There is a new development in a major debate over a controversial hypothesis of biodiversity and species abundance. Ecologists are reporting good agreement between the species richness of two of the most vulnerable ecosystems -- tropical forests and coral reefs -- and a simple mathematical model building on the "neutral theory of biodiversity."The research could aid the effort to protect terrestrial biodiversity from climate change and urban development.

  Downing an 'energy drink'may boost blood pressure as well as energy. In a recent study, blood pressure and heart rate levels increased in healthy adults who drank two cans a day of a popular energy drink.

  The state of California is adopting new building and fire codes, effective January 2008, that will primarily affect new construction. But homeowners with existing homes to worry about can take independent action to safeguard their dwellings in the event of a wildfire -- an eventuality that is, or ought to be, top-of-mind for those who own or live in housing vulnerable to such a catastrophe.

  Two studies add further weight to the theory that pre-eclampsia and cardiovascular diseases may share common causes or mechanisms. The first study finds that women who have had pre-eclampsia during pregnancy have a more than two fold higher risk of heart disease in later life, while the second shows that women with cardiovascular risk factors that are present years before pregnancy may be predisposed to pre-eclampsia.

  The 200-km (125 miles)-long Stateline fault system is a right-lateral strike-slip fault zone with clear Late Quaternary surface ruptures extending along the California-Nevada state line, from Primm, Nevada area along Interstate 15 to the Amargosa Valley. The fault passes within 40 km of the Las Vegas strip. The magnitude of accumulated offset, evidence for Late Quaternary slip, and rapid long-term slip rate indicate that the Stateline fault system is a major component of the Eastern California shear zone. Given its proximity to population centers and important infrastructure in southern Nevada, the fault warrants close scrutiny in seismic hazards analyses of the region.

  Doctors who ask the right questions in the right way can successfully encourage abused women to reveal that they are victims of domestic violence, even in a hectic emergency department. Patients were more likely to disclose experiences with abuse when providers used open-ended questions to initiate the topic of domestic abuse and probed for abuse by asking at least one follow-up question.

  Curcumin, the yellowish component of turmeric that gives curry its flavor, has long been noted for its potential anti-cancer properties. Researchers now report on an apparent improvement upon nature: two molecular analogues of curcumin that demonstrate even greater tumor suppressive properties. The first test of these molecules in a mouse model of colorectal cancer look promising.

  Unprecedented study of the genomic landscape of lung cancer identifies key gene alteration not previously implicated in any form of cancer. The study also revealed more than 50 genomic regions that are frequently gained or lost in lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer in the United States.

  XEUS, which stands for X-ray Evolving Universe Spectroscopy, aims to study the fundamental laws of the Universe. With unprecedented sensitivity to the hot, million-degree universe, XEUS will explore key areas of contemporary astrophysics: growth of supermassive black holes, cosmic feedback and galaxy evolution, evolution of large-scale structures, extreme gravity and matter under extreme conditions, the dynamical evolution of cosmic plasmas and cosmic chemistry.

  A small, implantable device that helps the heart pump blood works equally well for men and women but may benefit twice as many women awaiting transplants.

  In an advance that may speed progress toward new diagnostic tests for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (AD), scientists are reporting development of the first direct method for measuring a key enzyme implicated in both of those chronic brain disorders. They point out that the enzyme -- 17B-HSD10 -- has stirred excitement among researchers as a potential biomarker that could be used to diagnose AD and PD and chronicle the effectiveness of treatments.

  Despite previous research suggesting that older adults are more distractible, new research shows they are no more distractible than younger adults when asked to focus their attention on their sense of sight or sound, or when asked to switch their attention from one sense to the other.

  An international team of scientists have announced the results of a systematic effort to map the genetic changes underlying lung cancer, the world's leading cause of cancer deaths. Comprehensive analysis of DNA from human lung tumors uncovers more than 50 common genetic abnormalities, less than half involve known cancer genes.

  Over-the-counter pain medications known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may reduce a person's risk of Parkinson's disease, according to a new article.