Research Roundup (Fall ’13, Week 6)

World
··2 min read
Every week our Research Editors highlight a few of the latest headlines in science news and explain why these pieces are interesting and applicable to our classes at UC San Diego. If you find an engaging science article, share it with us on our Facebook page and your highlight may just be featured!

Testosterone Treatments Linked with Risk of Heart Problems, Deaths | Live Science

Though testosterone therapy practices continue in the field of healthcare, recent research may be linking these treatments to increased heart attacks and stroke. Since this is a new discovery, long-term use effects are currently unknown.

If you are interested in learning more about various physiological affects on your health, consider taking BIPN 100 (Mammalian Physiology 1).

— Nicholas Kotsyubko | Research Editor

Surprising Variation Among Genomes of Individual Neurons from the Same Brain | Science Daily

New discoveries present the possibility of DNA that copies and pastes itself throughout the genome, with studies of some neural genomes showing extra or missing chromosomes. Further research is underway to uncover the reason behind these variations.

If you are interested in learning more about neural determination and connections, consider taking BIPN 144 (Developmental Neurobiology).

— Nicholas Kotsyubko | Research Editor

Mysterious Disease Turns Starfish to ‘Slime’ on U.S. West Coast | Scientific American

Scientists are searching for the root of a disease that is causing starfish all along the West Coast, from Alaska to Southern California to essentially turn to slime. Though the disease has been reported before, it has only been in small numbers and localized in the Southern Californian region.
If you are interested in learning more about organisms and ecosystems, consider taking BIEB 102 (Introduction to Ecology-Organisms and Habitat).
— Amelia Wong | Research Editor

Intestinal Bacteria Linked to Rheumatoid Arthritis | Science Daily

Researchers from the NYU School of Medicine have linked the intestinal bacteria Prevotella copri to the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. This finding adds evidence to support the notion that the trillions of microbes in our body are important in regulating our health.
If you are interested in learning more about microbes, consider taking BIMM 122 (Microbial Genetics).
— Amelia Wong | Research Editor