admin on December 26th, 2009

Using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers have uncovered two distinct kinds of “rejuvenated” stars in the globular cluster Messier 30. A new study shows that both stellar collisions and a process sometimes called vampirism are behind this cosmic “face lift.” The scientists also uncover evidence that both sorts of blue stragglers were produced during [...]

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Researchers are one step closer to developing a vaccine against the AIDS disease. They have found that a rabies virus-based vaccine administered to monkeys protected against the simian equivalent of the HIV virus (SIV).

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admin on December 26th, 2009

Dark spots on flower petals are common across many angiosperm plant families and occur on flowers such as some lilies, orchids, and daisies. Much research has been done on the physiological and behavioral mechanisms for how these spots attract pollinators. But have you ever wondered what these spots are composed of, how they develop, or [...]

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Increased physical activity appears to be associated with a lower risk of cancer-specific and overall death in men with a history of colorectal cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body, according to a new study.

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A new optical sensor was successfully tested in the “magnetically best shielded room on Earth.” The sensor does not need advanced cooling and is very small. Its suitability was proven for biomagnetic measurements in the picotesla range. So, magnetocardiographic measurement devices — to be used as a supplement or an alternative to the ECG — [...]

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Half of urban teenage girls may acquire at least one of three common sexually transmitted infections within two years of becoming sexually active, according to a new study.

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Going back for a second dessert after your holiday meal might not be the best strategy for living a long, cancer-free life say researchers. That’s because they’ve shown exactly how restricted calorie diets — specifically in the form of restricted glucose — help human cells live longer.

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Genomic switches can predispose an individual to one set of autoimmune disorders but protect the same person against another set of them, scientists have found.

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admin on December 26th, 2009

The 40,000 ‘eco-tourists’ who visit the South Pole every year cause enormous greenhouse gas emissions. The visitors to the snow-covered landmass are endangering not just the Antarctic region by their actions, but also the rest of the world. Scientists have investigated the impacts of increased tourism on Antarctica and how this impact could be curbed.

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admin on December 26th, 2009

Blood pressure is controlled in part by changes in the radius of blood vessels; when the smooth muscle cells in the wall of a blood vessel contract, the radius of the blood vessel decreases and blood pressure increases. Researchers have now identified in mice a new signaling pathway that contributes to relaxation of smooth muscle [...]

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