Simple in Biological News

Research shows that 'invisible hand' guides evolution of cooperative turn-taking

... Professor Colman and Dr Browning discovered a simple variation of "tit for tat" that explains how ... diversity, turn-taking cannot evolve in this simple way." Professor Colman added: "In our ... 2004; we have now shown it directly and found a simple explanation for it. Our findings confirm that ...

Spontaneous assembly

... or attached to specific locations in cells. This simple organizational mechanism - dubbed "stochastic ... periodic patterns can spontaneously emerge from simple mechanisms, but that is probably what is ... the observed complex, ordered patterns. This simple stochastic self-assembly mechanism, which can ...

Clinical trial shows quadriplegics can operate powered wheelchair with tongue drive system

... wheelchair or control a mouse cursor using simple tongue movements can be operated by individuals ... the Tongue Drive system is intuitive and quite simple for individuals with high-level spinal cord ... over the common sip-n-puff device that acts as a simple switch controlled by sucking or blowing through a ...

Plastic that grows on trees, part two

... >, scientists produced HMF from simple sugars derived from cellulose. In this new work, ... step and go straight from cellulose to HMF. This simple process generates a high yield of HMF and allows ... a solvent known as an ionic liquid to convert the simple sugars into HMF. The chemical, a metal ...

First neuroimaging study examining motor execution in children with autism reveals new insights

... typically developing peers while performing a simple motor tasktapping their fingers in sequence. The ... activities. "Tapping your fingers is a simple action, but it involves communication and ... "Whether they are complex social skills or simple motor skills, they all begin with the brain ...

Ancient diatoms lead to new technology for solar energy

... solar energy, in systems that may be surprisingly simple to build compared to existing silicon-based solar ... use of these natural biological systems, using simple and inexpensive materials. "Conventional ... but it clearly works. More so than materials in a simple flat layer, the tiny holes in diatom shells ...

Peptides-on-demand: McGill researcher's radical new green chemistry makes the impossible possible

... entirely new way of synthesizing peptides using simple reagents, a process that would be impossible in ... allows researchers to construct a single, simple "skeleton" peptide which can be modified into any other peptide needed with the addition of a simple reagent. "If you want to make one peptide or ...

Life secret exposed: Scientists unlock mystery of molecular machine

... that existed on the early Earth. From the simple to the complex The key breakthrough came when ... that the ribosome is organized by a set of simple structural rules and that it had to be assembled ... many examples of self-organizing behavior with simple molecules, yet explaining the complex ...

Artificial cells, simple model for complex structure

... a materials chemistry approach in developing simple experimental models for cytoplasm organization," ... Keating. "However, proving it is not easy. With a simple reversible model system, we could test this idea ... primitive artificial cells may offer a very simple experimental system for investigating what goes ...

In many fungi, reproductive spores are remarkably aerodynamic

... borne by animals. "We set out to answer a very simple question: Why do fungal spores have the shapes ... ejected spores, the shape can be explained by simple physical principles: The spores need to have a ... the signature of natural selection in this very simple principle that cuts across a range of species," ...

'Home Improvement' Star Debbe Dunning is New smartTOUCH Spokesperson

... do the work for you. smartTOUCH(R) products are simple to install, and simple to use. My whole family loves using these products. A simple touch of a finger, and they can open a door," ...

MSU technology that converts plant fibers to biofuel commercialized

... can be used to turn fiber from other plants into simple sugars. Mariam Sticklen, MSU professor of crop ... and stalks can be more easily converted into simple sugars. These sugars can then be fermented into ... that makes plant leaves and stems rigid) into simple sugars that can be fermented into ethanol has ...

Caltech scientists create DNA tubes with programmable sizes for nanoscale manufacturing

... of Technology (Caltech) have developed a simple process for mass producing molecular tubes of ... previous approaches, our method is distinctively simple and modular," says Yin. The simplicity and ... the description of the tube design using a simple graphical abstraction system developed earlier ...

Genome of saltwater creature could aid understanding of gene grouping

... HOUSTON (Aug. 20, 2008) The genetic code of a simple saltwater creature could help researchers learn ... breaks down the genetic code of Trichoplax , a simple saltwater creature that one might find anywhere ... a microscope," he said. "And they're extremely simple about ...

New UGA biomass technology dramatically increases ethanol yield from grasses and yard waste

... that increases by at least 10 times the amount of simple sugars released from inexpensive biomass for ... stalks, leaves, and blades of plant wastes into simple sugars is the biggest challenge to bio-based ... is subjected to enzymes that digest it, producing simple sugars. The harsh pretreatment solutions ...

Mechanism and function of humor identified by new evolutionary theory

... as young as four months, and is, effectively, a simple process of surprise repetition, forming a clear, ... we are witnessing here is spatial repetition, a simple two-term pattern featuring the outline or the ... being portrayed. "Both of these examples use simple patterns of exact repetition, even if the ...

Thinking ahead: Bacteria anticipate coming changes in their environment

... of investigation came together nicely to show how simple biochemical networks can perform sophisticated ... elements, however, the networks revealed a simple and elegant structure. The researchers could now ... mealtimes. "It gave us insights into how simple organisms such as bacteria can process ...

Origins of the brain

... that allows more sophisticated thought. "Our simple view that 'more nerves' is sufficient to explain ... the ancient or 'protosynapse' involved with simple behaviours," continues Professor Grant. "This set ... can do the most," continues Professor Grant. simple invertebrate species have a set ...

bioMETRX, Inc. Garage Door Opener Named 'Best In Class'

... that are used to open a garage door. The unit is simple to install, simple to program, and simple to operate. Children as young as 4 years old can ...

Study findings show infection control intervention helps keep kids in school

... Boston published in Pediatrics found that a simple infection control intervention in elementary ... that elementary schools should consider a few simple infection control practices to help keep students ... suggests that schools should consider adopting simple infection control practices, including ...

The photonic beetle

... of a beetle from Brazil. It appears that a simple creature like a beetle provides us with one of ... of physics at the University of Utah. Nature has simple ways of making structures and materials that are ... for a photonic crystal. Nature uses very simple strategies to design structures to manipulate ...

Simple model cell is key to understanding cell complexity

... A team of Penn State researchers has developed a simple artificial cell with which to investigate the ... out how much complexity can be observed in very simple collections of molecules." Building on ... systems might have arisen from seemingly simple chemical and physical principles." ...

When following the leader can lead into the jaws of death

... danger. To avoid this, animals have developed simple but effective behaviour to follow where at least ... but whilst information is a valuable commodity, simple acceptance or blind copying could result in a ... to admit! Much human action is driven by simple decision rules and our work illustrates how those ...

Biodiversity -- it's in the water

... a river system can be accurately predicted with a simple method that uses only the geomorphology of the ... 824 sub-basins in the network. In these, the simple presence (or not) of 433 species of fish was ... just four parameters, its an almost ridiculously simple model, explains EPFL professor Andrea Rinaldo. ...

Rainfall and river networks prove accurate predictors of fish biodiversity

... researchers have invented a method for turning simple data about rainfall and river networks into ... occupy any given region. It is an extremely simple model but it predicts absolutely fantastically ... of river systems that went far beyond simple volume calculations. They drew upon an advanced ...

Cow stomach holds key to turning corn into biofuel

... can be used to turn other plant fibers into simple sugars. These simple sugars can be used to produce ethanol to power ... that separates pairs of sugar molecules into simple sugars. These single sugars are readily ...

New research suggests biofuel blending is often inaccurate

... are often made by local distributors through simple splash blending, whereby ingredients are poured ... their respective amounts. The intent is that the simple act of pouring will ensure proper mixing. But ... alcohol). Reddy and colleagues also pointed to simple human errorpoor math, measurement, or stirringas ...

Weird water: Discovery challenges long-held beliefs about water's special properties

... and liquids commonly found in nature. The simple fact that water expands when it freezes -- an ... and Applied Science. And here we have a very simple model that displays behaviors that are very hard ... researchers. It had previously been shown that simple molecules can show some water-like features. In ...

'Twinkle after-effect' can help retinal patients detect vision loss quickly and cheaply

... of Harvard Medical School, have discovered a simple and inexpensive way for patients with retinal and ... screen. Our hope is that we can make this simple technique available online or on a DVD, says Dr. ... technique but we believe it is a powerful, simple tool that patients can use daily in the privacy ...

Pregnant women at risk for unnecessary operations due to misdiagnosis of appendicitis

... the presence of complicated (ruptured) or simple appendicitis. The rate of negative ... as an appendectomy without a diagnosis of simple or complicated appendicitis) was significantly ... a normal appendix (4 percent) and patients with simple appendicitis (2 percent). Appendectomy resulted ...

Interaction of just 2 genes governs coloration patterns in mice

... of California, San Diego, have found that a simple interaction between just two genes determines the ... coloration. There's reason to believe this simple pathway may be evolutionarily conserved across ... we identify the genetic changes producing a simple color pattern that helps camouflage mice ...

Navigating in the ocean of molecules

... of Scaffold Hunter we move along the branches from complex to increasingly simple structures which may be similar in their effect." Thus, the researchers identify structurally simple scaffolds with promising characteristics as the starting point in the ...

DNA computation gets logical at the Weizmann Institute of Science

... a trillion fit in a drop of water, that device was able to perform such simple calculations as checking a list of 0s and 1s to determine if there was an ... familiar. It was first proposed by Aristotle over 2000 years ago as a simple ifthen proposition: 'All men are mortal. Socrates is a man. Therefore, ...

Slotted buses keep passengers cool

... A simple redesign of public buses used in hot and dry climates could make ... study of fluid flow in a 1:25 model. Their findings suggest that a few simple modifications to conventional design could significantly boost cooling ...

Toxin detection as close as an inkjet printer

... is dependent on the concentration of the toxin in the sample. This simple and cost-effective method of adhering biochemical reagents to paper is ... as well as in remote settings in less industrialized countries where simple bioassays are essential for the first stages of detecting disease. ...

1-finger exercise reveals unexpected limits to dexterity

... Now faster. Now faster." These were the commands for volunteers in a simple experiment that casts doubt on old ideas about mechanisms to control hand ... ground," he explains. Valero-Cuevas and his collaborators set up a simple experiment to characterize how finger velocity made a difference in the ...

Researchers observe single protein dimers wavering between two symmetrically opposed structures

... a series of studies that use novel fluorescence methods to show that both simple and complex proteins can swiftly change their structures. In March, Deniz ... Research team published a study, also in PNAS , demonstrating how a simple protein associated with development of Parkinson's disease can switch ...

Promising device snags young inventors coveted spot at IShow

... is very useful medically, will benefit a large group of patients, and is simple for people to use," said Dr. Cliff Dacso, director of the Abramson Center, ... bathroom scale and riding a bicycle. Since everyone is familiar with these simple actions, the usage of Blue Scale is seamless," Pollonini said. Rajan, ...

Muscular dystrophy diagnosis delayed almost 2.5 years in boys

... for the past 20 years despite advances in genetic testing and treatment. A simple and inexpensive blood test for any boy with symptoms and signs of motor ... another year before these children are screened with a serum CK test a simple and inexpensive blood test for creatine kinase, an enzyme that leaks out ...

When cells reach out and touch

... Scientists at Johns Hopkins were surprised to find an elegantly simple answer: touch. In a new study, published online April 9 in the ... in normal development and in disease states has been the lack of a simple system by which scientists could turn on and off a molecular pathway that ...