Lycopene, vitamin E slow human prostate tumour growth in mice

A study by Dutch and German researchers has provided evidence that lycopene may be able to inhibit the growth of prostate tumours and that its effect may be enhanced if it is combined with vitamin E. A number of epidemiological studies have already indicated that high intake of lycopene – a carotinoid that gives the red colour to tomatoes and other fruits – is associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. But, these observational findings have now been underpinned by new research demonstrating a beneficial effect in human prostate tumours grown in mice.

Motion detector 1,000 times more sensitive than any known

A new class of very small handheld devices can detect motion a thousand times more subtly than any tool known. “There was nothing in the [optics] literature to predict that this would happen,” says Sandia National Laboratories researcher Dustin Carr of his group’s device, which reflects a bright light from a very small moving object. Sandia is a National Nuclear Security Administration laboratory.

Environmental ‘dead zone’ shrinking

Scientists conducted a research cruise in late August to the “dead zone” – a region in the northern Gulf of Mexico that suffers from low oxygen and results in huge marine losses – and much to their surprise, the “dead zone” area had either moved or had disappeared completely. They found that some areas that were previously hypoxic – a technical term for extremely low dissolved oxygen concentrations in water – had broken up and appeared to pose little threat to marine life, while in other areas the hypoxia appeared to have moved further off shore.

Bacteria’s ‘Glue Valve’ Surprises Scientists

To stick to cells in the respiratory tract and start an infection, the bacterium Haemophilus influenza has to secrete a glue-like protein. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report this week that a study of the valve that lets out the glue has produced some surprising information.

Control of molecular switches increased by tailored interactions

A means to stabilize molecular switches based on chemical interactions with surrounding molecules has been developed by researchers. While molecules known as OPEs (oligo phenlylene-ethynylene molecules) previously have been shown to switch randomly or with applied electric fields between conductive (ON) and non-conductive (OFF) states, their potential use as switches in computers and other electronic devices depends on the ability to control these states. Such switches could advance nanoscale computer applications, decreasing the size and energy costs of memory.

‘Common ancestor’ of all living humans surprisingly recent

In this week’s issue of Nature, a Yale mathematician presents models showing that the most recent person who was a direct ancestor of all humans currently alive may have lived just a few thousand years ago. ”While we may not all be ‘brothers,’ the models suggest we are all hundredth cousins or so,” said Joseph T. Chang, professor in the Department of Statistics at Yale University and senior author on the paper. Chang established the basis of this research in a previous publication with an intentionally simplified model that ignored such complexities as geography and migration.

Channeling the Best Beams Ever

Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have taken a giant step toward realizing the promise of laser wakefield acceleration, by guiding and controlling extremely intense laser beams over greater distances than ever before to produce high-quality, energetic electron beams. For a quarter of a century physicists have been trying to push charged particles to high energies with devices called laser wakefield accelerators. In theory, particles accelerated by the electric fields of laser-driven waves of plasma could reach, in just a few score meters, the high energies attained by miles-long machines using conventional radio-frequency acceleration.

Alzheimer’s disease is not accelerated aging

Certain brain changes that are common in normal aging are not the beginnings of Alzheimer’s disease. Recent research by cognitive aging experts suggests that changes related to Alzheimer’s disease appear in distinct regions of the brain and reflect unique pathology compared with changes that occur in older adults without dementia.

Scientists find earliest evidence yet of human presence in NE Asia

Early humans lived in northern China about 1.66 million years ago, according to research reported in the journal Nature this week. The finding suggests humans–characterized by their making and use of stone tools–inhabited upper Asia almost 340,000 years before previous estimates placed them there, surviving in a pretty hostile environment. The research team, including Richard Potts of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History, reports the results of excavating four layers of sediments at Majuangou in north China. All the layers contained indisputable stone tools apparently made by early humans, known to researchers as ”hominins.”

500,000 women die in childbirth each year – U.N.

With at least one woman in developing countries dying in childbirth every minute – more than half a million annually – the United Nations health agency today launched a drive to prevent these deaths by training health workers. The campaign by the World Health Organization (WHO) includes the distribution of Beyond the Numbers – Reviewing Maternal Deaths and Complications to Make Pregnancy Safer, a manual for health planners and providers. The $10 million project also involves training decision-makers, national health planners and medical service providers in high-priority countries.

Views of Earth-Approaching Asteroid Toutatis

Today, September 29, 2004, is undisputedly the Day of Toutatis, the famous ”doomsday” asteroid. Not since the year 1353 did this impressive ”space rock” pass so close by the Earth as it does today. Visible as a fast-moving faint point of light in the southern skies, it approaches the Earth to within 1,550,000 km, or just four times the distance of the Moon. Closely watched by astronomers since its discovery in January 1989, this asteroid has been found to move in an orbit that brings it close to the Earth at regular intervals, about once every four years.

Giving computers the jitters helps explain human behavior

Penn State researchers have developed a computer program that mimics the results when a human appraises a task as threatening and feels worried before starting. Dr. Frank Ritter, associate professor in the School of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), says, ”In this study, we used our program to mimic the results achieved by people who can be seen as having a type of math anxiety. However, the program could also be used to study the effects of feeling threatened or worried before driving a car, using a computer or other stressful task — and to help develop remedial strategies.”

Reagan was right: Trees do cause smog

Changes in U.S. forests caused by land use practices may have inadvertently worsened ozone pollution, according to a study led by Princeton University scientists. The study examined a class of chemicals that are emitted as unburned fuel from automobile tailpipes and as vapors from industrial chemicals, but also come naturally from tree leaves. These chemicals, known collectively as VOCs, react with other pollutants to form ozone, a bluish, irritating and pungent gas that is a major form of smog in the lower atmosphere.

Supernova warning system will give astronomers earlier notice

A Supernova Early Warning System (SNEWS) that detects ghostlike neutrino particles that are the earliest emanations from the immense, explosive death throes of large stars will alert astronomers of the blasts before they can see the flash. SNEWS ”could allow astronomers a chance to make unprecedented observations of the very early turn-on of the supernova,” wrote the authors of an article about the new system in the September issue of the ”New Journal of Physics.”