Rockefeller researchers identify defense system in plants
...rid conditions might prove beneficial. "Our work reveals a novel level of complexity in the early growth process and suggests that it may be possible to manipulate plants so that they can better cope with stressful conditions, such as dry or high salt soils," says Luis Lopez-Molina, Ph.D., a Rockefeller po......s to local conditions. Disotell's genetic analysis reveals that looks can be very deceptive. "I've found monkeys that looked nearly identical that were completely unrelated. Then I found other monkeys that looked completely different, who were the most closely related pairs," he says. "You cannot use these m...National survey reveals profound lack of scientific knowledge
...ences and polling organization Harris Interactive, reveals that the American public lacks basic scientific kn...pond correctly to all three questions. The survey reveals a scientific knowledge gap that is particularly distressing at a point when science literacy has bec...How did we get so smart? Study sheds light on evolution of the brain
...how comparing the relative sizes of 11 brain parts reveals a unique brain structure for each species. They calculated the percentage of total brain volume contributed by each part and created the term "cerebrotype" to describe the resulting 11-number characterization, just as the word "genotype" describes th...Understanding lens development
...ne and initiate lens differentiation. This finding reveals a novel cooperation between two distinct classes of transcription factors in the regulation of specific gene expression. Pax6 is one member of a large family of structurally related transcription factors that play integral roles in maintaining normal......vents will be remembered for a lifetime. Our study reveals the role of a protein that must be present in the cortex for information to be converted from short-term into lifelong memories." In a healthy brain, the hippocampal area stores information on a temporary basis, somewhat like a computer holds data in...Secret channel holds key to metabolic mysteries
...channel's sensitivity to the magnesium-ATP complex reveals a direct link between the LTRPC7 channel's ability to conduct calcium ions and the cell's energy level. The discovery of this relationship could have long-term implications for human conditions such as hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) and hypoglycemia (s...University of Maryland physicians use ultrasound in novel way
...rs to see how the baby is developing. It sometimes reveals the sex of the child. But the diagnosis of genetic disorders like Down syndrome historically has meant undergoing amniocentesis, an invasive test that requires the insertion of a long hollow needle into the uterus to draw fluid from the sac surround...Analysis of impact studies reveals how bottom fishing affects seafloor denizens
...seafloor organisms around the world. The study reveals that the type of fishing gear used has a significant effect on the degree of disturbance to sediment organisms. Inter-tidal dredging has the most negative impact, followed by scallop dredging and inter-tidal raking. Otter trawling and beam trawling a...MSU study finds new microbial source of nitrogen fixation
...chetes in freshwater and marine habitats, our work reveals that spirochetes are newly discovered participants in this globally important process," Breznak said. "Our work also illustrates the ways in which microbes can contribute to animal nutrition and health, not just cause disease." Other members of ...Wildlife variety is the spice of life, say scientists
...d not explain why this occurred. The new analysis reveals that complementary interactions between species appear to play a stronger role than selection effects (where dominance by species with particular traits affects ecosystem processes). In the real world this could mean that the amount of energy turned ...Staph bacteria are prolific gene swappers, researchers show
...rgy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). The research reveals how Staphylococcus aureus, the common "staph" bacterium responsible for several human infections, has repeatedly adapted to novel environments and conditions. The research offers new approaches to antibiotic and vaccine design, and answers long-stan...Blocking 'engulfment' gives dying cells new lease on life
...ody. Research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory now reveals that under special circumstances, cells programmed to die during nervous system development can be brought back from the brink of death. This finding has important implications for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease, stroke, and cancer. The s...Gene link to increased risk of coronary heart disease found by scientists
...of coronary heart disease (CHD), this new research reveals that some smokers have a significantly higher risk than others. Genetic factors have long been known to be important in determining risk of heart disease, but it is only recently that scientists have been able to identify the particular genes involve...Polyunsaturated fats implicated in rise in asthma in pre-school children
...saturated fats seems to double the risk of asthma, reveals research in Thorax. Being breastfed as a baby and having three or more older siblings seemed to protect against the development of asthma, the research shows. Pre-school children between the ages of 3 and 5 years were included in the study. The rese...Dinosaurs' large noses may have been key to physiological processes
...ndation (NSF)-supported researcher Lawrence Witmer reveals that nostrils on many dinosaurs were much farther from the eyes and closer to the mouths than previously depicted. By comparing tell-tale markings on bones from their present-day relatives, he has shown that many dinosaurs had large nasal passages t...Structure shows repair protein cradling broken DNA
...eak is formed. The structure of the Ku-DNA complex reveals that the Ku heterodimer forms a ring that encircles and cradles the end of the strand of DNA. We believe that the Ku proteins have to hold the DNA ends together, said Goldberg. The question is how they hold the end of a piece of DNA without obscuring...A ticket to the airways: scientists develop new way to study asthma
... technique to airway biopsies from asthma patients reveals a new disease suspect, the NKCC1 gene, which has not previously been associated with asthma. Gregory Dolganov and colleagues based their two-step technique on a sensitive process for counting DNA molecules called real-time PCR. Combining this with a......at makes it difficult to tell whether DNA evidence reveals true relationships or coincidental resemblances. "In the last few years, 15 or 20 DNA studies have come out supporting this artiodactyl connection," says Gingerich. "Those weren't taken very seriously, but this finding shows that they need to be. I...