Autism linked to misfolded brain proteins
An international team of scientists, led by researchers at the University of California, San Diego, has identified molecular deviations — predominantly misfolding — in a key brain protein associated with autism spectrum disorders. The findings report that trafficking deficiencies, which may lead to abnormal communication between neurons, result from the misfolding of a protein called neuroligin-3, a problem that can be attributed to genetic mutations.
Genetically-based misfolding of neuroligins has been documented in patients with autism, and is thought to impede normal function and formation of neuronal synapses. Using live neuron cultures, researchers found that different mutations caused different degrees of protein misfolding, resulting in varying levels of trafficking deficiencies and distinctly different congenital disorders in the nervous or endocrine systems.
The findings of the study offer insight into possible drug therapies that target misfolding in key proteins, such as neuroligins. Co-author and research scientist at Skaggs School of Pharmacy, Davide Comoletti, believes that identifying the mutation early could be central in rescuing “affected neurons before abnormal synaptic connections are established.” — Sherine Ensan
Source: University of California, San Diego
Amateur astronomers observe giant impact on Jupiter’s surface
It is unlikely that the explosion of a 250 to 1,000 kiloton nuclear bomb would go unnoticed here on Earth. Yet this is certainly not the case on Jupiter.
A tantamount event occurred when an eight to 13-meter wide asteroid smashed into our largest planetary neighbour on June 3, 2010. While this incident bears nowhere near the same magnitude as the famous explosion in Siberia in 1908 — which was caused by the air burst of a meteoroid fragment, and produced a 40 km radius impact — its effects are comparable.
The significance of this observation is intensified by the fact that it was observed by two amateur astronomers, rather than academically acclaimed planetary scientists. While it is logical that a planet of Jupiter’s size would constantly experience asteroid bombardments, most often they go unnoticed due to the lack of continuous planetary surveillance. Consequently, these amateur observations are very important in determining the behavior of meteoroids entering a planet’s atmosphere at sundry angles and speeds.
Since asteroid behavior is the same when entering any planet’s atmosphere, amateur observations of Jupiter provide an excellent observational platform. Continuous amateur observation could not only lead to the establishment of a space-bound planetary research lab, but could also make way for major scientific development. — Alexandra I. Eremia
Source: Sandia National Laboratories
Robots can demonstrate deceptive behaviour
Chicanery is no longer an ability specific to living things. Ronald Arkin and Alan Wagner have developed algorithms allowing robots to choose when to deceive and lure a fellow robot or human into a trap by creating a false trail. While this ability would rarely be used by social robots, military intelligence machines could benefit from it when conducting search and rescue operations or battlefield maneuvers.
The algorithms were tested by conducting 20 hide-and-seek experiments with two military intelligence machines. The seeker could identify the position of the other hiding robot through the pattern of markers that the hiding machine had knocked over. By changing direction part way through its travel, the hiding robot was able to deceive the seeker and escape.
These experiments demonstrated a 75 per cent success rate, the failure rate being attributed to the robots’ failure to knock over the correct markers. While it is clear that this development could have substantial impact on military conduct, the ethical implications have yet to be thoroughly discussed. — AIE
Source: Georgia Institute of Technology
Researchers show evidence of brain activity in patients in vegetative state
The diagnosis of being in a vegetative or minimally conscious state is becoming increasingly controversial, as new research demonstrates the persistence of consciousness despite the abysmal verdict. A study led by Dr. Martin Monti, recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine, sought to determine whether patients could modulate their functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) responses to yes-or-no questions. This method would indicate conscious awareness and would create a way to detect such responses.
In the study, patients with a clinical diagnosis of being in a vegetative or minimally conscious state following traumatic brain injury were examined between November 2005 and January 2009. Five of the 23 patients showed an activated supplementary motor area and parahippocampal gyrus while performing motor and spatial imagery tasks.
The presence of brain activity demands additional extensive evaluation of patients before a diagnosis is made, to reduce an already high rate of misdiagnosis. This study suggests that the future of cognitive neuroscience will include imaging techniques used to perceive expressions of thoughts, which will profoundly affect patients’ quality of life. — Nancy Kou
Source: Discover
Estrogen responsible for higher injury risk in female athletes
A study published in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research has found that chronically higher levels of estrogen in female athletes result in differences in the mechanical properties of tendons, potentially imposing a higher risk of injury. Estrogen, found in both sexes, but at higher rates in females, promotes the development of secondary sexual characteristics and regulates some aspects of the menstrual cycle.
Researchers measured several properties of the patellar (knee) tendon, including elongation, torque, and strain, in 23 active young women throughout the menstrual cycle. They found no evidence that variations in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle affect tendon properties.
Previous studies have linked higher estrogen levels to decreased tendon stiffness, which may predispose women to higher risk of injury during stages of the menstrual cycle when hormone levels are higher. However, this new study does not support this highly debated theory. Instead, researchers found that injury risk remains constant throughout the menstrual cycle, but that “intrinsic,” or chronic differences in hormone levels between women affect tendon properties via complex hormonal interactions.
The findings of this study are pivotal in understanding the effects of chronic estrogen exposure on athletic performance, and may also help explain the difference in mechanical properties of tendons and injury rates between males and females. — SE
Source: Walter Kluwers Health
