Week In Science

A remarkable paper titled Functional Specificity among Ribosomal Proteins Regulates Gene Expression (Cell, Vol 131, 557-571, 02 November 2007) authored by Suzanne Komili, Natalie G. Farny, Frederick P. Roth, and Pamela A. Silver indicates that there may be a ribosomal code complementing the already recognized genetic and histone codes. Together they would form a triad of codes corresponding to three critical biomolecular functions: information storage, transcription and translation. The best known of the three explains how the identity and sequence of amino acids found in proteins is coded in DNA. The histone code, found in eukaryotic organisms, involves the regulation of the transcription process. A ribosomal code is relevant to the translation of genetic information stored in mRNA codons to the protein synthesis process through the correct sequencing of amino acids.

There are historic junctures when scientific discoveries lead to theoretical paradigm shifts which in turn influence non-scientific disciplines such as philosophy or even popular cultural norms. For example, historians have linked the rise of moral relativism to popular misconceptions about Einstein's Theories of Relativity. Einstein may have been more comfortable with invariance replacing the term relativity, inferring perhaps different moral concepts, but not necessarily leading to different moral precepts among people inclined to be subjective about such matters.

Information about the first news item is credited to an online Science News article titled The Big Dry. It describes drought conditions afflicting Australia; a nation which experiences less rainfall than most countries even during wetter periods. The drought has affected the economy, agriculture, ecosystems and people of Australia. While rainfall has lessened, temperatures have increased. The effects have been predictable. There have been more wildfires and a decline in the water levels of lakes, rivers and reservoirs. There may have occurred a change in climate that will stay for quite some time, yet measures required to deal with the challenge are slow in coming.

Katharine Sanderson's article This quantum stuff just doesn't add up (published online 27 September 2007 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news070924-10) reveals possible paths to quantum cryptography. It would be based on some unusual adjustments to rules of addition and subtraction applicable to photons.

The EurekAlert article Studying component parts of living cells with carbon nanotube cellular probes aptly shows the link between scientific advances and advances in technology. Carbon nanotubes can serve as cellular probes enabling the insertion of drugs or solutions into cells or the organelles within cells. In doing so they also minimize cellular damage by virtue of their small diameters.

Birds and Bees

Androstenone, a compound produced from testosterone, has been identified as a pheromone in pigs. But is it a human pheromone as well? Related research results were discussed in a Nature article titled Some smell it sour, some smell it sweet, (published online: 16 September 2007; doi:10.1038/news070910-15).

Matt Kaplan published an article in the June 29, 2007 edition of 'Nature' (Urine grows better fish food) in which he highlighted evidence that diluted human urine facilitates the growth of plankton. The data originated at the University of Kalyani in India through the efforts of Bara Bihari Jana and his colleagues. The university urinals were the source of the urine. There were also points of comparison as cow urine was also used and mixtures created with earthy ingredients that included vermin compost, poultry droppings and cow dung. There was a guiding formula as well. To every 4,500 litres of water a half a liter of urine was added or a half a kilo of dung.

In the past few months important studies have been published about honey bees. Some address the American problem of colony collapse which concerns farmers throughout the United States. Others have identified specific genes and proteins with honey bee development and behavior.

Pesticides reduce symbiotic efficiency of nitrogen-fixing rhizobia and host plants is a PNAS paper detailing research findings that may account for reduced agricultural output. The cause may be the use of pesticides and agrichemicals that interfere with a vital plant function known as nitrogen fixation by inhibiting interaction between rhizobia bacteria and plant roots. As the authors note: "The vast majority of biologically fixed N is attributable to symbiosis between leguminous plants (soybeans, alfalfa etc.) and species of Rhizobium bacteria..." The importance of the symbiotic relationship to agricultural yield indicates that adjustments in agricultural practices will be forthcoming.

Ambion's miRNA Resource is a good place to familiarize oneself with microRNA. MicroRNA has become increasingly important to researchers as its impact on cellular function has become known.