admin on December 9th, 2009

The European Space Agency’s giant 35m ground stations require regular maintenance and periodic mid-life upgrades to keep them working in tip-top condition, communicating with the Agency’s growing fleet of spacecraft millions of kilometres from home.

Continue reading about Deep space maintenance deep in Australia’s bush

An international group of anthropologists offers a new theory about the diffusion of maize to the Southwestern United States and the impact it had. The study suggests that maize was passed from group to group of Southwestern hunter-gatherers.

Continue reading about Maize was passed from group to group of Southwestern hunter-gatherers, study suggests

More than half of HIV patients experience memory problems and other cognitive impairments as they age, and doctors know little about the underlying causes. New research suggests HIV-related cognitive deficits share a common link with Alzheimer’s-related dementia: low levels of the protein amyloid beta in the spinal fluid.

Continue reading about HIV-related memory loss linked to Alzheimer’s protein

Researchers have discovered how the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas’ disease, prolongs its survival in infected cells. A protein on the parasite activates the enzyme Akt, which blocks cell death signals, preventing cell destruction and parasite elimination. Chagas’ disease affects some 8 to 11 million people throughout Latin America and even the United States.

Continue reading about Parasite evades death by promoting host cell survival

The addition of a small molecule to the cancer drug Temozolomide disrupts repair mechanisms in a type of tumor cells that is highly resistant to treatment.

Continue reading about Small addition to cancer drug may make big difference

admin on December 9th, 2009

Can economics better predict how banks will react to future credit crunches and their impact on the wider economy? Breakthrough simulation software by European researchers could hold the answers to this question and more.

Continue reading about New software to simulate future financial crises

Regardless of an individual’s dietary and lifestyle risk factors, living in a poorer or more socioeconomically deprived neighborhood may increase a person’s risk for death, according to new evidence.

Continue reading about People living in poorer neighborhoods at increased risk for death, worse health risks

admin on December 9th, 2009

Scientists have ruled out the possibility that methane is delivered to Mars by meteorites, raising fresh hopes that the gas might be generated by life on the red planet, in new research.

Continue reading about Life on Mars theory boosted by new methane study

admin on December 9th, 2009

Blood vessel blockage, a common condition in old age or diabetes, leads to low blood flow and results in low oxygen, which can kill cells and tissues. Such blockages can require amputation resulting in loss of limbs. Now, using mice as their model, researchers have developed therapies that increase blood flow, improve movement and decrease [...]

Continue reading about Gene therapy and stem cells save limb

admin on December 9th, 2009

Researchers reversed the growth of lung tumors in mice using a naturally occurring tumor suppressor microRNA. The study reveals that a tiny bit of RNA may one day play a big role in cancer treatment, and provides hope for future patients battling one of the most prevalent and difficult to treat cancers.

Continue reading about Tiny RNA has big impact on lung cancer tumors