news archive July 2009

• Exploring Exploration
  Scientists show that a gene regulating dopamine breakdown is predictive of how likely people are to explore alternative strategies when uncertain about current strategy.
  
• The Immunology of Obesity
  The potential mechanism by which chronic, mild inflammation of fat tissue in obese patients promotes the onset of diabetes, is reported in a series of studies published online.
  
• Why Did the HIV Vaccine STEP Trial Fail?
  Two papers rule out a leading explanation for the failure of the recent HIV STEP trial which represented a serious blow to the development of an AIDS vaccine.
  
• Cell Source Matters for In Vitro Bone Growth
  The type of cell used to grow bone for tissue replacement in the lab makes a difference to the properties of the resulting material.
  
• Suppressor Immune Cells: Friends or Foes?
  Regulatory T (Treg) cells, which are essential to prevent catastrophic autoimmunity in mice and humans, can in some cases convert into inflammatory T cells capable of exacerbating autoimmunity.
  
• A Genetic Susceptibility Locus for Follicular Lymphoma
  A common genetic variant is associated with risk for follicular lymphoma (FL).
  
• Chromosomes, Know Your Place
  A catalogue of factors that help to keep the order of genes on chromosomes 'in their place' and so prevent genomic instability is revealed.
  
• Alzheimer's Gene Linked to Neurotransmitter Release
  A gene best known for its link to Alzheimer's disease is now shown to be essential for regulating neurotransmitter release.
  
• Looking for Clues to Extending Life
  Scientists discuss recent progress in mammalian sirtuin research and what role these enzymes may have in age-related diseases and how long we live.
  
• Live Mice from Fibroblast
  Stem cells induced from somatic cells can be as pluripotent as stem cells extracted from embryos.
  
• New Function for Classic Tumour Suppressor Protein
  The tumour suppressor protein p53 may have a previously unappreciated role in the processing of miRNAs.
  
• Possible Mechanism for Blood Cancer Type
  A new molecular mechanism may underlie a diverse group of blood cancers called myelodysplastic syndromes.
  

• MDR: A program for identification of gene-gene interactions
  MDR is a freely available program for the identification of gene-gene interactions
  

• Neural Changes Mediating Addiction and Relapse
  A study published sheds some light on the neural mechanisms that explain the transition from recreational drug to compulsive abuse and relapse.
  
• Action Representation in the Autistic Brain
  Children with autism rely more on internal cues about the orientation of their limbs when learning to use a novel tool in new situations, reports a study.
  
• New Player in T Cell Maturation
  Three papers show that a previously uncharacterized protein called Themis is essential for proper development of T cells.
  
• Specialized Skin Helpers
  A new type of immune cell that is dedicated to combating skin infections is identified in two papers.
  
• A New Genetic Variant Influences Risk of Atrial Fibrillation
  A new genetic variant associated with increased susceptibility for atrial fibrillation, a prominent risk factor for stroke and heart failure, is reported.
  
• A Common Susceptibility Locus for Several Types of Cancer
  Genetic variants near two genes on the chromosomal locus 9p21 increase the risk for multiple types of cancer, including glioma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
  
• Cycling for Neurodegeneration
  A novel method of disrupting abnormal protein deposits in the brain associated with neurodegenerative disease is presented in a study.
  
• Getting to the Root of Oculo-Facial-Cardio-Dental Syndrome
  An insight into the underlying causes of oculo-facial-cardio-dental syndrome (OFCD) is provided online.
  
• Korean Genome Sequenced
  The genome sequence of a Korean individual (AK1) is revealed, adding further to our understanding of ethnic diversity and the individual variation underlying complex traits and disease.
  
• Gene Implicated in Germ-Cell Development
  A screening method using cultured, differentiated mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells has identified Lin28 as an important gene in the formation of germ cells.
  
• MicroRNA Implicated in Cell Fate Decisions
  Two microRNAs, single-stranded RNA fragments known to influence gene expression, have been shown to regulate cell fate decisions.
  

• HAART to Heart
  'HIV-infected' patients with normal blood pressure, who are on certain anti-virus drugs, are more likely to have a high level of arterial stiffness that is similar to otherwise healthy patients with high blood pressure.
  
• Biomarker for Diabetes
  The metabolic hormone adiponectin could serve as a predictive biomarker for type 2 diabetes.
  
• Inside The Brain of an Elite Athlete
  Recent research into the differences in neural and cognitive processing between skilled sportspeople and novices is reviewed.
  
• Mystery Solved For Immunoglobulin D Role
  A study reports that immunoglobulin D helps combat upper respiratory infections.
  
• Uncovering Allergy Bias
  A gene that helps explain why some individuals are more likely to develop allergies is reported.
  
• Genetic Variants Associated With Kidney Stones
  Common genetic variants are associated with an increased risk of kidney stone disease.
  
• Stopping the Pumps in Chemotherapy-Resistant Tumors
  A novel type of artificial drug delivery system that blocks cancer cells' ability to expel chemotherapy and thereby acquire drug resistance is published.
  
• How Cells Get A LIF to Pluripotency
  A rare insight into how pluripotency is maintained in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells is published.
  
• 'Ethical' Stem Cells Under The Spotlight
  Most, if not all, cell types in the body can be reprogrammed to become stem-cell-like.
  
• Heart Progenitors Yield Diverse Cell Types
  A newly identified set of human cardiovascular progenitor cells can give rise to the three major cell types found in the heart.
  
• Genetic Variants Associated With Schizophrenia
  Three papers provide new insights into genetic variation and schizophrenia risk.
  
• Cancer Protein May Prove Useful Biomarker
  A new cancer-causing gene with biomarker potential is revealed.
  
• Thalidomide Birth Defects Not a Patterning Problem
  Thalidomide-induced limb abnormalities may reflect a 'precursor' rather than a 'patterning' problem.
  
• Evolution of a Malaria Resistance Gene in Wild Primates
  A genetic variation has been linked to the emergence of malaria resistance in wild baboons.
  
• Protein Links Fasting and Stress
  A single protein can 'sense' fasting signals and a potentially damaging form of cellular stress.
  
• Jogging Your Memory
  A common immunosuppressive drug can enhance immune responses to experimental vaccines in mice and monkeys.
  

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