Human Artificial Chromosome Created

Researchers have finally created an artificial human chromosome, a success that should answer many basic research questions and may even aid gene therapy efforts.

NSF funds new computing partnerships

The National Science Foundation announced the two winners in its restructured supercomputer centers program.

CAG spells out course of prostate cancers

Scientists have found what they believe is a genetic throttle that determines the severity of prostate cancer.

Ink jets not just for the printed page

Pills built with three-dimensional printing technology have the potential to deliver tiny amounts of a drug.

The oldest sponges: A scratchy way of life

Paleontologists have discovered the oldest known remains of sponges, regarded as the most primitive multicellular animal.

Grains sort themselves into layers

Because of different surface properties, sand and glass grains arrange themselves into separate layers when poured into a container.

Enriched mice show adult neuron boost

Mice living in cages allowing a variety of activities have more cells in a brain structure involved in learning and memory than mice housed in cages providing only food and water.

Health benefits of another vitamin E

A constituent of this natural vitamin may play a vital role in protecting the body from compounds that can damage DNA or cause inflammation.

Historical cache of medicinal plants

A 17th century medical kit has turned up in two woven baskets from the U.S. Southwest.

Research Notes:

Astronomy

Biology on Europa

Several lines of evidence suggest Europa once possessed --and might still contain -- an ocean beneath its icy crust, through which sunlight could penetrate to generate complex organic compounds.

Recent water on Mars?

Analyzing fragments of a Martian meteorite that contains a material that can form only in the presence of water, researchers report that water may have flowed on or near the Martian surface as recently as 700,000 years ago.

Biology

Algal origins of a protozoan part

Protozoan parasites have an unusual organelle, seemingly acquired from algae long ago in an evolutionary gulp.

Away from the wolf, into the falcon

Aplomado falcons in Brazil pick up after wolves on the hunt.

The early born bird catches the hormone

Cattle egret mothers deposit extra aggression-enhancing hormones in eggs that are laid first.

Behavior

I gotta love me

Narcissists typically think unduly well of themselves, and their bloated evaluations expand even further when they watch themselves on videotape, reflecting an urgent need to stamp out external threats to their grandiose personal opinions.

Bent on intent in the brain

Tests on monkeys indicate that a portion of the brain known as the posterior parietal cortex signals the intention to pursue particular types of action.

Biomedicine

Roller-coaster sperm counts -- and births

Sperm counts can vary dramatically between regions within the United States and from year to year.

Tamoxifen's other anticancer hat

Antiestrogens use the estrogen receptor to turn on different genes than those triggered by estrogen.

Articles:

From Here to Eternity

Tracking the future of the cosmos

The laws of physics provide clues about the long-term evolution and ultimate demise of the universe.

A Fantastical Experiment

The science behind the controversial cloning of Dolly

A rich research history lies behind the recent cloning of a sheep from the DNA in adult cells, although many questions remain about how the cloning strategy of nuclear transplantation works.

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