Science
Depression And Cardiovascular Disease
Depression has long had a popular link to cardiovascular disease and death. However, only during the last 15 years scientific evidence supporting this common wisdom has been available. Since the early 1990s studies have reported prevalences of major depression between 17% and 27% in hospitalized patients with coronary artery disease. It is becoming clear that the comorbidity of depression and cardiovascular disease does not occur by chance but the mechanisms responsible for this relationship is poorly understood. Read more…
After Drought, Diversity Dries Up And Ponds All Look The Same
An ecologist has discovered that after ponds dry up through drought in a region, when they revive, the community of species in each pond tends to be very similar to one another, like so many suburban houses made of ticky tacky. Read more…
Unique Spoon-billed Bird Facing Extinction
Populations of one of the world's strangest birds have crashed over the last decade, and surveys this summer of its breeding grounds in the remote Russian province of Chukotka suggest that the situation is now critical. The charismatic, and rather aptly named, Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus, is now worryingly close to becoming extinct. With only 200-300 pairs left, conservationists are calling for urgent help to tackle the decline. Read more…
Thirtieth Anniversary Of Discovery Of Third Domain Of Life
Thirty years ago this month, researchers published a discovery that challenged basic assumptions about the broadest classifications of life. Their discovery -- which was based on an analysis of ribosomal RNA, an ancient molecule essential to the replication of all cells -- opened up a new field of study, and established a first draft of the evolutionary 'tree of life.' Read more…
DMP1 Deletion Cooperates With Oncogenic K-ras In Lung Cancer
Scientists have identified the transcription factor DMP1 as a pivotal tumor suppressor for both human and mouse lung cancers, especially in carcinomas that exhibit intact Arf-p53 pathways. The research may lead to development of new drug therapies for lung cancer. Read more…
Two-pronged Intervention Boosts Senior Driving Skills
Older drivers who couple classroom courses with behind-the-wheel training can significantly improve their driving performance, according to a new report. Participants were assessed on skills such as scanning side and rear views; backing up, making left turns, and changing lanes; speed regulation; and seat belt, mirror, and turn signal use. Read more…
X-effect: Female Chromosome Confirmed A Prime Driver Of Speciation
Researchers believe they have just confirmed a controversial theory of evolution. The X chromosome is a strikingly powerful force in the origin of new species. Biologists have argued for years whether the X chromosome -- the female chromosome in most animals -- plays a special role in the process of speciation. A new study has confirmed that the X chromosome is indeed heavily influential -- and the reason may be nothing like what biologists expected. Read more…
Acid Oceans From Carbon Dioxide Will Endanger One Third Of Marine Life, Scientists Predict
The world's oceans are becoming more acid, with potentially devastating consequences for corals and the marine organisms that build reefs and provide much of the Earth's breathable oxygen. The acidity is caused by the gradual buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, dissolving into the oceans. Scientists fear it could be lethal for animals with chalky skeletons which make up more than a third of the planet's marine life. Read more…
Patients Should Ask Surgeons About Using Honey To Heal Wounds
Honey is enjoying a resurgence as a wound-healing solution amid rising concerns about antibiotic resistance and a renewed interest in natural healing. Researchers started to document its success in the early 20th century but the introduction of antibiotics temporary halted its use. Read more…
No Sunglasses Required For Fish Supper
Fishermen are always looking for a tasty catch - but it is the fish that have a natural advantage when it comes to spotting dinner, according to new research. Individual light sensitive cells within the retina of goldfish are able to detect polarised light. Read more…
