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News From The Journals Of The American Society For Microbiology
Preventative Treatment Against Malaria May be Less Effective in Malnourished Children

Mapping Gene Expression With Gene Expression Atlas
Recently, researchers at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory"s European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) launched a new database, the Gene Expression Atlas, which allows scientists to search and compare gene expression data at unprecedented detail and scope. Observing how gene expression varies in different cell types, tissues and under disease conditions can help researchers understand gene function and to develop new drugs and therapies.
News of the day
Generation Of A Severe Memory-Deficit Mutant Mouse By Exclusively Eliminating The Kinase Activity Of CaMKIIalpha
Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II alpha (CaMKII alpha) is an enzyme that adds phosphates to a variety of protein substrates to modify their functions. CaMKII alpha is enriched in the hippocampus, the memory center of the brain, and is believed to be an essential mediator of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity and memory functions. However, the causative role of the enzymatic activity of CaMKII alpha in such processes has not been demonstrated yet, because this enzyme has multiple protein functions other than the kinase activity. A Japanese research group, led by Dr Yoko Yamagata of the National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Japan, has successfully generated a novel kinase-dead mutant mouse of the CaMKII alpha gene that completely and exclusively lacks its kinase activity. They examined hippocampal synaptic plasticity and behavioral learning of the mouse, and found a severe deficit in both processes. They reported their findings in the Journal of Neuroscience, published on June 10, 2009.
Nutrition

Parents Concerned, But Confused About How To Fix Childhood Obesity

Food, fitness or familyò€¦which one is most to blame for childhood obesity? New research from Mintel shows today"s parents aren"t sure, and they"re feeling overwhelmed and worried as they try to prevent obesity in their own children. In an exclusive consumer survey of American parents, Mintel found confusion over whether diet or exercise is most important for keeping kids at a healthy weight. Nearly three quarters of parents (72%) believe kids have too much access to junk food, while 69% feel that a lack of exercise is more to blame for obesity. In addition, two in five parents (40%) are concerned that their children might develop obesity. "Parents aren"t sure where to focus first to ensure their children"s health-diet, exercise or both simultaneously," states Marcia Mogelonsky, senior analyst at Mintel. According to Mintel, parents need help when it comes to promoting healthy eating with their children. While 95% feel that this is very or somewhat important, only 82% believe they are somewhat or very successful at doing so. Similarly, while 93% consider it very or somewhat important to limit their children"s access to junk food, only 77% feel they have been very or somewhat successful at accomplishing this. Additionally, many parents blame kids" sedentary lifestyles for obesity. According to parents, less than half of kids are physically active five or more hours per week-less than an hour a day. These sedentary habits are not enough to offset the caloric intake of kids with poor eating habits. "When it comes to placing the blame, most parents look to themselves," states Marcia Mogelonsky. "Seventy-eight percent of parents believe the fault lies with them, yet most seek more information on nutrition so they can improve their children"s health." More than half of parents (57%) are worried that their children don"t get enough information about healthy living at school, and 47% believe children should have ongoing diet and nutrition classes. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children aged two to 19 is significant at 12%. While there are hints that these rates are leveling, they have yet to decline. The government has set a goal of 5% incidence in obesity among children for 2010. Mintel


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