Looking for Life November 1, 1997 | Volume 152 | Number 18 Cover: Recent discoveries about the habitats of some of the earliest life forms on Earth, controversial findings about a meteorite from Mars, and the development of a fleet of robotic planetary explorers have sparked new interest in the search for life in the solar system. (Song sheet courtesy Ron Cowen)

Insulin May Guide Gene Expression

In addition to controlling immediate fuel processing, insulin may also direct the activity of some of the genes that guide energy production.

Melting driven by particle size

Computer simulations reveal an unusual type of melting that occurs when the ratio of particle radii in a two-component mixture exceeds a certain threshold.

Relying on geology to jail nuclear waste

New wrinkles arise in the U.S. effort to dispose of nuclear waste underground.

Clinton's stand on climate

President Clinton unveiled the position that U.S. negotiators will take in deliberations on a new United Nations climate change treaty.

X rays reveal black hole dining habits

Researchers begin to measure how rapidly black holes at the centers of galaxies devour their surroundings.

New method speeds material discovery

A novel technology allows chemists to synthesize and screen as many as 25,000 different compounds at one time.

Cocaine trips brain appetite suppressor

Cocaine triggers the brain to make a chemical that regulates food intake.

Electric cars. . .fueled by gasoline?

A government-industry team has demonstrated a way to strip hydrogen atoms from gasoline to generate hydrogen gas and use it in fuel cells to drive electric cars.

Research Notes:

Nutrition

Getting older -- and a little rounder?

The body's ability to break down and use large quantities of fat declines with age.

Boning up on fish oil

Fish oil and other omega-3 fats appear to foster bone growth -- a potential boon for persons at risk of osteoporosis.

Biology

Securing Madagascar's rare wildlife

Two measures -- the creation of a new national park and the imminent release of five zoo-bred black-and-white ruffed lemurs into an imperiled population -- aim to protect Madagascar's unique wildlife.

Crab traps and terrapins

A new design may reduce the number of terrapins that get caught and drown in crab traps.

Paleobiology

The search for the oldest animals

Grooves, probably made by worms, in a rock 1.1 billion years old could significantly push back the record of animal life.

How much air could a dinosaur breathe?

Tyrannosaurus rex had greater endurance than more ancient dinosaurs.

Articles:

Starting Over

Some animals can regenerate limbs or even most of their bodies. How?

Scientists are searching for the genes and molecules that enable certain animals to regrow limbs and other body features.

To link to an animated version of limb regeneration, visit http://darwin.bio.uci.edu/~mrjc/regen.html.

C'est la Vie

Searching for life in the solar system

The search for organic chemicals and life in the solar system is focusing on Saturn's largest moon, Jupiter's moon Europa, and Mars.

 

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