D is for disease inhibitor
Vitamin D has been found to interact with genes at over 2776 sites on the human genome, some of which are linked to diseases such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, leukaemia and colorectal cancer (Genome Research, ). The authors say their findings underscore the risks of vitamin D deficiency.
Sitting Bull鈥檚 secrets
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Legendary Native American chief, Sitting Bull of the Sioux, is to yield up the secrets of his genome. Eske Willerslev and colleagues at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark have reportedly won approval from Sitting Bull鈥檚 descendents to undertake a DNA analysis from a strand of his hair, which was acquired upon his death in 1890.
Frankenstein fix
Earth gravity mapper GOCE needs a Frankenstein fix. The European Space Agency satellite, which could provide insight into ocean currents for climate models, is no longer transmitting data back to Earth following faults with two on-board computers. ESA hopes to stitch together components from each computer to restore communication.
Superbus to ease traffic
As Beijing struggles with a nine-day-long traffic jam, the Chinese city plans to ease its congestion woes with a bus on stilts. The electric vehicle will hold up to 1400 people and run on rails that let it straddle two lanes of traffic, allowing cars to travel underneath it. First passenger tests are scheduled for next year.
Jupiter attacked
For the third time in just over a year, amateur astronomers have detected a strike on Jupiter. The widespread filming of the gas giant by amateurs has shown that comets or asteroids crash into it more frequently than previously thought.