Prion disease may be caused by buildup of cellular trash, say Stanford researchers
...hers' long-standing suspicions that the removal of unwanted proteins is vital to the health of neurons in the brain. "The theme has been there, but now here's a striking example of how protein stability is critical in this disease as well," said Peter Jackson, PhD, Stanford associate professor of pathology wh...Coat-color gene mutation mimics neurodegeneration of prion diseases
... member of the machinery in the cell that destroys unwanted proteins. The gene, which the researchers named Mahogunin , encodes a protein that attaches molecular tags called ubiquitins to other proteins to mark them for destruction. "It was satisfying to find that the gene that was mutated in mahoganoid ha...Science's top ten: Discovery of genes' 'control switches' named top advance of 2002
...witch various genes on and off, and even trim away unwanted sections of DNA. One of the field's most electrifying discoveries this year was that small RNAs take charge during cell division, shepherding the material in chromosomes into the right configuration ( Science Express 22 August 2002 and 5 September 2...Global analysis finds nearly half the Earth is still wilderness
...to protect their traditional ways of life from the unwanted by-products of modern society." "As striking as these wilderness numbers are, they only serve to underscore more than ever the critical importance of protecting the biodiversity hotspots, areas which represent only 1.4 percent of the Earth's landma...Bush signs; ozone treatment for ballast water; wetland restoration template goes national
...g technologies to curb accidental introductions of unwanted organisms in ballast water. Currently being tested are ozone and ultra-violet disinfection equipment. "These technologies may be extremely costly to install, so only the larger, better funded shipping operations could consider them," says Herwig. A...Structure of pain-modulating enzyme described by scientists at the Scripps Research Institute
...tively, and lastingly as possible--and without any unwanted side effects. Every analgesic, from opiates to hypnotism to electroshocks to balms, have side effects, and therein lies the rub: whether relieving the pain or the side effects is more pressing. One compound that has been hotly debated in the last 10 ...Rutgers and Albert Einstein College of Medicine researchers seek fountain of youth among the worms
... extend the period of health and delay some of the unwanted aspects of aging," Driscoll continued. "The long-term goal is to regulate the responsible biochemical pathway through drug therapy. In this way, we could maintain the health of the muscle based on the lessons the little worm taught us." "Another s...Food for thought: What are the likely side effects of fertilizing phytoplankton with iron?
...e from the atmosphere could result in significant, unwanted side effects on the climate and the atmospheric chemical composition (Science, 20 September, p. 1993, 2002). It is well established that atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are increasing due to human activities, and it is expected that this will...Molecular biology and biological control team up to thwart pests and weeds
...rearing of genetically modified species to control unwanted insect pests. Furthermore, they are exploring how compatible genetically modified crops and natural enemies of insect pests may be. For example, many genetically modified crops express a toxin, derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), ...Not all mammals vomit -- or how to study emesis in mice
...is is thought to act via the same mechanism as the unwanted side effects. As Robichaud and colleagues report in the September 30 issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, by studying the inhibitors ability to reverse anesthesia in mice that lacked two of the PDE4 subtypes, PDE4B and PDE4D, they could i...JCI table of contents: October 1, 2002
...is is thought to act via the same mechanism as the unwanted side effects. As Robichaud and colleagues report in the October 1 issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, by studying the inhibitors ability to reverse anesthesia in mice that lacked two of the PDE4 subtypes, PDE4B and PDE4D, they could infe...A genetic contribution to obsessive compulsive disorder
...ulation lifetime. It is characterized by intrusive unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and the need to perform repetitive acts or rituals in order to alleviate the anxiety (compulsions). As an example, a patient who fears contamination would be afraid of touching anything and would feel that they must wash their h...High risk of mental health problems in adoptees from other countries
... community regardless of time and place. It brings unwanted and needy children to caring parents. It also fulfills the need of childless couples to accomplish the important stage of parenthood in their life. And adoption relieves the burden of communities to care for abandoned children. Nourished with attenti...Medicated ecosystems: Human drugs alter key aquatic organism
...to humans, either through the improper disposal of unwanted pharmaceuticals or through the ingestion of the drugs. "Up to 80 percent of drugs taken by humans and domesticated animals can be excreted in their biologically active form," explains Flaherty. This means that the antibiotics, antidepressants and an...Research identifies enzyme involved in fat storage
... mice -- could alter metabolism without incurring unwanted side effects," he said. "An SCD-1 deficiency produ...rantees that the benefits would outweigh potential unwanted side effects." Friedman is optimistic about information that may come from studies of other gene ide...Researchers discover molecular 'switch' that tells body to store or burn fat
...bia mice could alter metabolism without incurring unwanted side effects. The answer appears to be yes, according to Ntambi and co-author Makoto Miyazaki, Ph.D., a biochemist at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, who have shown in separate studies that mutant mice with half the level of the enzyme appear...Vessel reporting a weak link in national strategy to stem the flow of alien organisms to the U.S.
...maintain stability, is a leading mechanism for the unwanted transfer of non-native marine- and freshwater species throughout the world. Decades of research indicate that ballast water contains a diverse and often dense community of organisms - from fishes and crabs to bacteria and viruses. Upon discharge du...Snail venom heralds new era of pain treatment
...ut when administered to some patients it has given unwanted side-effects that include raised blood pressure," he says. "ACV1 acts on a different class of pain receptors to these drugs and is unlikely to exhibit the same side-effects. "ACV1 is also a tiny molecule compared to the competing conotoxin drugs mak...Efficient plastic nuggets key to agricultural plastic waste disposal
...renheit and this incomplete combustion can produce unwanted emissions. Although Garthe believes that emissions are not a problem for the nuggets, Penn State's Energy Institute is currently running tests on the nuggets to characterize the emissions. A grant from the National Watermelon Promotion Board, U.S. ......iversity of New York who led the team. "Clearly an unwanted pregnancy or a sexually transmitted disease would more than offset any advantageous psychological effects of semen." His team divided 293 female students into groups depending on how often their partners wore condoms, and assessed their happiness usi...