Ecologists have long asked, Why is the world green? In other words, why aren’t herbivores, such as insects and grazing animals, more successful at eating the world’s green leaves, also known as plant biomass? In the May 2006 issue of American Naturalist, Steven D. Allison (University of California, Irvine) asks the same questions a different way: Why is the ground brown? Why don’t the organisms that break down the carbon in the soil consume it all?
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In a paper in the journal Science, Dr Daniel Price and Professor Stephan Rosswog show that violent collisions between neutron stars in the outer reaches of space create this field, which is 1000 million million times larger than our earth’s own magnetic field. It’s thought that these collisions could be behind some of the brightest explosions in the Universe since the Big Bang, so-called short Gamma-ray bursts. Scientists from The University of Exeter and the International University have discovered what is thought to be the strongest magnetic field in the Universe. In the journal Science, they show that violent collisions between neutron stars create this field, which is 1000 million million times larger than earth’s own magnetic field. It’s thought that these collisions could be behind some of the brightest explosions in the Universe since the Big Bang, so-called short Gamma-ray bursts.
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New research shows that a protein made by a cancer-causing virus that was thought to be unimportant for its replication is in fact critically needed by the virus to initiate an infection and to reproduce. The study examined the human T lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and a protein it makes called p13. The protein is one of the virus’ so-called accessory proteins, proteins that earlier studies done in laboratory-grown cells suggested that the virus could live without.
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A Duke University engineering group is doing pioneering work at very diminutive dimensions. Their basic studies could lead to genetically engineered proteins that can form erasable chemical detectors; self-grown forests of molecular “bottlebrushes” that keep themselves contamination-free; and auto-assembled DNA “towers” that could become anchors for the tiniest of devices.
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The combination of two existing clinical treatments, salmeterol and fluticasone propionate, can significantly reduce inflammatory cells in the airways of current and former smokers being treated for moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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Michigan State University scientists have identified the genetic mutation that reduces grain shattering during rice domestication research that will improve production of the crop that feeds more than half of the world’s population. MSU scientists, led by Tao Sang, associate professor of plant biology, identify for the first time the genetic mutation for the reduction of shattering, a key step in the domestication of all cereal crops including corn and wheat.
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The majority of studies suggesting that “moderate” drinking helps prevent heart disease may be flawed, according to an international research group.
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Posted by Nick Railston-Brown, Ghana Country Director, TechnoServe

The Google Foundation supports select organizations whose work addresses the challenge of global poverty in ways that are effective, sustainable, and scalable. From time to time we invite guest bloggers from grantee organizations to tell us about their work.

We’re pleased to report that TechnoServe and the Google Foundation are launching a national business plan competition this week in Ghana, called “Believe Begin Become.” It’s designed to help Ghanaian entrepreneurs develop skills, obtain seed or expansion capital and establish the networks that help transform their business ideas into successful enterprises. (Watch the video about the program.)

More and more, entrepreneurs are recognizing the value of gaining skills, tools and a strong business network, and we know from our experience in Latin America what this kind of competition can mean to entrepreneurs. The program helps establish a crucial business network that will carry on long after the competition ends.

Our Organizing Committee colleague Ishmael Yamson puts it this way: “There are many entrepreneurs out there with good ideas — but they need encouragement to translate those ideas into concrete activities. Believe Begin Become can help them to do that.”

Get in touch if you’d like to get involved.

Update: added link to Google Video at end of paragraph 1.
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An attorney for Apple Computer, which is being sued by Apple Corps Ltd. for violating a trademark agreement, says the Beatles’ record company blew an opportunity by not licensing iTunes to offer the Fab Four’s music.
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Readers lament the loss of classic games, pooh pooh global warming and unmask Apple’s false idols in today’s Rants ‘n’ Raves.
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