Drug Discovery Team To Explore Newly Discovered Deep-sea Reefs May 21, 2006
From May 22-30, Harbor Branch scientists, along with colleagues from the University of Miami, will use the Harbor Branch Johnson-Sea-Link II submersible to explore for the first time newly discovered deep-sea reefs between Florida and the Bahamas. A primary goal of the upcoming expedition will be to search for marine organisms that produce chemical compounds with the potential to treat human diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s.
Air Pollution Increases Death Risk In People With Certain Diseases
People with diabetes, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk of death when exposed to particulate air pollution or soot, for one or more years, according to a study presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference on May 22.
Undersea Channels Studied To Aid Oil Recovery
Work in an MIT lab may help energy companies withdraw millions of additional barrels of oil from beneath the sea floor. Typically, companies recover only 30 percent to 40 percent of the oil in a given reservoir. Since a single reservoir may contain a billion barrels total, increasing that "recovery efficiency" by even a single percentage point would mean a lot of additional oil.
Alcohol Consumption Habits May Threaten GI Health
Many studies have evaluated the risks and benefits of alcohol intake, with some concentrating on potential benefits while others focus on the risks of abuse. According to new research presented at Digestive Disease Week 2006, the volume of alcohol ingested and how it is mixed with other beverages can affect the health of the gastrointestinal (GI) system.
Greenhouse Gas, Temperature Feedback Mechanism May Raise Warming Beyond Previous Estimates
Climate change estimates for the next century may have substantially underestimated the potential magnitude of global warming. Actual warming due to human fossil fuel emissions may be 15-to-78 percent higher than warming estimates that do not take into account the feedback mechanism involving carbon dioxide and Earth’s temperature. Greenhouse gases not only contribute to higher temperatures, but are themselves increased by the higher temperatures.
Simple Lifestyle Changes May Improve Cognitive Function And Brain Efficiency
A UCLA research study published in the June issue of the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry found that people may be able to improve their cognitive function and brain efficiency by making simple lifestyle changes such as incorporating memory exercises, healthy eating, physical fitness and stress reduction into their daily lives.
Feedback Loops In Global Climate Change Point To A Very Hot 21st Century
Studies have shown that global climate change can set-off positive feedback loops in nature which amplify warming and cooling trends. Now, researchers with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and the University of California at Berkeley have been able to quantify the feedback implied by past increases in natural carbon dioxide and methane gas levels. Their results point to global temperatures at the end of this century that may be significantly higher than current climate models are predicting.
Cysteine Containing Chewing Gum For The Prevention Of Upper Digestive Tract Cancers?
Researchers at the University of Helsinki, Finland, suggest that cysteine containing tablets and chewing gum can be a new way for the prevention of upper digestive tract cancers.
Scientists Develop First Comprehensive Theory Explaining Madagascar’s Rich Biodiversity
For the first time, scientists offer a comprehensive theory explaining how so many animals came to be limited to such small geographic areas across Madagascar. In some lowland areas, these animals tended to be isolated by the configuration of certain watersheds, and this isolation led to speciation. Using an analysis of watersheds in the context of paleoclimatic shifts, the authors provide a new mechanistic model to explain the process of explosive speciation on Madagascar.
Certain Blood Pressure-lowering Drugs Reduce Diabetes Risk In Hispanic Patients
The combination of drugs traditionally used to control blood pressure might not be ideal for Hispanic patients, University of Florida researchers warn.
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