"Even if it brings no
immediate benefits,
scientific research
that advances
the frontiers
of knowledge
is necessary
and should be
supported."

-- 80 percent of
respondents to a
2003 poll conducted
by Research!America

"Research is formalized
curiosity. It is
poking and prying
with a purpose."

—Zora Neale Hurston
American author,
folklorist, playwright,
and anthropologist

UNTANGLING ALZHEIMER'S. The leading form of dementia in older people, Alzheimer's disease is caused in part when a protein, called tau, loses its normal shape. Tau forms knotty tangles that skew communication between nerve cells in the brain. Recently, a basic researcher studying cell division has identified an enzyme, dubbed Pin1, that restores tau's normal shape in laboratory experiments. The discovery helps researchers in the quest for new therapies to treat Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.

CURIOSITY YIELDS CANCER DRUG. A scientist wondered why the body sometimes destroys its own proteins and why muscles waste away when they're not used. His research group discovered the culprit: cellular garbage-disposal-like structures called proteasomes. While creating compounds to clog proteasomes, the scientists noticed that one of their substances had anticancer properties. Under the name Velcadeª, this drug is now used to treat multiple myeloma, the second most common blood cancer.

DESIGNER DRUGS FOR BLOOD CLOTS. While studying the structures of complex sugars, scientists developed prototypes of new drugs to help control blood clots, which can cause heart attacks and strokes, during surgery. Using "molecular scissors," the scientists tailored heparin, a commonly used blood thinner, into a much more potent form. They also developed a molecular tool that can selectively deactivate heparin after surgery, enabling doctors to control bleeding with minimal side effects.

GOT YOUR FLU SHOT? WILL IT WORK? To create effective flu vaccines, scientists must predict months in advance which strains of influenza are going to be most troublesome. A multidisciplinary research team used a computer-based approach to analyze a database containing DNA sequences of 560 flu viruses from 16 flu seasons. The team discovered patterns of genetic changes in the viruses that could help create more effective vaccines, saving many lives each year.

WHAT MAKES ANTHRAX SO DEADLY? Scientists recently revealed an answer by determining the structure of an anthrax protein. The protein, called edema factor, causes potentially fatal swelling and fluid buildup in the body. Its structure revealed that when it binds to another molecule in the body, edema factor changes shape to create a deep pocket in which deadly chemical reactions occur. This discovery—based on basic research into cell communication—may enable researchers to design drugs that clog the protein pocket and help disarm the lethal microbe.

HANG ON, BABY! Scientists studying carbohydrates on the surfaces of cells learned that these molecules are involved in the implantation of embryos in a woman's uterus. The research holds promise for understanding and treating infertility, because the failure of an embryo to implant properly is a common reason for problems in early pregnancy.

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