Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center are uncovering how brain cells are affected in Fragile X syndrome, the most common cause of inherited mental retardation and the most common genetic cause of autism.

“I think we’ve discovered a core mechanism underlying Fragile X syndrome," said Dr. Kimberly Huber, assistant professor of neuroscience and senior author of a study appearing in Wednesday’s edition of the Journal of Neuroscience.

Dr. Huber’s research with mice focuses on how Fragile X syndrome affects communication between cells in the hippocampus, a region of the brain that is involved in learning and memory.

Researchers at Children’s Hospital Boston have developed a new “nanobiotechnology” that enables magnetic control of events at the cellular level. They describe the technology, which could lead to finely-tuned but noninvasive treatments for disease, in the January issue of Nature Nanotechnology.

Don Ingber, MD, PhD, and Robert Mannix, PhD, of Children’s program in Vascular Biology, in collaboration with Mara Prentiss, PhD, a physicist at Harvard University, devised a way to get tiny beads – 30 nanometers (billionths of a meter) in diameter – to bind to receptor molecules on the cell surface.

When exposed to a magnetic field, the beads themselves become magnets, and pull together through magnetic attraction.

LAS VEGAS, January 8 /PRNewswire/ --

- Headsets Feature EarClick Technology in Multimedia and Communication Earbuds for Maximum Comfort and Versatility

The molecular machinery behind gene transcription -- the intricate transfer of information from a segment of DNA to a corresponding strand of messenger RNA -- isn't stationed in special "transcription factories" within a cell nucleus, according to Cornell researchers. Instead, the enzyme RNA polymerase II (Pol II) and other key molecules can assemble at the site of an activated gene, regardless of the gene's position.

The findings, published in the Dec. 28, 2007, issue of the journal Molecular Cell, are the result of an ongoing collaboration between the laboratories of John T. Lis, the Barbara McClintock Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics, and Watt W. Webb, professor of applied physics and the S.B. Eckert Professor in Engineering.

SANTA CLARA, California, January 8 /PRNewswire/ --

Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (Nasdaq: MRVL) a leader in storage, communications, and consumer silicon solutions, today announced that the Company is completing the planned transition of several mobile products to its customary fabrication facilities from Intel manufacturing operations. Upon completion of this transition all of Marvell's communication processors will be manufactured utilizing the Company's standard fabrication partners.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070411/SFW034LOGO)

MCKINNEY, Texas, January 8 /PRNewswire/ --

Torchmark Corporation (NYSE: TMK) will release Fourth Quarter 2007 earnings after the market closes on Wednesday, February 6, 2008. In conjunction with Torchmark's Fourth Quarter 2007 Earnings Release, you are invited to listen to a conference call that will be broadcast live over the Internet on Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. At that time a copy of the Company's Q4-2007 earnings press release and other financial and statistical information about the quarter will be available on the Company's website at http://www.torchmarkcorp.com on the Investor Relations page.

Using the powerful one-two combo of NASA’s Swift satellite and the Gemini Observatory, astronomers have detected a mysterious type of cosmic explosion farther back in time than ever before. The explosion, known as a short gamma-ray burst (GRB), took place 7.4 billion years ago, more than halfway back to the Big Bang.

"This discovery dramatically moves back the time at which we know short GRBs were exploding. The short burst is almost twice as far as the previous confirmed record holder," says John Graham of the Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore, Md.

LAS VEGAS, January 8 /PRNewswire/ --

- Newton Peripherals Commemorate Phenomenal Sales Success With Luxury, Limited Edition Device - to be Scooped by One Lucky Winner at CES

LAS VEGAS, January 8 /PRNewswire/ --

- With Photo

Newton Peripherals, developer of the revolutionary MoGo Mouse(TM), has begun the New Year with fantastic sales figures - and to celebrate, has created an exclusive, extravagant edition of its most popular product. With more than a quarter of a million MoGos sold, the company has created an extraordinary gold, diamond-encrusted device, the ultimate accessory for gadget lovers who can't resist a bit of Bling.

LONDON, January 8 /PRNewswire/ --

- BancWare Risk & Compliance Solutions Recognized as Leader in Multiple Categories Including Basel II, Operational Risk and Regulatory Capital Calculations

SunGard today announced that its BancWare solution has been voted the number one asset & liability management (ALM) provider in Risk magazine's annual technology rankings. (http://www.sungard.com/bancware)

CALABASAS, California, January 8 /PRNewswire/ --

- SunGard's AvantGard Receivables Solution Given Highest Score in Receivables & Collections Management Report