This will be the site for general science topics. Eventually a subject tree will be used to organize the digests into a hierarchy of more specific fields. These will include Space science, Earth sciences, Life sciences, Chemistry and Physics.
EDITORIALS
FEATURE ARTICLES
DISCUSSION PAPAERS
FORUM ARTICLES
The dwarf mistletoes, genus Arceuthobium (Santalaceae), spread their seeds by an explosive process of thermogenesis enabled by mitochondrial alternative oxidase (AOX) activity. Ross Friedman, C, Bradford N R, and Garnet D M, 2013, “An antibody against a conserved C-terminal consensus motif from plant alternative oxidase (AOX) isoforms 1 and 2 label plastids in the explosive dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium americanum, Santalaceae) fruit exocarp”, Protoplasma 250:1, 317-323. http://www.opusej.org/library/an-antibody-against-a-conserved-c-terminal-consensus-motif-from-plant-alternative-oxidase-aox-isoforms-1-and-2-label-plastids-in-the-explosive-dwarf-mistletoe-arceuthobium-americanum-santalaceae-2/
Low Carbonate Levels: Deteriorating Coral Reefs. Perry, C T et al, 2013, “Carribean-wide decline in carbonate production threatens coral reef growth”, Nature communications 4:1402. doi:10.1038/ncomms2409. http://www.opusej.org/library/carribean-wide-decline-in-carbonate-production-threatens-coral-reef-growth-cover/
Gut microbiota of healthy infants profiled by mode of delivery and infant diet. Azad, M B et al, 2013, “Gut microbiota of healthy Canadian infants: profiles by mode of delivery and infant diet at 4 months.” Canadian Medical Association Journal Published online February 11, 2013, doi: 10.1503/cmaj.121189. http://www.opusej.org/library/gut-microbiota-of-healthy-canadian-infants-profiles-by-mode-of-delivery-and-infant-diet-at-4-months-cover/
The spontaneous expression of either rewarding or aversive emotionally salient memories shares a common, D1-receptor mediated substrate within the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and that its activation blocks aversive or reward memory recall, leaving the original memory intact. Lauzon N M et al, 2013, “Supra-normal stimulation of dopamine D1 receptors in the prelimbic cortex blocks behavioral expression of both aversive and rewarding associative memories through a cyclic-AMP-dependent signaling pathway”, Neuropharmacology 67, April 2013, 104–114: http://www.opusej.org/library/supra-normal-stimulation-of-dopamine-d1-receptors-in-the-prelimbic-cortex-blocks-behavioral-expression-of-both-aversive-and-rewarding-associative-memories-through-a-cyclic-amp-dependent-signaling-pa-2/
How cholinergic neurons influence homeostasis, opens new avenues for the search of drug targets to treat obesity, from studies of mutant mice (vesicular acetylcholine transporter VAChTD2-Cre-flox/flox mice), in which the vesicular acetylcholine transporter in the striatum is selectively ablated, and are lean at a young age and maintain this lean phenotype with time. Monica S. Guzman M S et al, 2013, “Mice with selective elimination of striatal acetylcholine release are lean, show altered energy homeostasis and changed sleep/wake cycle”, Journal of Neurochemistry first published online: 15 JAN 2013. DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12128 http://www.opusej.org/library/mice-with-selective-elimination-of-striatal-acetylcholine-release-are-lean-show-altered-energy-homeostasis-and-changed-sleepwake-cycle-cover/
Oral administration of hyaluronan, in ovariectomized (OVX) 3-month-old rats with mild osteopenia, significantly reduce bone turnover. Ma J, et al, 2013, “Oral administration of hyaluronan reduces bone turnover in ovariectomized rats”, J Agric Food Chem. 16:61(2). 339-45. doi: 10.1021/jf300651d. Epub 2013 Jan 8. http://www.opusej.org/library/oral-administration-of-hyaluronan-reduces-bone-turnover-in-ovariectomized-rats-cover/
An oncogenic variant of PIK3CA, implicated in multiple human breast cancer subtypes, induces a very diverse spectrum of mammary tumors in mice and shows cooperation with p53, which altered the specific tumors that formed. Adams,J R et al, 2011, “Cooperation between Pik3ca and p53 mutations in mouse mammary tumor formation”, Cancer Research Published OnlineFirst February 15, 2011; doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-10-0738 http://www.opusej.org/library/cooperation-between-pik3ca-and-p53-mutations-in-mouse-mammary-tumor-formation-cover/
In the freeze-tolerant wood frog, Rana sylvatica, overwinter carbohydrate consumption appears to be driven by the frequency of freeze–thaw events. Sinclair BJ et al, 2013, “Real-time measurement of metabolic rate during freezing and thawing of the wood frog, Rana sylvatica: implications for overwinter energy use”, J Exp Biol. 2013 Jan 15;216(Pt 2):292-302. doi: 10.1242/jeb.076331. http://www.opusej.org/library/real-time-measurement-of-metabolic-rate-during-freezing-and-thawing-of-the-wood-frog-rana-sylvatica-implications-for-overwinter-energy-use-cover/
New interpretation of some Ediacaran fossils as large sessile organisms of cool, dry soils, is compatible with observations that Ediacaran fossils were similar in appearance and preservation to lichens and other microbial colonies of biological soil crusts, rather than marine animals. Retallack, G J, 2013, “Ediacaran life on land”, Nature 493, 89–92. Online 03 January 2013. doi:10.1038/nature11777 http://www.opusej.org/library/ediacaran-life-on-land-cover/
Study finds a link between autism and a compound that gut bacteria produces that could lead to screening children. Frye, R E, S Melnyk & D F MacFabe, 2013, “Unique acyl-carnitine profiles are potential biomarkers for acquired mitochondrial disease in autism spectrum disorder”, Translational Psychiatry (2013) 3, e220; Published online 22 January 201. doi:10.1038/tp.2012.143. http://www.opusej.org/library/unique-acyl-carnitine-profiles-are-potential-biomarkers-for-acquired-mitochondrial-disease-in-autism-spectrum-disorder-cover/
Self-control, the ability to delay gratification, re-examined 40 years later, on a subsample of 24 of the original “marshmallow kids”, participants from a seminal longitudinal study of self-control throughout a subject’s life span, were retested. Functional MRI brain patterns were highly predictive of whether a participant is a high or low delayer, suggesting that dimensionality of neural networks is a biological predictor of self-control abilities. Berman, M G et al, 2013, “Dimensionality of brain networks linked to life-long individual differences in self-control”, Nature Communications 4:1373, Published online 22 January 2013, doi:10.1038/ncomms2374. http://www.opusej.org/library/dimensionality-of-brain-networks-linked-to-life-long-individual-differences-in-self-control-cover/
Findings of genetic alterations in the ARHGEF28 gene in cases of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) suggest that a more comprehensive genetic analysis would be warranted. Droppelmann, C A et al, 2013, “Detection of a novel frameshift mutation and regions with homozygosis within ARHGEF28 gene in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis”, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration Posted online on January 4, 2013. doi:10.3109/21678421.2012.758288. http://www.opusej.org/library/detection-of-a-novel-frameshift-mutation-and-regions-with-homozygosis-within-arhgef28-gene-in-familial-amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis-cover/
Why Mental Arithmetic Counts: Brain Activation during Single Digit Arithmetic Predicts High School Math Scores Price, GR , Mazzocco, MMM & Ansari, D http://www.opusej.org/library/why-mental-arithmetic-counts-brain-activation-during-single-digit-arithmetic-predicts-high-school-math-scores-cover-page/.
READING LIST
Study suggests new diagnostics based on the relative levels of the hormones, progesterone metabolites, 5alpha-dihydroprogesterone (5alphaP) and 3alpha-dihydroprogesterone (3alphaHP) and new approaches to prevention and treatment of breast cancers based on regulating the levels and action mechanisms of these anti- and pro-cancer progesterone metabolites. Wiebe, JP et al, 2013, “Progesterone metabolites regulate induction, growth and suppression of estrogen- and progesterone receptor-negative human breast cell tumors”, Breast Cancer Research 2013 15:R38. doi: 10.1186/bcr3422. http://breast-cancer-research.com/content/15/3/R38/abstract
Analysis of a 270 million-year-old fossil of a shark-like fish, a Helicoprion, with an unusual spiral of teeth suggests that the teeth functioned similarly to the blade of a circular saw. Tapanila, L et al, 2013, “Jaws for a spiral-tooth whorl: CT images reveal novel adaptation and phylogeny in fossil Helicoprion”, Biology Letters 9:2, Published online February 27, 2013 doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2013.0057. http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/9/2/20130057.short#aff-1
The dwarf mistletoes, genus Arceuthobium (Santalaceae), spread their seeds by an explosive process of thermogenesis enabled by mitochondrial alternative oxidase (AOX) activity. Ross Friedman, C, Bradford N R, and Garnet D M, 2013, “An antibody against a conserved C-terminal consensus motif from plant alternative oxidase (AOX) isoforms 1 and 2 label plastids in the explosive dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium americanum, Santalaceae) fruit exocarp”, Protoplasma 250:1, 317-323. http://www.opusej.org/library/an-antibody-against-a-conserved-c-terminal-consensus-motif-from-plant-alternative-oxidase-aox-isoforms-1-and-2-label-plastids-in-the-explosive-dwarf-mistletoe-arceuthobium-americanum-santalaceae-2/
Carbon Nanotubes make Hybrid Heart Tissue. Shin, S R et al, 2013, “Carbon-Nanotube-Embedded Hydrogel Sheets for Engineering Cardiac Constructs and Bioactuators”, ACS Nano Publication Date (Web): January 30, 2013. DOI: 10.1021/nn305559j http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nn305559j
Study finds that Caribbean coral is in crisis, with the rate of growth only about half of what it should be. Perry, C T et al, 2013, “Caribbean-wide decline in carbonate production threatens coral reef growth”, Nature Communications 4:1402. Published online 29 January 2013 doi:10.1038/ncomms2409 http://www.nature.com/ncomms/journal/v4/n1/full/ncomms2409.html
Study suggests that musical training before the age of seven years results in changes in white-matter connectivity that may serve as a scaffold upon which ongoing experience can build. Steele, C J et al, 2013, “Early Musical Training and White-Matter Plasticity in the Corpus Callosum: Evidence for a Sensitive Period”, The Journal of Neuroscience33:3, 1282-1290. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3578-12.2013 http://www.jneurosci.org/content/33/3/1282.short
In the freeze-tolerant wood frog, Rana sylvatica, overwinter carbohydrate consumption appears to be driven by the frequency of freeze–thaw events. Sinclair BJ et al, 2013, “Real-time measurement of metabolic rate during freezing and thawing of the wood frog, Rana sylvatica: implications for overwinter energy use”, J Exp Biol. 2013 Jan 15;216(Pt 2):292-302. doi: 10.1242/jeb.076331. http://www.opusej.org/library/real-time-measurement-of-metabolic-rate-during-freezing-and-thawing-of-the-wood-frog-rana-sylvatica-implications-for-overwinter-energy-use-cover/
The first demonstration that a secreted metabolite can protect against toxic gold and cause gold biomineralization ie solid gold produced by bacterium from solution. Johnston, C W et al, 2013, “Gold biomineralization by a metallophore from a gold-associated microbe”, Nature Chemical Biology Published online 03 February 2013 doi:10.1038/nchembio.1179 http://www.nature.com/nchembio/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nchembio.1179.html
Canadian team is proposing a new approach for detecting the earth’s passage through the galactic environment contains a network of hypothetically ubiquitous dark matter walls that separate dark energy fields. Pospelov, M et al, 2013, “Detecting Domain Walls of Axionlike Models Using Terrestrial Experiments”, Phys. Rev. Lett. 110:2. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.021803. http://prl.aps.org/abstract/PRL/v110/i2/e021803.
Findings of genetic alterations in the ARHGEF28 gene in cases of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) suggest that a more comprehensive genetic analysis would be warranted. Droppelmann, C A et al, 2013, “Detection of a novel frameshift mutation and regions with homozygosis within ARHGEF28 gene in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis”, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration Posted online on January 4, 2013. doi:10.3109/21678421.2012.758288.http://www.opusej.org/library/detection-of-a-novel-frameshift-mutation-and-regions-with-homozygosis-within-arhgef28-gene-in-familial-amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis-cover/
Complete documentation of key trial elements, as outlined in the SPIRIT 2013 Explanation and Elaboration paper, together with the Statement, should help with the drafting of trial protocols and can facilitate transparency and protocol review for the benefit of all stakeholders. Chan, A W, et al, 2013, “SPIRIT 2013 explanation and elaboration: guidance for protocols of clinical trials”, BMJ 346: e7586. Published online 2013 January 9. doi: 10.1136/bmj.e7586. http://www.opusej.org/library/spirit-2013-explanation-and-elaboration-guidance-for-protocols-of-clinical-trials-cover/
Fructose, a common sugar found in the U.S. diet, may cause changes in the brain that trigger a person to overeat. Consumption of fructose compared with glucose resulted in a distinct pattern of regional hypothalamic regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) and a smaller increase in systemic glucose, insulin, and glucagon-like polypeptide 1 levels. Page, K A et al, 2013, “Effects of Fructose vs Glucose on Regional Cerebral Blood Flow in Brain Regions Involved With Appetite and Reward Pathways”, JAMA 309:1, 63-70. doi:10.1001/jama.2012.116975. http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1555133
In non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model of type 1 diabetes (T1D), the transfer of gut microbiota from adult males to immature females can stimulate the production of testosterone, which seems to help protect against type 1 diabetes, the autoimmune form of the disease. Markle, J G M, et al, 2012, “Sex Differences in the Gut Microbiome Drive Hormone-Dependent Regulation of Autoimmunity”, Science, Published Online January 17 2013, DOI: 10.1126/science.1233521. http://www.opusej.org/sex-differences-in-the-gut-microbiome-drive-hormone-dependent-regulation-of-autoimmunity-cover/
The position of the equator of the Late Ordovician period, 450 million years ago, deduced from paleomagnetic data from Laurentia, thus providing both a high-precision equatorial location and an independent test of the geocentric axial dipole hypothesis for that time. Jisuo Jin, J et al, 2012, “Precisely locating the Ordovician equator in Laurentia”, Geology online November 6, 2012, doi: 10.1130/G33688.1. http://www.opusej.org/library/precisely-locating-the-ordovician-equator-in-laurentia-cover/
Mice lacking equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1‐/‐ mice) may be a useful model for investigating pathogenesis and evaluating therapeutics for the prevention of mineralization in Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) and related disorders in humans. Warraich, S et al, 2012,“Loss of equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) in mice leads to progressive ectopic mineralization of spinal tissues resembling diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) in humans”, Journal of Bone and Mineral Research Published online Nov 26, 2012. DOI:10.1002/jbmr.1826. http://www.jbmr.org/details/journalArticle/3755741/Loss_of_equilibrative_nucleoside_transporter_1_ENT1_in_mice_leads_to_progressive.html.
Most of the harmful mutations in the human genome arose in the past 5,000 to 10,000 years. The historical details of human protein-coding variation, show the profound effect of recent human history on the burden of deleterious SNVs segregating in contemporary populations, and provide important practical information that can be used to prioritize variants in disease-gene discovery. Fu, W et al, 2012, “Analysis of 6,515 exomes reveals the recent origin of most human protein-coding variants”, Nature doi:10.1038/nature11690. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature11690.html?WT.ec_id=NATURE-20121129.
Researchers develop a model that predicts that homosexuality is part of a phenomenon in which androgen-influenced traits commonly display gonad-trait discordances at substantial frequency, and that the molecular feature underlying most homosexuality is caused by numerous sex-specific epigenetic modifications (“epi-marks”) that canalize sexual dimorphic development that sometimes carryover across generations and contribute to gonad-trait discordances in opposite-sex descendants. Rice WR et al, 2012, “Homosexuality as a consequence of epigenetically canalized sexual development”, The Quarterly Review of Biology 87:4, Published online 11 December 2012. DOI: 10.1086/668167. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/668167.
Study identifies the enzyme, β-1,4-galactan synthase, which could provide an important tool for engineering plants with improved bioenergy properties useful in developing genetically enhanced biofuel crops. Madrid Liwanaga, AE et al, 2012, “Pectin Biosynthesis: GALS1 in Arabidopsis thaliana Is a β-1,4-Galactan β-1,4-Galactosyltransferase”, The Plant Cell, Published online before print December 2012, doi.org/10.1105/tpc.112.106625. http://www.plantcell.org/content/early/2012/12/14/tpc.112.106625.abstract.
Study shows that there is no one area in the brain that accounts for IQ, rather there are three completely different networks— verbal abilities, reasoning abilities and short-term memory abilities—involved in intelligence. Hampshire, A et al, 2012, “Fractionating Human Intelligence”, Neuron 76:6, 20, 1225-37. doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2012.06.022. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896627312005843.
An ensemble of data sets, collected between 1992 and 2011, supports with greater certainty that the ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica are melting at an accelerated rate and have contributed 0.59 ± 0.20 millimeter per year to the rate of global sea-level rise. Shepherd, A et al, 2012, “A Reconciled Estimate of Ice-Sheet Mass Balance”, Science 338:6111, 1183-1189. DOI: 10.1126/science.1228102. http://www.sciencemag.org/content/338/6111/1183.abstract.
The tropical glaciers of the Cordillera Blanca, Peru, are rapidly retreating and have probably crossed a critical transition point which could lead to a decrease in dry-season average discharge of 30% depending on the watershed. Baraer, M et al, 2012, “Glacier recession and water resources in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca”, Journal of Glaciology 58:207, 134-150. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3189/2012JoG11J186. http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/igsoc/jog/2012/00000058/00000207/art00012.
Fossil studies of both the archaic bird Archaeopteryx and an early feathered dinosaur, Anchiornis, shows wings that lacked the range of functions seen in Neornithes, limiting early flight to those that originated from raised perches or treetops. Longrich, NR et al, 2012, “Primitive Wing Feather Arrangement in Archaeopteryx lithographica and Anchiornis huxleyi”, Current Biology, Available online 21 November 2012, DOI 10.1016/j.cub.2012.09.052. http://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822%2812%2901194-3.
A common polymorphism near period homolog 1 (PER1) is associated with the timing of human behavioral rhythms, and shows evidence of association with time of death. Lim ASP et al, 2012 “A common polymorphism near PER1 and the timing of human behavioral rhythms”, Annals of Neurology 72, 324-34. DOI: 10.1002/ana.23636. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ana.23636/abstract.
The dysphoria experienced in anticipation of math, by those with high levels of mathematics-anxiety, is mediated by pain network activation. Lyons, I and Beilock, S, 2012, “When Math Hurts: Math Anxiety Predicts Pain Network Activation in Anticipation of Doing Math”, PLoS ONE 7(10): e48076. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0048076. http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0048076.
Study establishes the first empirical link between déjà vu in temporal lobe epilepsy and the processes of familiarity assessment. Martin, C B, et al, 2012, “Déjà vu in unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy is associated with selective familiarity impairments on experimental tasks of recognition memory”, Neuropsychologia 2012 Jul 27. (Epub ahead of print), doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2012.07.030, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0028393212003260.
A partial challenge to Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle observed with “entangled” particles. Kocsis, S, et al, 2011, “Observing the Average Trajectories of Single Photons in a Two-Slit Interferometer”, Science 332:6034, 1170-1173. DOI: 10.1126/science.1202218. http://www.sciencemag.org/content/332/6034/1170.abstract.
The recent decline of Arctic sea ice has played a critical role in recent cold and snowy winters in parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Liu, J, et al, 2012, “Impact of declining Arctic sea ice on winter snowfall”, Proc Natl Acad Sci 109, 4074–4079. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1204582109. http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2012/02/17/1114910109.full.pdf+html.
Climate change deniers associated with endorsement of a laissez-faire conception of free-market economics and of conspiracy theories. Lewandowsky, S, et al, 2012, “NASA faked the moon landing –Therefore (Climate) Science is a Hoax: An Anatomy of the Motivated Rejection of Science”, in press, Psychological Science, http://websites.psychology.uwa.edu.au/labs/cogscience/documents/LskyetalPsychScienceinPressClimateConspiracy.pdf.
Sustained release by supramolecular polymer hydrogels far surpasses the current state of the art for protein release, highlighting these materials as important potential candidates for sustained therapeutic applications. Appel EA, et al, 2012, “Sustained release of proteins from high water content supramolecular polymer hydrogels”, Biomaterials 33:18, 4646-52. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22459194.
A novel universal influenza vaccine ready for human trials. Atsmon, J, et al, 2012, JOURNAL OF CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY 32: 3, 595-603, DOI: 10.1007/s10875-011-9632-5 http://www.springerlink.com/content/h7131t27m6k22342/.
First Europe-wide study of illicit drug use through sewage biomarker analysis. Thomas, K V et al, 2012, “Comparing illicit drug use in 19 European cities through sewage analysis”, Science of The Total Environment DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.06.069. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969712008959.
Study reveals that states that require more comprehensive background checks before gun purchases are associated with fewer homicide and suicide deaths by firearm. Sen, B et al, 2012, “Tighter Background Checks Associated With Fewer Firearm Deaths”, Preventive Medicine Not yet published. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120725200047.htm.
A coding mutation (A673T) of the amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) gene, that reduces the β-cleavage of APP, may protect against Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline in the elderly without Alzheimer’s disease. Jonsson, T et al, 2012, “A mutation in APP protects against Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive decline”, Nature doi:10.1038/nature11283. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature11283.html.
Metabolomics is a promising field in systems biology; its objective is the comprehensive analysis of low-molecular-weight endogenous metabolites in a biological sample, important in monitoring the state of biological organisms and for diagnosing of disease. It will drive serum analysis, facilitate and improve the development of disease treatments. Zhang, A, H. Sun and X. Wang, 2012, Serum metabolomics as a novel diagnostic approach for disease: a systematic review“, Analytical & Bioanalytical Chemistry DOI: 10.1007/s00216-012-6117-1. http://www.springerlink.com/content/788191j1k736064j/.
A miniaturized SAW surface acoustic wave-based sample delivery and ionization method that requires minimal to no sample pre-treatment, and can operate under ambient conditions, provides a viable and efficient ionization platform for the real-time analysis of a wide range of compounds. Ho, J et al, 2011, “Paper-Based Microfluidic Surface Acoustic Wave Sample Delivery and Ionization Source for Rapid and Sensitive Ambient Mass Spectrometry”, Analytical Chemistry 83:9, 3260–3266. DOI: 10.1021/ac200380q. http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ac200380q.