Science News / September 15th, 2001

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In This Issue

Sequencing the dead to save the living: Reviving ancient genomes of long-extinct creatures offers a window into past extinctions—and may help prevent future die outs
No gene is an island: Even as biologists catalog the discrete parts of life forms, an emerging picture reveals that life’s functions arise from interconnectedness
The decider: Informing the debate over the reality of ‘free will’ requires learning something about the lateral habenula
This week's table of contents

September 15th, 2001

Bt Corn Risk to Monarchs Is 'Negligible'

A much-anticipated report states that the most commonly planted forms of genetically engineered Bt corn pose only a "negligible" risk to monarch butterfly populations. (p. 164)
Neandertals show ancient signs of caring

A partial jaw unearthed in France indicates that Neandertals extensively cared for sick and infirm comrades beginning nearly 200,000 years ago. (p. 167)
Scientists spy sixth undersea-vent ecology

A new group of hydrothermal vents found in the Indian Ocean are populated by communities of organisms that differ significantly from other such groups of vent systems. (p. 165)
Speed demon gets hooked on silicon

A method for coating silicon with high-performance semiconductors such as gallium arsenide may make faster, low-power microcircuits both cheaper and more widespread. (p. 164)
Materials use nitric oxide to kill bacteria

A novel coating may offer a new way to fend off microbial buildup on catheters, artificial hips, and replacement cardiac valves. (p. 165)
Fierce invader steals nests from a native fish

The round goby, a Eurasian fish that has invaded the Great Lakes, is causing the decline of the mottled sculpin by displacing the native from its spawning sites. (p. 166)
Two drugs may enhance recovery from stroke

Two drugs, levodopa and dextroamphetamine, may help stroke patients to recover the ability to move and speak. (p. 166)
Dusty workplace may cause change of heart

Occupational exposure to fine dust can trigger adverse changes in the hearts of even strong, healthy workers. (p. 167)
Life on the Edge

Will a mass extinction usher in a world of weeds and pests? (p. 168)
Social Cats

Who says cats aren't social? And other musings from scientists who study cats in groups. (p. 172)
X rays trace fierce stellar winds

A high-resolution X-ray view of the Rosette nebula, a nearby star-forming region, has revealed for the first time that the stellar winds from massive stars heat surrounding gas to a scorching 6 million kelvins. (p. 174)
Galileo finds spires on Callisto

The sharpest images ever taken of Jupiter's icy moon Callisto show a group of features never seen before on the remote body—icy, knoblike spires that show signs of slow but steady erosion. (p. 174)
Embryo stem cells turned to blood

Human embryonic stem cells may provide a new source of blood and bone marrow. (p. 175)
Homing in on a longevity gene

A gene on chromosome 4 may help people live to an old age. (p. 175)
Brief diet alters gene activity

Even a short-term diet may activate anti-aging genes. (p. 175)
Placebos are dead, long live placebos

A study provides new evidence for the placebo effect and suggests a mechanism through which placebos might benefit patients with Parkinson's disease. (p. 175)
Painkillers may damage hearts

A retrospective study suggests that commonly used painkillers called COX-2 inhibitors may slightly increase a person's risk of having a heart attack. (p. 175)

Blogs:

Science & the Public Is Your Fish Oil Polluted?
By Janet Raloff Nov 20th 2008

Columns:

Comment Debates over definition of planet continue and inspire
By Alan Stern Nov 21st 2008

Math Trek How to (really) trust a mathematical proof
By Julie Rehmeyer
Mathematicians develop computer proof-checking systems in order to realize century-old dreams of fully precise, accurate mathematics. Nov 14th 2008

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