ScienceDaily: Plants & Animals News

Cannabis: A new frontier in therapeutics Posted: 15 Feb 2015 04:02 AM PST While debate about recreational marijuana use continues, researchers are investigating the effectiveness of cannabis for treating pain, spasticity, and a host of other medical problems. Experts share their perspectives on the therapeutic potential of medical cannabis and explore the emerging science behind it.

Tracking parasites with satellites Posted: 15 Feb 2015 04:02 AM PST Scientists are teaming up to use satellite data to target deadly parasites to help predict patterns of parasitic diseases such as malaria, worms and hydatids.

Immune cells commit suicide to prevent allergy Posted: 13 Feb 2015 05:15 AM PST Scientists have demonstrated that the production of type E immunoglobulins (IgE) by B lymphocytes induces a loss in their mobility and the initiation of cell death mechanisms. These antibodies, present in small quantities, are the most powerful "weapons" in the immune system and can trigger extremely violent immune reactions or immediate allergies (asthma, urticaria, allergic shock) as soon as their levels rise, even slightly. These findings thus elucidate how our bodies restrict the production of IgE in order to prevent an allergic reaction.

Molecular 'switch' that regulates DNA replication and transcription Posted: 12 Feb 2015 12:39 PM PST Researchers have discovered a molecular ‘switch’ that controls replication and transcription of mitochondria DNA, a key finding that could influence the development of targeted therapies for cancer, developmental processes related to fertility and aging.

Ebola study in macaques provides timeframes for post-mortem viral stability Posted: 12 Feb 2015 09:22 AM PST To determine how long Ebola virus could remain infectious in a body after death, scientists sampled deceased Ebola-infected monkeys and discovered the virus remained viable for at least seven days. They also detected non-infectious viral RNA for up to 70 days post-mortem.

European bison did not dwell in the forest: Modern conservation concepts are in need of revision Posted: 12 Feb 2015 03:50 AM PST Paleontologists examined the oldest known bones of bison from Europe. Their research revealed that European Bison were “mixed eaters” who preferred open landscapes to a life in the forest. These findings have a direct impact on the current conservation concept for these animals, which are threatened with extinction.

Mixing plant waste and plastic to obtain building materials Posted: 12 Feb 2015 03:50 AM PST A new company has intertwined the science of chemical engineering and technology to recycle all kinds of useless plastics and tequila agave bagasse similar to wood, but with greater resistance used as formwork in the construction industry or in the manufacture of benches, tables and chairs.

Long-term changes in dead wood reveal new forest dynamics Posted: 11 Feb 2015 12:39 PM PST Healthy forest ecosystems need dead wood to provide important habitat for birds and mammals, but there can be too much of a good thing when dead wood fuels severe wildfires. A scientist compared historic and recent data from a forest in California's central Sierra Nevada region to determine how logging and fire exclusion have changed the amounts and sizes of dead wood over time.

Eliminating dangerous mosquitoes? Malaria parasites unlikely to jump from animals to humans Posted: 11 Feb 2015 10:21 AM PST In recent years, public health experts have increasingly explored the idea of eliminating the most dangerous malaria-causing parasite. But they have questioned whether getting rid of this species, called Plasmodium falciparum, would allow other species of the parasite to simply jump into the gap and start infecting humans with malaria. Now, a new study indicates it is very unlikely that Plasmodium species that infect other animals -- such as apes, birds and reptiles -- would cross over easily to humans.

Link found in how cells start process necessary for life Posted: 11 Feb 2015 09:37 AM PST Researchers have found an RNA structure-based signal that spans billions of years of evolutionary divergence between different types of cells, according to a new study. The finding could alter the basic understanding of how two distinct life forms -- bacteria and eukaryotes -- begin the process of protein synthesis.

Making a better wound dressing, with fish skin Posted: 11 Feb 2015 09:37 AM PST With a low price tag and mild flavor, tilapia has become a staple dinnertime fish for many Americans. Now it could have another use: helping to heal our wounds. Scientists have shown that a protein found in this fish can promote skin repair in rats without an immune reaction, suggesting possible future use for human patients.