The largest-scale search for genes that underlie sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the most common form of the disease, has crossed its first hurdle with the successful compiling of genetic information on more than 1,000 patients and controls.
Inactive enzymes entombed in tiny honeycomb-shaped holes in silica — nano-chambers that mimic conditions in living cells — can spring to life, scientists discovered while attempting salvaging enzymes that had been in a refrigerator long past their expiration date. The finding opens up new possibilities for exploiting these enzyme traps in food processing, decontamination, biosensor design and any other pursuit that requires controlling catalysts and sustaining their activity.
With flu-shot season in full swing and widespread anticipation of the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer, a new University of Rochester study suggests that using common painkillers around the time of vaccination might not be a good idea.
Perinneal wheat? The possibility is being looked at by a Texas Agricultural Experiment Station researcher. Annual wheat, which is traditionally grown in the Great Plains, isplanted in the fall and dies after harvest in mid-summer. But Dr. CharlieRush, Experiment Station plant pathologist, is testing some perenniallines of wheat bred in Washington state.
Wavy leaf thistle was difficult to find along Panhandle highways five years ago. But now the noxious weed can be found moving into pastures, said a Texas Agricultural Experiment Station researcher. Dr. Jerry Michels, Experiment Station entomologist at Bushland, along with Nagendra Earle, a West Texas A&M University graduate student, began looking at controlling the intruding noxious weed with natural controls about two years ago.
Scientists now understand how an important protein converts chemical energy to mechanical force, thus powering the process of cell division, thanks to a new structural model by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers.
Reseearchers from NIST, the Chicago Fire Department and the Chicago Housing Authority recently set controlled fires in an abandoned Chicago apartment building to test a new fire-fighting technique — using powerful fans to force smoke and heat from corridors and stairwells so that they stay passable and safe for both escaping occupants and firefighters.
Watching television parenting programs like ITV’s Driving Mum and Dad Mad really can help improve parenting skills and modify children’s behavioral problems, according to a study at the University of Manchester.
Ca-ching! Before the Thanksgiving turkey carcass hits the trashcan, consumers will be flocking to start?or if they are very organized and lucky, finish?their Christmas shopping.
Services pioneered in NHS Lothian have been praised by a new report from NHS Quality Improvement Scotland into Scotland’s eating disorder services.