EurekAlert! - Breaking NewsThe premier online source for science news since 1996. A service of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.The 21st century tomato- June 28, 2008 The revolution in genomics, with a wealth of data emerging from sequencing and simultaneous expression analysis of thousands of genes, has made it possible to study the numerous pathways and regulatory networks -- systems -- that operate to produce a desirable fruit.http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-06/asop-t2c062308.php Cancer 'cure' in mice to be tested in humans- June 28, 2008 Scientists at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center are about to embark on a human trial to test whether a new cancer treatment will be as effective at eradicating cancer in humans as it has proven to be in mice.http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-06/wfub-ci062308.php Mechanism and function of humor identified by new evolutionary theory- June 27, 2008 The pattern recognition theory of humor is an evolutionary and cognitive explanation of how and why any individual finds anything funny. Effectively it explains that humor occurs when the brain recognizes a pattern that surprises it. It also identifies implications of pattern recognition in childhood cognitive development, other species and artificial intelligence, and posits humor as a major driving force in the evolution of humankind's unique perceptual and intellectual abilities.http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-06/ph-maf062708.php Growth hormone's link to starvation may be clue to increasing life span, researchers find- June 27, 2008 Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have determined that starvation blocks the effects of growth hormone via a mechanism that may have implications in treating diabetes and extending life span.http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-06/usmc-ghl062708.php Prebiotic potential of almonds- June 27, 2008 Recently published work by the Institute of Food Research has identified potential prebiotic properties of almonds that could help improve our digestive health by increasing levels of beneficial gut bacteria.http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-06/nbi-ppo062708.php Using a grating with a grade, engineers trap a rainbow- June 27, 2008 The THz plasmonic graded metallic grating structure can stop terahertz light waves at multiple points on its surface and also at different frequencies. Engineers say this greater control will help overcome the "mismatch" that poses an obstacle to the integration of nanoelectronics and nanophotonics.http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-06/lu-uag062708.php The good and the bad of a potential Alzheimer's target- June 27, 2008 Research in fruit flies has shown that enhancing the production of a protein called neprilysin can reduce the formation of plaques and neuron death associated with Alzheimer's, at the expense of reducing the flies' lifespan.http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-06/asfb-tga062608.php Sexual violence study finds NY teens victimized at rate higher than national average- June 27, 2008 The New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, in collaboration with Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health's Center for Youth Violence Prevention, announced the results of a three-year, comprehensive research project on sexual and dating violence among New York City high school students, and the health impact of that violence on those victimized by it.http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-06/cums-svs062708.php Passports for penguins- June 27, 2008 Groundbreaking technology that will enable biologists to identify and monitor large numbers of endangered animals, from butterflies to whales, without being captured, will be shown to the public for the first time at this year's Royal Society Summer Science exhibition.http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-06/uob-pfp062508.php Animal study suggests inadequate sleep may exacerbate cellular aging in the elderly- June 27, 2008 Researchers have shown that the unfolded protein response, which is a reaction to stress induced by sleep deprivation, is impaired in the brains of old mice. The findings suggest that inadequate sleep in the elderly could exacerbate an already-impaired protective response.http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-06/uops-ass062708.php |