Science News / December 23rd, 2006

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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 23rd, 2006

No-Dad Dragons: Komodos reproduce without males

Two female Komodo dragons in zoos have startled their keepers by laying viable eggs without males, possibly as a last resort at a time when mates are in increasingly short supply. (p. 403)
Aging Lessons: Training gives elderly practical assistance

(p. 403)
Not so Silent: Mutation alters protein but not its components

A single swap in the letters of a gene's sequence could modify the protein it encodes, even if it doesn't change which amino acids make up the molecule. (p. 404)
Craft reveals Martian site of ancient water

(p. 404)
AIDS Avoidance: More studies find that circumcision deters HIV

Two large trials in Africa find that male circumcision limits HIV infection, which could prompt governments on that continent to promote or subsidize the operation. (p. 405)
The Big Picture: Cassini spies Titan's tall mountains

A spacecraft has discovered the largest mountains known on Titan, Saturn's smog-shrouded moon. (p. 405)
Irony on High: Global warming cools, thins upper atmosphere

(p. 405)
Ahead of the Curve: Novel morphing wing may reduce aircraft's fuel use

A prototype aircraft wing has demonstrated in its first flight tests that its morphing might save fuel. (p. 406)
What a Flake

New ways to simulate ice-crystal growth yield patterns remarkably similar to the beautiful and intricate shapes of snowflakes and may shed light on how those real-life shapes come about. (p. 408)
Crafty Geometry

By mastering traditional handicrafts such as knitting and crocheting, mathematicians are better able to understand complex surfaces. (p. 411)
Rocking the House

A recent test that simulated the effect of a magnitude-6.7 earthquake on a full-size, wood-frame townhouse may help engineers and analysts design more earthquake-resistant homes. With sound and video. (p. 414)
Shape shifter shifts twice

(p. 416)
Signs of recent water on Mars

Pictures showing fresh deposits of bright material on two Martian gullies provide the most compelling evidence yet that water flowed on parts of the Red Planet during the last few years. (p. 416)
Restricting calories keeps immune system young

(p. 417)
Mammals started flying when birds did

(p. 417)
European chemical legislation adopted

(p. 417)
Decoding a protein to fend off sepsis

(p. 418)
Drug takes a shot at leukemia cells

(p. 418)
Experimental clot inhibitors match conventional drugs

(p. 418)
Transplant reaction reversed in patients

(p. 418)
Letters from the December 23 & 30, 2006, issue of Science News

(p. 419)
Science News of the Year 2006

A review of important scientific achievements reported in Science News during the year 2006. (p. 420)

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: