News | Archive (December 2008)
Lung cancer cells activate inflammation to induce metastasis
— 31 Dec 2008 | HealthA research team from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine has identified a protein produced by cancerous lung epithelial cells that enhances metastasis by stimulating... — full story
Bright lights, not-so-big pupils
— 31 Dec 2008 | BiologyA team of Johns Hopkins neuroscientists has worked out how some newly discovered light sensors in the eye detect light and communicate with the brain. The report appears online this... — full story
Hubble to get last tune-up during 2009
— 31 Dec 2008 | AstronomyFrom troubled beginnings nearly 18 years ago, the Hubble Space Telescope has revolutionised astronomy and its stunning images have stirred the imaginations of people around the globe.... — full story
NASA Mars rovers near five years of science and discovery
— 30 Dec 2008 | AstronomyNASA rovers Spirit and Opportunity may still have big achievements ahead as they approach the fifth anniversaries of their memorable landings on Mars. Of the hundreds of engineers and... — full story
Grazing animals help spread plant disease
— 30 Dec 2008 | BiologyResearchers have discovered that grazing animals such as deer and rabbits are actually helping to spread plant disease - quadrupling its prevalence in some cases - and encouraging an... — full story
Risk takers, drug abusers driven by decreased ability to process dopamine
— 30 Dec 2008 | HealthFor risk-takers and impulsive people, New Year's resolutions often include being more careful, spending more frugally and cutting back on dangerous behaviour, such as drug use. But... — full story
Study shows competition, not climate change, led to Neanderthal extinction
— 30 Dec 2008 | Geology and palaeontologyIn a recently conducted study, a multidisciplinary French-American research team with expertise in archaeology, past climates, and ecology reported that Neanderthal extinction was principally... — full story
UC Davis researchers find molecule that targets brain tumours
— 30 Dec 2008 | HealthUC Davis Cancer Centre researchers report today the discovery of a molecule that targets glioblastoma, a highly deadly form of cancer. The finding, which is published in the January... — full story
What are protective effects of anti-ricin A-chain aptamer?
— 30 Dec 2008 | HealthRicin, a lectin from the castor bean plant Ricinus communis is considered one of the most potent plant toxins. Ricin poisoning can cause severe tissue damage and inflammation and can... — full story
How to enhance non-thermal effects of ultrasound
— 30 Dec 2008 | HealthIn recent years HIFU has been widely used for the treatment of solid tumours, such as liver tumour, bone tumour, and breast cancer. The mechanism for therapeutic actions of HIFU includes... — full story