- The cosmic bat
[NEWS] Contact: Dr. Henri Boffin hboffin@eso.org 49-893-200-6222 ESO An island of stars in the making on the outskirts of Orion Stargazers all over the world are familiar with the distinctive profile of the constellation of Orion (the Hunter). Fewer know about the nebula NGC 1788, a subtle, hidden treasure just a few degrees away fr… - 'World's most useful tree' provides low-cost water purification method for developing world
[NEWS] Contact: Ben Norman Lifesciencenews@wiley.com 44-124-377-0375 Wiley-Blackwell A low-cost water purification technique published in Current Protocols in Microbiology could help drastically reduce the incidence of waterborne disease in the developing world. The procedure, which uses seeds from the Moringa oleife… - With just 1 enzyme missing, mice show 'global' metabolic improvements
[NEWS] Contact: Cathleen Genova cgenova@cell.com 617-397-2802 Cell Press When researchers created mice lacking an enzyme that breaks down and releases stored triglycerides (more properly known as triacylglycerols or TGs), they expected to see animals with better lipid profiles. But according to a report in the March Cell Metabolism, a Cell P… - Popular nanoparticle causes toxicity in fish, study shows
[NEWS] Contact: Brian Wallheimer bwallhei@purdue.edu 765-496-2050 Purdue University WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A nanoparticle growing in popularity as a bactericidal agent has been shown to be toxic to fish, according to a Purdue University study. Tested on fathead minnows ╨ an organism often used to test the effects of toxicity on aquatic … - Sorting device for analyzing biological reactions puts the power of a lab in a researcher’s pocket
[NEWS] Contact: Michael Patrick Rutter mrutter@seas.harvard.edu 617-496-3815 Harvard University Microfluidic technology increases efficiency, reduces costs, and could be a boon for synthetic biology CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 2, 2010 - Fictional candy maker Willy Wonka called his whimsical device to sort good chocolate e…
- Integumentary System
Image: Suat Eman FreeDigitalPhotos.net The integumentary system consists of the largest organ in the body, the skin. This extraordinary organ system protects the internal structures of the body from damage, prevents dehydration, stores fat and produces vitamines and hormones. It also helps to maintain homeostasis within the body by assisting in the regulation of body temperature and water balance.
The integumentary system is the body's first line of defense against bacteria, viruses and other microbes. It also helps to provide protection from harmful ultraviolet radiation. The skin is a sensory organ in that it has receptors for detecting touch, heat and cold, pressure and pain. Components of the skin include hair, nails, sweat glands, oil glands, blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves and muscles.
To learn more about human anatomy and organ systems of the body, see:
Integumentary System originally appeared on About.com Biology on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 15:13:52.
- Carbon Monoxide
Public Domain Image Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and toxic gas produced as a by-product of combustion. Any fuel burning appliance, vehicle, tool or other device has the potential to produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide gas. Examples of carbon monoxide producing devices commonly in use around the home include fuel fired furnaces, gas stoves and dryers, lawnmowers and automobiles.
Carbon monoxide is so dangerous because it inhibits the blood's ability to carry oxygen to body tissues including vital organs such as the heart and brain. When CO is inhaled, it combines with the oxygen carrying hemoglobin of the blood to form carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). Once combined with the hemoglobin, that hemoglobin is no longer available for transporting oxygen. Symptoms from carboxyhemoglobin build up can range from a mild headache to unconsciousness and death.
Carbon Monoxide originally appeared on About.com Biology on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 05:00:53.
- Soluble Fiber Enhances the Immune System
Image: National Cancer Institute We all know the old adage, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Well, now we can include nuts, oats, citrus fruits, strawberries, carrots and other foods containing soluble fiber. Researchers have discovered that soluble fiber enhances the cells of our immune system by boosting their healing ability. Soluble fiber promotes the production of an anti-inflammatory protein that "changes the personality of immune cells," according to researcher Gregory Freund. "They go from being pro-inflammatory, angry cells to anti-inflammatory, healing cells." The reduction in inflammation could also improve obesity-related conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
The researchers also analyzed the benefits of insoluble fiber found in wheat, whole-grain products and green, leafy vegetables. While these foods help to promote passage of food through the digestive system, they did not enhance immune system abilities. The FDA currently recommends getting 28 to 35 grams of total fiber a day. Researchers suggest making sure to include soluble fiber in your diet, as most of the FDA recommendations pertain to insoluble fiber.
Learn more about this discovery:
- Study Shows Soluble Fiber Boosts Immune System Science Daily
Soluble Fiber Enhances the Immune System originally appeared on About.com Biology on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 11:08:11.
- From Skin Cells to Heart Cells
Professor Robert Schwartz from the University of Houston has developed a novel technique for turning human skin cells into heart cells. Embryonic-like stem cells were produced from adult human skin cells. These cells were then nourished and reprogrammed to develop into heart cells. The newly developed heart cells could be implanted into patients with damaged heart tissue and develop into normal functioning cells.
Schwartz is not the first person to accomplish the feat of turning adult cells into embryonic-like stem cells. He has however, developed an improved and more efficient method for producing larger quantities of these stem cells. "We're trying to advance science in ways folks never even dreamed about," Schwartz said. "The idea of having your own bag of stem cells that you can carry through life and use for tissue regeneration is at the very cutting edge of science." The next step for Schwartz and his researchers is to produce other types of cells. They are currently attempting to produce muscle cells from the induced stem cells that may be used to treat muscular dystrophy.
Learn more about this discovery:
- Using Own Skin Cells to Repair Hearts on Horizon University of Houston
From Skin Cells to Heart Cells originally appeared on About.com Biology on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 16:29:41.
- How We Learn Nouns and Verbs
Learning new words corresponds to greater activation in the brain.
Mestres-Misse et al.Researchers have discovered that nouns and verbs are learned in different parts of the brain. When a person learns a new noun, the left fusiform gyrus of the brain is activated. Learning a new verb activates the left inferior frontal gyrus and part of the left posterior medial temporal gyrus. Using functional magnetic resonance, researchers were able to see images of the brain during the learning process.
In the study, participants were asked to learn 80 new nouns and 80 new verbs. They had to determine the meaning of the new word based on how it was used in the context of certain sentences. Co-author of the study Antoni Rodríguez-Fornells states, "This task simulates, at an experimental level, how we acquire part of our vocabulary over the course of our lives, by discovering the meaning of new words in written contexts." Learning new nouns stimulates the area of the brain that is associated with visual and object processing. Learning new verbs activates areas involved with grammar processing and the semantic and conceptual facets of learning.
Learn more about this discovery:
How We Learn Nouns and Verbs originally appeared on About.com Biology on Saturday, February 27th, 2010 at 05:00:46.
- First study hints at insights to come from genes unique to humans
- Depressed women have more sex
- Mitochondrial 'bottleneck' cracked: new hope for disease prediction
- Research at the University of Navarra discovers new compounds active against tuberculosis and malaria
- Engineering chimeric polypeptides to illuminate cellular redox states
