
2014 Polish Film Festival marks Poland’s move toward democracy
This year’s Polish Film Festival celebrates Eastern Europe’s move toward freedom, and the 20th anniversary of the Skalny Center for Polish and Central European Studies, which organizes the annual festival.

Protected: About Professor Ching Tang
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Researcher honored as Thomson Reuters Citation Laureate
Ching Tang, a professor of chemical engineering at the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, is being recognized as one of the most influential researchers in the field of chemistry. Thomson Reuters has named Tang one of this year’s 26 Citation Laureates for his role in inventing the organic light-emitting diode (OLED).

Parasitic DNA stops “jumping” when protein takes charge
Biology researchers Vera Gorbunova and Andrei Seluanov report that the “jumping genes” in mice become active as the mice age when a multi-function protein stops keeping them in check in order to take on another role. A protein called Sirt6 is needed to keep the jumping genes—technically known as retrotransposons—inactive.

Less effective DNA repair process takes over as mice age, biologists find
Biologists Vera Gorbunova and Andei Seluanov have discovered one reason for the the increase in DNA damage as we age: the primary repair process begins to fail and is replaced by one that is less accurate.

Targeting cells’ protein-making machinery may stop harmful bacteria
For the first time, the middle-steps in the process that creates the protein-making machinery of bacterial cells—called the ribosomes—has been isolated. A new study by biologist Gloria Culver suggests that blocking these pathways may help kill off drug-resistant bacteria.

Alternate mechanism of species formation picks up support, thanks to a South American ant
A newly-discovered species of ant supports a controversial theory of species formation. “Most new species come about in geographic isolation,” said Christian Rabeling, assistant professor of biology at the University of Rochester. “We now have evidence that speciation can take place within a single colony.”

When temperatures drop, newly-discovered process helps fruit flies cope
Rochester biologist Michael Welte and his team made their discovery while studying the internal mechanisms of the egg cell of the fruit fly, known as Drosophila. What keeps the assembly line functioning—based on the new research—is a protein called Klar.

Protein anchors help keep embryonic development “just right”
Findings on the cellular-level regulation of proteins called histones by lipid droplets, or “fat depots,” shines light on chromosome production – and possible manipulation of that process.

Better tissue healing with disappearing hydrogels
When stem cells are used to regenerate bone tissue, many wind up migrating away from the repair site, which disrupts the healing process. A new technique keeps the stem cells in place, resulting in faster and better tissue regeneration.