In the earliest days of brain development, the brain's first cells -- neuroepithelial stem cells -- divide continuously, producing a population of cells that eventually evolves into the various cells of the fully formed brain. Now, scientists have identified a gene that, in mice, is critical for these stem cells to divide correctly. Without it, they fail to divide, and die.
When your antidepressant medication does not work, should you switch to a different medication from the same class or should you try an antidepressant medication that has a different mechanism of action? This is the question asked in a new article in Biological Psychiatry.
Insulin-like growth factor has to date been shown to stimulate the growth and proliferation of cells, and recently was found to affect the shape and growth rate of nerve axons. Now, neuroscientists have shown that IGF also controls the direction of axon growth as axons stretch from the nose's odor detectors to the brain's olfactory bulb. Axon guidance represents a new role for IGF in development.
About 40 million Americans suffer from "hay fever," a disease that allergists prefer to call "allergic rhinitis," because HAY is not to blame and FEVER is rarely a symptom. So what is causing the stuffy runny nose, the watery itchy eyes, the sneezing, wheezing and cough, and why are heavy rains and melting snow making symptoms worse?
One day soon a biosensing nanodevice may eliminate long lines at airport security checkpoints and revolutionize health screenings for diseases like anthrax, cancer and antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Even more incredible than the device itself, is that it is based on the world's tiniest rotary motor: a biological engine measured on the order of molecules.
The world's major telescopes will be observing the white dwarf star IU Vir in the constellation Virgo for three weeks beginning on March 26. A white dwarf is a star that is “dying,” cooling down in the twilight of its life. It's what the sun will become in about 4 billion years.
The date March 19, 2008 marked the brightest ever cosmic explosion observed from the Earth. The outburst denoted as GRB 080319B was probably the death of a massive star leading to the creation of a black hole. For the first time the birth of a black hole have been filmed. Cameras of the "Pi of the Sky" project recorded this remarkable event with 4 minutes sequence of 10 seconds long images. In almost 20 seconds the object became so bright that it could be visible with the naked eye. Then it begun fading and in 4 minutes it became 100 times fainter. At that time the observation was taken over by larger telescopes.
What is believed to be the largest study of its kind for the genetic roots of inflammatory bowel diseases has suggested new links to Crohn's disease as well as further evidence that some people of Jewish descent are more likely to develop it.
Researchers have shown for the first time that a natural antioxidant found in grape skins and red wine can help destroy pancreatic cancer cells by reaching to the cell's core energy source, or mitochondria, and crippling its function.
A novel strategy based on targeted immune suppression using human umbilical cord blood cells may improve the pathology and cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease, based on the results of a study in a mouse model of this currently untreatable neurodegenerative condition, as described in a groundbreaking report in Stem Cells and Development.
OSLO (Reuters) - John Griggs Thompson of the United States and Jacques Tits of France were awarded a $1.2 million Norwegian mathematics prize on Thursday for their work in algebra and group theory.
Gordon Brown announces plans to strengthen Britain's ties with France at a summit with Nicolas Sarkozy. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 27 Mar 2008 | 3:05 pm
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - The space shuttle Endeavour returned to Earth on Wednesday, capping a milestone flight that brought Japan fully into the International Space Station partnership with the delivery of the first part of its research laboratory.
Plastic waste in the oceans poses a potentially devastating long-term toxic threat to the food chain, marine scientists say. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 27 Mar 2008 | 11:57 am
MADRID (Reuters) - Early humans may have roamed Europe as much as 1.2 million years ago, far earlier than previously thought, scientists said on Wednesday, based on fossils they found in northern Spain.
The US space shuttle Endeavour lands in Florida after a record mission to the International Space Station. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 27 Mar 2008 | 1:07 am
A cell "silencing" technique used to cut cholesterol in monkeys raises hopes of new ways to fight many diseases. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 27 Mar 2008 | 12:20 am
Its opponents say it sanctions 'the ultimate incest', and will create monsters. Its supporters see only the hope it offers to the ill and infertile. The embryology bill is so divisive that Gordon brown has taken the unusual step of allowing MPs a free vote. So what are the key issues, and who is lobbying on each side? Aida Edemariam reports Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 27 Mar 2008 | 12:04 am
Obituary:Welsh professor often combined his love of travel with investigating unusual neuropathies Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 27 Mar 2008 | 12:04 am
Treatment for hepatitis C due to begin human testing this year and could be available to patients in five to six years Source: guardian.co.uk Science | 27 Mar 2008 | 12:04 am
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The basic ingredients for life -- warmth, water and organic chemicals -- are in place on Saturn's small moon Enceladus, scientists said on Wednesday in detailing the content of huge plumes erupting off its surface.
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - A fossil of a new marine crocodile species found in Brazil shows the reptiles survived the extinction of dinosaurs 65 million years ago, researchers said on Wednesday.
A jawbone and teeth found in Spain are from one of the oldest known humans in Europe, scientists say. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 26 Mar 2008 | 6:28 pm
LONDON (Reuters) - A new class of drug that fine tunes the action of genes has been shown to cut cholesterol in monkeys and may fight a range of ills, including hepatitis C and perhaps cancer, scientists said on Wednesday.
US-based XCOR releases details of the rocket plane it hopes will capture a share of the space tourism market. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 26 Mar 2008 | 6:07 pm
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Ducks, people and rice paddies are the primary forces driving outbreaks of avian influenza in Thailand and Vietnam, and the number of chickens is less pivotal, scientists said on Wednesday.
AREQUIPA, Peru (Reuters) - Officials found the fossil of a giant dinosaur jawbone while investigating a suspicious package on a bus in the mountains of Peru on Tuesday.
The tactics used by elephants to keep their cool in extreme desert heat have been caught on camera. Source: BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition | 26 Mar 2008 | 2:23 pm
