Science News / March 19th, 2005

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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

March 19th, 2005

Nano Hazards: Exposure to minute particles harms lungs, circulatory system

Inhaling microscopic nanospheres and nanotubes, as might occur during their manufacture or commercial use, could trigger damage well beyond the lungs. (p. 179)
Vampires Run: Bats on treadmills show high-speed gait

The first test of vampire bats on a treadmill shows that they've evolved their own style of running. (p. 179)
Schizophrenia Syncs Fast: Disconnected brain may lie at heart of disorder

A misalignment of electrical outbursts by large numbers of neurons may play a major role in schizophrenia. (p. 180)
Sugar Coated: Molecular dress-up may disguise gut bacteria

The mammalian immune system doesn't attack native gut bacteria as foreign invaders because the bacteria disguise themselves with sugar molecules. (p. 180)
Student Scientists to Watch: With diverse ideas, young talents win big in annual competition

With science projects by 40 of the nation's brightest high school students arrayed before them last week, judges had the task of weighing the merits of undertakings as diverse as the study of deep-sea volcanism and the development of a promising new antibiotic. (p. 181)
Vitamin E Loses Luster: Nutrient tests show disappointing results

In people who have a history of heart disease or diabetes, vitamin E supplements don't improve overall health and might even boost heart-failure risk. (p. 182)
Light's Hidden Holdup: Reflected laser beams loiter a little

Using an ultrashort pulse laser, physicists have measured a minuscule time delay that affects light reflecting off many surfaces. (p. 182)
Cops with Six Legs

Insects commit crimes against their colonies, and researchers are taking a closer look at how these six-legged criminals get punished. (p. 184)
A Whiff of Danger

Synthetic fragrance chemicals can inhibit the activity of molecules that cells depend on to eject harmful substances. (p. 187)
Puzzling radio blasts

Astronomers are stumped by powerful radio waves emanating from the center of our galaxy. (p. 188)
New largest prime discovered

Computers have discovered a new largest prime number with a whopping 7,816,230 digits. (p. 188)
Picky-eater termites choose good vibes

Good vibrations may have a lot to do with which pieces of wood a termite attacks. (p. 188)
Tungsten-alloy shrapnel might cause cancer

Wounds caused by shrapnel comprising tungsten alloyed with nickel and cobalt cause cancer in rats, raising questions about the wisdom of using tungsten in munitions. (p. 188)
Remembering, on the cheap

A new type of cheap plastic memory bit that stays set even when electrical power is off could facilitate the spread of flexible, radio-equipped tags as price tags, identity labels, and surveillance sensors. (p. 189)
Silicon chips land a lasting laser

The first microchip-size silicon lasers promise to boost the maximum speeds of ordinary computers and electronic gadgets. (p. 189)
Hepatitis B link to cancer is clarified

A kind of hepatitis B called genotype C is more likely to lead to liver cancer than are other genotypes of the hepatitis virus. (p. 189)
Nanostructures mimic Inuit stone sculptures

Chemists have created nanoscale versions Inuit rock sculptures, an advance that could facilitate the development of next-generation sensors and electronic devices. (p. 189)
Parrot plumage has exclusive pigmentation

The spectacular colors of parrot feathers owe their vibrancy to a set of pigments found nowhere else in nature. (p. 190)
Saturn says 'cheese'

Astronomers have assembled the largest and most-detailed global portrait of the ringed planet ever made. (p. 190)
Letters from the March 19, 2005, issue of Science News

(p. 191)

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: