science newsletter: Science News SciGuru.com

Σάββατο 22 Σεπτεμβρίου 2012

Science News SciGuru.com

Research identifies protein that regulates key ‘fate’ decision in cortical progenitor cells
Researchers Report Novel Approach for Single Molecule Electronic DNA Sequencing
First-ever Imaging of Cells Growing on Spherical Surfaces
Record loss of Arctic ice could impact Wisconsin
Study Documents Women's Experiences with Chromosome Abnormalities Found in New Prenatal Test

Research identifies protein that regulates key ‘fate’ decision in cortical progenitor cells

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 12:52 PM PDT

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) have solved an important piece of one of neuroscience’s outstanding puzzles: how progenitor cells in the developing mammalian brain reproduce themselves while also giving birth to neurons that will populate the emerging cerebral cortex, the seat of cognition and executive function in the mature brain.

Researchers Report Novel Approach for Single Molecule Electronic DNA Sequencing

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 12:42 PM PDT

DNA sequencing is the driving force behind key discoveries in medicine and biology. For instance, the complete sequence of an individual’s genome provides important markers and guidelines for medical diagnostics and healthcare. Up to now, the major roadblock has been the cost and speed of obtaining highly accurate DNA sequences. While numerous advances have been made in the last 10 years, most current high-throughput sequencing instruments depend on optical techniques for the detection of the four building blocks of DNA: A, C, G and T.

First-ever Imaging of Cells Growing on Spherical Surfaces

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 12:33 PM PDT

Shengyuan Yang, Florida Institute of Technology assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, with graduate student Sang Joo Lee, has published a paper on the first-ever imaging of cells growing on spherical surfaces. The paper is published in the online journal, Review of Scientific Instruments, and will appear later in September in the print version.

Record loss of Arctic ice could impact Wisconsin

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 12:15 PM PDT

Ice covering the Arctic Ocean melted to the smallest areal extent ever recorded this year, falling to 1.3 million square miles at its lowest point on Sept. 16, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center. That's less than half of the normal area covered by ice at summer's end.

Study Documents Women's Experiences with Chromosome Abnormalities Found in New Prenatal Test

Posted: 21 Sep 2012 09:47 AM PDT

We often hear that “knowledge is power.” But, that isn’t always the case, especially when the knowledge pertains to the health of an unborn child, with murky implications, at best. A new study, led by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, begins to document this exception to the general rule.