Human-chimp interbreeding challenged
Nature, Aug 28  A genetic analysis has called into question the controversial claim that early humans and chimpanzees interbred before splitting into separate species.
"Many evolutionary biologists were pretty sceptical" about the interbreeding scenario, says evolutionary geneticist Soojin Yi of the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. She argues that her explanation - which stems from promiscuity differences among primate species - is "simpler and hence more likely".  full story (membership or fee required to view) | synopsis | Soojin Yi

Tornado threat increases as Gulf hurricanes get larger
GT News, Sep 8  Tornadoes that occur from hurricanes moving inland from the Gulf Coast are increasing in frequency, according to researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology. "As the size of landfalling hurricanes from the Gulf of Mexico increases, we’re seeing more tornadoes than we did in the past that can occur up to two days and several hundred miles inland from the landfall location," said James Belanger, doctoral student in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and lead author of the paper.   full story | James Belanger

Friction differences offer new means for manipulating nanotubes
GT News, Sep 15  Publishing in the journal Nature Materials this week, researchers  report measuring different friction forces when a carbon nanotube slides along its axis compared to when it slides perpendicular to its axis. This friction difference has its origins in soft lateral distortion of the tubes when they slide in the transverse direction.
"Because the energy required to move in one direction is twice as much as required to move in the other direction, this could be an easy way to control the assembly of carbon nanotubes for nanoelectronics, sensors and other applications," said Elisa Riedo, co-author of the study and an associate professor in the School of Physics at  Georgia  Tech.  full story | Elisa Riedo

Adrian Arakaki
Whistle, Sep 21  Adrian Arakaki, who joined the School of Biology in 2006 as a member of Professor Jeffrey Skolnick's research group, died Sept. 9. He was 42.
A gifted  researcher, Arakaki was deeply involved in the prediction of protein structure and function from sequence. "Arakaki was an exceptionally talented scientist who also cared very deeply for people and touched the lives of all who knew him," Skolnick said.
A memorial service was held at St. Andrews United Methodist Church on Sept. 12. He is survived by his wife, Susana, and three young sons, Matias, Nicolas and Tomas. In lieu of flowers and to assist the family, donations can be made through sites.google.com/site/adriansfamilyorg/  | Whistle article