Suppression of star formation in early-type galaxies by feedback from supermassive black holes

Detailed high-resolution observations of the innermost regions of nearby galaxies have revealed the presence of supermassive black holes. These black holes may interact with their host galaxies by means of 'feedback' in the form of energy and material jets; this feedback affects the evolution of the host and gives rise to observed relations between the black hole and the host. Here we report observations of the ultraviolet emissions of massive early-type galaxies. We derive an empirical relation for a critical black-hole mass (as a function of velocity dispersion) above which the outflows from these black holes suppress star formation in their hosts by heating and expelling all available cold gas. Supermassive black holes are negligible in mass compared to their hosts but nevertheless seem to play a critical role in the star formation history of galaxies.     

DNA sequence and comparative analysis of chimpanzee chromosome 22

Human-chimpanzee comparative genome research is essential for narrowing down genetic changes involved in the acquisition of unique human features, such as highly developed cognitive functions, bipedalism or the use of complex language. Here, we report the high-quality DNA sequence of 33.3 megabases of chimpanzee chromosome 22. By comparing the whole sequence with the human counterpart, chromosome 21, we found that 1.44% of the chromosome consists of single-base substitutions in addition to nearly 68,000 insertions or deletions. These differences are sufficient to generate changes in most of the proteins. Indeed, 83% of the 231 coding sequences, including functionally important genes, show differences at the amino acid sequence level. Furthermore, we demonstrate different expansion of particular subfamilies of retrotransposons between the lineages, suggesting different impacts of retrotranspositions on human and chimpanzee evolution. The genomic changes after speciation and their biological consequences seem more complex than originally hypothesized.     

Characteristics of U-pattern distribution of highconcentration <Superscript>210</Superscript>Pb in surface air at central Guizhou,China

A better understanding of the variation of ²¹⁰Pb concentrations in the surface air is the key to trace lake sedimentation and catchment erosion, to establish and validate the global diffusion model of contaminants, and to assess the impact of natural radiation on the ecological system. Basing on the study progresses of the sedimentation, the atmospheric model and the unique environmental background in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, and starting from December 20, 2001, we made use of a 500 NE Type aerosol sampler to collect filter samples, once a week in the past consecutive two years, in the surface air at Mt. Guanfeng, Guiyang City, China. Synchronous detailed γ-energy spectrometric observations of ²¹⁰Pb concentrations at both Chinese and U.S. laboratories have shown that the average monthly ²¹⁰Pb concentration displays a regular U-patterns distribution of annual variations, with high values appearing in winter and low values in late spring and summer. The average annual ²¹⁰Pb concentrations are estimated to be 2.77±0.63 mBq/m³, about 4 times the average maximum concentrations reported from quite a number of monitoring stations throughout the world. The possible factors affecting the sources of ²¹⁰Pb in the surface air in the central part of Guizhou Province are: Release of ²²²Rn from the U-Ra series enriched in the soils; chemical weathering of carbonate rocks; the exploitation, processing and utilization of coal and phosphorous resources. The principal factor controlling the high ²¹⁰Pb concentrations in the surface air in the central Guizhou and their annual U-pattern distribution is the release of ²²²Rn. The average monthly ²¹⁰Pb concentrations show a good negative powerfunction relationship with increasing precipitation and also show a good negative linear-function relationship with the rise of air temperature in month grouping. Group No.1 (June to November) reflects a relatively low release of ²²²Rn from soils in relatively high temperature seasons; Group No.2 (December to May) mirrors a relatively high release of ²²²Rn from soils in relatively low temperature seasons. The average monthly ²¹⁰Pb concentrations simulated in terms of the precipitation and air temperature are in good consistency with the measured values, revealing that the regular U-pattern distribution characteristics of ²¹⁰Pb concentrations in the surface air in the central Guizhou are controlled predominantly by regional precipitation and air temperature. Meanwhile, it is also indicated that the magnitude of variation of air temperature and precipitation within the same year also constrains the ratio of high values over low values of average monthly ²¹⁰Pb concentrations. On a month time scale, precipitation and air temperature are a main factor affecting the release of ²²²Rn from soils (rocks). In this aspect strong evidence has been obtained.     

Fisheries: mislabelling of a depleted reef fish

Any fish species that appears to be readily available in the marketplace will create an impression among the public that there is a plentiful supply of that fish in the sea, but this may belie the true state of the fisheries' stock. Here we use molecular genetic analysis to show that some three-quarters of the fish sold in the United States as 'red snapper'--the US Food and Drug Administration's legally designated common name for Lutjanus campechanus--belong to another species. Mislabelling to this extent not only defrauds consumers but could also adversely affect estimates of stock size if it influences the reporting of catch data that are used in fisheries management.     

Reducing uncertainty about carbon dioxide as a climate driver

The lack of an adequate ancient analogue for future climates means that we ultimately must use and trust climate models, evaluated against modern observation and our best geologic records of warm and cold climates of the past. Armed with an elevated confidence in the models, we will then be able to make reliable predictions of the Earth's response to our risky experiment with the climate system.     

PPAR-γ is a major driver of the accumulation and phenotype of adipose tissue Treg cells

Obesity and type-2 diabetes have increased markedly over the past few decades, in parallel. One of the major links between these two disorders is chronic, low-grade inflammation. Prolonged nutrient excess promotes the accumulation and activation of leukocytes in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and ultimately other tissues, leading to metabolic abnormalities such as insulin resistance, type-2 diabetes and fatty-liver disease. Although invasion of VAT by pro-inflammatory macrophages is considered to be a key event driving adipose-tissue inflammation and insulin resistance, little is known about the roles of other immune system cell types in these processes. A unique population of VAT-resident regulatory T (Treg) cells was recently implicated in control of the inflammatory state of adipose tissue and, thereby, insulin sensitivity. Here we identify peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ, the 'master regulator' of adipocyte differentiation, as a crucial molecular orchestrator of VAT Treg cell accumulation, phenotype and function. Unexpectedly, PPAR-γ expression by VAT Treg cells was necessary for complete restoration of insulin sensitivity in obese mice by the thiazolidinedione drug pioglitazone. These findings suggest a previously unknown cellular mechanism for this important class of thiazolidinedione drugs, and provide proof-of-principle that discrete populations of Treg cells with unique functions can be precisely targeted to therapeutic ends.     

Passenger deletions generate therapeutic vulnerabilities in cancer

Inactivation of tumour-suppressor genes by homozygous deletion is a prototypic event in the cancer genome, yet such deletions often encompass neighbouring genes. We propose that homozygous deletions in such passenger genes can expose cancer-specific therapeutic vulnerabilities when the collaterally deleted gene is a member of a functionally redundant family of genes carrying out an essential function. The glycolytic gene enolase 1 (ENO1) in the 1p36 locus is deleted in glioblastoma (GBM), which is tolerated by the expression of ENO2. Here we show that short-hairpin-RNA-mediated silencing of ENO2 selectively inhibits growth, survival and the tumorigenic potential of ENO1-deleted GBM cells, and that the enolase inhibitor phosphonoacetohydroxamate is selectively toxic to ENO1-deleted GBM cells relative to ENO1-intact GBM cells or normal astrocytes. The principle of collateral vulnerability should be applicable to other passenger-deleted genes encoding functionally redundant essential activities and provide an effective treatment strategy for cancers containing such genomic events.     

Debris Flow Monitoring System and Observed Event in Taiwan： A Case Study at Aiyuzi River

Since 2002,the Soil and Water Conservation Bureau,which is responsible for the conservation and administrative man-agement of hillside in Taiwan,has been cooperating with Feng Chia University. Together,they have successfully carried out the establishment and maintenance of 13 fixed debris flow monitoring stations over the island and 2 mobile debris flow monitoring sta-tions. During July 2004,a powerful southwest air current brought by Mindulle Typhoon caused serious flood in central and southern Taiwan. This paper aims to describe the establishment of debris flow monitoring systems in Taiwan and the observation of the debris flow event during Mindulle Typhoon at Aiyuzi River in Shenmu Village,Nantou County by the monitoring station.