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Thu, 31 Jul 08
New Yeast Trick For Eating Favorite Food
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115606/080730140730.htm
Bioengineers have identified a previously unknown mechanism that allows yeast to shut down the metabolism of another sugar, galactose, when they sense glucose in the environment.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Mechanism For Postpartum Depression Found In Mice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115609/080730140613.htm
Researchers have pinpointed a mechanism in the brains of mice that could explain why some human mothers become depressed following childbirth. The discovery could lead to improved treatment for postpartum depression. After giving birth, female mice bred to be deficient in a suspect protein showed depression-like behaviors and neglected their newborn pups. Giving a drug that restored the protein's function improved maternal behavior and reduced pup mortality.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Isthmus Of Panama Formed As Result Of Plate Tectonics, Study Finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115610/080729234142.htm
Contrary to previous evidence, a new University of Florida study shows the Isthmus of Panama was most likely formed by a Central American Peninsula colliding slowly with the South American continent through tectonic plate movement over millions of years.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Cholesterol-lowering Drug Boosts Bone Repair
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115611/080730222209.htm
Lovastatin, a drug used to lower cholesterol and help prevent cardiovascular disease, has been shown to improve bone healing in an animal model of neurofibromatosis type 1. The research, reported today in the open access journal BMC Medicine, will be of great interest to NF1 patients and their physicians.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Nanojewels Made Easy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115613/080730155342.htm
Researchers have developed a method that mimics nature's way of producing dazzling colors at the nanoscale level. Their work demonstrates how such a method can be used to produce new materials, and how different nanoparticles of various sizes can produce "nanojewels" that display different optical properties. The discovery opens potential for applications in photonics, drug delivery, special coatings, sensors and microfluidics.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Psychological Downside To Strike Action
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115614/080730140732.htm
While industrial action is largely perceived as a legitimate means of encouraging organizational change in Australia, research has shown industrial action can adversely affect those involved.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
First Indication For Embalming In Roman Greece
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115616/080730155631.htm
Researchers have found indications of embalming in Roman Greek times. By means of physico-chemical and histological methods, it was possible to show that various resins, oils and spices were used during embalming of a ca. 55 year old female in Northern Greece. This is the first ever multidisciplinary-based indication for artificial mummification in Greece at 300 AD.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Fat Around The Heart May Increase Risk Of Heart Attacks
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115617/080730140611.htm
When it comes to risk for a heart attack, having excess fat around the heart may be worse than having a high body mass index or a thick waist, according to researchers from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and colleagues reporting in the August issue of the journal Obesity.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Scientists Determine Strength Of 'Liquid Smoke'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115618/080729234306.htm
Researchers have created a 3-D image of a material referred to as "liquid smoke." Aerogel, also known as liquid smoke or "San Francisco fog," is an open-cell polymer with pores smaller than 50 nanometers in diameter. For the first time, Lawrence Livermore and Lawrence Berkeley scientists have peered into this material and created three-dimensional images to determine its strength and potential new applications.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Drinking In Excess Associated With Increased Risk For Metabolic Syndrome
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115619/080730140724.htm
Those who drink in excess of the US Dietary Guidelines (i.e., men who usually drink more than two drinks per day or women who usually drink more than one drink per day) or those who binge drink are at increased risk for the metabolic syndrome, according to a new study accepted for publication in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Summer Heat Too Hot For You? What Is Comfortable?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115620/080729234304.htm
Extreme heat or cold is not only uncomfortable, it can be deadly-causing proteins to unravel and malfunction. For many years now, scientists have understood the molecular mechanisms that enable animals to sense dangerous temperatures; such as extremely high temperatures that directly trigger heat sensor proteins known as TRP channels. However, much more poorly understood is how animals sense very small temperature differences in the comfortable range, and choose their favorite temperature. Johns Hopkins researchers now have discovered that the fruit fly uses TRPA1 to sense single degree changes in the comfortable range.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
The Power Of Peter Piper: How Alliteration Enhances Poetry, Prose, And Memory
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115621/080730140837.htm
From nursery rhymes to Shakespearian sonnets, alliterations have always been an important aspect of poetry whether as an interesting aesthetic touch or just as something fun to read. But a new study suggests that this literary technique is useful not only for poetry but also for memory.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Life In A Bubble: Mathematicians Explain How Insects Breathe Underwater
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115622/080730155354.htm
Hundreds of insect species spend much of their time underwater, where food may be more plentiful. MIT mathematicians have now figured out exactly how those insects breathe underwater.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Mucous Breakthrough In Mice Holds Promise For Cystic Fibrosis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115623/080729160829.htm
A Canadian scientist studying cystic fibrosis has successfully corrected the defect which causes the overproduction of intestinal mucous in mice. The discovery has clear implications to understanding and treating this facet of the disease in humans. CF is a fatal, genetic disease characterized by an overproduction of mucous in the lungs and digestive system.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Digestive Specialists Freeze Out Esophagus Cancer With New Therapy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349421973/080729074928.htm
Gastroenterologists are using a new method to freeze damaged cells in the esophagus, preventing them from turning cancerous.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
How Antidepressants And Cocaine Interact With Brain Cell Targets
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115624/080729133515.htm
Scientists have now described the specifics of how brain cells process antidepressant drugs, cocaine and amphetamines. These novel findings could prove useful in the development of more targeted medication therapies for a host of psychiatric diseases, most notably in the area of addiction.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Astronomers Describe The Bar Scene At The Beginning Of The Universe
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349670073/080729133527.htm
Bars abound in spiral galaxies today, but this was not always the case. Astronomers have found that bars tripled in number over the past seven billion years, indicating that spiral galaxies evolve in shape.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Obesity Predisposition Traced To The Brain's Reward System
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115625/080729133513.htm
New research links overeating and obesity with the brain system implicated in pleasure and addictive behaviors strengthening the argument that obesity could be approached as an addictive disorder. This is the first study to demonstrate that obesity predisposition is associated with impairments in all mid-brain dopamine systems that are in place early in postnatal life.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
New Technique Reveals Van Gogh Portrait Of A Women Behind Another Painting
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115626/080730155627.htm
A new technique allows pictures which were later painted over to be revealed once more. A new technique allows pictures which were later painted over to be revealed once more. Researchers have successfully applied this technique for the first time to the painting entitled Patch of Grass by Vincent van Gogh. Behind this painting is a portrait of a woman.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Alzheimer's Disease Patients Show Improvement In Trial Of New Drug
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115627/080729141125.htm
A new drug has been shown to improve the brain function of people with early stage Alzheimer's disease and reduce a key protein associated with the disease in the spinal fluid, in a small study published in the journal Lancet Neurology.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Solar Eclipse On The Morning Of August 1st
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115628/080724143903.htm
On 1st August 2008 there will be a total eclipse of the Sun, visible from Canada, northern Greenland, Svalbard, the Barents Sea, Russia, Mongolia and China. From the whole of the British Isles observers will see a partial solar eclipse, with between 1/10th and 1/3rd of the Sun obscured by the Moon.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
How Molecules Out Of Balance Lead To Human Multiple Myeloma And Other Cancers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115629/080729133616.htm
An international team of scientists has identified processes that are heavily implicated in human multiple myeloma and other B cell cancers, moving us closer to developing quick tests and readouts that could help in the tailored treatment of patients.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Nanoparticles + Light = Dead Tumor Cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115630/080729133423.htm
Medical physicists at the University of Virginia have created a novel way to kill tumor cells using nanoparticles and light. The technique, devised by Wensha Yang, an instructor in radiation oncology at the University of Virginia, and colleagues Ke Sheng, Paul W. Read, James M. Larner, and Brian P. Helmke, employs quantum dots. Quantum dots are semiconductor nanostructures, 25 billionths of a meter in diameter, which can confine electrons in three dimensions and emit light when exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Bee's Future As Queen Or Worker May Rest With Parasitic Fly
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115631/080728192934.htm
Strange things are happening in the lowland tropical forests of Panama and Costa Rica. A tiny parasitic fly is affecting the social behavior of a nocturnal bee, helping to determine which individuals become queens and which become workers.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Vaccine To Protect Against Black Plague Bioterror Attack Being Developed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115632/080730140829.htm
New research may have found a defense against the black plague, a disease that wiped out a third of Europe's population in the Middle Ages and which government agencies perceive as a terrorist threat today.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Frankincense Provides Relief To Arthritis Sufferers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115633/080729234300.htm
An enriched extract of the 'Indian frankincense' herb Boswellia serrata has been proven to reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Research published today in BioMed Central's open access journal Arthritis Research & Therapy has shown that patients taking the herbal remedy showed significant improvement in as little as seven days.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Endangered European Wild Cat May Protected By Proposed Network Of Corridors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349387393/080729075119.htm
Researchers have developed a model which identifies potential habitats and corridors for the European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris). Using Rheinland-Pfalz as an example, it was demonstrated that almost half of this German federal state could be suitable for wildcats, enabling a maximum population of 1600 females. The model can also be adapted for other regions and could therefore prove to be of significant value in protecting this highly endangered species.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Proton Channels Inhibit Release Of Histamine During Allergic Reactions, Novel Study Finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115634/080729133611.htm
Inhibiting the proton currents in basophils, a rare type of white blood cell, can stop the release of histamine and could provide a new target for allergy and asthma drugs according to a new study by researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and the Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center in Baltimore.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Say Goodbye To Virtual Bureaucracy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115635/080729075113.htm
When consumers make purchases on the Internet, they must systematically fill in forms asking for their name and address. Now researchers are developing a system that would memorize all that information and make it mobile so it could be accessed at any computer.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Right Place + Right Time Can Trigger Drinking
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349387396/080729075111.htm
Strong cravings for alcohol can be sparked by the mere sight, smell and taste of a person's favorite drink. Responses to such cues that are associated with the positive effects of drinking are a lead cause of relapse in abstinent alcoholics. Using a behavioral animal model, researchers of a new study have found that the physical surroundings where alcohol cues are experienced can greatly influence the ability of those cues to trigger relapse.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
What Do Squid Hear? Scientists Learn How Sensitive The Translucent Animals Are To Noise
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351149316/080728221125.htm
The ocean is a noisy place. Although we don't hear much when we stick our heads underwater, the right instruments can reveal a symphony of sound. The noisemakers range from the low-frequency bass tones of a fish mating ritual to the roar of a motorboat. The study of how underwater animals hear is a growing topic in marine science, especially with regards to naval sonar and whales.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Findings On Bladder-brain Link May Point To Better Treatments For Problems In Sleep, Attention
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349670072/080729133529.htm
Bladder problems may leave a mark on the brain, by changing patterns of brain activity, possibly contributing to disrupted sleep and problems with attention. For one in six Americans who have overactive bladder, the involuntary bladder contractions that often trigger more frequent urges to urinate, such mind-body connections may be of more than academic interest.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Ecological Status Of Spain's Mar Menor Lagoon Will Deteriorate As Waters Warm, Researchers Predict
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115637/080729075115.htm
Researchers from the University of Murcia have demonstrated the vulnerability of the Mar Menor coastal lagoon to climate change. As a result of an up to 5Â°C increase in water temperatures over the next few years, this pioneering study shows an increase in the regression rate of benthic primary producers, a deterioration in ecological status and the appearance of eutrophication processes in many coastal lagoons. Notable effects include the proliferation of jellyfish.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Long-lasting Effects Of The Seveso Disaster On Thyroid Function In Babies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115638/080728215326.htm
Three decades after an accident at a chemical factory in Seveso, Italy in 1976, which resulted in exposure of a residential population to the most dangerous type of dioxin, newborn babies born to mothers living in the contaminated area at the time of the accident are over six times more likely to have altered thyroid function than those born to mothers in a non-contaminated area.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Fish With Temperature-dependent Sex Determination: How Common Are They?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115639/080729234256.htm
In vertebrates with separate sexes, sex determination can be genotypic or temperature-dependent (TSD). TSD is very common in reptiles, where the ambient temperature during sensitive periods of early development irreversibly determines whether an individual will be male or female. But just how common is this phenomenon in fish?

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Minorities Less Likely To Know About Breast Cancer Treatment Options
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/351115640/080730140831.htm
Nearly half of women treated for breast cancer did not know that their odds of being alive after five years are roughly the same whether they undergo mastectomy or breast conserving surgery. Minority women were even less likely to be aware of this important factor of their treatment decision, according to a study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
European Birds Flock To Warming Britain, While Some Northern Species Not Faring As Well
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350815373/080729234302.htm
Rare southern species of birds are on the increase in the British Isles as a result of climatic change, researchers report.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Cell's 'Quality Control' Mechanism Discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349670074/080729133525.htm
Researchers have discovered a key component of the quality control mechanism that operates inside human cells -- sometimes too well. The breakthrough has significant implications for the development of new treatments for cystic fibrosis and some other hereditary diseases, the researchers say.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
New Materials For Microwave Cookware That Heats Faster With Less Energy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350815375/080728220041.htm
You may soon be enjoying microwave popcorn and other 'nuked' foods and beverages faster than ever before, while saving on electricity. Researchers in Pennsylvania and Japan report development of new ceramic materials that heat up faster and retain heat longer than conventional microwave cookware while using less energy.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Testosterone Predominance Increases Prevalence Of Metabolic Syndrome During Menopause
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350815377/080729133609.htm
As testosterone progressively dominates the hormonal milieu during the menopausal transition, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome increases according to a new study by researchers at Rush University Medical Center. The study suggests this may be a pathway by which cardiovascular disease increases during menopause.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Putting A Virtual Doctor In The Ambulance
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350815378/080729141127.htm
A new ambulance communications system will enable doctors to diagnose and begin treating critically ill patients before they reach hospital.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Mapping Out Future Of Intelligent Robots
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349421969/080729075109.htm
The field of robotics could be poised for a breakthrough, leading to a new generation of intelligent machines capable of taking on multiple tasks and moving out of the factory into the home and general workplace. The great success of robots so far has been in automating repetitive tasks in process control and assembly, yielding dramatic cuts in production, but the next step towards cognition and more human-like behaviour has proved elusive. It has been difficult to make robots that can truly learn and adapt to unexpected situations in the way humans can, while it has been equally challenging trying to develop a machine capable of moving smoothly like any animal. There is still no robot capable of walking properly without jerky slightly unbalanced movements.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
New Class Of Glassy Material Discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350815379/080728193229.htm
Scientists are dealing with an entirely new type of frustration, but it's not stressing them out. Dynamic frustration has been found to be the cause of glassy behavior in materials that previously had none of the features of a normal glass.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Healthy Children Of Alzheimer Patients Show Early Brain Changes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350815380/080729074924.htm
Children of Alzheimer's patients who are carriers of a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease have neurological changes that are detectable long before clinical symptoms may appear.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Lightweight Urban Transit Bus Has Double The Fuel Efficiency Of Conventional Hybrid Buses
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350815381/080728192944.htm
Insight from ORNL, commitment from two Michigan companies and funding from DOE have led to the commercialization of a lightweight urban transit bus with double the fuel efficiency of conventional hybrid buses. This new green technology 40-foot bus features a high-strength stainless steel body and chassis and a hybrid power system that drives the bus primarily with stored electrical energy.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Fertility: Newly Discovered Proteins In Seminal Fluid Transferred During Mating May Affect Odds Of Producing Offspring
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350815382/080728215338.htm
More than 80 new proteins, thought to play a role in reproductive success, have been discovered in the seminal fluid of fruit flies.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Intelligent Vehicles Systems To Be Tested Across Europe
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350815383/080729141129.htm
Road safety, energy efficiency, and traffic congestion are the main challenges currently faced by the European transport system. The use of new in-vehicle technologies has the potential to contribute to safer, cleaner and more efficient transport solutions throughout Europe.

Thu, 31 Jul 08
Scientists Race To Stay One Step Ahead Of The Drug-taking And Genetic Manipulation That Threatens Sport
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349421971/080729075107.htm
The race to ensure that scientists stop drug-taking athletes from damaging sport by using performance enhancing drugs or undergoing genetic manipulation is a constant challenge, according to a major four-decade review by three of the Worldâ€™s leading experts on doping in sport.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Diamonds May Have Been Life's Best Friend On Primordial Earth
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156060/080728220324.htm
Diamonds may have been life's best friend. Billions of years ago, the surface of these gems may have provided just the right conditions to foster the chemical reactions believed to have given rise to life on Earth, researchers in Germany report.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
New Therapy For HIV Treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156061/080729133622.htm
Millions of people world-wide who have contracted a highly resistant strain of the HIV virus could benefit from a new drug to treat the infection.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
The Buzz Of The Chase: Scientists Test Technique Used To Catch Serial Killers ... On Bumblebees
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156064/080729234148.htm
Geographic profiling is a technique used by police forces around the world to help them prioritize lists of suspects in investigations of serial crimes. Now researchers, along with the former detective who invented the technique, have used this criminology technique to look at patterns of foraging in bees.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Cerebral Malaria May Be A Major Cause Of Brain Injury In African Children
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156067/080729133519.htm
Researchers have found that cerebral malaria is related to long-term cognitive impairment in one of four child survivors. The research is published in the journal Pediatrics.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Symbiotic Microbes Induce Profound Genetic Changes In Their Hosts
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156070/080728192701.htm
Though bacteria are everywhere -- from the air we breathe and the food we eat to our guts and skin -- the vast majority are innocuous or even beneficial, and only a handful pose any threat to us. What distinguishes a welcome microbial guest from an unwanted intruder?

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Women End Up Less Happy Than Men
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349670070/080729133605.htm
Less able to achieve their life goals, women end up unhappier than men later in life -- even though they start out happier, reveals new research.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Did Dinosaur Soft Tissues Still Survive? New Research Challenges Notion
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156071/080729234140.htm
Paleontologists in 2005 hailed research apparently showing that soft tissues had been recovered from dissolved dinosaur bones, but new research suggests the supposed recovered tissue is really just biofilm -- or slime.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Protein Plays Jekyll And Hyde Role In Lou Gehrig's Disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156073/080728215336.htm
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by the death of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord that control muscle movements from walking and swallowing to breathing. Scientists now report key findings about the cause and occurrence of the familial form of ALS.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Could Metals Help Treat Cancer?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156074/080727225418.htm
A collaboration between chemists and biologists has made it possible to identify the effects of a new class of molecules, polyoxometalates, primarily composed of metals and oxygen. These molecules are very powerful inhibitors of a specific protein kinase, CK2, an enzyme that is overactive in a number of cancers. The enzyme's instrumental role in controlling cell proliferation and survival makes it an important target in the search for new medications.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Thyrotropin Levels Associated With Alzheimer's Disease Risk In Women
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156075/080728192807.htm
Women with low or high levels of the hormone thyrotropin, which affects thyroid gland function and thyroid hormone levels, appear to have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a report in the July 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Being A Control Freak Aids Dividing Cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156076/080728192655.htm
A dividing cell tags more than 14,000 different sites on its proteins with phosphate, a molecule that typically serves as a signal for a variety of biological processes. This preponderance of signals -- more than twice the number identified by past studies -- suggests that the cell may become a control freak during the division process, regulating each of its parts, no matter how obscure. Understanding how cell division works is essential for understanding a host of diseases and conditions, from cancer to pediatric heart defects.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
'Chicken And Chips' Theory Of Pacific Migration
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156077/080729133618.htm
A new study of DNA from ancient and modern chickens has shed light on the controversy about the extent of prehistoric Polynesian contact with the Americas.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
New Disease-fighting Nanoparticles Look Like Miniature Pastries
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156078/080729234308.htm
Ultra-miniature bialy-shaped particles -- called nanobialys because they resemble tiny versions of the flat, onion-topped rolls popular in New York City -- could soon be carrying medicinal compounds through patients' bloodstreams to tumors or atherosclerotic plaques. The nanobialys answered a need for an alternative to the research group's gadolinium-containing nanoparticles. Recent studies have shown that gadolinium can be harmful to some patients with severe kidney disease.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Statins May Protect Against Memory Loss
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156079/080728192657.htm
People at high risk for dementia who took cholesterol-lowering statins are half as likely to develop dementia as those who do not take statins, a new study shows.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Compound That Helps Rice Grow Reduces Nerve, Vascular Damage From Diabetes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156080/080728192817.htm
Researchers have found that a compound that helps rice seed grow, springs back into action when brown rice is placed in water overnight before cooking, significantly reducing the nerve and vascular damage that often result from diabetes.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Scientists Announce Mouse Sperm Cryopreservation Breakthrough
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156081/080729234146.htm
Scientists have figured out a simple, cost-effective process to freeze mouse sperm and get it to achieve high fertilization rates with mouse eggs. The breakthrough will greatly reduce the cost of developing and distributing new mouse models of human disease.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Bacteria Reveal Secret Of Adaptation At Evolution Canyon
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/347979316/080727224059.htm
Bacteria living on opposite sides of a canyon have evolved to cope with different temperatures by altering the make-up of their 'skin,' or cell membranes. Scientists have found that bacteria change these complex and important structures to adapt to different temperatures by looking at the appearance of the bacteria as well as their genes. The researchers hope their study, published in the August issue of Microbiology, will start a new trend in research.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Preterm Birth Contributes To Growing Number Of Infant Deaths: More Than 28,000 Infants Died In 2005
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156082/080729160827.htm
Babies born too soon and too small accounted for a growing proportion of infant deaths, 36.5 percent of infant deaths in 2005, up from 34.6 percent in 2000. The nation's infant mortality rate inched up slightly in 2005 to 6.9, from 6.8 percent in 2004, although the change is not statistically significant.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Searching For Shut Eye: Possible 'Sleep Gene' Identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156083/080729160819.htm
While scientists and physicians know what happens if you don't get six to eight hours of shut-eye a night, investigators have long been puzzled about what controls the actual need for sleep. Researchers might have an answer, at least in fruit flies. In a recent study of fruit flies, they identified a gene that controls sleep.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Modified Salmonella Slows Tumor Growth
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156084/080729235519.htm
Attenuated Salmonella bacteria engineered to express the Fas ligand (FasL) accumulate in tumors and reduce their growth.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Defining DNA Differences To Track And Tackle Typhoid
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156085/080727224103.htm
For the first time, next-generation DNA sequencing technologies have been turned on typhoid fever -- a disease that kills 600,000 people each year. The study sets a new standard for analyzing the evolution and spread of a disease-causing bacterium: it is the first study of multiple samples of any bacterial pathogen at this level of detail. The results will help to improve diagnosis, tracking the disease and could help to design new strategies for vaccination.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Study Links Soft Drinks And Fruit Drinks With Risk For Diabetes In African-American Women
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156086/080728192811.htm
Researchers from Boston University's Slone Epidemiology Center have found that regular consumption of sugar-sweetened soft drinks and fruit drinks is associated with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes in African-American women. These findings appear in the July 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Soil's Carbon Storage Capacity Investigated
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156087/080728192948.htm
Three new studies explore the potential roles of soils as a carbon sink in different regions in the Western Hemisphere. Scientists have investigated soil carbon balance in distinct agroecosystems under different management practices including soil tillage, nitrogen fertilization, elimination of fallow and establishment of grass.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
China's Export Trade Impacts Climate
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156088/080729142524.htm
Researchers argue that China's new title as the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter is at least partly due to consumption of Chinese good in the West.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Lost An Appendage? Grow Another
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156089/080728221236.htm
Cut off one finger from a salamander and one will grow back. Cut off two and two will grow back. It sounds logical, but how the salamander always regenerates the right number of fingers is still a biological mystery.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
New Treatment For Advanced Prostate Cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156090/080729133620.htm
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a novel approach to treating advanced prostate cancer that could be more effective with fewer side effects.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
New Species Of Predatory Bagworm From Panama's Tropical Forest
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156091/080729133614.htm
University of Panama and Smithsonian researchers report the discovery of a new bagworm moth species, in the Annals of the Entomology Society of America. Unlike nearly all other bagworms, Perisceptis carnivora have predatory larvae. Strangest of all, according to Annette Aiello, staff scientist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, the adult moths wrap their eggs individually in beautiful cases fashioned from golden abdominal hairs called setae, a behavior unique among insects.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Accelerated Bone Turnover Remains After Weight Loss
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156092/080728193227.htm
When a person is losing a significant amount of weight, they expect to notice changes in their body. However, they may overlook changes happening in their bones. In a new study, a University of Missouri researcher and collaborators at the University of Kansas found that the potentially harmful effects of weight loss on bone persist during weight maintenance following moderate weight loss.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Local Officials in U.S. Move Toward Monitoring Nanotechnologies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156093/080728193233.htm
State and local officials have taken steps to begin monitoring the manufacture and storage of nanomaterials, a major step for a cutting-edge technology that has yet to be regulated by the federal government.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Gaining Advantages From Childhood Experience
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/350156094/080729234254.htm
It often seems that certain aspects of our personalities are influenced by events that occurred in our childhoods. A recent study examined how early life experience influences social skills and ability to handle stressful situations using a rat model.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
New Biomarker For Early Cancer Detection? Research Reveals That 'MicroRNA' May Fit The Bill
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349720876/080728192651.htm
Scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have discovered that microRNAs -- molecular workhorses that regulate gene expression -- are released by cancer cells and circulate in the blood, which gives them the potential to become a new class of biomarkers to detect cancer at its earliest stages.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Climate Change: Secret Life Cycles Of Atmospheric Aerosols Can Be Illuminated With New Technology
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345687772/080725094041.htm
For scientists looking at climate change, a large area of uncertainty has to do with the effects of airborne particles -- such as carbon-laden soot -- but new technology is now helping researchers unveil secrets about the life cycles of atmospheric aerosols.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Women With Gestational Diabetes At Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349720878/080728192649.htm
Women with gestational diabetes are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, with almost 20 percent of women developing the condition within 9 years of pregnancy, found a large, population-based study of 659,000 women published in CMAJ.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Researchers Demonstrate A Flexible, One-step Assembly Of Nanoscale Structures
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345849212/080725122631.htm
Scientists have created a one-step, repeatable method for the production of functional nanoscale patterns or motifs with adjustable features, size and shape using a single master "plate."

Wed, 30 Jul 08
This Old Healthy House: Obesity Linked To Newer, Less Walkable Neighborhoods
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349720881/080729074922.htm
The age of your neighborhood may influence your risk of obesity, according to a new study. Residents were at less risk of being obese or overweight if they lived in older, walkable neighborhoods -- those that are more densely populated, designed to be pedestrian friendly and have a range of destinations.

Wed, 30 Jul 08
Electrical Activity On Saturn's Moon Titan Confirmed By Spanish Scientists
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349720882/080729075117.htm
Physicists from the University of Granada and University of Valencia have developed a procedure for analysing specific data sent by the Huygens probe from Titan, the largest of Saturn's moons, "unequivocally" proving that there is natural electrical activity in its atmosphere. The scientific community believe that the probability of organic molecules, precursors of life, being formed is higher on planets or moons which have an atmosphere with electrical storms.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Insect Biodiversity In Amazon May Be Result Of Ice Age Climate Change And Ancient Flooding, Not River Barriers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083014/080722225339.htm
Ice age climate change and ancient flooding -- but not barriers created by rivers -- may have promoted the evolution of new insect species in the Amazon region of South America, a new study suggests. The Amazon basin is home to the richest diversity of life on earth, yet the reasons why this came to be are not well understood.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Gallbladder Removed Through Uterus Without External Incisions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083016/080728192819.htm
In April of last year, surgeons at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center made headlines by removing a women's gallbladder through her uterus using a flexible endoscope, aided by several external incisions for added visibility. Now, they have performed the same procedure without a single external incision in what surgeons report may be the first surgery of its kind in the United States.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
How Secure Is Your Network? New Program Points Out Vulnerabilities, Calculates Risk Of Attack
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083017/080723144710.htm
To help IT managers safeguard valuable information most efficiently, computer scientists are applying security metrics to computer network pathways to assign a probable risk of attack, calculating the most vulnerable points of attack.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Robotic Surgery Provides Reduced Pain and Quicker Recovery for Kidney Cancer Patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083018/080728193237.htm
Clinical research is helping bring the advantages of robotic surgery, including reduced pain and quicker recovery, to kidney cancer patients.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
New Biomass Technology Dramatically Increases Ethanol Yield From Grasses And Yard Waste
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083020/080728192938.htm
University of Georgia researchers have developed a new technology that promises to dramatically increase the yield of ethanol from readily available nonfood crops, such as Bermudagrass, switchgrass, Napiergrass -- and even yard waste.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
South African Epidemic Of Schoolboy Sexual Abuse
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083021/080728192809.htm
By the age of 18 years, two in every five South African schoolboys report being forced to have sex, mostly by female perpetrators. A new study, reported in BioMed Central's open access journal International Journal for Equity in Health, reveals the shocking truth about endemic sexual abuse of male children that has been suspected but until now only poorly documented.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Unexpected Key To Flowering Plants' Diversity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083023/080728192946.htm
New research may help explain the amazing diversity in the world's flowering plants, a question that has puzzled scientists from the time of Darwin to today. The findings, published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, show that the ability of flowering plants -- known as angiosperms -- to quickly and efficiently move sperm from pollen to egg through a part of the plant was the key to their evolutionary diversity.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Study Provides Clues To Preventing And Treating Cancer Spread
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083036/080728192642.htm
Researchers have demonstrated for the first time that normal cells, possibly fibrocytes, may travel to distant organs to create pre-metastic niches for the spread of cancer.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Organic Pest Control: Mustard -- Hot Stuff For Natural Pest Control
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345687771/080725094043.htm
Researchers, growers and Industry specialists from 22 countries are sharing the latest research into the use of Brassica species, such as mustard, radish, or rapeseed, to manage soil-borne pests and weeds -- a technique known as biofumigation.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Inheritance Of Hormonal Disorder Marked By Excessive Insulin In Daughters
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083039/080728114028.htm
Elevated levels of insulin could be an early sign that girls whose mothers suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome -- or PCOS -- may also be susceptible to the disease, according to gynecologists who have found evidence of insulin resistance in young children.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Snapshot Of Past Climate Reveals No Ice In Antarctica Millions Of Years Ago
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083040/080728111358.htm
A snapshot of New Zealandâ€™s climate 40 million years ago reveals a greenhouse Earth, with warmer seas and little or no ice in Antarctica, according to research published in the journal Geology.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Deaths From Combining Rx Drugs, Street Drugs And/Or Alcohol Skyrocket By More Than 3,000 Percent
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083043/080728192659.htm
Asking patients to monitor their own medications can be fatal, as exemplified by the recent death of actor Heath Ledger.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Golden Scales: Nanoscale Mass Sensor Can Be Used To Weigh Individual Atoms And Molecules
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083045/080728192940.htm
There's a new "gold standard" in the sensitivity of weighing scales. Using the same technology with which they created the world's first fully functional nanotube radio, Berkeley Lab researchers have fashioned a nanoelectromechanical system that can function as a scale sensitive enough to measure the weight of a single atom of gold. This NEMS scale could prove especially useful for measuring the mass of proteins and other molecules which don't fare well in mass spectrometry.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Exposure To Bad Air Raises Blood Pressure, Study Shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083047/080728114026.htm
The air people breathe while walking in the park, working in the garden or shopping downtown may be unhealthy enough to seriously spike their blood pressure, a new study suggests. Cardiovascular researchers now report a direct link between air pollution and its impact on high blood pressure, or hypertension. If the results from these animal studies hold up, this could be important for human health.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Uncertain Future For Elephants Of Thailand
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083049/080725234310.htm
Worries over the future of Thailand' s famous elephants have emerged following an investigation by a University of Manchester team.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Erectile Dysfunction Drugs Allowed More Chemotherapy To Reach Brain Tumors In Laboratory Study
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083052/080728113916.htm
In a study using laboratory animals, researchers found that medications commonly prescribed for erectile dysfunction opened a mechanism called the blood-brain tumor barrier and increased delivery of cancer-fighting drugs to malignant brain tumors.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Structure Of Hepatitis B Mapped By Spraying Virus
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083055/080728081627.htm
Using a newly developed method, Utrecht University researchers have mapped the structure and composition of the hepatitis B virus. The researchers were able to map the structure by spraying the virus. Their research brings us a step closer to understanding and combating hepatitis B infection. The method can also be used to analyse other viruses.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Study Examines Prevalence Of Hearing Loss In The US
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083056/080728192805.htm
Hearing loss may be more prevalent in American adults than previously reported, according to a study in the July 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Bioengineers Develop 'Microscope On A Chip'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083059/080728192813.htm
Researchers at the California Institute of Technology have turned science fiction into reality with their development of a super-compact high-resolution microscope, small enough to fit on a finger tip. This "microscopic microscope" operates without lenses but has the magnifying power of a top-quality optical microscope, can be used in the field to analyze blood samples for malaria or check water supplies for giardia and other pathogens, and can be mass-produced for around $10.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Researchers Tap Into A New And Potentially Better Source Of Platelets For Transfusion
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083062/080728113910.htm
Researchers may be one step closer to improving treatments for bleeding disorders. They have devised a way to maximize the numbers and function of clot-forming blood cells from mice.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Garden Microbe Foils E. Coli O157:H7 In Laboratory Tests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083064/080724213604.htm
A microbe that may be living peaceably on the beans and cucumbers in backyard gardens might someday be recruited to foil foodborne pathogens. Geneticists looked at the pathogen-fighting abilities of the farm- and garden-friendly microbe, Enterobacter asburiae, in studies begun in 2002.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Researchers Analyze How New Anti-MRSA Antibiotics Function
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083065/080728193225.htm
Researchers provide important insights into promising new antibiotics aimed at combating MRSA. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major global health threat that kills approximately 20,000 people in the U.S. alone each year.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Computers Lead To Safer Blood Transfusions, Chemotherapy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083066/080723192900.htm
Computer scientists are analyzing medical procedures, including blood transfusions and chemotherapy treatments, with the goal of improving patient safety. The team is also analyzing the flow of patients in emergency rooms to reduce waiting time.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Hypnosis Shown To Reduce Symptoms Of Dementia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083067/080728111402.htm
Scientists have found that hypnosis can slow down the impacts of dementia and improve quality of life for those living with the condition.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Piecing Together An Extinct Lemur, Large As A Big Baboon
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083068/080728192653.htm
Researchers have used computed tomography technology to virtually glue newly-discovered skull fragments of a rare extinct lemur back into its partial skull, discovered over a century ago. The skull fragments are separated by thousands of miles, with the partial skull in Vienna and the pieces of frontal bone in the United States. The result of the digital manipulation is a nearly complete skull, which is one of only two known skulls for its species.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Pre-eclampsia May Be Autoimmune Disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083069/080728114030.htm
Biochemists at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston say they are the first to provide pre-clinical evidence that pregnancy-induced high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia may be an autoimmune disease. Their research could provide novel diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities for this intractable disease.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Microbiologists Studying Little-known But Largely Useful Microbes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083070/080722131710.htm
Microbiologists are studying how interactions on a microscopic scale could change how we think of energy production, climate change and even soil contamination. "Microbes play significant roles in the carbon cycle, the nitrogen cycle, the phosphorous cycle, and we don't fully understand how," one of the researchers said.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers Are Lower Incidence, Progression Of Alzheimer's Disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083071/080727224053.htm
Researchers have, for the first time, found that angiotensin receptor blockers -- a particular class of anti-hypertensive medicines -- are associated with a striking decrease in the occurrence and progression of dementia.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Possible To Reduce Emissions By 30 Percent By 2025, Model Shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342488114/080722072030.htm
Scientists modeled emissions for Minnesota and found that it is possible to reduce emissions by 30 percent by 2025 and 80 percent by 2050 and possibly exceed those numbers if a combination of strategies are implemented, including reducing fuel consumption, increasing fuel efficiencies and fuel carbon content and by using new methods for designing communities. However, the researchers point out that the methods could be applied nationally.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Current Exercise Recommendations May Not Be Sufficient For Overweight Women To Sustain Weight Loss
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083072/080728192801.htm
In addition to limiting calories, overweight and obese women may need to exercise 55 minutes a day for five days per week to sustain a weight loss of 10 percent over two years, according to a report in the July 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Study Suggests 86 Percent Of Americans Could Be Overweight Or Obese By 2030
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083074/080728192936.htm
Most adults in the US will be overweight or obese by 2030, with related health care spending projected to be as much as $956.9 billion, according to researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Sharp Rise In Skin Infections In U.S., MRSA Suspected
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083076/080728193239.htm
A national analysis of U.S. physician office and emergency department records shows that the types of skin infections caused by community-acquired MRSA doubled in the eight-year study period, with the highest rates seen among children and in urban emergency rooms.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Slippery Customer: A Greener Antiwear Additive For Engine Oils
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083077/080723143548.htm
Titanium, a protean element with applications from pigments to aerospace alloys, could get a new role as an environmentally friendly additive for automotive oil.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Dietary Factors Appear To Be Associated With Diabetes Risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083078/080728192803.htm
Drinking more sugar-sweetened beverages or eating fewer fruits and vegetables both may be associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, whereas eating a low-fat diet does not appear to be associated with any change in diabetes risk, according to three reports in the July 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
No-tillage Plus: Cover Crops Offer A Model For Sustainability In Tropical Soils
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083079/080728192942.htm
Tropical soils often behave differently than temperate soils when being farmed. In tropical regions, soils lose nutrients quickly when cultivated. With food shortages looming and soil quality declining rapidly, new farming techniques are needed to make tropical and sub-tropical farming more productive and sustainable. New research from Agronomy Journal shows that no-till management combined with a winter cover crop is most effective in retaining nutrients in tropical soils.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Eating Disorder Symptoms More Common Among Female Athletes And Exercisers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083080/080728193235.htm
A recent study reveals that university undergraduate women who actively participate in sports and exercise-related activities tend to have higher rates of attitudes and behaviors related to eating disorders compared to those who do not regularly exercise.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Japanese Diet Rich In Fish May Hold Secret To Healthy Heart: Omega-3 Fatty Acids From Fish Appear To Prevent Clogged Arteries
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083081/080728192645.htm
If you're fishing for ways to reduce the risk of heart disease, you might start with the seafood-rich diet typically served up in Japan. The research, published in the Aug. 5, 2008, issue of Journal of the American College of Cardiology, suggests that protection comes from omega-3 fatty acids found in abundance in oily fish.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Structure Of Heart Can Be Changed Through Exercise
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083083/080728111356.htm
Just like any other muscle, the structure of the heart can be changed through exercise. However, this adaptation process takes longer than it takes the muscle to revert to its original conditions. Researchers have studied this process in well trained hearts during their investigations to identify pathologies.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Cold Temperature Is Key To Quality Of Bagged Salads
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083084/080724214520.htm
Scientists have found that proper storage temperatures are essential to minimize bacterial growth and adaptability inside sealed, bagged salads. They have been studying the safety of new technologies that extend the shelf life of bagged salad greens.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Europeâ€™s Next-generation Broadband
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/349083087/080725093458.htm
An enormous research effort by Europe's leading broadband players has helped accelerate dramatically the rollout of next-generation broadband services reaching speeds in the 10s of Mbit/s in many European countries. That is just the start.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Women's Access To Credit Affects Efficiency In Rural Households
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345794373/080725114552.htm
Rural households in which women are not able to meet their needs for capital do not produce as much as they could, according to new research.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Birdsong Not Just For The Birds: Bio-acoustic Method Also Hears Natureâ€™s Cry For Help
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348371098/080728081631.htm
Computer scientists have developed a kind of 'Big Brother' for birds. This has nothing to do with entertainment, but a lot to do with the protection of nature. The new type of voice detector involved can reliably recognize the characteristic birdsong of different species of birds, thereby facilitating surveys of the bird population.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Foods High In Conjugated Linoleic Acids Can Enrich Breast Milk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348371099/080728081625.htm
Have a cookie before breast-feeding, mom? Eating special cookies enriched with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) can increase the level of these potentially healthful fatty acids in breast milk, reports a recent study in the journal Nutrition Research.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Breast Cancer Detection: A Simpler Alternative To Mammograms?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348371100/080722113019.htm
Whether a painless, portable device that uses electrical current rather than X-ray to look for breast cancer could be an alternative to traditional mammograms is under study. New research will compare traditional mammograms to impedence scanning, a technique based on evidence that electrical current passes through cancerous tissue differently than through normal tissue.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
No Justification For Denying Obese Patients Knee Replacements, Experts Argue
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348371103/080723201231.htm
There is no justification for denying obese patients knee replacement surgery: they benefit almost as much as anyone else from the procedure, concludes a small study.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
Phonon Floodgate In Monolayer Carbon: Unexpected Gap-like Feature Found In Energy Spectrum Of Electrons Tunneling Into Graphene's Single Layer Of Atoms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348371104/080721124314.htm
The first scanning tunneling spectroscopy of graphene flakes equipped with a "gate" electrode has found an unexpected gap-like feature in the energy spectrum of electrons tunneling into graphene's single layer of atoms. Scientists who performed the research believe the peculiar feature arises from the interaction of the tunneling electrons with phonons, the quantized vibrations of the 2-D graphene crystal.

Tue, 29 Jul 08
International Monetary Fund Loans Linked To Higher Death Rates From Tuberculosis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348371105/080721223411.htm
International Monetary Fund loans were associated with a 16.6 percent rise in death rates from tuberculosis in the former Soviet Union and Central and Eastern European countries between 1992 and 2002. The study also found that IMF loans were linked with a 13.9 percent increase in the number of new cases of TB per year and a 13.2 percent increase per year in the total number of people with the disease.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
'Nanonet' Circuits Closer To Making Flexible Electronics Reality
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348023814/080723134506.htm
Researchers have overcome a major obstacle in producing transistors from networks of carbon nanotubes, a technology that could make it possible to print circuits on plastic sheets for applications including flexible displays and an electronic skin to cover an entire aircraft to monitor crack formation.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Lung Inflammation From Influenza And Other Infections Could Be Turned Off Following New Discovery
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348023815/080727225416.htm
A new discovery could lead to treatments which turn off the inflammation in the lungs caused by influenza and other infections, according to a study published today in the journal Nature Immunology.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Nanoparticles In Sewage Could Escape Into Bodies Of Water
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348023816/080724221823.htm
In a conventional sewage works, nanoparticles should really be bound in the sludge and should not represent a major problem in the aqueous effluent. This is not true, however, as shown by a new study. An astonishing amount was able to leave an experimental sewage works and thus could possibly enter bodies of water.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Antimicrobial Sutures Reduce Infections In Brain Shunt Surgery, Study Finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345794374/080725114550.htm
Using antimicrobial sutures to secure the shunt and close the wound significantly reduces the number of shunt infections arising during the first six months after surgery.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Hurricane Preparedness Survey: Worries About Drinking Water And Medical Care
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348023817/080723134455.htm
A new survey finds the top worries of respondents threatened or hit by Hurricane Katrina are that they would not have enough fresh water to drink (42 percent very worried) and that they would not be able to get needed medical care (41 percent very worried).

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Drug Abuse Accounts For Third Of Deaths Behind Scotland's Higher Mortality Rate, Study Finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348023818/080722192336.htm
Drug abuse accounts for a third of the deaths behind Scotland's higher mortality rate, according to a new study. Death rates in Scotland are higher than in England and Wales and the difference between the nations is increasing.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Explosion In Marine Biodiversity Explained By Climate Change
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348023821/080727225420.htm
A global change in climate could explain the explosion in marine biodiversity that took place 460 million years ago. Researchers have now found evidence of a progressive ocean cooling of about 15Â°C over a period of 40 million years during the Ordovician. Until now, this geologic period had been associated with a "super greenhouse effect" on our planet.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
New Membrane Model May Unlock Secrets Of Early-stage Alzheimer's
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348023823/080723143551.htm
Researchers are using a new laboratory model of the membrane surrounding neurons in the brain to study how a protein long suspected of a role in early-stage Alzheimer's disease actually impairs a neuron's structure and function.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Francisella Tularensis: Stopping A Biological Weapon
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/347979315/080727224101.htm
Scientists hope a vaccine is on the horizon for tularemia, a fatal disease caused by the pathogen Francisella tularensis, an organism of concern as a potential biological warfare agent. Until recently we knew very little about this bacterium. However, according to the August issue of the Journal of Medical Microbiology, research on the bacterium has been reinvigorated and rapid progress has been made in understanding how it causes disease.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Paying To Save Tropical Forests Could Be A Way To Reduce Global Carbon Emissions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348023825/080723162113.htm
Wealthy nations willing to collectively spend about $1 billion annually could prevent the emission of roughly half a billion metric tons of carbon dioxide per year for the next 25 years, new research suggests. It would take about that much money to put an end to a tenth of the tropical deforestation in the world, one of the top contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, researchers estimate.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Anthropologist Helps Unravel Mummy Mystery
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348023826/080718220603.htm
Anthropologists are in the process of unraveling a mummy bundle found in Peru's historic Huaura Valley. The mummy is believed to have been an elite member of the Chancay culture, a civilization that thrived in the central coast of Peru from about 1000 to 1400 AD. The territory of the Chancay was later home to the Incas.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Emotional Robots: Software Empowers Robots To Learn When A Person Is Sad, Happy Or Angry
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348023828/080717225057.htm
A robot with empathy sounds like the stuff of sci-fi movies, but with the aid of neural networks researchers are developing robots in tune with our emotions. Feelix Growing is developing software empowering robots that can learn when a person is sad, happy or angry.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Anti-HIV Therapy Boosts Life Expectancy More Than 13 Years
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348023829/080725142400.htm
HIV patients taking a cocktail of drugs called combination antiretroviral therapy have seen a 13-year boost in life expectancy, according to a new study. Improved survival has led to a nearly 40 percent drop in AIDS deaths among 43,355 HIV-positive study participants in Europe and North America, bolstering the call for improved anti-HIV efforts worldwide, the study authors said.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Scientists Suspect Omega-3 Fatty Acids Could Slow Acute Wound Healing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348023831/080723162117.htm
A recent study shows that popular fish oil supplements have an effect on the healing process of small, acute wounds in human skin. But whether that effect is detrimental, as researchers initially suspected, remains a mystery. The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils are widely considered to benefit cardiovascular health and other diseases related to chronic inflammation because of their anti-inflammatory properties. But insufficient inflammation during the initial stage of wound healing may delay the advancement of later stages.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Emergency Physicians Have Good First Instincts In Diagnosing Heart Attacks
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344534705/080724064831.htm
Emergency room doctors are correctly identifying patients who are having a heart attack, even when laboratory tests haven't yet confirmed it.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
New Piece Of Climate Change Puzzle Found In Ancient Sedimentary Rocks
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348023834/080723200725.htm
Researchers have added a new source of carbon dioxide to the complex climate change puzzle by showing that ancient rocks can release substantial amounts of organic matter into Earth's rivers and oceans, and that this organic matter is easily converted by bacteria to carbon dioxide, which enters the atmosphere and contributes to climate change.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Prevalence Of Dementia In The Developing World Underestimated
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348023836/080727224057.htm
Previous estimates of levels of dementia in the developing world may have substantially underestimated the problem, according to research published today. The findings suggest that policymakers in low-income and middle-income countries may need to re-examine the burden and impact that dementia places on their health services.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Typhoons Bury Tons Of Carbon In The Oceans
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344588313/080724084745.htm
A single typhoon in Taiwan buries as much carbon in the ocean -- in the form of sediment -- as all the other rains in that country all year long combined.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Researchers Disprove Long-standing Belief About HIV Treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345652561/080725075039.htm
Researchers have disproved a long-standing clinical belief that the hepatitis C virus slows or stunts the immune system's ability to restore itself after HIV patients are treated with a combination of drugs known as the "cocktail."

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Limiting Fructose May Boost Weight Loss, Researcher Reports
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344534706/080724064824.htm
One of the reasons people on low-carbohydrate diets may lose weight is that they reduce their intake of fructose, a type of sugar that can be made into body fat quickly. Fructose is perhaps best known for its presence in the sweetener called high-fructose corn syrup or HFCS, which is typically 55 percent fructose and 45 percent glucose, similar to the mix that can be found in fruits.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Internal Medicine Residents May Benefit Most From Time In Clinic
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344997312/080724150441.htm
A new approach to internal medicine residency training could improve patient care and physician-patient relationships. Research has shown that residents who spent increased time in outpatient settings as opposed to the hospital delivered a higher quality of care and had more satisfaction in their duties.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Region Hit Hard By 1993 Floods Showed Economic Resiliency, Study Indicates
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348023839/080724150344.htm
With the first wave of clean-up efforts behind them, residents of communities affected by this year's Midwest floods may find hope in a new study on the economic impact of the 1993 flood that devastated much of the same region.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Population Policy Needed In Order To Combat Climate Change, Experts Argue
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348023840/080724212909.htm
The biggest contribution UK couples can make to combating climate change would be to have only two children or at least have one less than they first intended, argues an editorial in the British Medical Journal.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Plant Steroids Offer New Paradigm For How Hormones Work
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348023841/080724150024.htm
Steroids bulk up plants just as they do human athletes, but the molecular signals that tell the genes to boost growth and development in plant cells is far more complicated than in human and animal cells. Understanding how these plant hormones activate genes could lead not only to enhanced harvests but also to new insights into how steroids regulate growth in both plant and animal cells.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
New Research On Pre-eclampsia In Mice May Have Important Implications For Humans
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348023842/080727224055.htm
Researchers studying pre-eclampsia, a serious and potentially deadly disorder that affects about 5 percent of pregnancies, report new findings in mice that may have important implications for diagnosis and treatment in humans.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Measuring Stress In Plants To Select Best Species For Reforestation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342625047/080722105048.htm
Plants undergo stress because of lack of water, due to the heat or the cold or to excess of light. Researchers have analyzed the substances that are triggered in plants to protect themselves, with the goal of choosing the species that is best suited to the environment during reforestation under adverse environmental conditions.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Little Evidence That Treating Varicoceles In Men Boosts Pregnancy Rates
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348023843/080724193412.htm
A recent review of studies from the Netherlands finds no evidence that treating varicoceles -- a somewhat common condition in men with fertility problems -- improves a couple's chances of conceiving a baby.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Landscape Study May Offer Solutions For Fire Managers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344588314/080724084742.htm
A fire is currently burning through a study area where projections were made about fire behavior about two years ago. Managers used data and analysis from the Gotchen Late-Successional Reserve study in the planning, analysis and implementation of treatments near where the Cold Springs fire is now active.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
Daughters-in-law Help Reduce Depression Among Chinese Elders, But Help From Own Kids Can Increase Depression, Study Finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344997314/080724150440.htm
In a new twist on the Confucian ideal of filial piety, a study finds that the assistance of daughters-in-law -- but not their own children -- helps mitigate depression among older people in China. Almost two-thirds of the older population in China lives in rural areas, making it the largest concentration of older adults in the world.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
New Human Tissue Bank 'A Tremendous Research Resource'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/347979314/080727225424.htm
The University of Bradford has unveiled a new facility to provide UK biomedical researchers access to a wide range of human tissue and tissue products.

Mon, 28 Jul 08
England And Wales Lead Reduction In Cancer Deaths And Increase In Cancer Spending
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/348023844/080727225422.htm
A new comprehensive analysis has detailed how cancer death rates in developed countries have fallen substantially in the last 20 years, despite a general increase in the prevalence of cancer.

Sun, 27 Jul 08
Watching A 'New Star' Make The Universe Dusty
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344946545/080724150345.htm
Astronomers were able for the first time to witness the appearance of a shell of dusty gas around a star that had just erupted, and follow its evolution for more than 100 days. This provides the astronomers with a new way to estimate the distance of this object and obtain invaluable information on the operating mode of stellar vampires, dense stars that suck material from a companion.

Sun, 27 Jul 08
New Health Drink? Chemist Goes Nano With CoQ10
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/347143386/080724150343.htm
If one researcher has his way, you may soon be buying bottles of water brimming with the life-sustaining coenzyme CoQ10 at your local Costco. Like vitamin C, CoQ10 is a compound that's vital to our survival.

Sun, 27 Jul 08
Meet Robo Habilis: Robot Has Human-like Hand Controlled By 'Brain' Modeled After Human Cerebellum
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/347143387/080723114104.htm
The dream of human-like robots is a step closer to reality with the recent creation of a human-like arm and hand controlled by an electronic 'brain' modeled on the human cerebellum.

Sun, 27 Jul 08
CMV Infections Affect More Than Just Patients With Compromised Immune Systems
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/347143388/080724150346.htm
An infection due to a virus called cytomegalovirus, which most commonly affects people with compromised immune systems, can also affect hospital intensive-care patients who have no immune-system problems, researchers have found. CMV infection is also associated with longer hospital and intensive-care unit stays independent of other causes, according to the study.

Sun, 27 Jul 08
Surgery Will Put Dog With Amputated Leg Back On All Fours Again
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/347143389/080724193135.htm
A pioneering collaboration between a veterinary surgeon and an engineer will give a deserving dog the ability to walk on four legs again. A German shepherd mix is having a lost leg replaced with an osseointegrated prosthetic limb. If successful, this research could lead to implants for humans that allow the prosthetic limbs to attach without chafing or irritation, and limbs with more natural ranges of motion.

Sun, 27 Jul 08
No Gender Differences In Math Performance
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/347143390/080724192258.htm
We've all heard it. Many of us in fact believe it. Girls just aren't as good at math as boys. But is it true? After sifting through mountains of data - including SAT results and math scores from 7 million students who were tested in accordance with the No Child Left Behind Act - a team of scientists says the answer is no.

Sun, 27 Jul 08
Researchers Discover New States Of Electrons That Behave Like Light
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/347143391/080725152314.htm
A team of researchers has observed electrons moving through a crystal of bismuth metal behaving like light. The discovery may enable powerful new electronic devices that exploit the principles of quantum mechanics to compute and communicate.

Sun, 27 Jul 08
Giving An Additional Early Vaccination May Reduce Measles Outbreaks
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/347143392/080724212907.htm
Outbreaks of measles in developing countries may be reduced by vaccinating infants at 4.5 months of age as well as at the World Health Organization's recommended routine vaccination at 9 months, according to a new study.

Sun, 27 Jul 08
New Generation Of Simpler Sensors For Detecting Disease-causing Microbes And Toxins
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/341576297/080721093845.htm
Scientists in Singapore are reporting development of a complete, palm-sized sensor that can detect disease-causing microbes, toxins, and other biological threats instantly without the need for an external power source or a computer.

Sun, 27 Jul 08
Genetic Mutation Identified For Eye Complaint
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/347143393/080724144617.htm
Researchers have identified a gene that, when modified, causes the eye disease Duane syndrome. Importantly, by identifying this gene the team has discovered how the visual system develops which may lead to new ways to treat other vision disorders.

Sun, 27 Jul 08
Rising Energy, Food Prices Major Threats To Wetlands As Farmers Eye New Areas For Crops
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345687773/080725094039.htm
Resisting pressures to convert wetlands for agriculture, bio-fuels and hydro-electricity is vital to avoid destroying ecosystems that provide a suite of services essential to humanity, including safe, steady local water supplies, preserving biodiversity and the large-scale capture and storage of climate warming greenhouse gases, according 700 leading world experts concluding a week-long meeting in Cuiaba, Brazil.

Sun, 27 Jul 08
Wealth Does Not Dictate Concern For The Environment, Study Finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345794375/080725114548.htm
Citizens of poorer nations are just as concerned about environmental quality as their counterparts in rich nations, new research shows.

Sun, 27 Jul 08
New Cellular Pathway Linked To Cancer Identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/347143394/080724123213.htm
In the life of a cell, the response to DNA damage determines whether the cell is fated to pause and repair itself, commit suicide, or grow uncontrollably, a route leading to cancer. Scientists have now identified a way that cells respond to DNA damage through a process that targets proteins for disposal. The finding points to a new pathway for the development of cancer and suggests a new way of sensitizing cancer cells to treatment.

Sun, 27 Jul 08
Mindfulness Meditation Slows Progression Of HIV, Study Suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/347143395/080724215644.htm
CD4+ T lymphocytes, or simply CD4 T cells, are the "brains" of the immune system, coordinating its activity when the body comes under attack. They are also the cells that are attacked by HIV, the devastating virus that causes AIDS and has infected roughly 40 million people worldwide. The virus slowly eats away at CD4 T cells, weakening the immune system.

Sun, 27 Jul 08
Ocean Surface A Boon For Extreme Event Forecasts, Warnings
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/347143396/080721153737.htm
For humans in the path of destructive hurricanes and tsunamis, an accurate warning of the pending event is critical for damage control and survival. Such warnings, however, require a solid base of scientific observations, and a new satellite is ready for the job. The Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM)/Jason 2 adds to the number of eyes in the sky measuring sea surface and wave heights across Earth's oceans. The increased coverage will help researchers improve current models for practical use in predicting hurricane intensity, while providing valuable data that can be used to improve tsunami warning models.

Sun, 27 Jul 08
Making Patients Move Requires The Right Exercise Advice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/347143397/080723134442.htm
Researchers found that adults with chronic illness who received interventions focused on behavior-changing strategies significantly increased their physical activity levels. In contrast, interventions based on cognitive approaches, which attempt to change knowledge, beliefs and attitudes, and are most commonly used by health care providers, did not improve physical activity.

Sun, 27 Jul 08
Lab-on-a-chip at home: Make Your Own Microfluidic Testing Device With New Kit
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/347143398/080724175855.htm
A type of device called a "lab-on-a-chip" could bring a new generation of instant home tests for illnesses, food contaminants and toxic gases. But today these portable, efficient tools are often stuck in the lab themselves. Specifically, in the labs of researchers who know how to make them from scratch.

Sun, 27 Jul 08
Overweight Elderly Americans Contribute To Financial Burdens Of U.S. Health Care System, Study Finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/347143399/080725105431.htm
The extra Medicare cost associated with overweight elderly people could place a significant burden on taxpayers.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
Young Galaxies Have Surprisingly Strong Magnetic Fields: Contradicts Popular Theories
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345935222/080724221049.htm
The origin of magnetic fields in galaxies is still a mystery to astronomers. Popular theories suggest continual strengthening over billions of years. New research, however, contradicts this assumption and reveals that young galaxies also have strong magnetic fields.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
New Method Enabling Routine Targeted Gene Modification Developed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344843529/080724123300.htm
Scientists have developed a powerful new tool for genomic research and medicine -- a robust method for generating synthetic enzymes that can target particular DNA sequences for inactivation or repair.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
Target-seeking Antibodies For Cancer Therapy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/341152126/080720221517.htm
A chemist has discovered a new marker together with three associated monoclonal antibodies which are promising candidates for cancer therapy. Up to now, monoclonal antibodies have only aided the chemotherapeutic fight against cancer to a limited extent.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
Novel Structure Proteins Could Play A Role In Programmed Cell Death -- Apoptosis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345935223/080724123144.htm
Isoforms from a new family of genes called novel structure proteins could be involved in apoptosis or programmed cell death.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
Patient Privacy Assured By Electronic Censor
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345935225/080723201244.htm
Newly developed software will help to allay patients' fears about who has access to their confidential data. A new computer program is capable of deleting details from medical records which may identify patients, while leaving important medical information intact.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
Diversity In Primary Schools Promotes Harmony, Study Finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344534704/080724064835.htm
For the first time, children as young as 5 have been shown to understand issues regarding integration and separation. The research confirms that the ethnic composition of primary schools has a direct impact on children's attitudes towards those in other ethnic groups and on their ability to get on with their peers.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
Northern Wildfire Smoke May Cast Shadow On Arctic Warming
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345935226/080724220104.htm
The Arctic may get some temporary relief from global warming if the annual North American wildfire season intensifies, according to a new study. Smoke transported to the Arctic from northern forest fires may cool the surface for several weeks to months at a time, according to the most detailed analysis yet of how smoke influences the Arctic climate relative to the amount of snow and ice cover.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
Key Mechanism Of Cellular Damage In Aging And Disease Discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344800795/080724123241.htm
Researchers have taken a first snapshot of how a class of highly reactive molecules inflicts cellular damage as part of aging, heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease and Alzheimer's disease to name a few. Researchers have discovered a tool that can monitor related damage and determine the degree to which antioxidant drugs effectively combat disease.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
Shimmering Ferroelectric Domains
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345935227/080723171551.htm
Ferroelectric materials are named after ferromagnetic ones because they behave in a similar way. The main difference: these materials are not magnetic, but permanently electrically polarized. They have great importance for data storage technology and novel piezoelectric devices. Scientists have now produced microscopic images of ferroelectric domains - tiny regions of a ferroelectric material -, where the electric polarization points into different directions.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
Kidneys Donated After Cardiac Death Could Reduce Disparities For Black Kidney Transplant Recipients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345935228/080723171844.htm
Kidneys donated after individuals die from cardiovascular causes may be one of the best options for black patients in need of transplants, according to a new study. The research reveals that utilization of these organs should be expanded in order to reduce racial disparities that exist in renal transplantation.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
Moblie Peer-to-peer Applications: Keeping Up With Your Peers, Securely
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345935229/080723121327.htm
Mobile peer-to-peer (P2P) applications allow a team or group to create new levels of ad hoc co-operation and collaboration around a specific, real-time goal. But developing compelling and secure applications is a challenge. Now a new platform rises to that challenge.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
Who's More Likely To Do Sports? White, Middle Class, And Middle-aged
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345935230/080723201238.htm
The comfortably off, white, and middle-aged are the most likely to participate in sporting activities, reveals a 10 year study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
Promising Results In Deep Brain Stimulation For Patients With Treatment-resistant Depression
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345935231/080721102400.htm
New data from a study of patients with treatment-resistant depression who underwent deep brain stimulation in the subcallosal cingulate region of the brain shows that this intervention is generally safe and provides significant improvement in patients as early as one month after treatment. The patients also experienced continued and sustained improvement over time.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
New Roadside Beautification Concept Studied
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345935232/080717110228.htm
Travel America's highways or drive down any city street this summer and you'll probably see them. From small, manicured beds of flowers to extensive landscaping projects, roadside gardens are taking root. Aside from the obvious aesthetic benefits, studies indicate that roadside beautification, including landscaping and gardens, can help drivers reduce stress, frustration and aggression, while helping maintain safe highways.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
Heart Disease Is Linked To Worse Mental Processes That, In Turn, Predict The Onset Of Dementia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345935233/080722192350.htm
Coronary heart disease is associated with a worse performance in mental processes such as reasoning, vocabulary and verbal fluency, according to a study of 5,837 middle-aged Whitehall civil servants published in the European Heart Journal. The study also found that the longer ago the heart disease had been diagnosed, the worse was the person's cognitive performance and this effect was particularly marked in men.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
Machine Vision Lab Has Smoother Approach To Tile Quality
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345935234/080723104900.htm
Surface defects in ceramic tiles, invisible to the naked eye, could be automatically detected by a new system being developed at the University of the West of England. The system would detect imperfections such as pinholes, crazing, rough or dull glazes, even on tiles with a texture or relief pattern, saving the industry time and money and reducing wastage.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
Giving Electronic Learning A Personal Touch
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345935235/080723121326.htm
A learning system that adapts to the abilities and needs of students opens the way to a more personalized approach in delivering education electronically.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
Why Cigarette Smoke Makes Flu, Other Viral Infections Worse
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345687768/080724175857.htm
A new study could explain why the cold and flu virus symptoms that are often mild and transient in non-smokers can seriously sicken smokers. The study also identified the mechanism by which viruses and cigarette smoke interact to increase lung inflammation and damage.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
Gene Responsible For Rare Childhood Disease Identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345035391/080724175859.htm
The chromosomal abnormality that causes a rare, but often fatal, disorder that affects infants has been identified by researchers who happened to treat two young children with the disease in San Diego -- two of perhaps a dozen children in the entire country diagnosed with the disorder.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
Various Species' Genes Evolve To Minimize Protein Production Errors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344800796/080724123220.htm
Genetic evolution is strongly shaped by genes' efforts to prevent or tolerate errors in protein production. Previously unexplained patterns of evolution may aim to prevent or tolerate mistranslation.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
Energy Drinks Linked To Risk-taking Behaviors Among College Students
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344946546/080724150438.htm
Over the last decade, energy drinks -- such as Red Bull, Monster and Rockstar -- have become nearly ubiquitous on college campuses. Now new research validates and expands upon existing concerns about energy drink consumption.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
Exoplanet Orbiting Sun-like Star Discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345687770/080725093456.htm
Astronomers have discovered an exoplanet orbiting a star slightly more massive than the Sun. After just 555 days in orbit, the COROT mission has now observed more than 50 000 stars and is adding significantly to our knowledge of the fundamental workings of stars.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
New Material May Help Autos Turn Heat Into Electricity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345687769/080724150340.htm
Researchers have invented a new material that will make cars even more efficient, by converting heat wasted through engine exhaust into electricity. In the journal Science, they describe a material with twice the efficiency of anything currently on the market.

Sat, 26 Jul 08
EPA Acts To Reduce Toxic Pesticide -- Carbofuran -- Residue In Food
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345652560/080725080827.htm
Due to considerable risks associated with the pesticide carbofuran in food and drinking water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is revoking the regulations that allow carbofuran residues in food. EPA is proceeding on the path toward cancellation of the pesticide registration, which will address the risks to pesticide applicators and birds in treated fields.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Adult Stem Cells Activated In Mammalian Brain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344946547/080724150437.htm
Adult stem cells originate in a different part of the brain than is commonly believed, and with proper stimulation they can produce new brain cells to replace those lost to disease or injury, a new study has shown.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Older People May Need Less Sleep, Study Finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344800793/080724123255.htm
Along with all the other changes that come with age, healthy older people also lose some capacity for sleep. When asked to stay in bed for 16 hours in the dark each day for several days, younger people get an average of 9 hours of shuteye compared to 7.5 for older people, the researchers report.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
It Takes Nerves For Flies To Keep A Level Head
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128049/080721223343.htm
The nerve connections that keep a fly's gaze stable during complex aerial maneuvers, enabling it to respond quickly to obstacles in its flight path, have been revealed in new detail.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Broken DNA Must Find Right Partners Quickly Amid Repairs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128051/080723185947.htm
Just as square dance partners join hands at a particular point in the music, so broken pieces of DNA in our cells reunite as they are repaired. Precisely and quickly, these DNA pieces identify each other and tether together. A tumor-suppressor gene called ATM choreographs this fast-paced, but reliable, reassembly operation.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Tracking Down Origin Of Matter And Antimatter
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128052/080724143900.htm
In science fiction stories it is either the inexhaustible energy source of the future or a superweapon of galactic magnitude: antimatter. In fact, antimatter can neither be found naturally in any abundance on Earth nor in space, is extremely complex to produce and thus difficult to study. In order to track down the origin of matter and antimatter in the universe, scientists are measuring the power of the electrical dipole moment of neutrons, which represents a measure for the different physical properties of matter and antimatter.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Frequent Family Meals Might Reduce Teen Substance Use
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128053/080723192444.htm
Parents who have regular meals with their adolescent children might help lessen the chances they will start drinking or smoking later in their teen years, according to new research. Researchers noted benefits in families that ate five or more meals together each week, and found that about 60 percent of the participants did so.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Cow Power Could Generate Electricity For Millions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344488469/080724064840.htm
Converting livestock manure into a domestic renewable fuel source could generate enough electricity to meet up to three percent of North America's entire consumption needs and lead to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, according to U.S. research.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Missing Link Found Between Circadian Clock And Metabolism
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344800794/080724123246.htm
Two new research studies have discovered a long sought molecular link between our metabolism and components of the internal clock that drives circadian rhythms, keeping us to a roughly 24-hour schedule.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Bacteria Fight Back: Biofilms Use Chemical Weapons To Neutralize Or Kill Attacking Amoebae
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128054/080723094848.htm
Biofilms develop on any surface that bacteria can attach themselves to. The dilemma we face is that neither disinfectants and antibiotics, nor phagocytes and our immune system can destroy these biofilms. Scientists have now identified one of the fundamental mechanisms used by the bacteria in biofilms to protect themselves against the attacking phagocytes.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Advanced Liver Cancer Patients Live Longer By Taking Anti-cancer Drug Sorafenib
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128055/080723171837.htm
Researchers have found that sorafenib (Nexavar) helps patients with advanced liver cancer live about 44 percent longer compared with patients who did not receive the anti-cancer drug. The findings are a significant advance in the management of liver cancer, which is the third cause of cancer death globally, often resulting in death within a year of diagnosis.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
New Explanation For Monsoon Development Proposed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128056/080721152002.htm
Geoscientists have come up with a new explanation for the formation of monsoons, proposing an overhaul of a theory about the cause of the seasonal pattern of heavy winds and rainfall that essentially had held firm for more than 300 years.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Freedomâ€™s Just Another Word For Less Sexually Active Teens
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128057/080723192009.htm
Rigid parenting appears to be linked to increased sexual activity in older teens. More than two of every three American teens has sexual intercourse before age 19. Although it is difficult to confirm that controlling mothers and fathers cause kids to have more sex, the findings suggest it is wise to give children freedom.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Scientists Solve 30-year-old Aurora Borealis Mystery
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128058/080724150341.htm
What causes the shimmering, ethereal Northern Lights to suddenly brighten and dance in a spectacular burst of colorful light and rapid movement? Space scientists have identified the mechanism that triggers substorms in space; wreaks havoc on satellites, power grids and communications systems; and leads to the explosive release of energy that causes the spectacular brightening of the aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Prevailing Theory Of Aging Challenged: Genetic Instructions Found To Drive Aging In Worms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344800792/080724123234.htm
Age may not be rust after all. Specific genetic instructions drive aging in worms. This discovery contradicts the prevailing theory that aging is a buildup of tissue damage akin to rust, and implies science might eventually halt or even reverse the ravages of age.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
'Snow Flea Antifreeze Protein' Could Help Improve Organ Preservation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/341576299/080721093707.htm
Scientists can now make the antifreeze protein that enables billions of Canadian snow fleas to survive frigid winter temperatures. Their laboratory-produced first-of-a-kind proteins could have practical uses in extending the storage life of donor organs and tissues for human transplantation, according to new research.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Crop-production Costs Will Jump Dramatically In 2009, Study Predicts
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128059/080723134449.htm
Soaring energy prices will yield sharp increases for corn and soybean production next year, cutting into farmers' profits and stretching already high food costs, according to a study. Costs to get crops in the ground will jump by about a third in 2009, fueled by fertilizer prices expected to surge 82 percent for corn and 117 percent for soybeans.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Antimicrobials Target Pathogens On Fruits And Vegetables
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/340678974/080720091638.htm
A novel food safety treatment could become an asset to the fast-growing fresh-cut produce industry. The antimicrobial treatment involves the use of submicroscopic agents that are unable to reproduce or grow outside bacterial host cells. The purified viral agents are called bacteriophages, which means "bacteria eater," and they can wreak havoc on deadly bacteria, such as E. coli O157:H7, that sicken consumers.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
One Missing Gene Leads To Fruitless Mating Rituals
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128060/080723134502.htm
Male fruit flies missing a gene for one particular odor receptor become clueless in matters of love, scientists have discovered. Because they lack the ability to read important chemical cues, these flies will indiscriminately attempt to have sex with other males, and with females who have already mated. The signals they're missing are pheromones wafting from mated females and male flies.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Quiet Explosion: Object Intermediate Between Normal Supernovae And Gamma-ray Bursts Found
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345035388/080724150339.htm
Astronomers are providing hints that a recent supernova may not be as normal as initially thought. Instead, the star that exploded is now understood to have collapsed into a black hole, producing a weak jet, typical of much more violent events, the so-called gamma-ray bursts. This discovery represents a crucial milestone in the understanding of the most violent phenomena observed in the Universe.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Circadian Rhythm-Metabolism Link Discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128061/080724123207.htm
Researchers have found a molecular link between circadian rhythms -- our own body clock -- and metabolism. The discovery reveals new possibilities for the treatment of diabetes, obesity and other related diseases.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Outdoor Enthusiasts Scaring Off Native Carnivores In Parks
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128062/080721151953.htm
Even a quiet stroll in the park can dramatically change natural ecosystems, according to a new study by conservation biologists. These findings could have important implications for land management policies.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
No Need For Gene Screens In Breast Cancer Families, Study Shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128063/080722192348.htm
New research should provide relief to women who are worried after a relative's breast cancer diagnosis. A new study shows that a family history of breast cancer does not give a useful indication of the likelihood that a woman will develop it herself at an early age.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Biology Enters 'The Matrix' Through New Computer Language
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128064/080722192341.htm
A new computer language for modeling biological phenomenon can "think" like cells and molecular mechanisms think, thereby simulating the dynamics of biological phenomenon. Through incorporating basic principles of engineering, the new language, called Little b, surpasses current biological modeling software in that it goes beyond simply representing biological information. It allows biologists to create programs that can reason about biological knowledge and thereby help overcome the barrier of complexity.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Worry About All Blows To The Head
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128065/080723190514.htm
Sports-related concussions in young athletes frequently go unrecognized, and often do not receive proper respect for the potential seriousness that even a mild injury may have, according to a pediatric sports medicine specialist. With more high-profile athletes describing their postconcussive symptoms, awareness is at an all-time high. An explosion in research about concussions in the past five years has increased understanding of how serious concussions may be.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Smaller Than Small: Ultrahigh-resolution Electron Microscopy Enters Picometer Scale
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344997310/080724150342.htm
Scientists have succeeded in precisely measuring atomic spacings down to a few picometers using new methods in ultrahigh-resolution electron microscopy. This makes it possible to find out decisive parameters determining the physical properties of materials directly on an atomic level in a microscope. Progress in research in the area of physics is very frequently connected to an increase in the accuracy of measurements, which help researchers to track natural phenomena.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
'Statins' Linked To Improved Survival In Kidney Transplant Recipients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128066/080723171841.htm
For patients receiving kidney transplants, treatment with cholesterol-lowering "statin" drugs may lead to longer survival, reports a new study.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
How Cranberry Juice Can Prevent Urinary Tract Infections
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128067/080721152005.htm
People have long consumed cranberry juice to ward off urinary tract infections, though the exact nature of its action has not been clear. The juice, the study shows, changes the thermodynamic properties of bacteria, creating an energy barrier that prevents the microorganisms from latching onto cells in the urinary tract.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Teamwork Cuts Out Unnecessary Biopsies, Researchers Find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342586342/080722091630.htm
New research found that when nuclear medicine clinicians and treating physicians work together to interpret PET-CT scan results, the accuracy dramatically improves, sparing patients unnecessary pain and suffering.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
NIST Trumps The Clumps: Making Biologic Drugs Safer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128068/080723151316.htm
Scientists have developed a technique to measure the formation of clumps of proteins in protein-based pharmaceuticals, a major concern because of its impact on quality control and safety in biologic drug manufacturing.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Fat Friends And Poor Education Helps People Think Thin
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344629009/080724095738.htm
People are powerfully but subconsciously influenced by the weight of those around them. Without being aware of it, researchers believe, human beings keep up with the weight of the Joneses. For a whole society, this can lead to a spiral of imitative obesity.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Costs Of Climate Change, State-by-state: Billions, Says New Report
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128070/080723134445.htm
Climate change will carry a price tag of billions of dollars for a number of US states, says a new series of reports. The researchers conclude that the costs have already begun to accrue and are likely to endure. They studied Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey and Ohio. Studies on additional states are in the works.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Blindness In Old Age May Be Triggered By Hyperactive Immune Resistance
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344690563/080724095732.htm
Opthalmologists have now, for the first time, demonstrated that in cases of senile blindness the patient's immune resistance is hyperactive throughout his entire body.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Switchgrass May Mean Better Soil
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/340678973/080720092205.htm
Soils with native grasses such as switchgrass have higher levels of a key soil component called glomalin than soils planted to non-native grasses.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Populations Of Foreign-born Persons Living In US At Higher Risk Of TB Identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128071/080722162116.htm
The relative yield of finding and treating latent tuberculosis is particularly high among higher-risk groups of foreign-born persons living in the US, such as individuals from most countries of sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Past Climate Change: Continental Stretching Preceding Opening Of The Drake Passage
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128072/080723094913.htm
Due to the impact of global warming, it has become essential to understand the causes and processes involved in past climate changes. One of the most prominent events in Earth's climatic evolution was the transition from the global warmth of the Eocene "greenhouse" to the Oligocene "icehouse" glacial conditions.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Nanotechnology Regulation: Former EPA Official Highlights Shortcomings Of Current Federal Oversight
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128073/080723094916.htm
Nanotechnology will significantly change virtually every facet of the way we live. The next president has the opportunity to shape these changes and to ensure that nanotechnology's benefits will be maximized and its risks identified and controlled. A new report by former EPA official J. Clarence (Terry) Davies lays out a clear roadmap for the next presidential administration and describes the immediate and longer term steps necessary to deal with the current shortcomings of nanotechnology oversight.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Gummy Bears That Fight Plaque
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345128074/080724190432.htm
The tooth-protecting sugar substitute xylitol has been incorporated into gummy bears to produce a sweet snack that may prevent dental problems. Giving children four of the xylitol bears three times a day during school hours results in a decrease in the plaque bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Scientists Break Record By Finding Northernmost Hydrothermal Vent Field
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344946544/080724153941.htm
Inside the Arctic Circle, scientists have found black smoker vents farther north than anyone has ever seen before. The cluster of vents -- one towering nearly four stories -- are venting water as hot as 570 F. Dissolved sulfide minerals that solidify when vent water hits the icy cold of the deep sea have, over the years, accumulated around the vents in what is one of the most massive hydrothermal sulfide deposits ever found on the seafloor.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Gene Panel Predicts Lung Cancer Survival, Study Finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345082653/080721110309.htm
Researchers from four leading cancer centers have confirmed that an analysis involving a panel of genes can be used to predict which lung cancer patients will have the worst survival. The finding could one day lead to a test that would help determine who needs more aggressive treatment.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Spice-Rack Favorites Battle E. Coli And Other Foodborne Pathogens
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/340678975/080720091047.htm
Herbs and spices like oregano, thyme, cinnamon and clove do more than add pleasing flavors and aromas to familiar foods. The oils from these plants, or compounds extracted from those oils, pack a powerful, antimicrobial punch--strong enough to help quell such foodborne pathogens as Escherichia coli O157:H7.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Measures To Limit Effects Of Pandemic Flu On Nursing Homes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345082654/080721173746.htm
The greatest danger in a pandemic flu outbreak is that it could spread quickly and devastate a broad swath of people across the United States before there is much of a chance to react. Now, researchers have taken a major step in determining what nonpharmaceutical interventions will work by developing mathematical models and testing scenarios that show which NPIs are appropriate for which levels of pandemic flu.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Fishing Ban Guards Coral Reefs Against Predatory Starfish Outbreaks
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/345082656/080721121001.htm
No-take marine reserves where fishing is banned can have benefits that extend beyond the exploited fishes they are specifically designed to protect, according to new evidence from Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Researchers have found that outbreaks of large, predatory crown-of-thorns starfish, which can devastate coral reefs although they don't yet know exactly why.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Why Play A Losing Game? Study Uncovers Why Low-income People Buy Lottery Tickets
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344690562/080724102945.htm
Although state lotteries, on average, return just 53 cents for every dollar spent on a ticket, people continue to pour money into them -- especially low-income people, who spend a greater percentage of their incomes on lottery tickets than the wealthier segments of society. A new study points to income as an influential factor in the decision to invest in a product that provides poor returns.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Largest Sample Of Very Distant Galaxies Ever Seen Provide New Insights Into Early Universe
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344744411/080724113045.htm
New Hubble Space Telescope observations of six spectacular galaxy clusters acting as gravitational lenses have given significant insights into the early stages of the Universe. Scientists have found the largest sample of very distant galaxies seen to date: ten promising candidates thought to lie at a distance of 13 billion light-years.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Soy Foods Are Associated With Lower Sperm Concentrations
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344800781/080723201241.htm
Men who eat an average of half a serving of soy food a day have lower concentrations of sperm than men who do not eat soy foods. The association was particularly marked in men who were overweight or obese, the study found.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Controlling Invasive Cane Grass With Wasps?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344800783/080717205642.htm
Researchers are to investigate biological control for an invasive cane grass that is choking waterways across North America. Also known as Carrizo and giant cane, the grass is growing along extensive stretches of the Rio Grande in Texas and can be found along Austin waterways such as Shoal Creek. It grows up to 20 feet tall, uses large amounts of water and may crowd out other plant species and affect wildlife.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Want A Reason To Love Your Lower Belly Fat? It's Rich In Stem Cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344800784/080723103259.htm
Fat removed from the lower abdomen and inner thigh through liposuction was found to be an excellent source of stem cells, with higher stem cell concentrations than other areas of the body. This is a finding from a first-of-its-kind study examines whether fat tissues from different areas of the body vary in stem cell concentration.

Fri, 25 Jul 08
Chinese Earthquake Provides Lessons For Future
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344800785/080721114600.htm
The May 12 Sichuan earthquake in China was unexpectedly large. Analysis of the area, however, now shows that topographic characteristics of the highly mountainous area identified the mountain range as active and could have pointed to the earthquake hazard. Topographic analysis can help evaluate other, similar fault areas for seismic risk, according to geologists from Penn State and Arizona State University.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Toxic Chemicals Found In Common Scented Laundry Products, Air Fresheners
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344145539/080723134438.htm
A study of top-selling laundry products and air fresheners found the products emitted dozens of different chemicals. All six products tested gave off at least one chemical regulated as toxic or hazardous under federal laws, but none of those chemicals was listed on the product labels.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Licking Your Wounds: Scientists Isolate Compound In Human Saliva That Speeds Wound Healing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344145540/080723094841.htm
A report by scientists from the Netherlands identifies a compound in human saliva that greatly speeds wound healing. This research may offer hope to people suffering from chronic wounds related to diabetes and other disorders, as well as traumatic injuries and burns. In addition, because the compounds can be mass produced, they have the potential to become as common as antibiotic creams and rubbing alcohol.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Olympic Games: Air Quality Forecasts For China
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344145541/080723094845.htm
With less than a month remaining before the Beijing Olympics, Chinese officials have introduced a series of measures to improve air quality for the Games. A new tool has been installed in the capital city to allow the Chinese to monitor the effectiveness of these efforts.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Over-the-counter Anesthetic Gel Puts The Squeeze On Mammogram Pain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342488113/080722072032.htm
The simple application of a pain-relieving gel may reduce the breast discomfort some women experience during mammography exams. For a mammography exam, a radiologic technologist positions the patient's breast on a platform in a mammography unit. The breast is then gradually compressed with a paddle. The patient may feel pressure and occasionally some discomfort or pain. Fear of this discomfort leads many women to avoid mammograms altogether.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Balance Problems? Step Into The IShoe
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344145542/080717211328.htm
Your grandmother might have little in common with an astronaut, but both could benefit from a new device an MIT graduate student is designing to test balancing ability.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Virtual Toothache Helps Student Dentists
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344145543/080721114604.htm
Masha, a middle-aged avatar from Second Life, is an integral part of a new research project to teach and give students practice time to communicate with mock patients. Not only do findings from the study have potential to revolutionize dental education but also to change the way national testing is done for patient-side communication skills.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Astronomers See Disks Surrounding Black Holes, Strengthened Evidence For Current Explanation Of Quasars
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344145544/080723142119.htm
For the first time, researchers have found a way to view the accretion disks surrounding black holes and verify that their true electromagnetic spectra match what astronomers have long predicted they would be. A black hole and its bright accretion disk have been thought to form a quasar, the powerful light source at the center of some distant galaxies. Using a polarizing filter, astronomers isolated the light emitted by the accretion disk from that produced by other matter in the vicinity of the black hole.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Exercise Could Be The Heart's Fountain Of Youth
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344145545/080723134431.htm
Older people who did endurance exercise training for about a year ended up with metabolically much younger hearts. The researchers also showed that by one metabolic measure, women benefited more than men from the training.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
'Nanosculpture' Could Enable New Types Of Heat Pumps And Energy Converters
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/338311442/080717145054.htm
Researchers have discovered a new technique for growing single-crystal nanorods and controlling their shape using biomolecules. The research could enable the development of smaller, more powerful heat pumps and devices that harvest electricity from heat.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Early Exposure To Tobacco Smoke Causes Asthma And Allergy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344145546/080723170835.htm
Babies exposed to cigarette smoke before birth or during the first months afterwards run a greater risk of developing asthma and allergy. It is a well known fact that babies are harmed by tobacco smoke in numerous ways, but it has always been difficult to separate the effects of the mother smoking during pregnancy and passive smoking after birth.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Student Devises Solar Energy ECG Useful In Developing Countries And Troubled Areas
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/341115875/080720220017.htm
A electrotechnology student has devised an ECG machine that runs on solar energy. This especially lends itself to use in developing countries or troubled areas.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Autism's Social Struggles Due To Disrupted Communication Networks In Brain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344145547/080723102335.htm
Picking up on innuendo and social cues is a central component of engaging in conversation, but people with autism often struggle to determine another person's intentions in a social interaction. New research sheds light on the neural mechanisms that are responsible for such social difficulties in autism, and on the workings of these social brain mechanisms in all of us.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Human Visual System Could Make Powerful Computer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344145548/080723134434.htm
Since the idea of using DNA to create faster, smaller, and more powerful computers originated in 1994, scientists have been scrambling to develop successful ways to use genetic code for computation. Now, new research suggests that if we want to carry out artificial computations, all we have to do is literally look around. A researcher has begun to develop a technique to turn our eyes and visual system into a programmable computer.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Cancer Drug Delivery Time Cut From Days To Hours With New Technique
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344145549/080722152606.htm
Researchers have developed a technique that has the potential to deliver cancer-fighting drugs to diseased areas within hours, as opposed to the two days it currently takes for existing delivery systems.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Milkweed's Evolutionary Approach To Caterpillars: Counter Appetite With Fast Repair
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344145550/080722131657.htm
The adage that your enemies know your weaknesses best is especially true in the case of plants and predators that have co-evolved: as the predators evolve new strategies for attack, plants counter with their own unique defenses.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Predynastic Human Presence Discovered By Core Drilling At The Northern Nile Delta Coast, Egypt
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344145551/080723101956.htm
A small but significant find made during a geological survey provides evidence of the oldest human presence yet discovered along the northernmost margin of Egypt's Nile delta.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Gray And Green Together: Older Adults Can Play Role In Creating Healthier Environment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344145552/080722143702.htm
Volunteering for environmental protection activities can be physically and mentally sustaining for older people. In fact, this demographic group is in a unique position to have a noticeable impact on its surroundings.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Parasites Vastly Outweigh Predators In Estuaries: Could Have Significant Ecological Implications
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344145553/080723140323.htm
In a study of free-living and parasitic species in three estuaries on the Pacific coast of California and Baja California, researchers have determined that parasite biomass in those habitats exceeds that of top predators, in some cases by a factor of 20. Their findings, which could have significant biomedical and ecological implications, appear in the science journal Nature. From an ecological perspective, parasites serve both as regulators to prevent species from becoming numerically dominant and as indicators of the health of a particular ecosystem. The study shows for the first time that parasites might drive the flow of energy in ecosystems.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Regular Meals Reduce Risk Of Developing Metabolic Syndrome, Study Shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342536626/080722090056.htm
It is obvious to most people that our health is affected by what we eat; now, however, scientists have shown that it is also a matter of how often we eat. Scientists have now, for the first time, showed that the frequency of meals, regardless of their content, affects the chances of developing metabolic syndrome.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
During Olympics, Scientists Will Be Studying Air-quality In Beijing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344145554/080722154116.htm
As the world watches China prepare for the Olympic Games, one researcher has his eye on less visible matters -- the particles in Beijing's air that millions breathe every day, and that many more will be breathing when they descend on the city this summer.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Analysis Of Quickly Stopped Rx Orders Provides New Tool For Reducing Medical Errors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/339423862/080718180714.htm
By studying medication orders that are withdrawn ("discontinued") by physicians within 45 minutes of their origination, researchers have demonstrated a systematic and efficient method of identifying prescribing errors. The method, they say, has value to screen for medication errors and as a teaching tool for physicians and physicians-in-training.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Saving Lives After Natural Disasters With Fast Set-Up Phone Network
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344145555/080723121324.htm
A ten-kilo GSM mobile phone network will allow rescue workers to set up communications just hours, or even minutes, after a man-made or natural catastrophe. When disaster strikes communications are often one of the first infrastructures to go down. But it is exactly when effective communications are most desperately needed.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Malaria Control Goals Are Likely To Be Unachievable
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/344145556/080721223349.htm
The Millennium Development Goal to halt and begin to reverse the incidence of malaria globally is unlikely to be met. The statement comes in a report published in PLoS Medicine.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Genetics Of White Horses Unraveled: One Mutation Makes Ordinary Horses Turn Grey, Then White, Very Young
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/340893744/080720150203.htm
White horses are colored horses that turn grey, then white, at a very young age. The white horse is an icon for dignity which has had a huge impact on human culture across the world. Scientists have now identified the mutation causing this spectacular trait and show that it can be traced back to an ancestor that lived thousands of years ago. The study is interesting for medical research since this mutation also increases the risk of melanoma.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Checking More Lymph Nodes Linked To Cancer Patient Survival
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343594616/080721162305.htm
Why do patients with gastric or pancreatic cancer live longer when they are treated at cancer centers or high-volume hospitals than patients treated at low-volume or community hospitals? New research found that cancer patients have more lymph nodes examined for the spread of their disease if they are treated at hospitals performing more cancer surgeries or at comprehensive cancer centers. The result is a more accurate prognosis and treatment decision, which results in improved long-term outcomes.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
High Economic Value Set On Threatened Mexican Mangroves
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343594617/080721173757.htm
Mangrove destruction not only comes with ecological cost, but monetary as well: $37,500 per hectare each year, researchers say. Mexican mangroves, trees that form forest ecosystems at the land-sea interface, demonstrably boost fishery yields in the Gulf of California.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Discovery Of A Mechanism That Regulates Cell Movement
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/340893745/080720150200.htm
A mechanism that controls the movement of cells in a tissue by regulating cell adhesion has been identified. This same mechanism may be defective in diseases such as cancer and metastasis, when tumour cells lose their adhesion to neighbouring cells and migrate through the organism.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
New Chlorine-tolerant Desalination Membrane Hopes To Boost Access To Clean Water
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343594618/080722131700.htm
Chemical engineers have developed a chlorine-tolerant membrane that should simplify the water desalination process, increasing access to fresh water and possibly reducing greenhouse gases.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Geographical Ties To Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Cases Among 1991 Gulf War Veterans
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343594619/080721151955.htm
Researchers are hoping to find a geographical pattern to help explain why 1991 Gulf War veterans contracted the fatal neurological disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at twice the normal rate during the decade after the conflict.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Rare Mutant Cells Glimpsed: Imaging System May Help Understand Origins Of Cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343594620/080721173740.htm
MIT biological engineers have developed a new imaging system that allows them to see cells that have undergone a specific mutation.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Once-suspect Protein Found To Promote DNA Repair, Prevent Cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343594621/080721173743.htm
An abundant chromosomal protein that binds to damaged DNA prevents cancer development by enhancing DNA repair, researchers report in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Science.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
How Carrots Help Us See The Color Orange
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342625048/080722102723.htm
One of the easiest ways to identify an object is by its color -- perhaps it is because children's books encourage us to pair certain objects with their respective colors. Why else would so many of us automatically assume carrots are orange, grass is green and apples are red?

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Small Birth Size Linked To Changes In The Cardiovascular System That Predispose To Later Disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343594622/080722192352.htm
Researchers have found the first evidence that smaller size at birth is associated with specific alterations in the functioning of the heart and circulation in children and that these changes differ between boys and girls. It adds to the evidence that adverse environments experienced by the baby before birth and indicated by low birth weight, can cause long-term changes in the heart and blood vessels, leading to heart and blood vessel disease in later life.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Better Than Power Grid: New Microgrid Network Proposed For More Dependable, Cheaper Power
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343594623/080722152609.htm
A researcher has proposed a microgrid-based power plant with its own local power sources and independent control as a more dependable, efficient, and cost effective system than traditional telecom power systems. Microgrids would also be a quick and inexpensive way to include renewable energy sources for both existing and developing systems.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Age-old Magic Tricks Can Provide Clues For Modern Science
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343594624/080722192354.htm
Revealing the science behind age-old magic tricks will help us better understand how humans see, think, and act.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
'Stuffy Nose' Mouse: A Promise To Help Treat 31 Million With Sinusitis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343594625/080722225342.htm
Mice with inflamed nasal tissue may be unable to tell if something smells bad or good, but their sensory deficit is nothing to turn up a nose at. That is because, their developers say, the mice's reversible loss of one of their key senses, which is essential to tasting food or sensing danger from foul odors, sets them apart from all other mice and binds them to an estimated 31 million Americans living with chronic sinusitis, a persistent inflammation of the tissue that lines the nasal and sinus cavities.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
End In Sight For Dreaded Dentist Drill
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342586343/080722091553.htm
A new technology that spots tooth decay almost as soon as it's begun promises to reduce the need for drilling and filling. Drilling is one of the top dental phobias and puts thousands of people off visiting their dentist every year.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Stem Cell Chicken And Egg Debate Moves To Unlikely Arena: The Testes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/340893749/080720150149.htm
Logic says it has to be the niche. As air and water preceded life, so the niche, that hospitable environment that shelters adult stem cells in many tissues and provides factors necessary to keep them young and vital, must have emerged before its stem cell dependents.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
New Vaccine May Protect Against All Four Strains Of Dengue Virus
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342586340/080722091648.htm
Researchers have developed a novel four-component vaccine that protects monkeys against all four strains of dengue virus and may potentially offer protection to the millions of humans at risk worldwide.Â

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Environmental Factors Linked To Sex Ratio Of Plants Discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343594626/080722113027.htm
Environmental factors can transform the ratio of females to males in plant populations according to new research. The authors suggest that when females capture large amounts of pollen, female-determining pollen tubes out-compete male-determining pollen tubes to fertilize the single ovule in each flower.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Serious School Failure Is Depressing For Girls, But Not Boys
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343594627/080722131653.htm
Adolescent girls who had a serious school failure by the 12th grade -- being expelled, suspended or dropping out -- were significantly more likely to have suffered a serious bout of depression at the age of 21 than girls who did not have these problems.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Commercial Bees Spreading Disease To Wild Pollinating Bees
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343594628/080722225336.htm
Bees provide crucial pollination service to numerous crops and up to a third of the human diet comes from plants pollinated by insects. However, pollinating bees are suffering widespread declines in North America and scientists warn that this could have serious implications for agriculture and food supply. While the cause of these declines has largely been a mystery, new research reveals an alarming spread of disease from commercial bees to wild pollinators.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Epilepsy Drug May Increase Risk Of Birth Defects
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343594629/080721162316.htm
Taking the epilepsy drug topiramate alone or along with other epilepsy drugs during pregnancy may increase the risk of birth defects, according to a study in Neurology. Research has shown that many epilepsy drugs increase the risk of birth defects, but little research had been done on topiramate.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Robot Playmates May Help Children With Autism
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343594630/080722143659.htm
Scientists studying interactions of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders with bubble-blowing robots confirm what has been widely reported anecdotally: that ASD children in many cases interact more easily with mechanical devices than with humans. The researchers are developing a "control architecture" which will tailor robot interactions to the specific needs of ASD children to help therapists treating their condition.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Plastic Bottle Contaminants? No Reproductive Or Developmental Effects Found In Mice From Oral Exposure To Low Doses Of Bisphenol A
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343594631/080722160030.htm
A new multigenerational reproductive toxicity study of dietary Bisphenol A (BPA) in mice found no adverse effects of BPA on parents or offspring at dietary concentrations and doses comparable to those estimated for human exposure levels.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Some Earthworms Make Septic Systems Work Better, Others Do The Opposite
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/340678972/080720092819.htm
The right earthworms can make home septic systems work better. The wrong ones could do the opposite. That's the finding in a study of worm populations living in the soil near trenches receiving septic tank flow outside five single family homes.

Thu, 24 Jul 08
Viagra Works For Antidepressant-related Sexual Dysfunction In Women, Study Suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343594632/080722162119.htm
Women with sexual dysfunction caused by the use of antidepressants experienced a reduction in adverse sexual effects with use of sildenafil, commonly known as the erectile dysfunction medication Viagra.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Micro Air Vehicle: Three Gram 'Dragonfly' Takes Flight
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342536627/080722085558.htm
Engineers have made a new tiny DelFly Micro air vehicle. This successor to the DelFly I and II weighs barely 3 grams, and with its flapping wings is very similar to a dragonfly. Ultra-small, remote-controlled micro aircraft with cameras, such as this DelFly, may well be used in the future for observation flights in difficult-to-reach or dangerous areas.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Viral Recombination: Another Way HIV Fools The Immune System
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343066509/080721151941.htm
When individuals infected with HIV become infected with a second strain of the virus, the two viral strains can exchange genetic information, creating a third, recombinant strain of the virus that can evade immune system control. Now a study from the Partners AIDS Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital shows that how and where viral strains swap DNA may be determined by the immune response against the original infecting strain.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Super-Resolution X-ray Microscopy Unveils Buried Secrets Of The Nanoworld
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343066510/080717140448.htm
A novel super-resolution X-ray microscope combines the high penetration power of x-rays with high spatial resolution, making it possible for the first time to shed light on the detailed interior composition of semiconductor devices and cellular structures.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
How Gastric Reflux May Trigger Asthma
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343066511/080721151958.htm
Researchers appear to have solved at least a piece of a puzzle that has mystified physicians for years: why so many patients with asthma also suffer from GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Molecular Hula Hoop Nanorotor
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/339117261/080718112208.htm
Japanese researchers have observed the action of a nanorotor on the molecular scale. They were able to get "snapshots" of individual molecular rotors caught in motion.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Hormone Oxytocin May Inhibit Social Phobia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342586344/080722090555.htm
Scientists have shown using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) that the hormone oxytocin can inhibit feelings of anxiety in specific individuals. Their discovery might lead to a better understanding and the improved treatment of psychiatric affections in which people feel distressed when meeting others, such as in cases of autism and social phobia.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Unique Fossil Discovery Shows Antarctic Was Once Much Warmer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343066512/080722192345.htm
A new fossil discovery -- the first of its kind from the whole of the Antarctic continent -- provides new evidence to support the theory that the polar region was once much warmer. Scientists made the new fossil discovery in the Dry Valleys of the East Antarctic region. The fossils (ostracods) come from an ancient lake -- 14 million years old -- and are exceptionally well preserved, with all of their soft anatomy in 3-dimensions. This rare find has implications for tracking the polar ice cap.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
New Evidence Of Battle Between Humans And Ancient Virus
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343066513/080721112616.htm
Human ancestors fought back against an ancient retrovirus with a defense mechanism that our bodies still use today. Evidence of this battle has been preserved in our DNA for millions of years.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Heading Circulatory Disease Off At The Pass
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343066514/080717140415.htm
Researchers have devised an ultrasound imaging technique that picks up subtle early evidence of peripheral arterial disease that current conventional tests miss. The test, if approved for clinical use, could lead to early treatments that would head off the serious complications that can result from the disease.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Carbon Dioxide Laser Resurfacing May Reduce Wrinkles Over Long Term
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343066516/080721162302.htm
Carbon dioxide laser resurfacing appears to be an effective long-term treatment for facial wrinkles, according to a report in the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Fresh From The Grapevine To The Table With Sulfur Dioxide Preservative
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343066517/080717111935.htm
Table grapes are subject to serious water loss and decay while making the long trip from the vine to tables around the world. Pads placed over the fruit packed in boxes are one way of ensuring that consumers get fresh, appealing fruits. The pads release sulfur dioxide, a chemical used to prevent mold and decaying of table grapes.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Memory Impairment Associated With Sound Processing Disorder
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343066520/080721162314.htm
Mild memory impairment may be associated with central auditory processing dysfunction, or difficulty hearing in complex situations with competing noise, such as hearing a single conversation amid several other conversations, according to a new article.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Potentially Serious Security Flaws Found In Most Bank Websites, Including Large Bank Sites, Study Shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343066521/080722175802.htm
More than 75 percent of the bank Web sites surveyed had at least one design flaw that could make customers vulnerable to cyber thieves after their money or even their identity. These design flaws aren't bugs that can be fixed with a patch. They stem from the flow and the layout of these Web sites, according to the study. The flaws include placing log-in boxes and contact information on insecure web pages as well as failing to keep users on the site they initially visited.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Tuberculosis Presents Major Challenges To HIV Treatment In Developing Countries
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343066522/080722162121.htm
Human immunodeficiency virus care and treatment programs in resource-limited settings must aggressively address tuberculosis and the emerging multidrug-resistant TB epidemic to save patient lives and to curb the global TB burden, a major cause of death for persons with HIV, according to a new article.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Raptors Survival Can Be Threatened By Ingesting Lead And Cadmium
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343066523/080717223732.htm
Environmental pollutants accumulate in birds of prey, and in some cases, these can cause death. A comparative study of raptors in Galicia and Extremadura undertaken by Spanish researchers has confirmed their exposure to two potentially toxic agents, lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). The data obtained can be used to detect the toxicological effects in terrestrial ecosystems.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Predicting Acute GVHD By Gene Expression Could Improve Liver Stem Cell Transplant Outcomes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/341224329/080721001756.htm
Acute graft-versus-host disease occurs when an immune response is elicited by the grafted cells against a recipient, resulting in tissue damage for the treated individual. There are no definitive markers for predicting the development or progression of GVHD following the transplant of allogenic stem cells as therapy for liver cancer. This study offers a preliminary "molecular signature" for the development of acute GVHD based on altered gene expression.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Pollination Habits Of Endangered Texas Rice Revealed To Help Preservation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343066524/080715125924.htm
A type of wild rice that only grows in a small stretch of the San Marcos River is likely so rare because it plays the sexual reproduction game poorly.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Transit Systems Are Not Well-integrated Into Local Emergency Plans
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343066526/080722113024.htm
Millions of people each day rely on transit, yet few urban area emergency plans have focused on its role in an emergency evacuation. Transit systems could play a significant role in transporting car-less and special needs populations in times of emergency, but these groups are inadequately addressed in most local emergency plans and evacuating them could easily exceed limited transit resources.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
New Population Of Highly Threatened Greater Bamboo Lemur Found In Madagascar
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342488116/080722072025.htm
Researchers in Madagascar have confirmed the existence of a population of greater bamboo lemurs more than 400 km from the only other place where the critically endangered species is known to live, raising hopes for its survival.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Combating Age-related Immune-response Decline: Protein Found To Stimulate Production Of T-cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343066528/080722114201.htm
Scientists have identified a protein that stimulates the production of T-cells, the white blood cells involved in the recognition and the elimination of infectious agents. The discovery could help to combat age-related declines in immune response.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Predicting Coral Health By Identifying Nearby Microscopic Algae
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/338987618/080718085114.htm
A new indicator of coral health has been discovered in a community of microscopic single-celled algae called dinoflagellates. The study reveals that a particular type of these algae renders corals more susceptible to disease.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Prenatal Drinking, Environmental Enrichment: Effects On Neurotrophins Are Independent Of Each Other
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/339423858/080718180729.htm
Prenatal alcohol exposure may be particularly destructive for neurotrophins, a family of peptides that influence the growth, development and functional plasticity of the fetal brain. A new rodent study of alcohol's effects on three key neurotrophins has found that, even though environmental enrichment may be able to improve some fetal-alcohol effects, those benefits do not appear to be mediated by neurotrophins.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Management Practices Key To Watershed Condition
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343066534/080715152308.htm
Animals thrive on the banks of waterways. And those same tree-covered, green grassy areas are keys to maintaining healthy watersheds for creeks and rivers. Landowners must learn how to manage these properties to strike an ecological balance that benefits wildlife and livestock and still protects watersheds, scientists say.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Reflecting On Values Promotes Love, Acceptance
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/343066537/080722113022.htm
No one enjoys being told that their behavior is harmful to themselves or others. In fact, most people respond defensively when confronted with evidence that their behavior is irrational, irresponsible, or unhealthy. Fortunately, research has shown that just a few minutes of writing about an important value can reduce defensiveness.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Air Pollution Causing Widespread And Serious Impacts To Ecosystems In Eastern United States
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342676364/080721160250.htm
If you are living in the eastern United States, the environment around you is being harmed by air pollution. From Adirondack forests and Shenandoah streams to Appalachian wetlands and the Chesapeake Bay, a new report has found that air pollution is degrading every major ecosystem type in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic United States.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
How The Immune System And Brain Communicate To Control Disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342676365/080721173748.htm
In a major step in understanding how the nervous system and the immune system interact, scientists have identified a new anatomical path through which the brain and the spleen communicate. The spleen, once thought to be an unnecessary bit of tissue, is now regarded as an organ where important information from the nervous reaches the immune system. Understanding this process could ultimately lead to treatments that target the spleen to send the right message when fighting human disease.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
People Only Eat One, When The Chips Are Brown
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342676366/080716111412.htm
Dr. Don Henne isn't wasting his degree when he's standing by the deep fryer waiting for potato slices to turn brown. He's conducting research that will help the potato industry and consumers. Henne, an assistant research scientist in the Texas AgriLife Research plant pathology program in Amarillo, is one of many who are trying to find answers about zebra chip. Zebra chip is the latest disease to plague the potato industry, especially those in the chipping business.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Still Puzzling: Best Care For The Frail And Elderly With Coronary Artery Disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342676367/080718180701.htm
Patients treated solely with medications after suffering from chest pain, heart attack or coronary artery disease are more likely to die during the first year following their initial hospitalization. Researchers found that with all else being equal, the risk of death was highest for the medically managed group and lowest for patients who underwent stenting.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Outbreak Of Plague In South Dakota Leads To Vaccines For Black-footed Ferrets
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342676372/080716115541.htm
Endangered black-footed ferrets aren't exactly lining up to be stuck with a vaccine, but in an effort to help control an extensive outbreak of plague in South Dakota, some of the ferrets are getting dosed with a vaccine given by biologists. Black-footed ferrets are one of the rarest mammals in North America. The plague is transmitted from animals to humans by bites of infected fleas, but it can be cured with antibiotics if treatment is prompt.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Mangroves Key To Saving Lives
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/341576301/080721092406.htm
The replanting of mangroves on the coasts of the Philippines could help save many of the lives lost in the 20-30 typhoons that hit the islands annually. The mangrove forests along the Philippinesâ€™ 36,300 km of coastline play an important role in fisheries, forestry and wildlife as well as providing protection from typhoons and storm surges, erosion and floods. In the last century, they have declined from 450,000 ha to 120,000 ha, mostly due to their development into culture ponds.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Ultrasonic Frogs Can Tune Their Ears To Different Frequencies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342586339/080722091652.htm
Researchers have discovered that a frog that lives near noisy springs in central China can tune its ears to different sound frequencies, much like the tuner on a radio can shift from one frequency to another.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Minimally Invasive Treatment Improves Male Fertility
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342488112/080722072038.htm
A minimally invasive treatment for a common cause of male infertility can significantly improve a couple's chances for pregnancy, according to a new study. The study also found that the level of sperm motility prior to treatment is a key predictor of success.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Did A Significant Climate Change Event, Known As Younger Dryas, Impact Climate Around The Globe?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342676373/080717140432.htm
New research evaluates whether the significant climate change event about 12,900 years ago known as Younger Dryas impacted the climate all around the globe. The Younger Dryas event refers to an unexpected rapid cooling of the earth that is known to have lasted about 1,300 years. It coincided with widespread extinctions of species, but, although the event itself is well-documented, scientists are still unclear of whether its impact was felt equally all across the globe.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Stenting To Prop Open Blocked Arteries: Will That Be Through An Arm Or A Leg?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342676374/080718180705.htm
When it comes to stenting -- using metal tubes to prop open blocked arteries -- physicians are continuing to choose to gain entry to the circulatory system through an opening in the leg instead of the arm, even though the latter option appears to be safer, with fewer side effects.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
First Full 3-D View Of Cracks Growing In Steel
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342676375/080717140421.htm
Researchers have revealed how a growing crack interacts with the 3-D structure of stainless steel. By using a new technique, they could determine the internal 3-D structure of the sample without destroying it. Afterwards, they initiated a crack and studied how it grew between the grains. The results could be useful to make more performing materials for, for example, safer power plants.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Nano-modified Food: How Much Are Consumers Willing To Accept The Associated Risks?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/341152128/080720220640.htm
Consumers have largely grown to accept nanotechnology in nutrition for packaging and, to a lesser extent, even the food itself, according to a new study. In recent years, nanotechnology has joined gene and information technology in becoming a pinnacle of hope for research and industry. The latest uses for nanotechnology include food products and their packaging.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Spinal Cord Stem Cells Could Be Basis Of Nonsurgical Treatment For Spinal-cord Injuries
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342676376/080721223346.htm
A researcher at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory has pinpointed stem cells within the spinal cord that, if persuaded to differentiate into more healing cells and fewer scarring cells following an injury, may lead to a new, nonsurgical treatment for debilitating spinal-cord injuries.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Blood-related Genetic Mechanisms Found Important In Parkinson's Disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342676377/080721173752.htm
What does the genetics of blood cells have to do with brain cells related to Parkinson's disease? From an unusual collaboration of neurologists and a pharmacologist comes the surprising answer: genetic mechanisms at play in blood cells also control a gene and protein that cause Parkinson's disease.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Wild Orchids In Borneo: Is There Time To Save Thousands Of Species From Extinction?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/338166987/080717110241.htm
Borneo (Kalimantan) is the third largest island in the world. Borneo's rain forests are also home to some extremely rare species of orchids, all highly valued for their exotic aromas and aesthetic beauty. Borneo's orchids are also endangered, a result of the loss of natural habitat from fire, forest damage, and illegal logging. Increased exploitation of the forests of West Borneo, including gold mining and illegal burning, has led to the certain extinction of hundreds of orchid species.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Water-diffusion Technology Identifies Brain Regions Damaged By Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/339423859/080718180726.htm
Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder often have structural brain damage. Recent findings show that several specific white matter regions, as well as deep gray matter areas, of the brain are particularly sensitive to prenatal alcohol exposure. These abnormalities likely underlie the cognitive, motor, behavioral and emotional difficulties that are associated with FASD.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
Healthy Olives Can Now Be Grown In Salty Water
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342676378/080717140411.htm
News that olives are sources of "good fat" has increased demand for the luscious fruits. To keep the world's olive lovers satisfied, an intensive wave of olive planting has occurred. Traditionally, olives have been cultivated in the Mediterranean region. But fresh water is becoming increasingly hard to come by in semiarid areas, and irrigation of most new olive plantations is often accomplished with low-quality sources of water that contain relatively high levels of salt.

Wed, 23 Jul 08
New Findings On Mother Earth's Earthy Scent
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/341576298/080721093748.htm
That evocative "earthy" scent of the soil returning to life in spring -- and nasty earthy tastes and odors in fish and drinking water -- actually results from two substances released by soil bacteria. Researchers now report identifying how one of these substances forms, an understanding that could lead to improvements in the quality of water and food products.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Adding Lime To Seawater May Cut Carbon Dioxide Levels Back To Pre-industrial Levels
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/341224330/080721001742.htm
A workable way of reducing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere by adding lime, found in limestone, to seawater has the potential to dramatically reverse CO2 accumulation. Adding lime to seawater increases alkalinity, boosting seawater's ability to absorb CO2 from air and reducing the tendency to release it back again.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Beijing Pollution May Trigger Heart Attacks, Strokes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342025277/080721102807.htm
The heavily polluted air in Beijing may trigger serious cardiovascular problems for some spectators. Researchers warn that for people in certain risk groups, breathing high levels of pollution can cause heart attacks and strokes within 24 hours of exposure and increase the possibility of having blood clots in their legs on the plane home. Research shows that high pollution levels can cause hyperclotting of the blood, spurring stokes and heart attacks.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Female Monkeys More Dominant In Groups With Relatively More Males
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342025278/080715204745.htm
Female monkeys are more dominant when they live in groups with a higher percentage of males. This is caused by self-organization. What makes the study particularly interesting is that the researchers used a computer model which can simulate interaction between monkeys.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Increased Risk For Disabilities After Preterm Birth
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342025279/080718220007.htm
Premature birth is associated with various life-long problems. Still, many premature children seem to function very well as adults according to a new large and comprehensive study from Norway.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
For Your Eyes Only: Custom Interfaces Make Computer Clicking Faster, Easier
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342025280/080715152316.htm
Personalized computer interfaces that adapt to each user's vision and motor abilities significantly speeds up computer tasks, especially in disabled users. A mathematical approach to design offers the first instantly customizable computer interface.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Pregnant Mice Block Odor Of Strange Male's Urine To Protect Their Pups
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/340893746/080720150157.htm
Mouse mothers-to-be have a remarkable way to protect their unborn pups. Because the smell of a strange male's urine can cause miscarriage and reactivate the ovulatory cycle, pregnant mice prevent the action of such olfactory stimuli by blocking their smell. Researchers have now revealed the nature of this ability.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
90 Billion Tons Of Microbial Organisms Live In Deep Marine Subsurface: More Archaea Than Bacteria
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/341576300/080721092416.htm
Biogeoscientists show evidence of 90 billion tons of microbial organisms -- expressed in terms of carbon mass -- living in the deep biosphere. This tonnage corresponds to about one-tenth of the amount of carbon stored globally in tropical rainforests. Archaea were found to make up at least 87 percent of organisms that colonize the deep biosphere. This finding is in stark contrast to previous reports, which suggest that Bacteria dominate the subseafloor ecosystem.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Plants Make Vaccine For Treating Type Of Cancer In Phase-1 Study
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342025283/080721173801.htm
Plants could act as safe, speedy factories for growing antibodies for personalized treatments against a common form of cancer, according to new findings from the Stanford University School of Medicine. The findings came in the first human tests of an injectable vaccine grown in genetically engineered plants. The treatments, which would vaccinate cancer patients against their malignant cells, could lead to earlier personalized therapy to tackle follicular B-cell lymphoma, an immune-system malignancy diagnosed in about 16,000 people each year.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Spitzer Reveals 'No Organics' Zone Around Pinwheel Galaxy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342025284/080721153148.htm
The Pinwheel galaxy is gussied up in infrared light in a new picture from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. The fluffy-looking galaxy, officially named Messier 101, is dominated by a mishmash of spiral arms. In Spitzer's new view, in which infrared light is color coded, the galaxy sports a swirling blue center and a unique, coral-red outer ring.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Class Of Antibiotics Can Enhance Gene-silencing Tool
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/340893748/080720150153.htm
The selective gene-silencing technique called RNA interference holds promise for medicine if it can be adapted to work in humans. Certain antibiotic compounds called fluoroquinolones enhance the effectiveness of RNA interference in cells and could reduce potential side effects.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Microbes Beneath Sea Floor Genetically Distinct
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342025285/080721173750.htm
Tiny microbes beneath the sea floor, distinct from life on the Earth's surface, may account for one-tenth of the Earth's living biomass, according to an interdisciplinary team of researchers, but many of these minute creatures are living on a geologic timescale.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Nanotechnology: Learning From Past Mistakes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342025286/080721102356.htm
A new expert analysis in Nature Nanotechnology questions whether industry, government and scientists are successfully applying lessons learned from past technologies to ensure the safe and responsible development of emerging nanotechnologies.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Amazon River Powers Tropical Ocean's Carbon Sink
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342025287/080721173759.htm
Nutrients from the Amazon River spread well beyond the continental shelf and drive carbon capture in the deep ocean. This new finding does not change estimates of the oceans' total carbon uptake, but it reveals the surprisingly large role of tropical oceans and major rivers.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Regular Walking Nearly Halves Elderly Disability Risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342025288/080715152312.htm
Older adults can decrease their risk of disability and increase their likelihood of maintaining independence by 41 percent by participating in a walking exercise program, according to a new study.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Suckling Infants Trigger Surges Of Trust Hormone In Mothers' Brains
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342025289/080717201854.htm
Researchers have for the first time been able to show exactly how, when a baby suckles at a mother's breast, it starts a chain of events that leads to surges of the "trust" hormone oxytocin being released in their mothers brains.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Primary Sensor That Detects Stomach Viruses Discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342025290/080717201851.htm
Scientists have identified the primary immune sensor that detects the presence of stomach viruses in the body. They show that the sensor -- a protein called MDA-5 -- triggers an immune response that revs up the body's defenses to fight off the infection. This knowledge may help develop a treatment that prevents or reduces infection.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Exotic Materials Using Neptunium, Plutonium Provide Insight Into Superconductivity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342025297/080721121644.htm
Physicists have gained new insight into the origins of superconductivity -- a property of metals where electrical resistance vanishes -- by studying exotic chemical compounds that contain neptunium and plutonium. While superconductivity holds promise for massive energy savings in power transmission, and for novel uses such as levitating trains, today it occurs only at extremely cold temperatures. Still, physicists believe room temperature superconductivity may be possible. This work sheds light on the connection between magnetism and superconductivity.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Common Wisdom About Troubled Youth Falls Apart When Race Considered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342025298/080721151945.htm
One of the most widely accepted beliefs about the differences between troubled boys and girls may need to be revised, according to new research. Experts have long believed that girls tend to internalize their problems, becoming depressed or anxious, while boys externalize, turning to violence against people or property.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
New Project To Develop GPS-like System For Moon
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342025299/080721151938.htm
The same researcher who is helping rovers navigate on Mars is leading a new effort to help humans navigate on the moon. When NASA returns to the moon -- the space agency has set a target date of 2020 to do so -- astronauts won't be able to use a global positioning system to find their way around, explained the professor of civil and environmental engineering and geodetic science.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Insulin-producing Cells Can Give Rise To Stem-like Cells In-vitro
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342025300/080721152008.htm
The question of whether insulin-producing cells of the pancreas can regenerate is key to our understanding of diabetes. Now scientists have concluded that they can. Researchers have shown in vitro that insulin-producing β-cells (beta cells) can return to a more primitive developmental state called stem-like cells.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
3-D Views Posted From NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342025301/080721152858.htm
NASA's Phoenix Mars Mission has released stereo images of the Martian surface near the Phoenix lander. The images in the new 3-D Gallery combine views from the left and right "eyes" of the lander's Surface Stereo Imager (SSI) so that they appear three-dimensional when viewed through red-blue glasses.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Cancer Drug Resistance: Enzyme Expression Levels Correlated With Chemotherapy Drug Response
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/339117263/080718101627.htm
Why do cancer patients develop resistance to chemotherapy drugs, sometimes abruptly, after a period in which the drugs seem to be working well to reduce tumors or hold them in check? Although largely a mystery to scientists, the result when this occurs is all too familiar: patients relapse and in many cases die when their cancers become resistant.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Geosequestration: Turning Carbon Dioxide Into Rock To Offset Global Warming
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342025302/080717210554.htm
The same technology used to analyse minerals and atmosphere on Mars and other planets is being used by scientists to explore methods for geosequestration of carbon emissions. The idea of geosequestration is to trap carbon dioxide and to lock it into minerals deep underground. Geosequestration of carbon dioxide is one of the methods under debate to reduce greenhouse gases and their effects on climate change.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Intelligent Computational Model Of The Descriptive Grammar Of The Spanish Language
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342025303/080717225716.htm
Researchers have developed an intelligent computational model of the descriptive grammar of the Spanish language. This opens up new possibilities for the computational representation of languages and natural language processing applications.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Using Magenetic Nanoparticles To Combat Cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342025304/080716101257.htm
Scientists have developed a potential new treatment against cancer that attaches magnetic nanoparticles to cancer cells, allowing them to be captured and carried out of the body. The treatment has been tested in the laboratory and will now be looked at in survival studies.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Averting Postsurgical Infections In Kids: Give Antibiotics Within Hour Before First Incision, Study Suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342025305/080718125853.htm
Giving children preventive antibiotics within one hour before they undergo spinal surgery greatly reduces the risk for serious infections after the surgery, suggests a study to be published in the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Why Cannabis Stems Inflammation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/341152124/080720222549.htm
Cannabis has long been accredited with anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers, however, have now discovered that it is not only the familiar psychoactive substances that are responsible for this; a compound we take in every day in vegetable nutriment also plays a significant role.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
D-cycloserine May Improve Behavioral Therapy Treatment For Anxiety
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342025306/080716101303.htm
Anxiety is a normal human response to stress, but in some, it can develop into a disabling disorder of excessive and irrational fears, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Effective treatments are available and can involve either behavioral therapy or medications.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
New Technology Will Enhance Coal Mine Safety
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/342025307/080717221913.htm
Working in coal mines can be backbreaking labor, not to mention dangerous. But a new technology will make it easier for miners to ensure their safety as they brace the roofs of mine shafts. The new method involves simple, but specially designed stackable wood braces that are lighter and stronger than conventional wooden blocks used by miners for centuries.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Coffee And Cigarette Consumption Are High Among AA Attendees
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/339423857/080718180731.htm
More than one million Americans currently participate in the Alcoholics Anonymous program. Recent findings confirm that coffee and cigarette use among AA members is greater than among the general US population. Most AA members drink coffee for its stimulatory effects; more than half smoke to reduce feelings of depression, anxiety and irritability.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Scientists Create Touch-based Illusion: Mind Trick Yields New Insights On Perception
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/338263380/080717134609.htm
Anyone who has seen an optical illusion can recall the quirky moment when you realize that the image being perceived is different from objective reality. Now, scientists have designed a new illusion involving the sense of touch, which is helping to glean new insights into perception and how different senses -- such as touch and sight -- work together.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Understanding How Neurons Communicate May Help Treat Brain Disorders
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/338987622/080718081054.htm
Scientists have learned important details illustrating how neuronal cells in the brain communicate at a microcellular level. Such knowledge may help in the development of drug compounds used to treat disorders caused by malfunctions in communication between brain cells, such as schizophrenia, epilepsy, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Lionfish Decimating Tropical Fish Populations, Threatening Coral Reefs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/338393425/080717164319.htm
The invasion of predatory lionfish in the Caribbean region poses yet another major threat there to coral reef ecosystems -- a new study has found that within a short period after the entry of lionfish into an area, the survival of other reef fishes is slashed by about 80 percent.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Guidelines Highlight Key Differences Between Child And Adult Stroke
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/341611087/080717160811.htm
This is the first guidance on stroke in children from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke risk, symptoms and treatment in children are different from those in adults. The clot-busting drug t-PA is not generally recommended for treating children, especially newborns.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
If Northern Trees Suffer Because Of Global Warming, Southern Trees May Still Be Slow To Replace Them
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/341611088/080715152302.htm
If a warmer Wisconsin climate causes some northern tree species to disappear in the future, it's easy to imagine that southern species will just expand their range northward as soon as the conditions suit them. The reality, though, may not be nearly so simple. A new model suggests that while certain northern species, such as balsam fir, spruce and jack pine, are likely to decline as the state's climate warms, oaks, hickories and other southern Wisconsin trees will be slow to replace them.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Elderly Falls Cut By 11 Percent With Education And Intervention
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/338438811/080717170433.htm
Commonly viewed as an inevitable consequence of aging and often ignored in clinical practice, falls among the elderly were cut by 11 percent when researchers at Yale School of Medicine used a combination of fall prevention educational campaigns and interventions aimed at encouraging clinicians to incorporate fall-risk assessment and management into their practices.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Breakthrough In Fight Against Deadly Superbug: Early Detection Method Greatly Increases Chances Of Survival
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/341611091/080716154141.htm
Scientists have made a major breakthrough in the fight against a deadly hospital infection which kills tens of thousands of people every year, and it will be available within the next year. Researchers have discovered a technique that can identify the superbug within 24-48 hours of infection, greatly increasing a patient's chances of survival.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Calcium May Be The Key To Understanding Alzheimer's Disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/341611092/080717220948.htm
Researchers have shown that mutations in two proteins associated with familial Alzheimer's disease disrupt the flow of calcium ions within neurons. The two proteins, called PS1 and PS2 (presenilin 1 and 2), interact with a calcium release channel in an intracellular cell compartment.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
How Birds Spot The Cuckoo In The Nest
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/341152104/080715083610.htm
It's not always easy spotting the cuckoo in the nest. But if you don't, you pay a high price raising someone else's chick. How hosts distinguish impostor eggs from their own has long puzzled scientists. The problem remained largely unsolved while looking at it through our own eyes. It was only when people started thinking from the birds' perspective that they began to understand how hosts recognise a cuckoo egg in the nest.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Too Much, Too Little Sleep Increases Ischemic Risk In Postmenopausal Women
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/338393432/080717160815.htm
Sleeping nine hours or more a night significantly increases the risk for ischemic stroke among post menopausal women. Sleeping less than 6 hours showed a modest increase risk of stroke, but was reported by twice as many women. The findings cannot be applied to other groups.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Reclaimed Wastewater Benefits Florida's Citrus Orchards
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/338263381/080717134605.htm
The Sunshine State has seen rapid growth in population during the last 50 years. Naturally, along with population increases, environmental concerns about pollution of surface waters by treated wastewater have caused many communities to consider alternate ways to use secondary-treated, or reclaimed, wastewater. In a study supported by the city of Orlando and Orange County (Fla.), researchers set out to determine whether long-term irrigation with treated municipal wastewater reduced citrus tree health or created increases in soil contaminants.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Heart Attack Not A Death Sentence
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/341611093/080717201833.htm
Survivors of cardiac arrest who received intensive care can expect long-term quality of life at reasonable expense to the health care system. The allocation of resources to the treatment of heart attack patients is equally as justified as the treatment of other intensive care patient groups.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Killer Kevlar: Clothing That Shields From Germs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/341576295/080721092412.htm
Protective clothing worn by firemen and other emergency workers may soon get a germ-fighting upgrade. Researchers in South Dakota report progress toward the first Kevlar fabrics that can kill a wide range of infectious agents, including bacteria, viruses, and the spores that cause anthrax.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
New Approach To Cancer: Find Most Tightly Controlled Genes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/341611094/080717201856.htm
Scientists have found a new way to study cancer that could be very useful for developing targeted therapies against tumors and possibly many other diseases. A data analysis revealed which genes are most tightly controlled in the cancerous tissues studied, yielding a new class of genes, in which only slight changes could affect gene function to elicit a sizable effect on a tumor.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Spotted Hyenas Can Increase Survival Rates By Hunting Alone
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/341611098/080716171128.htm
While spotted hyenas know the value of living together in large, cooperative societies, they also realize that venturing on their own now and then to hunt for food is often the key to their survival. The problem is that spotted hyenas live in a social group, they all know each other and there is a well-established hierarchy. So when a kill is made, it is the spotted hyenas that are higher up on the totem pole that get to eat.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
Novel Computational Model Describes The Speed At Which HIV Escapes The Immune Response
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/341611099/080717201840.htm
A new model illustrates how HIV evades the immune system. The study, in PLoS Computational Biology, incorporates detailed interactions between a mutating virus and the immune system.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
For Toy-like NASA Robots In Arctic, Ice Research Is Child's Play
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/341611100/080715152306.htm
Several snowmobiles navigated speedily over arctic ice and snow in Alaska's outback in late June. This scene might seem ordinary except that the recently unveiled snowmobiles are unmanned, autonomous, toy-size robots called SnoMotes -- the first prototype network of their kind envisioned to rove treacherous areas of the Arctic and Antarctic capturing more accurate measurements that will help scientists better understand what is causing the well-documented melting of ice in those regions.

Tue, 22 Jul 08
How A Simple Mathematic Formula Is Starting To Explain The Bizarre Prevalence Of Altruism In Society
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/338943579/080718074652.htm
Why do humans cooperate in things as diverse as environment conservation or the creation of fairer societies, even when they don't receive anything in exchange or, worst, they might even be penalized? This is a question that has puzzled academics for centuries, especially since in evolution the basis for the "survival of the fittest" is, after all, selfishness.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Do We Think That Machines Can Think?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/330360936/080708200658.htm
When our PC goes on strike again we tend to curse it as if it was a human. The question is why and under what circumstances do we attribute human-like properties to machines and how are such processes manifest on a cortical level.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Young Women's Breast Cancers Have More Aggressive Genes, Worse Prognosis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/330360938/080708182543.htm
Young women's breast cancers tend to be more aggressive and less responsive to treatment than the cancers that arise in older women, and researchers may have discovered part of the reason why: young women's breast cancers share unique genomic traits that the cancers in older women do not exhibit.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Novel Ways To Boost Vaccination Or Natural Defenses
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328908001/080707093405.htm
Our bodies rely on the production of potent, or 'high affinity,' antibodies to fight infection. The process is very complex, yet scientists have discovered that it hinges on a single molecule, a growth factor, without which it cannot function.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Types Of Genes Necessary For Brain Development Discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/330360939/080707135615.htm
Researchers have successfully completed a full-genome RNAi screen in neurons, showing what types of genes are necessary for brain development.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Some Plants Can Adapt To Widespread Climate Change
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/330360940/080708155608.htm
While many plant species move to a new location or go extinct as a result of climate change, grasslands clinging to a steep, rocky dale-side in Northern England seem to defy the odds and adapt to long-term changes in temperature and rainfall, according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The 13-year experiment involved subjecting 30 small grassland plots to microclimate manipulation.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Male Cyclists Risk Sexual Problems If They Don't Choose The Right Bike
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/330360941/080708103250.htm
Cycling may seem like a healthy and environmentally friendly pastime, but men who choose the wrong bike could be heading for a range of sexual and health problems, including erection difficulties. And as the Tour de France gets into gear, there's also stark warnings for professional cyclists.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Fossil Feathers Preserve Evidence Of Color, Say Scientists
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/330360942/080708182536.htm
The traces of organic material found in fossil feathers are remnants of pigments that once gave birds their color, according to Yale scientists whose paper in Biology Letters opens up the potential to depict the original coloration of fossilized birds and their ancestors, the dinosaurs.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Cocktail Therapy For Alzheimer's Disease? Works for Gerbils
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/330360943/080708155604.htm
A dietary cocktail that includes a type of omega-3 fatty acid can improve memory and learning in gerbils, according to a new study that points to a possible beverage-based treatment for Alzheimer's and other brain diseases.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Boosting Survival Of Insulin-cell Transplants For Type 1 Diabetes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328908005/080707091309.htm
Researchers in Japan are reporting a discovery that could improve the effectiveness and expand the use of transplants of insulin-producing cells to treat diabetes. Insulin-dependent, or Type 1, diabetes affects about 800,000 people in the United States.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
New Ovarian Stimulation Technique Offers More Cancer Patients The Chance To Preserve Their Fertility
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328954726/080707100201.htm
Researchers have shown for the first time that it is possible to stimulate a woman's ovaries to produce eggs for collection during the final phase of the menstrual cycle. The finding offers the chance for more women who have been diagnosed with cancer to restore their fertility following chemotherapy or radiotherapy -- cancer treatments that can seriously damage the ovaries, often permanently.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
New Logic: The Attraction Of Magnetic Computation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/330360944/080708094128.htm
Researchers have demonstrated functional components that exploit the magnetic properties of electrons to perform logic operations. Compatible with existing microtechnology, the new approach heralds the next era of faster, smaller and more efficient electronics.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Sex Really Does Get Better With Age (Just Ask A 70 Year Old)
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/330360945/080708200642.htm
An increasing number of 70 year olds are having good sex and more often, and women in this age group are particularly satisfied with their sex lives, according to a new study. Knowledge about sexual behavior in older people (70 year olds) is limited and mainly focuses on sexual problems, less is known about "normal" sexual behavior in this age group.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
New Coral Reefs Teeming With Marine Life Discovered In Brazil
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/330360946/080708171539.htm
New coral reef system discovered in Brazil doubles the size of Southern Atlantic Ocean's largest and most diverse reef system.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Pandemic Mutations In Bird Flu Revealed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/330360947/080708200647.htm
Scientists have discovered how bird flu adapts in patients, offering a new way to monitor the disease and prevent a pandemic, according to research in the Journal of General Virology.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Aggressive Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (Mantle Cell Lymphoma) On The Rise
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328861138/080707081821.htm
A new study indicates that the incidence of mantle cell lymphoma, an aggressive type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, is on the rise, most frequently striking men, Caucasians and older individuals.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Tuberculosis May Have Migrated From Humans To Cattle, Not The Reverse
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/330360948/080708092231.htm
Among those trying to decipher the origins and trajectory of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria responsible for TB, are three Arizona State University researchers who are trying to establish a credible evolutionary timeline for TB. Their research suggests that the disease migrated from humans to cattle -- not the reverse, as has long been assumed.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Does Gene Variant Make Women More Prone To Alcoholism?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/330360949/080708094212.htm
A particular gene variant might make women more susceptible to alcoholism. According to new research, a gene in the endorphin metabolism is altered in a typical fashion more often in women alcoholics than in healthy women.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Can Tomatoes Carry An Oral Vaccine Against Alzheimer's Disease?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/330360950/080708101125.htm
The humble tomato could be a suitable carrier for an oral vaccine against Alzheimer's disease. New research, still in the early stages, is a promising first step towards finding an edible vaccine against the neurodegenerative disease.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Leading Worldwide Cause Of Cardiovascular Disease May Be Modified By Diet
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/330360951/080708104525.htm
A new article indicates that an increased intake in minerals such as potassium, and possibly magnesium and calcium by dietary means may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and decrease blood pressure in people with hypertension.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
To Multiply, Ant Colonies Adapt To Environmental Conditions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326893342/080704154143.htm
By combining field work in Australia with mathematical modeling, scientists have shown that the quality and quantity of winged queens produced by colonies of the Rhytidoponera ant vary according to environmental conditions.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Malaria On The Increase In The UK
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/330360953/080703203248.htm
A huge rise in the numbers of UK residents travelling to malaria endemic areas, combined with a failure to use prevention measures, has significantly increased cases of imported falciparum malaria in the UK over the past 20 years, according to a study published online.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Incentives For Carbon Sequestration May Not Protect Species
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/330360955/080707170527.htm
Paying rural landowners in Oregon's Willamette Basin to protect at-risk animals won't necessarily mean that their newly conserved trees and plants will absorb more carbon from the atmosphere and vice versa, a new study has found.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Child Care Factors Associated With Weight Gain In Infancy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/330360957/080707161435.htm
Nine-month-old infants regularly cared for by someone other than a parent appear to have higher rates of unfavorable feeding practices and to weigh more than infants cared for only by parents, according to a new article.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
How Intense Will Storms Get? New Model Helps Answer Question
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/330360958/080708162456.htm
A new mathematical model indicates that dust devils, water spouts, tornadoes, hurricanes and cyclones are all born of the same mechanism and will intensify as climate change warms the Earth's surface.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Overweight, Insulin Resistant Women At Greater Risk Of Advanced Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Says Study
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/330360961/080707161416.htm
Women who have risk factors commonly associated with type 2 diabetes also have much greater odds of being diagnosed with an advanced breast cancer, according to new research.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Fertility Treatment In Developing Countries; A Cycle Of IVF For Less Than $200
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328954729/080707100155.htm
After 30 years of IVF, the rewards of treatment are still largely confined to industrialized countries and those who can afford it. Now, a Special Task Force of European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology has set about the immeasurable task of making fertility treatment more accessible to developing countries through a program of pilot projects, professional awareness and involvement of government and non-governmental agencies.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
New Insight To Demineralization: Amorphous Silica Dissolves By Pathway Similar To Crystals
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/330360962/080707171744.htm
Researchers explain the dissolution behavior of silica glasses manufactured by different processes, a natural biologically produced silica and a synthetic, dispersed or colloidal silica. Their findings present the basis for understanding how simple modulations in solution chemistry can tune the durability of silica in humid or wet environments. Moreover, the insights suggest a means by which one could use simple, environmentally benign solutions to regulate surface roughness at the nanoscale.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Pregnancy Alone Is Not Associated With Increased Risk For Mental Disorders
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/330360963/080707161418.htm
Pregnancy alone does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of the most prevalent mental disorders, according to a new article. However, post-partum women may have a higher risk of major depressive disorder.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Can You Hear Me Now? Primitive Single-Celled Microbe Expert In Cellular Communication Networks
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329846669/080707171748.htm
When it comes to cellular communication networks, a primitive single-celled microbe that answers to the name of Monosiga brevicollis has a leg up on animals composed of billions of cells. It commands a signaling network more elaborate and diverse than found in any multicellular organism higher up on the evolutionary tree, researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have discovered.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Japanese Encephalitis Virus Causes 'Double Trouble' To Brain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329034697/080707121911.htm
Recent research published in Journal of Neurochemistry, has shown that Japanese encephalitis virus, commonly known as brain fever, damages the brain in two ways -- not only killing brain cells but also preventing the birth of new cells from neural stem/progenitor cells and depleting the NPC pool in the brain.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Creating A New Approach To Archiving Human Genetic Information
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329846671/080707222319.htm
How a genomic code is deciphered is traditionally left to professional annotators who use information from a number of sources (for instance, knowledge about similar genes in other organisms) to work out where a gene starts, stops and what it does. Even the "gold standard" of professional annotation is an exceptionally slow process. However, new technology may provide a faster solution.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Adolescents Are Not Receiving Recommended Immunization In US, Report Shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328908002/080707093359.htm
Vaccinating infants and toddlers is an almost universal practice in the United States. Vaccines to prevent flu are a regular part of medical care for senior citizens and at-risk patients. But, according to a study published in American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the US health care system is not very effective in getting vaccines to the adolescent population.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Baseball Diamonds: The Lefthander's Best Friend
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329846672/080707174020.htm
Baseball diamonds are a left-hander's best friend. That's because the game was designed to make a lefty the "Natural," according to a professor of engineering and uber baseball fan. The professor is a mechanical engineer who specializes in aircraft and helicopter engineering and has a different approach to viewing America's Favorite Pastime.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Some Antidepressants Associated With Gastrointestinal Bleeding
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329846673/080707161420.htm
A class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors appear to be associated with bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, according to a report in the July issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. The effects appear increased when antidepressants are combined with other stomach-harming medications and decreased when acid-suppressing agents are used.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Ice Creamier: 'Edible Antifreeze' Puts The Smooth In Smoothie
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329846674/080703181229.htm
It's Friday night, and the movie's already spinning in the DVD player. You run to the kitchen to grab a gallon of ice cream and a spoon, but you find the tub nearly empty. What's left is an icy mess that crunches unappetizingly when you poke your spoon into it. Time to make popcorn.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Normal-looking Sperm May Have Serious Damage; Scientists Urge More Care In Selection
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329801098/080708080656.htm
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) where a single sperm is injected into an egg to fertilize it, is increasingly used to help infertile men father children. Although the sperm chosen for the procedure may appear quite normal, researchers in the US have found that many of them in fact have DNA damage, which can decrease the chances of pregnancy and increase chances of later miscarriage if pregnancy does occur. In infertile men, between 20 and 66% of normal-looking sperm had DNA damage.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Why Mosquitoes Select Certain Outdoor Water Containers For Laying Eggs And Avoid Others
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329846675/080707171730.htm
Female mosquitoes are choosy when it comes to finding the proper egg-laying habitats. Scientists have now figured out one reason why pregnant yellow fever mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti), one of the most important disease transmitters worldwide, choose to lay their eggs in certain outdoor water containers while eschewing others.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Keeping A Food Diary Doubles Diet Weight Loss, Study Suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329801094/080708080738.htm
Study of nearly 1,700 participants shows that keeping a food diary can double a person's weight loss. The study found that the best predictors of weight loss were how frequently food diaries were kept and how many support sessions the participants attended. Those who kept daily food records lost twice as much weight as those who kept no records.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Whales And Dolphins Influence New Wind Turbine Design
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329846678/080707222315.htm
By studying the flippers, fins and tails of whales and dolphins, scientists have discovered some features of their structure that contradict long-held engineering theories. These discoveries may have a strong impact on traditional industrial designs including wind turbines and helicopters.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Antibody To Breast Cancer-secreted Protein Blocks Metastasis, Researchers Show
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329846680/080708092235.htm
Scientists have made a key discovery about the mechanism of breast cancer metastasis, the process by which cancer spreads. Focusing on a gene dubbed "Dachshund," or DACH1, they are beginning to pinpoint new therapeutic targets to halt the spread of cancer. When the scientists used an antibody to block a common inflammatory protein, IL-8, in mice, they found that it completely halted the spread of breast cancer to the lungs.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Two-ton, 500 Million-year-old Fossil Of Stromatolite Discovered In Virginia, U.S.
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326779958/080704122847.htm
Scientists have confirmed that an approximately 500 million-year-old stromatolite was recently discovered at the Boxley Blue Ridge Quarry near Roanoke, Virginia. This is the first-ever intact stromatolite head found in Virginia, and is one of the largest complete "heads" in the world, at over 5 feet in diameter and weighing over 2 tons. Stromatolites are among the earliest known life forms, and are important in helping scientists understand more about environments that existed in the past.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Pregnancy Associated With Increased Risk Of Heart Attack
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329801090/080707171752.htm
Although acute myocardial infarction is rare in women of child-bearing age, pregnancy can increase a woman's risk of heart attack 3- to 4-fold, according to a new study. Since women today may delay having children until later in life, and advances in reproductive medicine enable older women to conceive, the occurrence of AMI associated with pregnancy is expected to increase.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Process Used By Microbes To Make Greenhouse Gases Uncovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329846683/080707171727.htm
Researchers here now have a picture of a key molecule that lets microbes produce carbon dioxide and methane -- the two greenhouse gases associated with global warming. The findings relate to organisms called methanogens and are explained in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Wed, 9 Jul 08
Sex During Adolescence Doesnâ€™t Predict Future HPV Infection
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329846684/080707165808.htm
Predicting a child's future is a near impossible task -- today's straight-A student may not become tomorrow's doctor, and the school-yard bully may actually grow up to become a member of the Peace Corps. So why should an adolescent's sexual behavior-- or lack thereof -- determine whether or not she gets vaccinated against the human papillomavirus, to protect against future HPV infection?

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Are Hands-free Cellphones Really Safer?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329206712/080707142838.htm
Since April 1 when Nova Scotia outlawed the use of hand-held cellphones while driving, sales of hands-free devices have gone through the roof. It seems everyone's driving--even walking--with tiny electronic devices tucked into their ears. Conventional wisdom says they're safer. With wireless technology such as Bluetooth becoming commonplace, you can still conduct business, order pizza or talk to mom while keeping both hands on the wheel. But is the mind on the road? A PhD student in experimental psychology says hands-free cellphones are not safer and indeed may even be more dangerous than hand-held.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Combination Drug Taken Early Relieves Migraine Symptoms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329206713/080707161437.htm
A combination drug taken within an hour after the start of a migraine is effective in relieving symptoms, according to research published in Neurology.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Giving Nature A Helping Hand
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329206717/080703113611.htm
Dutch ecologist Marijke van Kuijk has studied the regeneration of the tropical forest in Vietnam. Abandoned agricultural land does regenerate to tropical forest, but only slowly. Two procedures are used to help nature along: pruning of foliage to free up space for trees and planting the desired tree species. Van Kuijk used the PHOLIAGE model to calculate the appropriate measures.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Super Strong Antimicrobial Coatings For Medicine, Defense
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328908007/080707090528.htm
One of the world' strongest materials meets one of nature's most powerful germ killers in a new research project that produced incredibly tough anti-bacterial surfaces with multiple applications in home appliances, medicine, aerospace, and national defense.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Schizophrenia Linked To Dysfunction In Molecular Brain Pathway Activated By Marijuana
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329206718/080707161411.htm
Researchers report that alterations in a molecular brain pathway activated by marijuana, called cannabinoid 1 receptor, may contribute to the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia, suggesting possible new drug targets that could help to improve functioning and memory in people with the mental illness. Expression of CB1R, the site of action of the main chemical ingredient of marijuana, is significantly reduced in the brains of individuals with schizophrenia.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Simple Life Form May Have Existed 700 Million Years Earlier Than Previously Thought
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329206719/080707134402.htm
The accepted timeframe for the beginnings of life on Earth is now being questioned, after scientists found a key indicator to the earliest life forms in diamonds from Jack Hills in Western Australia. The 4.2 billion-year-old diamonds found trapped inside the Jack Hills zircon crystals are the oldest-known samples of Earth's carbon. The team's discovery of very high concentrations of carbon 12, or "light carbon" within these crystals is remarkable as it is a feature usually associated with organic life.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Herbal Remedy Reduces Obesity And Heart Disease?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328954722/080707102903.htm
Scientists from Germany have recently discovered that extracts of a traditional herbal remedy derived from Tabebuia impetiginosa can act to delay the absorption of dietary fat in animal models. They believe that the extract could be incorporated into a food supplement which may not only reduce obesity, but also lessen the risk of development of type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Ethanol Byproduct Can Help Control Weeds For Flower And Plant Growers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325006632/080702101346.htm
Commercial flower and plant growers know all too well that invasive, ubiquitous weeds cause trouble by lowering the value and deterring healthy growth of potted ornamental plants. To control weeds, many commercial nursery owners apply herbicides or pay workers to hand-weed containers. A new study investigated using "dried distillers grains with solubles" or DDGS as a weed deterrent on potted ornamentals.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Treatment Delays Result In Poor Outcomes For Men With Breast Cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328051072/080706083150.htm
Men who develop breast cancer are often not treated until the disease has spread to the point that treatment becomes difficult, new results show. Although most breast cancer patients are women, men make up roughly 1 percent of cases.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Green Solution To Biofuel Production: Enzymes From Plants
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328954724/080707100206.htm
With the current drive towards production of alternative fuels from plant material, enzymes which can break down this material into useable compounds are required in industrial quantities and at a low cost. One group of scientists have come up with a solution: using plants to make the enzymes.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Parents Of Twins Report More Mental Health Symptoms Than Parents Of Singletons
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328954727/080707100159.htm
Mothers and fathers of twins conceived either spontaneously or with assisted reproductive technology suffer more mental health symptoms after delivery and one year later than do parents of singleton babies, according to new research.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Good Golf Players See The Hole As Larger Than Poor Players
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329206731/080707161405.htm
Golfers who play well are more likely to see the hole as larger than their poor-playing counterparts, according to new research. "Golfers have said that when they play well the hole looks as big as a bucket or basketball hoop, and when they do not play well they've been quoted as saying the hole looks like a dime or the inside of a donut," according to the researcher.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Newborn Vitamin A Reduces Infant Mortality
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328861137/080707081826.htm
A single, oral dose of vitamin A, given to infants shortly after birth in the developing world can reduce their risk of death by 15 percent, according to a new study in the journal Pediatrics.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
MRI Technique To ID Microstructural Changes In Asthma
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329206732/080701195911.htm
Scientists have developed a novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that -- for the first time ever -- identified microscopic structural damages deep in the lungs of patients with asthma.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
New Treatment Approach Promising For Lymphoma Patients In Developing World
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328051071/080706083155.htm
Preliminary results suggest that patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the developing world might benefit from a modified chemotherapy regimen, researchers say.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Tiny Changes At Nanometer Scale Can Have A Colossal Effect On Properties Of A Material: Now Researchers Can Predict Changes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329206733/080707132345.htm
Tiny changes at the nanometer scale can have a colossal effect on the properties of a material, and for the first time researchers may have a method to see and even predict those changes.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Political Borders, Health-care Issues Complicate Pandemic Planning
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329034698/080707121907.htm
Panic, staffing issues and geographic boundaries are some of the challenges that public health experts need to address as they plan for a possible influenza pandemic, according to a new report.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Baby's Smile Is A Natural High
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328861132/080707081852.htm
The baby's smile that gladdens a mother's heart also lights up the reward centers of her brain, researchers report in the journal Pediatrics.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
PTSD Causes Early Death From Heart Disease, Study Suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328861135/080707081834.htm
A new study sheds light on the link between PTSD and heart disease. Vietnam veterans with PTSD suffered higher rates of heart disease death than veterans without PTSD. The more severe the PTSD diagnosis, the greater the likelihood of death from heart disease, the study showed.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Dividing Cells Find Their Middle By Following A Protein 'Contour Map'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329206734/080703175225.htm
Self-organization keeps schools of fish, flocks of birds and colonies of termites in sync. It's also, according to new research, the way cells regulate the final stage of cell division. Scientists have shown that a protein-chemistry-based contour map, which helps individual proteins locate the center of their cell without direction from a "master organizer," is key to ensuring accurate division during mitosis.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Innovative Program Focuses On Improved Care For Children With ADHD
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328861136/080707081830.htm
An innovative program is helping busy primary care physicians improve the care they provide for school-aged children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, according to a new study. The study is the first to intervene with an entire community of primary care physicians and help them more accurately diagnose and effectively monitor treatment response of their patients with ADHD, researchers said.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Bacterial Peptide Provides New Insight Into Common Tumor Suppressor
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329034694/080707121917.htm
Scientists have identified a new anti-tumor drug that might prove useful in developing treatments for a multiple human cancers. The research advances the understanding of one of the most frequently disrupted tumor suppressor proteins in human cancer and provides new insight into the regulation of the complex process of cellular protein degradation under normal and pathological conditions.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Relationship Violence Appears Common Among College Students
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329206735/080707161432.htm
Violence between partners, friends and acquaintances appears prevalent both during and before college, according to results of a survey of students at three urban college campuses.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Birds Migrate Together At Night In Dispersed Flocks, New Study Indicates
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329079760/080707132313.htm
A new analysis indicates that birds don't fly alone when migrating at night. Some birds, at least, keep together on their migratory journeys, flying in tandem even when they are 200 meters or more apart.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Molecule That Kills Kidney Cancer Cells Discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329034695/080707121914.htm
Kidney cancer patients generally have one option for beating their disease: surgery to remove the organ. But that could change, thanks to a new molecule found by Stanford University School of Medicine researchers that kills kidney cancer cells.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Best Treatment For Multiple Sclerosis May Depend On Disease Subtype
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329079761/080701150830.htm
In animal studies, scientists discover different inflammatory pathways at work. Relatively new drugs now help some patients, but not others, with the most common form of multiple sclerosis. That may be because patients with the same symptoms experience different types of inflammation, suggests a new study in animals. If the differences are found in people, future treatments may be tailored to specific subtypes of the disease.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Counting Tumor Cells In Blood Predicts Treatment Benefit In Prostate Cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328051073/080706083142.htm
Counting the number of tumor cells circulating in the bloodstream of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer can accurately predict how well they are responding to treatment, new results show. Researchers showed that changes in the number of circulating tumor cells predicted the outcome after chemotherapy in this hard to treat cancer.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Special Horseshoes Measure Acceleration In Horses, Evaluate Methods of Rehabilitation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328954723/080707100208.htm
Scientists have carried out studies both into the advantages of different rider techniques in reducing injury risk to horses, and into the benefits of a method of equine rehabilitation. By using computer modelling and specialist horseshoes to measure acceleration, these investigations suggest that aqua-training rehabilitation methods are beneficial whereas rising trot may not be as advantageous as previously thought.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Computers Used To Hone Cancer-fighting Strategies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325125574/080702141425.htm
Medical researchers are using high-powered computers to determine how substances known as recombinant immunotoxins can best be modified in order to attack and kill malignant tumors while doing minimal harm to a patient's healthy cells.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Can Recycling Be Used To Treat Cancer?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329034693/080707121919.htm
We already know that recycling benefits our planet; and now new research suggests that the cellular version might be useful for battling cancer. Scientists have identified a molecule that uses this unexpected pathway to selectively kill cancer cells. The research may drive treatment strategies for cancer in an entirely new direction.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Simian Foamy Virus Found To Be Widespread Among Chimpanzees
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329079763/080703203258.htm
Simian foamy virus is widespread among wild chimpanzees throughout equatorial Africa. Recent studies have shown that humans who hunt wild primates, including chimpanzees, can acquire SFV infections. Since the long-term consequences of these cross-species infections are not known, it is important to determine to what extent wild primates are infected with simian foamy viruses.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Researchers Clarify Function Of Glucose Transport Molecule, May Lead To New Diabetes, Cancer Drugs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329079764/080703160727.htm
Scientists have solved the structure of a class of proteins known as sodium glucose co-transporters, which pump glucose into cells. The solution of the SGLT structure will accelerate development of new drugs designed to treat patients with diabetes and cancer. The journal Science publishes the findings.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Amorphous Materials: How Some Solids Flow Like Liquids
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326893352/080704153507.htm
Scientists have provided the first proof that amorphous materials, also known as soft glasses, deform and flow through a collective movement of their particles. These materials (which include chocolate mousse, shaving cream, mayonnaise, metallic glasses, granular materials and mud) are amorphous solids, in other words, they are resistant like solids but, like liquids, lack a crystalline structure.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Visualizing Atomic-scale Acoustic Waves In Nanostructures
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326105294/080703160751.htm
Acoustic waves play many everyday roles -- from communication between people to ultrasound imaging. Now the highest frequency acoustic waves in materials, with nearly atomic-scale wavelengths, promise to be useful probes of nanostructures such as LED lights.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Potential Treatment For TB Solves Puzzle
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/329079765/080703203251.htm
Scientists have uncovered a new target for the potential treatment of TB, finally resolving a long-running debate about how the bacterial cell wall is built. The research, published in Microbiology reveals several molecules that could be developed into drugs to treat tuberculosis. Multi drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes TB, sparked concern but the recent emergence of extensively drug-resistant strains means the search for new treatments is imperative.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Cancer Therapies From The Ocean?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328908000/080707093408.htm
Scientists have studied the properties of natural products derived from animals found in Fijian waters, and shown that not only may certain compounds have potential use in anti-cancer therapies, but others may also be useful for improving drug delivery, currently one of the most significant problems faced by medical researchers.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Children Born After Donor Insemination Should Be Told As Soon As Possible About Their Conception
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328954725/080707100203.htm
It is better for children conceived by donor insemination to be told of their origins at an early age, according to the first large-scale study of people who are aware of their donor conception. If the children are not told until they are 18 or older, they are more likely to have feelings of shock and anger.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
First DNA Molecule Made Almost Entirely Of Artificial Parts
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328907995/080707091915.htm
Chemists in Japan report development of the world's first DNA molecule made almost entirely of artificial parts. The finding could lead to improvements in gene therapy, futuristic nano-sized computers, and other high-tech advances, they say.Â

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Mimic Molecules To Protect Against Plague
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328907996/080703203256.htm
Bacteria that cause pneumonic plague can evade our first-line defenses, making it difficult for the body to fight infection. In fact, a signature of the plague is the lack of an inflammatory response. Now, scientists have discovered a way to protect against death following infection with plague bacteria, by using molecules that can mimic the pathogens. According to research published in Microbiology, these molecules make antibiotics more effective and can even be used to protect against other diseases.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Artichoke Leaf Extract Lowers Cholesterol
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328907997/080702170607.htm
Researchers have found that an over-the-counter Artichoke Leaf Extract (ALE) from the globe artichoke plant can lower cholesterol in otherwise healthy individuals with moderately raised levels. Cardiovascular diseases are the chief causes of death in the UK, and are associated with raised circulating levels of total cholesterol in the plasma. Once plasma cholesterol reaches a certain level, drugs such as statins are often prescribed to help reduce it. Intervention before concentrations reaches these levels may help reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases without the need for drugs.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Tumor Suppressor That Manages Cellular Cleaning And Recycling Proceses Identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325909199/080703113638.htm
Researchers have identified a specific tumor suppressor that manages membrane traffic routes for cellular cleaning and recycling.

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Understanding And Controlling Optical Damage Caused By Lasers On Crystals
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328907998/080702172930.htm
A new study has advanced current understanding as well as the control of optical damage in crystals, offering new ways to increase light-power output of future optical integrated circuits. Many of the lasers used today, both in scientific or technological applications have such a high light output power that the light itself damages or even destroys the crystals used to control, guide or manipulate it inside photonic devices (devices that only work with light).

Tue, 8 Jul 08
Screening For Heart Disorders In Competitive Athletes Would Save Lives
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328907999/080703203243.htm
Athletes who take part in competitive sport should be screened for potentially fatal heart problems before they compete, according to a study.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
When Using Gestures, Rules Of Grammar Remain The Same
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328407210/080630173943.htm
The mind apparently has a consistent way of ordering an event that defies the order in which subjects, verbs and objects typically appear in languages. Although speakers of different languages describe events using the word orders prescribed by their language, when the same speakers are asked to "speak" with their hands and not their mouths, they ignore these orders -- they all use exactly the same order when they gesture.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
Aggressive Treatment Of Childhood Eczema Could Help Prevent Asthma, New Study Suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328407211/080706194255.htm
More aggressive treatment of childhood eczema may be an important step in preventing asthma, says a new Australian study.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
Researchers Tug At Molecules With Optical Tweezers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328407212/080630173937.htm
Researchers have developed a novel technique to measure the strength of the bonds between two protein molecules important in cell machinery: gently tugging them apart with light beams.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
Rabbits, Mice And Prickly Shrubs Help Establish Natural Diversity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325945274/080703113617.htm
Small mammals, such as rabbits and mice, play a major role in the development of natural diversity. Biologists researched how scrub becomes established in natural grassland. It seems that prickly shrubs are important in protecting plants and preventing animal species from grazing. Researchers have also demonstrated that natural disturbances such as flooding and animal diseases are very important for the diversity of natural areas.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
Children Overestimate Cute Animals In Rainforests, While Underestimating Insects And Annelids
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328407213/080701221452.htm
Researchers investigated children's perceptions of rainforest biodiversity by asking young museum visitors to draw their ideal rainforest, as part of a competition, and found that while children have a sophisticated understanding of rainforest ecosystems, they tend to overestimate the relative numbers of some taxa (mainly "cuter" mammals, birds and reptiles) while underestimating the proportions of less charismatic taxa, such as insects and annelids.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
Rubber 'Snake' Could Help Wave Power Get A Bite Of The Energy Market
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325945290/080703101329.htm
A device consisting of a giant rubber tube may hold the key to producing affordable electricity from the energy in sea waves. Named after the snake of the same name because of its long thin shape, the Anaconda is closed at both ends and filled completely with water. It is designed to be anchored just below the sea's surface, with one end facing the oncoming waves.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
Potential New Drug Candidates To Combat 'Bird Flu' Identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325082684/080702134900.htm
As the specter of a worldwide outbreak of avian or "bird flu" lingers, health officials recognize that new drugs are desperately needed since some strains of the virus already have developed resistance to the current roster of anti-flu remedies.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
Ancient Marine Invertebrate Diversity Less Explosive Than Thought
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326034018/080703140718.htm
Diversity among the ancestors of such marine creatures as clams, sand dollars and lobsters showed only a modest rise beginning 144 million years ago with no clear trend afterwards, according to researchers. This contradicts previous work showing dramatic increases beginning 248 million years ago and may shed light on future diversity.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
Shedding Light On The Molecular Basis Of Crib Death
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326034028/080703140727.htm
Sudden infant death syndrome is a condition that unexpectedly and unexplainably takes the lives of seemingly healthy babies aged between a month and a year. Now researchers have developed a mouse model of the so-called crib or cot death. The model, published in the journal Science, reveals that an imbalance of the neuronal signal serotonin in the brain stem is causes sudden death in mice.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
World's Smallest High Performance, Low Energy Sensor
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328407214/080702172041.htm
Scientists are developing the world's smallest, high-performance and low-power sensor in silicon which will have applications in biosensing and environmental monitoring.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
Brain Noise Is Good: New Study Overturns Notion That Brain Noise Quiets Down With Maturity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328407215/080703203240.htm
Canadian scientists have shown that a noisy brain is a healthy brain. "Brain noise" is a term that has been used by neuroscientists to describe random brain activity that is not important to mental function. Intuitive notions of brain-behavior relationships would suggest that this brain noise quiets down as children mature into adults and become more efficient and consistent in their cognitive processing. But new research overturns this notion.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
New Antibiotic Beats Superbugs At Their Own Game
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325909191/080703113648.htm
By targeting the gene that confers resistance to antibiotics, a new drug may be able to finally outwit drug-resistant staph bacteria.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
Newly Identified Enzyme Treats Deadly Bacterial Infections In Mice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328407216/080703180608.htm
By the time antibiotics made their clinical debut 70 years ago, bacteria had long evolved strategies to shield themselves. For billions of years, bacteria hurled toxic molecules at each other in the struggle to prosper, and those that withstood the chemical onslaught marched on. Now, with an uptick in antibiotic-resistant bacteria reaching alarming proportions, scientists have identified an enzyme produced in viruses (called bacteriophages) that could stop these one-celled powerhouses dead in their tracks.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
Effects Of Healing Touch Therapy Being Studied
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328407217/080701113116.htm
Researchers are pairing a complementary therapy known as Healing Touch with mild sedation to see if the technique truly calms patients undergoing minor procedures.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
Glaucoma Surgery Studied In Medicare Patients, New Hope For People With End-stage Glaucoma
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325006627/080702114334.htm
Ophthalmologists continue to develop treatments to help the more than three million Americans with glaucoma. The July issue of Ophthalmology includes a large, national study of outcomes of incisional surgeries, used to reduce pressure inside the eye, in Medicare patients. Also covered is research that may brighten the outlook for patients with end-stage glaucoma.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
Search For Salt Tolerant Grasses Aims To Improve Roadside Plantings
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328407218/080702163804.htm
Researcher aims to identify a salt tolerance limit for native and ornamental turf grasses in hopes of finding a variety that can be used along highways without being killed when roadway salt -- mixed with melting snow -- is splashed onto the grass.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
Proposal To Merge NOAA And US Geological Survey To Form An Earth Systems Science Agency
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328407219/080703140725.htm
In a new article in the journal Science, a group of former senior federal officials call for the establishment of an independent Earth Systems Science Agency to meet the unprecedented environmental and economic challenges facing the nation. They propose forming the new agency by merging the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the US Geological Survey.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
Nature Reserves Attract Humans, But At A Cost To Biodiversity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328407220/080703140706.htm
Countering a perception that establishing nature reserves in developing nations drives away local communities, a new study finds that human settlements are actually drawn to protected areas in Africa and Latin America. Unfortunately, the researchers also found a link between high rates of human population growth and illegal harvesting of timber, bushmeat hunting and species extinction.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
Mother's Vitamin D Status During Pregnancy Will Affect Her Baby's Dental Health
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326893365/080704104315.htm
Low maternal vitamin D levels during pregnancy may affect primary tooth calcification, leading to enamel defects, which are a risk factor for early-childhood tooth decay.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
Extended Cyclone Relief Efforts Aided From Space
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328407221/080703101316.htm
Earth observation satellites have provided vital information to relief workers in Myanmar throughout a particularly long crisis response window following the devastating Cyclone Nargis that hit the country on May 2 and 3, 2008.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
'Multi-target' Immune Therapy Improves Outcomes Of Severe Lupus Nephritis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324876447/080702080630.htm
A new treatment using a combination of drugs targeting different parts of the immune system improves the recovery rate for patients with severe lupus involving the kidneys, according to a new report.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
New Car Navigation System Monitors Traffic To Avoid Traffic Jams
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328407222/080702172613.htm
Researchers are developing a new in-car navigation system which informs motorists about traffic jams ahead and advises the driver of the best route for their journey before they reach the congestion. The 'Congestion Avoidance Dynamic Routing Engine' (CADRE) uses Artificial Intelligence to interpret live traffic information shared between vehicles fitted with a special GPS.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
Genetic Status Of North-east India's Adi Tribe Detailed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328407223/080701221440.htm
North-east India has always been a hotspot for population geneticists due to its unique, strategic geographic location and the presence of linguistically, culturally and demographically diverse populations practicing varied occupations (from hunter-gathering to settled agriculture). Researcher have now examined the genetic status of sub-tribes of a remotely located tribal cluster -- the Adi, a Tibeto-Burman-speaking tribe of Arunachal Pradesh in the north-east of India. Based on 15 autosomal microsatellite markers, the authors studied the genetic affinity, differentiation and sub-structuring among six Adi subgroups, as well as their genetic affinity with other groups.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
Slow Exercise (not Fast) Is Better For Menopausal Women
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328444262/080706204610.htm
As we get older, our muscles deteriorate and we become weaker, which has serious implications. We become clumsier and begin to have more falls, often resulting in broken bones or even more severe injuries. Researchers are examining the effects of different exercise regimes in menopausal women, with the aim of developing new strategies for delaying and reducing the initial onset of age related muscle deterioration.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
New Targets For RNAs That Regulate Genes Identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328407224/080706194259.htm
Tiny strands of genetic material called RNA -- a chemical cousin of DNA -- are emerging as major players in gene regulation, the process inside cells that drives all biology and that scientists seek to control in order to fight disease.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
Fishing By-catch Responsible for Rise In Dead Dolphins, Whales And Porpoises Washed Up On Certain UK Beaches, According to Study
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328444263/080706194253.htm
Four weeks on from the shocking incident that led to the death of 26 dolphins near Falmouth, UK, research sheds new light on the extent of the problems facing Cornwall's marine mammals. A new study has revealed a disturbing rise in the number of whales, dolphins and porpoises found dead on Cornish beaches. The frequency of these mammals, collectively known as cetaceans, found stranded on beaches in Cornwall has increased with a sharp rise in the last eight years. After analyzing nearly 100 years of data, the researchers believe this could, in part, be due to more intensive fishing. Researchers found that, since 1990, at least 61% of incidents in Cornwall are the result of fishing activity, with animals being caught up in nets in a phenomenon known as 'bycatch'.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
Couples With Fertility Problems Where The Man Is Over 35 Have Increased Difficulty In Conceiving
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328444264/080706194250.htm
Pregnancy rates decrease and miscarriages increase when a father is over 35 years of age. Researchers say that this is the first time that such a strong paternal effect on reproductive outcomes has been shown.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
Surrogacy Still Stigmatized, Though Attitudes Changing Among Younger Women
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328444265/080706194247.htm
Although younger people are becoming more positive towards surrogate mothers, current day attitudes to surrogacy are still broadly negative. Researchers say that previous stigmatization of surrogate mothers in the media had added to the reluctance to undertake this treatment option.

Mon, 7 Jul 08
Geologists Study China Earthquake For Glimpse Into Future
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/328444266/080706194244.htm
The May 12 earthquake that rocked Sichuan Province in China was the first there in recorded history and unexpected in its magnitude. Now a team of geoscientists is looking at the potential for future earthquakes due to earthquake-induced changes in stress.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Acidifying Oceans Add Urgency To Carbon Dioxide Cuts
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326034021/080703140716.htm
It's not just about climate change anymore. Besides loading the atmosphere with heat-trapping greenhouse gases, human emissions of carbon dioxide have also begun to alter the chemistry of the ocean. The ecological and economic consequences are difficult to predict but possibly calamitous, warn a team of chemical oceanographers, and halting the changes already underway will likely require even steeper cuts in carbon emissions than those currently proposed to curb climate change.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Looking For The Founatain Of Youth? Cut Your Calories, Research Suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325909190/080703113652.htm
In addition to reducing one's risk for many common diseases, new research found that calorie restriction may slow the aging process. Calorie restriction has long been shown to slow the aging process in rats and mice. Calorie restriction - cutting approximately 300 to 500 calories per day - had a similar biological effect in humans, and, therefore, may slow the aging process.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Rocketing Through Water: Space-age Swimsuit Being Tested At NASA
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325988488/080703132928.htm
Swimmers around the world are breaking records this year like never before, including at this week's U.S. Olympic trials. Some attribute it to extensive training as athletes prepare to compete at this summer's games in Beijing. Others say one factor may be a new swimsuit -- a space-age swimsuit made of fabric tested at NASA.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Calpain Inhibitors Never Forget: Improving Memory In Alzheimer's Disease Mice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/327757802/080701185115.htm
Overactivation of proteins known as calpains, which are involved in memory formation, has been linked to Alzheimer disease. Researchers have now shown that two different drugs that inhibit calpains can improve memory in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, leading them to suggest drugs that target calpains might stop or slow down the memory loss that occurs as Alzheimer's disease progresses.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Rare Plants And Endangered Species Such As Tigers At Risk From Traditional Medicine
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/327757805/080701165021.htm
Two reports from TRAFFIC, the world's largest wildlife trade monitoring network, on traditional medicine systems in Cambodia and Vietnam suggest that illegal wildlife trade, including entire tiger skeletons, and unsustainable harvesting is depleting the region's rich and varied biodiversity and putting the primary health care resource of millions at risk.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Woman Aquires New Accent After Stroke
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325945295/080703101320.htm
A woman in southern Ontario is one of the first cases in Canada of a rare neurological syndrome in which a person starts speaking with a different accent, researchers reported in the Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Wild Orangutans Declining More Sharply In Sumatra And Borneo Than Thought
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/327757806/080703113628.htm
Endangered wild orangutan populations are declining more sharply in Sumatra and Borneo than previously estimated, according to new findings. Although other threats to orangutan survival exist, such as hunting in agricultural areas where human-orangutan conflicts exist, the biggest by far is forest destruction associated with the burgeoning palm oil industry in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Statins Have Unexpected Effect On Pool Of Powerful Brain Cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325945272/080703113631.htm
Cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins have a profound effect on an elite group of cells known as glial progenitor cells that are important to brain health as we age, scientists have found. The new findings shed light on a long-debated potential role for statins in the area of dementia.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Endocrinology: Understanding The Genetics Of Congenital Hyperinsulinism
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/327757807/080701175547.htm
A number of congenital disorders characterized by low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) as a result of excessive secretion of the hormone insulin are collectively known as congenital hyperinsulinism.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
New Technique Produces Genetically Identical Stem Cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/327757808/080701150836.htm
Cells from mice created using genetically reprogrammed cells can be triggered via drug administration to enter an embryonic-stem-cell-like state without the need for further direct genetic manipulation. This technical advancement enables creation of large numbers of genetically identical cells that can be reprogrammed to an embryonic-stem-cell-like state simply by exposure to a drug. Researchers can exploit such cells to decipher and improve the reprogramming process.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Don't Count On Long-term Success In Climate Policy, Warns Paper In Decision Analysis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/327757810/080701141952.htm
Long-term climate change policy in the US and abroad is likely to change very slowly, warns a researcher who calls for stronger short-term goals to reduce carbon emissions. Although staging climate change policy decisions over time would seem to make sense, researchers point out that the tendency of U.S. and international policy to change extremely slowly requires front-loading the painful decisions.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Mining For Molecules In The Milky Way
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326075363/080703153412.htm
Scientists are prospecting in a rich molecular cloud in our Milky Way Galaxy. They seek to discover new, complex molecules in interstellar space that may be precursors to life. As molecules rotate and vibrate, they emit radio waves at specific frequencies. Each molecule has a unique pattern of such frequencies, called spectral lines, that constitutes a "fingerprint" identifying that molecule. Laboratory tests can determine the pattern of spectral lines that identifies a specific molecule.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Blood Vessel Inhibitor Shows Promise Against Metastatic Thyroid Cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/327757812/080702175758.htm
Thyroid cancer that has spread to distant sites has a poor prognosis, but an experimental drug that inhibits tumor blood vessel formation can slow disease progression in some patients, according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Volcanic Activity Shaped Mercury After All
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/327757813/080703140654.htm
Planetary geologists have determined that volcanism played a central role in forming Mercury's surface. The evidence of volcanic activity, published in Science, lends important insights into Mercury's geologic history.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Bringing Stability To The Protein Defective In Phenylketonuria
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/327757814/080701185113.htm
Phenylketonuria is an inherited disease characterized by progressive mental retardation and seizures because the individual is deficient in the protein PAH. Most of the genetic mutations that cause PKU do so because the PAH protein that is generated by the mutated gene is not stable enough to function. New data now suggest that it might be possible to stabilize the mutated PAH protein in individuals with PKU such that it can function normally.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Insights Into Tissue Only Micromillimeters Thick With Help From New High-Tech Robot
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/327757815/080701113120.htm
"TIGA," the new high-tech imaging center at the University of Heidelberg provides deep insights: a high-tech robot makes it possible for the first time to automatically reproduce and evaluate tissue slices only micromillimeters thick -- an important aid for researchers in understanding cancer or in following in detail the effect of treatment on cells and tissue.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Clinicians Should Consider Economic Impact Of New Interventions, According To New Report
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324876448/080702080627.htm
Cancer clinicians should understand and consider the economic impact of new interventions, which often have substantial costs, according to a new report.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Agriculture Linked To Frog Sexual Abnormalities
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326105295/080703160749.htm
A farm irrigation canal would seem a healthier place for toads than a ditch by a supermarket parking lot. But scientists have found the opposite is true. In a study with wide implications for a longstanding debate over whether agricultural chemicals pose a threat to amphibians, zoologists have found that toads in suburban areas are less likely to suffer from reproductive system abnormalities than toads near farms -- where some individual animals had both testes and ovaries.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Bone Marrow Alternative: Stem Cells From Umbilical Cord May Be Used To Treat Hepatic Diseases
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325988490/080703115403.htm
Researchers from the Universities of Granada and LeÃ³n have shown that mononuclear blood cells from human umbilical cord can be an effective alternative to bone marrow. This work, to be published in the journal Cell Transplantation, could potentially mean a great advance in regenerative hepatic medicine.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Mercury's Surface Dominated By Volcanism And Iron-deficiency
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326034024/080703140703.htm
Multispectral data on the composition of rock untis of the surface of Mercury show a widespread role for volcanism and an apparent deficiency in iron in the rocks' minerals.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Women Over 90 More Likely To Have Dementia Than Men
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326952086/080702160957.htm
Women over 90 are significantly more likely to have dementia than men of the same age, according UC Irvine researchers involved with the 90+ Study, one of the nation's largest studies of dementia and other health factors in the fastest-growing age demographic.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Undergraduates Forge New Area Of Bioinformatics
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325039450/080702121148.htm
A group of undergraduate students have forged a new area of bioinformatics that may improve genomic and proteomic annotations and unlock a collection of stubborn biological mysteries. Their work will be published in the journal Genome Research.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Scientists Set Out To Measure How We Perceive Naturalness
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325945293/080703101324.htm
Scientists at the National Physical Laboratory are working towards producing the world's first model that will predict how we perceive naturalness. The results could help make synthetic products so good that they are interpreted by our senses as being fully equivalent to the "real thing," but with the benefits of reduced environmental impact and increased durability.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Music Went With Cave Art In Prehistoric Caves
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326779957/080704130439.htm
Thousands of years later, we can view stone-age art on cave walls, but we can't listen to the stone-age music that would have accompanied many of the pictures. Researchers report that the most acoustically resonant place in a cave -- where sounds linger or reverberate the most -- was also often the place where the pictures were densest. In many sites, flutes made of bone are to be found nearby.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Seizures In Newborns Can Be Detected With Small, Portable Brain Activity Monitors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326952087/080702160947.htm
Compact, bedside brain-activity monitors detected most seizures in at-risk infants. That means the compact units could assist clinicians in monitoring for electrical seizures until confirmation with conventional EEG, the researchers assert in an article in Pediatrics.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Puzzle In The Control Of Cell Division Unraveled
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326952088/080703181839.htm
A puzzle in the control of cell division, one of the most fundamental processes in all biology, has been unraveled. Although the steps of cell division are familiar to all pupils studying biology in schools, the details of how cell division is controlled and errors avoided have still to be sorted out.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Coronary Arterial Calcium Scans Help Detect Overall Death Risk In The Elderly
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326952089/080702132154.htm
Measuring calcium deposits in the heart's arteries can help predict overall death risk in American adults, even when they are elderly, according to a new study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Researchers Use Supercomputer To Track Pathways In Myoglobin
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326952090/080630173945.htm
Myoglobin is responsible for oxygen storage in cells. But how does oxygen travel through the solid protein wall to be anchored by an iron atom deep within the protein? Scientists have now provided a computational solution to the decades-old puzzle.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Weight Watchers Vs. Fitness Centers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325006631/080702101351.htm
The nationally known commercial weight loss program, Weight Watchers, was compared to gym membership programs to find out which method wins in the game of good health. Researchers examined the real-life experiences of participants to determine which program helps people lose pounds, reduce body fat and gain health benefits.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Breast Cancer: How Tumor Cells Break Free And Form Metastases
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326917363/080704110455.htm
When tumor cells acquire the capacity to move around and invade other tissues, there is a risk of metastases and cancer treatment becomes more difficult. Scientists have just discovered how breast cancer cells break the bonds that tether them to the tumor.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
How Cold Sore Virus Hides During Inactive Phase
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325082690/080702132213.htm
Now that scientists have figured out how the virus that causes cold sores hides out, they may have a way to wake it up and kill it. Cold sores, painful, unsightly blemishes around the mouth, have so far evaded a cure or even prevention.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
First Underwater Neutrino Telescope Has Been Constructed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326893340/080704154809.htm
Construction of the first underwater neutrino telescope has just been completed. Since early June, the last two detection lines of Antares have been probing the bottom of the Mediterranean for neutrinos of cosmic origin. There are now 12 detection lines aimed at observing these elementary particles, which provide insight into the most violent phenomena in the Universe.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Healthy Or Diseased? Analysis Of Body's Metabolism Sheds New Light On The Question
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324962358/080702094554.htm
Scientists have shown that biological indicators for diseases caused or influenced by environmental factors can be detected by the systemic analysis of the body's metabolism (metabolomics). The procedure presented here is also suitable for pre-clinical drug testing and allows for the early detection of possible side effects of a new medication.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Researchers Coat Titanium With Polymer To Improve Integration Of Joint Replacements
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326952091/080701103610.htm
New research shows that coating a titanium implant with a new biologically inspired material enhances tissue healing, improves bone growth around the implant and strengthens the attachment and integration of the implant to the bone.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Depression Ups Risk Of Complications Following Heart Attack, Study Suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326952092/080701194736.htm
People who suffer from severe depression following a heart attack might be more likely to experience cardiac complications while hospitalized, according to a new study. "There is good evidence that if a person has depression after a heart attack, they are more likely to die from cardiac causes in the following months and years," said the lead author and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. "No one had yet studied whether depression impacts cardiac outcomes immediately after a heart attack -- the time we see the most complications."

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Families With Children Without A Genetic Or Gestational Link To Their Parents Are Functioning Well
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/327757816/080705213424.htm
The emotional well-being of families where children lack a genetic or gestational link to one or both of their parents -- where the children have been conceived through surrogacy, egg donation or donor insemination -- has long been a subject of debate. Now, scientists have shown that relationships within such families appear to be functioning well, and that there are few differences between them and families in whom children were conceived naturally.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Want To Fly? Don't Copy The Birds And The Bees
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/327757817/080705213421.htm
There is little comparison between the appearance of any winged creatures and that of modern helicopters or jets, despite similar flight patterns. In an era in which engineers are increasingly exploiting designs from nature, understanding this paradox is becoming ever more important. Researchers have studied the reasons behind these differences in aerodynamics and concluded that scientists should, in this instance, be more hesitant before imitating nature.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Topical Oral Syrup Prevents Early Childhood Caries, Study Shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/327519819/080705140014.htm
Dental researchers have reported a significant reduction of tooth decay in toddlers who were treated with the topical syrup xylitol, a naturally occurring non-cavity-causing sweetener.

Sun, 6 Jul 08
Patriotic New Lilacs Introduced In U.S.
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326952093/080701121842.htm
The word evokes memories of promising spring days and visions of colorful, perfumed blooms. Lilacs have long been well-loved staples in America's yards and gardens, and have played a storied role in US history.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
'Mind's Eye' Influences Visual Perception
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326146718/080703145849.htm
Letting your imagination run away with you may actually influence how you see the world. New research has found that mental imagery -- what we see with the "mind's eye" -- directly impacts our visual perception.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Circulating Tumor Cells Can Reveal Genetic Signature Of Dangerous Lung Cancers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326146719/080702175800.htm
A microchip-based device that detects and analyzes tumor cells in the bloodstream can be used to determine the genetic signature of lung tumors, allowing identification of those appropriate for targeted treatment and monitoring genetic changes that occur during therapy.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Bee Disease Still A Mystery, Despite New Advances In Undersanding Common Virus
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/322863616/080629191259.htm
Scientists are one step closer to understanding the recent demise of billions of honey bees after making an important discovery about the transmission of a common bee virus. Deformed wing virus is passed between adult bees and to their developing brood by a parasitic mite called Varroa destructor when it feeds. However, new research suggests that the virus does not replicate in Varroa, highlighting the need for further investigation.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Balanced Nutrition Saves Lives
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326146722/080701171144.htm
Clinician-scientists are suggesting an immediate and important change to guidelines used in the care of patients with traumatic brain injury. The researchers say that following traumatic brain injury, patients should be given nutritional supplementation through a gastric feeding tube as soon as possible, which they say can improve their chances of survival by as much as four-fold.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Some Fundamental Interactions Of Matter Found To Be Fundamentally Different Than Thought
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326146723/080702141421.htm
When an atom collides with a molecule, traditional wisdom said the atom had to strike one end of the molecule hard to deliver energy to it. People thought a glancing blow from an atom would be useless in terms of energy transfer, but that turns out not to be the case. "We have a new understanding of how energy can be transferred in collisions at the molecular scale," said Richard Zare, of Stanford University.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Experimental Philosophy Movement Explores Real-life Dilemmas
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325039454/080702121138.htm
Imagine a business executive who thinks: "I know that this new policy will harm the environment, but I don't care at all about that -- I just want to increase profits." Is the business executive harming the environment intentionally? Faced with this question, 82 percent of people polled said yes.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Einstein Was Right, Astrophysicists Say
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326034017/080703140721.htm
Researchers have confirmed a long-held prediction of Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity, via observations of a binary-pulsar star system. Eclipses in a unique system of two dead stars, called pulsars, has shown that one of the pair is 'wobbling' in space - just like a spinning top. The effect, called precession, is precisely as predicted by Albert Einstein and is thus a new and exciting confirmation of his theory.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Synthetic Molecules Emulate Enzyme Behavior For The First Time
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325006628/080702114320.htm
When chemists want to produce a lot of a substance -- such as a newly designed drug -- they often turn to catalysts, molecules that speed chemical reactions. Many jobs require highly specialized catalysts, and finding one in just the right shape to connect with certain molecules can be difficult.Â Natural catalysts, such as enzymes in the human body that help us digest food, get around this problem by shape-shifting to suit the task at hand.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
China Earthquake Rare And Unexpected, Says New Study
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326146724/080630130119.htm
A new analysis of the setting for last month's devastating earthquake in China by a team of geoscientists shows that the quake resulted from faults with little seismic activity, and that similar events in that area occur only once in every 2,000 to 10,000 years, on average.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Invasive Treatment Appears Beneficial For Men And High-risk Women With Certain Coronary Syndromes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326146726/080701165054.htm
An analysis of previous studies indicates that among men and high-risk women with a certain type of heart attack or angina an invasive treatment strategy (such as cardiac catheterization) is associated with reduced risk of rehospitalization, heart attack or death, whereas low-risk women may have an increased risk of heart attack or death with this treatment.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
New Pathway For Methane Production In The Oceans Discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325909196/080703113642.htm
A new pathway for methane production has been uncovered in the oceans, and this has a significant potential impact for the study of greenhouse gas production on our planet. The article reveals that aerobic decomposition of an organic, phosphorus-containing compound, methylphosphonate, may be responsible for the supersaturation of methane in ocean surface waters.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Attitudes Toward Consumption And Conservation Of Tigers In China
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326146727/080701221431.htm
The potential market for tiger products in China is enormous, but a vast majority of the Chinese public would rather have wild tigers than tiger-bone wine, according to new research.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
MESSENGER Settles Old Debates And Makes New Discoveries At Mercury
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326075364/080703150644.htm
Scientists have argued about the origins of Mercury's smooth plains and the source of its magnetic field for more than 30 years. Now, analyses of data from the January 2008 flyby of the planet by the Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft have shown that volcanoes were involved in plains formation and suggest that its magnetic field is actively produced in the planet's core.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
In Vitro Fertilization: New Method Predicts Which Women WIll Get Pregnant
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326146729/080701221456.htm
Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a method that can predict with 70 percent accuracy whether a woman undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment will become pregnant. The researchers found that four factors - total number of embryos, number of eight-cell embryos, percentage of embryos that stopped dividing and would die, and the woman's follicle-stimulating hormone level, a measurement that estimates ovarian function - were most important in determining a woman's chance of becoming pregnant. The four together were 70 percent accurate in predicting whether the current IVF cycle would result in a pregnancy.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Lasers, Software And The Devil's Slide
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326146731/080630130116.htm
Running for more than 1,000 kilometers along picturesque coastline, California's Highway 1 is easy prey for many of the natural hazards plaguing the region, including landslides.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Death, Division Or Cancer? Newly Discovered Checkpoint Process Holds The Line In Cell Division
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326146732/080701145922.htm
Each day, a staggering number of cells perform a feat that still amazes researchers with its complexity: they divide to produce perfect replicas of each other. The process is called mitosis, and an inability to control it is one of the hallmarks of cancer. Researchers have discovered a novel biochemical activity involved in controlling cell division, which they've called the mitotic checkpoint factor 2. While the proteins involved in MCF2 remain to be determined, their findings offer insight into a fundamental question of biology, which may also help to increase the efficiency of cancer drugs like gemcitabine or paclitaxel.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Geologists Push Back Date Basins Formed, Supporting Frozen Earth Theory
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325909189/080703115359.htm
Even in geology, it's not often a date gets revised by 500 million years. But geologists now say they have found strong evidence that a half-dozen major basins in India were formed a billion or more years ago, making them at least 500 million years older than commonly thought.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Newborns In ICUs Often Undergo Painful Procedures, Most Without Pain Medication
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326146734/080701165057.htm
An examination of newborn intensive care finds that newborns undergo numerous procedures that are associated with pain and stress, and that many of these procedures are performed without medication or therapy to relieve pain.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Resveratrol, Found In Red Wine, Wards Off Effects Of Age On Heart, Bones, Eyes And Muscle
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325945262/080703120402.htm
Scientists have found that the compound resveratrol, found in red wine and grape skin, slows age-related deterioration and functional decline of mice on a standard diet, but does not increase longevity when started at middle age. This study is a follow-up to 2006 findings that resveratrol improves health and longevity of overweight, aged mice.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
New System Blocks HIV Transmission Via Breastfeeding
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325945258/080703125224.htm
Researchers are developing a new technology that prevents the infection of HIV by breastfeeding.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Researchers Are First To Simulate The Binding Of Molecules To A Protein
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326146735/080630173932.htm
You may not know what it is, but you burn more than your body weight of it every day. Adenosine triphosphate, a tiny molecule that packs a powerful punch, is the primary energy source for most of your cellular functions. Now researchers have identified a key step in the cellular recycling of ATP that allows your body to produce enough of it to survive.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Gender Differences And Heart Disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326146736/080701171141.htm
Women may respond less favorably than men to cardiovascular disease drug-treatments for enlarged heart. For the first time, researchers have uncovered that women derive a lesser benefit than men from two common high-blood-pressure-lowering drugs â€” losartan and atenolol â€” for the reduction of left-ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). The condition is a thickening and enlargement of muscle of the left ventricle of the heart and a marker for future heart disease.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Phoenix To Bake Ice-Rich Sample Next Week
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325945252/080703130239.htm
The next sample delivered to NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander's Thermal and Evolved-Gas Analyzer (TEGA) will be ice-rich. A team of engineers and scientists assembled to assess TEGA after a short circuit was discovered in the instrument has concluded that another short circuit could occur when the oven is used again.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Prevalence Of Religious Congregations Affects Mortality Rates
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326034027/080703145157.htm
Researchers have recently found that a community's religious environment -- that is, the type of religious congregations within a locale -- affects mortality rates, often in a positive manner.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Long-sought Boyhood Home Of George Washington Found
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325988480/080702180713.htm
Archaeologists working at the site of George Washington's childhood home have located and excavated the remains of the long-sought house where Washington was raised. The site was the setting of some of the best-known stories related to his youth, including tales of the cherry tree and throwing a stone across the Rappahannock River.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Discovery Of Gene Mechanism Could Bring About New Ways To Treat Metastatic Cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325988482/080701103234.htm
The molecular and biochemical mechanism of action of unique cytokine gene found to induce potent bystander antitumor effects in animal models and in Phase I clinical trials has been identified. Researchers have uncovered how a gene, melanoma differentiation associated gene-7/interleukin-24 (mda-7/IL-24), induces a bystander effect that kills cancer cells not directly receiving mda-7/IL-24 without harming healthy ones, a discovery that could lead to new therapeutic strategies to fight metastatic disease.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Asteroid Impacts On Earth: A Protection Plan
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/326146738/080701194344.htm
A century ago this week, an event in far-off Siberia rang a cosmic wake-up call for Earth. That explosive event over remote Tunguska is generally viewed by scientists as a large space rock that pierced through the atmosphere of Siberia, then detonated to flatten some 2,000 square kilometers of trees.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Sleep Problems Associated With Menopause Vary Among Ethnic Groups
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324069602/080701092201.htm
Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep increase as women go through menopause according to new research. Waking up earlier than planned also increases through late perimenopause but decreases when women become postmenopausal.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Printed Optical Electronics Come Into View
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325988483/080702173627.htm
European researchers have taken a major step towards the goal of developing printable electronics that can be used for creating radio frequency identification tags and flexible watch displays. Researchers have long dreamed of being able to print electronic components directly onto organic materials such as paper, fabrics, or plastic.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Does This Make Me Look Fat?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325988484/080701110408.htm
The peer groups teenage girls identify with determine how they decide to control their own figure. Also influencing weight control behavior is girls' own definition of normal body weight and their perception of what others consider normal body weight.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
First Measurements Of The Solar Wind Termination Shock By Voyager 2 Spacecraft
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325909194/080703113646.htm
Space physicists report that the Voyager 2 spacecraft, which has been traveling outward from the sun for 31 years, has made the first direct observations of the solar wind termination shock, according to an article in the journal Nature.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Brain â€˜trickâ€™ Offers Treatment Hope For Alzheimerâ€™s
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325988485/080702171259.htm
Scientists have made a significant step forward in the search for new drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease. An aging population means that neurodegeneration, such as Alzheimer's disease, is one of the major health problems in the developed world. But researchers have designed an enzyme inhibitor which could 'trick' the brain and so help to halt neurodegeneration.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Body's Own 'Cannabis (Marijuana)' Is Good For The Skin, Scientists Find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325988486/080702160944.htm
Scientists have discovered that our own body not only makes chemical compounds similar to the active ingredient in marijuana, but these play an important part in maintaining healthy skin. This finding on "endocannabinoids" could lead to new drugs that treat skin conditions ranging from acne to dry skin, and even skin-related tumors.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Smokers Suffer More Back Pain, Survey Shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324069604/080701092149.htm
Smokers suffer more chronic back pain according to a new survey. Researchers interviewed more than 8000 people in the course of a telephone health survey. This included questions on social and demographic themes, as well as health and life style.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
New Tool Developed To Study Genes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325125573/080702143048.htm
Researchers have developed a computational tool that will help scientists more accurately study complex units of clustered genes, called operons, in bacteria. The tool, which allows scientists to analyze many bacterial genomes at once, is more accurate than previous methods because it starts from experimentally validated data instead of from statistical predictions, they say. The researchers hope their tool will lead to a better understanding of the complex genetic mechanisms involved in a cell's functioning.

Fri, 4 Jul 08
Going Green: Savings And Comfort Are The Best Incentives
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325988487/080701103606.htm
Would shrinking your carbon footprint, recycling more, and going green be easier if you could monitor your household's environmental impact? Researchers recorded and compared heating fuel, electricity, water, vehicle fuel costs and waste generation for each household and on the basis of this data recommended cost-effective measures to reduce consumption. The team found that, on average, just over 25% of the recommended measures were implemented, which resulted in an estimated greenhouse gas reduction of about two tonnes for each household.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Worms Do Calculus To Find Meals Or Avoid Unpleasantness
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325082689/080702132219.htm
Thanks to salt and hot chili peppers, researchers have found a calculus-computing center that tells a roundworm to go forward toward dinner or turn to broaden the search. It's a computational mechanism, they say, that is similar to what drives hungry college students to a pizza. A computer-like mechanism drives neuron expression for taste and smell.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Get Smart About What You Eat And You Might Actually Improve Your Intelligence
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325168991/080702150706.htm
New research findings provide more evidence that if we get smart about what we eat, our intelligence can improve. According to scientists, dietary nutrients found in a wide range of foods from infant formula to eggs increase brain synapses and improve cognitive abilities.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
A Healthier July Fourth: Eco-friendly Fireworks And Flares Poised To Light Up The Sky
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325199888/080630112405.htm
From the rockets' red glare to bombs bursting in air, researchers are developing more environmentally friendly fireworks and flares to light up the night sky while minimizing potential health risks. Some eco-friendly fireworks may soon appear at a Fourth of July display or rock concert near you.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Controlling Bone Disease Improves Survival Of Hemodialysis Patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325039451/080702121145.htm
Consistently maintaining certain blood levels of markers of bone metabolism and disease can prolong the lives of patients on hemodialysis, according to a new study. The findings indicate that keeping parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphorous levels in control is critically important for dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Fungi The Cause Of Many Outbreaks Of Disease, But Mostly Ignored
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325199889/080701145522.htm
Many people, scientists among them, are largely unaware of the roles fungi play in the world around us. Research on fungi and fungal diseases are seriously neglected as a result -- a situation with grave negative repercussions for human health, agriculture, and the environment -- according to a new report from the American Academy of Microbiology.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Severe Shyness? New Study Shows That Anxiety Is Likely A Long-lasting Trait
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325199890/080701221437.htm
We all know people who are tense and nervous and can't relax. They may have been wired differently since childhood. New research indicates that the brains of those suffering from anxiety and severe shyness in social situations consistently respond more strongly to stress, and show signs of being anxious even in situations that others find safe.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Species Extinction Threat Underestimated Due To Math Glitch
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325082683/080702132238.htm
Extinction risks for natural populations of endangered species are likely being underestimated by as much as 100-fold because of a mathematical "misdiagnosis," according to a new study. Researchers have noted that sex ratio variations and physical variation between individuals within a population -- have been ignored or mischaracterized by most extinction risk modelers.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Evolutionary Origin Of Mammalian Gene Regulation Is Over 150 Million Years Old
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325199891/080701140658.htm
Scientists have found that a complex, highly conserved and extremely important mechanism of controlling genes is over 150 million years old. The findings have provided new insights into the evolution of genomic or parental imprinting and epigenetic regulation in mammals. A failure of these sophisticated processes is associated with many human genetic diseases, psychiatric and autoimmune disorders and aging.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Tummy's Taste For Red Wine With Red Meat
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325199892/080630112013.htm
What happens when red wine meets red meat? If the rendezvous happens in the stomach, scientists in Israel are reporting, wine's bounty of healthful chemical compounds may thwart formation of harmful substances released during digestion of fat in the meat.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
New Discovery A Step Towards Better Diabetes Treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325199893/080701125902.htm
New findings shed light on the processes that determine the release of the blood sugar-lowering hormone insulin. The discovery is based on the development of image analysis methods that make possible the detailed study of events immediately inside the plasma membrane of the insulin-secreting cells.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Quantum Dots Can Penetrate Skin Through Minor Abrasions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325006629/080702103327.htm
Researchers have found that quantum dot nanoparticles can penetrate the skin if there is an abrasion, providing insight into potential workplace concerns for healthcare workers or individuals involved in the manufacturing of quantum dots or doing research on potential biomedical applications of the tiny nanoparticles.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Relaxation Response Can Influence Expression Of Stress-related Genes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325199894/080701221501.htm
How could a single, non-pharmacological intervention help patients deal with disorders ranging from high blood pressure, to pain syndromes, to infertility, to rheumatoid arthritis? That question may have been answered by a study finding that eliciting the relaxation response -- a physiologic state of deep rest -- influences the activation patterns of genes associated with the body's response to stress.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Exploding Asteroid Theory Strengthened By New Evidence Located In Ohio, Indiana
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325199895/080702160950.htm
Was the course of life on the planet altered 12,900 years ago by a giant comet exploding over Canada? New evidence suggests the answer is affirmative. The timing attached to this theory of about 12,900 years ago is consistent with the known disappearances in North America of the wooly mammoth population and the first distinct human society to inhabit the continent, known as the Clovis civilization.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Gene Directs Stem Cells To Build The Heart
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325039452/080702121143.htm
Researchers have shown that they can put mouse embryonic stem cells to work building the heart, potentially moving medicine a significant step closer to a new generation of heart disease treatments that use human stem cells. Scientists report in Cell Stem Cell that the Mesp1 gene locks mouse embryonic stem cells into becoming heart parts and gets them moving to the area where the heart forms.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
New Wind Measurement Technology May Help Olympic Sailing, Aviation and Weather Forecasting
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/323306654/080630104637.htm
A team of researchers at the Ocean University of China has developed and tested a mobile lidar (light detection and ranging) station that can accurately measure wind speed and direction over large areas in real time -- an application useful for aviation safety, weather forecasting and sports.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Improving Diagnosis Of Osteoporosis: Computer Simulations Help Predict Fracture Risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324962357/080702094557.htm
Using a Blue Gene supercomputer, scientists have demonstrated the most extensive simulation yet of actual human bone structure. This achievement may lead to better clinical tools to improve the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis, a widespread disease that worldwide affects one in three women and one in five men over the age of 50.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Disease-detecting Lab In The Palm Of Your Hand
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325199896/080701140210.htm
Detecting food-borne diseases such as campylobacter and salmonella long before they enter the food chain would help ensure that the dinner on your table is safe to eat. There is currently no quick and simple way to detect infectious bacteria on farms, or even in food processing and distribution plants. Samples have to be sent to labs for testing, a process that can take hours or days. But what if tests for campylobacter and salmonella could be run on the spot in as little as half an hour?

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Political Participation Is Partially Rooted In Genetic Inheritance
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325199898/080701083517.htm
The decision to vote is partly genetic. Researchers have now identify a link between two specific genes and political participation. They show that individuals with a variant of the MAOA gene are significantly more likely to have voted in the 2000 presidential election. Their research also demonstrates a connection between a variant of the 5HTT gene and voter turnout, which is moderated by religious attendance. These are the first results ever to link specific genes to political behavior.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
New Form Of Energy-Transfer Processes: Atomic Tug Of War
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325125572/080702132209.htm
A new form of energy-transfer processes, reported in Nature may have implications for the study of reactions going on in the atmosphere, and even for those occurring in the body.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Pediatric Researchers Find Possible 'Master Switch' Gene In Juvenile Arthritis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325199899/080701145058.htm
Researchers have found that a gene region known to play a role in some varieties of adult rheumatoid arthritis is also present in all types of childhood arthritis. The researchers say the responsible gene may be a "master switch" that helps turn on the debilitating disease.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Protecting Romaine Lettuce From Pathogens
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/322579178/080629081503.htm
Knowing the preferences of foodborne pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 is essential to a successful counterattack on these microbes. That's why microbiologists are scrutinizing the little-understood ability of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica to contaminate romaine lettuce.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Benefits Of Green Tea In Reducing An Important Risk Factor For Heart Disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324876449/080702080624.htm
More evidence for the beneficial effect of green tea on risk factors for heart disease has emerged in a new study. The study found that the consumption of green tea rapidly improves the function of (endothelial) cells lining the circulatory system; endothelial dysfunction is a key event in the progression of atherosclerosis.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Molecular Basis And Regulation Of Circadian Rhythms In Plants
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324038446/080701083555.htm
As anyone who has suffered from jetlag knows, we have internal clocks that tell us when to sleep and wake, and we can be miserable when these are disrupted. The daily cycles of many organisms are well known, but what has not been clear is whether these cycles are just responses to external cues of light, dark, heat, and cold, or if there are internal clocks that are set and reset by environmental signals. In animals, circadian rhythms are known to be important for maintaining a multitude of physiological processes. New research investigates circadian rhythms in plants.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Minimum Drinking Age Of 21 Saves Lives, Study Finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325199900/080701083542.htm
One of the most comprehensive studies on the minimum drinking age shows that laws aimed at preventing consumption of alcohol by those under 21 have significantly reduced drinking-related fatal car crashes.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
New Evidence That Ancient Choanoflagellates' Form Evolutionary Link Between Single-celled And Multi-celled Organisms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324918633/080701165050.htm
What do humans and single-celled choanoflagellates have in common? More than you'd think. New research into the choanoflagellate genome shows these ancient organisms have similar levels of proteins that cells in more complex organisms, including humans, use to communicate with each other.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Being An MRSA Carrier Increases Risk Of Infection And Death
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325006630/080702103324.htm
Patients harboring methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus for long periods of time continue to be at increased risk of MRSA infection and death, according to a new study.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Toward Long-range Beach Forecasts On Bacterial Contamination
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325199901/080630112242.htm
Long-range forecasts of beach bacterial contamination are inching closer to reality because of a new water quality prediction method.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Since Introduction Of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, HIV Death Rate Has Decreased
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325199902/080701165100.htm
In industrialized countries, persons infected sexually with HIV now appear to experience mortality rates similar to those of the general population in the first 5 years following infection, though a higher risk of death remains as the duration of HIV infection lengthens, according to a new study.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Where Is Your Soil Water? Crop Yield Has The Answer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325199903/080701113124.htm
Crop yield is highly dependent on soil plant-available water, the portion of soil water that can be taken up by plant roots. New research has shown that measured plant-available water capacity correlated with corn yield better in dry years than in normal or wet years. Agreement between measured plant-available water and estimates was weaker in the claypan soils than well-drained soils.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Erectile Dysfunction Lower In Men Who Have Intercourse More Often
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324918668/080702091346.htm
Having intercourse more often may help prevent the development of erectile dysfunction. Researchers have found that men who had intercourse more often were less likely to develop ED.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Secret Of The Sweet-Sounding Stradivarius: Wood Density Explains Sound Quality Of Great Master Violins
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324918628/080701221447.htm
The advantage of using medical equipment to study classical musical instruments has been proven by a Dutch researcher from the Leiden University Medical Center. In collaboration with a renowned luthier, Dr. Berend Stoel put classical violins, including several made by Stradivarius, in a CT scanner.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Eating Broccoli May Keep Prostate Cancer Away, Study Suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324918629/080701221450.htm
For the first time, a research group has provided an explanation of how eating broccoli might reduce cancer risk based upon studies in men, as opposed to trying to extrapolate from animal models. Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer for males in western countries. The research has provided an insight into why eating broccoli can help men stay healthy.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Cubing Potatoes Before Boiling Can Reduce Mineral Content By 75%
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/322553355/080629080409.htm
The preparation of a potato can have a big impact on its mineral content, Agricultural Research Service scientists report in a new study of this popular vegetable. Baked, roasted, boiled or fried, the potato is America's favorite vegetable. Every year, the average American eats about 130 pounds of potatoes, which are loaded with vitamins and minerals.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
New Combination Of Tests Measures Child's Ability To Taste And Smell
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324038450/080701083532.htm
Researchers have developed a series of tests that for the first time accurately measure the normality of taste (gustatory function) and smell (olfactory function) in young children.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Pricey Chemicals Gleaned From Biodiesel Waste
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324918631/080630165704.htm
Chemical engineers have unveiled a set of techniques for cleanly converting problematic biofuels waste into profitable chemicals. New research in the journal Metabolic Engineering describes a new fermentation process that allows E. coli and other enteric bacteria to convert glycerin -- the major waste byproduct of biodiesel production -- into formate, succinate and other valuable organic acids. The researchers say the technology could yield a new platform for "green" chemical production.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Mobile Users Make Same Mistakes As Disabled PC Users
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324918632/080701104402.htm
Many able-bodied people make the same errors -- and with similar frequencies -- when typing and 'mousing' on mobile phones, as physically impaired users of desktop computers. This means that software already developed for PC users with disabilities may be applicable to mobile phones. Software may be able to automatically correct erroneous commands and help reduce annoying occurrences such as accidentally canceling a text message or calling someone by sitting on the phone.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
First Images Of Solar System's Invisible Frontier
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/325082686/080702132256.htm
An instrument aboard NASA's STEREO spacecraft unexpectedly detected particles from the edge of the solar system last year, allowing UC Berkeley scientists to map for the first time the energized particles in the region where the hot solar wind slams into the cold interstellar medium. The region, at about 100 AU, is invisible to other telescopes, but can be mapped by detecting energetic neutral atoms, largely hydrogen.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
New DNA Weapon Against Avian Flu Identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324918634/080701150833.htm
By delivering vaccine via DNA constructed to build antigens against flu, along with a minute electric pulse, researchers have immunized experimental animals against various strains of the virus. This approach could allow for the build up of vaccine reserves that could be easily and effectively dispensed in case of an epidemic.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
New Insights Into Quantum Mechanics: Unlocking Mysteries Of 'Blinking' Phenomena Of Fluorescent Molecules
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324918635/080701142504.htm
More than a century ago, at the dawn of modern quantum mechanics, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Neils Bohr predicted so-called "quantum jumps." More recently, it has been possible to observe similar jumps in individual molecules. Experimentally, these quantum jumps translate to discrete interruptions of the continuous emission from single molecules, revealing a phenomenon known as florescent intermittency or "blinking."

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Asthma Risk Increases In Children Treated For HIV
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324918636/080701165017.htm
Children whose immune systems rebound after treatment with potent anti-viral drugs for HIV infection face an increased risk of developing asthma, according to a new report in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Pesticides Persist In Ground Water
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324918648/080701110412.htm
Numerous studies over the past four decades have established that pesticides, which are typically applied at the land surface, can move downward to reach the water table at detectable concentrations. The downward movement of pesticide degradation products can also contribute to the contamination of ground water. This study found that the pesticides and degradation products detected most frequently in shallow ground-water samples were predominantly from two classes of herbicides -- triazines and chloroacetanilides.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Weekends Slow Weight Loss, Researchers Find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324918650/080701115649.htm
Saturday can be the worst enemy for our waistlines. Researchers found that study subjects on strict diet and exercise programs tend to lose weight more slowly than expected because they eat more on weekends than during the week.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Hubble Sees Stars And A Stripe In Celestial Fireworks
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324918654/080701194002.htm
A delicate ribbon of gas floats eerily in our galaxy. A contrail from an alien spaceship? A jet from a black-hole? Actually this image, taken by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, is a very thin section of a supernova remnant caused by a stellar explosion that occurred more than 1,000 years ago.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
'Hibernation-on-demand' Drug Significantly Improves Survival After Extreme Blood Loss
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324918655/080701145926.htm
For the first time, researchers have demonstrated that the administration of minute amounts of inhaled or intravenous hydrogen sulfide -- the molecule that gives rotten eggs their sulfurous stench -- significantly improves survival from extreme blood loss in rats. The researchers successfully used hydrogen sulfide to induce a state of reversible metabolic hibernation as a way to reduce death from insufficient blood supply to organs and tissues in a rat model of lethal hemorrhage.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Chip-cooling Technology Achieves 'Dramatic' 1,000-watt Capacity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324918656/080701180141.htm
Researchers have developed a technology that uses "microjets" to deposit liquid into tiny channels and remove five times more heat than other experimental high-performance chip-cooling methods for computers and electronics.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
New Way To Predict Prostate Cancer Spreading
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324918658/080701185858.htm
For men, one of the leading causes of death from cancer is prostate cancer that has spread to a second site (something known as metastatic prostate cancer). Defining the molecular mechanisms by which the initial tumor becomes able to spread to a new site (a process known as metastasis) is likely to help clinicians predict an individual's chance of survival and help researchers develop new therapies.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Laser Spectrometer Opens Way For More Effective Carbon Trading, Drug Development And Carbon Dating
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324918661/080701134503.htm
Carbon offsets increasingly are becoming a major component in the arsenal for reducing global warming. Even Bon Jovi, the Rolling Stones and the Dave Matthews Band are doing it: acquiring carbon offsets to reduce the carbon footprint of their tours. As more organizations and businesses start trading in carbon offsets, the need for accurate measurements of carbon emissions also is becoming critically important for fair and exact exchanges. Scientists have now developed a new ultra-sensitive laser-assisted ratio analyzer that is capable of measuring even slight changes in carbon 14, an isotope of carbon.

Thu, 3 Jul 08
Intuition Can Be Explained
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324918663/080701135820.htm
Intuition, or tacit knowledge, is difficult to measure, so it is often denigrated. A new dissertation in education research shows that there is a neurobiological explanation for how experience-based knowledge is created. "Skate where the puckÂ´s going, not where itÂ´s been" (Wayne Gretsky).

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Malagasy Chameleon Spends Most Of Its Short Life In An Egg
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324350416/080630173924.htm
There is a newly discovered life history among the 28,300 species of known tetrapods. A chameleon from arid southwestern Madagascar spends up to three-quarters of its life in an egg. Even more unusual, life after hatching is a mere 4 to 5 months. No other known four-legged animal has such a rapid growth rate and such a short life span.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Post-exercise Caffeine Helps Muscles Refuel
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324069608/080701083456.htm
Glycogen, the muscle's primary fuel source during exercise, is replenished more rapidly when athletes ingest both carbohydrate and caffeine following exhaustive exercise, new research shows. Athletes who ingested caffeine with carbohydrate had 66 percent more glycogen in their muscles four hours after finishing intense, glycogen-depleting exercise, compared to when they consumed carbohydrate alone, according to the study.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
An Impossible Coexistence: Transgenic And Organic Agriculture
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324350417/080630102731.htm
The cultivation of genetically modified maize has caused a drastic reduction in organic cultivations of this grain and is making their coexistence practically impossible. This is the main conclusion reached in one of the first field studies in Europe based on an analysis of the situation in Catalonia and Aragon, Europe's main producers of transgenic foods.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Cancer Cells Revert To Normal At Specific Signal Threshold, Researchers Find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324038451/080701083529.htm
Scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine report that lowering levels of one cancer signal under a specific threshold reverses this process in mice, returning tumor cells to their normal, healthy state.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Ethanol Coproducts Eyed As Fillers In Plastics
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/322553357/080629075630.htm
A coproduct of ethanol production could be used as a non-petroleum-based filler in plastics, based on preliminary studies by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and their cooperators. The ethanol coproduct, called distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS), has a high fiber content and a molecular structure suitable for binding--two attributes that make it a candidate as a filler in plastics

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Spiritual Effects Of Hallucinogens Persist, Researchers Report
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324069605/080701083522.htm
In a follow-up to research showing that psilocybin, a substance contained in "sacred mushrooms," produces substantial spiritual effects, scientists report that those beneficial effects appear to last more than a year.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Super Atoms Turn Periodic Table Upside Down
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324069603/080701092153.htm
Researchers have developed a technique for generating atom clusters made from silver and other metals. Surprisingly enough, these so-called super atoms (clusters of 13 silver atoms, for example) behave in the same way as individual atoms and have opened up a whole new branch of chemistry.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Small Protein May Have Big Role In Making More Bone And Less Fat
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324350419/080701155725.htm
A small protein may have a big role in helping you make more bone and less fat, researchers say. People can't take GILZ now, but a long-term goal is to develop a GILZ-like pill that would dramatically reduce fat production.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Glomalin Is Key To Locking Up Soil Carbon
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/322553358/080629075404.htm
Glomalin, the substance coating this microscopic fungus growing on a corn root, can keep carbon in the soil from decomposing for up to 100 years.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Finding That Could Shed Light On 'Golden Staph,' Candida And Allergies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324069601/080701092203.htm
Recent scientific findings explain why patients with a rare immunodeficiency disorder are unusually susceptible to certain common infections. By revealing the exact molecular mechanisms involved, they also give us clues as to why some "healthy" people are more prone to these infections than others, and suggest potential treatments.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Exposing The Sensitivity Of Extreme Ultraviolet Photoresists
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324350420/080627163229.htm
Researchers have confirmed that the photoresists used in next-generation semiconductor manufacturing processes now under development are twice as sensitive as previously believed. The finding has attracted considerable interest because of its implications for future electronics manufacturing.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
To Sing Like Shakira, Press '1' Now
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324350421/080630170405.htm
Scientists have developed an electronic ear to judge and coach vibrato technique. Vibrato -- the pulsating change of pitch in a singerâ€™s voice -- is an important aspect of a singerâ€™s expression, used extensively by both classical opera singers and pop stars like Shakira. Usually, the quality of a vibrato can only be judged subjectively by voice experts.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Newcomer In Early Eurafrican Population?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324350422/080701141030.htm
A complete mandible of Homo erectus was discovered at the Thomas I quarry in Casablanca by a French-Moroccan team. This mandible is the oldest human fossil uncovered from scientific excavations in Morocco. The discovery will help better define northern Africa's possible role in first populating southern Europe. A Homo erectus half-jaw had already been found at the Thomas I quarry in 1969, but it was a chance discovery and therefore with no archeological context.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Resuscitation Technique After Brain Injury May Do More Harm Than Good
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324069607/080701083506.htm
The current standard practice of giving infants and children 100 percent oxygen to prevent brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation may actually inflict additional harm, researchers have found.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Fighting A Worldwide Wheat Threat
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/322553359/080629075019.htm
Wheat stockpiles are at a 30-year low and production costs are rising, but what really scares wheat growers is the specter of Ug99, a new rust fungus to which very few of the currently grown varieties of wheat are resistant.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Population-based Approach Needed To Reduce Obesity In United States
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324350423/080630162416.htm
Population-wide approaches are key for preventing obesity. Preventing excess weight gain needs to be easier, more socially acceptable and personally rewarding for the average person. A broad range of policy and environmental change strategies must target the spectrum of influences on food access and intake and physical activity.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Plastic Electronics Have A Bright Future In Flexible Laptops
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324350424/080630120117.htm
With market analysts predicting a ten fold increase in the value of the organic light emitting display industry it is no wonder that scientists and governments alike are keen to advance research into "plastic electronics". For a long time, plastic was thought of as an insulating material that could not conduct electricity, but ground-breaking research in the 1970s proved that some plastics could do so.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Violence Declines With Medication Use In Some With Schizophrenia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324038452/080701083527.htm
Some schizophrenia patients become less prone to violence when taking medication, but those with a history of childhood conduct problems continue to pose a higher risk even with treatment, according to a new study.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Archaeologists Find Silos And Administration Center From Early Egyptian City
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324350425/080701121838.htm
An expedition at Tell Edfu in southern Egypt has unearthed a large administration building and silos that provide fresh clues about the emergence of urban life. The discovery provides new information about a little understood aspect of ancient Egypt -- the development of cities in a culture that is largely famous for its monumental architecture.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Life-extending Protein Can Also Have Damaging Effects On Brain Cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324350426/080701125905.htm
Proteins widely believed to protect against aging can actually cause oxidative damage in mammalian brain cells, according to a new report in Cell Metabolism. The findings suggest that the proteins can have both proaging and protective functions, depending on the circumstances, the researchers said.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
New Silverleaf Whitefly Resistant To Many Pesticides
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/322553360/080629074432.htm
A devastating tropical and subtropical pest that's already considered one of the world's top invasive species just got a bit more troublesome. The silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) threatens a wide range of crops. Of the more than 20 known biotypes of this species, two of the most devastating are the B and Q biotypes. The Q biotype, newly arrived in the U.S., is less susceptible to many pesticide types.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Integrins As Receptors Give Insight Into Rotavirus And Diarrhea
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324350427/080630120128.htm
Eleven years ago, scientists discovered the first viral enterotoxin, rotavirus NSP4, a toxic protein that affects the intestines, causing diarrhea. The next step was to find the cellular receptor on intestinal cells through which the enterotoxin interacts to cause diarrhea.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
New Efficiency Benchmark For Dye-sensitized Solar Cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/322731865/080629130741.htm
Scientists have achieved a record light conversion efficiency of 8.2 percent in solvent-free dye-sensitized solar cells. This breakthrough in efficiency without the use of volatile organic solvents will make it possible to pursue large scale, outdoor practical application of lightweight, inexpensive, flexible dye-sensitized solar films that are stable over long periods of light and heat exposure.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Toys And Technology For Rehabilitation In Cerebral Palsy Patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324350429/080701104347.htm
What began as a college course project to design therapeutic toys has resulted in the first toys of their kind, designed as therapy for children with cerebral palsy.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Penguins Setting Off Sirens Over Health Of World's Oceans
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324038449/080701083537.htm
Like the proverbial canary in the coal mine, penguins are sounding the alarm for potentially catastrophic changes in the world's oceans, and the culprit isn't only climate change, says a conservation biologist.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Flaws Found In Hospital Barcoded Technology May Lead To Errors With Patient Medication
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324038453/080701083525.htm
In the first study of its kind, researchers studied how hospital nurses actually use bar-coded technology that matches the right patient with the right dose of the right medication. The surprising result is that the design and implementation of the technology, which is often relied upon as a "cure-all" for medication administration errors, is flawed, and can increase the probabilities of certain errors. Hospital patients, on average, are subject to one medication administration error a day.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Evolution Of Fruit Size In Tomato
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/322094394/080628065632.htm
In general, domesticated food plants have larger fruits, heads of grain, tubers, etc, because this is one of the characteristics that early hunter-gatherers chose when foraging for food. In addition to size, tomatoes have been bred for shape, texture, flavor, shelf-life, and nutrient composition, but it has been difficult to study these traits in tomatoes, because many of them are the result of many genes acting together.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Delaying Childbirth Is Associated With Impaired Contraction Of The Uterus And Rising Rates Of Cesarean Section
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324113037/080630201614.htm
Impaired contraction of the uterus (womb) may play a part in the association of advancing maternal age with increased cesarean rates. Researchers analyzed a large Scottish data base to characterize the association between maternal age and outcome of labor, specifically looking at what proportion of the increase in primary cesarean rates could be attributed to changes in maternal age distribution.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Mate Choice In Plants
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/322094397/080628065627.htm
Understanding the molecular mechanisms of pollen recognition is important for designing novel plant breeding systems as well as ensuring safeguards against unwanted pollination by genetically modified crops.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
New 'Everyday Cognition' Scale Tracks How Older Adults Function In Daily Life
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324038448/080701083544.htm
As more adults age into the high-risk period for cognitive impairment, clinicians need simple and reliable methods to identify where they may have problems in everyday life that reveal underlying changes in the brain. A new, carefully validated questionnaire called Everyday Cognition, when filled out by someone who knows an older adult well, can sensitively evaluate the performance of everyday activities that reflect basic mental functioning, according to a report in Neuropsychology.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Mammalian Clock Protein Responds Directly To Light
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/323723465/080630200959.htm
We know that light effects the growth and development of plants, but what about humans and animals? New research explores this question by examining cryptochromes in flies, mice, and humans. In plants, cryptochromes are related to functions such as growth and development. Cryptochromes are present in humans and animals as well and regulate the mechanisms of the circadian clock. But how they work in humans and animals remains a mystery.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Sunburn Alert: UVB Does More Damage To DNA Than UVA
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324113038/080701092141.htm
As bombs burst in air this July 4, chances are that sunburn will be the red glare that most folks see -- and feel. But unfortunately, even when there is no burn, the effects of the sun's ultraviolet rays can have deadly consequences. Thanks to new research scientists now know why UVB light is more likely to cause skin cancer than UVA light.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Ancient Olympics: â€˜Like Vince Lombardi On The PGA Circuitâ€™
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/322227403/080628162032.htm
The modern Olympic ideals differ dramatically from the way the games were actually played in ancient Greece, says a classicist who has heavily researched the Olympic past. The ancient games featured professionals with a "winning is everything" philosophy.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Experts Examine Challenges Of Split Liver Transplantation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324113039/080630162409.htm
Can split liver transplantation reliably yield grafts for two adults? Experts consider this question alongside new findings about the procedure.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Oxygen Ions For Fuel Cells Get Loose At Low(er) Temperatures
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324113041/080627163219.htm
Seeking to understand a new fuel cell material, a research team has uncovered a novel structure that moves oxygen ions through the cell at substantially lower temperatures than previously thought possible.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Love Thy Neighbor? States That Lower Drinking Age Hurt Others
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324113042/080630111816.htm
States currently considering reducing the drinking age aren't doing their neighbors any favors. While opponents contend that dropping the minimum legal drinking age from 21 to 18 or 19 will lead to more alcohol-related teen traffic deaths in those affected states, a University of Michigan researcher says that lowering the age requirement will cause fatal crash rates to increase in neighboring states, as well.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Carbon Hoofprint: Cows Supplemented With RbST Reduce Agriculture's Environmental Impact
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324113043/080630173934.htm
Milk goes green: Cows that receive recombinant Bovine Somatotropin make more milk, all the while easing natural resource pressure and substantially reducing environmental impact, according to new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
More Severe Bone Infections, Health Complications In Children Linked To MRSA, Researchers Find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/323266740/080630090816.htm
The emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus as a major pathogen has led to more complications and longer hospital stays for children with acute bone infections.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Shiitake Mushrooms May Improve Human Immune Function, Especially If Grown On Old Oak Logs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/322579179/080629081210.htm
Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) mushrooms are good for you--and shiitake byproducts can be good for other crops. These mushrooms contain high-molecular-weight polysaccharides (HMWP), which some studies suggest may improve human immune function.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Scientists Unravel Early Infectious Process Of Respiratory Pathogen And Bioterrorism Agent
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324069600/080701092207.htm
Scientists have identified a cell type believed to play a role in controlling the early infectious process against Francisella tularensis, a respiratory pathogen and bioterrorism agent that is the cause of tularemia. The findings are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Mercury-absorbent Container Linings Developed For Broken Compact Fluorescent Lamps
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324113052/080627163055.htm
Researchers have discovered a nanomaterial that can absorb the mercury emitted from a broken compact fluorescent lamp. The researchers have created a mercury-absorbent container lining that can be used commercially. The packaging invention would relieve a major concern with CFL use and comes as CFL sales are projected to skyrocket.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Toward Perfumed-clothing: Fabric-friendly 'Microcapsules' Hide Unpleasant Body Odors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324113053/080630112146.htm
Researchers in Portugal are reporting development of a new type of "microcapsule" filled with perfume and embedded in fabric for production of scented suits, socks, undergarments and other clothing. The same technology can be used in many other applications, such as to mask unpleasant body odors when using textile products.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
What Hit Siberia 100 Years Ago? Tunguska Event Still Puzzles Scientists
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/324113054/080701105330.htm
The year is 1908, and it's just after seven in the morning. A man is sitting on the front porch of a trading post at Vanavara in Siberia. Little does he know, in a few moments, he will be hurled from his chair and the heat will be so intense he will feel as though his shirt is on fire. That's how the Tunguska event felt 40 miles from ground zero.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Researchers Link Early Stem Cell Mutation To Autism
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/323723466/080630173926.htm
In a breakthrough scientific study, scientists have shown that neural stem cell development may be linked to Autism. The study demonstrated that mice lacking the myocyte enhancer factor 2C protein in neural stem cells had smaller brains, fewer nerve cells and showed behaviors similar to those seen in humans with a form of autism known as Rett syndrome.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Whales Set To Chase Shrinking Feed Zones
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/322731862/080629143936.htm
Endangered migratory whales will be faced with shrinking crucial Antarctic foraging zones which will contain less food and will be further away, a new analysis of the impacts of climate change on Southern Ocean whales has found.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Spray Reduces Pain In Children Undergoing Intravenous Procedures
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/323723467/080630165438.htm
A topical spray reduced pain by 34 percent in children undergoing intravenous procedures, such as injections and tube insertions, compared with a placebo group. The findings from this double-blind, randomized controlled trial have clinical implications.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
Elevated Carbon Dioxide Boosts Invasive Nutsedge Plants
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/322553362/080629074053.htm
Elevated levels of carbon dioxide could promote the growth of purple and yellow nutsedge--quick-growing invasive weeds that plague farmers and gardeners in many states.

Wed, 2 Jul 08
The Perils Of Overconfidence
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/323723468/080630155818.htm
Overestimating one's abilities can have hazardous consequences. Research has backed up this notion but with one glaring problem: it relies on participants to give accurate reports of their own confidence.