Excepftonally strong near-bottom flows on the continental rise of nova scotia

Recent current velocity measurements across the lower continental rise of Nova Scotia show a deep equatorwardflow with speeds (maximum, 73 centimeters per second) among the highest recorded for the deep sea. Silicate measurements indicate that this flow usually consists of southern-source (Antarctic) bottom water. These measurements confirm the existence of a second and deeper western boundary flow that was earlier inferredfrom geological observations.     

Spectra, Variability, Size, and Polarization of H2O Microwave Emission Sources in the Galaxy

Radio spectral line radiation of water molecules at a wavelength of 1.35 centimeters has been measured from eight sources in the galaxy. The sources are less than I arc minute in diameter, have extremely high brightness temperatures, and show many spectral features. Some spectral features are slightly polarized and some have changed greatly in intensity in a few weeks time.     

Chiral amplification of oligopeptides in two-dimensional crystalline self-assemblies on water

Differences in the two-dimensional packing arrangements of racemic and enantiomeric crystalline self-assemblies on the water surface of amphiphilic activated analogs of lysine and glutamic acid have been used to prepare oligopeptides of homochiral sequence and oligopeptides of single handedness from chiral nonracemic mixtures. The crystalline structures on the water surface were determined by grazing incidence x-ray diffraction and the diastereomeric composition of the oligopeptides by matrix-assisted laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry with enantio-labeling. These results suggest that reactivity of ordered clusters at interfaces might have played a role in the generation of early homochiral biopolymers.     

Mutations in dynein link motor neuron degeneration to defects in retrograde transport

Degenerative disorders of motor neurons include a range of progressive fatal diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal-bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Although the causative genetic alterations are known for some cases, the molecular basis of many SMA and SBMA-like syndromes and most ALS cases is unknown. Here we show that missense point mutations in the cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain result in progressive motor neuron degeneration in heterozygous mice, and in homozygotes this is accompanied by the formation of Lewy-like inclusion bodies, thus resembling key features of human pathology. These mutations exclusively perturb neuron-specific functions of dynein.     

Hyperphagia in ruminants induced by a depressant

Attempts at causing ventromedial hyperphagia in ruminants have been hitherto unsuccessful. In our experiments perfusion of the ventriculocisternal system with pentobarbital caused marked hyperphagia. This suggests that the ventromedial hypothalamic area is functioning in ruminants, probably as in monogastric animals, by inhibiting the lateral area.     

Tumor suppression with a combination of alpha-difluoromethyl ornithine and interferon

alpha-Difluoromethyl ornithine and mouse type 1 interferon, when administered simultaneously, were highly toxic to B16 melanoma cells in culture. Oral administration of alpha-difluoromethyl ornithine suppressed B16 melanoma development in mice 85 percent whereas interferon given subcutaneously inhibited tumor growth only 24 percent. Total or near total suppression of tumor growth was observed in mice receiving both treatments.