Archive by date | July 2011

‘Elephant Man’ gene found

'Elephant Man' gene found

An international team reports discovering the mutation responsible for Proteus syndrome. This very rare and troubling developmental disorder causes severe, uncontrollable outgrowths of soft and bony tissue, leaving those affected painfully deformed. Roughly 500 people in the developed world are know to have it. Joseph Merrick (pictured) who lived from 1862 to 1890 and toured Europe as ‘The Elephant Man,’ is probably the disease’s most famous victim. The finding ends a long search for the cause of the disease and may provide some useful insight for treatment given that the gene involved, AKT1, is a well-researched target in cancer.

Regulations, appropriations and coal-fired power plants

Regulations, appropriations and coal-fired power plants

To understand the Republican assault on environmental regulations, which kicked into high gear once again in the US House of Representatives this week, consider this projection: 10-20 percent of the United States’ coal-fired electric generation could be closed down over the next decade or so, due not to climate regulations but old-school rules targeting air pollutants.  Read more

NASA loses two top officials

NASA loses two top officials

NASA is losing its most senior power couple — a symbol of the poor outlook for the agency. Laurie Leshin, the top scientist in NASA’s exploration division, and her husband, Jon Morse, the head of astrophysics in the science division, are leaving NASA and heading to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York to take on senior academic posts. Morse, who has overseen the astrophysics division through its toughest times, will become RPI’s associate vice-president for research, the university announced today. Leshin will become the new dean of the school of science. Both will start at the beginning of October.  Read more

US judge rules decisively for federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research

US judge rules decisively for federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research

In a victory for supporters of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research, a US district judge ruled today that government funding of the research is legal, despite an existing law that prohibits US funding of research in which an embryo is destroyed.

Robot water strider skims the surface

Robot water strider skims the surface

While walking on water may be a dream for humans, it has become a step closer for robots. Qinmin Pan, and colleagues at the Harbin Institute of Technology, China, have developed a water-walking robot, mimicking the abilities of the water strider, an insect which can effortlessly skim along the surface of the water. The machines could be used to monitor water pollution, and develop surveillance robots.

Primate research gets provisional thumbs-up in UK review

Primate research gets provisional thumbs-up in UK review

Primate research ought to continue in the UK because of its importance to human health and basic science, says a new report (download a PDF here) commissioned by the major funders of this research. The report also calls for “rigorous” experimental and ethical oversight of the work.  Read more