Featured Articles

'Silencing' Of Single Gene In Lung Cancer Disrupts Normal Functioning Of Genome

'Silencing' Of Single Gene In Lung Cancer Disrupts Normal Functioning Of Genome

Jan 04 2009 | comment(s)

While examining patterns of DNA modification in lung cancer, a team of international researchers has discovered what they say is a surprising new mechanism. They say that "silencing" of a single gene in lung cancer led to a general impairment in genome-wide changes in cells, contributing to cancer development and progression.

In the Cancer Research study they also say they found a link between modification of the key gene, MTHFR, and smoking by lung cancer patients – even if the patient had smoked for a short period of time. 
DNA Repair Gene Variants Not Associated With Increased Cancer Risk - Study

DNA Repair Gene Variants Not Associated With Increased Cancer Risk - Study

Jan 04 2009 | comment(s)

Variants of numerous DNA repair genes initially appeared to be statistically significantly associated with cancer risk in epidemiological studies. When the data from individual studies are pooled, however, few DNA repair gene variants appear truly associated with increased cancer risk, according to a field synopsis published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Because DNA damage is associated with cancer development, researchers hypothesized that genes required for DNA repair may influence risk of cancer. Initial reports supported the idea. A comprehensive review of the data has not been available previously.
Can Blood Transfusions Cause More Cancer?

Can Blood Transfusions Cause More Cancer?

Jan 04 2009 | comment(s)

Recent research by Tel Aviv University finds that young blood does a body good when it comes to fighting cancer.

The TAU researchers, led by Prof. Shamgar Ben-Eliyahu from the Department of Psychology's Neuroimmunology Research Unit, discovered that a transfusion of "young" blood –– blood which has been stored for less than 9 days –– increased the odds of survival in animals challenged with two types of cancer. This finding, reported in the journal Anesthesiology, may solve an age-old mystery as to why some blood transfusions during cancer-related surgeries may lead to an increased recurrence of cancer and others do not.
Mother Nature Bounces Back After Indonesia Tsunami

Mother Nature Bounces Back After Indonesia Tsunami

Jan 04 2009 | comment(s)

A team of scientists from the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has reported a rapid recovery of coral reefs in areas of Indonesia, following the tsunami that devastated coastal regions throughout the Indian Ocean four years ago today.

The WCS team, working in conjunction with the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (ARCCoERS) along with government, community and non-government partners, has documented high densities of "baby corals" in areas that were severely impacted by the tsunami.
Surprise Physical Fitness Regimen - Gardening

Surprise Physical Fitness Regimen - Gardening

Jan 04 2009 | comment(s)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days of the week in order to maintain and improve optimal health. This recommendation is especially important for older Americans, who can be less likely to fulfill this requirement, yet are more at risk for chronic diseases associated with aging.
Personality Characteristics of Wikipedia Members - Not So Social, Says Psychologist

Personality Characteristics of Wikipedia Members - Not So Social, Says Psychologist

Jan 04 2009 | comment(s)

A group of researchers did an analysis of the personalities of Wikipedia members and apparently don't think they are all that great.   By not great, I mean they fared less well on scales of agreeableness, openness, and conscientiousness than people who weren't Wikipedia members.

Not surprisingly, introverted women were more likely to be Wikipedia members than non-introverted women.   Basically, women who can get boyfriends instead of slamming other contributors on Wikipedia tend to do that.   Not so shocking.
International Year Of Astronomy Also Means One Last Tuneup For Hubble

International Year Of Astronomy Also Means One Last Tuneup For Hubble

Jan 03 2009 | comment(s)

From troubled beginnings nearly 18 years ago, the Hubble Space Telescope has revolutionized astronomy and its stunning images have stirred the imaginations of people around the globe.

But as the International Year of Astronomy dawns, the renowned telescope is preparing for its final chapter, starting with the scheduled May 12 launch of the space shuttle Atlantis for NASA's fifth and final service mission to the telescope.

The repairs will provide Hubble with a future as bright, though perhaps not nearly as long, as its past, said Julianne Dalcanton, a University of Washington associate professor of astronomy who for nearly a decade has used the telescope for a major part of her research.


Group Exercise Found To Help Kids With Developmental Disabilities

Group Exercise Found To Help Kids With Developmental Disabilities

Jan 03 2009 | comment(s)

Group exercise programs, treadmill training and horseback riding can be healthy choices for children with developmental disabilities, a new review of studies concludes. 

With these kinds of activities, children with disorders such as autism, mental retardation and cerebral palsy can improve their coordination and aerobic fitness, according to research analyzed by Connie Johnson, PT, a physical therapist with the Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia.

The findings are encouraging, since studies show that children with developmental disabilities tend to be less fit than their peers. In many cases, the children lack the resources and community support that would encourage them to be more active, Johnson said.
International Year Of Astronomy 2009 Is The Perfect Chance To Learn Astronomy

International Year Of Astronomy 2009 Is The Perfect Chance To Learn Astronomy

Jan 03 2009 | comment(s)

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) has been launched by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) under the theme, “The Universe, yours to discover”. Thousands of IYA2009 events are described on the national websites, as well as on astronomy2009.org, and a few of the global projects are listed here.
Lack Of Rocket Defense Makes A Ground Operation For Israel Against Hamas Necessary, Says Advocacy Group

Lack Of Rocket Defense Makes A Ground Operation For Israel Against Hamas Necessary, Says Advocacy Group

Jan 03 2009 | comment(s)

Riki Ellison, Chairman of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA)  www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org points out in an Alert to the membership of his organization that the situation in the Middle East between Israel and the Hamas is a real life example of the need for missile defense deployment by Israel. Ellison was in Israel a few months ago and toured many of the cities under attack by Hamas. He has a good understanding of the need for a missile defense system for Israel, and shares this with the MDAA membership. His remarks are as follows:
Keeping Track of Time

Keeping Track of Time

Jan 02 2009 | comment(s)

Keeping track of time is hard. Not only in terms of remembering meetings and be on time at the train station. Actually measuring time is a scientific art. Most of us find it logical to use the Earth rotation as a reference and define time scale and units from that.

If only the Earth would have been more cooperative!
Periodic Table meets wine

Periodic Table meets wine

Jan 02 2009 | comment(s)

The periodic table goes well with many things, including, apparently, wine.

This month's issue of Wired (with plenty of fodder for blogging and articles, so more to come) includes a nugget of glorious information - Washington state vintner Substance has labels inspired by the periodic table. I know. Awesome.
Self-Repairing Data Center Automation Solution Released

Self-Repairing Data Center Automation Solution Released

Jan 02 2009 | comment(s)

OSLO, January 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Following 5 years of research and development under the technical direction of its long time author Mark Burgess (a professor of Network and System Administration at Oslo University College), the recently formed support company Cfengine AS today released a major upgrade of the Open Source, self-repairing software cfengine based on its innovative Promise Theory technology.

Oil Refineries Updates On Status Of Agreement To Acquire 50%-Balance Of Shares In CAOL

Oil Refineries Updates On Status Of Agreement To Acquire 50%-Balance Of Shares In CAOL

Jan 02 2009 | comment(s)

Alexander Otto Named Chairman Of ULI Europe

Alexander Otto Named Chairman Of ULI Europe

Jan 02 2009 | comment(s)

HAMBURG, Germany, January 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Alexander Otto, CEO of ECE Projektmanagement, took over as Chairman of ULI Europe as of January 1, 2009. Otto, Chairman of ULI Germany for the last five years, sees his new task as above all to advance the international interests of the urban development and real estate sector: The internationalization of the property sector offers enormous potential to learn from outstanding projects or companies in other countries. ULI Europe acts as a forum for the exchange of know-how on international level. And one of my core aims will be to promote this exchange, especially in the field of innovative environmental and sustainability concepts.

Get Better Solar Cell Efficiency By Going Invisible

Get Better Solar Cell Efficiency By Going Invisible

Jan 02 2009 | comment(s)

As worldwide demand for cleaner energy grows, scientists are working frantically in every area to improve the amount of energy we are able to generate from various renewable sources. Many existing technologies, such as wind and solar power, are advancing slowly in efficiency as research continues, while others such as wave power are merely prototypes awaiting verification. Solar panel technology has undergone numerous upgrades over the years, many of which have increased efficiency by altering the materials and coatings applied to the panels. And now, two new nanotechnologies may provide a large increase in solar panel efficiency, driving solar panels down to costs manageable for homeowners and small businesses.

Clickers And Peer Discussion Improve Student Performance

Clickers And Peer Discussion Improve Student Performance

Jan 02 2009 | comment(s)

Across the University of Colorado at Boulder campus students are sharing answers, checking their responses to questions against those of their neighbors and making adjustments to those answers in hopes of earning a better grade.

Not surprisingly, the students are getting more answers right. But what may be startling is that professors are encouraging the whole thing.
New Photoreceptor Discovery - Melanopsin Helps Control Biological Clock

New Photoreceptor Discovery - Melanopsin Helps Control Biological Clock

Jan 02 2009 | comment(s)

A team of Johns Hopkins neuroscientists has worked out how some newly discovered light sensors in the eye detect light and communicate with the brain. The report appears online this week in Nature. 

These light sensors are a small number of nerve cells in the retina that contain melanopsin molecules. Unlike conventional light-sensing cells in the retina—rods and cones—melanopsin-containing cells are not used for seeing images; instead, they monitor light levels to adjust the body's clock and control constriction of the pupils in the eye, among other functions. 
Quantum Mechanics and the Clash of the Titans

Quantum Mechanics and the Clash of the Titans

Jan 02 2009 | comment(s)

The combination of a very pleasant but busy holiday visit with my In-laws and feeling a bit under the weather has caused my blogging to drop precipitously this past week. I'm back, ready to start off the New Year on the right foot with some free, meaty, internet science reading. (No, I'm not talking about my writing!)

Is there something missing at the heart of quantum mechanics? Einstein and Bohr, like King Kong vs. Godzilla, famously battled over the possible incompleteness of quantum mechanics.

Holiday Science Tidbits

Holiday Science Tidbits

Jan 01 2009 | comment(s)

First, a neat little toy:  build your own squid! I won't give anything else away...

Second, in the spirit of ending the old year and beginning the new, I like this synopsis of the best science stories of 2008, from Science.  Some nice videos too.