Four years ago the first ever structure of a voltage-dependent potassium ion channel -- a protein that controls the flow of potassium ions across nerve cell membranes and opens and closes in response to changes in cell membrane voltage was published. Now the same scientist has released new renderings of these channels that describe a possible mechanism for how the paddle carries its charged cargo through the channel as well as how the charged paddles are stabilized within the cell's membrane.
Scientists discovered that the magnetic strength of magnetite -- the most abundant magnetic mineral on Earth -- declines drastically when put under pressure. Researchers have found that when magnetite is subjected to pressures between 120,000 and 160,000 times atmospheric pressure its magnetic strength declines by half. They discovered that the change is due to what is called electron spin pairing.
Scientists have reported new findings about how the mammalian brain interprets and fashions representations of sound that may help explain how we are able to focus on one particular sound among many in noisy environments such as offices or cocktail parties. Neurons in the brain’s auditory cortex interpret incoming sound signals and send them to the rest of the nervous system, in the brain and spinal cord. Using rats, the team discovered that a very small minority of available auditory neurons react strongly when exposed to any specific sound.
The annual number of Americans older than 65 newly diagnosed with diabetes increased by 23 percent between 1994 to 1995 and 2003 to 2004, according to a new article. Most patients with diabetes experienced at least one complication within the next six years; for example, almost half had congestive heart failure.
Fishing fleets from more than 30 countries on the high seas of the Atlantic and Pacific will now use new ways to avoid accidentally snaring seabirds going after bait on long lines. The new protections are the focus of strong international measures, promoted by NOAA, that go into effect this year. The measures will protect many albatross and seabird species that fly far from land and whose populations are declining faster than most birds around the world, in part due to their incidental catch in fishing long lines used to catch tuna, swordfish and other tuna-like fish.
Researchers have discovered the first genetic evidence that secondhand smoke can worsen lung disease. The report describes one gene variation that can weaken lung function as well as shorten the lifespan of those affected by cystic fibrosis and also are exposed to secondhand smoke.
New coral reef maps released by NOAA reveal that the Big Island of Hawaii has the highest percentage of live coral of the main Hawaiian islands. The finding supports studies indicating that geologically young islands such as the Big Island generally have more live coral cover than older islands. "Live coral covers 57 percent, or 29 square miles, of the waters surrounding the Big Island of Hawaii," said an oceanographer with NOAA's Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment. "That is the most live coral coverage of any of the main Hawaiian islands."
A new anti-sliding adhesive developed by engineers at the University of California, Berkeley, may be the closest man-made material yet to mimic the remarkable gecko toe hairs that allow the tiny lizard to scamper along vertical surfaces and ceilings. The researchers say that such an adhesive could one day be used to outfit a small robot that could climb up walls.
A vaccine against the most common and deadliest strain of avian flu, H5N1, has been engineered and tested. The vaccine produced a strong immune response in mice and protected them from death following infection with the H5N1 virus. The vaccine is being tested in humans in an early-phase clinical trial.
A novel treatment for blood clots in the legs appears to be safe and effective, according to a pilot study. The study found that injecting or "lacing" the clot with a fiber-binding thrombolytic agent effectively treats deep vein thrombosis and reduces the risk of subsequent recurrence or bleeding.
BEIJING (Reuters) - Beijing has successfully managed to stop light rainfall in experiments aimed at guaranteeing a dry opening ceremony at August's Olympic Games, officials said on Wednesday.
Experts from 16 of the largest economies are in Hawaii for the second in the series of President Bush's climate talks. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 30 Jan 2008 | 12:16 pm
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - Two U.S. astronauts serving aboard the International Space Station floated outside the complex early on Wednesday to begin a spacewalk considered critical to the growth of the outpost.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Black Death that decimated populations in Europe and elsewhere during the middle of the 14th century may not have been a blindly indiscriminate killer, as some experts have believed.
Electrical stimulation of areas deep within the brain could lead to improved memory, research suggests. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 30 Jan 2008 | 7:13 am
Over a fifth of NHS hospital trusts have cancelled or reduced funding of homeopathy in the past two years, after a campaign by leading scientists to remove the alternative therapy from the NHS Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 30 Jan 2008 | 12:12 am
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The idea that a woman's personality traits can make her more prone to breast cancer appears nothing more than a myth, according to a Dutch study.
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Transistor radios tinier than a grain of sand, made using nanotechnology, can not only tune in to the traffic report, but may end up outperforming current silicon-based electronics, U.S. researchers said on Monday.
Chameleons evolved the ability to flash bright colours to show off, not to blend in, scientists say. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 29 Jan 2008 | 2:58 pm
A 250m-wide near-Earth asteroid known as 2007 TU24 makes a relatively close pass of Earth. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 29 Jan 2008 | 2:45 pm
HONG KONG (Reuters) - The SARS virus, which spread to many countries around the world in 2003 killing about 800 people, invades its victims using "fatty rafts" on the cell membrane, Chinese scientists have found.
Science that safeguards satellites and aircraft against solar outbursts could be wiped out in the UK, scientists warn. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 29 Jan 2008 | 1:54 pm
Interchangeable genitals, the ability to become pregnant, repeatedly die and come back to life mark out Stan as no ordinary social networker Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 29 Jan 2008 | 12:14 pm
