science newsletter: Science News SciGuru.com

Πέμπτη 27 Μαρτίου 2014

Science News SciGuru.com

New clue to autism found inside brain cells
Engineered Bacteria Produce Biofuel Alternative for High-Energy Rocket Fuel
History is made with first small LVAD implant for young muscular dystrophy patient
Cancer biologists link tumor suppressor gene to stem cells
Nanotube coating helps shrink mass spectrometers
Eating peaches could reduce risk of metastasis in breast cancer

New clue to autism found inside brain cells

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 07:03 AM PDT

The problems people with autism have with memory formation, higher-level thinking and social interactions may be partially attributable to the activity of receptors inside brain cells, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have learned.

Engineered Bacteria Produce Biofuel Alternative for High-Energy Rocket Fuel

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 06:49 AM PDT

Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Joint BioEnergy Institute have engineered a bacterium to synthesize pinene, a hydrocarbon produced by trees that could potentially replace high-energy fuels, such as JP-10, in missiles and other aerospace applications. With improvements in process efficiency, the biofuel could supplement limited supplies of petroleum-based JP-10, and might also facilitate development of a new generation of more powerful engines.

History is made with first small LVAD implant for young muscular dystrophy patient

Posted: 26 Mar 2014 02:09 PM PDT

“Today, we’re going to make history,” said 18-year-old Eric Ramos on the day UT Southwestern Medical Center doctors operated on his ailing heart. Eric, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, is one of only three patients in the United States with the condition to receive a battery-operated left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to keep his weakening heart pumping blood through his body.

Cancer biologists link tumor suppressor gene to stem cells

Posted: 26 Mar 2014 02:05 PM PDT

Just as archeologists try to decipher ancient tablets to discern their meaning, UT Southwestern Medical Center cancer biologists are working to decode the purpose of an ancient gene considered one of the most important in cancer research.

The p53 gene appears to be involved in signaling other cells instrumental in stopping tumor development. But the p53 gene predates cancer, so scientists are uncertain what its original function is.

Nanotube coating helps shrink mass spectrometers

Posted: 26 Mar 2014 09:07 AM PDT

Nanotechnology is advancing tools likened to Star Trek's "tricorder" that perform on-the-spot chemical analysis for a range of applications including medical testing, explosives detection and food safety.

Researchers found that when paper used to collect a sample was coated with carbon nanotubes, the voltage required was 1,000 times reduced, the signal was sharpened and the equipment was able to capture far more delicate molecules.

Eating peaches could reduce risk of metastasis in breast cancer

Posted: 26 Mar 2014 08:47 AM PDT

Peach extract reduces lung metastases in a mouse model of breast cancer. The reduction is due to phenolic compounds in the peach extract and is mediated via reduction of expression of enzymes called metalloproteinases which are associated with cancer metastases. These are the results of an article in press in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry from researchers in Texas A&M University AgriLife Research.