Scientists at The Australian National University are a step closer to understanding the rare Hartnup disorder after discovering a surprising link between blood pressure regulation and nutrition that could also help to shed light on intestinal and kidney function.

The team from the University’s School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology together with colleagues from the University of Sydney set out to study nutrient uptake in the intestine and discovered an essential role of a protein called ACE2 in the process. ACE proteins cut off a small part of a precursor molecule generating a hormone, which regulates blood pressure. ACE inhibitors are widely prescribed drugs that reduce the risk of heart failure and protect against the long-term effects of diabetes.

Using microphone arrays and photographic methods to reconstruct flight paths of bats in the field when they find and capture prey in air using their sonar system, Annemarie Surlykke from the Institute of Biology, SDU, Denmark, and her colleague, Elisabeth Kalko, from the University of Ulm, estimated the emitted sound intensity and found that bats emit exceptionally loud sounds exceeding 140 dB SPL (at 10 cm from the bat's mouth), which is the highest level reported so far for any animal in air.

For comparison, the level at a loud rock concert is 115-120 dB and for humans, the threshold of pain is around 120 dB.(1)

Metastasis, the spread of cancer throughout the body, can be explained by the fusion of a cancer cell with a white blood cell in the original tumor, according to Yale School of Medicine researchers, who say that this single event can set the stage for cancer’s migration to other parts of the body.

The studies, spanning 15 years, have revealed that the newly formed hybrid of the cancer cell and white blood cell adapts the white blood cell’s natural ability to migrate around the body, while going through the uncontrolled cell division of the original cancer cell. This causes a metastatic cell to emerge, which like a white blood cell, can migrate through tissue, enter the circulatory system and travel to other organs.

CSIRO researchers have discovered a new class of fatty acids -- alpha-hydroxy polyacetylenic fatty acids -- that they say could be used as sensors for detecting changes in temperature and mechanical stress loads.

CSIRO Entomology business manager, Cameron Begley, said researchers believed the discovery opened up an entirely new class of chemistry. “Some of these alpha-hydroxy polyacetylenic fatty acids act as indicators for a range of different conditions, such as mechanical stress or heat, and display self-assembling properties. Others display anti-microbial properties,” he said.

The ability to regenerate lost body parts is unevenly distributed among higher organisms. Among vertebrates, some amphibians are able to replace lost limbs completely, while mammals are unable to regenerate complex appendages.

The only exception to this rule is the annual replacement of deer antlers.

The annual regrowth of these structures is the only example of regeneration of a complete, anatomically complex appendage in a mammal, and antlers are therefore of high interest to regeneration biologists.

The epimorphic regeneration of appendages may involve progenitor cells created through reprogramming of differentiated cells or through the activation of resident stem cells. Hans J.

POMPANO BEACH, Florida, April 29 /PRNewswire/ --

Moniker.com (http://www.moniker.com ), an Oversee.net company and provider of Domain Asset Management(TM) services, today announced an initial list of premium contenders for a live and online domain name auction at the T.R.A.F.F.I.C. East conference in Orlando. The exclusive live auction will take place Friday, May 23 at 3:30-6:30 p.m. EDT (12:30-3:30 p.m. PDT) at The Grand Floridian Hotel.

SHANGHAI, China, April 29 /PRNewswire/ --

Iloho, the online tool for travelers, today launches its new flight search and comparison function -- www.iloho.com/flight-search -- a service which is set to transform the way in which consumers access and review airline and flight information.

The flights function is the latest development from iloho as it continues its drive to expand and improve its services. It is an innovative and unique online database of the world's airlines, the routes they fly, the services they offer and how they rank with travelers in the know.

PHILADELPHIA and LONDON, April 29 /PRNewswire/ --

- Biomarkers to Open the Door to Personalized Medicine and Represents a Seismic Shift for the Pharma Industry

The Scientific business of Thomson Reuters today announced the launch of a new biomarkers report, "Establishing the Standards in Biomarker Research" which gives a detailed introduction to the world of biomarkers, an overview of the regulatory context surrounding them, and highlights ongoing biomarker research in some of the world's leading Pharma companies.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080424/NYTH069LOGO )

SAO PAULO, Brazil, April 29 /PRNewswire/ --

- Business schools launch executive program focused on emerging economies

Emerging economies represent important growth areas for multinational companies. Among other factors, growth, economic reforms and deeper integration of those countries into the world economy have provided development opportunities for established multinationals, as well as for a new generation of global players. Yet, emerging economies pose distinctive challenges that require considerable changes for companies worldwide.