences) The estimated 4.6 million Americans involved in the equine industry may be at risk of developing respiratory symptoms due to poor air quality in horse barns, according to a questionnaire study undertaken earlier this year by investigators at Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.

Carvedilol shown to have unique characteristics among beta blockers

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) In a new study, researchers report that a class of heart medications called beta-blockers can have a helpful, or harmful, effect on the heart, depending on their molecular activity.

Lehigh receives grant to reduce cost of carbon capture at coal-fired power plants

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(Lehigh University) A US Department of Energy grant will help develop methods of recovering and reusing heat generated by the compression of CO2 in a carbon-capture system. The goal is to facilitate carbon capture and sequestration and limit the amount of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere by coal-fired power plants. Unlike other modeling studies, which focus on specific components of the carbon-capture system, the Lehigh researchers will look at the entire power plant.

Gaining a better picture of lung disease

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(University of Western Ontario) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a respiratory disease commonly known as chronic bronchitis or emphysema, is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. 600 million people live with COPD and while researchers have yet to find any real treatment or cure, Grace Parraga of Robarts Research Institute at The University of Western Ontario in London, Canada, is using various imaging techniques to gain new insight into the disease.

Flax and yellow flowers can produce bioethanol

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(FECYT - Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology) Surplus biomass from the production of flax sheaves, and generated from Brassica carinata, a yellow-flowered plant related to those which engulf fields in spring, can be used to produce bioethanol. This has been suggested by two studies carried out by Spanish and Dutch researchers and published in the journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.

Discovery of new type of immune cells regulating inflammation in chronic diseases

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health) Scientists of Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen and the Center of Allergy and Environment of Technische Universitaet Muenchen have discovered a new type of immune cells -- the Th22 cells -- which can protect the body against inflammation and aid in tissue repair.

Biologists discover bacterial defense mechanism against aggressive oxygen

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(VIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)) Bacteria possess an ingenious mechanism for preventing oxygen from harming the building blocks of the cell. This is the new finding of a team of biologists that includes Joris Messens of VIB, a life sciences research institute in Flanders, Belgium, connected to the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

Delft breakthrough in bioethanol production from agricultural waste

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(Delft University of Technology) With the introduction of a single bacterial gene into yeast, researchers from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands achieved three improvements in bioethanol production from agricultural waste material: "More ethanol, less acetate and elimination of the major by-product glycerol." This week the invention was published in the scientific journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

Possible link studied between childhood abuse and early cellular aging

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(Brown University) Researchers from Brown University and Butler Hospital have determined that children who suffer physical or emotional abuse may be faced with accelerated cellular aging as adults. The findings are published online in the journal Biological Psychiatry. A print version of the article is also expected.

Researchers begin to decipher metabolism of sexual assault drug

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(Michigan Technological University) It's a naturally occurring brain chemical with an unwieldy name: 4-hydroxybutyrate (4-HB). Taken by mouth, it can be abused or used as a date-rape drug.

Now, a team of Ohio and Michigan scientists have determined new routes by which 4-HB is metabolized by the body. "This is new and important information," said K. Michael Gibson, professor and chair of biological sciences at Michigan Technological University and a member of the research team.

Ultrasound enhances noninvasive Down syndrome tests

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(Baylor College of Medicine) The addition of a "genetic sonogram" maximizes the accuracy of noninvasive testing for Down syndrome, said a Baylor College of Medicine researcher who was lead author of a landmark study in the current issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Projections of savings from health IT are baseless, Harvard researchers say

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(Physicians for a National Health Program) The increased computerization in US hospitals hasn't made them cheaper or more efficient, Harvard researchers say, although it may have modestly improved the quality of care for heart attacks. The findings contradict claims by President Obama and many lawmakers that health information technology, including electronic medical records, will save billions and help make reform affordable. The study uses data from the most extensive survey ever undertaken of hospital computerization.

UAB researchers discover antibody receptor identity, propose renaming immune-system gene

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(University of Alabama at Birmingham) In what has eluded discovery for 30 years, scientists have identified a cellular receptor for the immune system's first-response antibody immunoglobulin M (IgM). The proposed name is the Fc mu receptor gene; it describes a key region of the IgM antibody that binds this receptor and fills in a crucial gap in understanding the science behind immune deficiencies and allergy diseases, says UAB researchers.

Bone implant offers hope for skull deformities

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(University of California - Davis) A synthetic bone matrix offers hope for babies born with craniosynostosis, a condition that causes the plates in the skull to fuse too soon.

New maize map to aid plant breeding efforts

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

(University of California - Davis) A massive survey of genetic diversity in maize has produced a gene map that should pave the way to significant improvements in a plant that is a major source of food, fuel, animal feed and fiber around the world.