|
S
c
i
e
n
c
e
|
|
New
Therapeutic Strategy Could Target Toxic Protein in Most Patients
with Huntington’s Disease
NEW
Apr. 09,
2009
Howard
Hughes Medical Institute researchers have designed tiny RNA
molecules that shut off the gene that causes Huntington’s
disease without damaging that gene’s healthy counterpart,
which maintains the health and vitality of neurons. Laboratory
studies suggest that a single small interfering RNA could reduce
production of the damaging Huntingtin protein in nearly half of
people with the disease. Another 25 percent of patients might
benefit from one of a set of four additional small interfering
RNAs.
|
|
E
a
r
t
h
|
|
Did
a Nickel Famine Trigger the “Great Oxidation Event”?
NEW
Apr. 08,
2009
The Earth’s
original atmosphere held very little oxygen. This began to change
around 2.4 billion years ago when oxygen levels increased
dramatically during what scientists call the “Great
Oxidation Event.” The cause of this event has puzzled
scientists, but researchers have found indications in ancient
sedimentary rocks that it may have been linked to a drop in the
level of dissolved nickel in seawater.
|
|
S
p
a
c
e
|
|
NASA's
Fermi Mission, Namibia's HESS Telescopes Explore a Blazar
NEW
Mar.
18, 2009
An
international team of astrophysicists using telescopes on the
ground and in space have uncovered surprising changes in
radiation emitted by an active galaxy. The picture that emerges
from these first-ever simultaneous observations with optical,
X-ray and new-generation gamma-ray telescopes is much more
complex than scientists expected and challenges current theories
of how the radiation is generated.
|
|
T
e
c
h
n
o
l
o
g
y
|
|
Sandia
research points way toward chameleon-like camouflage
NEW
Apr. 07,
2009
Sandia
National Laboratories researchers have demonstrated that, in
theory, they could cause synthetic materials to change color like
fish do. “Camouflage outfits that blend with a
variety of environments without need of an outside power source —
say, blue when at sea and then brown in a desert environment —
is where this work could eventually lead,” says principal
investigator George Bachand. “Or the same effect could be
used in fabricating chic civilian clothing that automatically
changes color to fit different visual settings.”
|
|
A
v
i
a
t
i
o
n
|
|
Surveillance
Vehicles Take Flight Using Alternative Energy
NEW
Apr. 08,
2009
Nearly
undetectable from the ground, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are
widely used by the military to scan terrain for possible threats
and intelligence. Now, fuel cell powered UAVs are taking flight
as an Office of Naval Research (ONR)-sponsored program to help
tactical decision-makers gather critical information more
efficiently... and more quietly.
|
Scientific
Frontline®
