Killing Them Lightly

July 26, 1997 | Volume 152 | Number 4

Cover: Small roundworms known as nematodes can be seen inside the head of this termite. Bacteria that live symbiotically in the nematodes' intestine produce an unusual cornucopia of chemicals, including novel antibiotics and insecticides, as well as an enzyme that can make the insect glow in the dark. (Photo: George Poinar)

MathLandFood for Thought The Mystery Box

Full Text Available for Selected Articles

When Earth Tipped, Life Went Wild

A sudden tilting of the planet during the Cambrian period may have spawned an explosion in the diversity of animal life.

Internet congestion stirs up data storms

Frequent spikes of high activity occurring at random times and typically lasting a fraction of a second punctuate Internet traffic.

HIV protein prepares virus' next victims

The HIV protein Tat triggers changes within immune cells that allow the AIDS virus to reproduce there.

Weak flames ignite hope for clean engines

Studies of flames aboard the space shuttle allow researchers to improve their models of combustion and soot formation.

Wordy tots ignore some speech sounds

As 14-month-old infants begin to learn word meanings, they ignore certain speech sounds that 8-month-old babies perceive with ease.

Jellies and their twinkling protein

Individual molecules of a green fluorescent protein, which makes jellyfish glow, blink repeatedly when excited by laser light.

Secrets underlie lethal heart condition

Five genetic mutations are now known to cause long QT syndrome, a potentially fatal heart condition.

Research Notes:

Agriculture

Plants with a bug home advantage

Small tufts of hair on a plant can provide shelter to insects that benefit the plant.

Cassava pest biologically suppressed

A predatory mite from Brazil is turning out to control a destructive cassava pest in Africa.

Biology

Gene tells left from right

Mutations in a gene called lefty result in mice whose internal organs end up on the wrong sides of their bodies.

Worms and flies share a sexy gene

A gene involved in determining the sex of worms resembles one that performs similar duties in insects.

Biomedicine

Blood screens may need a finer mesh

Current screening methods for blood donated in the United States may miss some viral fragments.

Inhaled steroids linked to cataracts

Older people who used corticosteroid inhalers have a heightened risk of developing cataracts.

Earth Science

The San Andreas' secret helpers

Scientists resolve a long-standing problem about how the Pacific tectonic plate manages to slide past North America.

Volcano dumps ash on Mexico City

The recent eruption of Popocatepetl was the biggest in more than 50 years.

Articles:

A Soil Story

Life inside a nematode: Creative chemistry and novel pest control

Bacteria generate light and produce red pigments that behave like antibiotics and crystals that may become useful insecticides.

From Microdevice to Smart Dust

Learning to build, program, and control multitudes of interacting micromachines

Microelectromechanical systems offer novel ways of maneuvering aircraft, moving around paper or microscopic parts, and performing aerial surveillance.

Departments:

Our Weekly Listing of New Publications

Letters:

A Selection from Letters to the Editor

References: Sources: People to Contact