e! Science News - Popular science news

X-rays illuminate the interior of the Moon

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:31:10 -0500

Unlike Earth, our Moon has no active volcanoes, and the traces of its past volcanic activity date from billions of years ago. This is surprising because recent Moonquake data suggest that there is plenty of liquid magma deep within the Moon and part of the rocks residing there are thought to be molten. Scientists have now identified a likely reason for this peaceful surface life: the hot, molten rock in the Moon's deep interior could be so dense that it is simply too heavy to rise to the surface like a bubble in water. For their experiments, the scientists produced microscopic copies of moon rock collected by the Apollo missions and melted them at the extremely high pressures and temperatures found inside the Moon. They then measured their densities with powerful X-ray beams.

Researchers develop better control for DNA-based computations

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 13:31:52 -0500

A North Carolina State University chemist has found a way to give DNA-based computing better control over logic operations. His work could lead to interfacing DNA-based computing with traditional silicon-based computing.

A single protein helps the body keep watch over the Epstein-Barr virus

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 12:37:35 -0500

Some 90 percent of people are exposed to the Epstein Barr virus (EBV) at some point in their life. Even though it is quickly cleared from the body, the virus can linger silently for years in small numbers of infected B cells. According to researchers at Children's Hospital Bostonand the Immune Disease Institute (IDI), the immune system subdues the virus by watching for a single viral protein called LMP1, knowledge that has already helped suggest two new treatments for the EBV-fueled cancers seen in some immunosuppressed patients.

Successful human tests for first wirelessly controlled drug-delivery chip

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:39:19 -0500

About 15 years ago, MIT professors Robert Langer and Michael Cima had the idea to develop a programmable, wirelessly controlled microchip that would deliver drugs after implantation in a patient's body. This week, the MIT researchers and scientists from MicroCHIPS Inc. reported that they have successfully used such a chip to administer daily doses of an osteoporosis drug normally given by injection.

An 'immortal' devil's genome and the secrets of a cancer that's catching

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:38:30 -0500

Researchers reporting in the February 17th issue of the Cell Press journal Cell have sequenced the complete genome of one immortal devil. The genomes of the Tasmanian devil and its transmissible cancer may help to explain how that cancer went from a single individual to spreading through the population like wildfire.

Brain-imaging differences evident at 6 months in infants who develop autism

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:54:15 -0500

A new study from the Infant Brain Imaging Network, which includes researchers at the Center for Autism Research at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), found significant differences in brain development starting at age 6 months in high-risk infants who later develop autism, compared to high-risk infants who did not develop autism.

UCLA discovery that migrating cells 'turn right' has implications for engineering tissues, organs

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 10:33:26 -0500

What if we could engineer a liver or kidney from a patient's own stem cells? How about helping regenerate tissue damaged by diseases such as osteoporosis and arthritis? A new UCLA study bring scientists a little closer to these possibilities by providing a better understanding how tissue is formed and organized in the body.

Models underestimate future temperature variability; Food security at risk

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:38:19 -0500

Climate warming caused by greenhouse gases is very likely to increase the variability of summertime temperatures around the world by the end of this century, a University of Washington climate scientist said Friday. The findings have major implications for food production.

AAAS-SFU research: Linking human evolution and climate change

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:38:40 -0500

It's not a take on climate change we often hear about. But Mark Collard, a Simon Fraser University Canada Research Chair and professor of archaeology, will talk about how climate change impacts human evolution at the world's largest science fair.

Fossilized pollen unlocks secrets of ancient royal garden

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:37:49 -0500

Researchers have long been fascinated by the secrets of Ramat Rahel, located on a hilltop above modern-day Jerusalem. The site of the only known palace dating back to the kingdom of Biblical Judah, digs have also revealed a luxurious ancient garden. Since excavators discovered the garden with its advanced irrigation system, they could only imagine what the original garden might have looked like in full bloom -- until now.

Nasty 'superbug' is being studied by UB researchers

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 10:33:11 -0500

University at Buffalo researchers are expressing concern about a new, under-recognized, much more potent variant of a common bacterium that has surfaced in the U.S.

Microbial oasis discovered beneath the Atacama Desert

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:39:18 -0500

Two metres below the surface of the Atacama Desert there is an 'oasis' of microorganisms. Researchers from the Center of Astrobiology (Spain) and the Catholic University of the North in Chile have found it in hypersaline substrates thanks to SOLID, a detector for signs of life which could be used in environments similar to subsoil on Mars.

Goat kids can develop accents

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:43:11 -0500

The ability to change vocal sounds (vocal plasticity) and develop an accent is potentially far more widespread in mammals than previously believed, according to new research on goats from Queen Mary, University of London.

To kill off parasites, an insect self-medicates with alcohol

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:37:33 -0500

Alcoholic drinks aren't generally put into the category of health food, but in some cases they might be just the cure for nasty parasites. That's according to a study published online on February 16 in Current Biology showing that fruit flies will actually seek out alcohol to kill off blood-borne parasitic wasps living within them.

Georgia Tech develops braille-like texting app

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:32:43 -0500

Imagine if smartphone and tablet users could text a note under the table during a meeting without anyone being the wiser. Mobile gadget users might also be enabled to text while walking, watching TV or socializing without taking their eyes off what they’re doing.