Wielding Microbe Against Microbe, Beetle Defends Its Food Source

October 10th, 2008
As the southern pine beetle moves through the forest boring tunnels inside the bark of trees, it brings with it both a helper and a competitor. The helper is a fungus that the insect plants inside the tunnels as food for its young. But also riding along is a tiny, hitchhiking mite, which likewise carries a fungus for feeding its own larvae.
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Species Extinction By Asteroid A Rarity

October 10th, 2008
New research argues in favor of a “sick earth” mechanism for most extinctions, rather than external event like an asteroid strike.
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How Effective Are Probiotics In Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

October 10th, 2008
Several new studies highlight the safety and efficacy of probiotics in improving symptoms and normalizing bowel movement frequency in patients suffering from constipation or diarrhea related to Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
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Baked Slug: New Method To Test Fireproofing Material

October 10th, 2008
Researchers have developed a technique for measuring a key thermal property of fire-resistive materials at high temperatures. The measurement technique has already been adopted commercially and incorporated into a national standard.
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How Fatty Foods Curb Hunger

October 10th, 2008
Fatty foods may not be the healthiest diet choice, but those rich in unsaturated fats — such as avocados, nuts and olive oil — have been found to play a pivotal role in sending this important message to your brain: stop eating, you’re full.
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Diversity Of Plant-eating Fishes May Be Key To Recovery Of Coral Reefs

October 10th, 2008
A report scheduled to be published this week in the early edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that maintaining the proper balance of herbivorous fishes may be critical to restoring coral reefs, which are declining dramatically worldwide.
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New Screening Technologies Improve Detection Of Polyps During Colonoscopy

October 10th, 2008
Two new studies highlight new technologies with the potential to improve the detection of colorectal polyps and flat lesions during colonoscopy.
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Narcissistic People Most Likely To Emerge As Leaders

October 10th, 2008
When a group is without a leader, you can often count on a narcissist to take charge, a new study suggests. Researchers found that people who score high in narcissism tend to take control of leaderless groups. Narcissism is a trait in which people are self-centered, exaggerate their talents and abilities and lack empathy for others.
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Tracking Down The Cause Of Mad Cow Disease: First Synthetic Prion Protein With An Anchor

October 10th, 2008
Researchers in Germany and Switzerland have developed a new general method for the synthesis of anchored proteins, such as GPI-anchored prions, which cause scrapie and mad cow disease.
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Outlook For Crohn’s Disease Improves Thanks To New Therapies

October 10th, 2008
A study led by Mayo Clinic has found that infliximab (Remicade) administered alone (monotherapy) or in combination with azathioprine is a more effective treatment for patients with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease than azathioprine alone.
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