Pernicious plastic?
Exposure to small amounts of a substance commonly found in polycarbonate plastic may increase a person’s chances of developing Type II diabetes, says a study from the University of Elche, in Spain. Researchers discovered that the chemical, known as bisphenol-A, causes pancreatic cells to produce increased amounts of insulin-a hormone the body uses to control levels of glucose in the bloodstream. Over long periods of time, exposure to increased amounts of insulin can lead to insulin resistance, the hallmark of Type II diabetes. Bisphenol-A is found in a wide variety of frequently used plastic items, such as dental sealants, microwave cookware and even baby bottles. Celebrities-Jessicas Alba and Simpson, Jamie Foxx, and Outkast have all been spotted sipping Margaritas from baby bottles of late-beware.
2005: Warmest year ever
According to a new NASA report, 2005 was the warmest year recorded since climate monitoring started over a hundred years ago. The report compiled data from land sensors and satellites, as well as ship-based measurements of sea-surface temperature. Last year even beat out 1998, the previous record holder, despite the absence of the El Niño effect, which brings warmer than average temperatures.
Macaque autocrat
A recent study, published in the journal Nature, suggests that monkey societies often have their own “police forces” to maintain order and promote social stability. The removal of dominant males from groups of pigtailed macaques resulted in those groups undergoing significant fragmentation into small cliques. Social activities, including playing and grooming also ceased and some of the macaques became increasingly violent. The findings suggest that monkey societies require authority figures (read: those aggressive dominant males) to make cooperation possible.
Food preservative treats CF complication
Sodium nitrite, normally used to preserve luncheon meat, destroys the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, mutated forms of which cause often-fatal pneumonia in sufferers of cystic fibrosis (CF). The disorder produces abnormally thick mucus in their lungs, damaging them. The bacterium makes the mucus sticky and harder to clear. The researchers found that mice with cystic fibrosis given a small daily dose of sodium nitrite had none of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria in their lungs after sixteen days. An inhaled form of the compound may be ready for clinical trials within two years.
-Mary Campbell with files from Mike Ghenu
Source: New Scientist, PRWeb
