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Increased Hurricane Activity Linked To Sea Surface Warming
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/226561093/080130130647.htm
The link between changes in the temperature of the sea's surface and increases in North Atlantic hurricane activity has been quantified for the first time. The research shows that a 0.5 C increase in sea surface temperature can be associated with a ~40 per cent increase in hurricane activity.
Thu, 31 Jan 08
Naturally Occurring Peptide Inhibits Common Viral Infection
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/226561094/080130114119.htm
Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have found that a naturally occurring peptide known for its antibacterial action can also inhibit viral infection.
Thu, 31 Jan 08
Urinary Dysfunction Troubles Men Who Undergo Prostate Removal
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/226561095/080130113056.htm
Men with prostate cancer who have their prostate removed cite sexual dysfunction as the most common side effect after surgery, but urinary dysfunction troubles these patients most. What's more, many aren't emotionally prepared to face these complications. A new study underscores the need for health care practitioners to educate their patients about the physical and psychological effects of prostate removal.
Thu, 31 Jan 08
Micro Chip Processor Design Gets Mathematical Sweetener
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/226561098/080130195211.htm
A breakthrough microchip specification language will allow ambiguous English to be replaced by a mathematically precise description of processor functions and design. Better yet, it applies to every stage of microprocessor design. The upshot could mean major savings for microchip producers. Microchip design is a tricky business. First, there is a question of functionality. Engineers describe, in minute detail, what a particular microchip must do, in plain English. It is an essential task detailing the chip specifications for each stage of the microchip creation process: design, fabrication and verification.
Thu, 31 Jan 08
Oil Exploration In Arctic Highly Risky: 'Response Gap' In Case Of Oil Spill, According To New Report
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/226561100/080130200934.htm
Arctic marine conditions contribute to an oil spill "response gap" that effectively limits the ability to clean up after an oil spill. A new report concludes that the only way to avoid the potentially devastating environmental risks is to ensure that no more of the Arctic is opened up to oil development until the response gap is closed.
Thu, 31 Jan 08
Supernova Surprise: Black Holes May Pull Apart, Reignite White Dwarf Stars
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/225471316/080129125350.htm
A strange and violent fate awaits a white dwarf star that wanders too close to a moderately massive black hole. According to a new study, the black hole's gravitational pull on the white dwarf would cause tidal forces sufficient to disrupt the stellar remnant and reignite nuclear burning in it, giving rise to a supernova explosion with an unusual appearance.
Thu, 31 Jan 08
Wired For Sound: Implant Sends Signals Direct To Brain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/226561102/080130175721.htm
A delicate surgery that involves placement of tiny electrodes onto the brainstem is helping some people avoid total hearing loss. The electrodes, connected to a device known as an auditory brain implant, are being placed in patients who require surgery to remove noncancerous tumors associated with a disorder called neurofibromastosis type II. The tumors are often entwined around the nerves that facilitate hearing. Over time the tumors -- or the surgical intervention to remove them, can result in fractional or total hearing loss.
Thu, 31 Jan 08
'Generalist Bacteria' Discovered In Coastal Waters May Be More Flexible Than Known Before
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/224125245/080127130911.htm
New research led by a marine microbial ecologist is showing for the first time that the roles played by bacteria in coastal waters aren't nearly as specific as some scientists suspected. In fact, these bacteria are generalists in how they get their nourishment and may have the option of doing many different things, depending on what works best at the time.
Thu, 31 Jan 08
Intensive Insulin Therapy Protects Kidneys In Critically Ill Patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/226561103/080130130642.htm
For critically ill patients, intensive insulin therapy to keep blood sugar at normal levels reduces the risk of acute kidney injury, reports a new study. For many years, the medical community has considered high blood sugar levels in critically ill patients -- called "stress diabetes" -- as a beneficial reaction of the body to ensure adequate energy supply to the organs during severe illness. Reductions in kidney injury and mortality risk question thinking on 'stress diabetes'.
Thu, 31 Jan 08
Device Zeroes In On Small Breast Tumors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/226561104/080128165711.htm
A new medical imager for detecting and guiding the biopsy of suspicious breast cancer lesions is capable of spotting tumors that are half the size of the smallest ones detected by standard imaging systems, according to a new study. The results of initial testing of the PEM/PET system will be published in the journal Physics in Medicine and Biology.
Thu, 31 Jan 08
Ecosystem Engineers: Elephant Eating Habits Influence Lizard Habitat Choices
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/226561105/080128154611.htm
An examination of the connections between elephants and lizards appears this month in the journal Ecology, where a researcher reports that the elephants' eating habits have a strong influence on the lizards' habitat choices. The results demonstrate an important and little understood aspect of ecosystem engineering, and may help land managers working on wildlife refuges in Africa.
Thu, 31 Jan 08
With A Jolt, 'Nanonails' Go From Repellent To Wettable
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/225503345/080129160724.htm
Sculpting a surface composed of tightly packed nanostructures that resemble tiny nails, engineers have created a material that can repel almost any liquid. Add a jolt of electricity, and the liquid on the surface slips past the heads of the nanonails and spreads out between their shanks, wetting the surface completely.
Thu, 31 Jan 08
New Test Detects Flu, Common Cold And Other Respiratory Viruses Fast
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/226561106/080128165659.htm
A new test simultaneously detects the most prevalent respiratory viruses, including flu and the common cold, helping doctors more accurately diagnose patients. The speed and reliability of the test will help physicians provide appropriate treatment, and prevent inappropriate antibiotic use that has contributed to the creation of "superbugs."
Thu, 31 Jan 08
Links Between Prostate Cancer, Cadmium And Zinc Investigated
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/226561107/080130161756.htm
Cadmium exposure is a known risk factor for prostate cancer, and a new study suggests that zinc may offer protection against cadmium. Zinc stimulates production of a protein that binds cadmium thereby taking it out of circulation and reducing its toxic effects. However, it is too early to recommend zinc supplements for those who're worried about prostate damage, according to the researcher.
Thu, 31 Jan 08
El Nino At Play As Source Of More Intense Regional US Wintertime Storms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/226561108/080128113104.htm
The next time you have to raise your umbrella against torrents of cold winter rain, you may have a remote weather phenomenon to thank that many may know by name as El Nino, but may not well understand.
Thu, 31 Jan 08
Free, Downloadable Training Program Helps Teen Drivers Anticipate And Avoid Crashes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/226561109/080130185654.htm
A free, downloadable training program developed teaches teen-age drivers how, when and where to anticipate and avoid potentially fatal traffic hazards. It's called a "Risk Awareness and Perception Training (RAPT) Program" and all the training is done on a personal computer.
Thu, 31 Jan 08
E. Coli Bacteria: A Future Source Of Energy?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/225958724/080129170709.htm
A professor has "tweaked" a strain of E. coli so that it produces substantial amounts of hydrogen. Specifically, the new strain produces 140 times more hydrogen than is created in a naturally occurring process, according to an article in Microbial Biotechnology.
Thu, 31 Jan 08
Consumption Of Fruits May Reduce Risk Of Alzheimer's Disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/226160968/080130130553.htm
Apples, bananas, and oranges are the most common fruits in both Western and Asian diets, and are important sources of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. A new study explores the additional health benefits of these fruits and reveals they also protect against neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease.
Thu, 31 Jan 08
Traces Of The Martian Past In The Terby Crater
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/226160969/080125223819.htm
The High Resolution Stereo Camera on board ESA's Mars Express has returned striking scenes of the Terby crater on Mars. The region is of great scientific interest as it holds information on the role of water in the history of the planet.
Thu, 31 Jan 08
Going For The Jugular In Melanoma
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/226160970/080130114015.htm
It's increasingly believed among scientists that nearly every cancer contains small populations of highly dangerous cells -- cancer stem cell -- that can initiate a cancer, drive its progression, and create endless copies of themselves. On the theory that targeting these cells might be an effective therapeutic strategy, researchers around the world have begun isolating stem cells from various kinds of cancers.
Thu, 31 Jan 08
New Discovery On Magnetic Reconnection To Impact Future Space Missions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/226160971/080125230056.htm
ESA's Cluster mission has, for the first time, observed the extent of the region that triggers magnetic reconnection, and it is much larger than previously thought. This gives future space missions a much better chance of studying it. Space is filled with plasma (a gas composed of ions and electrons, globally neutral) and is threaded by magnetic fields. These magnetic fields store energy which can be released explosively, in a process called magnetic reconnection.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
Earth's Getting 'Soft' In The Middle, Geologists Note
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/224334266/080124145022.htm
A new study suggests that material in part of the lower mantle has unusual electronic characteristics that make sound propagate more slowly, suggesting that the material there is softer than previously thought. The results call into question the traditional techniques for understanding this region of the planet.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
Hungry Mothers Risk Addiction In Their Adult Children
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223089740/080125120152.htm
Babies conceived during a period of famine are at risk of developing addictions later in life, according to new research. Researchers studied men and women born in Rotterdam during the Dutch "hunger winter." Those whose mothers had suffered severe food shortages and starvation during their early pregnancy were significantly more likely to be receiving treatment for addictive disorders.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
Engineers Use Blood's Hydrodynamics To Manipulate Stem, Cancer Cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/224334267/080123125615.htm
A tiny, implantable device has pulled adult stem cells out of a living rat with a far greater purity than any present technique. This is a new field; manipulating stem cells, white blood cells, and even cancer cells by exploiting the mechanics of the cells' movement with great precision. Researchers are even having success capturing and reprogramming several cell types as they pass through the device.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
Mammalian Protein Plays Unexpected Role In Cell Division, And Perhaps Cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/224334268/080124142425.htm
The French Nobel laureate Jacques Monod famously said, "What's true for E.coli is true for an elephant." With this in mind, researchers at Rockefeller University set out to determine the function of Tel2, a protein originally found in yeast where it maintains the length of chromosome tips called telomeres. But one experiment after another informed the group that Tel2 in humans plays an altogether different role.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
Scientists To Study High-risk Plant Pathogen Using Small, Unmanned Aircraft
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/224334269/080125214750.htm
A plant pathologist known for his investigation of microbial life in the lower atmosphere is using unmanned aerial vehicles in a new, three-year study to detect, monitor, and forecast the spread of a fungus-like organism responsible for the Irish Potato Famine in the 1840s and 1850s. This famine resulted in the deaths of more than 1 million people in Ireland and caused at least 1.5 million more to flee the country.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
Don't Worry, Be Moderately Happy, Research Suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/224334270/080124132506.htm
Could the pursuit of happiness go too far? Most self-help books on the subject offer tips on how to maximize one's bliss, but a new study suggests that moderate happiness may be preferable to full-fledged elation.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
Dramatic Wind Action Detailed On Mars
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/224334271/080124191716.htm
Mars has an ethereal, tenuous atmosphere with less than one-percent the surface pressure of Earth, which challenges scientists to explain complex, wind-sculpted landforms seen with unprecedented detail in images from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. One of the main questions has been if winds on present-day Mars are strong enough to form and change geological features, or if wind-constructed formations were made in the past, perhaps when winds speeds and atmospheric pressures were higher.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
Is Diabetes Linked To Environmental Pollution?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223089739/080125125108.htm
Scientists are advocating additional research into the little understood links between environmental pollution and type 2 diabetes. Some recent research has demonstrated a very strong relationship between the levels of POPs in blood, particularly organochlorine compounds, and the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
New Discoveries At The Ash Altar Of Zeus Offer Insights Into Origins Of Ancient Greece's Most Powerful God
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/224334272/080123114601.htm
The Greek traveler, Pausanias, living in the second century, CE, would probably recognize the spectacular site of the Sanctuary of Zeus at Mt. Lykaion, and particularly the altar of Zeus. At 4,500 feet above sea level, atop the altar provides a breathtaking, panoramic vista of Arcadia.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
Hospital To Use Large-scale 'Cocoon Strategy' Against Whooping Cough
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/224334273/080125174441.htm
The nation's first major "cocoon strategy" vaccination program to protect newborn infants from the life-threatening infection pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, is underway.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
New Techniques Create Butanol, A Superior Biofuel
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/224334274/080123153142.htm
Environmental engineers are plying new techniques to produce a biofuel superior to ethanol. The fuel is butanol; it can be derived from lignocellulosic materials, which are plant biomass parts that range from woody stems and straw to agricultural residues, corn fiber and husks, all containing in large part cellulose and some lignin.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
Why The Web Tells Us What We Already Know
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/224334275/080124092536.htm
The Internet is not the font of all knowledge, despite the plethora of information available at your fingertips. Researchers have found that while Internet searches do bring up a variety of useful materials, people pay more attention to information that matches their pre-existing beliefs.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
Earth's Soils Bear Unmistakable Footprints Of Humans
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223140429/080125154634.htm
The dirt under our feet is being so changed by humans that it is now appropriate to call this the "Anthropocene (or man-made) Age," says a new worldwide overview by a soil scientist.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
Cells Use Velcro-like Mechanism To Keep Viruses From Spreading
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/224334276/080124134717.htm
Like mobsters, cells keep their friends close and their enemies -- at least some of them -- closer. According to new results from HIV researchers, one way that human cells prevent certain viruses from raging out of control is by blocking new viral particles from ever leaving an infected cell's surface. And, they believe, HIV thrives in part because it has evolved the ability to get around this obstacle. Viruses can only reproduce using the mechanisms and material of their hosts. Some of them -- the so-called "enveloped" viruses, which are encapsulated inside a lipid membrane -- assemble at the host cell's outer membrane and then bud off during their release.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
Move Over US -- China To Be New Driver Of World's Economy And Innovation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/224334277/080124103159.htm
A new study of worldwide technological competitiveness suggests China may soon rival the United States as the principal driver of the world's economy -- a position the US has held since the end of World War II. If that happens, it will mark the first time in nearly a century that two nations have competed for leadership as equals.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
Computer-based Tool Aids Research, Helps Thwart Questionable Publication Practices
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/224334278/080123131740.htm
A new computer-based text-searching tool automatically -- and quickly -- compares multiple documents in a database for similarities, providing a more efficient method to carry out literature searches, as well as offering scientific journal editors a new tool to thwart questionable publication practices.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
One In Four Elderly Americans Given Inappropriate Or Suboptimal Medications, Study Finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/224334279/080124203957.htm
For many elderly Americans, the day begins and ends with a dose of one or more prescription medications. However, some patients could be less likely to receive the wrong dosage or type of medications than others are, according to a recent study of more than 800,000 U.S. seniors.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
New Method Enables Design, Production Of Extremely Novel Drugs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/224334280/080123161246.htm
A new chemical synthesis method is based on a catalyst worth many times the price of gold and providing a far more efficient and economical method than traditional ones for designing and manufacturing extremely novel pharmaceutical compounds.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
Major Step Toward A More Targeted Treatment For Auto-immune Diseases?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/224125243/080127130924.htm
More and more people in Western society are suffering from auto-immune diseases. Discovering the cause of these chronic inflammations is a first important step in the search for targeted medicines. Researchers can now describe the function of MALT1, a key player in controlling inflammatory reactions.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
New Alzheimer's Treatment Completes First Phase Of Testing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/224334281/080123101629.htm
A molecule designed by a Purdue University researcher to stop the debilitating symptoms of Alzheimer's disease has been shown in its first phase of clinical trials to be safe and to reduce biomarkers for the disease. CoMentis, the pharmaceutical company developing the drug, announced completion of its Phase 1 study of a treatment based on the molecule. Results from the study indicate that the treatment is safe and well tolerated.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
Adult Stem Cell Application Effective In Treatment Of Peripheric Vascular Disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/224334282/080124100304.htm
Multipotent adult progenitor stem cells extracted from bone marrow, and known as MAPCs, have proved to be effective in the regeneration of blood vessel tissue and also in muscle tissue when treating peripheric vascular disease.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
New Technique Quickly Detects Cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/224334283/080123101254.htm
Researchers have developed a new way to detect protein movements inside cells, which signal a variety of cellular changes such as those in cancer cell development. The method could help diagnose cancer in the future. By combining two distinct techniques, the technology can examine large numbers of cells individually, a feat not previously possible.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
Anthrax Cellular Entry Point Uncovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223194995/080125170905.htm
Anthrax spores enter the cell through something called Mac-1, a receptor that sits on the surface of certain cells, according to a new study. Unraveling the anthrax-Mac-1 gateway will speed the development of new drugs and vaccines to fight or prevent infection, and advance the understanding of bacterial infection.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
How To Reduce Risks Of Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination In Food Processes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/224334284/080123164553.htm
A problematic pathogen occurring in food processing is Listeria monocytogenes. Its efficient control at the processing plant level requires good equipment hygiene, including functioning good manufacturing and hygiene practices used by all employees, effective means of decontamination and rapid detection of contamination sources, as well as hazard analysis systems supported by risk assessment procedures.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
Increase In GERD Hospitalizations Underscores Importance Of Seeking Treatment Early
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/224334285/080125154648.htm
Hospitalizations for disorders caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD rose 103 percent between 1998 and 2005. Also, hospitalizations for patients who had milder forms of GERD (in addition to the condition for which they were admitted), rose by 216 percent during the same time period. The numbers underscore the importance of seeing a physician if symptoms suggestive of GERD are present.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
American Geophysical Union Revises Position On Climate Change
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223194996/080125154628.htm
A statement by the world's largest scientific society of Earth and space scientists -- the American Geophysical Union -- updates the organization's position on climate change: the evidence for it, potential consequences from it, and how to respond to it. The AGU has a membership of 50,000 researchers, teachers, and students in 137 countries.
Mon, 28 Jan 08
Sense Of Injustice Reverses Effects Of Power
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/224334286/080125231539.htm
Power is intoxicating, but feelings of injustice soon sober up the one with the power. PhD student Joris Lammers investigated the role that the meaning of a power situation has on the automatic effects of power. He concludes that feelings of injustice reverse the automatic effects of power on behavior and cognition. The one with the power becomes more careful and the subordinate displays more uncontrolled behavior.
Sun, 27 Jan 08
Dental Tooth Fillings Containing Mercury Don't Affect Children's Brain Development, Study Suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223850361/080124173752.htm
Dental amalgam tooth fillings do not adversely affect children's brain development and neurological status, researchers report in the Journal of the American Dental Association. Dental amalgam contains elemental mercury combined with other metals such as silver, copper, tin and zinc to form a safe, stable alloy.
Sun, 27 Jan 08
Vitamin D Deficiency Study Raises New Questions About Disease And Supplements
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223850362/080125223302.htm
Low blood levels of vitamin D have long been associated with disease, and the assumption has been that vitamin D supplements may protect against disease. However, this new research demonstrates that ingested vitamin D is immunosuppressive and that low blood levels of vitamin D may be actually a result of the disease process. Supplementation may make the disease worse. Increased vitamin D intake affects much more than just nutrition or bone health. The Vitamin D Nuclear Receptor (VDR) acts in the repression or transcription of hundreds of genes, including genes associated with diseases ranging from cancers to multiple sclerosis.
Sun, 27 Jan 08
Maya Mask Splendor Enhanced With Sparkling Mica
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223850363/080123085308.htm
Ancient Mayan temple builders used dazzling lustrous pigments. Studying tiny shards of paint from the Mayan city of Copan, a physical and chemical sciences researcher found evidence of mica that would have made the buildings glitter when hit by the sun.
Sun, 27 Jan 08
Infants With Poor Intestinal Flora Often Develop Eczema
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223850364/080123175324.htm
In a healthy intestinal system there is a great variety of natural bacteria. Today many people have an imbalanced flora of intestinal bacteria. Now a new study shows that children with only a limited variety of bacteria in their feces one week after birth more often developed atopical eczema by the age of 18 months. In the study feces were examined from children in Göteborg, London, and Rome.
Sun, 27 Jan 08
Astronomers Prepare To Obtain Close Images Of A Near-Earth Asteroid
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222996541/080125102156.htm
Astronomers will observe a newly discovered asteroid on Jan. 27-28 and Feb 1-4, 2008, as the object called 2007 TU24 passes within 1.4 lunar distances, or 334,000 miles, from Earth. The asteroid, estimated at between 150 and 600 meters in diameter -- about 500 feet to 1,900 feet, or the size of a football field, at 360 feet, to the size of Chicago's 110-story Sears Tower, at 1,454 feet -- was discovered in October 2007. It poses no threat to Earth, but its near approach gives astronomers a golden opportunity to learn more about potentially hazardous near-Earth objects.
Sun, 27 Jan 08
Giant Particle Accelerator Discovered In The Sky
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223850365/080125224810.htm
ESA's orbiting gamma-ray observatory, Integral, has made the first unambiguous discovery of highly energetic X-rays coming from a galaxy cluster. The find has shown the cluster to be a giant particle accelerator. The Ophiuchus galaxy cluster is one of brightest in the sky at X-ray wavelengths. The X-rays detected are too energetic to originate from quiescent hot gas inside the cluster and suggest instead that giant shockwaves must be rippling through the gas. This has turned the galaxy cluster into a giant particle accelerator.
Sun, 27 Jan 08
Genetic Difference Predicts Antidepressant Response
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223850366/080123125619.htm
Researchers have identified subtle genetic variations that predict the efficacy of two widely used antidepressant drugs. They found that certain variants in the gene for a protective transporter protein that pumps drugs and other substances out of the brain compromise the effectiveness of the antidepressants citalopram (trade name Celexa) and venlafaxine (Effexor).
Sun, 27 Jan 08
Low Vitamin E Levels Associated With Physical Decline In Elderly
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221266609/080122165555.htm
Researchers have found that a low concentration of vitamin E in the blood is linked with physical decline in older persons. The study included 698 people age 65 or older who were randomly selected from the population registry in two municipalities close to Florence, Italy.
Sun, 27 Jan 08
Chopped Up Proteins Trigger Autoimmunity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223850367/080124100249.htm
A biochemist has mapped several proteins that can regulate the activity of the human exosome and which play a role in the degradation of RNA molecules. He has also discovered that PM/Scl-75, one of the components from which the exosome is built, is cut as soon as a cell dies.
Sun, 27 Jan 08
Taking A Look At Baby's First Biofilm
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223850368/080123103446.htm
A sludgy substance seen on the ultrasound images of about 15 percent of pregnancies is in fact a bacterial biofilm in the amniotic fluid, according to an expert on the slimy structures. "Doctors kept seeing this stuff on the ultrasound and we wanted to figure out what it was," the researcher said. "We suspected it was bacteria but didn't know for sure."
Sun, 27 Jan 08
Less Education May Lead To Delayed Awareness Of Alzheimer's Onset
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223850369/080123150503.htm
A review of epidemiological data has found evidence that people who spend fewer years in school may experience a slight but statistically significant delay in the realization that they're having cognitive problems that could be Alzheimer's disease.
Sun, 27 Jan 08
Birth Control Pill Gives Long-lasting Protection Against Ovarian Cancer, Study Shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223753158/080126194137.htm
The contraceptive pill gives women substantial and long-lasting protection against ovarian cancer, according to a new report. The researchers found that the protection against ovarian cancer lasted for more than 30 years after women had stopped taking the Pill. They also found that the longer the Pill was used the greater the protection and that taking the Pill for 15 years halved the risk of ovarian cancer.
Sun, 27 Jan 08
Marijuana Smokers Face Rapid Lung Destruction -- As Much As 20 Years Ahead Of Tobacco Smokers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223850370/080123104017.htm
A new study finds that the development of bullous lung disease occurs in marijuana smokers approximately 20 years earlier than tobacco smokers. A condition often caused by exposure to toxic chemicals or long-term exposure to tobacco smoke, bullous lung disease (also known as bullae) is a condition where air trapped in the lungs causes obstruction to breathing and eventual destruction of the lungs.
Sun, 27 Jan 08
ESA's Columbus Space Laboratory Set For Take Off February 7
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223850371/080123090504.htm
With NASA's recent confirmation of the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on Thursday, Feb. 7, ESA astronauts Hans Schlegel of Germany and Leopold Eyharts of France are set to deliver ESA's Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station.
Sun, 27 Jan 08
Arthritic Knees Remain Painful After Arthroscopic Surgery
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223850372/080124132503.htm
Trimming damaged tissue through arthroscopic surgery does not relieve pain and swelling in arthritic knees any better than simply flushing loose debris from the joint, according to a new review of evidence.
Sun, 27 Jan 08
Airport Safety: Magnetic Fingerprinting In The Fog?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223850373/080125232911.htm
By monitoring tiny fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field caused by a passing plane, a team of European researchers has developed an innovative system to increase airport safety even in the worst weather conditions. Using magnetic field detectors they have developed a unique system to pinpoint the location of aircraft at airports even in places where other traffic monitoring systems face difficulties.
Sun, 27 Jan 08
No Time Before Valentine's Day? You'll Pay More For A Gift Just To Avoid A Negative Outcome
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223850374/080123125546.htm
With time to spare before Valentine's Day, you consider a number of grand ways to demonstrate your affection. But what if it's the night before and you still don't have a gift? A timely study proves that, when the gift-giving deadline approaches, our perspective shifts from gifts with positive outcomes -- something that will knock your sweetheart off his or her feet -- to gifts that will simply help us avoid a fight.
Sat, 26 Jan 08
Could Tiny Diatoms Help Offset Global Warming?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222340837/080123150516.htm
Diatoms -- some of which are so tiny that 30 can fit across the width of a human hair -- are so numerous that they are among the key organisms taking the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide out of the Earth's atmosphere. The shells of diatoms are so heavy that when they die in the oceans they typically sink to watery graves on the seafloor, taking carbon out of the surface waters and locking it into sediments below.
Sat, 26 Jan 08
'Telepathic' Genes Recognize Similarities In Each Other
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223293370/080124103151.htm
Genes have the ability to recognize similarities in each other from a distance, without any proteins or other biological molecules aiding the process, according to an exciting new finding. This discovery could explain how similar genes find each other and group together in order to perform key processes involved in the evolution of species.
Sat, 26 Jan 08
Key Factor In Stress Effects On The Brain Identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223293371/080123100328.htm
Acute and chronic stress can have devastating effects on the brain, and researchers have now pinpointed one receptor that plays a key role in that harmful cycle. Uncontrollable stress is a major contributing factor for neuropsychiatric disorders such as major depression and post-traumatic stress disorders, which have been linked to cellular changes in the hippocampus. The hippocampus is a part of the brain that is particularly susceptible to stress.
Sat, 26 Jan 08
Thousands Of Crop Varieties Depart For Arctic Seed Vault
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223293372/080122203028.htm
At the end of January, more than 200,000 crop varieties from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East -- drawn from vast seed collections maintained by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research -- will be shipped to a remote island near the Arctic Circle, where they will be stored in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a facility capable of preserving their vitality for thousands of years.
Sat, 26 Jan 08
Does Mood Matter? What About The Order Of Choices?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223293373/080123125558.htm
Sure, you're more likely to give things a favorable evaluation when you're happy, and a negative evaluation when you're sad. But how does mood influence your choices among items? Researchers found that when happy consumers were asked to withhold judgment until all options were presented, they tended to prefer the last option they saw.
Sat, 26 Jan 08
New Research Could Help Reverse The Biological Clock For Dementia Patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223293374/080124104917.htm
Medical experts believe they could have found the key to turning back the brain's biological clock and reverse the effects of dementia and memory loss. Pioneering research has shown that regular exposure to safe low level infra-red light can improve learning performance and kick-start the cognitive function of the brain.
Sat, 26 Jan 08
Researchers Identify Brain's 'Eureka' Circuitry
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223293375/080123102413.htm
Researchers have found the brain region that controls the decision to halt your midnight exploration of the refrigerator and commence enjoyment of that leftover chicken leg. In their experiments, the researchers presented monkeys with a choice of touch targets on a computer screen, requiring the monkeys to spend time exploring which target would trigger a juice reward. Once the monkeys discovered the reward target, the researchers then gave the animals a period during which they could repeatedly touch the reward target to obtain more juice.
Sat, 26 Jan 08
Proposed New City Of Istanbul Could Be Refuge In Case Of Severe Earthquake
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223293376/080123104527.htm
Istanbul is at such high risk for a devastating earthquake that engineers at Purdue University and the Republic of Turkey have come up with a bold new proposal: build a second city. A second, satellite city would provide immediate refuge to inhabitants of the old city in the event of a catastrophic earthquake and soften such an event's effects on the nation's economy.
Sat, 26 Jan 08
Genetic Link To One Form Of Common Pediatric Illness -- Inflammation Of The Middle Ear
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223293378/080124173806.htm
Inflammation of the middle ear (otitis media) is one of the most common pediatric ailments. Young children are particularly prone to otitis media as their Eustachian tubes, which regulate the pressure in the middle ear, have not yet fully developed. In many instances it is accompanied by an acute ear infection and can be resolved by a course of antibiotics.
Sat, 26 Jan 08
2007 Was Tenth Warmest For U.S., Fifth Warmest Worldwide
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223293379/080124121218.htm
The average temperature for the contiguous U.S. in 2007 is officially the tenth warmest on record, according to data from scientists at NOAA's National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C. The agency also determined the global surface temperature last year was the fifth warmest on record.
Sat, 26 Jan 08
Laughter Is The Best Medicine
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223293380/080124200913.htm
Laughter is the best medicine. We've heard the expression time and again. For decades, researchers have explored how humor helps patients relieve stress and heal. Now, researchers have taken it one step further, with new research on how humor helps medical professionals cope with their difficult jobs. She also looked at how humor affects the elderly and how it can increase communication in the workplace and in the classroom.
Sat, 26 Jan 08
Great Apes Endangered By Human Viruses
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222996542/080125100320.htm
The opening of gorillas and chimpanzees reserves for tourism is often portrayed as the key to conserving these endangered great apes. There are also however serious concerns that tourism may expose wild apes to infection by virulent human diseases.
Sat, 26 Jan 08
Metabolic Syndrome Affects Nearly 1 In 10 US Teens
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222996543/080125100317.htm
About nine percent of teenagers may have metabolic syndrome, a clustering of risk factors that put them on the path toward heart disease and diabetes in adulthood. This shocking statistic represents some of the first concentrated efforts to define and measure metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents -- a necessary starting point for combating the problem, but one that has proven even trickier in youth than it has been in adults.
Sat, 26 Jan 08
Mercury In Color
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223293381/080123085313.htm
One week ago, NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft transmitted to Earth the first high-resolution image of Mercury by a spacecraft in over 30 years, since the three Mercury flybys of Mariner 10 in 1974 and 1975.
Sat, 26 Jan 08
Protein Class Displays Strong Anticancer Action
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223293382/080124183731.htm
Researchers have discovered a previously unsuspected mechanism of cell death that may afford a new way to find and develop stronger yet less-harmful anticancer drugs. Specifically, they have found that a cellular stress-response protein prevents cells from dying by interacting with a particular signaling protein and mediating its response to some conventional anticancer drugs.
Sat, 26 Jan 08
Man-made Changes Bring About New Epoch In Earth's History
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222996544/080125100314.htm
Geologists propose that humankind has so altered the Earth that it has brought about an end to one epoch of Earth's history and marked the start of a new epoch.
Sat, 26 Jan 08
New Radar Satellite Technique Sheds Light On Ocean Current Dynamics
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223293383/080124105735.htm
Ocean surface currents have long been the focus of research due to the role they play in weather, climate and transportation of pollutants, yet essential aspects of these currents remain unknown.
Sat, 26 Jan 08
Talk Therapy May Help Kids With Chronic Stomach Pain, Review of Research Suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223293384/080124203443.htm
"My tummy hurts" is one of the most common complaints of childhood. Yet for up to 25 percent of school-age children, ongoing abdominal pain is serious enough to interfere with school, playtime and family life. In most of these cases, there are no medical problems-- and reassurance and support are all the child needs. For children whose pain persists, however, a new review of the research suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Price Tag Can Change The Way People Experience Wine, Study Shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223554111/080126101053.htm
In what will be music to the ears of marketers, the old adage that you get what you pay for really is true when it comes to that most ephemeral of products: bottled wine. If a person is told he or she is tasting two different wines -- and that one costs $5 and the other $45 when they are, in fact, the same wine -- the part of the brain that experiences pleasure will become more active when the drinker thinks he or she is enjoying the more expensive vintage.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Computer Scientist Makes Splash With Academy Award For Fluid Simulation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223554112/080126100827.htm
The rushing floodwaters in Evan Almighty, the heaving seas of the latter two Pirates of the Caribbean movies and the dragon's flaming breath in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire all featured computer-generated fluids in spectacular action. The science behind those splashy thrills will be recognized Feb. 9 with an Academy Award for Ron Fedkiw, associate professor of computer science at Stanford, and two collaborators at the special effects firm Industrial Light and Magic (ILM).
Fri, 25 Jan 08
New Experimental Website Converts Photos Into 3D Models
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223554113/080126100444.htm
A new computer program developed by Stanford computer scientists, can take any two-dimensional image and create a three-dimensional "fly around" model of its content, giving viewers access to the scene's depth and a range of points of view.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Nanochemists Discover Novel, Semi-Conducting Nanotube Needed For Next Generation Electronics
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223533473/080126095824.htm
Chemists have developed a technique that could break through the bottleneck that so far has stymied the scientific quest to create a new generation of electronic systems on the nano-scale. They have achieved near single type purity nanotube production.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Newly Engineered Genetic Switches Enhance Production Of Proteins, Pharmaceuticals
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223533474/080126094838.htm
Bacteria have evolved complex mechanisms called quorum sensing systems that provide for cell-to-cell communication, an adaptation that allows them to wait until their population grows large enough before mounting an attack on a host or competing for nutrients. A chemical engineer has now engineered one of these systems to create genetic switches that could lower the cost of producing therapeutic proteins and pharmaceuticals.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Natural Gas Formation By Bacteria Linked To Climate Change And Renewable Energy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223554114/080126093649.htm
Natural gas reservoirs in Michigan's Antrim Shale are providing new information about global warming and the Earth's climate history. The new study is also good news for energy companies hoping to make natural gas a renewable resource. Scientists found that carbon-hungry bacteria trapped deep in the rock beneath ice sheets produced the gas during the ice age, as glaciers advanced and retreated over Michigan.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Keeping The Dust Down When Separating The Chaff From The Nuts
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223511863/080126083601.htm
Agricultural scientists are developing an add-on device to control dust emissions from nut harvesters. Researchers are testing a prototype device that uses centrifugal force to trap soil and bits of leaves and sticks so the harvester emits cleaner air.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Developing Better Forage For Feeding Hungry Cattle Year Round
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223511864/080126082643.htm
A herd of hungry cattle isn't a pretty sight. So scientists are developing forage grasses that provide nutritious forage to livestock in the southern Great Plains, US, throughout the year. A key goal of this work is producing both warm-season and cool-season forage grasses that can live for long periods on highly erodible lands. Candidates need to be able to withstand major challenges from extended dry spells, insect pests and plant diseases.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
EDGE Amphibians: World's Weirdest Creatures Just Got Weirder
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222965604/080124132336.htm
A gigantic, ancient relative of the newt, a drawing-pin sized frog, a limbless, tentacled amphibian and a blind see-through salamander have all made it onto a list of the world's weirdest and most endangered creatures. ZSL EDGE program is highlighting some of the world's most extraordinary creatures currently threatened with extinction. This year ZSL scientists have assessed all amphibian species according to how Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) they are.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Search For The 'On' Switches May Reveal Genetic Role In Development And Disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222965605/080124132515.htm
A new resource that identifies regions of the human genome that regulate gene expression may help scientists learn about and develop treatments for a number of human diseases. New sequencing technologies are able to determine the genetic code of millions of DNA fragments.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Scientists Look At Those In Evolutionary Race Who Don't Make It 'Out Of The Gate'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222965606/080122203059.htm
In the race of evolution, scientists until now have only looked at winners and losers. Now, they've come up with a way to look at the contenders who never made it out of the gate. It's the organisms that die early in life, before scientists can assess what they might bring to the reproduction game, and that have gone uncounted in the effort to quantify genetic fitness. This group has been dubbed the "invisible fraction."
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Handwashing Can Reduce Diarrhea Episodes By About One Third
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222965607/080122203221.htm
Promoting the simple act of hand washing can save lives in many developing countries, according to a new systematic review of studies. The review shows that teaching people about hand washing can reduce the incidence of diarrhea by up to 30 percent and might have as great an affect as providing access to clean water.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Extra Power From Private Wind and Solar Generation Can Be Given Back To Grid More Easily
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222965608/080124104453.htm
An increasing number of people use wind or solar energy as a power source, and at times, they have extra power available that could be sold to the electricity grid. A new system allows this externally generated energy to be better stored and transferred.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Abstinence-plus Programs For HIV Prevention Can Reduce Risk Behavior
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222965609/080122203227.htm
Programs that aim to encourage sexual abstinence while also encouraging and teaching safer sex strategies for those who are sexually active can reduce short- and long-term HIV risk behavior among young people in high-income countries, according to new findings.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Universal Influenza Vaccine Tested Successfully In Humans
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222965610/080124185522.htm
Scientists report the successful conclusion of Phase I trials of the universal flu vaccine in humans. The universal influenza vaccine is intended to provide protection against all 'A' strains of the virus that causes human influenza, including pandemic strains. Therefore, this vaccine will not need to be renewed annually. The vaccine was tested at multiple centers in the US and involved 79 healthy volunteers. The trial results demonstrate that ACAM- FLU-ATM is well tolerated and immunogenic, and no significant side-effects were observed.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Genes Linked To Parkinson's Protection Identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222965611/080124194933.htm
Researchers have identified five genes within animal models displaying protective capabilities against a hallmark trait of Parkinson's disease. The research is a possible step toward identifying both new targets for drug treatment development and genetic factors which make some people more susceptible to the disease, the researchers said.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Seeing Is Believing: Visualizing Inflammation In Fat Tissue
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222965612/080118093619.htm
Individuals who are obese are at increased risk of developing a combination of medical disorders associated with type 2 diabetes and heart disease known as the metabolic syndrome. Recent studies have suggested that adipose (fat) tissue obesity induces an inflammatory state that is crucial to the development of the metabolic syndrome.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Turning On Adult Stem Cells May Help Repair Bone
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222965613/080124173809.htm
The use of a drug to activate stem cells that differentiate into bone appears to cause regeneration of bone tissue and be may be a potential treatment strategy for osteoporosis.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
New Robotics Challenge Aims To Develop Friendly Highly Autonomous Robots
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222965614/080124100256.htm
The "ROBAUCO: mobile, autonomous and collaborative robots" project was recently initiated. The principal objective of the project is the generation of the technologies necessary for the development of mobile robots able to carry out complex tasks with a high degree of autonomy and capacity for collaboration. These robots, moreover, have to share tasks with people in the most friendly and natural way possible.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
World's Aging Population To Defuse War On Terrorism
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222965615/080124161644.htm
Changing demographic trends will impact the future of international relations, according to the latest issue of Public Policy & Aging Report. Several hotbed areas in the world that offer the motive and opportunity for political violence are due to stabilize by the year 2030.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Asteroid To Make Rare Close Flyby Of Earth January 29
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222965616/080124192818.htm
Scientists are monitoring the orbit of asteroid 2007 TU24. The asteroid, believed to be between 150 meters (500 feet) and 610 meters (2,000 feet) in size, is expected to fly past Earth on Jan. 29, with its closest distance being about 537,500 kilometers (334,000 miles) at 12:33 a.m. Pacific time (3:33 a.m. Eastern time). It should be observable that night by amateur astronomers with modest-sized telescopes.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Popular Arthritis Drug May Disrupt Heart Rhythm, New Research Finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222965617/080124161621.htm
Celebrex, a popular arthritis drug that blocks pain by inhibiting an enzyme known as COX-2, has been shown in laboratory studies to induce arrhythmia, or irregular beating of the heart, via a novel pathway unrelated to its COX-2 inhibition.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Hot Springs Microbes Hold Key To Dating Sedimentary Rocks, Researchers Say
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222965618/080122154606.htm
Scientists studying microbial communities and the growth of sedimentary rock at Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park have made a surprising discovery about the geological record of life and the environment. Their discovery could affect how certain sequences of sedimentary rock are dated, and how scientists might search for evidence of life on other planets.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Unexpected Protein Interaction Suggests New Lou Gehrig's Disease Drug Target
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222965619/080124173815.htm
Discovery of an unexpected protein-protein interaction has led scientists to identify a drug that slows the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in mice and nearly doubles the animals' lifespan. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a fatal, progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the motor nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Unravelling The Mystery Of Cell Division
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222965620/080124194506.htm
Experts in mitosis (cell division) have made discoveries that explain how one protein -- the kinase Aurora B -- could have such a large role in guiding and policing the process of cell division. This discovery ultimately may help to explain spatial regulation during cell division, according to their findings, published in Science.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
New Facility For Hydrogen Pipeline Testing Made To Prompt 'Hydrogen Economy'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222965621/080124094006.htm
A new NIST laboratory will evaluate tests, materials, mechanical properties and standards for hydrogen pipelines. The facility will include the nation's biggest hydrogen test chamber.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Can Condoms Prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections Other Than HIV?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222965622/080124190810.htm
Consistent condom use can reduce the spread of HIV, but are they the answer to rising rates of other sexually transmitted infections? Despite some inconsistencies in the evidence, studies show that condoms are an effective physical barrier against passage of even the smallest sexually transmitted pathogens. But a big problem with condoms is that average people, particularly teenagers and young adults, do not use them consistently, regardless of knowledge or education.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Camera In A Pill Offers Cheaper, Easier Window On Your Insides
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222632073/080124161613.htm
A minuscule, single-eyed camera fits in a easily swallowed pill. The device would conduct low-cost screens to prevent esophageal cancer. A fundamentally new design has created a smaller endoscope that is more comfortable for the patient and cheaper to use than current technology. Its first use on a human, scanning for early signs of esophageal cancer.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Elusive Pancreatic Stem Cells Found In Mice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222510002/080124132520.htm
Just as many scientists had given up the search, researchers have discovered that the pancreas does indeed harbor stem cells with the capacity to generate new insulin-producing beta cells.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Vaccination Of Adolescent Girls Is An Effective Strategy Against Cervical Cancer, Report Says
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223753159/080126195225.htm
A scientific report published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control finds that vaccination against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is an effective prevention strategy against cervical cancer. Available HPV vaccines protect against two high-risk HPV types that are estimated to be responsible for 73% of cervical cancer cases in Europe, and are spread by sexual contact.
Fri, 25 Jan 08
Fruit Cell Wall Proteins Help Fungus Turn Tomatoes From Ripe To Rotten
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/223712460/080126172454.htm
Using tomatoes as a research plant, scientists have discovered that two plant enzymes that occur in the plant's cell walls cooperate with each other to make ripe fruit more susceptible to a disease-causing fungus.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Obesity Connected With Nervous System
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082746/080123150457.htm
Biologists have shed new light on the genetic roots of obesity -- a condition that is increasing dramatically in North America and has been linked to heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Stem Cells May Gradually Replace Antirejection Drugs For Kidney Transplant Patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082747/080123125623.htm
After transplant surgery, antirejection drugs for the organ recipient are a must. But prolonged use can have serious side effects, including infections, heart disease and even cancer. A new study seeks to eliminate the need for antirejection drugs by transplanting stem cells from a kidney donor's bone marrow into the organ recipient.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Newly Discovered Active Fault Building New Dalmatian Islands Off Croatian Coast
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082748/080122154347.htm
A newly identified fault that runs under the Adriatic Sea is actively building more of the famously beautiful Dalmatian Islands and Dinaride Mountains of Croatia, according to a new research report. Geologists had previously believed that the Dalmatian Islands and the Dinaride Mountains had stopped growing 20 to 30 million years ago. The Croatian coast is an increasing popular tourist destination. Dubrovnik, known as "the Pearl of the Adriatic," is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage site.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Clean Or Boiled Tap Water Is As Good As Saline At Cleaning Acute Wounds, Study Finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082749/080122203204.htm
Using drinkable tap water to clean wounds does not increase infection rates, according to the findings. There is, however, no evidence that it reduces infection rates or increases healing rate over leaving the wound alone.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Low-cost, 'Green' Way To Make Antimicrobial Paints Developed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082750/080122154351.htm
Researchers have developed a low-cost, environmentally friendly technique for embedding antimicrobial silver nanoparticles into vegetable oil-based paints. The method could give homes and workplaces a new defense against germs by applying a fresh coat of paint.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Sports Machismo May Be Cue To Male Teen Violence
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082751/080123150510.htm
The sports culture surrounding football and wrestling may be fueling aggressive and violent behavior not only among teen male players but also among their male friends and peers on and off the field, according to a new study.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Seismic Images Show Dinosaur-killing Meteor Made Bigger Splash
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082752/080123125543.htm
The most detailed 3-D seismic images yet of the Chicxulub impact crater may modify a theory explaining the "KT Extinction Event" that wiped out most life on Earth, including the dinosaurs. According to new research the asteroid landed in deeper water than previously assumed and therefore released about 6.5 times more water vapor into the atmosphere, possibly making it deadlier by altering climate and generating acid rain.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
New Therapeutic Target For Treatment Of Multiple Sclerosis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082753/080122110042.htm
Scientists have identified new therapeutic targets for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.They provide fresh answers concerning the role of novel adhesion molecules in the pathogenesis of MS, a chronic autoimmune disease of the nervous system.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
New Microchip For PCR Testing At Crime Scenes, Doctors' Offices
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220441963/080121100909.htm
Researchers in Hong Kong have miniaturized technology needed to perform the versatile polymerase chain reaction (PCR) -- widely used in criminal investigations, disease diagnosis, and a range of other key applications. They report development of a long-sought PCR microchip that could permit use of PCR at crime scenes, in doctors' offices, and other out-of-lab locations.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Transplant Patient Thrives Two Years After Stopping Immunosuppressive Drugs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082754/080123173154.htm
Luck smiled on Larry Kowalski when his brother agreed to donate a kidney Kowalski needed to live. He was even luckier that his brother's kidney was such a good match. That last stroke of luck led Kowalski to connect with a team of researchers whose efforts have enabled him for two years to live free of the heavy-duty drugs that transplant patients normally have to take for the rest of their lives.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Nanomaterials Used To Localize And Control Drug Delivery
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082755/080122110045.htm
Using nanotechnology, scientists have developed a localized and controlled drug delivery method that is invisible to the immune system, a discovery that could provide newer and more effective treatments for cancer and other diseases.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Your Personality Type Influences How Much Self-control You Have
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082756/080123125608.htm
A new study introduces personality types used frequently in consumer research to the realm of self-improvement. According to the research, people are better able to exercise self-control when they choose goal-pursuit strategies -- such as diets or money management -- that "fit" with a promotion or prevention focus. "Self-control is not just about doing the right things, but also about doing things the right way," the researchers explain.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Antarctic Ice Loss Speeds Up, Nearly Matches Greenland Loss
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082757/080123181952.htm
Ice loss in Antarctica increased by 75 percent in the last 10 years due to a speed-up in the flow of its glaciers and is now nearly as great as that observed in Greenland, according to a new, comprehensive study by NASA and university scientists. They estimated changes in Antarctica's ice mass between 1996 and 2006 and mapped patterns of ice loss on a glacier-by-glacier basis. They detected a sharp jump in Antarctica's ice loss, from enough ice to raise global sea level by 0.3 millimeters (.01 inches) a year in 1996, to 0.5 millimeters (.02 inches) a year in 2006.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Driving Proves Potentially Hazardous For People With Early Alzheimer's
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082758/080123161250.htm
People with Alzheimer's disease experienced more accidents and performed more poorly on road tests compared to drivers without cognitive impairment. While the study does confirm previous reports of potentially hazardous driving in persons with early AD, it also indicates that some individuals with very mild dementia can continue to drive safety for extended periods of time.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Skin Care: Scar-free Healing Shown With Gene Suppression
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220387803/080121080355.htm
New research shows that by suppressing one of the genes that normally switches on in wound cells, wounds can heal faster and reduce scarring. This has major implications not just for wound victims but also for people who suffer organ tissue damage through illness or abdominal surgery.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Experimental Procedure Induces Tolerance To Mismatched Kidney Transplants
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082759/080123173157.htm
Four of five patients participating in a trial of an experimental protocol designed to induce immune tolerance to HLA-mismatched kidney transplants have been able to discontinue immunosuppressive drugs. The report describes the first successful, intentional induction of tolerance across the HLA barrier in a group of transplant recipients. Combined organ and bone marrow transplant allows patients to halt immunosuppression.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Quality Control Mechanism Tags Defective Sperm Cells Inside The Body
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082760/080123131524.htm
Defective sperm cells do not pass through the body unnoticed. A new study provides evidence that the body recognizes and tags defective sperm cells while they undergo maturation in the epididymis, a sperm storage gland attached to the testis. According to researchers, only the best sperm that have the highest chance of succeeding in fertilization will survive the production process without a "tag."
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Kids Learn More When Mom Is Listening
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082761/080123140402.htm
Kids may roll their eyes when their mother asks them about their school day, but answering her may actually help them learn. New research reveals that children learn the solution to a problem best when they explain it to their mom.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Ulysses Spacecraft Flies Over Sun's North Pole
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082762/080123182720.htm
The Ulysses spacecraft today is making a rare flyby of the sun's north pole. Unlike any other spacecraft, Ulysses is able to sample winds at the sun's poles, which are difficult to study from Earth. Ulysses has flown over the sun's poles three times before, in 1994-95, 2000-01 and 2007. Last week, solar physicists announced the first indications of a new solar cycle. Visiting the pole at this time may lead to new insights about solar activity.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Cigarettes Leave Deadly Path By Purging Protective Genes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082764/080123150522.htm
The toxins in cigarette smoke wipe out a gene that plays a vital role in protecting the body from the effects of premature aging. Without this gene we not only lose a bit of youthfulness -- but the lungs are left open to destructive inflammation and diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
For Best Pest Detection, Suit The Attractant To The Fruit Fly
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219091507/080118155848.htm
Several fruit fly species that plague Latin American fruit growers are also quarantine pests in the United States. To evaluate lures used to monitor fruit flies in production areas, scientists recently tested two ammonia-based formulations and found them to differ in effectiveness, depending on the species.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Large Study Links Folic Acid Supplementation With Reduced Risk Of Preeclampsia During Pregnancy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082765/080123113752.htm
Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy has long been known to reduce the risk of birth defects in newborns, but a new study now suggests that the vitamin may also reduce the risk of preeclampsia, a leading cause of maternal and infant illness and death worldwide.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Farming Has Significantly Changed The Hydrology And Chemistry Of The Mississippi River
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082766/080123131737.htm
Farming has significantly changed the hydrology and chemistry of the Mississippi River, injecting more carbon dioxide into the river and raising river discharge during the past 50 years.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Low-income US Children Less Likely To Have Access To Qualified Math Teachers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082767/080123131519.htm
Children from low-income families in the United States do not have the same access to qualified teachers as do wealthier students, according to a new study. Compared to 46 countries, the United States had the fourth largest opportunity gap, the difference between students of high and low socioeconomic status in their access to qualified teachers.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Leukemia-causing Cells Found
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082768/080123112050.htm
Scientists have discovered the cancer 'stem cells' that cause acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, the most common form of childhood cancer. The breakthrough came through studying four-year-old identical twins Olivia, who has leukaemia, and Isabella, who is healthy. They found that both twins had abnormal 'pre-leukaemia' stem cells in their blood that can either lie dormant in the bone marrow or develop into full-blown leukaemia stem cells. The results were then confirmed with experiments using human cord blood cells.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Regular, Long-term Aspirin Use Reduces Risk Of Colorectal Cancer, Study Suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082769/080122110035.htm
The use of regular, long-term aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduces the risk associated with colorectal cancer, according to a new study. However, the use of aspirin for chemoprevention of colorectal cancer may require using the drug at doses that are higher than recommended over a long period of time, which may cause serious side effects including gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients need to talk to their doctor to discuss risks vs. benefits.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
From And For The Heart, My Dear Valentine: Broccoli
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220441966/080121091349.htm
Wishing your Valentine good heart health on February 14 -- and throughout 2008? Then consider the food some people love to hate, and hand over a gift bag of broccoli along with that heart-shaped box of chocolates. Researchers are reporting impressive new evidence that eating broccoli may protect against heart disease.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
Disparities Among Patients With Extremity Soft-tissue Sarcomas
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082770/080122101937.htm
A new study reveals significant racial and ethnic differences in the treatment and survival of patients with soft-tissue sarcomas, a rare but dangerous cancer that begins in muscle, fat, blood vessels or other supporting tissue of the body.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
New Advanced Method For Measuring Protein Synthesis Developed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082771/080122110050.htm
In a major breakthrough for future research and drug development, investigators have developed a new, more reliable method for measuring protein synthesis and turnover, processes that are critical to understanding cellular functions.
Thu, 24 Jan 08
UK Doctors 'Failing' Children Trapped In Gender Limbo, According To Experts
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/222082772/080123174355.htm
Gender disordered children as young as ten are being denied desperately needed hormonal drugs leading to bullying, violence and even suicide according to new research. Dr Simona Giordano from The University of Manchester says British doctors are depriving children relief from "extreme suffering" caused by their condition - forcing their families into seeking help outside the UK. Homophobic bullying in schools is experienced by 89.2% of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youths in the UK.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Captive Carnivores Not Up To Wild Living
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220387801/080121080406.htm
There are serious problems with reintroducing animals to the wild for conservation projects. New research highlights the low survival rates of captive carnivores that are released into their natural habitats. On average only one in three captive-born carnivores survives in the wild, with most deaths related to human activities.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Daily Exercise Dramatically Lowers Men's Death Rates
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221294596/080122165618.htm
Increased exercise capacity reduces the risk of death in African-American and Caucasian men. The study included 15,660 participants and is the largest known to assess the link between fitness and mortality.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Human Activities Contribute To California's Global Warming
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221398522/080118093350.htm
Over the past 85 years, humans have helped shape California climate during certain seasons. But that's not necessarily good. Recent research shows that California temperatures have jumped statewide by more than 2.1 degrees Fahrenheit between 1915 and 2000. This warming is likely related to human activities.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Combination Therapy Improves Survival For Certain Prostate Cancer Patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221398523/080122165650.htm
Men with localized prostate cancer who were treated with male hormone suppression therapy and radiation treatment had longer survival, but those with moderate to high levels of other illnesses did not experience this effect.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
DNA Sensors Found To Be An Effective Artificial Nose
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221348162/080122203315.htm
Short sequences of solid-state DNA can selectively signal their interactions with small molecules in the vapor phase. These observations have been implemented in odor sensing in an electronic "nose" and further suggest that in vivo responses to small molecules may represent new, nongenetic attributes of DNA.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
A Good Fight May Keep You And Your Marriage Healthy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221266608/080122173036.htm
A good fight with your spouse may be good for your health, research suggests. Couples in which both the husband and wife suppress their anger when one attacks the other die earlier than members of couples where one or both partners express their anger and resolve the conflict.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Blacker Than Black: Darkest Manmade Material Ever Made
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221294593/080122154610.htm
Researchers have created the darkest material ever made by man. The material, a thin coating comprised of low-density arrays of loosely vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes, absorbs more than 99.9 percent of light and one day could be used to boost the effectiveness and efficiency of solar energy conversion, infrared sensors and other devices. The researchers who developed the material have applied for a Guinness World Record for their efforts.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Early Promising Results In Malaria Vaccine Trial
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221398524/080122203034.htm
A small clinical trial has found that a candidate malaria vaccine was safe and elicited strong immune responses in the 40 Malian adults who received it. The trial was the first to test this vaccine candidate, which is designed to block the malaria parasite from entering human blood cells, in a malaria-endemic country.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Combined Radiation Seed, Chemotherapy Wafer Implants Show Promise In Treating Cancerous Brain Tumors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221398525/080118093336.htm
In the battle against malignant brain tumors, dual implantation of radioactive seeds and chemotherapy wafers following surgery showed promising results in a study led by specialists at the Neuroscience Institute at the University of Cincinnati and University Hospital.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Seasonal Weight Changes Linked To Metabolic Syndrome
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221398526/080122203107.htm
Seasonal changes in weight increase the risk for metabolic syndrome. According to the current study, individuals with metabolic syndrome have more seasonal changes in their mood and behavior. The study concludes that the seasonal changes in weight in particular are linked to metabolic syndrome. With people having the 'winter blues' the risk of metabolic syndrome is heightened by 56 per cent. The negative effect of the seasonal changes equals to the protective effect against metabolic syndrome gained with regular physical exercise.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Optical Fiber: Secure In All The Chaos
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220524004/080121130022.htm
Secure messages hidden in chaotic waveforms, transmitted at up to 10 gigabits per second, is the vision behind a group of dedicated European researchers. Now they are prototyping the equipment that could make the vision a reality. Hiding a message within a chaotic transmission offers a way of securing information exchange -- provided the message can be distinguished from the chaos by the receiver.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
By Jove, We've Got It: EEG Correlates Of Insightful Problem Solving
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221398527/080122203120.htm
Researchers investigated brain rhythms and their dynamics while human volunteers solved verbal problems. Often, the participants reached a state of mental block and could not progress further: excessive amount of gamma brain rhythm (the same rhythm gets enhanced with selective attention) might cause this mental road block. It clearly indicates that focusing or attending too much on a topic might have a detrimental effect.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Missing Link Between Belly Fat And Heart Disease?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221398528/080122102055.htm
Overweight people have a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes and other problems that arise from clogged, hardened arteries. Now, a new study in mice gives the first direct evidence of why this link might exist -- and a tantalizing look at how it might be broken.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Cough Medicine: Not Worthwhile For Children Or Adults?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221348159/080122203331.htm
Alert parents know that small children should not take over-the-counter cough medications. Now researchers say the stuff might not help adults much, either. Over-the-counter medicine is commonly and casually used by millions of cold sufferers every year, but there is no good evidence for or against the effectiveness of OTC cough medicines, concludes a new systematic review of studies.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Predators Do More Than Kill Prey
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221398529/080117164144.htm
The direct effect predators have on their prey is to kill them. The evolutionary changes that can result from this direct effect include prey that are younger at maturity and that produce more offspring. But killing prey also has indirect effects -- rarely characterized or measured -- such as a decline in the number of surviving prey, resulting, in turn, in more food available to survivors. In a new study characterizing the complex ecological interactions that shape how organisms evolve, biologists present a novel way of quantifying the indirect effects of predators by showing that prey adapt to food availability as well as the presence of predators.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Gene Therapy Technique: Water Droplets Produced By Electrospray Render Cells Permeable To External DNA
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221398530/080118101931.htm
Genetically engineered products have become indispensable. For example, genetically modified bacteria produce human insulin. In future, gene therapy should make it possible to introduce genes into the cells of a diseased organism so that they can address deficiencies to compensate for malfunctions in the body. Japanese researchers have now developed a new method to introduce foreign (or synthetic) DNA into cells. The equipment needed is simple, inexpensive, and portable.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Pharmacists Believe Drive-through Windows Contribute To Delays, Errors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221398531/080122173024.htm
Consumers who pick up their prescription medications at a pharmacy drive-through window might be jeopardizing their own safety in the name of convenience. A new study indicates that pharmacists who work at locations with drive-through windows believe the extra distractions associated with window service contribute to processing delays, reduced efficiency and even dispensing errors.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Amphibian Skin Agent May Battle Multi-drug Resistant Bacteria
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221064073/080122102502.htm
Researchers found that a naturally occurring agent in frog skin may inhibit multi-drug resistant bacterial strains associated with hospital-acquired infections. Resistance to current antibiotic therapies is on the rise in both hospital and community settings. With some bacterial strains now resistant to every available drug, a return to the preantibiotic era in regard to such infections is cause for great concern.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Motorcycle Helmets Keep Riders Alive, International Review Confirms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221348163/080122203237.htm
An international group of researchers has combined data from a variety of studies to determine how effective helmets really are. Their findings confirm what seems intuitive: Helmet use is highly significant in reducing both accidental death and injury, reducing head injury risk by 69 percent and death by 42 percent.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Genome Scan Shows Polynesians Have Little Genetic Relationship To Melanesians
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218933049/080118093728.htm
The origins and current genetic relationships of Pacific Islanders have generated interest and controversy for many decades. Now, a new comprehensive genetic study of almost 1,000 individuals has revealed that Polynesians and Micronesians have almost no genetic relation to Melanesians, and that groups that live in the islands of Melanesia are remarkably diverse.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Dividing Lip Zones To Be Injected For Augmentation May Help Increase Patient Satisfaction
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220601092/080121164105.htm
Dividing the lips into zones based on structure may help cosmetic surgeons perform enhancement procedures with high patient satisfaction and few adverse effects, according to a new article. Studies have found that wider and fuller lips are a mark of female attractiveness with a trend in fuller lips in models featured in magazines over the past century.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
RNA Biology Finding Makes Waves By Challenging Current Thinking
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219066335/080118151710.htm
Researchers challenge molecular biology's established body of evidence and widely-accepted model for nonsense-mediated messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) decay. Scientists directly tested the "faux 3' UTR" model and proved it could not explain how cells recognize and destroy deviant mRNA.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Mothers Trade Child Quantity For Quality
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221398533/080122203051.htm
Researchers have shown that mothers are choosing to have fewer children in order to give their children the best start in life, but by doing so are going against millenia of human evolution. The research sheds new light on the decline of modern day fertility.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
1000 Genomes: Most Detailed Map Of Human Genetic Variation To Support Disease Studies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221721974/080122101914.htm
An international research consortium today announced the 1000 Genomes Project, an ambitious effort that will involve sequencing the genomes of at least a thousand people from around the world to create the most detailed and medically useful picture to date of human genetic variation.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
The RNA Drug Revolution: A New Approach To Gene Therapy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221693839/080123093137.htm
RNA interference represents an innovative new strategy for using small RNA molecules to silence specific genes associated with disease processes, and a series of review articles describing the state-of-the-art and potential therapeutic applications of RNAi and microRNAs in Human Gene Therapy.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Controlling Schistosomiasis: Buffalo Or Snails?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221693840/080122102221.htm
A parasitic infection common in China and Southeast Asia could be effectively reduced by controlling snail populations, according to research. Infection with schistosomes of various species affects some 200 million people worldwide, and can cause serious chronic illnesses, including liver failure.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Zanzibar Study Paves Way For Mass Co-delivery Of Three Antiparasitic Drugs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221693841/080122203242.htm
Findings from a new study in Zanzibar pave the way for the World Health Organization to recommend the mass co-delivery of three antiparasitic drugs for the first time. The study shows the safety of delivering three drugs simultaneously -- ivermectin, albendazole and praziquantel -- in order to tackle three diseases, elephantiasis, soil-transmitted worms, and schistosomiasis.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Unique Fungal Collection Could Hold Key To Future Antibiotics
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221237433/080122154659.htm
Scientists are establishing a facility to screen for potential new antibiotics. The aim of the project is to build a highly focused natural products drug discovery operation that will address the urgent need for bringing new antibiotic compounds to market.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Equal Level Of Commitment And Relationship Satisfaction Found Among Gay And Heterosexual Couples
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221693844/080122101929.htm
Same-sex couples are just as committed in their romantic relationships as heterosexual couples, say researchers who have studied the quality of adult relationships and healthy development. Their finding disputes the stereotype that couples in same-sex relationships are not as committed as their heterosexual counterparts and are therefore not as psychologically healthy.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Cranberries Might Help Prevent Urinary Infections In Women
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221348160/080122203326.htm
Evidence supports drinking cranberry juice -- a familiar home remedy --- to treat urinary tract infection. People have used cranberries, especially cranberry juice, for decades to prevent and treat UTIs. The fruit contains organic substances, such as quinic acid and citric acid, which act as antibacterial agents to help eliminate bacteria from the bladder.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Gastric Banding Reverses Impact Of Type 2 Diabetes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221693847/080122165647.htm
Preliminary research indicates that obese patients with type 2 diabetes who had gastric banding surgery lost more weight and had a higher likelihood of diabetes remission compared to patients who used conventional methods for weight loss and diabetes control, according to a new study.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Palpable Computing: A Taste Of Things To Come
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220524006/080121124809.htm
Virtually everyone stands to benefit from the more pervasive use of computer technology. But while adding microchips to more everyday objects can make lives easier – and even save them – the approach creates some unique problems of its own. “Palpable” rather than “ubiquitous” computing promises a solution. “Palpable computing” refers to pervasive computer technology that is also tangible and comprehensible to its users.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
One Out Of Four Children Involved In A Divorce Undergoes Parental Alienation Syndrome
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221693849/080122110040.htm
Children undergoing PAS are manipulated by their custodial parent, who tries to turn them against their father/mother, arousing in them feelings of hatred and contempt for the other parent. Children usually not only reject the noncustodial parent, but also his or her family and close friends.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
World's Best Microscope Can Produce Images Less Than Diameter Of Single Hydrogen Atom
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221693850/080122154357.htm
The first of two advanced microscopes has been installed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. TEAM 0.5 is the world's most powerful transmission electron microscope and is capable of producing images with half-angstrom resolution, less than the diameter of a single hydrogen atom.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Drugs To Bulk Up Muscles May Make Injuries More Likely
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221693851/080122165601.htm
Brittle tendons in mice reveal the potential downside of myostatin inhibitor drugs that are attracting interest as possible treatments for muscular dystrophy and as illicit performance-enhancing drugs for athletes. A new animal study raises doubts about one approach to treating muscular dystrophy.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Cigarette Smoke May Enhance HPV And Increase Risk Of Cervical Cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221064075/080122102342.htm
For the first time researchers suggest a direct interaction between cigarette smoke carcinogens and the human papillomavirus that may lead to increased risk of cervical cancer.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Lab Gives Early Warnings Of Biological Invaders
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221693852/080122102226.htm
A Montana State University lab provides early warnings about biological invaders, serving as producers, home gardeners and Homeland Security. "We are sent mystery samples," says one of the scientists. The team identifies whether the samples are true invading pests or harmless look-alikes.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Few Strategies Exist To Prevent MRSA Spread In Nursing Homes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221693853/080122203232.htm
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is making news as a dangerous, sometimes fatal disease for hospital patients, and in recent cases, students. MRSA is also a major source of illness acquired in nursing homes, yet few studies have looked at how to prevent its spread among elderly residents, according to a new review.
Wed, 23 Jan 08
Economists Help Climate Scientists To Improve Global Warming Forecasts
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221693860/080122102101.htm
Climate scientists are collaborating with experts in economic theory to improve their forecasting models and assess more accurately the impact of rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Although there is broad consensus that there will be a significant rise in average global temperature, there is great uncertainty over the extent of the change, and the implications for different regions.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Pigmentation In Some Butterfly Wings Created By Nanostructures
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220626531/080117201947.htm
Nowhere in nature is there so much beautiful color as on the wings of butterflies. Scientists, however, are still baffled about exactly how these colors are created. One young scientist has been examining the structure of the surface of the wings of the cabbage white and other butterflies in great detail. He notes that the colors on butterfly wings are created in two different ways: via pigments and via nanostructures on the scales, which ensure that light is distributed in ways that are sometimes spectacular.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Saline Nasal Wash Helps Improve Children's Cold Symptoms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220601087/080121164118.htm
A saline nasal wash solution made from processed seawater appears to improve nasal symptoms and may help prevent the recurrence of respiratory infections when used by children with the common cold, according to a new report.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
California Flood Risks Are 'Disaster Waiting To Happen,' Say Engineers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220626532/080117140831.htm
While flooding in California's Central Valley is "the next big disaster waiting to happen," critical water-related infrastructure issues confront almost every community across the country, according to engineers.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Can Hantavirus Infection Spread Among Humans?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220626533/080118093221.htm
In connection with last year's epidemic, a research team at Umea University in Sweden has managed for the first time to show that hantavirus exists in human saliva. This raises the question of whether this contagion can spread among humans.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Battling Potential Disease Outbreaks Online
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220626534/080117114305.htm
Researchers have found that automated electronic medical laboratory reporting improves both the completeness and timeliness of disease surveillance, significantly bettering the odds of stopping the spread of disease.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation A New Treatment Of Bulimia Nervosa?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220626535/080117202807.htm
Researchers report on a new modality of treatment for bulimia nervosa, transcranial magnetic stimulation, in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a non-invasive, neurophysiological method, which affects cortical neurons with a short magnetic pulse. Bulimia nervosa (BN) is often associated with depressive symptoms and treatment with antidepressants has shown positive effects.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
96-million-year-old Fossil Pollen Sheds Light On Early Pollinators
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220626536/080117181233.htm
The collapse of honeybee colonies across North America is focusing attention on the honeybees' vital role in the survival of agricultural crops, and a new study shows insect pollinators have likely played a key role in the evolution and success of flowering plants for nearly 100 million years.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Chromosomal Abnormalities Play Substantial Role In Autism
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220626537/080117121518.htm
Genome-wide scans of families affected by autism spectrum disorder have revealed new evidence that previously unknown chromosomal abnormalities have a substantial role in the prevalent developmental disorder.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Alzheimer's Molecule Is A Smart Speed Bump On The Nerve-cell Transport Highway
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220626538/080117164046.htm
Researchers have discovered that proteins carrying chemical cargo in nerve cells react differently when exposed to the tau protein, which plays an important role in Alzheimer's disease.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
New View Of Drugs Used To Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220387804/080121080343.htm
Powerful drugs used to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis have a profound, previously unrecognized effect on the immune system, breaking up molecular "training camps" for rogue cells that play an increasingly recognized role in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Strong Variations In Tectonic Stresses Discovered In Earthquake Prone Area Near Japan
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220626540/080117103739.htm
Earth scientists have reported the discovery of a strong variation in the tectonic stresses in a region of the Pacific Ocean notorious for generating devastating earthquakes and tsunamis in southeastern Japan. The team used a high-tech drill ship to probe deep into a zone responsible for undersea earthquakes known to cause tsunamis.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Rapid Effects Of Intensive Therapy Seen In Brains Of Patients With Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220626541/080117164133.htm
In a study that may significantly advance the understanding of how cognitive-behavioral therapy affects the brain, researchers have shown that significant changes in activity in certain regions of the brain can be produced with as little as four weeks of daily therapy in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. The discovery could have important clinical implications.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Altering Brain's Lipid Metabolism Reduces Alzheimer's Plaques In Mice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218904443/080118093354.htm
Increasing levels of a protein that helps the brain use cholesterol may slow the development of Alzheimer's disease changes in the brain, according to researchers studying a mouse model of the disease. The study highlights a new possibility for potential Alzheimer's treatment: altering the brain's use of lipids, a class of fat-soluble compounds that includes cholesterol.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
New Function For Colon Cancer Gene Found
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220626542/080117140848.htm
Geneticists have discovered a striking turnabout role for a gatekeeper known to put on the brakes for colon cancer. Flaws in a gene called adenomatous polyposis coli, which normally prevents excessive cell growth, are thought to trigger development of most colorectal cancers. But in an about face, the tumor suppressor gene also has a second task, the researchers found, as a gas pedal that accelerates signaling between cells.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Vascular Disease: Majority of Device Malfunctions Occur With Off-label Use Of Biliary Stents, Study Suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220415105/080121080347.htm
Although approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as a palliative treatment for cancer patients who have developed bile-duct obstructions, biliary stents are sometimes used "off-label" for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease. A new study finds that off-label use of biliary stents is increasing, and that the majority of adverse events and device malfunctions associated with the use of these stents occurs during off-label usage.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
'Nonlinear' Ecosystem Response Points To Environmental Solutions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220626543/080117140845.htm
The preservation of coastal ecosystem services such as clean water, storm buffers or fisheries protection does not have to be an all-or-nothing approach, a new study indicates, and a better understanding of how ecosystems actually respond to protection efforts in a "nonlinear" fashion could help lead the way out of environmental-versus-economic gridlock.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Does It Help To Continue Antidepressant Drug Treatment For Preventing Recurrence In Depression?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220626544/080117203139.htm
Apparently it doesn't help much, according to a new study in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. Maintenance antidepressant (AD) medication is the most commonly used preventive strategy in a highly recurrent disease, i.e. depression. Little is known about the discontinuation of maintenance AD use and the association with recurrence in daily clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to examine the discontinuation rate of maintenance AD in daily clinical practice in recurrently depressed patients and the associated risk of recurrence.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
'Tree Of Life' Has Lost A Branch, According To Largest Genetic Comparison Of Higher Life Forms Ever
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220468509/080121112642.htm
Biologists have made a startling discovery about the relationship between organisms that most people have never heard of. The Tree of Life must be re-drawn, textbooks need to be changed, and the discovery may also have significant impact on the development of medicines. The discovery has gained attention from biologists worldwide. The findings come from the largest ever genetic comparison of higher life forms on the planet.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Melanomas May Appear Noticeably Different Than Other Moles
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220601091/080121164108.htm
A preliminary study suggests that melanomas have a different appearance than other irregular skin moles (i.e., are "ugly ducklings"), according to a new article. Rates of malignant melanoma continue to increase, and early identification allows surgeons to treat the disease by removing the tumor, according to background information in the article.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
HIV Peptide's Possible Pathway Into The Cell Revealed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220626545/080117164152.htm
Theoretical physicists have uncovered what they believe is the long-sought-after pathway that an HIV peptide takes to enter healthy cells. The theorists analyzed two years of biocomputation and simulation to uncover a surprisingly simple mechanism describing how this protein fragment penetrates the cell membrane. The discovery could help scientists treat other human illnesses by exploiting the same molecules that make HIV so deadly proficient.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Duloxetine Does Not Relieve Painful Physical Symptoms In Depression, According To Current Analysis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220497807/080121120154.htm
Duloxetine is marketed as a treatment for both the core emotional symptoms and painful physical complaints that often accompany depression. Based upon the currently available evidence, the marketing of duloxetine as an antidepressant with analgesic properties for people with depression does not appear to be adequately supported.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Cost Effectiveness Of Digital Mammography Screening Questioned
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220626546/080117180351.htm
Digital mammography does not improve health enough to warrant its higher cost unless its use is limited to women under age 50 or women with dense breasts, according to a cost-effectiveness study comparing digital mammography and conventional film mammography for breast cancer screening.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Europe Should Adopt WHO Recommendations For Particulate Matter Cuts, Experts Urge
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220626547/080117102119.htm
Europe must adopt the World Health Organization standard on fine particulate matter pollution if it is to significantly curb needless premature deaths, concludes new research. Fine particulate matter has been associated with an increase in death from all causes, and particularly respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Immunologists Find Better Way To Boost The Immune System
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221398534/080122154556.htm
Immunologists have discovered how to manipulate the immune system to increase its power and protect the body from successive viral infections. These findings may point the way toward developing new and more effective vaccines against diseases like influenza or HIV and enhance new developments in immunology.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
UltraBattery Sets New Standard For Hybrid Electric Vehicles
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221398535/080118093341.htm
The odometer of a low emission hybrid electric test vehicle recently reached 100,000 miles as the car circled a track in the UK using the power of an advanced CSIRO battery system. The UltraBattery combines a supercapacitor and a lead acid battery in a single unit, creating a hybrid car battery that lasts longer, costs less and is more powerful than current technologies used in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Low Variation In Platelet Protein Expression Within The Elderly
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221208174/080122154845.htm
The variation in human platelets in the elderly population is not significantly large, report researchers in a study that has strong implications for clinical biomarker research.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Copper's Not Coping: New Chips Call On Light Speed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220524007/080121124509.htm
The tiny copper wires that connect different areas of an integrated circuit may soon limit microchip-processing speeds. So European researchers have developed technologies to produce and combine semiconductor micro-lasers with silicon wave guides for novel, power-efficient optical connections. We have all experienced the effect of Moore's Law: almost from the second you unpack a newly purchased computer it is already outdated. The next model – with faster processing power and more advanced features – is already in the shop.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Stress At Work Is Linked To Heart Disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221398536/080122203124.htm
New research has produced strong evidence of how work stress is linked to the biological mechanisms involved in the onset of heart disease. It is the first large-scale study to look at the cardiovascular mechanisms of work stress in the population and provides the strongest evidence yet of the way it can lead to coronary heart disease, either directly, by activating stress pathways controlled by neuroendocrine mechanisms, or indirectly via its association with unhealthy lifestyles.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Men May Be More Susceptible To Head Injury Than Women, Study Suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220497805/080121122138.htm
Women's skulls are thicker than men's, but they both shrink slowly after we reach adulthood. That's the conclusion of a new imaging study of 3000 people. The detailed results could help in the design of more effective devices for protecting the head in vehicle collisions and other accidents.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Gene Responsible For Debilitating Blood Cell Disorder Discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221064072/080117174244.htm
For many years, scientists have sought the faulty genes in myelodysplasia, a blood cell disorder that arises late in life and segues, sometimes rapidly, sometimes quite slowly, into cancer. In that search, intense focus has been paid to a form of the disease called the 5q minus syndrome, where a chunk of DNA from chromosome 5 is characteristically lost from patient's blood cells. That kind of trademark error has kindled a deeper understanding of many diseases, especially cancers, but not so for this syndrome. More than three decades have transpired since the identification of its distinctive genetic blunder, and since then, research has brought little more than a glimmer of insight into what causes the disease. Now, researchers have lifted the seemingly impenetrable curtain surrounding the 5q minus syndrome, with the long-awaited discovery of the guilty gene.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Ovarian Cancer Risk Not Affected By Alcohol And Smoking, But Reduced By Caffeine, Study Finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221208172/080122101945.htm
A new study has found that cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption do not have an effect on ovarian cancer risk, while caffeine intake may lower the risk, particularly in women not using hormones.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Short Bacterial Protein Is Surprisingly Versatile
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219015287/080118134218.htm
Researchers have discovered why an unusually short bacterial protein can have many more interactions than would normally be expected of something its size. The team found that the protein, UmuD, belongs to a recently discovered class of proteins called intrinsically disordered proteins.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Strongest Predictors For Oscar Nominations Revealed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221181030/080121080351.htm
Using Internet Movie Database records for every Oscar-eligible film made between the founding of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences in 1927 and 2005, researchers looked for conditions that improved the odds of a performer getting the nod. The analysis of nearly 20,000 films shows that odds favor dramas, female performers and big distributors.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Increased Risk Of Heart Attack Or Stroke For Patients Who Are Resistant To Aspirin
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221064071/080118093613.htm
Being resistant to aspirin makes patients four times more likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke or even die from a pre-existing heart condition, according to a new study.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Distillers' Grain In Cattle Feed May Contribute To E. Coli Infection
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/221064074/080122102428.htm
A new study suggests that the addition of dried distillers' grain, an ethanol by-product, to cattle feed may contribute to the prevalence of E. coli O157 infection in cattle. The researchers from Kansas State University, Manhattan report their findings in the January 2008 issue of the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Pros, Cons Of Drug Proven To Prevent Prostate Cancer Should Be Considered, Researchers Recommend
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220415106/080121080339.htm
Researchers encourage men to weigh both the potential benefits and side effects of the drug finasteride before taking it to reduce prostate cancer risk. Analysis indicates that cost effectiveness and quality of life issues associated with taking the drug are not clear cut.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Artificial Viral Shells Could Be Useful Nano-Containers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219015285/080118135314.htm
Researchers are designing an artificial viral shell as a valuable nano-container for pinpoint drug delivery, molecular computing components, and a host of other applications. Chemists were inspired by the construction of natural viral capsids, which enclose a virus's genetic material within a sphere knitted together from identical protein building blocks.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Human Brain: Detective Of Auditory And Visual Change
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218961216/080118115432.htm
The human brain is capable of detecting the slightest visual and auditory changes. Several studies have indicated, however, that even a small span of time in between pre- and post-change images can disturb the brain's ability to detect visual discrepancies. In a recent study, psychologists assessed the effect of time gaps on change detection in audition.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
How Ultrafine Particles In Air Pollution May Cause Heart Disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220387800/080121084718.htm
Patients prone to heart disease may one day be told by physicians to avoid not only fatty foods and smoking but air pollution too. A new academic study has revealed that the smallest particles from vehicle emissions may be the most damaging components of air pollution in triggering plaque buildup in the arteries, which can lead to heart attack and stroke.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Surgical Site Infections More Common Than Expected Following Breast Procedures
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220601090/080121164111.htm
Infections at the incision site occurred in more than 5 percent of patients following breast surgery and cost them more than $4,000 each in hospital-related expenses, according to a new article.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Web 3.0: User-generated Networks?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220524003/080121130202.htm
European researchers took the concepts of Web 2.0, like user-generated content and social networking, into the real world. They hope to create user-generated physical networks so internets could be set up, by anyone, anytime. It's radical and, surprisingly, fairly realistic. Welcome to Web 3.0. The internet, Web 1.0, is so incredibly powerful that even now, almost 20 years later, we have only begun to explore its potential. Web 2.0, with its YouTube, Facebook, Flickr and blogs galore is even younger and shows even more potential.
Tue, 22 Jan 08
Growing Consumer Demand For 'Greener' Cleaning Products Sparks Industry Changes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220441965/080121100554.htm
Amid growing consumer demand for more environmentally-friendly cleaning products, chemical suppliers are stepping-up their efforts to provide greener ingredients with the same effectiveness of conventional ones, according to an article in Chemical & Engineering News.
Mon, 21 Jan 08
Could The Universe Be Tied Up With Cosmic String?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220078631/080120182315.htm
Astronomers have uncovered hints that there may be cosmic strings - lines of pure mass-energy - stretching across the entire Universe. Cosmic strings are predicted by high energy physics theories, including superstring theory. This is based on the idea that particles are not just little points, but tiny vibrating bits of string Cosmic strings are predicted to have extraordinary amounts of mass - perhaps as much as the mass of the Sun - packed into each meter of a tube whose width is less a billion billionth of the size of an atom.
Mon, 21 Jan 08
Evidence Found For Genes That Affect Risk Of Developing Alzheimer's Disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220228627/080117102124.htm
Through one of the largest studies yet of Alzheimer's disease patients and their brothers, sisters, and children, researchers have found strong evidence that genes other than the well-known susceptibility risk factor APOE4 influence who is at risk for developing the neurodegenerative disease later in life.
Mon, 21 Jan 08
Discovery Cuts Cost Of Next Generation Optical Fibers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220228628/080117104850.htm
Scientists have discovered a way of speeding up the production of hollow-core optical fibers -- a new generation of optical fibers that could lead to faster and more powerful computing and telecommunications technologies.
Mon, 21 Jan 08
Scientists Test The Safety Of Experimental Drug For Vision Loss
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220228629/080117181033.htm
In a first-of-its-kind safety research study, University of Florida researchers have injected an anti-inflammatory compound into the eye of a person with a sight-robbing disease. The procedure was performed last month to test the safety and effectiveness of a synthetic peptide -- a small protein fragment -- in procedures involving the human eye.
Mon, 21 Jan 08
Island Monkeys Do Not Recognize Big Cat Calls
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220228630/080117093444.htm
Monkeys living on an island without big cat predators do not show any particular alarm when recorded tiger growls are played to them, according to new research. The pig-tailed langurs do, however, flee in a hurry from the sound of human voices.
Mon, 21 Jan 08
Brain Connections Strengthen During Waking Hours, Weaken During Sleep
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220057344/080120160658.htm
New research supports the idea that sleep plays a critical role in the brain's ability to change in response to its environment. This ability, called plasticity, is at the heart of learning. This research clarifies this phenomenon, supporting the idea that sleep plays a critical role in the brain's ability to change in response to its environment. This ability, called plasticity, is at the heart of learning.
Mon, 21 Jan 08
Genes Linked To Lupus In Women Identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220036056/080120160654.htm
Scientists have identified multiple genes that are linked to systemic lupus erythematosus, a devastating autoimmune disease that affects between 1 million and 2 million Americans. The scientists also confirmed earlier findings linking lupus to several other genes -- highlighting the role that genetics plays in the disease.
Mon, 21 Jan 08
Consuming Extra Virgin Olive Oil Helps To Combat Degenerative Diseases Such As Cancer, Study Suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220228631/080117101503.htm
Researchers have for the first time analyzed the antioxidant properties of olive oil, a product rich in polyphenols (natural antioxidants). They believe these antioxidants improve the lives of people suffering from oxidative stress, and are also highly beneficial for the prevention of cell aging and osteoporosis.
Mon, 21 Jan 08
Unconventional Natural Gas Reservoir In Pennsylvania Poised To Dramatically Increase US Production
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220228632/080117094524.htm
Natural gas distributed throughout the Marcellus black shale in northern Appalachia could conservatively boost proven US reserves by trillions of cubic feet if gas production companies employ horizontal drilling techniques, according to a new research.
Mon, 21 Jan 08
Significance And Limitations Of New Lupus Gene Expression Research
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220057343/080120160711.htm
A significant step forward has been taken in the understanding of how lupus works with the publication of four new studies identifying genes involved in this often debilitating chronic disease. Rheumatologist Mark K. Crow talks about the importance of the studies and the questions they leave unanswered, along with insights on next steps in lupus research.
Mon, 21 Jan 08
Paired Microbes Eliminate Methane Using Sulfur Pathway
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218253837/080117082850.htm
Anaerobic microbes in the Earth's oceans consume 90 percent of the methane produced by methane hydrates -- methane trapped in ice -- preventing large amounts of methane from reaching the atmosphere. Researchers now have evidence that the two microbes that accomplish this feat do not simply reverse the way methane-producing microbes work, but use a sulfur compound instead.
Mon, 21 Jan 08
Neurological Basis Of Depression Following Sports Concussion Found
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218961217/080118115428.htm
Researchers have identified the neurological basis of depression in male athletes with persisting post-concussion symptoms. The study has important clinical implications for the treatment of individuals who have suffered a cerebral concussion.
Mon, 21 Jan 08
New Genetic Mutation That Halts The Development Of Lupus Discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220228634/080117134233.htm
Scientists have uncovered a specific genetic mutation that suppresses the development of systemic lupus, an incurable autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack itself. The research suggests potential targets for future drug development.
Mon, 21 Jan 08
Ant Parasite Turns Host Into Ripe Red Berry, Biologists Discover
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220228637/080116142805.htm
Parasites occasionally change the behavior or looks of their host, but a nasty tropical nematode alters both, making its ant host's parasite-filled abdomen resemble a ripe red berry. According to biologists, this behavior is a strategy the nematode evolved to entice birds to eat the ant's abdomen and spread the parasite in their droppings.
Mon, 21 Jan 08
Molecule That Facilitates Cancer Spread In Both Cells And Their Surroundings Found
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220228639/080117180113.htm
The discovery that a molecule drives local tumor growth, as well as its ability to flourish and spread, opens a new window for understanding and treating cancer by taking aim at both cancer cells and their surrounding environment. Scientists found that a member of a common molecular family plays a role in the progress of a particularly resilient and aggressive pancreatic cancer, and that its influence is not restricted to that cancer.
Mon, 21 Jan 08
Plant Pathogen Yields Substance To Fight Neuroblastoma
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220228641/080117093418.htm
Drug treatment of neuroblastoma, a tumor of the nervous system in children, poses major problems. Scientists have been searching for substances that are suitable as a basis for developing better drugs. Now they have found a candidate: HC-toxin, which is isolated from a fungal plant pathogen. The substance from the maize pathogen reprograms neuroblastoma cells in such a way that they behave almost like healthy cells again.
Mon, 21 Jan 08
What Treatment Will Make Patients Give Up Their Compulsions?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220228643/080117203754.htm
Behavior therapy [exposure and response prevention (ERP)] and cognitive therapy (CT) have proven effective in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Direct comparisons between these treatment modalities have exposed no differences in efficacy. However, very little research has been conducted into the differences between the change processes in ERP and CT. This investigation is a first attempt to study change by measuring scores on a weekly basis rather than at specific stages in the treatment and follow-up.
Sun, 20 Jan 08
Does Your Pet Seem Almost Human? It May Be A Clever Response To Loneliness
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219533459/080118125835.htm
When people lack a sense of connection with other people, they are more likely to see their pets, gadgets or gods as human-like, according to new research. In one experiment, the team found a correlation between how lonely people felt and their tendency to describe a gadget in terms of humanlike mental states.
Sun, 20 Jan 08
Stem Cell Research Aims To Tackle Parkinson's Disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218933047/080118101925.htm
Scientists are developing new ways to grow brain cells in the laboratory that could one day be used to treat patients with Parkinson's disease. Stem cell therapy hold the promise of treating disease by growing new tissues and organs from stem cells -- 'blank' cells that have the potential to develop into fully mature or 'differentiated' cells.
Sun, 20 Jan 08
How Baby Fish Find A Home
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219533460/080116105203.htm
Scientists will use a kite-like drifting device that allows researchers to detect and quantify the orientation of larval coral reef fish in the pelagic environment. This invention provides a less labor intensive, more precise way of tracking the dispersal of larval and juvenile marine species.
Sun, 20 Jan 08
Means Of Controlling A Parasite That Kills And Eats Human Cells Identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218904442/080118093723.htm
Researchers have discovered a means of inhibiting one of the world's most voracious parasites. The study targets a protein which aids the parasite in ingestion of immune cell corpses.
Sun, 20 Jan 08
Secret Of Scottish Sheep Evolution Discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219533462/080117140834.htm
Researchers have discovered the secret of why dark sheep on a remote Scottish Island are mysteriously declining, seemingly contradicting Darwin's evolutionary theory.
Sun, 20 Jan 08
Face Facts: People Don't Stand Out In A Crowd
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218989715/080118115425.htm
Why is it difficult to spot even familiar faces in a crowd? A recent study in the Journal of Vision reveals how our brains filter out visual overload -- and could help scientists develop an artificial visual system that approaches the sophistication of human visual perception.
Sun, 20 Jan 08
Recovering From A Mass Extinction
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218933048/080118101922.htm
The full recovery of ecological systems, following the most devastating extinction event of all time, took at least 30 million years, according to new research. Previous work indicates that life bounced back quite quickly, but this was mostly in the form of 'disaster taxa' (opportunistic organisms that filled the empty ecospace left behind by the extinction).
Sun, 20 Jan 08
Discovery Major Step Forward In Treating Leukemia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219553031/080118093616.htm
Researchers have discovered for the first time a pathway that makes cancerous leukemia cells resistant to treatment. The discovery is the first stage in the development of new drugs that could significantly improve survival rates for leukemia sufferers.
Sun, 20 Jan 08
Hybrid School Buses Hit The Road; Researchers Test Their Performance
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219533463/080116164246.htm
Two of the first hybrid school buses in the US hit the road this month. The buses use an electric motor at street speeds; their V-8 diesel engines kick in at higher speeds. Researchers will study and evaluate the buses' performance over three years.
Sun, 20 Jan 08
Significant Differences Exist In Protocols Hospitals Use To Determine Brain Death
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219553032/080117164036.htm
A survey of some of the top hospitals in the country has found that protocols followed to determine brain death differ significantly among those institutions and often do not follow the standards established by the American Academy of Neurology.
Sun, 20 Jan 08
New Findings Confirm Darwin's Theory: Evolution Not Random
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219015286/080118134531.htm
According to Darwin's theory of evolution, individuals in a species pass successful traits onto their offspring through a process called "deterministic inheritance." Over multiple generations, advantageous developmental trends -- such as the lengthening of the giraffe's neck -- occur. An opposing theory says evolution takes place through randomly inherited and not necessarily advantageous changes. Using the giraffe example, there would not be a common neck-lengthening trend; some would develop long necks, while others would develop short ones.
Sun, 20 Jan 08
When Stress Makes You Bitter: The Embitterment Disorder
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219533464/080117203458.htm
The term 'posttraumatic embitterment disorder' (PTED) was recently introduced to describe a subtype of adjustment disorders, characterized by prolonged embitterment, severe additional psychopathological symptoms and great impairment in most areas of life in reaction to a severe negative but not life threatening life event. The aim of this study is an empirical description and validation of the clinical concept of PTED, by comparing clinically defined PTED patients with patients suffering from other mental disorders on measures of posttraumatic stress and psychopathological distress.
Sun, 20 Jan 08
Tiny Genetic Differences Have Huge Consequences
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219533465/080118165005.htm
Small differences between individuals at the DNA level can lead to dramatic differences in the way genes produce proteins. These, in turn, are responsible for the vast array of differences in physical characteristics between individuals.
Sun, 20 Jan 08
Effects of Antioxidant Supplements On Cancer Are Mixed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219015288/080118133308.htm
Do antioxidant supplements reduce the risk of cancer and deaths related to cancer? While some trials have suggested that antioxidants have beneficial effects, results from other trials have been negative. It has been unclear which antioxidant compounds are more beneficial (or more harmful), and how individual antioxidants affect target organs and specific patient populations. To examine these issues, Mayo researchers conducted a systematic review on the topic.
Sun, 20 Jan 08
Europe's Mercury Mission Swings Into Action
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219533466/080118101918.htm
The European Space Agency signaled the start of a busy period for the planet Mercury, when it signed the contract for industrial development to start for the BepiColombo mission Jan. 18, 2008. BepiColombo, a mission to make the most comprehensive study of Mercury ever, is due for launch in August 2013.
Sun, 20 Jan 08
Value Of Drugs For Pre-osteoporosis Exaggerated, Experts Warn
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219553033/080118093608.htm
A series of recent scientific publications have exaggerated the benefits and underplayed the harms of drugs to treat pre-osteoporosis or "osteopenia" potentially encouraging treatment in millions of low risk women, warn experts.
Sun, 20 Jan 08
Who Gets To Use DOE's Supercomputers?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219533467/080117164126.htm
Scientific studies on climate change, energy and alternative fuels are among the 30 projects awarded more than 145 million processing hours on supercomputers at ORNL through the DOE's Innovative and Novel Computational Impact on Theory and Experiment program. Through INCITE, researchers from industry, academia and government research facilities receive access to computing power at the National Center for Computational Sciences at ORNL for research on climate change, fusion energy, nanoscience, materials, chemistry, astrophysics and other areas.
Sun, 20 Jan 08
Diet And Lifestyle Critical To Recovery, Says Study
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219533468/080117093423.htm
Diet and lifestyle may play a much more significant role in a person's ability to respond favorably to certain drugs, including some cancer therapies, than previously understood, say scientists.
Sun, 20 Jan 08
Caffeine Is Linked To Miscarriage Risk, New Study Shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220387802/080121080402.htm
A new study offers the strongest evidence to date linking caffeine consumption during pregnancy to miscarriage because it's the first study to thoroughly control for pregnancy-related caffeine aversion. The study of 1,063 pregnant women found that women who consumed 200 mg or more of caffeine per day doubled their miscarriage risk.
Sun, 20 Jan 08
Ebola Virus Disarmed By Excising A Single Gene
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220652949/080121181417.htm
The deadly Ebola virus, an emerging public health concern in Africa and a potential biological weapon, ranks among the most feared of exotic pathogens. Due to its virulent nature, and because no vaccines or treatments are available, scientists studying the agent have had to work under the most stringent biocontainment protocols. Now, however, a team of researchers has figured out a way to genetically disarm the virus, effectively confining it to a set of specialized cells and making the agent safe to study under conditions far less stringent than those currently imposed.
Sun, 20 Jan 08
MRSA Evolution And Resilience Examined
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220652950/080121181410.htm
Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections are caused primarily by a single strain -- USA300 -- of an evolving bacterium that has spread with "extraordinary transmissibility" throughout the United States during the past five years, according to a new study led by National Institutes of Health scientists. CA-MRSA, an emerging public health concern, typically causes readily treatable soft-tissue infections such as boils, but also can lead to life-threatening conditions that are difficult to treat.
Sun, 20 Jan 08
Rich Nations' Environmental Footprints Tread Heavily On Poor Countries
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220652951/080121181408.htm
Researchers have assessed the financial costs of environmental damage caused by human activities in high-, middle- and low-income nations, and where those costs fall. As expected, the rich nations disproportionately impact poor nations, but the results allows the researchers to estimate the total cost. Altogether, poor nations are burdened by a cost that exceeds what they owe the rich nations.
Sun, 20 Jan 08
In Diatom, Scientists Find Genes That May Level Engineering Hurdle
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220652952/080121181404.htm
Denizens of oceans, lakes and even wet soil, diatoms are unicellular algae that encase themselves in intricately patterned, glass-like shells. Curiously, these tiny phytoplankton could be harboring the next big breakthrough in computer chips.
Sun, 20 Jan 08
Change In Trauma Level Designation Associated With Improved Patient Survival
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220601089/080121164115.htm
Death rates among patients admitted to a Colorado trauma center appeared to decrease after the center's designation was upgraded, according to a new report. Level designations are based on factors such as surgeon and nurse availability, protocols and research.
Sat, 19 Jan 08
Virtual Biopsy Cuts Out Need For Diagnostic Surgery
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219115034/080118093231.htm
A non-invasive diagnostic tool to detect surface cancers quickly and painlessly using technology currently employed by gyms to calculate body composition has been developed by a medical physics researcher. The new diagnostic technique uses bioimpedance spectroscopy to diagnose cervical and skin cancers.
Sat, 19 Jan 08
Newly Discovered Virus Linked To Deadly Skin Cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219115035/080117140839.htm
Painstaking screening of DNA sequencing data has revealed a previously unknown virus that appears to be strongly associated with a rare but deadly skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma, researchers report in Science.
Sat, 19 Jan 08
Mechanism That Controls Activation Of Stem Cells During Hair Regeneration Identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219115036/080116135214.htm
Researchers have identified a novel cyclic signaling in the dermis that coordinates stem cell activity and regulates regeneration in large populations of hairs in animal models. The 'dermal clock' signaling coordinates stem cell activity in a population of hair follicles.
Sat, 19 Jan 08
Genetic Diversity Of European Americans And Disease Gene Mapping
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219115037/080118093725.htm
The first genetic dissection of the population structure of European Americans, focusing on identifying the contributions from different genetic ancestries that are important for disease gene mapping has been completed.
Sat, 19 Jan 08
Soybean Genome Assembly Available To Scientists
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219115038/080118093226.htm
A preliminary assembly and annotation of the soybean genome, Glycine max, has been made available by the US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, to the greater scientific community to enable bioenergy research.
Sat, 19 Jan 08
Depression And Anxiety Can Double Chances Of Heart Ailments
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219115039/080118093328.htm
Matters of the mind can affect matters of the heart. A new study has found that major anxiety and/or depression, can double a coronary artery disease patient's chances of repeated heart ailments. This is one of the first studies to focus on patients with stable coronary artery disease -- not those who were hospitalized for events such as a heart attack.
Sat, 19 Jan 08
Computer Learns Dogspeak: Programs Can Classify Dog Barks Better Than Humans, Study Shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219115040/080116095531.htm
Computer programs may be the most accurate tool for studying acoustic communications amongst animals. New software is able to classify dog barks according to different situations and even identify barks from individual dogs, a task humans find challenging.
Sat, 19 Jan 08
Discovery Opens Door To 'Personalized' Asthma Therapy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219115041/080117165520.htm
Applying state-of-the-art protein screening techniques to samples taken from 84 asthmatic volunteers, researchers have made the first proteomic identification of different subtypes of asthma.
Sat, 19 Jan 08
Rare Lung Disease Cells Indicate Higher Death Risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219115042/080116142801.htm
Large numbers of certain cells in the lungs of patients diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis may increase their chance of death, researchers have discovered.
Sat, 19 Jan 08
Risk Of Falling Is Overlooked As The Major Cause Of Fractures In The Elderly
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219115043/080118093611.htm
An elderly person's risk of falling is too often overlooked when trying to prevent them from getting serious fractures, for instance of the hip or wrist, according to a new article.
Sat, 19 Jan 08
New Method Of Observing Interactions In Nanoscale Systems
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219115044/080116135227.htm
Scientists have used new optical technologies to observe interactions in nanoscale systems that Heisenberg's uncertainty principle usually would prohibit, according to a new study.
Sat, 19 Jan 08
Lack Of Training For Children's Medicines Prescribing May Increase Risk Of Error
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219115045/080115094101.htm
Current training and assessment in curbing common pitfalls in medicines prescribing for children is inadequate in the UK, suggests new research. Children pose particular prescribing problems, because the absence of formulations designed specifically for them means that doses have to be individually calculated, increasing the chances of error. And they are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of a mistake, say the researchers.
Sat, 19 Jan 08
Renewed Interest In Turning Algae Into Fuel Generated
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219115046/080115132840.htm
The same brown algae that cover rocks and cause anglers to slip while fly fishing contain oil that can be turned into diesel fuel, says a microbiologist. Drivers can't pump algal fuel into their gas tanks yet, but the idea holds promise. The revived interest in microalgae stems from the conflict in the Middle East and the resulting focus on alternative fuels, according to the researcher.
Sat, 19 Jan 08
Research Snuffs Out Notion That Smokeless Tobacco Is Lesser Of Two Evils
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219115047/080117180759.htm
Millions of Americans make the New Year's resolution to stop smoking, but far too many break ranks before Jan. 2. Their dismal success rate has health officials scrambling to come up with easier ways to quit, and many have toyed with the idea that smokeless tobacco could ease the transition off cigarettes. But research suggests that tactic would be a catch-22, especially in younger smokers.
Sat, 19 Jan 08
Herons Persist In Chicago Wetlands Despite Exposure To Banned Chemicals
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219115048/080116114154.htm
Herons nesting in the wetlands of southeast Chicago are still being exposed to chemicals banned in the US in the 1970s, a research team reports. The chemicals do not appear to be affecting the birds' reproductive success, however.
Sat, 19 Jan 08
Further Breakthroughs For Breast Cancer Patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218989716/080118115421.htm
Researchers have made a breakthrough in breast cancer treatment that could help save the lives of women who become resistant to breast cancer drugs such as tamoxifen. While drugs such as tamoxifen have been a huge success in treating breast cancer, for a significant proportion of sufferers the drugs either fail to work, or after an initial successful response the patient relapses as the cancer acquires or possesses resistance to the drug.
Sat, 19 Jan 08
Trees, Grass May Produce Ethanol Without Poisoning Gulf
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219115049/080116192108.htm
Within five to seven years fast growing trees and grasses might become economically viable alternatives to corn as a source of renewable fuel ethanol, reducing the need for pollutants that now cause a massive "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico.
Sat, 19 Jan 08
Health Care Reform And 2008 Elections: New Reports Examine Candidates' Plans, Public's Views
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219115050/080115092959.htm
Eighty-one percent of Americans believe that in order to help reach the goal of health insurance for all, employers should either provide health insurance to their workers or contribute to the cost of their coverage, according to new survey data. Nearly nine of 10 (88 percent) Democrats, nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of Republicans, and nearly four of five (79 percent) Independents would support such an employer "play or pay" requirement.
Sat, 19 Jan 08
Stem-cell Transplantation Improves Muscles In Muscular Dystrophy Animal Model, Researchers Report
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220057341/080120160709.htm
Using embryonic stem cells from mice, researchers have prompted the growth of healthy -- and more importantly, functioning -- muscle cells in mice afflicted with a human model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Sat, 19 Jan 08
First Evidence Of Under-ice Volcanic Eruption In Antarctica
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220036055/080120160720.htm
The first evidence of a volcanic eruption from beneath Antarctica's most rapidly changing ice sheet has been discovered. The volcano on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet erupted 2,000 years ago and remains active. Using airborne ice-sounding radar, scientists discovered a layer of ash produced by a 'subglacial' volcano. It extends across an area larger than Wales.
Sat, 19 Jan 08
New Technology Sharpens X-ray Vision
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/220057342/080120160718.htm
Researchers have developed a novel method for producing dark-field x-ray images at wavelengths used in typical medical and industrial imaging equipment. Dark-field images provide more detail than ordinary x-ray radiographs and could be used to diagnose the onset of osteoporosis, breast cancer or Alzheimer's disease, to identify explosives in hand luggage, or to pinpoint hairline cracks or corrosion in functional structures.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
New Genus Of Self-destructive Palm Found In Madagascar
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218532087/080116202051.htm
A gigantic palm that flowers itself to death and exists as part of an entirely unique genus has been discovered in Madagascar. The mystery palm has a huge trunk which towers over 18m high and fan leaves which are 5m in diameter -- among the largest known in flowering plants. This is the most massive palm ever to be found in Madagascar.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
What Are The Health Effects Of Wireless Communication Devices?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218532088/080117164130.htm
The rapid increase in the use of wireless communication devices in recent years has been accompanied by a significant amount of research into potential health effects from high exposure to radiofrequency energy emitted by these devices. A new National Research Council report identifies research that could further extend understanding of long-term low exposure to these devices. The report noted that it is unknown whether children are more susceptible to RF exposure, but they may be at increased risk because of their developing organ and tissue systems.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Alaska Glacier Speed-up Tied To Internal Plumbing Issues, Says Study
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218532089/080115132835.htm
Meltwater periodically overwhelms the interior drainpipes of Alaska's Kennicott Glacier and causes it to lurch forward, similar to processes that may help explain the acceleration of glaciers observed recently on the Greenland ice sheet that are contributing to global sea rise.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
New Way To Boost Red Blood Cell Numbers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218532090/080110190911.htm
A common treatment for anemia is administration of recombinant erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the production of rbc precursors by the bone marrow. Unfortunately, many patients with anemia do not respond to treatment with Epo. However, a new study in mice has indicated that the protein Gas6 might have valuable therapeutic potential for the treatment of individuals with anemia who fail to respond to treatment with Epo.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Drought Length Influences Survival Of Fish In Stream Pools
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218532091/080116192512.htm
Not all pools of water are equal from year to year when it comes to housing fish species during dry spells -- a finding that becomes increasingly important during unusual and prolonged drought conditions. "Drying in one year is not necessarily the same as drying in another year," one of the researchers said. "The dynamics of these systems where you have regular drying has become increasingly important to understand because of global climate change."
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Exposure To Smoking In Movies Influences Kids Lighting Up, New Research Suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218532092/080117175332.htm
New research strengthens the case that children's exposure to smoking in movies influences their decision to start smoking. It further suggests that smoking in movies seen in early childhood has an equally significant impact on that decision as movie smoking exposure closer to adolescence. The study was the first of its kind to focus on elementary school children, and the first to update the children's exposure to movie smoking over time.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
How The Brain Regulates Blood Flow To Neurons: Powerful Enzyme Could Play Key Role In Alzheimer's Disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507900/080117121511.htm
The human brain contains its own store of a powerful enzyme (and stroke drug) called tissue plasminogen activator, which appears to be a key regulator of blood flow to brain cells, scientists reports. This powerful enzyme -- best known as emergency stroke drug -- could also play key role in Alzheimer's disease.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Shedding Light On Protein-drug Interactions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507907/080115105826.htm
Proteins, the biological molecules involved in virtually every action of every organism, may themselves move in surprising ways, according to a recent study that may shed new light on how proteins interact with drugs and other small molecules.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Hepatitis C Virus Affects Many Organs And Tissues, Not Just Liver
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218532093/080116092448.htm
Hepatitis C virus is a major health problem worldwide, and more than 3 percent of the world's population is infected with HCV. Despite popular belief, HCV is not only a liver disease, but affects many organs, tissues, and systems.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Surprising Gymnastics Discovered In One Type Of Chemical Reaction Fundamental To Biochemistry
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507908/080116185137.htm
When they started, they expected to see a run-of-the-mill chemical reaction. What they discovered was an atomic-level dance that no one predicted. After three years of study, researchers have found that one type of a certain chemical reaction fundamental to cellular biochemistry is actually more complex than originally thought.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Do Today's Young People Really Think They Are So Extraordinary?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507909/080117101459.htm
When asked about the state of today’s youth, former president Jimmy Carter recently mused “I’ve been a professor at Emory University for the past twenty years and I interrelate with a wide range of students...I don’t detect that this generation is any more committed to personal gain to the exclusion of benevolent causes than others have been in the past.” Now research is beginning to support this notion. Researchers found no evidence that today’s young people have inflated impressions of themselves compared to the youth of previous generations.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Math Models Snowflakes In Extraordinary Detail
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507910/080117093448.htm
Three-dimensional snowflakes can now be grown in a computer using a program developed by mathematicians. Intricate, incredibly variable and beautiful, snowflakes have been puzzling mathematicians since at least 1611, when Johannes Kepler predicted that the six-pointed structure would reflect an underlying crystal structure.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
New Approach To Detect Autism Earlier
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507911/080117101406.htm
A new way of understanding autistic disorders, incorporating both psychological and biological factors, could lead to the conditions being picked up earlier, researchers have found. The work relates to autistic and Asperger's disorders, which are characterized by ritualistic behaviors -- such as counting, tapping, flicking, or repeatedly restating information -- and compulsive behaviors including as a rigid adherence to routine and a marked resistance to change.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Sea Otter Show Striking Variability In Diets And Feeding Strategies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507912/080114173901.htm
Ecologists have long observed that when food becomes scarce, animal populations exploit a wider range of food sources. So scientists studying southern sea otters at different sites in California's coastal waters were not surprised to find that the dietary diversity of the population is higher where food is limited. But this diversity was not reflected in the diets of individual sea otters, which instead showed dietary specialization in response to limited food.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Tricky Virus Exploits Host Cell Mechanism To Convert Healthy Cell Into Cancer Cell
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507913/080117103734.htm
Viruses use many tricks to gain control over their host cells and to reprogram them to their own advantage. Scientists were able to show how the Epstein-Barr virus exploits a signal protein of its host cell, which normally mediates programmed cell death, in order to convert the cell into a cancer cell.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Science Sinks Its Teeth Into 2500 Year-old Drug Problem
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507914/080116165627.htm
A new prosthetic tooth that releases a controlled dose of medication at regular intervals may achieve a goal that has eluded doctors for 2500 years: finding a way to help patients follow treatment. "Keep a watch also on the faults of the patients, which often make them lie about the taking of things prescribed," warned the father of medicine, Hippocrates, 2500 years ago.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Short Male Babies Have More Than Double The Risk Of Violent Suicide Attempts, Study Suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507915/080117094531.htm
Short male babies run more than double the risk of a violent suicide attempt as an adult, suggests a new study. Catch up growth during childhood does not lessen the impact of short stature at birth, the research shows.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Marsupial Lion Tops African Lion In Fight To Death
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507916/080117093440.htm
Pound for pound, Australia's extinct marsupial lion (Thylacoleo carnifex) would have made mince meat of today's African lion (Panthera leo) had the two big hyper-carnivores ever squared off in a fight to the death, according to an Australian scientist.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Toxoplasma Infection Increases Risk Of Schizophrenia, Study Suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507917/080116123517.htm
Findings from what is believed to be the largest comparison of blood samples collected from healthy individuals and people with schizophrenia suggest that infection with the common Toxoplasma gondii parasite, carried by cats and farm animals, may increase the risk of schizophrenia.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Starfish Outbreak Threatens Corals
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507918/080114112308.htm
Outbreaks of the notorious crown of thorns starfish now threaten the "coral triangle," the richest center of coral reef biodiversity on Earth. The starfish -- a predator that feeds on corals by spreading its stomach over them and using digestive enzymes to liquefy tissue -- were discovered in large numbers by the researchers in reefs in at the heart of the 'Coral Triangle'.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Scientists Uncover Role Of Cancer Stem Cell Marker: Controlling Gene Expression
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507919/080117134229.htm
Scientists have made an extraordinary advance in the understanding of the function of a gene previously shown to be part of an 11-gene "signature" that can predict which tumors will be aggressive and likely to spread. The gene, USP22, encodes an enzyme that appears to be crucial for controlling large scale changes in gene expression, one of the hallmarks of cancer cells.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Method Developed To Identify Sparticles In Big Bang Conditions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507920/080116191750.htm
Astronomers have proposed a new approach for the highly anticipated discovery of supersymmetric particles, often called sparticles. The methodology is based on identifying the hierarchical mass patterns of sparticles, which are assumed to exist in a new class of particle physics theories beyond the Standard Model. The expected production of the sparticles at high energy particle colliders is strongly correlated with the sparticle mass patterns.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
New Survey To Reveal 'Britain's Atlantis'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507921/080116165058.htm
The lost city of Dunwich, Britain's own underwater 'Atlantis', which has captured the imagination of people for centuries, could be revealed for the first time with high-tech underwater sonar. Marine archaeologists will explore the ancient sunken city, off the Suffolk coast, in the early summer. Dunwich, fourteen miles south of Lowestoft, was once a thriving port, and in the 14th century similar in size to London. However, storms, erosion and floods over the past six centuries have almost wiped out this once prosperous city, and the Dunwich of today is a quiet coastal village.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Discovery Of 'Creator' Gene For Cerebral Cortex Points To Potential Stem Cell Treatments
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507922/080117140837.htm
Researchers have identified a gene that is specifically responsible for generating the cerebral cortex, a finding that could lead to stem cell therapies to treat brain injuries and diseases such as stroke and Alzheimer's.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Evolution Of Human Genome's 'Guardian' Gives People Unique Protections From DNA Damage
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507923/080116115406.htm
Evolution has given humans unique protections through the p53 regulatory network -- so-called guardian of the genome -- against DNA damage that could cause cancer or genetic diseases, according to a new study. Rodents do not have these same protections, creating the need for additional considerations when interpreting studies in rodent models.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Economical Way To Boost Vitamin A Content Of Corn Found
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507924/080117140828.htm
Plant geneticists and crop scientists have pioneered an economical approach to the selective breeding of maize that can boost levels of provitamin A, the precursors that are converted to vitamin A upon consumption. This innovation could help to enhance the nutritional status of millions of people in the developing world.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
New Pathway Provides More Clues About BRCA1 Role In Breast Cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507925/080116080319.htm
A breast cancer gene's newly discovered role in repairing damaged DNA may help explain why women who inherit a mutated copy of the gene are at increased risk for developing both breast and ovarian cancer.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Mapping Tool Allows Emergency Management Personnel To Visually Track Resources
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507926/080116080255.htm
Tracking the location and availability of resources such as hospitals, transportation equipment and water during an emergency situation can be life-saving. A collaborative mapping tool is helping emergency management officials better coordinate event and incident planning -- and real-time response. The tool was selected by the Florida Division of Emergency Management as part of a solution for tracking resources.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Shaken Baby Prevention Research Project Underway In US
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507927/080116164251.htm
Child abuse prevention experts will undertake a $7 million statewide shaken baby prevention research project. Previous research has shown that shaking babies is both common and a leading cause of infant mortality. Nationally, an estimated 1,200 to 1,400 children a year receive medical treatment after being shaken. An estimated 25 percent of these children die and 80 percent of survivors are left with some form of life-long brain injury.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Eye Cancer Gene's Role In Retinal Development Defined
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507928/080116122144.htm
A genetic discovery helps answer a long-standing mystery about the eyes of vertebrates, and may translate into a deeper understanding of how genes coordinate the complex process of eye formation and how a rare pediatric eye cancer progresses.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Scientists To Preview New Climate Change Research
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507929/080117140806.htm
NCAR scientists at next week's American Meteorological Society meeting in New Orleans will present their latest findings on weather and climate topics, including connections between hurricanes and climate, the influence of climate change on precipitation and drought, and the impact of weather on rocket launches and aviation.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
How Does Insulin Influence Resistin?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507930/080116095544.htm
Obesity is a worldwide health problem directly linked to several diseases such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Resistin is a cysteine-rich hormone mainly secreted by adipose tissues and may form a biochemical link between obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Medical Implants: The Inside Story
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507931/080116170100.htm
Patients suffering from conditions such as stroke, blindness, deafness, incontinence, glaucoma or hydrocephalus will be the first to benefit from a range of new technologies and implantable medical devices developed by a pioneering European consortium of researchers, surgeons and technology companies. Half a century ago, Swedish scientists invented the first implantable heart pacemaker, demonstrating the potential of treating medical conditions by placing electronic devices within the human body. Now scientists are developing new micro-technologies for implantable medical devices of the future.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Relatives Who Decline Organ Donations Face Conflict And Guilt
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507932/080117093435.htm
Even when family members support organ donation, there's no guarantee that it will happen when someone dies, according to a new study. Conflicts between 'gift of life' and 'sacrifice' pose real dilemmas for relatives.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Materials' Crystal Properties Illuminated By Mathematical 'Lighthouse'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507933/080117102127.htm
A deeper fundamental understanding of complex materials may now be possible, due to a new insight into how crystals form. A previously unknown mathematical relationship between the different arrangements that interacting particles can take while freezing has been discovered. The discovery could give scientists insight into the essential behaviors of materials such as polymers, which are the basis of plastics.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Third Of Stunting, Quarter Of Deaths Among Toddlers In Poor Countries Could Be Prevented
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507934/080116202020.htm
If existing maternal and child nutrition interventions were implemented in poor countries, cases of stunting among children under three years of age could be reduced by a third, and deaths by up to a quarter, according to new research.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Climate Influences Deep Sea Populations
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507935/080116080316.htm
Ecologists have discovered a mechanism of interaction across ecosystems and can show how a climate-driven phenomenon originated in shelf environments can control the biological processes of a deep-sea living resource.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Vascular Surgeons Ask, What's Next For Carotid Artery Stenting?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507936/080116095533.htm
A procedure called carotid artery stenting has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to surgery, called carotid endarterectomy, for patients with dangerous narrowing of the arteries supplying blood to the brain.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Restoring The Good Name Of Sugar
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507937/080117093428.htm
Sugars were once credited with magical healing powers but are now seen like salt as an evil necessary in small doses but the cause of numerous diseases such as diabetes if taken in excess. Yet latest research suggests this view ignores the vital role played by more complex sugars in many biological structures, and the great therapeutic potential they have.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Environmental Protection, Development Not Always At Odds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218507938/080117140842.htm
Mangroves in coastal Thailand are the main protection against deadly flooding from tsunamis, so it might seem wise to protect them at all costs. However, ripping out a few mangroves and replacing them with shrimp farms, an important local industry, doesn't necessarily have to reduce the plants' power to blunt tsunamis. And in that observation lies a fresh, quantitative approach to how policy makers can protect the environment and allow growth and development that improves local residents' lives.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
Hybrid Human-Animal Embryo Research Approved In The UK
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218933045/080118102223.htm
Two research groups in the United Kingdom have been given permission to use hybrid human-animal embryos in research which aims to lead to the development of new therapies for debilitating human conditions such as Parkinson's disease and stroke.
Fri, 18 Jan 08
First Look At Mercury's Previously Unseen Side
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/219571024/080119164714.htm
As MESSENGER flew by the planet, it missed its targeted aim point by only 8.25 kilometers (5.12 miles), affording the critical gravity assist needed to continue on a course to become – in 2011 – the first spacecraft ever to orbit Mercury. In addition to images of the previously unseen portion of the planet's surface, measurements were made that will contribute to the characterization of all aspects of Mercury and its environment, from its metallic core to the far reaches of its magnetosphere.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
New Player In Innate Immune Response Discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/217874965/080116095526.htm
All multicellular animals have an innate immune system: When bacteria, parasites or fungi invade the organism, small protein molecules are released that eliminate the attackers. Scientists have now discovered a new molecule that plays an important role in triggering the innate immune response of the fruit fly Drosophila, mice and even humans.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Celecoxib Can Adversely Affect Heart Rhythm, Study Suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/217874967/080114173854.htm
COX-2 inhibitors like Celecoxib have come under scrutiny lately due to adverse cardiovascular side-effects stemming from COX-2 reduction. In both fruit fly and rat models, researchers reveal another adverse effect of Celecoxib; this drug can induce arrhythmia. More interestingly, this effect is independent of the COX-2 enzyme.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Promising New Approach To Cadmium Induced Hepatoxicity: Cytoprotective Effect Of Midkine
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/217874968/080116093514.htm
Cadmium is a very toxic substance which causes serious damage in the kidney, liver, heart and testes. At present, there is no effective treatment for cadmium intoxication, and patients are given supportive treatment according to their symptoms. A research group in Turkey has found that midkine has a curative effect in cadmium induced toxicity in hepatocytes.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Tree Genetics Unlocked, Giving New Hope For Pine Beetle Defense
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/217874969/080114173858.htm
Researchers have discovered some of the genetic secrets that enable pine and spruce trees to fight off pests and disease, uncovering critical new information about forests' natural defense systems.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Internal Waves Moving Across The Pacific Ocean Affect Global Climate System
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/217874963/080114162504.htm
When ocean tidal currents encounter undersea topography, waves called internal tides are generated. These waves propagate into the ocean interior and can contribute significantly to oceanic mixing when they break, influencing how nutrients are distributed and how energy is transported throughout the ocean. Understanding where this breaking occurs in the ocean is thus central to understanding the global climate system.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Keeping Young South Africans In School: A 'Social Vaccine' Against AIDS
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/217874964/080116101805.htm
A new study suggests that secondary school attendance is linked to lower risk of HIV infection among young people in rural South Africa. In light of recent setbacks, such as the disappointing closure of the Merck HIV vaccine trial, such findings suggest that we should not overlook potential "social vaccines" which, in addition to biomedical interventions, can play a critical role in HIV prevention.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
When Worlds Collide: Have Astronomers Observed The Aftermath Of A Distant Planetary Collision?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/215661569/080112152249.htm
Astronomers have announced that a mystery object orbiting a star 170 light-years from Earth might have formed from the collision and merger of two protoplanets. The object, known as 2M1207B, has puzzled astronomers since its discovery because it seems to fall outside the spectrum of physical possibility. Its temperature, luminosity, age, and location do not match up with any theory.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Lipoic Acid Could Reduce Atherosclerosis, Weight Gain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/217874961/080114162506.htm
A new study done with mice has discovered that supplements of lipoic acid can inhibit formation of arterial lesions, lower triglycerides and reduce blood vessel inflammation and weight gain -- all key issues for addressing cardiovascular disease.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Chronic Facial Pain? Before Pulling That Tooth, Call Your Doctor's Office
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/215288887/080111194400.htm
"The pain is like a direct lightening bolt to the face," said Cherie Sato, 54, of Carlsbad. "It strikes again and again, leaving you stunned and crying." What Cherie Sato is describing is trigeminal neuralgia, a chronic condition in which patients experience unbearable pain in the face.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Gastric Cancer Survivors Should Be Aware Of Osteoporosis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/217874962/080116092451.htm
Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Although the prognosis of gastric cancer is known to be poor, the survival rate for those who receive operative treatment is increasing recently by virtue of early diagnosis and aggressive surgical intervention. However, many surviving patients might suffer from osteoporosis and be at risk of developing multiple fractures in their later life.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Research Project Aims To Make Solar Energy Technology Cheaper
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/217874958/080114101837.htm
A new large-scale research project aimed at improving technology for photovoltaic solar energy is underway. The ÂŁ6.3million PV-21 program will focus on making thin-film light absorbing cells for solar panels from sustainable and affordable materials.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
US Teens Confident In Their Inventiveness; Hands-on, Project-based Learning Needed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/217874959/080116092453.htm
American teens are confident they can invent solutions to some of the world's pressing challenges, such as protecting and restoring the natural environment, but more than half feel unprepared for careers in technology and engineering, the Lemelson-MIT Invention Index has found this year. The Index, which gauges Americans' attitudes toward invention and innovation, also found there is an important need for more project-based learning in high schools.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Physicists Create World's Tiniest Trophy, To Be Awarded On Super Bowl Sunday
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/217874960/080114112014.htm
While the world's biggest football game is under way, someone will be awarded the world's smallest trophy, created by nanotechnology specialists. The trophy is built around a silicon chip on which, like Russian nesting dolls, football fields nest inside one another, the largest about 12 millimeters long and the smallest only 2 microns (millionths of a meter) long.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
How Allergic Reactions Are Triggered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/217874956/080114101833.htm
In demonstrating that a group of calcium ion channels play a crucial role in triggering inflammatory responses, researchers have not only solved a longstanding molecular mystery regarding the onset of asthma and allergy symptoms, but have also provided a fundamental discovery regarding the functioning of mast cells.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Study Locates Cholesterol Genes; Finds Surprises About Good, Bad Cholesterol
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/216092412/080113142150.htm
An international study of 20,000 people found seven new genes that influence blood cholesterol levels, a major factor in heart disease, and confirmed 11 other genes previously thought to influence cholesterol.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Eat Your Leafy Vegetables To Decreased Your Risk Of Cataracts
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/217874957/080114162513.htm
Women who have higher dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin -- compounds found in yellow or dark, leafy vegetables -- as well as more vitamin E from food and supplements appear to have a lower risk for developing cataracts, according to a new article.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Solving The Mystery Of The Metallic Sheen Of Fish
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/217874953/080114100008.htm
The bright, metallic sheen of fish skin -- source of endless fascination for fishermen and aquarium owners -- is due to a sophisticated system of crystals that enhance light reflection and may help fish hide from predators in the wild, scientists are reporting.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Should Children Be Permitted To Get Genetic Testing For BRCA 1/2 Mutations?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/217874954/080115132830.htm
It's an ethical dilemma with serious implications. Should children be tested for gene mutations that predispose them to developing breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer later in life? New research suggests the next generation of parents may support testing minors even when any steps to reduce that risk will be postponed until adulthood -- a finding that challenges current policies.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Portable Device Quickly Detects Early Alzheimer's
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/217874955/080116145630.htm
Researchers have developed a device that may allow patients to take a brief, inexpensive test that could be administered as part of a routine yearly checkup at a doctor's office to detect mild cognitive impairment -- often the earliest stage of Alzheimer's.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Monkey Malaria Widespread In Humans And Potentially Fatal
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/217874951/080115132850.htm
A potentially fatal species of malaria is being commonly misdiagnosed as a more benign form of the disease, thereby putting lives at risk, according to new research. Malaria, which kills more than one million people each year, is caused when Plasmodium parasites are passed into the bloodstream from the salivary glands of mosquitoes.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Genetic Connection Between Short Stature And Arthritis Uncovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/216092411/080113142153.htm
Common genetic variants linked to arthritis may also play a role in human height, a new study shows. The new study confirms observations by health professionals of a connection between decreased height and increased risk of osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. Researchers speculate that both extremes of height may be associated with osteoarthritis for different reasons. Shorter bones and/or less cartilage may render the joints more susceptible to damage, while longer bones may produce greater levels of damaging stress on the joints.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Genetic Differences May Help Explain Response To Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/217874952/080114162520.htm
By comparing the DNA of patients with multiple sclerosis whose symptoms are reduced by interferon beta therapy to the DNA of those who continue to experience relapses, researchers may have identified important genetic differences between the two, according to a new article. These differences could eventually be used to help predict which treatments will help which patients.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Genes Key To High Liver Cancer Rates In Men
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218283560/080115151302.htm
A fundamental difference in the way males and females respond to chronic liver disease at the genetic level helps explain why men are more prone to liver cancer, according to researchers.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Post Traumatic Stress Has Tripled Among Combat-exposed Military Personnel
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218283561/080116193412.htm
There has been a threefold increase in new cases of self reported post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among combat-exposed military personnel since 2001, according to a new study. Concerns have been raised about the health impact of military deployment. Studies have estimated as many as 30% of Vietnam War veterans developed post-traumatic stress disorder at some point following the war and, among 1991 Gulf War veterans, as many as 10% were reported to have post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms years after returning from deployment.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
MESSENGER Reveals Mercury In New Detail
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218283562/080116174044.htm
As MESSENGER approached Mercury the spacecraft's Narrow-Angle Camera on the Mercury Dual Imaging System instrument captured a view of the planet's rugged, cratered landscape illuminated obliquely by the Sun.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Researchers Put The Bite On Mosquitoes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218283540/080116111957.htm
Few things sting like a mosquito's bite -- especially if that bite carries a disease such as malaria, yellow fever, Dengue fever or West Nile virus. But if a team of University of Arizona researchers has its way, one day mosquito bites may prove deadly to the mosquitoes.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Exploration Of Lake Hidden Beneath Antarctica's Ice Sheet Begins
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/217874950/080115173541.htm
Scientists have begun exploring an ancient lake hidden deep beneath Antarctica's ice sheet. The lake -- the size of Lake Windermere -- could yield vital clues to life on Earth, climate change and future sea-level rise.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Cholesterol-lowering Drugs May Not Prevent Alzheimer's Disease, According To New Study
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218283541/080116164255.htm
Contrary to some reports, taking statins, which are cholesterol-lowering drugs, offers no protection against Alzheimer's disease, according to new research. The study involved 929 Catholic clergy members who were an average of 75 years old, free of dementia at the beginning of the study and enrolled in the Religious Orders Study, an ongoing study of aging and Alzheimer's disease. All of the participants agreed to a brain autopsy at the time of their death and underwent annual cognitive tests for up to 12 years.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Existing Antiretroviral Drugs May Thwart Vaginal HIV Transmission, Researchers Report
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218283542/080114213222.htm
Prescription drugs now used to treat human immunodeficiency virus infection in adults may prevent the vaginal transmission of HIV, researchers have found. Using a highly sophisticated human/mouse chimera or "humanized mouse" model, the researchers discovered that anti-retroviral drugs given daily before and after exposure to HIV can prevent vaginal transmission of the virus that causes AIDS. Worldwide, the vast majority of newly acquired HIV infections occur through unprotected vaginal sex with an infected partner.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Indian Medicinal Plant May Combat Liver Cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218283543/080116092443.htm
Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world with a poor prognosis. Recent data show the frequency of liver cancer in the U.S. overall is rising. Cancer chemoprevention is an active measure to limit/retard the progression and pathogenesis of malignancy. Herbal preparations constitute an important component of indigenous/traditional medicines. Scientists now report on the potential chemopreventive efficacy of an Indian medicinal plant Acanthus ilicifolius in preventing liver DNA damage and in remodeling hepatocellular malignant lesions in an animal model, which may have an ultimate benefit to human beings in near future.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Biomass Production: Careful Planning Can Bring Many Benefits
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218283544/080115192914.htm
One way of supplying energy is to grow plant material and burn it. If managed well most of the carbon released by burning the material will be captured by the growing plants, and so have a low impact on overall levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Better still, the growing plants could be used to help solve other environmental problems.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Lighting Up The Powerful Global Smoking Lobby
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218283545/080116202027.htm
Global public health efforts to reduce smoking are at odds with the interests of the tobacco industry. According to a case study, competing tobacco companies cooperate via a global network of national and regional manufacturing associations to undermine public health measures to counter smoking.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
2007 Was Tied As Earth's Second Warmest Year
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218283546/080116114150.htm
Climatologists have found that 2007 tied with 1998 for Earth's second warmest year in a century. The greatest warming in 2007 occurred in the Arctic, and neighboring high latitude regions. Global warming has a larger affect in polar areas, as the loss of snow and ice leads to more open water, which absorbs more sunlight and warmth.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Type 1 Diabetes Triggered By 'Lazy' Regulatory T-cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/217651273/080115103958.htm
In some individuals, the specialized immunoregulatory T-cells that regulate the body's autoimmune reactions may lose their effectiveness and become "lazy" over time, leading to the onset of type 1 diabetes.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Seagull Blood Shows Promise For Monitoring Pollutants From Oil Spills
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218283547/080114090723.htm
Like the proverbial coal miners' canary-in-the-cage, seagulls may become living sentinels to monitor oil pollution levels in marine environments. Researchers have known for years that large oil spills can increase levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in marine environments. Studies have linked these compounds to cancer in humans.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Low Testosterone Levels Associated With Risk Of Fracture In Men Over 60
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218283548/080114162523.htm
Men over age 60 who have low blood testosterone levels may be at a higher risk for fractures, according to a new article. One-third of all osteoporotic fractures caused by porous bones occur in men.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Neutron Stars Can Be More Massive, While Black Holes Are More Rare
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218283549/080114162455.htm
Neutron stars can be considerably more massive than previously believed, and it is more difficult to form black holes, according to new research. In the cosmic continuum of dead, remnant stars, the astronomers have increased the mass limit for when neutron stars turn into black holes.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Weight Gain Induced By Antipsychotic Drugs Can Be Avoided
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218283550/080116105207.htm
A research team has demonstrated that weight gain induced by the use of antipsychotic drugs -- which in extreme cases can be as high as 30 kilos in only one month -- can be avoided through a specially designed weight control program.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Ice Clouds Put Mars In The Shade
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218283551/080116111952.htm
Until now, Mars has generally been regarded as a desert world, where a visiting astronaut would be surprised to see clouds scudding across the orange sky. However, new results show that the arid planet possesses high-level clouds that are sufficiently dense to cast a shadow on the surface.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Calcium Supplements May Increase Heart Attacks In Older Women
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218283552/080116193102.htm
New research suggests that calcium supplements may increase the risk of heart attack in healthy postmenopausal women. Calcium supplementation is commonly prescribed to postmenopausal women to maintain bone health, and some data suggest that it might protect against vascular disease by lowering levels of bad cholesterol in the blood. But evidence for this theory is lacking, so researchers investigated the effect of calcium supplementation on heart attack (myocardial infarction), stroke, and sudden death.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Circumstellar Dust Takes Flight In 'The Moth'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/215308369/080111204625.htm
What superficially resembles a giant moth floating in space is giving astronomers new insight into the formation and evolution of planetary systems. This is not your typical flying insect. It has a wingspan of about 22 billion miles. The wing-like structure is actually a dust disk encircling the nearby, young star HD 61005, dubbed "The Moth." Its shape is produced by starlight scattering off dust.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Vital New Light Shed On Iron Overload Disorder
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218283553/080116191408.htm
Hereditary hemochromatosis is much more common than previously thought. A new article will spur more study to determine who is most likely to develop complications from the debilitating and potentially fatal disease.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Rwanda's Gishwati Forest Selected As Site For Historic Conservation Project
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218283554/080115085344.htm
The Rwandan government, Great Ape Trust of Iowa and Earthpark have announced that the Gishwati Forest Reserve is the future site of the Rwanda National Conservation Park, setting into motion one of Africa's most ambitious forest restoration and ecological research efforts ever.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Selective Reporting Of Antidepressant Trials Exaggerates Drug Effectiveness, Report Finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218283555/080116202037.htm
Selective publication in reporting results of antidepressant trials exaggerates the effectiveness of the drugs, according to a new report. Researchers examined reviews from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for trials of 12 widely prescribed antidepressant drugs approved between 1981 and 2004, involving 12,564 patients. Whether and how the studies were published depended on how they turned out, they found.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
How Some Plants And Animals Appear To Defy The Aging Process
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218283556/080116164713.htm
The inevitability of the aging process and the onset of senescence - the process of deterioration with age - is a fact of life for most plant and animal species. Some, however, live to extreme ages, such as the English yew, of which at least one alive today is recorded in the Domesday Book; while a few organisms seem to defy current evolutionary understanding altogether, by appearing to have indefinite generation lengths with negligible senescence. For example, the Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine is known to produce viable cones at over 4000 years of age.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Blood Test Can Gauge Prostate Cancer Risk, Study Shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218283557/080116185905.htm
New genomics research has found that a simple blood test can determine which men are likely to develop prostate cancer. Researchers at found that five genetic variants previously associated with prostate cancer risk have a strong cumulative effect. Researchers found that a man with four of the five variants has an increased risk of 400 to 500 percent compared to men with none of the variants. The researchers then added a family history of prostate cancer to the equation -- for a total of six risk factors. A man with at least five of the six factors had increased risk of more than 900 percent.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Some Wood Floor Finishes Are A Likely Source Of PCB Exposure
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218283558/080116202023.htm
Old wood floor finishes in some homes may be an overlooked source of exposure to the now banned environmental pollutants polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). PCBs are persistent organic pollutants identified worldwide as human blood and breast milk contaminants. PCBs were banned in the 1970s because of their high toxicity.
Thu, 17 Jan 08
Psoriasis Drug Effective In Children And Adults, Study Suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/218283559/080116202042.htm
College student Maria Anichini no longer has to hide her skin under long sleeves and pants. Her skin and life have rebounded since she became part of a trial testing an injectable drug for children and adolescents with psoriasis, a common skin disease causing red scaly patches all over the body. Researchers report the drug etanercept -- FDA approved for adults but never before tested in children for psoriasis-- dramatically reduced psoriasis flare-ups.
Thu, 10 Jan 08
Chimpanzees May Build Their 'Cultures' In A Similar Way To Humans
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109100831.htm
Scientists have found cultural differences among chimpanzee colonies. Socially-learned cultural behavior was thought, until now, to be unique to humans.
Thu, 10 Jan 08
Surprise -- Cholesterol May Actually Pose Benefits, Study Shows
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109173717.htm
If you?re worried about high cholesterol levels and keeping heart-healthy as you get older, don?t push aside bacon and eggs just yet. A new study says they might actually provide a benefit.Researchers have discovered that lower cholesterol levels can actually reduce muscle gain with exercising.
Thu, 10 Jan 08
Worth A Thousand Words: Researchers Paint Picture Of Cancer-promoting Culprit
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104124407.htm
They say that a picture can be worth a thousand words. This especially is true for describing the structures of molecules that function to promote cancer. Researchers have now built a three-dimensional picture of an enzyme often mutated in many types of cancers. The results, published in Science, suggest how the most common mutations in this enzyme might lead to cancer progression.
Thu, 10 Jan 08
Methadone Even At Therapeutic Levels Can Kill, Study Suggests
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109173744.htm
Methadone is a possible cause of sudden cardiac death even when it isn't overdosed but is taken at therapeutic levels primarily for relief of chronic pain or drug addiction withdrawal, a new study suggests.
Thu, 10 Jan 08
Electric Sand Findings Could Lead To Better Climate Models
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107125618.htm
Wind isn't acting alone in the geological process behind erosion, sand dunes and airborne dust particles called aerosols. The other culprit is electricity. By taking both factors into account, researchers have developed a new model that matches real-world measurements of "saltation" better than the decades-old classical theory. Saltation is the process of wind blowing grains of sand across a landscape, sending them bouncing against the ground and each other. The bouncing motion of the saltating grains on the soil bed kicks dust aerosols into the air.
Thu, 10 Jan 08
60 Percent Of Psychotherapy Clients Felt Therapy Didn't End On Time
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109094351.htm
Sixty percent of private practice dynamically oriented psychotherapy clients felt that their therapy either lasted too long or ended too soon, according to recent research.
Thu, 10 Jan 08
Galaxy May Hold Hundreds Of Rogue Black Holes
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109173835.htm
If the latest simulation of what happens when black holes merge is correct, there could be hundreds of rogue black holes, each weighing several thousand times the mass of the sun, roaming around the Milky Way galaxy.
Thu, 10 Jan 08
Hypnosis Study Reveals Brain's 'Amnesia Centers'
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109173842.htm
Brain scans of hypnotized people that are taken as they forget and are triggered to remember have revealed neural circuitry that is key to the memory suppression and recall process. The researchers who conducted the study said their insights into the memory suppression and recall process may yield insight into the mechanisms underlying amnesia.
Thu, 10 Jan 08
Shape-memory Polymers Designed For Biomedical Applications
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103101124.htm
Researchers are developing unique shape-memory polymers, which change shape upon heating, to open blocked arteries, probe neurons in the brain and engineer a tougher spine.
Thu, 10 Jan 08
Treating Venous Leg Ulcers With Honey Dressings Unlikely To Help Healing
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109192121.htm
When compared with normal care, treating a leg ulcer with dressings impregnated with honey did not significantly improve the rate of healing, but did lead to a significantly increased number of reported adverse events, according to new research.
Thu, 10 Jan 08
Slow Motion Melting Ice Crystals In A Computer Animation
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107101005.htm
An animated movie shows an ordered structure dissolving little by little into a disordered mess after a light pulse: Swedish researchers have used a computer to simulate ice melting after it is heated with a short light pulse.
Thu, 10 Jan 08
Why It Pays To Be Choosy: The Co-evolution Of Choosiness And Cooperation
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109173819.htm
Given that cooperative individuals can often be exploited, it is not immediately clear why such behavior has evolved. A novel solution to this problem has been found by scientists who show that when individuals in a population are choosy about their partners, cooperativeness is rewarded and tends to increase.
Thu, 10 Jan 08
480-million-year-old Fossil Sheds Light On 150-year-old Paleontological Mystery
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109173812.htm
Discovery of an exceptional fossil specimen in southeastern Morocco that preserves evidence of the animal's soft tissues has solved a paleontological puzzle about the origins of an extinct group of bizarre slug-like animals with rows of mineralized armor plates on their backs.
Thu, 10 Jan 08
Novel Chromosome Abnormality Appears To Increase Risk Of Autism
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109173839.htm
A chromosomal abnormality that appears to increase susceptibility to autism has been identified. A segment of chromosome 16 is either missing or duplicated in about 1 percent of individuals with autism or related disorders. Duplication or deletion of the ch16 segment may raise risk 100-fold.
Thu, 10 Jan 08
Where Do The Buffalo And Elk Still Roam?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104144843.htm
Less than twenty-one percent of the earth's terrestrial surface still contains all of the large mammals that used to occur there 500 years ago. Large mammals are top predators and serve as landscape engineers, so their loss has long-term effects on the health of an ecosystem. The study also points out the vulnerability of large mammals to extinction, and the importance of protected areas where large mammals still occur.
Thu, 10 Jan 08
Use Of Ear Tubes For Ear Infections Not Consistent With Expert Guidelines, Study Says
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109194353.htm
A new study suggests that children who typically receive an operation to insert ear tubes because of ear infections or fluid in the ear may not need it, according to clinical practice guidelines. The research found that most children who had ear tube operations in the New York City area in 2002 had mild disease for which experts recommend either medical treatment or watchful waiting--not ear tube implantation. These findings suggest overuse of ear tubes and update a similar finding made about this practice in the United States in 1990-1991.
Thu, 10 Jan 08
Alarming Levels Of Mercury And Arsenic Found In Chinese Freshwater Ecosystem
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109173741.htm
Scientists have found potentially dangerous levels of mercury and arsenic in Lake Baiyangdian, the largest lake in the North China Plain and a source of both food and drinking water for the people who live around it.
Thu, 10 Jan 08
Exercising Judgment: The Psychology Of Fitness
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109173800.htm
In addition to the weight loss, exercise has been linked to reduced depressive symptoms and reduced risk for heart disease. For decades, psychologists around the world have studied why people exercise -- and why they don't -- and there's a growing body of work dedicated to helping you get up off the couch.
Thu, 10 Jan 08
Vast Cloud Of Antimatter Traced To Binary Stars
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109173722.htm
Astronomers may have solved one of the most vexing mysteries in our Milky Way: the origin of a giant cloud of antimatter surrounding the galactic center. Integral found that the cloud extends farther on the western side of the galactic center than it does on the eastern side. This imbalance matches the distribution of a population of binary star systems that contain black holes or neutron stars, strongly suggesting that these binaries are churning out at least half of the antimatter, and perhaps all of it.
Thu, 10 Jan 08
New Treatment Mechanisms For Schizophrenia
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108102228.htm
The field of schizophrenia research has come alive with many exciting new potential approaches to treatment. From the introduction of chlorpromazine to the current day, all treatments approved by the US Food and Drug Administration have had, at their core, a single treatment mechanism, the blockade of the dopamine D2 receptor.
Thu, 10 Jan 08
NASA Announces Details Of Hubble Servicing Mission
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108113608.htm
NASA scientists and a space shuttle astronaut outlined details of a challenging mission that will repair and upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope in 2008. The Hubble servicing mission, designated STS-125, will equip the orbiting observatory with far greater capabilities than ever had before to explore the nature and history of our universe.
Thu, 10 Jan 08
Two Proteins, Called BERT And ERNI, Control Brain Development
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108083005.htm
Scientists have discovered how two proteins called BERT and ERNI interact in embryos to control when different organ systems in the body start to form, deepening our understanding of the development of the brain and nervous system and expanding our knowledge of stem cell behavior. The new research solves the puzzle of how vertebrates prioritize the order in which they begin to develop different sets of structures. During development, only a few signals instruct cells to form thousands of cell types, so the timing of how cells interpret these signals is critical.
Thu, 10 Jan 08
New Lab Test Can Detect Costly Fungal Disease In Soybean Seedlings
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109194652.htm
A simple, cheap lab test can unerringly detect Sudden Death Syndrome, a costly fungal disease, in soybean seedlings. Once commercialized, its use will help breeders produce SDS-resistant soybean varieties much faster than they can now. "You can do a reliable assay in the greenhouse in a plastic cup and four weeks later, you'll see the result," said the biotechnologist who developed the procedure. "The seedlings develop the leaf symptoms and the root rot or they don't. It works every time, and the labor cost is very low -- about $1 per assay."
Thu, 10 Jan 08
Eating Out Can Have Both Positive And Negative Impact On Obesity
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109094356.htm
Eating out instead of cooking at home continues to increase as a factor impacting the American diet. Americans face a large variety of food options and food establishments when choosing to eat out. Do the choices of available restaurants matter to America's rising obesity? Researchers found that the availability of more fast food restaurants compared to full service restaurants can contribute to higher levels of obesity.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Astronomy Team Discovers Ancestors Of Milky Way-type Galaxies
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108142446.htm
Astronomers have discovered galaxies in the distant universe that are ancestors of spiral galaxies like our Milky Way. They are quite small -- one-tenth the size and one-twentieth the mass of our Milky Way, and have fewer stars -- one-fortieth as many as are in the Milky Way. Several of these galaxies, sometimes 10 or more, pulled together over the ensuing few billion years to form a single spiral galaxy.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Four Health Behaviors Can Add 14 Extra Years Of Life
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108083001.htm
People who adopt four healthy behaviors -- not smoking; taking exercise; moderate alcohol intake; and eating five servings of fruit and vegetables a day -- live on average an additional 14 years of life compared with people who adopt none of these behaviors, according to a new study.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Cancer-causing Benzene Is Still Elevated In Certain Drinks
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107104946.htm
Only nine percent of 199 beverage samples had benzene levels above the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency limit of 5 parts per billion (ppb) for benzene in drinking water, according to a new study. The study found that product formulation, shelf-life, and storage conditions were important factors affecting benzene formation.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Celiac Disease: Discovery Of Enzyme's Structure May Lead To New Treatments
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107104321.htm
Researchers have discovered a new structure for a key enzyme associated with celiac disease, a finding that could lead to the design of new medications for the common digestive disorder. Celiac disease is a condition in which the stomach cannot properly digest wheat and other gluten-containing foods. The disease afflicts an estimated 2 million people in the United States alone.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Risky Sexual Behavior Of Newly Homeless Youth Varies
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107091038.htm
Newly homeless youth are likelier to engage in risky sexual behavior if they stay in nonfamily settings -- such as friends' homes, abandoned buildings or the streets -- because they lack supervision and social support. The researchers also found that, in general, U.S.-born or foreign-born Latinas were less likely to engage in sex with multiple partners than were females of other races and ethnicities.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Sub-Saharan Africa: The Population Emergency
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108100018.htm
With the aim of assessing the significance of relations between population trends and development in Sub-Saharan Africa, scientist have undertaken a wide-ranging survey and produce a review of the demographic situation and dynamics in this vast region. The results showed that only combined actions, embracing such aspects as education, health and family planning, would provide the possibility of eventual achievement of the Millennium Development Objectives set by the United Nations.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Molecular Basis Of Monarch Butterfly Migration Discovered
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108083008.htm
An ancestral circadian clock mechanism is defined in monarch butterflies, in which two proteins function as critical components. The proteins may also function as output molecules that connect the clock to the sun compass for successful navigation.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Can A Smell Test Predict Parkinson's Disease?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107115057.htm
Doctors know an impaired sense of smell is an early indicator of Parkinson's disease. Now they want to know if a smell test can help determine if people with no symptoms eventually develop the disease.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Fatherhood Linked To Prostate Cancer Risk
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107091027.htm
A new study from Danish researchers has found that childless men have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer than fathers, and that, paradoxically, the more children a father has, the lower the risk of the disease.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Oatmeal's Health Claims Reaffirmed, Study Suggests
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108102225.htm
The link between eating oatmeal and cholesterol reduction is stronger than when the FDA initially approved the health claim's appearance on food labels in 1997, a new study shows.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Researchers Bend Light Through Waveguides In Colloidal Crystals
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107121928.htm
Researchers have achieved optical waveguiding of near-infrared light through features embedded in self-assembled, three-dimensional photonic crystals. Applications for the optically active crystals include low-loss waveguides, low-threshold lasers and on-chip optical circuitry.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Teens Find The Benefits Of Not Having Sex Decline With Age
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108093516.htm
The percentage of teens who report solely positive benefits from not having sex declines precipitously with age, according to a new study. The greatest change in attitudes was among teens who became sexually experienced during the study period. For those teens, the percentage who said that not having sex resulted in only positive experiences dropped from 40 percent to 6 percent.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Mysterious Explosion Detected In The Distant Past, Halfway Back To Big Bang
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108133341.htm
Astronomers have detected a mysterious type of cosmic explosion farther back in time than ever before. The explosion, known as a short gamma-ray burst, took place 7.4 billion years ago, more than halfway back to the Big Bang.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Dengue Fever Is A Potential Threat To US Public Health, Experts Say
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108161616.htm
A disease most Americans have never heard of could soon become more prevalent if dengue, a flu-like illness that can turn deadly, continues to expand into temperate climates and increase in severity, according to a new commentary.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Mini 'Stress Tests' Could Help Condition Heart To Survive Major Attack
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107091021.htm
People who experience brief periods of blocked blood flow may be better conditioned to survive a full-blown heart attack later, according to new research. When the heart experiences short periods of stress, either from reduced blood flow or high blood pressure, it activates a protective molecular pathway that protects the heart muscle.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Children With High Nitric Oxide Levels May Still Breathe Easy
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107181548.htm
The fractional concentration of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is an increasingly used tool in the diagnosis and management of asthma in children and adults. However, new research found that what was once defined as the "normal" range of FeNO concentrations in children may not hold true for all children. New research shows that 'normal' levels vary with different racial ancestry.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Fresh Water For The World's Poorest
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104140733.htm
Lack of water causes great distress among the population in large parts of Africa and Asia. Small decentralized water treatment plants with an autonomous power supply can help solve the problem: They transform salty seawater or brackish water into pure drinking water. Large industrial plants for the desalination of seawater deliver 50 million cubic meters of fresh water every day -- particularly in the coastal cities of the Middle East. However, the technology is complex and consumes large amounts of energy.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Healthy Smile May Promote A Healthy Heart
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108114329.htm
Each year, cardiovascular disease kills more Americans than cancer. And while most people are aware that lifestyle choices such as eating right, getting enough exercise and quitting smoking can help prevent cardiovascular disease, they may not know that by just brushing and flossing their teeth each day, they might also be avoiding this potentially lethal condition.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Humans Have Caused Profound Changes In Caribbean Coral Reefs
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108150436.htm
Coral reefs in the Caribbean have suffered significant changes due to the proximal effects of a growing human population. The study showed clearly that the number of people living in close proximity to coral reefs is the main driver of the mortality of corals, loss of fish biomass and increases in macroalgae abundance.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Breast Cancer Risk Varies Significantly Among BRCA1 And BRCA2 Carriers
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108183054.htm
There is a broad variation in the risk of developing breast cancer among people who carry the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation, according to a new study. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are gene mutations that predispose carriers to breast cancer.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Smallpox Vaccine Alternative Identified
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107090951.htm
Infectious disease researchers have shown the effectiveness of a potential alternative to the existing smallpox vaccine that can replace the current biodefense stockpile for this lethal virus. Scientists applied blood serum samples taken from both humans and animals given the MVA or Dryvax vaccines to ?microarray? chips containing more than 200 vaccinia virus proteins, on which they simultaneously studied how the serum antibodies responded to all the vaccinia proteins.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Strength Training Of Neck Muscles Relieves Chronic Pain
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104113003.htm
A new study found that specific strength training exercises led to significant prolonged relief of neck muscle pain, while general fitness training resulted in only a small amount of pain reduction.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
'Green' Energy Efficient Mobile Home Designed
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104121757.htm
When someone mentions a mobile home or "house trailer," the image usually doesn't make others green with envy. Mobile homes haven't earned recognition for long-term quality, environmental friendliness or return on value. But "green" is exactly what one professor wants mobile homes to be. He hopes to toss traditional thinking about the structures into the recycling bin.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Americans Pay The Most For Prescription Drugs And Still Don't Take Them
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108150432.htm
An international study of dialysis patients shows that although US residents have the highest out-of-pocket drug costs, even those who can afford their prescription drugs are far less likely to take them than patients in other countries.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Researchers Use Magnetic Fields, Rather Than Drugs, To Control Cellular Signaling
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108183025.htm
For the first time, magnetism has been used to trigger cellular reactions normally induced by drugs or hormones. The discovery was made possible by getting tiny beads -- 30 nanometers in diameter -- to bind to receptor molecules on the cell surface. When exposed to a magnetic field, the beads become magnets and cluster together through magnetic attraction, pulling receptors along with them mimicking what happens when drugs or other molecules bind to cell receptors.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Ethnicity Predicts How Gene Variations Affect Response to Schizophrenia Medications
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108100014.htm
Different variations in the same gene influence how well different ethnic groups, and people within the same ethnic group, respond to various antipsychotic medications, report NIMH-funded researchers. If confirmed, their findings could one day help clinicians predict which medication is most likely to help a patient, based on his or her genetic makeup. A medication that works well for one person with schizophrenia often doesn?t work well for another.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Defending Against Two Cotton Pest, Naturally
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080106132757.htm
Cotton growers used to be bedeviled by boll weevils. Now, thanks to a successful large-area eradication program, the weevils are no longer a problem in most U.S. cotton fields. But stink bugs have filled the void boll weevils left in parts of the Southeast. Stink bug infestations cost Georgia farmers about 3 percent of their cotton in 2003.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Exercise Program Improves Symptoms In Arthritis Patients
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104112959.htm
A new study evaluated the effects of the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program, formerly called People with Arthritis Can Exercise to promote managing arthritis through exercise.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
'Fingerprint' For Fruit Juices Shows When Cheap Juices Are Substituted
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107101009.htm
Adulterations or other possible food frauds are a financial problem that affects many foodstuffs. This is why achieving the authentification of food products is of great importance. In the case of fruit juices the most common type of adulteration is mixing the original juice with juices from other, cheaper fruits (mainly grapefruit, grape or pear); in other words falsifying the juice.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Rural Patients Less Likely To Receive Organ Transplants
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108183106.htm
Patients in small towns and isolated rural areas have lower organ transplant rates and are less likely to be wait-listed than patients in urban areas, according to a new study.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Mechanisms Of Common Inherited Mental Retardation Uncovered
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108183029.htm
Researchers are uncovering how brain cells are affected in Fragile X syndrome, the most common cause of inherited mental retardation and the most common genetic cause of autism. "I think we've discovered a core mechanism underlying Fragile X syndrome," said the senior author of the study.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Newer Meningitis Vaccine Appears Safe And Effective For Infants, Study Suggests
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108183102.htm
A vaccine not yet licensed in the United States produces immunity against four strains of meningococcal disease and is well tolerated when administered to infants, according to a new article.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Congestive Heart Failure Leads To Greater Disability, Nursing Home Admissions
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107115431.htm
A new study has found that congestive heart failure patients patients were much more likely to be disabled than people without the condition. They were found to be much more likely to require care from nursing homes and family members. The prevalence of condition imposes 'significant burden' on families, health care system and long-term care facilities.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Trichloroethylene (TCE) Is A Risk Factor For Parkinsonism, Study Shows
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107181340.htm
A new study found strong evidence that trichloroethylene is a risk factor for parkinsonism, a group of nervous disorders with symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease. TCE is a chemical widely used in industry that is also found in drinking water, surface water and soil due to runoff from manufacturing sites where it is used.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Liver Transplant: Improvement in Detection And Diagnosis Of Biliary Atresia In Children
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108110903.htm
The most common indication worldwide for pediatric transplantation, biliary atresia is also the most common cause of chronic liver disease in newborns. In the US, about 42 percent of children undergoing their first liver transplant are diagnosed with biliary atresia.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Diabetes Medication And Lifestyle Changes Can Help Treat Weight Gain Induced By Antipsychotic Drugs
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108183058.htm
Lifestyle intervention and the drug metformin are both effective against antipsychotic-induced weight gain, and treatment is most effective when the two therapies are combined, according to a new article.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Ancient Cave Bears Were As Omnivorous As Modern Bears
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107181603.htm
Rather than being gentle giants, new research reveals that Pleistocene cave bears ate both plants and animals and competed for food with the other contemporary large carnivores of the time: hyaenas, lions, wolves, and our own human ancestors.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Infants With Birthmarks Received Less Oxygen In Womb
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107142956.htm
A hemangioma is a benign tumor of cells that line blood vessels, appearing during the first few weeks of life as a large birthmark or lesion. A new study reveals that a disturbance of oxygen depletion was found in placentas of babies who developed infantile hemangioma.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Strange-behaving Crystals Could Have Impact On Research, Technology
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103182906.htm
Aperiodic, rule-bending crystals are the focus of an article in Science. Co-authors looked at how these aperiodic crystals behave differently from "normal" periodic crystals. These differences could have implications not only for research but also for technology that relies on crystals, from computer displays to hard drives.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
New Insight Into Factors That Drive Muscle-building Stem Cells
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108133344.htm
There is a new explanation for how stem cells known as satellite cells contribute to building muscles up in response to exercise. These findings could lead to treatments for reversing or improving the muscle loss that occurs in diseases such as cancer and AIDS as well as in the normal aging process.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Toward Preventing Warping And Splitting Of Wood
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107104440.htm
Scientists report an advance toward unlocking the secrets of "tension wood (TW)," a step that could have practical applications in preventing costly warping and splitting of wood used in construction projects. The researchers point out that whereas normal wood tends to shrink a small amount when dried, TW undergoes surprisingly high shrinkage. This shrinkage makes it undesirable for use in sun decks and other construction applications. Now, researchers want a valid explanation for this phenomenon.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Physical Education And Active Play Help Teens Maintain Normal Weight As Adults
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107181345.htm
Adolescents who participate in physical education at school are more likely to maintain a normal weight as young adults, according to a new study. For each weekday of physical education at school the odds of being an overweight adult decreased by 5 percent. Participation in all five days of physical education decreased the odds of being an overweight adult by 28 percent.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Staying Active And Drinking Moderately Is The Key To A Long Life, Study Suggests
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109081236.htm
People who drink moderate amounts of alcohol and are physically active have a lower risk of death from heart disease and other causes than people who don't drink at all, according to new research. People who neither drink alcohol nor exercise have a 30 to 49 percent higher risk of heart disease than those who either drink, exercise or both.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
New Light Shed On The Mechanics Of Gene Transcription
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108160456.htm
The molecular machinery behind gene transcription isn't stationed in special "transcription factories" within a cell nucleus, according to new research. Instead, the enzyme RNA polymerase II and other key molecules can assemble at the site of an activated gene, regardless of the gene's position.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Statin Use May Be Associated with Reduced Cancer Risk, Says Study
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108183110.htm
Patients taking cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins may be at lower risk for developing cancer, especially lung and colorectal cancers. However, it is unknown whether statins directly prevent cancer. Statin users in this study had a reduced risk of all cancer types compared with non-statin users. The incidence of cancer was 9.4 percent among statin users and 13.2 percent among non-statin users.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Mathematicians Find Way To Improve Medical Scans
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107094925.htm
Mathematicians have found that it is possible to gain full control of sound waves which could lead to improved medical scans, for technology such as ultrasound machines. They tested the numerical properties of a flat lens made out of 'meta-material' - a material that gains its properties from its structure rather than its composition. This material is thought to defy the laws of physics, allowing objects to appear exactly as they are rather than upside down as seen in a normal convex or concave lens.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Connection Between Job Loss And Poor Health Confirmed
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108151607.htm
Employees who lose their jobs because of their health suffer more significant depression and detrimental health outcomes than people who lose their jobs for non-health reasons, new research shows.
Wed, 9 Jan 08
Reversal Of Alzheimer's Symptoms Within Minutes In Human Study
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109091102.htm
An extraordinary new scientific study documents a dramatic and unprecedented therapeutic effect in an Alzheimer's patient: improvement within minutes following delivery of perispinal etanercept, which is etanercept given by injection in the spine.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Progeny Of Blind Cavefish Can 'Regain' Their Sight
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107120911.htm
Hybridizing blind cave fish from different cave populations can partially restore the vision of their offspring, biologists have found. The study suggests that genetic engineering can override, at least in part, half a million years of evolutionary change in one generation.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Naps Help Your Memory, New Study Suggests
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107110401.htm
A ninety minute daytime nap helps speed up the process of long term memory consolidation. Long term memory is defined as a permanent memory that doesn't disappear or that disappears after many years. This part of our memory is divided into two types -- memories of "what" (for example: what happened yesterday or what one remembers from an article one read yesterday) and memories of "how to" (for example: how to read Hebrew, how to drive, play basketball or play the piano).
Tue, 8 Jan 08
2008 Likely To Be One Of The Top-ten Warmest Years
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104091616.htm
2008 is set to be cooler globally than recent years say Met Office and University of East Anglia climate scientists, but is still forecast to be one of the top-ten warmest years. Each January the Met Office, in conjunction with the University of East Anglia, issues a forecast of the global surface temperature for the coming year. The forecast takes into account known contributing factors, such as El Nińo and La Nińa, increasing greenhouse gas concentrations, the cooling influences of industrial aerosol particles, solar effects and natural variations of the oceans.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Women Who Smoke At Increased Risk Of Lung Disease
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104123017.htm
Here's another reason not to smoke, especially for women: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This disabling breathing disorder is increasingly becoming a problem for women. The most important risk factor for COPD is long-term cigarette smoking.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Device Prevents Potential Errors In Children's Medications, Study Suggests
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104120624.htm
A device designed to eliminate mistakes made while mixing compounds at a hospital pharmacy was 100 percent accurate in identifying the proper formulations of seven intravenous drugs. Five potentially serious medication errors were averted over an 18-month period in a test at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in the University of Michigan Health System by using the technology.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Circumcision Doesn't Reduce Sexual Satisfaction And Performance, Says Study Of 4,500 Men
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107101013.htm
A study of nearly 4,500 men finds that circumcision does not adversely affect sexual performance and satisfaction. Adult studies have been problematic and contradictory because of highly selective study participants, small sample sizes and short follow-up periods. Satisfaction rates in this study -- which compared circumcised and non-circumcised men -- topped 98 percent.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Amber Fossils Reveal Ancient France Was A Jungle
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107091035.htm
Research on a treasure trove of amber has yielded evidence that France once was covered by a dense tropical rainforest with trees similar to those found in the modern-day Amazon. The 55-million-year-old pieces of amber was discovered in the Oise River area in northern France.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Lack Of Vitamin D May Increase Heart Disease Risk
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107181600.htm
The same vitamin D deficiency that can result in weak bones now has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, Framingham Heart Study researchers report. Researchers also found an increase in cardiovascular risk with each level of vitamin D deficiency.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
480 Genes That Control Human Cell Division Identified
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107181606.htm
A team of US, Israeli and German scientists used computational biology techniques to discover 480 genes that play a role in human cell division and to identify more than 100 of those genes that have an abnormal pattern of activation in cancer cells.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Thyroid Treatment No 'Quick Fix' For Weight Loss In Children
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103124642.htm
Parents of overweight children often desire a 'quick fix' for the problem and request thyroid tests, but, unfortunately, screening for hypothyroidism is not the answer, says a new study. Children treated for hypothyroidism aren't likely to drop pounds with treatment for the condition says a new study in the Journal of Pediatrics.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Stardust Formed Close To Sun
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103182851.htm
Samples of the material picked up during the NASA Stardust mission indicate that parts of the comet Wild 2 actually formed in an area close to the sun. Analysis suggests that some of the Stardust grains match a special type of carbonaceous material found in meterorites; hence both must have spent time in the same gas reservoir, which was close to the sun.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Sept. 11 Stress Increases Risk Of Heart Problems, Study Suggests
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107181348.htm
Stress and fear in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks may be making Americans sicker, according to a groundbreaking new study. Participants who reported high levels of acute stress immediately after the attacks were about twice as likely to report being diagnosed with hypertension and about three times as likely to report a diagnosis of heart problems over the following two years.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
More Sun Exposure May Be Good For Some People
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107181411.htm
A new study suggests that the benefits of moderately increased exposure to sunlight -- namely the production of vitamin D, which protects against the lethal effects of many forms of cancer and other diseases -- may outweigh the risk of developing skin cancer in populations deficient in vitamin D.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Scientists Can Predict Psychotic Illness In Up To 80 Percent Of High-risk Youth
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107181615.htm
Which at-risk teens will cross the line from having risk factors for psychosis to actually developing a psychotic illness? Researchers have improved the ability to predict who will cross the threshhold from 35 percent accuracy to 65-80 percent accuracy, based on the specific combinations of risk factors a teen has. This level of accuracy is comparable to that for major medical diseases, like diabetes.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
No Convincing Evidence For Decline In Tropical Forests
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107181343.htm
Claims that tropical forests are declining cannot be backed up by hard evidence, according to new research. This major challenge to conventional thinking is the surprising finding of a study by one of the world's leading experts on tropical deforestation.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Autism: Removing Thimerosal From Vaccines Did Not Reduce Autism Cases In California, Report Finds
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107181551.htm
Autism cases continued to increase in California after the mercury-containing preservative thimerosal was eliminated from most childhood vaccines, according to a report. This suggests that exposure to thimerosal is not a primary cause of autism.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Winemaking Waste Proves Effective Against Disease-causing Bacteria In Early Studies
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102122256.htm
A class of chemicals in red wine grapes may significantly reduce the ability of bacteria to cause cavities, according to a new study. The findings suggest that specific polyphenols, present in large amounts in fermented seeds and skins cast away after grapes are pressed, interfere with the ability of bacteria to contribute to tooth decay.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Emergency Responders At High Risk To Miss Work Because Of Injuries
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107112733.htm
New research suggests that at any given time, almost 10 percent of the emergency medical technicians and paramedics in the United States miss work because of injuries and illnesses they suffered on the job. A study examining how common these injuries are and tracking new cases of work-related injuries and illnesses in these professionals also suggests that in one year, an estimated 8.1 of every 100 emergency responders will suffer an injury or illness forcing them to miss work.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Violent Shaking Pulps The Infant Brain, Forensic Researchers Find
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107202617.htm
Each year in the United States, one thousand infants die after being shaken. An equal number of cases result in brain damage. Many people who are guilty of this type of abuse go free due to a lack of evidence; others are wrongly suspected of a crime that they did not commit. Researchers in forensic medicine are learning more about these brain injuries by shaking a very advanced doll.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
New Gene Identified For Condition That Causes Blood Clots In Brain
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107181612.htm
Researchers have identified a new gene linked to cerebral venous thrombosis, a condition that causes blood clots in the veins of the brain that can lead to stroke. The condition is more common in young and middle-aged women.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Solution Sought For Black Raspberry Decline
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080106133713.htm
Oregon farmers have been growing black raspberries for more than a century for making jams, beverages, desserts, and natural colorants. A source of nutritious anthocyanins, other antioxidants, and vitamin A, black raspberries have many potential health benefits.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Neonatal Care: Better Access To Cool Caps Improves Outcomes, Lowers Cost Of Treating Asphyxia In Newborns
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107153413.htm
Using a computer-based modeling technique, researchers have found that better access to "cooling caps" for newborns suffering from asphyxia improves outcomes and lowers costs. The findings demonstrate through a computer-based modeling technique, that better availability and placement of "CoolCaps" within a regional healthcare system could lead to a 23 percent reduction in the number of newborns likely to develop permanent damage from hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, a form of asphyxia that damages the central nervous system.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Overgrazing Accelerating Soil Erosion In Northern Mexico
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107110358.htm
In the countries of the South, erosion is a process often exacerbated by the high rainfall that affects these regions during the wet season. Recent research conducted in Mexico has led to better informed assessment of the role of overgrazing and tree clearance in soil degradation.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Voter I.D. Requirements Reduce Political Participation, Study Finds
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107110356.htm
A new report released by Brown University shows that requiring voters to present identification at the polls leads to lower levels of political participation. The research also suggests that voter I.D. policies discourage legal immigrants from becoming citizens. The authors conclude that voter I.D. requirements have a significant political impact -- particularly on the Hispanic vote.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Sunspot Is Harbinger Of New Solar Cycle, Increasing Risk For Electrical Systems
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107143109.htm
A new 11-year cycle of heightened solar activity, bringing with it increased risks for power grids, critical military, civilian and airline communications, GPS signals and even cell phones and ATM transactions, has shown signs it was on its way, when the cycle's first sunspot recently appeared in the sun's northern hemisphere.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Bacterial Infections In Premature Babies More Common Than Previously Realized
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107110403.htm
Study shows 1 in 4 preemies are born with fetal bacteremia. Premature babies are subject to a host of threats that can result in fetal/neonatal disease. Researchers have found that genital mycoplasmas are a frequent cause of congenital fetal infection. 23 percent of neonates born between 23 and 32 weeks of gestation have positive umbilical blood cultures for two genital mycoplasmas (bacteria lacking cell walls): Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
New Laboratory Robot Can Lift The Burden Of Boring Work
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104141218.htm
Assistant robots really suited for everyday routines, which take over burdensome or monotonous work for humans, are still virtually unavailable commercially. Such systems are usually either not absolutely safe or not cost effective. The laboratory robot LISA could change that. We have been hearing and reading for a long time about assistant robots that silently and carefully zip around humans to liberate them from burdensome work.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Shorter HCV Treatment Shows Notable Success
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102155435.htm
Two new randomized controlled trials show that treating Hepatitis C with peginterferon and ribavirin for shorter durations can yield success rates similar to those from longer treatment lengths, with cost-savings and lower risk of serious side effects.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Colonoscopy Fears Overcome When Patients Support Patients
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107181332.htm
Researchers found that patients who received telephone mentoring from a trained "peer coach" were two times more likely to keep their first colonoscopy appointment than those who received an educational brochure about the procedure in the mail or received no peer or literature support.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Lack Of Imagination In Older Adults Linked To Declining Memory
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107110352.htm
Most children are able to imagine their future selves as astronauts, politicians or even superheroes; however, many older adults find it difficult to recollect past events, let alone generate new ones. A new study reveals that the ability of older adults to form imaginary scenarios is linked to their ability to recall detailed memories.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Medical Breakthrough For Organ Transplants And Cardiovascular Diseases
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080106193142.htm
When a blood vessel clogs up, a localized deficiency of oxygen results, causing the surrounding tissue to die. However, working with mice, scientists have been able to prevent muscular tissue with severe hypoxia from dying. For the medical world, this discovery signifies an important step forward in limiting damage after a heart attack, for example, or for better preservation of organs awaiting transplants.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
New Blueberry Bushes Offer High Yields Of Plump, Phytonutrient-rich Fruit
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080106131615.htm
Combining tenacity with taste, Agricultural Research Service scientists have bred three new blueberry cultivars that can take the heat of growing in the South while offering high yields of plump, phytonutrient-rich fruit.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Improving Prognosis And Treatment Of Lung Cancer
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107094922.htm
A specific enzyme can be detected in large quantities in lung cancers even when the cancer has not yet developed. Thus this molecule would serve as a good marker in the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. The research is of great interest for potential future therapeutic applications as well.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Will Intensive Forest Practices Impact Water Quality?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107115136.htm
In order to increase productivity, forest practices have become more intense in recent decades. Forest fertilization increased by 800% in the southeastern United States from 1990 to 1999, and the total acreage fertilized in the Southeast exceeds the forest area fertilized in the rest of the world. This has generated concern that intensive forest practices, including fertilization, may negatively impact water quality in forest streams.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Significant Racial Disparities In Cancer Therapy Still Exist
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107095051.htm
Black patients are significantly less likely than their white counterparts to receive therapy for various kinds of cancer, despite recent efforts to close gaps in treatment. The findings suggest that there has been little improvement in the overall proportion of Medicare beneficiaries receiving cancer care. They also reveal that racial disparities have not lessened.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
One Crystal That Nature May Have Missed
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103101134.htm
Some secrets of the beauty of a diamond can be uncovered by a mathematical analysis of its microscopic crystal structure. This structure has some very special, and especially symmetric, properties. Out of an infinite universe of mathematical crystals, only one other, the "K4 crystal", shares these properties with the diamond. It is not known whether the K4 crystal exists in nature or could be synthesized.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Forever Young: Differentiation Blocked In Tumor Stem Cells
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107120908.htm
A new comparison of normal stem cells and cancer stem cells reveals that the cancer stem cells are abnormally trapped at an early stage of development. The research significantly advances the understanding of glioma pathophysiology and provides new directions for design of therapeutic strategies that are targeted to specific types of tumors.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Wearing Too Much Perfume May Indicate Depression
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103124645.htm
New research links depression to loss of the sense of smell, suggesting that the blues may have biological roots. "Our scientific findings suggest that women who are depressed are also losing their sense of smell, and may overcompensate by using more perfume," according to one of the researchers.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Eczema Still On The Increase Across The Globe
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107112729.htm
Experts are warning policy makers that allergic disease might replace infectious disease as a major. New research tracking the number of cases of childhood eczema across the globe has revealed big changes in the prevalence of the condition over the last five to ten years and suggests that environmental factors could be having a significant impact.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Toward Solving The Mystery Of Idiosyncratic Drug Reactions
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107104539.htm
A mysterious and unpredictable group of side effects from modern medications called idiosyncratic drug reactions likely will persist as a major health care problem unless there is a dramatic increase in research funding, according to a 20-year review of research in the field.
Tue, 8 Jan 08
Social Standing May Be Linked To Body Mass Index In Teen Girls
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080107181417.htm
Teen girls who perceive themselves as being lower on the social ladder appear more likely to gain weight over the subsequent two years, according to a new report. Between 1999 and 2004, the percentage of American teen girls classified as overweight increased from 14 percent to 16 percent, according to background information in the article.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Plate Tectonics May Grind To A Halt, Then Start Again
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103144448.htm
Plate tectonics, the geologic process responsible for creating the Earth's continents, mountain ranges, and ocean basins, may be an on-again, off-again affair. Scientists have assumed that the shifting of crustal plates has been slow but continuous over most of the Earth's history, but a new study suggests that plate tectonics may have ground to a halt at least once in our planet's history -- and may do so again.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Osteoarthritis Risk Linked To Finger Length Ratio
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102155442.htm
having uncommonly long ring fingers raises the risk for developing OA of the knee, independent of other risk factors and particularly among women. Index to ring finger length ratio (2D:4D) is a trait known for its sexual differences. Men typically have shorter second than fourth digits; in women, these fingers tend to be about equal in length. Smaller 2D:4D ratios have intriguing hormonal connections, including higher prenatal testosterone levels, lower estrogen concentrations, and higher sperm counts. Reduction in this ratio has also been linked to athletic and sexual prowess.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Epilepsy And Brain Pathology Linked Together By The Protein ADK
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102222925.htm
The brain of individuals who suffer from epilepsy is characterized by pathologic changes to brain cells known as astrocytes. Little is known about how astrogliosis relates to the dysfunction of neurons in individuals with epilepsy, but understanding this could lead to new possibilities for therapeutic intervention. A study using mice has now identified the protein ADK in astrocytes as a molecular link between astrogliosis and neuronal dysfunction in epilepsy.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Sexual Conflict Resolution? Mating Frequency And Fitness In Fruit Flies
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104174025.htm
In the gene's eye view, female mating frequency is difficult to understand. A substantial body of evidence, taken throughout the animal kingdom, demonstrates that females mate frequently, even when bouts of mating decrease offspring production. This finding is counterintuitive because we would expect natural selection to remove mating behaviors which decrease fitness. However, new research suggests that frequent mating females receive fitness benefits from an unexpected source: their daughters.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Key To Avian Flu In Humans Discovered
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080106193222.htm
Researchers have uncovered a critical difference between flu viruses that infect birds and humans, a discovery that could help scientists monitor the evolution of avian flu strains and aid in the development of vaccines against a deadly flu pandemic.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Novel Mechanism For Long-term Learning Identified
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103144413.htm
Practice makes perfect -- or at least that's what we're told as we struggle through of multiplication tables and piano scales -- and it seems to be true. That's why neuroscientists have been perplexed by data showing that at the level of individual synapses increased, repetitive stimulation reverses gains in synaptic strength. Neuroscientists have now discovered the mechanism that resolves this paradox. The findings are published in Science.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Breaking Down The Potential Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Parkinson Disease
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102222921.htm
New data generated in vitro and in cultured cell lines and mouse neurons has shed light on the mechanisms by which the protein alpha-synuclein is degraded in brain cells known as neurons. This has implications for the development of the neurodegenerative disorder Parkinson disease (PD) because altered degradation of alpha-synuclein has been implicated as a key step in the development of the disorder.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Big Predators May Need Large Size To Conquer Prey, But Not True For Bacteria
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104165557.htm
Ecologists generally observe a positive relationship between sizes of predators and their prey, mainly because predators need to be large to eat a larger prey. But does this positive relationship hold for sizes of bacteria and their food molecules? Using a mathematical model, scientists predict the opposite, an inverse relationship between sizes of bacteria and their resource molecules.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Tips To Get Into Shape Without Leaving The House
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104115938.htm
One piece of advice is to make a resolution to become healthier overall, instead of only focusing on dropping pounds. This will broaden your goals and encourage you to make lifestyle changes rather than temporary adjustments.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Scientists Restore Walking In Mice After Spinal Cord Injury
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080106193147.htm
The nervous system can reorganize itself after spinal cord injury and use new pathways to restore the cellular communication required for walking, scientists have shown. The discovery could lead to new therapies for the estimated 250,000 Americans who suffer from paralysis following traumatic spinal cord injuries.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Key Trigger For Potent Cancer-fighting Marine Product Discovered
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104142502.htm
An unexpected discovery in marine biomedical laboratories has led to new, key information about the fundamental biological processes inside a marine organism that creates a natural product currently being tested to treat cancer in humans.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Asian Cockroaches Could Aid Texas Growers
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080106132313.htm
Most people see cockroaches as a terrible pest--with no redeeming qualities or benefit whatsoever. But to cotton farmers in south Texas, an exotic cockroach from Asia could be a highly beneficial insect for biological control. For several years, entomologists has been studying predators that feed on the eggs of lepidopteran pests of annual crops.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Polar Bears Threatened: Million Of Acres To Be Opened To Oil And Gas Activities
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104144354.htm
The US government issued its Final Notice of Intent for the Chukchi Lease Sale 193 opening approximately 29.7 million acres of the pristine Chukchi Sea to oil and gas activities on January 2. This controversial announcement comes just days before the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is due to decide if the polar bear should be listed under the Endangered Species Act due to severe habitat loss from melting sea ice in Alaska's Arctic Ocean caused by global warming.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
MRI Techniques Evolving Towards Better Assessment Of Liver Fibrosis
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102155427.htm
MRI imagery is emerging as a noninvasive way to determine the existence and extent of hepatic fibrosis. It could eventually help the development of pharmacologic strategies to combat the condition.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Evolution Of Male-female Differences Within A Shared Genome
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104171118.htm
One of the major components of the world's biological diversity are the differences between males and females in traits related to mating, including weapons used when competing for mates and display traits used to seduce them. Such gender differences are thought to arise because selection acts differently on each sex. The conflicting interests of males and females in reproduction are thought to be a key source of sex-specific selection on such traits.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Smell-wars Between Butterflies And Ants
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103144408.htm
Large blue butterflies manage to have their larvae adopted and cared-for by ant colonies. They deceive the ants into feeding them while letting their own brood starve. The caterpillar deception is a matter of smell, and there is an ongoing co-evolutionary arms race in smell similarity between cheaters and their victims.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Fuel Cell That Uses Bacteria To Generate Electricity
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103101137.htm
Researchers are using the tiniest organisms on the planet 'bacteria' as a viable option to make electricity. They have gained critical insights that may lead to commercialization of a promising microbial fuel cell technology.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Novel Anticancer Strategy Moves From Laboratory To Clinic
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103133106.htm
Researchers have developed a novel anti-tumor compound that represents a distinct strategy: targeting one of the most important "intercept points" for cancer cells.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
New Cranberry Hybrid High In Antioxidants
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080106134726.htm
Scientists are suiting up a wholesome cranberry variety with a newly isolated genetic trait. Using traditional breeding methods, they have created an experimental cranberry line with a high level of absorbable antioxidants. The cultivated, typical American cranberry, has long been prized for its brilliant red fruit. The deep-colored pigments are made up of anthocyanins, which are a subclass of flavonoids. The many plant chemicals in this large group are widely studied for their purported health benefits, including their role as antioxidants.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Prevalence And Impact Of Arthritis And Other Rheumatic Conditions In The United States
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102142942.htm
Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States. Over the next 25 years as the Baby Boom generation continues to age, the toll of this disease will escalate. To have a clear picture of the looming disease burden and its impact on our nation's health care and public health systems, estimating disease prevalence--the number of people affected by any form of arthritis--is critical.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
US Presidential Candidates And Their Views On Scientific Issues
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103144445.htm
What are the United States presidential candidates' positions on scientific topics ranging from evolution to global warming? A report in Science, addresses these questions and profiles the nine leading candidates on where they stand on important scientific issues.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Healing Value Of Magnets Demonstrated In Biomedical Engineering Study
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103132307.htm
A recent study demonstrates that the use of an acute, localized static magnetic field of moderate strength can result in significant reduction of swelling when applied immediately after an inflammatory injury. This means that magnets might be used much the way ice packs and compression are now used for everyday sprains, bumps, and bruises, but with more beneficial results. Magnets have been touted for their healing properties since ancient Greece. Magnetic therapy is still widely used today as an alternative method for treating a number of conditions, from arthritis to depression, but there hasn't been scientific proof that magnets can heal.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
No Tooth Brush, No Cavities? Cavity-causing Bacteria May Be Made To Self-destruct
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102122300.htm
Bacteria that eat sugar and release cavity-causing acid onto teeth may soon be made dramatically more vulnerable to their own acid. Researchers have identified key genes and proteins that, if interfered with, can take away the ability of a key bacterial species to thrive as its acidic waste builds up in the mouth.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Important Clue To The Cause Of Parkinson's Disease Discovered
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102222944.htm
A glitch in the mechanism by which cells recycle damaged components may trigger Parkinson's disease, according to a new study. The research could lead to new strategies for treating Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Inulin May Help With Iron Uptake, Too
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080106133238.htm
Chalk up another potential health benefit for inulin, a plant compound used in many foods that's already been credited with boosting gut and colonic health and helping the body absorb dietary calcium. Swine research has found that this non-digestible carbohydrate --- which reaches the colon intact, where it's metabolized by beneficial bacteria --- may help people absorb more iron from staple food plants that are rich in compounds that hamper iron uptake.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Vitamin D2 Is As Effective As Vitamin D3 In Maintaining Concentrations Of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, Study Suggests
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102122306.htm
Researchers have found that vitamin D2 is equally as effective as vitamin D3 in maintaining 25-hydroxyvitamin D status. Vitamin D2 has been the main stay for the prevention and treatment of vitamin D deficiency in children and adults and as little as 100 IU of vitamin D2 was found to be effective in the prevention of rickets. Both vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 form 25-hydroxyvitamin D.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Selection Favors Character Displacement In Ivyleaf Morning Glory
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104170859.htm
How do we know that interactions between plant species affect their evolution? While there is abundant evidence to suggest that plant-pollinator interactions influence the evolution of floral traits, there is little direct evidence that interactions between plant species shape the evolution of such characteristics. Evolutionary biologists recently examined this question in a study of two morning glory species that commonly co-occur in the southeastern United States.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Heart Patients Find Education Programs Lead To Better Health
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104113007.htm
Older women heart patients benefit from educational programs as a supplement to clinical care to help significantly lower cardiac symptoms, lose weight and increase physical activity, a new study shows.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Some Biofuels Are Worse Environmentally Than Fossil Fuels, Analysis Shows
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103144404.htm
Biofuels reduce greenhouse-gas emissions in comparison to fossil fuels. In the journal Science, researchers consider environmental costs of biofuel production. Corn, soy and sugarcane come up short. The authors urge governments to be far more selective about which biofuels they support, as not all are more environmentally friendly than fossil fuels.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Gene Therapy Can Reduce Long-term Drinking Among Rodents
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103161549.htm
Certain genetic factors may both increase and protect against the risk of developing alcoholism; The aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2*2) allele is considered protective against alcoholism; and Intravenous administration of an anti-Aldh2 antisense gene can curtail long-term drinking among rodents.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
New Method For Developing Mechanically-reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites Developed
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104145322.htm
A new method for developing mechanically-reinforced polymer nanocomposites has been developed. The incorporation of nanoparticles into polymers is a design approach that is used in all areas of materials science, according to one of the scientists, adding that in the past, the broad technological utilization of polymer nanocomposites has been stifled by a lack of effective methods to control nanoparticle dispersion in materials.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Treatment With NAC Is Associated With Better Outcomes For Children With Liver Failure, Study Suggests
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103124653.htm
A new retrospective study on the effects of N-acetylcysteine on children with acute liver failure not caused by acetaminophen poisoning has found that the treatment was associated with a shorter hospital stay, higher incidence of liver recovery, and better survival after transplantation.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Assembling The Jigsaw Puzzle Of Drug Addiction
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104165605.htm
Using an integrative meta-analysis approach, researchers have assembled the most comprehensive gene atlas underlying drug addiction and identified five molecular pathways common to four different addictive drugs.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Enhance Healing Through Guided Imagery
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104123246.htm
Aristotle and Hippocrates believed in the power of images in the brain to enliven the heart and body. Today, research shows they were right. Guided imagery is helping patients use the full range of the body's healing capacity. Guided imagery is more than listening to relaxing sounds. It's a learning process to listen to someone's voice, relax the breathing and consciously direct the ability to imagine. The effect of guided vivid imagery sends a message to the emotional control center of the brain.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Crohn Disease: Gene Decreases Intestinal Inflammation
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102222928.htm
There are two major types of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. Conflicting reports have indicated the soluble factor IL-22 can have both IBD promoting and IBD controlling effects. A new study has, however, now indicated that local delivery of the Il-22 gene ameliorates disease in a mouse model of UC, leading to the suggestion that individuals with UC might benefit from local delivery of the IL-22 gene to their intestines.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Contact Lenses Purchased Over Internet May Place Individuals At Risk For Harmful Eyecare Practices
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104180301.htm
Purchasing contact lenses online may save consumers time, but the process could cause more problems in the long run, according to a new study. The research found that individuals who did not purchase their contact lenses from an eye doctor, but from an online site or store, may place themselves at risk.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
What Makes A Host Profitable? Parasites Balance Host Nutritive Resources Against Immunity
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104171908.htm
Is host immunity enough to explain parasite success? Scientists have shown that parasites balance host nutritive resources against immunity. They conducted research in a free-living colonial bird whose nestlings are heavily infested by blood sucking ectoparasites. They observed that ectoparasites achieved highest survival on nestlings in intermediate condition.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Bring In The New Year With A New Fitness Routine
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104120309.htm
It's that time of year again -- you have had your final glass of eggnog and your last bite of pumpkin pie. Now you are ready to start the year off right with a new exercise plan -- and to keep it up throughout the year so that fitness becomes a routine rather than just another resolution.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Efficient Biofuel Made From Genetically Modified E. Coli Bacteria
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080106202952.htm
Researchers have developed a new method for producing next-generation biofuels by genetically modifying Escherichia coli bacteria to be an efficient biofuel synthesizer. The method could lead to mass production of these biofuels. The research team modified key pathways in E. coli to produce several higher-chain alcohols from glucose, a renewable carbon source.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Human Hormone Blocker Found To Help Prevent Obesity And Diabetes
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103153217.htm
A new study finds that a chemical found in the body is capable of promoting weight loss, improving insulin resistance and reversing diabetes in an animal model. The hormone is gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor blockade.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Why Hope Diamond Has Fiery Red Phosphorescence After Exposure To Ultraviolet Light
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104145404.htm
The 45.52 carat blue Hope Diamond is the centerpiece of the National Gem Collection at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History Washington, D.C., and it attracts the attention of millions of visitors each year. One aspect of this famous diamond that most viewers do not get to see is its fiery red phosphorescence that results from exposure to ultraviolet light and continues for more than a minute.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Just 4 Months Of Hormone Therapy Can Delay Prostate Cancer Growth By Up To 8 Years
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102222947.htm
Researchers report that just four months of hormonal therapy before and with standard external beam radiation therapy slowed cancer growth by as much as eight years -- especially the development of bone metastases -- and increased survival in older men with potentially aggressive prostate cancer. This "neoadjuvant" hormonal therapy may allow men most at risk of developing bone metastases avoid long-term hormonal therapy later on.
Mon, 7 Jan 08
Why Are Chickens Getting So Fat?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080106134238.htm
Obesity is a problem for many American consumers--and now, even our chickens are getting fat! In all animals, obesity results from an energy imbalance that occurs when more food energy (calories) is consumed than the body actually needs. The excess energy is stored mostly as fat. Over the years, poultry breeders have bred chickens that grow faster and produce more meat in response to a growing worldwide consumer demand. But modern broiler/breeder chickens don't adequately balance their feed consumption to match their energy requirements. When these birds are given unrestricted access to feed, they will overeat and become obese.
Sun, 6 Jan 08
Potentially Harmful Pesticides Found In All Human Subjects Tested
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104102807.htm
All subjects analyzed in a recent study carried at least one kind of persistent organic compound, substances internationally classified as potentially harmful to one's health. More pesticides, fungicides and insecticides were detected in women than in men, and in adults rather than younger people.
Sun, 6 Jan 08
Protein A Possible Key To Allergy And Asthma Control
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102222808.htm
Activating a protein found on some immune cells seems to halt the cells' typical job of spewing out substances that launch allergic reactions, a new study suggests. The findings could eventually lead to new treatments for allergic reactions ranging from annoying bouts of hay fever to deadly asthma attacks.
Sun, 6 Jan 08
Drivers On Cell Phones Clog Traffic
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102083801.htm
Motorists who talk on cell phones drive slower on the freeway, pass sluggish vehicles less often and take longer to complete their trips, according to a new study that suggests drivers on cell phones congest traffic. "At the end of the day, the average person's commute is longer because of that person who is on the cell phone right in front of them," says the leader of the research team.
Sun, 6 Jan 08
HIV Isolate From Kenya Provides Clues For Vaccine Design
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102222848.htm
Two simple changes in its outer envelope protein could render the AIDS virus vulnerable to attack by the immune system, according to new research. The results could provide important clues for designing an effective AIDS vaccine, which is badly needed to decrease the number of new HIV infections, now estimated at about 2.5 million per year worldwide.
Sun, 6 Jan 08
Does Biology Matter When Predicting How Animals Will Respond To Climate Change?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104172131.htm
Most predictions of how animals will move in changing climates rely on statistically relating an animal's current location to environmental conditions. This approach ignores potentially important aspects of an animal's biology including size, physiology, and behavior. One ecologist has developed a bottom-up approach that predicts distributions directly from an animal's traits and environmental conditions by modeling the energy use of individuals and populations.
Sun, 6 Jan 08
Chemical In Red Wine, Fruits And Vegetables Counters Unhealthy Effects Of High-fat Foods
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102083757.htm
Just as additives help gasoline burn cleaner, a research report shows that the food industry could take a similar approach toward reducing health risks associated with fatty foods. These "meal additives" would be based on work of researchers who discovered that consuming polyphenols (natural compounds in red wine, fruits, and vegetables) simultaneously with high-fat foods may reduce health risks associated with these foods.
Sun, 6 Jan 08
Language Centers Revealed, Brain Surgery Refined With New Mapping
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102222904.htm
Neurosurgeons are reporting significant results of a new brain mapping technique that allows for the safe removal of tumors near language pathways in the brain. The technique minimizes brain exposure and reduces the amount of time a patient must be awake during surgery.
Sun, 6 Jan 08
Plant Study Reveals New Insights Into How Genomes Work
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071227183958.htm
Cells keep a close watch over the transcriptome -- the totality of all parts of the genome that are expressed in any given cell at any given time. Researchers have peeled back another layer of transcriptional regulation and gain new insight into how genomes work.
Sun, 6 Jan 08
Oral Osteoporosis Meds Appear To Reduce The Risk Of Jaw Degradation
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102122309.htm
Contrary to recent reports, oral osteoporosis medications that inhibit bone breakdown reduce the risk of jaw problems, based on an analysis of medical claims. Some doctors and dentists had advised patients who take oral osteoporosis medications such as Fosamax and Boniva to postpone dental work, fearing that tooth extractions and other procedures would exacerbate jaw problems purportedly linked to the medication. But the new findings refute the link and suggest the benefits of dentistry likely outweigh the risks for many of these patients.
Sun, 6 Jan 08
Food For Thought: Delivering The Promise Of Food Processing
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104095247.htm
Humans have transformed raw ingredients into food since prehistoric times. But scientists are still looking for new ways to make food taste better and survive longer. The industrial revolution brought the advent of modern food processing technology. The invention of the tin can has revolutionized the way people eat. The motivation behind its invention was simple -- make food last long. Two hundred years on, food scientists are still trying to improve the shelf life of food.
Sun, 6 Jan 08
Children Are Introduced To Sipping And Tasting Alcohol In The Home
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103161553.htm
Very little is known about alcohol use by children; New findings show that the introduction to alcohol use may occur as early as eight or 10 years of age, and is an experience that typically occurs in the home; and Sipping and tasting reflect exposure to parental alcohol use in the home and do not reflect a proneness to engage in delinquent behavior or other problem behaviors.
Sun, 6 Jan 08
How One Pest Adapted To Life In The Dark
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071221094847.htm
A type of beetle that lives its entire life burrowing through stored grain has been found to lack full-color vision, and what's more the vision it does have breaks the rules. Most other insects have trichromatic vision -- they are sensitive to ultraviolet, blue and long wavelength light. Scientists reveal that this beetle has lost photoreceptors that are sensitive to blue wavelengths.
Sun, 6 Jan 08
Some Antipsychotic Drugs May Be Missing Their Mark
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080101093900.htm
Drugs that treat depression and schizophrenia might not be triggering the most appropriate response in brain cells, new research suggests. This study examined the early chemical events that happen when a particular serotonin receptor on brain cells is stimulated by serotonin and by a hallucinogenic agent thought to mimic serotonin. The findings show that although both compounds activate this receptor, they trigger different chemical pathways inside the cell.
Sun, 6 Jan 08
For Women, Marital Distress Means Less Relief From Stress
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080101093852.htm
Here's a novel idea for unwinding after a stressful day at the office: find a happy marriage. That's the suggestion from a new study that tracked levels of cortisol, a key stress hormone, among 30 Los Angeles married couples involved in one of our age's trickiest juggling acts -- raising kids when both parents work full time.
Sun, 6 Jan 08
Long-term Data Show Insomnia Treatment Is Effective, Study Says
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080101093838.htm
Zolpidem extended-release 12.5 mg, taken three to seven nights per week for up to six months, provided sustained and significant improvements in sleep onset and maintenance, and also improved next-day concentration and morning sleepiness in people with insomnia.
Sun, 6 Jan 08
New Brighter LED Light Modules Developed
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104140012.htm
Newly developed high-output LED modules are based on perfect synergy between solid-state physics and optics. To use the light emitted by the LED chip as fully as possible, a special optic for the respective application was fabricated. It consists of two parts: a primary and a secondary lens. The primary lens collects the light emitted by the LED close to the chip and combines it to form a beam. The secondary lens homogenizes the light beam.
Sun, 6 Jan 08
Older Surgical Patients At Greater Risk For Developing Cognitive Problems
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102160756.htm
Patients over the age of 60 who have elective surgeries such as joint replacements, hysterectomies and other nonemergency, inpatient procedures, are at an increased risk for long-term cognitive problems, according to a new study.
Sat, 5 Jan 08
Why Do Some Animals Live Longer Than Others?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104172538.htm
Why do some live longer than others? Researchers turned to tropical African butterflies to find the answer. In the field, the temperature experienced by the caterpillar sets up the butterfly to become the form that matches the season. This is called phenotypic plasticity, and in this species it has evolved as a response to the alternating seasons.
Sat, 5 Jan 08
Subliminal Messages Can Influence People In Surprising Ways
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071227183859.htm
Flag waving is a metaphor for stirring up the public towards adopting a more nationalistic, generally hard-line stance. Indeed, "rally 'round the flag" is a venerable expression of this phenomenon. It comes as some surprise, then, that studies have shown that exposing people to a subliminal image of the national flag had just the opposite fact -- moderating their political attitudes.
Sat, 5 Jan 08
New Treatment Suitable For All Patients With Least Treatable Brain Tumors, Study Suggests
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080101093832.htm
A three-drug cocktail may one day improve outcomes in patients with glioblastoma multiforme, a scientists are working on the third -- all targeted to kill or impair cancer cells and spare healthy brain.
Sat, 5 Jan 08
Mathematical Tools For Forecasting Stock Market Work For Ecology Too
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104171618.htm
Animal populations and the stock market are hard to forecast. Both are generated by complicated, interdependent systems. Unlike financial stocks, where trades are meticulously recorded, scientists began estimating animal populations only a few decades ago. But a new technique makes it possible to use the same tools some banks use to forecast the stock market and apply them to ecology.
Sat, 5 Jan 08
New Report On First Death By Spearing In Australia
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080101193653.htm
"Ritual punishment using barbed death spears was witnessed at European contact in the Sydney region," one of the researchers said. "The Narrabeen man provides early archaeological evidence for ritual or payback killing by spearing. The timing of this event is significant for understanding other archaeological indicators of increased social complexity across south-eastern Australia."
Sat, 5 Jan 08
Helium Supplies Endangered, Threatening Science And Technology
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102093943.htm
In America, helium is running out of gas. The uplifting element is being depleted so rapidly in the world's largest reserve, outside of Amarillo, Texas, that supplies are expected to be depleted there within the next eight years. This deflates more than the Goodyear blimp and party favors. Its larger impact is on science and technology.
Sat, 5 Jan 08
'Swish-and-spit' Test Accurate For Cancer
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080101093835.htm
A morning gargle could someday be more than a breath freshener -- it could spot head and neck cancer, say scientists. Their new study of a mouth rinse that captures genetic signatures common to the disease holds promise for screening those at high risk, including heavy smokers and alcohol drinkers.
Sat, 5 Jan 08
Wearing Technology On Your Sleeve
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071221175327.htm
You think the switch from typewriter to computer was a revolution? The next stage could see many of us interacting with computers inserted into our very clothes. A new project is exploring a range of applications where wearable technology could significantly improve productivity and even help save lives. "Assimilate, assimilate!" Trekkies out there will recognize the Borg mantra for the bloodcurdling 'assimilation' of humans by machines. On the other side of the sci-fi divide, many may recall Star Wars' recently revived Darth Vader, the half-man, half-machine dark lord of intergalactic evil.
Sat, 5 Jan 08
Effective Treatment Found For Hepatitis C Patients With Low Blood-platelet Counts, Study Suggests
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071228215542.htm
For patients with hepatitis C, having a low blood platelet count is a frequent complication associated with advanced disease. This problem is compounded by the fact that standard antiviral treatment for the disease can further reduce platelet numbers to dangerously low levels, effectively denying these patients the treatment they urgently need. A new drug, eltrombopag, appears to significantly boost platelet counts, opening the door to effective treatment.
Sat, 5 Jan 08
New Model Of Competitive Speciation Unifies Insights From Earlier Work
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104173125.htm
Under which circumstances is sympatric speciation possible? An answer to this long-standing question of evolutionary biology has turned out to be challenging. In particular, models for the evolution of assortative mating under frequency-dependent disruptive selection necessarily depend on a large number of ecological and genetic factors. For this reason, most previous approaches to this issue depend on individual-based simulations. However, simulation studies with only slightly different assumptions have come to wildly different conclusions, making it hard to generalize results and leading to fierce debate.
Sat, 5 Jan 08
Short Sleep Duration Linked To Overweight Condition And Behavioral Problems In Children
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080101093849.htm
The duration of a child's sleep can vary, depending on the time of day, week and year. Further, children who don't get enough nightly sleep are more likely to be overweight and have behavioral problems.
Sat, 5 Jan 08
North Atlantic Warming Tied To Natural Variability
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103144416.htm
A new analysis of available records shows that while the North Atlantic Ocean's surface waters warmed in the 50 years between 1950 and 2000, the change was not uniform. In fact, the subpolar regions cooled at the same time that subtropical and tropical waters warmed. This striking pattern can be explained largely by the influence of a natural and cyclical wind circulation pattern called the North Atlantic Oscillation.
Sat, 5 Jan 08
Telomeres And Cancer: Elusive Telomere RNA Subunit Identified In Single Cell Model
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071227183846.htm
Scientists have identified the long-sought telomerase RNA gene in a single-cell research model. Chromosomes shorten with every cell division. In stem cells and in cancer cells, this shortening is compensated by telomerase, an enzyme that adds short repeat sequences to the ends of chromosomes to replenish lost DNA. As telomerase is required for the continued growth of most cancer cells, the enzyme is considered a promising target for new anti-cancer drugs. A correlation between telomere length and a variety of diseases has further intensified interest in understanding telomerase and its regulation.
Sat, 5 Jan 08
Predator Pressures Maintain Bees' Social Life
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071221094850.htm
The complex organization of some insect societies is thought to have developed to such a level that these animals can no longer survive on their own. Research suggests that rather than organizational, genetic, or biological complexity defining a 'point of no return' for social living, pressures of predation create advantages to not living alone.
Sat, 5 Jan 08
Tonsillectomy Significantly Improves Quality Of Life In Adult And Pediatric Patients
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080101093830.htm
Tonsillectomies to treat chronic and recurrent tonsillitis substantially improve a patient's quality of live in both children and adults, according to two new studies. Tonsillectomy remains one of the most common procedures performed on children each year, and while the number of incidences in adults is lower, it is still a routine operation.
Sat, 5 Jan 08
Ecosytem Modeling: Novel Approach To Incorporate Nontrophic Interactions
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104173642.htm
Most ecological theories deal with simple consumer--resource interactions. Scientists now provide a novel approach to incorporate nontrophic interactions, such as pollination and habitat modification, in ecosystem models, which allows them to study the dynamics of complex interaction webs. Their model adds nontrophic interactions to a food web in the form of modifications of trophic interactions. It also tracks nutrient fluxes in the food web and hence satisfies the principle of mass conservation.
Sat, 5 Jan 08
Groaning In Sleep Can Be Successfully Treated With CPAP, Study Shows
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080101093844.htm
Catathrenia, or sleep related groaning, is an uncommon feature of a sleep-related breathing disorder that can be successfully treated with continuous positive airway pressure.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Two Explosive Evolutionary Events Shaped Early History Of Multicellular Life
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103144451.htm
Scientists have known for some time that most major groups of complex animals appeared in the fossils record during the Cambrian Explosion, a seemingly rapid evolutionary event that occurred 542 million years ago. Now paleontologists, using rigorous analytical methods, have identified another explosive evolutionary event that occurred about 33 million years earlier among macroscopic life forms unrelated to the Cambrian animals.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Insect Attack May Have Finished Off Dinosaurs
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103090702.htm
Asteroid impacts or massive volcanic flows might have occurred around the time dinosaurs became extinct, but a new argument is that the mightiest creatures the world has ever known may have been brought down by a tiny, much less dramatic force -- biting, disease-carrying insects.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Blood Transfusions May Be Harmful To Some Patients
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103134411.htm
Heart attack patients in the U.S. are far more likely to receive a blood transfusion than patients in other countries with the very same condition, but the outcome of their treatment is no better. Increasing evidence suggests transfusions may not only be unnecessary but may actually be harmful to some patients.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Catheter Chaos: Hospitals Lag In Preventing Common Infection
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103090647.htm
Right now, one in four hospitalized Americans has a urinary catheter. But despite the fact that catheter-related urinary tract infections are the most common hospital-acquired infection, and can lead to dangerous complications, a new study shows hospitals aren't using proven tactics to prevent such problems.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Body Abnormalities Associated With Childhood Cancer
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080101184622.htm
Children with cancer have a higher prevalence of body abnormalities, such as asymmetric lower limbs and curvature of the spine, suggesting that the genetic defect responsible for the abnormality may play a role in the development of cancer, according to a new study.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Hydrogen Peroxide Has A Complex Role In Cell Health
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102134129.htm
Hydrogen peroxide, the same mild acid that many people use to disinfectant their kitchens or treat cuts and abrasions, is also produced by the body to keep cells healthy. Now, researchers have solved how part of this complex process works.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Silence May Lead To Phantom Noises Misinterpreted As Tinnitus
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080101093825.htm
Phantom noises, that mimic ringing in the ears associated with tinnitus, can be experienced by people with normal hearing in quiet situations, according to new research. Tinnitus, an auditory perception that cannot be attributed to an external source, affects at least 36 million Americans on some level, with at least seven million experiencing it so severely that it interferes with daily activities.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Brain Imaging Shows If You Are Thinking Of Familiar Object
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102222813.htm
Researchers, using machine learning and brain imaging, have found a way to identify where people's thoughts and perceptions of familiar objects originate in the brain by identifying the patterns of brain activity associated with the objects. Scientists were also able to accurately determine which of the 10 drawings a participant was viewing based on their characteristic whole-brain neural activation patterns.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Internists Say They Prescribe Placebos On Occasion
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103090644.htm
In the first study examining American physicians' use of placebos in clinical practice in the 21st century, 45 percent of Chicago internists report they have used a placebo at some time during their clinical practice.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
High Altitude Soccer Teams Have Significant Advantage Over Lowland Teams
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071221094837.htm
Soccer teams from high altitude countries have a significant advantage when playing at both low and high altitudes, finds a new study. In contrast, lowland teams are unable to acclimatise to high altitude, reducing physiological performance.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Cardiac Arrest: Chest Compressions Alone Work Better, Studies Suggest
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071226230920.htm
Two large-scale studies report that the chances of surviving cardiac arrest are no better -- and may be worse -- when bystanders perform mouth-to-mouth breathing than if they press on the chest without interruption. The results are in line with experimental findings showing that neurologically normal survival was better with continuous chest compressions than when following the standard CPR protocol of 30 compressions and 2 ventilations.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
For Hospital Patients, Defibrillation Delays Mean Lower Survival
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102222855.htm
Hospitalized patients who suffer a cardiac arrest are more likely to survive if their hearts are shocked back into rhythm within two minutes, but 30 percent of such patients aren't getting help fast enough.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Obesity Linked To Decreased Seatbelt Use
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102222805.htm
Obese people are less likely to use their seatbelts than the rest of the population, adding to the public health risks associated with this rapidly growing problem. Seatbelt use declined as BMI increased, with approximately 55 percent of extremely obese individuals reporting they did not use a seatbelt.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Quest For A New Class Of Superconductors
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071220133429.htm
Fifty years after the Nobel-prize winning explanation of how superconductors work, scientists are suggesting another mechanism for the still-mysterious phenomenon and exploring new superconductor candidates. Among the classes of materials that appear capable of superconductivity without phonons are the so-called heavy electron superconductors, certain organic materials, and the copper oxide materials that superconduct at up to twice the temperature at which nitrogen liquefies.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
High Triglycerides, Other Cholesterol Raise Risk Of Stroke
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071226225533.htm
People with high triglycerides and another type of cholesterol tested but not usually evaluated as part of a person's risk assessment have an increased risk of a certain type of stroke, according to research published in the Dec. 26, 2007, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Elderly At Risk For Physical Disabilities Exercise, Improve Physical Function
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071217100048.htm
Elderly adults at risk for physical disabilities are able to adhere to a regular program of moderate exercise for one year, a recent study of 213 men and women suggests. Improvements in physical function were greater in participants who reported 150 minutes or more per week of moderate intensity physical activity.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Copy Number Variation May Stem From Replication Misstep
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071227183904.htm
Genome rearrangements, resulting in variations in the numbers of copies of genes, occur when the cellular process that copies DNA during cell division stalls and then switches to a different genetic "template."
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Live Operators Crucial Factor For Public Health Department Disease-reporting Hotlines
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102222858.htm
Public health departments that staff disease-reporting hotlines with live operators at all times are more likely to meet federal guidelines designed to help stop the spread of infectious diseases, according to a RAND Corp. study issued today.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Carbon Dioxide Emissions Linked To Human Mortality
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103135757.htm
Scientists have spelled out for the first time the direct links between increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and increases in human mortality, using a state-of-the-art computer model of the atmosphere incorporating scores of physical and chemical environmental processes. The new findings come to light just after the Environmental Protection Agency's recent ruling against states setting specific emission standards for this greenhouse gas.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Multiple Species Of Bacteria May Cause Trachoma: Implications For Treatment
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102222851.htm
Researchers have found that more than one species of bacteria may be causing the infectious eye disease trachoma. Six million people -- most of whom live in crowded and unhygienic conditions in the developing world -- are blind because of the disease and many more are actively infected. The possibility that multiple strains of the Chlamydiceae family of bacteria are involved in trachoma would involve a re-evaluation of vaccines and treatment programs.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
New Screening Strategy For Detection Of Chagas Disease In Children
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071226003642.htm
A new targeted screening strategy could make the diagnosis and treatment of Chagas disease more feasible in low-resource settings, concludes a new study. Trypanosoma cruzi, the single-cell parasite that causes Chagas disease, is transmitted by triatomine bugs that infest houses in poor communities. The disease, which infects an estimated 11 million people in Latin America, kills more people than any other parasitic disease in the Americas.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
FOXO Factor Promotes Survival Of Oxygen-deprived Cancer Cells
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071227184104.htm
Scientists report that an evolutionarily conserved transcription factor may have both positive and negative effects on the growth of tumors, depending on whether or not the tumor cells have enough oxygen. The research provides critical new information about how normal cells and cancer cells survive under stress.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Walk Away Menopausal Anxiety, Stress And Depression
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103090651.htm
With more menopausal women seeking natural therapies to ease symptoms, a new study has found that simply adding a brisk walking routine can reduce a variety of psychological symptoms such as anxiety, stress and depression.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Neuroimaging Fails To Demonstrate ESP Is Real
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103161531.htm
Researchers have used neuroimaging to study the existence of ESP. The scientists used brain scanning techniques to determine if the individuals have knowledge that cannot be explained through normal perceptual processing. The results appear to disprove the existence of ESP.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Mom's Obesity During Conception Phase May Set The Stage For Offspring's Obesity Risk
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103155741.htm
Researchers have examined whether fetal exposure to gestational obesity leads to a self-reinforcing viscous cycle of excessive weight gain and body fat which passes from mother to child. The results of a new study suggest they do.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Make It Your Resolution: Play It Safe On The Slopes And Snow
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104122415.htm
When a celebrity suffers a fatal sports-related head injury, it hits the national news; when the average person does, it may hit the local newspaper. Both hit home and are equally devastating and often preventable tragedies.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Ways To Reduce Gassiness: Certain Foods May Cause Gas
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104123911.htm
Gassiness: It's embarrassing, bothersome and -- yes, smelly. Sometimes, changing diet can clear the air. Temporarily avoiding certain foods can help identify causes of gassiness. Dairy products, some vegetables, too much fruit sugar and carbonated beverages can sometimes cause the problem.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Louisiana?s Wetlands Are Being Lost At The Rate Of One Football Field Every 38 Minutes
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104112955.htm
LSU and Ohio State University will be battling for the BCS National College Football Championship in the Superdome, but if the game was held in the Louisiana wetlands instead, the entire field would disappear before halftime.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Learning To Forgive May Improve Well-Being
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104122807.htm
Forgiveness may be good for your health, according to the Mayo Clinic. Holding a grudge appears to affect the cardiovascular and nervous systems. In one study, people who focused on a personal grudge had elevated blood pressure and heart rates, as well as increased muscle tension and feelings of being less in control. When asked to imagine forgiving the person who had hurt them, the participants said they felt more positive and relaxed and thus, the changes dissipated. Other studies have shown that forgiveness has positive effects on psychological health, too.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Growing Artificial Skin From Hair Roots
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104140344.htm
There is new hope for patients with chronic wounds: medical scientists have been granted approval to produce artificial skin from patients' own cells. It sounds like something from a science fiction novel: Pluck a few of someone's hairs, and four to six weeks later they have grown into a piece of skin.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
New Route For Heredity Bypasses DNA
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104124410.htm
Scientists have uncovered a new biological mechanism that could provide a clearer window into a cell's inner workings. What's more, this mechanism could represent an "epigenetic" pathway -- a route that bypasses an organism's normal DNA genetic program -- for so-called Lamarckian evolution, enabling an organism to pass on to its offspring characteristics acquired during its lifetime to improve their chances for survival.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
New Strategies Work To Put Cancer On The Firing Line
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102155433.htm
The scary reality is that cancer cells are our own cells gone awry. Our immune system therefore doesn't always see cancer as a horrific invader. The tumor is smart, one researcher says, changing just enough to stay out of the line of fire.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Moderate Exercise Yields Big Benefits
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104123421.htm
What's the key to looking and feeling better and enhancing your health? Exercise. Moderately strenuous exercise, about 30 minutes a day, can lead to enormous benefits in terms of your mood, health, weight and the ability to live an independent and fulfilling life. The exercise doesn't need to be athletic or difficult. Studies have shown that simply walking at a brisk pace for 30 minutes or more on most days can lead to significant health improvements. Add simple strengthening exercises two or three times a week and the benefits are even greater.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Insects' 'Giant Leap' Reconstructed By Founder Of Sociobiology
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102083749.htm
A survey of advanced social organization in insects calls into question the standard explanation for eusociality Biologist Edward O. Wilson argues that natural selection acting on emergent traits of nascent colonies, rather than on individual organisms, best explains the evolution of eusociality in insects and possibly other species.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Alcoholics With Depression Less Likely To Stay Sober
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104121227.htm
It's hard to stay on the wagon when you're depressed, according to a new study of problem drinkers. Researchers documented the quitting success of 462 people who tried to simultaneously give up alcohol and cigarettes.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
No Link Between Acid Reflux And Survival, Study Finds
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103182902.htm
A new study offers reassuring evidence that people with acid reflux symptoms do not have an increased risk of death, finding no difference in survival rates between sufferers and nonsufferers.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Lack Of Gravitational Wave Prompts Fresh Look At Gamma Ray Burst
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104095250.htm
Physicists have concluded that last February's intense burst of gamma rays possibly coming from the Andromeda Galaxy lacked a gravitational wave. That absence, they say, rules out an initial interpretation that the burst came from merging neutron stars or black holes within Andromeda.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
'Knockout' Surprise: Mice More Likely To Survive Malaria When Key Gene Is Disabled In White Blood Cell
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102090531.htm
Researchers were surprised to discover that mice that lack a molecule found in a type of white blood cell had a significantly higher survival rate from malaria than those in which the molecule is present. One-quarter of mice in which the alpha D gene was knocked out survived a severe form of malaria, compared with zero survivors in a group that had functioning alpha D genes. The study confirms the role of alpha D in the body's immune response to infection, but also indicates the molecule can cause uncontrolled inflammation that makes malaria, and possibly other systemic infections, even more deadly.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Model Is First To Compare Performance Of 'Biosensors'
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102134121.htm
Researchers have developed a new modeling technique to study and design miniature "biosensors," a tool that could help industry perfect lab-on-a-chip technology for uses ranging from medical diagnostics to environmental monitoring. The experimental devices represent a new class of portable sensors designed to capture and detect specific "target molecules," which will allow the sensors to identify pathogens, DNA or other substances.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Inside College Parties: Surprising Findings About Drinking Behavior
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103161543.htm
Most studies of college-student drinking have looked at the individual, and have relied on self reports; New findings gathered from on-the-spot observations show that parties with drinking games can predict higher blood-alcohol concentrations; and young women at theme parties, especially with sexualized themes and costumes, drink more heavily than men. Interestingly, larger parties were associated with less drinking.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Most TV Prescription Drug Ads Minimize Risk Information, Study Finds
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103161527.htm
Prescription drug ads on television first hit the airwaves just over a decade ago, but a new study finds that most of them still do not present a fair balance of information, especially when it comes to the risk of side effects.
Fri, 4 Jan 08
Big Pharma Spends Almost Double On Advertising, Compared With Research And Development
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080105140107.htm
A new study estimates the U.S. pharmaceutical industry spends almost twice as much on promotion as it does on research and development, contrary to the industry's claim. The U.S. pharmaceutical industry spent 24.4% of the sales dollar in 2004 on promotion, versus 13.4% for research and development, as a percentage of US domestic sales of US$235.4 billion. The study's findings supports the position that the U.S. pharmaceutical industry is marketing-driven and challenges the perception of a research-driven, life-saving, pharmaceutical industry.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Missing Evolutionary Link Found By Using Tiny Fungus Crystal
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102142555.htm
The crystal structure of a molecule from a primitive fungus has served as a time machine to show researchers more about the evolution of life from the simple to the complex. By studying the three-dimensional version of the fungus protein bound to an RNA molecule, scientists have been able to visualize how life progressed from an early self-replicating molecule that also performed chemical reactions to one in which proteins assumed some of the work.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Colon Cancer Risk In US Traced To Common Ancestor
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102083752.htm
A married couple who sailed from England to America around 1630 may be the ancestors of hundreds of people alive today who are at risk for a hereditary form of colon cancer. Researchers have discovered a mutation that has been traced from many individuals today back to a common ancestor -- which may contribute to a significant percentage of colon cancer cases in the United States.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Purdue Wind Tunnel Key For 'Hypersonic Vehicles,' Future Space Planes
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102134113.htm
By using the only wind tunnel capable of running quietly at "hypersonic" speeds, Purdue University engineers have conducted experiments to yield critical data for designing an advanced aircraft called the X-51A, powered by engines called scramjets.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Doctors May Be Giving Wrong Dosage Of Adrenaline In An Emergency Because Of Labelling
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080101093858.htm
Doctors treating life-threatening emergencies such as allergy attacks may give the wrong dosage of adrenaline (epinephrine) because of confusing labeling. The amount of adrenaline contained in an ampoule is usually expressed as both a dose and a ratio on the label. The ratio requires doing arithmetic to figure out how much drug to give.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Hydrogen Storage For Cars?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071221101718.htm
Hydrogen is the fuel of the future. Unfortunately, one problem remains: Hydrogen is a gas and cannot easily be pumped into a tank like gasoline. Storage in the form of solid hydrides, chemical compounds of hydrogen and a metal or semi-metal, are good storage materials in principle, but have not been well suited to automotive applications. Researches have now developed a hydride that could be a useful starting point for the development of future automotive hydrogen-storage materials.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
People Rate Their Smiles Higher Than Dentists Do
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071210162938.htm
People rate their smiles higher than dentists do, according to a new study. Teeth and eyes rated as the most important features of an attractive face, the study also found, and people younger than age 50 were most satisfied with their smiles.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Researchers Reverse Effects Of Sleep Deprivation
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102093936.htm
Researchers have shown that the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance can be reversed when the naturally occurring brain peptide, orexin-A, is administered in monkeys.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Gene Neighbors May Have Taken Turns Battling Retroviruses
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071221094920.htm
A cluster of antiviral genes in humans has likely battled retroviral invasions for millions of years. New research now finds that in addition to the previously identified TRIM5 gene that can defend against retroviruses like HIV, a related gene right next door, called TRIM22, may have participated in antiviral defense.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Sea Cucumber Protein Used To Inhibit Development Of Malaria Parasite
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071220203704.htm
Scientists have genetically engineered a mosquito to release a sea-cucumber protein into its gut which impairs the development of malaria parasites, according to new research. Researchers say this development is a step towards developing future methods of preventing the transmission of malaria.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Stimulating Muscles May Improve Musician's Dystonia
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071226225511.htm
Therapy that stimulates the hand muscles may help treat the condition called musician's dystonia, a movement disorder that causes muscles spasms in musicians, according to a new study. Musician's dystonia occurs in musicians who have practiced particular complicated movements for years. The muscle spasms are usually painless and generally occur only when playing the instrument.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Utra-fast Fibre Lasers, Dopey Photons ... What's Next?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071221181458.htm
When lasers were developed in the 1960s, they were a solution looking for a problem to solve. Since then, they have become an essential tool in industries as diverse as nanotechnology and biomedicine. A new generation of ultra-fast fiber lasers being developed in Europe is creating even more uses for the beams of high-intensity light, while lowering production and maintenance costs and increasing efficiency.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Bad Dreams Associated With Difficult Temperaments In Children
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080101093847.htm
Bad dreams in preschoolers are less prevalent than thought. However, when they do exist, nightmares are trait-like in nature and associated with personality characteristics measured as early as five months.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
White Dwarf Pulses Like A Pulsar
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102155439.htm
New observations have challenged scientists' conventional understanding of white dwarfs. Observers had believed white dwarfs were inert stellar corpses that slowly cool and fade away, but the new data tell a completely different story.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Yeast-Based Oral Diabetes Treatment Discovered
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071226230111.htm
Scientists have discovered a substance that may become an oral treatment for diabetes and its complications. Results indicate that the new yeast-derived treatment acts similarly to insulin in the rats, lowering the level of glucose, and of LDL-cholesterol, (the "bad" cholesterol), and raising the level of HDL-cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol).
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Why Urinary Tract Infections Commonly Recur In Women
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071218101247.htm
A new study presents convincing evidence that intracellular bacterial communities (IBCs) commonly exist in women with bladder infections and may contribute to the recurrence of these infections. In mice it has already been established that Escherichia coli (E coli), a type of bacterium that causes urinary tract infections, can avoid the immune system by invading cells lining the bladder, replicate and ultimately re-infect the urinary tract. The existence of IBCs in this new study suggests that a similar cycle may occur in people and that perhaps longer treatment with antibiotics that kill bacteria inside human cells may be necessary for some patients.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Tips To Prevent Adverse Drug Events In Older Adults
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102122312.htm
For many older Americans, another candle on their birthday cake means another prescription in their medicine cabinet. In a review article, clinicians offer specific steps that physicians and other healthcare providers can take to avoid overuse, misuse, and underuse of medication in older adults.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
SETI@home Ramps Up To Analyze More Data In Search Of Extraterrestrial Intelligence
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102135741.htm
The longest-running search for radio signals from alien civilizations is getting a burst of new data from an upgraded Arecibo telescope, which means the SETI@home project needs more desktop computers to help crunch the data. The project already boasts the largest number of dedicated users: 170,000.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Evolution Education Is A 'Must' Says Coalition Of Scientific And Teaching Organizations
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102083754.htm
A coalition of 17 organizations is calling on the scientific community to become more involved in the promotion of science education, including evolution. The introduction of "nonscience," such as creationism and intelligent design, into science education will undermine the fundamentals of science education, according to the coalition.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
When It Comes To Metal, Smaller Is Stronger: Now Scientists Know Why
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102135745.htm
As metal structures get smaller -- as their dimensions approach the micrometer scale or less -- they get stronger. Now scientists have learned how. The researchers observed that compressing nanoscale pillars of nickel drives out dislocations and can produce a perfect crystal -- a process the researchers call "mechanical annealing."
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Shorter Legs Linked To Liver Disease
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071220235152.htm
Short legs are linked to an increased risk of liver disease, suggests a new study. The research contributes to a growing body of evidence on the link between leg length and health. The findings are based on almost 4300 women between the ages of 60 and 79, who had been randomly selected from 23 British towns.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Recent Studies Confirm Significant Underuse Of Colorectal Cancer Screening
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071217141434.htm
Two recently released studies confirm an alarming reality, that a majority of Americans who should be getting screened for colorectal cancer are not. According to a study in the journal Cancer, among an assessment of Medicare beneficiaries between 1998 and 2004, only 25.4 percent of people were screened, despite Medicare coverage for colorectal cancer screening. Figures released by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality show that only half of Americans age 50 and over have had a screening colonoscopy.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Status Quo Of The Tsunami Early Warning System For The Indian Ocean
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071220110327.htm
The German-Indonesian Tsunami Early Warning System for the Indian Ocean runs on track. Main milestones like the development of the automatic data processing software SeisComP3, as well as the underwater communication for the transmission of the pressure data from the ocean floor to a warning centre are already finalized.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Dropping Of Religious Activities Linked To Increased Anxiety In Women
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080101093855.htm
For many, religious activity changes between childhood and adulthood, and a new study finds this could affect one's mental health. Women who had stopped being religiously active were more than three times more likely to have suffered generalized anxiety and alcohol abuse/dependence than women who reported always having been active. Conversely, men who stopped being religiously active were less likely to suffer major depression when compared to men who had always been religiously active.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
New Link Between Stress And Disease Susceptibility Found
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071220225228.htm
Shedding light on the link between stress and disease, scientists have uncovered for the first time signs of stress in proteins and other compounds found in blood that can help predict disease susceptibility. In a study in cattle, the researchers found that psychological and physical stressors cause detectable changes in these blood compounds. These "biomarkers" can then be used to predict disease outcomes.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Arecibo Observatory Gets Back To Work, Spies Potential Geminid Parent
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071221161918.htm
After receiving its first fresh, full coat of paint in more than 40 years, Arecibo Observatory made its first observation in more than six months. The giant paint job was critical for ensuring the observatory's safety and structural integrity.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Fetal Surgeon Shows For First Time That Laser Procedure May Treat Vasa Previa
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071218101119.htm
A fetal surgeon successfully treated in utero a rare but potentially devastating prenatal condition, which, if undetected, is frequently deadly for newborns.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Deep Impact 'Celebrates' New Year's Eve With Earth Flyby
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102093939.htm
This New Year's Eve the Deep Impact team will again celebrate a holiday in a way that few can match, when their Deep Impact spacecraft "buzzes" the Earth on a flyby that marks the beginning of a more than two-and-a-half-year journey to comet Hartley 2.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Physician Style And HMO Affiliation Impact Lengths Of Patient Visit, Study Finds
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071205190843.htm
Apart from a more complicated medical case, what makes different physicians spend different amounts of time with their patients? Researchers at UC Davis have identified several key doctor- and practice-specific characteristics that affect the length of a patient's medical appointment, and ultimately with a patient's satisfaction with the doctor's visit.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Gay Men Navigate In A Similar Way To Women, Virtual Reality Researchers Find
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103135205.htm
Researchers used virtual reality scenarios to investigate if spatial learning and memory in humans can be linked to sexual orientation. Differences in spatial learning and memory (our ability to record and recall information about our environment) are common between men and women. It has been shown that men consistently outperform women on tasks requiring navigation and discovering hidden objects; whereas women are more successful at tests which require them to remember where those objects lie in a particular space. This is the first study to investigate if those differences are also true for gay, lesbian and straight individuals.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Bright Light Therapy Eases Bipolar Depression For Some
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103101121.htm
Bright light therapy can ease bipolar depression in some patients, a new study has found. Women with bipolar depression were given light boxes and instructed on how to use them at home. Using the light boxes daily for two-week stretches of 15, 30 and 45 minutes, some patients responded extremely well to the light therapy and their symptoms of depression disappeared.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
COROT Surprises A Year After Launch
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071220133446.htm
The space-borne telescope, COROT (Convection, Rotation and planetary Transits), has just completed its first year in orbit. The observatory has brought in surprises after over 300 days of scientific observations.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Gentler Chemotherapy Before Stem Cell Transplant Causes Long-term Remission Of Follicular Lymphoma, Study Suggests
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071210163321.htm
Treating relapsed follicular lymphoma patients with a milder chemotherapy regimen before they receive a blood stem cell transplant from a donor resulted in long-term complete remission for 45 of 47 patients in a clinical trial.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Selection Of Successful Sperms Influenced By Female Grey Mouse Lemurs
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071221183505.htm
In grey mouse lemurs from the dry deciduous forests in western Madagascar each female is receptive to mating for a single night per year. For male mouse lemurs this is a stressful time. What happens during this special night? Up to fourteen males visit a single female and females copulate with up to seven different males at maximum. But who will become father? The selection of successful sperms must be influenced by internal body mechanisms of the female after copulation.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
If You're Feeling Helpless, It May Be Best To Be Alone
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102122318.htm
If you're going to experience a period of helplessness, it's best to be alone. New research found that laboratory rats that were on their own when exposed to uncontrollable conditions, which create a feeling of helplessness, learned to avoid situations which create such feelings better than rats that were exposed to uncontrollable conditions in pairs.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Sound Waves Can Trigger Earthquake Aftershocks
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103124649.htm
Using a novel device that simulates earthquakes in a laboratory setting, scientists have shown that seismic waves -- the sounds radiated from earthquakes -- can induce earthquake aftershocks, often long after a quake has subsided.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Gene Dose Affects Tumor Growth
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103103859.htm
The number of copies of a particular gene can affect the severity of colon cancer in a mouse model. The research team describes how trisomy 21, or Down syndrome in humans, can repress tumor growth.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
New Owl Butterfly Species Naming Rights Auctioned For $40,800
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071204180035.htm
An online auction for naming rights to a new owl butterfly species brought a winning bid of $40,800, with proceeds benefiting continued research on Mexican butterflies.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Mayo Clinic Article Offers Data About Shingles Virus
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071212201303.htm
When a vaccine to prevent shingles was approved for use in 2006, the Food and Drug Administration recommended the vaccine for people age 60 and older who previously had chickenpox. But two issues -- the vaccine's cost and the perception that shingles primarily affects adults with weakened immune systems -- have left some physicians undecided about whether healthy adults need the vaccine.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Scientists Discover Remarkable Editing System For Protein Production
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103090655.htm
Even small mistakes made by cells during protein production can have profound disease effects, but the processes cells use to correct mistakes have been challenging to decipher. Recent work however, has uncovered two surprising new methods for such editing.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Should Doctors Participate In Capital Punishment Executions?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102232615.htm
In a commentary and two editorials published in the September 2007 issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, three anesthesiologists and a medical ethicist discussed whether doctors should participate in capital punishment executions.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Red Dust In Planet-forming Disk May Harbor Precursors To Life
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103132303.htm
Astronomers have found the first indications of highly complex organic molecules in the disk of red dust surrounding a distant star. The eight-million-year-old star, known as HR 4796A, is inferred to be in the late stages of planet formation, suggesting that the basic building blocks of life may be common in planetary systems.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Low Antioxidant Level May Damage Fetal Neurons
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071220233527.htm
Fetal neurons that have low levels of a vital antioxidant, glutathione, are the first to die when exposed to alcohol in cell culture and possibly in the living brain, according to new research. The researchers examined brain tissue from immature rats and neurons from rat fetuses.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Chicken Fat Converted Into Biodiesel Using Supercritical Methanol
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071220230827.htm
Chemical engineering researchers have investigated supercritical methanol as a method of converting chicken fat into biodiesel fuel. The new study also successfully converted tall oil fatty acid, a major by-product of the wood-pulping process, into biodiesel at a yield of greater than 90 percent, significantly advancing efforts to develop commercially viable fuel out of plentiful, accessible and low-cost feedstocks and other agricultural by-products.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
High-dose Chemo And Stem Cell Transplant Shows Little Or No Survival Benefit For Breast Cancer, Analysis Shows
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071213120947.htm
High-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation, the controversial, arduous, yet once-popular combination treatment that fell out of favor as a therapy for breast cancer, has proven not to be beneficial as an adjuvant therapy for women with node-positive disease, according to an expansive analysis.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
'Electronic Switch' Opens Doors In Rheumatoid Joints
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102134125.htm
A breakthrough in understanding the way atoms move across cell membranes in the human body could pave the way for the development of new treatments for inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Thu, 3 Jan 08
Hiring Practices Influenced By Beauty
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071206124838.htm
The attractiveness of interviewees can significantly bias outcome in hiring practices, showing a clear distinction between the attractive and average looking interviewees in terms of high and low status job packages offered.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Parents Show Bias In Sibling Rivalry, Says Study
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071219103051.htm
Most parents would hotly deny favoring one child over another but new research suggests they may have little choice in the matter. Biologists studying a unique species of beetle that raises and cares for its young have found that parents instinctively favor the oldest offspring.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Patients' Near Misses: Some Hospital's 'Do Not Resuscitate' Wristbands Look Like Lance Armstrong 'Livestrong' Bracelets
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071218122409.htm
There are currently no standards of color choice for hospitals using color-coded wristbands, and each hospital has a different set of colors for different indications. This lack of standardization creates the potential for errors. For example, some hospitals have used yellow to signify ?Do Not Resuscitate,? leading to several near-misses with patients wearing yellow Lance Armstrong ?Livestrong? bracelets.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Orangutan Plan To Curb Carbon Emissions
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071213204034.htm
Indonesia's new 10 year action plan for conserving orangutans will have important benefits in mitigating climate change. Deforestation, for timber, pulp and palm oil plantations, have pushed Indonesia into the status of being a major carbon emitter, while threatening globally significant wildlife populations.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Growth Factor Receptor Affects Prostate Cancer Progression
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071210121642.htm
Breeding mice with a gene for a cellular receptor that can be turned on and off-at will-not only enabled researchers to show how prostate cancer progresses, but also provides a model for studying when a drug targeting a gene will have an effect on the cancer.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Striking Shift Seen Among Newly HIV-infected Men Regarding Partners
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071205095357.htm
New data from six U.S. sites show a dramatic shift by men acutely infected with HIV to choose to have unprotected intercourse only with other HIV-infected partners.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Instrument To Make Detailed Measurements Of Sun Activity
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071206162124.htm
For five years, Stanford research physicist Phil Scherrer and his team have raised a sophisticated space telescope with the attention a parent gives to a child, preparing it for the day when it flies away on a satellite to study the weather on the sun?and maybe save an astronaut from dying of radiation sickness.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Violent Sex Acts Boost Insect's Immunity System
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071204104218.htm
The long-held idea that only vertebrates have sophisticated adaptive immune systems that can protect them for life against many pathogens after being infected by them just once has been revised in recent years. It turns out that many insects also have a form of immune memory that protects them against reinvasion by a pathogen they have previously encountered.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Lack Of Deep Sleep May Increase Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080101093903.htm
Suppression of slow-wave sleep in healthy young adults significantly decreases their ability to regulate blood-sugar levels and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. This study found that after only three nights of selective slow-wave sleep suppression, young healthy subjects became less sensitive to insulin.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Possible Alternative To Open Chest Surgery
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071212201338.htm
Tears in the aorta which affect thousands of people each year coast to coast, may soon be treated with a much less invasive technique that could dramatically improve patients' chances of survival. A national study is exploring a new minimally invasive method that could spare patients the trauma and risk of open chest surgery.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
World's Most Powerful MRI Ready To Scan Human Brain
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071204163237.htm
The world's most powerful medical magnetic resonance imaging machine, the 9.4 Tesla at the University of Illinois at Chicago, has successfully completed safety trials and may soon offer physicians a real-time view of biological processes in the human brain.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Kidney Donation After Cardiac Death May Expand Donor Pool, Research Shows
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071204165132.htm
New research at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center suggests that transplanting kidneys from donors who died after cardiac arrest -- which used to be considered taboo -- offers a promising approach to increase the donor pool.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
NIST Helps Beam Time To TV Viewers In The Middle East
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071212201219.htm
Millions of satellite television and radio users in North Africa and the Middle East can now see and hear the precise time of day, thanks to technical assistance and a custom-built time signal generator from NIST.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Few Emergency Rooms Fully Equipped For Pediatric Patients, Researchers Find
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071203173002.htm
In the first survey to specifically measure hospital pediatric preparedness, a team of Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute researchers found few US emergency rooms are properly equipped for children.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Men Unaware Of Their Cancer Risk When Female Relatives Test Positive For BRCA Mutation
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071214094042.htm
Men whose mothers, sisters or daughters test positive for a cancer-causing gene mutation also have an increased risk of developing the disease but are unaware of that risk. Like their female relatives, fathers, sons or brothers can also harbor a mutation in the BRCA 1 or 2 genes. Male carriers of these mutations, more commonly called the "breast cancer genes," face a 14 percent lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer as well as a 6 percent lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Southern Farmers Realize Profits From Highbush Blueberries
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071203094840.htm
Southern highbush blueberries are emerging as an important fruit crop in Georgia, but experienced farmers say the fruit can be a challenge to grow. To determine if the blueberries show true promise as a profitable crop, researchers at the University of Georgia recently studied the economics of these tiny berries.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Similar Outcomes For Patients With ACS Treated With Different Anticoagulant Regimens
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071204163243.htm
Patients with acute coronary syndromes such as unstable angina who were undergoing an invasive treatment and received one of three anticoagulant regimens did not have significant differences in the rates of ischemia or death after one year, according to a study in the Dec. 5 issue of JAMA.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Prescription For An Electronic Revolution?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071217092835.htm
Patients could be saved millions of trips to their GP under a new scheme that has the potential to revolutionize the system of prescribing medicines.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Making Emergency Artery Repair Safer
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071206110813.htm
Catheters outfitted with balloons, lasers, and miniature drills have made the treatment of blocked arteries virtually routine. These devices are used to clear plaque from many vessels including coronary, femoral, renal, and carotid arteries.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Report Finds Deforestation Offers Very Little Money Compared To Potential Financial Benefits
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071203121423.htm
Deforestation in tropical countries is often driven by the perverse economic reality that forests are worth more dead than alive. But a new study by an international consortium of researchers has found that the emerging market for carbon credits has the potential to radically alter that equation.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Gleevec, The Targeted Cancer Pill, Delivers More Good News To Patients
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071210094338.htm
Gleevec, the targeted cancer pill that has saved more than 100,000 lives, now is saving more children with a dire leukemia, as well as preventing disease progression with long term use in adults with chronic myeloid leukemia.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Telemedicine: Health Alert Via Satellite
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071130101055.htm
An earthquake has just shaken the Greek island. Damage is widespread and all conventional, terrestrial communications have been destroyed. The rescue operations have only one means at their disposal that has not been affected by the quake -- a satellite which, from its altitude of 36,000 kilometers, can immediately link the locations involved in the catastrophe with the appropriate authorities.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Childhood Sleep-disordered Breathing Disproportionately Affects Obese And African-Americans
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071201082255.htm
Sleep-disordered breathing, which can include various sleep behaviors ranging in severity from snoring to obstructive sleep apnea, disproportionately affects children who are overweight and African-American, according to a new study published in the December 2007 edition of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery. Obstructive sleep apnea can pose serious health threats, including hypertension and higher risk for cardiac disease.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
New Insights Into The Fate Of Antiparasitics In Manure And Manured Soils
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071204102453.htm
The so far available data set on fate and behavior of veterinary medicinal products in manure and manured soils has now significantly been enhanced by a team of researchers around Robert Kreuzig, Braunschweig University of Technology, Institute of Ecological Chemistry and Waste Analysis, Germany. The scientists investigated the fate and behavior of benzimidazole antiparasitics in manure and manured soils under laboratory as well as under field conditions.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Rising Food Prices Threaten World's Poor People
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071204091925.htm
Income growth, climate change, high energy prices, globalization and urbanization are all converging to transform food production, markets and consumption, according to a new report by the International Food Policy Research Institute. As a result, global food demand and prices are likely to rise, threatening the livelihoods and nutrition of poor people in developing countries. The report, "The World Food Situation: New Driving Forces and Required Actions," was released today at the annual general meeting of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Undiagnosed OSA Patients Have Altered Cardiovascular Responses During Exercise Recovery
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080101093842.htm
People with untreated obstructive sleep apnea have altered cardiovascular responses during recovery from maximal exercise. These results suggest an imbalance in the autonomic control of heart rate during recovery, and may be an early clinical sign of the progression of OSA.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Sticky Questions Tackled In Gecko Research
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071220133448.htm
Velcro, Superglue and Post-It Notes ... three things that started out as obscure inventions but are now indispensable for everyday life. So what will the next idea to stick with modern society look like? The answer may lie in the tiny toes of a humble lizard, according to a biologist who is trying to figure out how geckos can cling to virtually any surface, including glass.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Protein's New Role Discovered In Autoimmune Disease
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102134118.htm
A chemical messenger has been shown to have a previously unknown major role in autoimmune diseases like arthritis and lupus. Investigators found interleukin 17 plays a major role on shaping B cells' ability to create more and more disease-causing antibodies, which may generate new ideas in the ongoing search for better drug targets.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Large Hadron Collider At CERN Expected To Go Live Summer Of 2008
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071214115007.htm
CERN is reporting progress towards the goal of starting physics research at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in summer 2008. The experimental collaborations running the LHC?s detectors, ALICE, ATLAS, CMS, LHCb, and TOTEM are poised to bring new and profound insights into the workings of our Universe.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Possible Genetic Predictor For Response To Lithium Augmentation In Depressed Patients
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071206105140.htm
As in most fields of medicine, psychiatry researchers are working to identify specific types of patients, through their individual genetic variations, that may better benefit from particular drugs or combinations of drugs than other patients.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Forest Service Launches Web-based Forest Threats Viewing Tool
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071218113501.htm
The Forest Service's Eastern Forest Environmental Threat Assessment Center recently launched its forest threats summary viewer, a tool that will provide images, threat distribution maps, additional forestry contact information, and brief descriptions about forest threats throughout the eastern US.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Gap In Health Rates Between Socioeconomic Classes Unchanged, Study Finds
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071205153146.htm
Over the past century, the United States has witnessed historic advances in public health and medicine that have contributed to improved health and a significant increase in life expectancy for all socioeconomic groups. But despite 100 years of historic advances, University of Minnesota sociologists have found that the health gap between classes has not changed.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Fresh Fossil Evidence Of Eye Forerunner Uncovered
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080101193317.htm
Ancient armored fish fossils from Australia present some of the first definite fossil evidence of a forerunner to the human eye. Researchers analyzed the fossilized remains of 400-million-year-old Devonian placoderms -- jawed ancestors of modern fish whose bodies were protected by thick bony armor. Palaeobiologists discovered that unlike all living vertebrate animals -- which includes everything from the jawless lamprey fish to humans -- placoderms had a different arrangement of muscles and nerves supporting the eyeball -- evidence of an "intermediate stage" between the evolution of jawless and jawed vertebrates.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
New Minimally Invasive Back Surgery Shows Promising Results, Physicians Report
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071218101233.htm
Each year, 40 to 60 percent of American adults suffer from chronic back pain. More than one million spine surgery procedures are performed annually, with medical costs to treat back pain approaching $24 billion per year. With age and injury, discs located between the vertebrae in the spine might eventually wear-down?a process termed degenerative disc disease. Due to the lack of padding, vertebrae bones slip and rub together. This leads to excruciating and disabling pain, and may cause sciatica (leg pain) due to pressure on the sciatic nerve?resulting in cramping, pain and numbness along the lower back and back of the thigh.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Cancer Cell Line Developed That Is Resistant To New Cancer Therapy
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071211233452.htm
A cancer cell line that is resistant to one of the newest classes of cancer treatments has been developed by researchers who already are using it to determine what else to give patients when this happens. They found the HDAC inhibitor-resistant cell line resistant to many therapies, including more standard treatment such as chemotherapy, but highly sensitive to heat shock protein 90, or hsp90, inhibitors, another emerging cancer treatment.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
New Drug Candidate Knocks Out Resistant Form Of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071210163311.htm
Researchers have found a new, experimental drug candidate it to be effective against a highly resistant mutation in chronic myeloid leukemia. Gleevec continues to be remarkably successful in the vast majority of patients. However, for those patients who develop resistance, incorporating a targeted T315I inhibitor such as SGX393 into the suite of available CML drugs in the clinic is urgently needed. This is not equivalent to cure, but it could potentially represent an important advance in disease management with CML inhibitor therapy.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Software: Serious Games In Virtual Worlds
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071221225420.htm
Serious games are designed not to entertain, but to teach. Students learn by doing, and games range from simulating medical procedures to promoting peace in Palestine. Now researchers are developing a platform to make the concept more accessible to businessmen. You cannot replace experience, but maybe you can acquire it faster. Action learning, learning by doing, is the most effective form of training a company can deploy. Instead of remembering facts or processes, students perform real tasks, employing both the knowledge and the method as they do. It is the difference between reading the manual and building the machine. It is experience over information.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Patients Wonder: 'Could This Be Something Serious?' Doctors Who Express Empathy Get Highest Patient Ratings
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071204105543.htm
Nearly 4,800 patient surveys and 100 covertly recorded visits by actors posing as patients revealed that empathy is lacking in many exam rooms around the Rochester, N.Y., area -- however, doctors who do convey empathy are viewed as more trustworthy.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Anti-Alzheimer's Mechanism In Omega-3 Fatty Acids Found
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071226003611.htm
It's good news that we are living longer, but bad news that the longer we live, the better our odds of developing late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Researchers now report that omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid, found in fish oil, increases the production of LR11, a protein that is found at reduced levels in Alzheimer's patients and which is known to destroy the the "plaques" associated with the disease.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Gene Variation May Elevate Risk Of Liver Tumor In Patients With Cirrhosis
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080101184640.htm
A particular gene variation appears to significantly increase the risk that individuals with cirrhosis of the liver will go on to develop hepatocellular carcinoma, a liver tumor that is the third leading cause of cancer death. Researchers have found that a single alteration in the epidermal growth factor gene may greatly increase the risk that cirrhotic patients will develop the tumor. The growth factor pathway may be target for preventive treatment.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Giraffes And Frogs Provide More Evidence Of New Species Hidden In Plain Sight
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071221094911.htm
Two articles provide further evidence that we have hugely underestimated the number of species with which we share our planet. Today sophisticated genetic techniques mean that superficially identical animals previously classed as members of a single species, including the frogs and giraffes in these studies, could in fact come from several distinct 'cryptic' species.
Wed, 2 Jan 08
Testosterone Supplementation For Older Men Appears To Have Limited Benefit
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080101184625.htm
Older men with low testosterone levels who received testosterone supplementation increased lean body mass and decreased body fat, but were no stronger and had no improvement in mobility or cognition compared with men who did not use the supplement.
Tue, 1 Jan 08
Cosmic Bird? Triple Cosmic Collision Of Galaxies Stuns Astronomers
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071220195632.htm
Using ESO's Very Large Telescope, astronomers have discovered and imaged a stunning rare case of a triple merger of galaxies. This system, which astronomers have dubbed "The Bird" -- albeit it also bears resemblance with a cosmic Tinker Bell -- is composed of two massive spiral galaxies and a third irregular galaxy.
Tue, 1 Jan 08
Robots Taking Over The Job On Offshore Oil Drilling Platforms
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071221230852.htm
Researchers are developing robots to operate offshore oil platforms. A lot of things have to be thought out carefully when human actions are replaced by robot movements. Sensors are one aspect of this. Another is the matter of operations that involve contact, such as when a robot has to pick up something from the floor. Contact operations are a particular challenge, because the robot is very strong and it can easily destroy the equipment with which it comes into contact, unless we keep its strength fully under control. The robot is similar to a computer, in that it does exactly what it is told. Unlike a human being, it will not stop moving by itself or move aside if it collides with something else.
Tue, 1 Jan 08
Treatment For Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Successful In Animal Model
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071221130012.htm
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which deteriorates the alveolar tissue, does not currently have an effective treatment. Fibrosis prevents correct gas exchange in lungs, worsening quickly the quality of life of patients and eventually leading them to death in few years. Innovative pneumocytes transplantation has reverted the disease for the first time in rats.
Tue, 1 Jan 08
The Library Of Congress In Your Wrist Watch?
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071221094833.htm
Every advance in memory storage devices presents a new marvel of just how much memory can be squeezed into small spaces. Considering the potential of nanolasers under development, things are about to get a lot smaller. Scientists are exploring lasers so tiny that they point to a future where a 10-terabit hard drive is only one-inch square. That is 50 times the data density of today?s magnetic storage technology, a technology that has nearly reached its limit for continued miniaturization.
Tue, 1 Jan 08
Fight Against Hay Fever And Other Allergies Helped By New Immune System Discovery
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071226225516.htm
A mechanism which can lead to hay fever and other allergic reactions, by preventing the immune system from regulating itself properly, has been discovered by scientists. This finding will allow therapies to be developed that treat allergies by stopping this mechanism.
Tue, 1 Jan 08
Potential Drug Target For Treatment-resistant Prostate Cancer Discovered
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071231091452.htm
Scientists have found that a signaling protein that is key to prostate cancer cell growth is turned on in nearly all recurrent prostate cancers that are resistant to hormone therapy. If the findings hold up, the protein, called Stat5, may be a specific drug target against an extremely difficult-to-treat cancer.
Tue, 1 Jan 08
Treating Oft Ignored Non-cancer Health Issues After Cancer Diagnosis Prolongs Survival
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071227183813.htm
Receiving treatment for non-cancer health issues while being treated by specialists for cancer improves cancer survival rates according to a new study. Lack of primary care utilization in the first six months following lung cancer diagnosis had a marked effect on survival even when controlling for extent of the disease.
Tue, 1 Jan 08
New Research Tools Are Too Complex For Easy Answers, Researchers Say
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071227183744.htm
Scientists who study cancer may be prone to drawing simplistic conclusions from the powerful molecular tools now available because they don't appreciate how complex the data is that is being generated.
Tue, 1 Jan 08
Poor Americans Suffer Hidden Burden Of Parasitic And Other Neglected Diseases
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071226003648.htm
In an article titled "Poverty and Neglected Diseases in the 'Other' America," Professor Peter Hotez (George Washington University and the Sabin Vaccine Institute) says that there is evidence that the parasitic diseases toxocariasis, cysticercosis and toxoplasmosis as well as other neglected infections are very common in the United States, especially among poor and underrepresented minority populations living in inner cities and poor rural areas.
Tue, 1 Jan 08
Restless Legs Syndrome Doubles Risk Of Stroke And Heart Disease, Study Shows
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071231164206.htm
People with restless legs syndrome are twice as likely to have a stroke or heart disease compared to people without RLS, and the risk is greatest in those with the most frequent and severe symptoms, according to new research.
Tue, 1 Jan 08
Two Genes Are Important Key To Regulating Immune Response
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071228215533.htm
Scientists have identified two genes that may be crucial to the production of an immune system cytokine. The discovery fills in an important "missing link" in a biochemical pathway that's long been tied to disorders ranging from lupus and Type 1 diabetes, to cancer and AIDS.
Tue, 1 Jan 08
Cone-Beam CT Faster, Potentially More Accurate Than Conventional Mammography
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071227183802.htm
Cone-beam breast CT provides exceptional tissue contrast and can potentially reduce examination time with comparable radiation dose to conventional 2D mammography, according to a new study. Cone-beam breast CT employs a large area x-ray beam in conjunction with a flat panel x-ray detector to scan and generate 3D images of the breast.
Tue, 1 Jan 08
Health Coverage Improves Health And Reduces Major Heart Complications
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071226003628.htm
A 12-year study of over 7,000 Americans shows that individuals without health insurance experience a dramatic improvement in their subsequent health trends when they become eligible for Medicare at age 65. In an era when health-care coverage is a very prominent issue on the political landscape, this study provides the most rigorous assessment to date of the impact of insurance on health.