Science News / December 18th, 2004

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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

December 18th, 2004

Kibble for Thought: Dog diversity prompts new evolution theory

A genetic mutation that researchers have examined in several dog breeds may drive evolution in many other species. (p. 387)
Immigration Blues: Born in the USA—Mental-health deficit

A wide array of psychological disorders occur at a higher rate among the U.S.-born offspring of immigrants than among the immigrants themselves, a national study finds. (p. 387)
People, Not Robots: Panel favors shuttle mission to Hubble

Sharply challenging NASA on the issue of safety in space, a National Academy of Sciences panel has recommended that the agency send astronauts to repair and upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope rather than send a robotic device. (p. 388)
Birth Dilemma: Doctors weigh pros and cons of cesareans

Women attempting a vaginal birth after a cesarean delivery have more uterine ruptures and other complications than do women undergoing a second cesarean section. (p. 388)
The Birds Are Falling: Avian losses could hit ecosystems hard

If many bird populations dip toward extinction in the coming century, widespread harm could come to ecosystems that depend on these birds. (p. 389)
Magnetic Bit Boost: Quantum rewiring for computer memories

A quantum-mechanical memory component that might replace electronic computer memories has come closer to practicality. (p. 389)
Ancient Heights: Leaf fossils track elevation changes

A new technique using altitude-dependent differences in fossil leaves may make it possible to chronicle the rise and fall of mountain ranges over millions of years. (p. 390)
Sit, Stay, Speak

If dogs could verbally comment on the scientific study of canine minds and how they really think, it might sound something like this. (p. 392)
An Electron Runs through It

Now that physicists can observe electrons beneath the surface of microchips, they have uncovered electron-flow patterns that are both surprising and visually startling, as well as new details of electron behavior that may lead to faster electronics and quantum computing. (p. 394)
Song Fights

Birds settle many of their disputes by some rough-and-tough singing bouts, and recording equipment now lets researchers pick a song fight, too. (p. 397)
Growing where they haven't grown before

Researchers have found the right laboratory conditions for growing mouse precursor cells into sperm. (p. 400)
A light wrap?

Materials scientists have created fabrics that can both detect light and conduct electricity. (p. 400)
Trade Center cough is diagnosed

Obstructions that trap air deep within the lungs may explain certain breathing difficulties among some people who worked at the site of the World Trade Center following Sept. 11, 2001. (p. 400)
Colon scans reveal heart risk

Virtual colonoscopy may offer the side benefit of identifying heart attacks that are waiting to happen. (p. 400)
Buckyballs store 1s and 0s in new memory device

Scientists have created a material that stores bits of data in the soccer ball-shaped carbon molecules known as buckyballs. (p. 401)
Bonelike polymer supports stem cells

A polymer scaffold that mimics the environment in which natural bone grows provides stem cells with the right cues to lay down new bone. (p. 401)
Glass materials let Venetian art shine

Sixteenth-century Venetian painters mixed glassy materials with their paints to expand their palettes and enhance the vibrancy of their colors. (p. 401)
Mussel glue inspires coating for medical implants

An antifouling coating inspired by the sticky adhesive secreted by mussels could protect future medical implants from failure. (p. 401)
Letters from the December 18 & 25, 2004, issue of Science News

(p. 403)
Science News Challenge

Try the Science News current-events crossword puzzle. (p. 404)
Science News of the Year 2004

A review of important scientific achievements reported in Science News during the year 2004. (p. 405)

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

Bulletin Board: