The Science News Digest - 27 February 2009
In the science news this week; A mountain range is discovered beneath Antarctica, ‘brain-training’ may be of no more benefit than doing the crossword, and the Albatross is thrown a lifeline…
A mountain range underneath Antarctica is found to be as large as the European Alps. The Gamburtsev mountain range (named after the Soviet geophysicist Grigoriy Gamburtsev who first discovered the mountains over 50 years ago) has been mapped in detail for the first time since its discovery as part of the International Polar Year.
The images produced as a result of the international mapping project, led by geophysicist Fausto Ferraccicoli of the British Antarctic Survey, has revealed peaks up to 3000m high, and valleys as deep as 1000m (twice as deep as those found in the Alps), reports the Guardian.
The team were surprised not just by the size of the area covered by the range (over 200,000 square kilometres), but the apparent freshness of the peaks and valleys. Although the mountains are hidden deep below 2.5 miles of Ice, aeroplanes fitted with radar, magnetic, and gravity sensors have been able to build up a picture of the rocks underneath.
Such high mountains are usually only associated with tectonic plate boundaries – so to find these high peaks in the centre of an ancient continent is startling. The new evidence also raises questions about how the ice sheet might have formed. It had been thought that the ice formed slowly, with the mountain range as a ‘nucleus’. However, slow growth would have resulted in much more rapid erosion, and the scientists expected to see a plateau beneath the ice sheet. The data suggests that the ice might have formed quickly – ‘we just don’t know’, said Ferraccicoli. The task for the team now is to begin interpreting their findings.
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Are you squeamish about visiting the dentist? Scientists studying tooth development have discovered a gene that controls the growth of enamel, the hardest tissue in the human body.
Enamel grows when humans are still embryos, but as teeth erupt from the gums, the enamel-forming cells die. It is impossible to re-grow enamel if a tooth becomes rotten. This isn’t a problem in animals, but for us humans with a diet high in sugar and starch, tooth decay and cavities are a big concern for dentists.
Chrissa Kioussi and Mark Leid who led the study at Oregon State University have identified the gene (known as Ctip2) after observing mice that were born without it. These mice grew teeth with no enamel covering at all. By understanding the genetics behind tooth development, it may be possible to repair damaged enamel, and maybe even grow teeth in the laboratory, claimed Kioussi.
However, a lot of work is still needed in order to bring this development to human applications states the Guardian, but in due course it could work. If scientists can perfect a way to regrow teeth, it could have great benefits for patients who are afraid or nervous of undergoing dental surgery.
---------------------------------
A supply of the vaccine for Meningitis C has been withdrawn over fears that over 20,000 vials of the vaccine could be contaminated. A sample of the vaccine has tested positively for the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, a hospital acquired infection.
Whilst 20,000 vials have been distributed to GP’s surgeries across the UK, The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulation Authority has said that no children are believed to be at risk, and that the doses have been recalled as a precaution only. It is believed that a further 40,000 does could also be contaminated.
The vaccination – which has only been available in the UK since January – is manufactured by Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis, and is available to all babies aged four months old. The shadow Health-Secretary Andrew Lansley described the incident as ‘very disturbing’ and has demanded an explanation from the government, reports the Telegraph.
The sample that had tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus was part of a non-routine study, and was not part of the UK Market product. However, the vials delivered to the UK have been recalled in order to carry out further tests and comparisons with the positive sample. A Department of Health spokeswoman has said: We are aware that MHRA has recalled two batches of the Meningitis C vaccine. This is a precautionary measure and we are not aware of any problems in the UK.’
However, as scepticism towards childhood vaccines continues, parents will want answers as to why it has taken so long to withdraw the vaccine said Lansley.
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Research published this week has shown that devices such as the Nintendo DS, and other ‘brain training’ computer games, may be of no more benefit in keeping people’s brains active than crosswords or surfing the internet, reports the Guardian.
A panel of experts employed by the consumer group ‘Which?’ has found no evidence to support claims made by the manufacturers of such gadgets, that they can help improve memory, or reduce the risk of illnesses such as dementia. Perhaps most importantly, none of these brain-training claims are supported by peer-reviewed research in any recognised scientific journal. The ‘games’ assessed included Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training, Mindfit, and Luminosity.
The editor of Which? Magazine, Martin Hocking said, ‘If people enjoy using these games then they should continue to do so – it’s a no-brainer. But if people are under the illusion that these devices are scientifically proven to keep their minds in shape, they need to think again.’
Michael Scanlon, a neuroscientist from Luminosity defended the company’s research and said, ‘We would never say Luminosity is proven to improve day to day living, but there is more and more evidence that it does. We have actually conducted our own clinical trials to measure effectiveness of the product.’
Bruce Robinson of Mind Weavers, which produces MindFit, has said that whilst they are not claiming that using MindFit will stop Alzheimer’s, there is wide evidence that that brain stimulation is working, and that ‘cognitively challenging activity’ may help to prevent the illness.
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NASA’S Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) has crashed after its protective fairing (which shields it during its launch) failed to separate and fall away properly. The added weight of the protective fairing meant that the OCO did not reach its planned orbit, and has crashed just off the coast of Antarctica in the Pacific Ocean.
The OCO was intended to be the first satellite to be able to monitor exactly where and when carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere, and where it is being absorbed. The human population currently emits about 8.5 billion tonnes of carbon each year – although since the Industrial Revolution, just 40% of this carbon is in the atmosphere, thought to be contributing towards the greenhouse effect and global warming. The remaining 60% finds its way into ‘carbon sinks’, natural reservoirs such as trees and plankton where carbon is stored as organic material. The OCO was intended to help identify and monitor the sinks of carbon dioxide.
NASA has stated that a mishap investigation board will look into the cause of the failure, and that the launch of another climate satellite named ‘Glory’ will be put on hold for the foreseeable future (Glory had been scheduled to launch this November) reports New Scientist.
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And lastly, the endangered Albatross has been offered a lifeline, and the outlook for the seabird is now better than ever due to a scheme that has successfully reduced the number of birds accidentally killed by the fishing industry.
Long baited lines are used to catch fish such as tuna, but birds like the Albatross are attracted to the lines and can be dragged down into the sea if they become entangled. The Albatross Task Force (ATF) project was launched in 2006 and since then the South African initiative has seen an 85% drop in the number of birds killed in South African fisheries, reports the BBC.
The UK Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) now hopes the scheme could be expanded to other countries. An organiser of the initiative, Meidad Goren said: ‘Fishermen now understand that in order to continue fishing they must avoid killing seabirds, and they are very cooperative.’
The task force (a collaborative effort between the PSPB and Birdlife International) placed instructors aboard fishing boats to show the fisherman how to prevent birds becoming entangled – the main technique involves attaching streamers to the back of the boat which frightens off the birds from the baited lines. The fishermen have also been encouraged to set out their lines at night – when bird activity is at its lowest.
Dr Ross Wanless of Birdlife International in Africa said: ‘The ATF has shown that by working with government and industry, change is possible.’
A mountain range underneath Antarctica is found to be as large as the European Alps. The Gamburtsev mountain range (named after the Soviet geophysicist Grigoriy Gamburtsev who first discovered the mountains over 50 years ago) has been mapped in detail for the first time since its discovery as part of the International Polar Year.
The images produced as a result of the international mapping project, led by geophysicist Fausto Ferraccicoli of the British Antarctic Survey, has revealed peaks up to 3000m high, and valleys as deep as 1000m (twice as deep as those found in the Alps), reports the Guardian.
The team were surprised not just by the size of the area covered by the range (over 200,000 square kilometres), but the apparent freshness of the peaks and valleys. Although the mountains are hidden deep below 2.5 miles of Ice, aeroplanes fitted with radar, magnetic, and gravity sensors have been able to build up a picture of the rocks underneath.
Such high mountains are usually only associated with tectonic plate boundaries – so to find these high peaks in the centre of an ancient continent is startling. The new evidence also raises questions about how the ice sheet might have formed. It had been thought that the ice formed slowly, with the mountain range as a ‘nucleus’. However, slow growth would have resulted in much more rapid erosion, and the scientists expected to see a plateau beneath the ice sheet. The data suggests that the ice might have formed quickly – ‘we just don’t know’, said Ferraccicoli. The task for the team now is to begin interpreting their findings.
--------------------------
Are you squeamish about visiting the dentist? Scientists studying tooth development have discovered a gene that controls the growth of enamel, the hardest tissue in the human body.
Enamel grows when humans are still embryos, but as teeth erupt from the gums, the enamel-forming cells die. It is impossible to re-grow enamel if a tooth becomes rotten. This isn’t a problem in animals, but for us humans with a diet high in sugar and starch, tooth decay and cavities are a big concern for dentists.
Chrissa Kioussi and Mark Leid who led the study at Oregon State University have identified the gene (known as Ctip2) after observing mice that were born without it. These mice grew teeth with no enamel covering at all. By understanding the genetics behind tooth development, it may be possible to repair damaged enamel, and maybe even grow teeth in the laboratory, claimed Kioussi.
However, a lot of work is still needed in order to bring this development to human applications states the Guardian, but in due course it could work. If scientists can perfect a way to regrow teeth, it could have great benefits for patients who are afraid or nervous of undergoing dental surgery.
---------------------------------
A supply of the vaccine for Meningitis C has been withdrawn over fears that over 20,000 vials of the vaccine could be contaminated. A sample of the vaccine has tested positively for the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, a hospital acquired infection.
Whilst 20,000 vials have been distributed to GP’s surgeries across the UK, The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulation Authority has said that no children are believed to be at risk, and that the doses have been recalled as a precaution only. It is believed that a further 40,000 does could also be contaminated.
The vaccination – which has only been available in the UK since January – is manufactured by Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis, and is available to all babies aged four months old. The shadow Health-Secretary Andrew Lansley described the incident as ‘very disturbing’ and has demanded an explanation from the government, reports the Telegraph.
The sample that had tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus was part of a non-routine study, and was not part of the UK Market product. However, the vials delivered to the UK have been recalled in order to carry out further tests and comparisons with the positive sample. A Department of Health spokeswoman has said: We are aware that MHRA has recalled two batches of the Meningitis C vaccine. This is a precautionary measure and we are not aware of any problems in the UK.’
However, as scepticism towards childhood vaccines continues, parents will want answers as to why it has taken so long to withdraw the vaccine said Lansley.
------------------------------
Research published this week has shown that devices such as the Nintendo DS, and other ‘brain training’ computer games, may be of no more benefit in keeping people’s brains active than crosswords or surfing the internet, reports the Guardian.
A panel of experts employed by the consumer group ‘Which?’ has found no evidence to support claims made by the manufacturers of such gadgets, that they can help improve memory, or reduce the risk of illnesses such as dementia. Perhaps most importantly, none of these brain-training claims are supported by peer-reviewed research in any recognised scientific journal. The ‘games’ assessed included Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training, Mindfit, and Luminosity.
The editor of Which? Magazine, Martin Hocking said, ‘If people enjoy using these games then they should continue to do so – it’s a no-brainer. But if people are under the illusion that these devices are scientifically proven to keep their minds in shape, they need to think again.’
Michael Scanlon, a neuroscientist from Luminosity defended the company’s research and said, ‘We would never say Luminosity is proven to improve day to day living, but there is more and more evidence that it does. We have actually conducted our own clinical trials to measure effectiveness of the product.’
Bruce Robinson of Mind Weavers, which produces MindFit, has said that whilst they are not claiming that using MindFit will stop Alzheimer’s, there is wide evidence that that brain stimulation is working, and that ‘cognitively challenging activity’ may help to prevent the illness.
------------------------------------
NASA’S Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) has crashed after its protective fairing (which shields it during its launch) failed to separate and fall away properly. The added weight of the protective fairing meant that the OCO did not reach its planned orbit, and has crashed just off the coast of Antarctica in the Pacific Ocean.
The OCO was intended to be the first satellite to be able to monitor exactly where and when carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere, and where it is being absorbed. The human population currently emits about 8.5 billion tonnes of carbon each year – although since the Industrial Revolution, just 40% of this carbon is in the atmosphere, thought to be contributing towards the greenhouse effect and global warming. The remaining 60% finds its way into ‘carbon sinks’, natural reservoirs such as trees and plankton where carbon is stored as organic material. The OCO was intended to help identify and monitor the sinks of carbon dioxide.
NASA has stated that a mishap investigation board will look into the cause of the failure, and that the launch of another climate satellite named ‘Glory’ will be put on hold for the foreseeable future (Glory had been scheduled to launch this November) reports New Scientist.
-------------------------------------------
And lastly, the endangered Albatross has been offered a lifeline, and the outlook for the seabird is now better than ever due to a scheme that has successfully reduced the number of birds accidentally killed by the fishing industry.
Long baited lines are used to catch fish such as tuna, but birds like the Albatross are attracted to the lines and can be dragged down into the sea if they become entangled. The Albatross Task Force (ATF) project was launched in 2006 and since then the South African initiative has seen an 85% drop in the number of birds killed in South African fisheries, reports the BBC.
The UK Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) now hopes the scheme could be expanded to other countries. An organiser of the initiative, Meidad Goren said: ‘Fishermen now understand that in order to continue fishing they must avoid killing seabirds, and they are very cooperative.’
The task force (a collaborative effort between the PSPB and Birdlife International) placed instructors aboard fishing boats to show the fisherman how to prevent birds becoming entangled – the main technique involves attaching streamers to the back of the boat which frightens off the birds from the baited lines. The fishermen have also been encouraged to set out their lines at night – when bird activity is at its lowest.
Dr Ross Wanless of Birdlife International in Africa said: ‘The ATF has shown that by working with government and industry, change is possible.’
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