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Ancient snakes living on Madagascar
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BHVQIBTABdA/100330210938.htm
Blind snakes have been discovered to be one of the few species now living in Madagascar that existed there when it broke from India about 100 million years ago, according to a new study.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
Promoting healing by keeping skeletal stem cells 'young'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UoUWKr8DjqE/100330142429.htm
Scientists seeking new ways to fight maladies ranging from arthritis and osteoporosis to broken bones that won't heal have cleared a formidable hurdle, pinpointing and controlling a key molecular player to keep stem cells in a sort of extended infancy. It's a step that makes treatment with the cells in the future more likely for patients.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
Microbial answer to plastic pollution?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Oh0BH4UvV2g/100329075919.htm
Fragments of plastic in the ocean are not just unsightly but potentially lethal to marine life. Coastal microbes may offer a smart solution to clean up plastic contamination, according new research.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
Flavonoids in orange juice suppress oxidative stress from high-fat, high-carb meal
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gaUMxnzAWrU/100330151949.htm
Eating foods containing flavonoids -- orange juice, in this case -- along with a high-fat, high-carbohydrate fast-food meal neutralizes the oxidative and inflammatory stress generated by the unhealthy food and helps prevent blood vessel damage, a new study by endocrinologists shows.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
Molecular brake for the bacterial flagellar nano-motor
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/08ork07bUSI/100319210442.htm
Researchers have now discovered that Escherichia coli bacteria harness a sophisticated chemosensory and signal transduction machinery that allows them to accurately control motor rotation, thereby adjusting their swimming velocity in response to changing environments. The research may foster the development of novel strategies to fight persistent infections.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
New Paper Pinpoints a Seat of Self-Control in the Brain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0GZPY-k_R0o/100330161843.htm
The ability to delay gratification allows humans to accomplish such goals as saving for retirement, going to the gym regularly and choosing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In a new paper, a team of researchers for the first time causally shows that this ability is rooted in a part of the frontal lobe of the brain: the prefrontal cortex.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
Jaw bone grown from adult stem cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ckhgdC1pJoA/100330152437.htm
Scientists have succeeded in growing a complex, full-size bone from human adult stem cells. A research team grew a temporomandibular joint from stem cells derived from bone marrow.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
Targeted agent blocked growth of deadly brain cancer in preclinical studies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/A6yk7UtS7DQ/100330142426.htm
A drug already in clinical trials to treat a variety of tumors shows a remarkable ability to shut down growth of glioblastoma in both laboratory cells and in animals, say researchers. In their experiments, the agent put a brake on growth of laboratory cancer cell lines, and no mice with glioblastoma in their brain died as a result of their tumor while on therapy.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
Secret to healing chronic wounds might lie in tiny pieces of silent RNA
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YQ48w-Jee1I/100322171056.htm
Scientists have determined that chronic wounds might have trouble healing because of the actions of a tiny piece of a molecular structure in cells known as RNA. The researchers discovered in a new animal study that this RNA segment in wounds with limited blood flow lowers the production of a protein that is needed to encourage skin cells to grow and close over the sore.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
X-rays often inaccurate in the diagnosis of hip and pelvic fractures
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ciqdn77zm6k/100322111941.htm
Radiographs (standard X-rays) are often inconclusive in the detection of hip and pelvic fractures in the emergency department, according to a new study.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
New 'smart' roof reads the thermometer, saves energy in hot and cold climates
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7by5SMTmLCk/100321203506.htm
Scientists report the development of a "smart" roof coating, made from waste cooking oil from fast food restaurants, that can "read" a thermometer.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
Motivation by anticipation: Expecting rapid feedback enhances performance
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lyiqGXbuAMs/100330115927.htm
The timing of expected feedback impacts individuals' performance: Students who were told they would receive feedback quickly on their presentations earned higher grades than students who expected feedback at a later time. Furthermore, when students expected to receive their grades quickly, they predicted that their performance would be worse than students who were to receive feedback later. This pattern suggests that anticipating rapid feedback may improve performance because the threat of disappointment is more prominent.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
Common house ants form supercolonies, prosper in urban settings
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ea2li1FAqVc/100330115922.htm
One of the most common house ant species might have been built for living in a forest, but the ants have found ways to take advantage of the comforts of city living. A new study has found that odorous house ant colonies become larger and more complex as they move from forest to city, exploding into supercolonies with more than 6 million workers and 50,000 queens.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
Hormone replacement in joint fluid has potential regenerative effect
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XrzTG3Ji5mo/100330075916.htm
German researchers determined that concentrations of the sex hormones, testosterone in men and estrogen in women, may have a positive effect on the regenerative potential of cartilage tissue. The study suggests hormone replacement in the joint fluid of men and women might be beneficial in treating late stages of human osteoarthritis by regenerating damaged tissue.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
Printable sensors for cell phones and other devices?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EundXb7_04k/100322112120.htm
The cellphone is switched off but immediately springs into action at the point of a finger. It is not necessary to touch the display. This touchless control is made possible by a polymer sensor affixed to the cellphone which, like human skin, reacts to the tiniest fluctuations in temperature and differences in pressure and recognizes the finger as it approaches. The scenario is fictitious at present but could become reality in a few years time.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
Rare ATM gene mutations, plus radiation, may increase risk of a second breast cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fbtgetCat68/100319202522.htm
Certain rare mutations in the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene, combined with radiation exposure, may increase a woman's risk of developing a second cancer in the opposite breast, according to a new study.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
Ecosystems under threat from ocean acidification
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xX1ABmI15x4/100329075913.htm
Acidification of the oceans as a result of increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide could have significant effects on marine ecosystems, according to new research.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
Misinformation about antibiotics can travel to large audience via Twitter
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LH6JBImBGGo/100330161746.htm
Misunderstandings about proper use of antibiotics have the potential to spread widely through social networks such as Twitter, according to a new report. Researchers studied the health information content of Twitter updates mentioning antibiotics to determine how people are sharing information and assess the proliferation of misinformation.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
Ancient fossil flea-like creature: Rare body parts find provides vital clues to identity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QKPPjvizC08/100322131421.htm
Researchers have uncovered an ancient water flea-like creature from 425 million years ago -- only the third of its kind ever to be discovered in ancient rocks.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
Tuberculosis good and bad news: Blood pressure drug shows promise, but TB bacterium might be more resistant than thought
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FL8RUtS3QZs/100330075918.htm
Two new tuberculosis studies provide good news and bad news about the bacterium that infects nearly a third of the world's population and a disease that kills nearly 2 million people each year. The good news: A type of blood pressure medication shows promise at overcoming some drug-resistant tuberculosis, at least in the laboratory. The bad news: The Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium, which causes the disease, might be resistant to treatment in more people than previously thought.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
Brain waves and meditation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AHFhXeOQccg/100319210631.htm
We all know that meditation helps relax people, but what exactly happens in the brain during meditation? A new study suggests that nondirective meditation yields more marked changes in electrical brain wave activity associated with wakeful, relaxed attention than just resting without any specific mental technique.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
Conventional infection control measures found effective in reducing MRSA rates
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iz4ijbG6xUA/100319085255.htm
Scientists found that an emphasis on compliance with non-pathogen specific infection control practices such as hand hygiene, efforts to reduce device-related infections and chlorhexidine bathing (a daily bath with the same antibacterial agent used by surgeons to "scrub in" before an operation), is successful in reducing rates of health-care-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
Computer scientists develop a comfortable and secure login method
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/asqUgIy-CY4/100329081817.htm
Computer scientists in Germany have developed a new method that saves the users not only the trouble of memorizing the passwords and login names, but also of typing them. All of this is managed by the user’s smartphone.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
Better military technology does not lead to shorter wars, analysis reveals
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NV36KpPTlJc/100329093615.htm
It is generally assumed that military technology that is offensive rather than defensive in nature leads to shorter wars. Yet, new research from Sweden shows that this assumption is not correct.
Wed, 31 Mar 10
Large Hadron Collider: Beams colliding at record energies mark start of research program
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RQRXUYxSNyY/100330114547.htm
Beams collided at 7 trillion electron volts (7 TeV) in the Large Hadron Collider on March 30 at CERN, marking the start of the LHC research program. Particle physicists around the world are looking forward to a potentially rich harvest of new physics as the LHC begins its first long run at an energy three and a half times higher than previously achieved at a particle accelerator.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
'Pac-Man' in space: 1980s video game icon glows on Saturn's moon Mimas
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/t-arF0HuUUw/100329153533.htm
The highest-resolution-yet temperature map and images of Saturn's icy moon Mimas obtained by NASA's Cassini spacecraft reveal surprising patterns on the surface of the small moon, including unexpected hot regions that resemble "Pac-Man" eating a dot, and striking bands of light and dark in crater walls.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Clues to pregnancy-associated breast cancer found
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/94U3zW5Q6dM/100329162938.htm
Expression of inflammatory-related genes in breast tissue of women who have previously given birth may explain the aggressiveness and frequency of pregnancy-associated breast cancer, according to new research.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Preventing road deaths: New research focuses on worldwide problem
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zUP2tpDOUBA/100329203214.htm
A recent WHO report on inadequate road safety opened with some stark figures: 1.2 million deaths and up to 50 million nonfatal injuries occur every year on the world's roads.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Disease-causing mutation disrupts movement of cell's 'power house'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qkW0uWgqI5U/100323171634.htm
New research shows how a mutation causes a common inherited neurodegenerative disease. The study shows that the mutation of a specific protein known to cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth disrupts the movement of mitochondria, the energy-supplying machines inside each cell. The regulated movement of mitochondria along nerve cell fibers is vital to normal communication between the brain and muscles.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Compound screening for drug development made simpler
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UkxSaajBevw/100324094632.htm
The identification of compounds that could be promising candidates for drug development has become easier following new research. Scientists have developed a series of "filters" that can be used to weed out those molecules likely to come up as false positives when screening a chemical library for compounds that could be useful in drug development.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Can animal models of disease reliably inform human studies?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Z9F_0zg0D6E/100329203216.htm
"The value of animal experiments for predicting the effectiveness of treatment strategies in clinical trials has remained controversial, mainly because of a recurrent failure of interventions apparently promising in animal models to translate to the clinic," say the authors of a new article in which they discuss the controversies and possibilities of translating the results of animal experiments into human clinical trials.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Hyenas' laughter signals deciphered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tZVDJg61AyE/100329203533.htm
Acoustic analysis of the "giggle" sound made by spotted hyenas has revealed that the animals' laughter encodes information about age, dominance and identity. Researchers recorded the calls of 26 hyenas in captivity and found that variations in the giggles' pitch and timbre may help hyenas to establish social hierarchies.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Scorpion venom provides clues to cause, treatment of pancreatitis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cd_NFvuF6O0/100329152727.htm
A Brazilian scorpion has provided researchers insight into venom's effects on the ability of certain cells to release critical components. The findings may prove useful in understanding diseases like pancreatitis or in targeted drug delivery.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Bat navigation: After the next sunset, please turn right
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/k4IpK8r8sQk/100329152523.htm
Despite the fact that bats are active after sunset, they rely on the sun as their most trusted source of navigation. Researchers found that the greater mouse-eared bat orients itself with the help of the Earth's magnetic field at night and calibrates this compass to the sun's position at sunset.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Dangerous custodians: Immune cells as possible nerve-cell killers in Alzheimer’s disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/u1egTb1ERFs/100322083855.htm
Progressive dementia of Alzheimer’s patients is due to an inexorable loss of nerve cells from the brain. Neuroscientists have now shown that microglia may actually make a significant contribution to the loss of neurons associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Flaxseed lowers high cholesterol in men, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2ngBpJ3dB0w/100326101121.htm
A new study may give men a way to combat high cholesterol without drugs -- if they don't mind sprinkling some flaxseed into their daily diet.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Predicting what people are about to say
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_X5y1kMFUyA/100329123313.htm
Researchers have made novel discoveries about the human ability to predict what other people are about to say. Their findings could have significant applications for educators, speech therapists, entrepreneurs, and many others interested in communication and comprehension.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Scientists reverse Alzheimer's-like memory loss in fruit flies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3A2NoePhNhg/100329152521.htm
By blocking the cellular signaling activity of the protein PI3 kinase, a team of neuroscientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has prevented memory loss in fruit flies caused by brain plaques similar to those thought to cause Alzheimer's disease in humans. The study also resolves a long-standing controversy about the role of PI3 kinase, which was previously thought to have a protective function against the disease.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Potential new target for treating hepatitis C
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Msdwfuc8lLM/100329152529.htm
Scientists have discovered that binding of a potent inhibitor of the hepatitis C virus to the genetic material of the virus causes a major conformational change that may adversely affect the ability of the virus to replicate.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Microorganisms in toxic groundwater fine-tuned to survive
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vfhqazXHcJw/100329203539.htm
Microorganisms can indeed live in extreme environments, but the ones that do are highly adapted to survive and little else, according to researchers.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
C. difficile: Intervention drops hospital infection rate by a third
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mva1jT7pgIw/100319142658.htm
Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is the one of the leading pathogens causing hospital-acquired infection in the United States. It may cause diarrhea, colitis, sepsis and lead to prolonged hospitalization and death. Researchers say they've found a way to reduce the acquisition of this infection and drop its frequency to a fraction of what it had been.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Toward a 3-in-1 'dipstick' test for early detection of parasitic diseases
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/C4PehUmMpQ8/100322073538.htm
A new simple, inexpensive three-in-one test to diagnose a terrible trio of parasitic diseases that wreak havoc in the developing world is passing preliminary tests, scientists report. The test is for Chagas' disease, leishmaniasis and "sleeping sickness" or African trypanosomiasis.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Patients shouldn't navigate Internet without physician guide, experts say
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/E8iGknHjhkE/100324174047.htm
The Internet has had a profound effect on clinical practice by providing both physicians and patients with a wealth of information. But with those rewards come risks of incorrect or poorly interpreted information that require that a doctor "never be optional," say experts.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Urine sprays during courtship send mixed messages
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/V66qZzdnj30/100329203232.htm
Walking through urine drives crayfish into an aggressive sexual frenzy. Researchers suggest that a urine-mediated combination of aggressive and reproductive behavior ensures that only the strongest males get to mate.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Possible 'superbug' status for gonorrhea
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1x4gwDCeYGg/100329203218.htm
The rise of multi-drug resistance in gonorrhea-causing bacteria is threatening to make this sexually-transmitted infection extremely difficult to treat. Medical researchers have highlighted the very real possibility that strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae resistant to all current treatment options could emerge in the near future.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
An archaeological mystery in a half-ton lead coffin
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/eMJRpOw5-5I/100329162934.htm
In the ruins of a city that was once Rome's neighbor, archaeologists last summer found a 1,000-pound lead coffin.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Living longer: Colon cancer patients gain time with radiofrequency ablation treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tF5VUZ75A6I/100316101354.htm
Approximately half of Americans living with colorectal cancer will develop liver metastases at some point during the course of their disease. Radiofrequency ablation, a minimally invasive treatment that applies heat directly in the tumor causing cancer cell death with minimal associated injury to the surrounding healthy liver, contributes to prolongation of their life by nearly three years, note researchers.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Robot sub equipped with sensory system inspired by blind fish
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GExvqSDgNds/100329112159.htm
Researchers have equipped an underwater robot with a sensory system they expect will eventually prove effective, reliable, and energy-efficient in environments ranging from the sea floor to turbid rivers to sewer pipes. Their model is the lateral-line system, an organ that enables fish and some amphibians to orient themselves, avoid danger, and hunt prey in dark or murky waters. The researchers are simultaneously exploring basic principles, developing biomimetic technology, and demonstrating potential applications.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Protein linked to problems with executive thinking skills
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/A7Rvt4YEV3o/100329162926.htm
New research shows that a high level of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker for inflammation in the blood, is associated with brain changes that are linked to problems with executive thinking skills.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
For one tiny instant, physicists may have broken a law of nature
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2q9IHGIZvpg/100329214740.htm
For a brief instant, it appears, scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island recently discovered a law of nature had been broken. For the tiniest fraction of a second at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), physicists created a symmetry-breaking bubble of space where parity no longer existed.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Mutations in one gene can cause many cancers, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HH0PgZMEDzs/100329203545.htm
An important gene that normally protects the body from cancer can itself cause a variety of cancers depending on the specific mutation that damages it. People who inherit a mutated copy of the PTEN gene have Cowden syndrome, a condition that carries a high risk of cancer in organs such as the breast, thyroid and ovary. This study linked specific mutations in the gene to distinct kinds of cancer in organs targeted by the syndrome.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Orange corn holds promise for reducing blindness, child death
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/60Mn5RQFHL8/100329162936.htm
Decreasing or increasing the function of a newly discovered gene in corn may increase vitamin A content and have significant implications for reducing childhood blindness and mortality rates, according to a new study.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Radiation after mastectomy underused, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zjUpuLZ-qEY/100329162929.htm
While radiation therapy is common after breast conserving surgery, it's much less frequent after mastectomy, even among women for whom it would have clear life-saving benefit.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Vital role for bacteria in climate-change gas cycle
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TtbQJRJLIO0/100329203226.htm
Isoprene is a Jekyll-and-Hyde gas that is capable of both warming and cooling the Earth depending on the prevailing conditions. It is an important industrial gas, necessary for the manufacture of important compounds such as rubber and vitamins, but very little is known about how isoprene is cycled in the environment. Researchers have now revealed the identity of some crucial players in the gas cycle: isoprene-degrading bacteria.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Acupuncture calms highly anxious dental patients, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FipCdqeOa70/100329203535.htm
Acupuncture can calm highly anxious dental patients and ensure that they can be given the treatment they need, suggests a small study.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Moral judgments can be altered: Neuroscientists influence people’s moral judgments by disrupting specific brain region
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5L_iuso8irI/100329152516.htm
Neuroscientists have shown they can influence people's moral judgments by disrupting a specific brain region -- a finding that helps reveal how the brain constructs morality.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Alzheimer's rat created for human research
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gW6iYkeDIoI/100329133602.htm
Researchers have genetically manipulated rats that can emulate Alzheimer's disease in humans, enabling research that will include the development of new treatments.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Chemistry discovery may revolutionize cooking oil production
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mLkhQ9FDp2E/100329123317.htm
A chemistry professor has invented a special solvent that may make cooking oil production more environmentally friendly. He has created a solvent that -- when combined with carbon dioxide -- extracts oil from soybeans. Industries currently make cooking oils using hexane, a cheap, flammable solvent that is a neurotoxin and creates smog. The process also involves distillation, which uses large amounts of energy.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Deep vein thrombosis is more likely to occur on the left side of pregnant women
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PKYDDc6w_uI/100329123315.htm
Deep vein thrombosis in pregnant patients is more likely to occur on the left side, and in particular in the left leg, according to new research.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Chicken house attics can be tapped to warm broilers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ico6c7MtMIU/100322111945.htm
Reducing the cost of keeping broiler chickens warm could result from research by agricultural scientists and university cooperators.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Children's sense of threat from parental fighting determines trauma symptoms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dWycXqoGMYw/100329203541.htm
If children feel threatened by even very low levels of violence between their parents, they may be at increased risk for developing trauma symptoms, such as bad dreams and nightmares, new research suggests. A new study found that children who witness parental violence report fewer symptoms if they don't perceive the violence as threatening. The research highlights the importance of assessing how threatened a child feels.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
World's smallest superconductor developed: Sheet of four pairs of molecules less than one nanometer wide
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vKjJwnFW-n4/100329112151.htm
Scientists have developed the world's smallest superconductor, a sheet of four pairs of molecules less than one nanometer wide. The new study provides the first evidence that nanoscale molecular superconducting wires can be fabricated, which could be used for nanoscale electronic devices and energy applications.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Targeting cell pathway may prevent relapse of leukemia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TC-PdBbo4eU/100325151342.htm
About 40 percent of children and up to 70 percent of adults in remission from acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) will have a relapse. In recent years, doctors have come to believe that this is due to leukemia stem cells, endlessly replicating cancer cells that generate the immature blood cells characteristic of leukemia and are resistant to typical cancer treatments.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Dangerous plaques in blood vessels rupture by overproducing protein-busting enzymes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1RtZMSpFVJo/100329203543.htm
Researchers have gathered evidence that dangerous plaques in blood vessels can rupture by overproducing protein-digesting enzymes. Such ruptures can lead to artery-blocking clots. Almost everyone over age 60 has arterial plaque. Ruptures are what convert atherosclerosis from an indolent disease to a life-threatening emergency. The findings suggest ideas for diagnosing vulnerable plaques and developing new approaches to preventing and treating heart attacks and strokes by decreasing production of protein-destroying enzymes in vulnerable plaques or blocking their actions.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Women with radial scars should undergo a surgical excision to rule out an underlying malignancy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/S3YZqNQvx1s/100322111937.htm
Any patient with a breast lesion classified as a radial scar classified at percutaneous biopsy should undergo a surgical excision to rule out an underlying malignancy, according to a new study.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Opportunity Surpasses 20 Kilometers of Total Driving
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/n5KM2i9QfoY/100329133016.htm
NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity has now surpassed 20 kilometers (12.43 miles) of total driving since it landed on Mars 74 months ago. The drive taking the rover past that total covered 67 meters (220 feet) southward as part of the rover's long-term trek toward Endeavour Crater to the southeast. It was on the 2,191st Martian day, or sol, of the mission and brought Opportunity's total odometry to 20.0433 kilometers. To reach Endeavour, the healthy but aging rover will need to drive about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) farther.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Having plenty of supportive relatives increases fear of dying
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ne21iRP1RDc/100329203537.htm
Having a large number of supportive relatives increases the fear of dying among the elderly from ethnic minority groups, suggests new research.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Did climate influence Angkor's collapse? Evidence suggests changing environment can bring down a civilization
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0pxqKiru5RM/100329203547.htm
Decades of drought, interspersed with intense monsoon rains, may have helped bring about the fall of Cambodia's ancient Khmer civilization at Angkor nearly 600 years ago, according to an analysis of tree rings, archeological remains and other evidence. The study may also shed light on what drives -- and disrupts -- the rainy season across much of Asia, which waters crops for nearly half the world's population.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Associations between pregnancy, breastfeeding, breast cancer and survival detailed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pwvn9W14VE8/100325214546.htm
Two news studies present new evidence on the associations between pregnancy, breastfeeding, breast cancer and survival.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Protected forest areas may be critical strategy for slowing climate change
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Q3X8tQR0J00/100316083719.htm
A new study states that forest protection offers one of the most effective, practical, and immediate strategies to combat climate change. The study makes specific recommendations for incorporating protected areas into overall strategies to reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses from deforestation and degradation (nicknamed REDD).
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Dual-energy CT accurately diagnoses gout in acute, emergency settings
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uaKy876nw-o/100322111931.htm
A medical imaging technique called dual-energy computed tomography is an effective and reliable way to diagnose gout in the acute, emergency setting, according to a new study.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
New method for predicting and describing how materials break
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BshOC2fuDZo/100329135101.htm
a new mathematical model describes the fracture process for materials such as glass, polymers, concrete, ceramics, metals, rocks, and even certain geological fractures. The simulation model is powerful enough to predict and describe crack patterns in structures ranging in size from the microscopic to others as large as certain geological faults.
Tue, 30 Mar 10
Fibromyalgia symptoms improved by lifestyle adjustments
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-p_d02-jzyc/100329203230.htm
Short bursts of physical activity can ease fibromyalgia symptoms. Researchers have shown that encouraging patients to undertake "Lifestyle Physical Activity" can markedly increase the average number of steps taken per day and produce clinically relevant reductions in perceived disability and pain.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
Nanosatellite To Clear Dangerous Debris From Space
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qRvTOP4FpBY/100327145501.htm
New technology is set to play a major part in clearing dangerous clouds of debris hurtling around the Earth's lower orbit. Scientists have devised a miniature satellite or nanosatellite fitted with a solar sail. "CubeSail" is a device which can be fitted to satellites or launch vehicle upper stages that are sent into orbit and then can be deployed to successfully de-orbit equipment that has reached the end of its mission.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
Contact lenses loaded with vitamin E may treat glaucoma
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IBNj015v7hs/100324121002.htm
The popular dietary supplement vitamin E, loaded into special medicated contact lenses, can keep glaucoma medicine near the eye -- where it can treat that common disease -- almost 100 times longer than possible with current commercial lenses, scientists report.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
Making car fuel from thin air
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2kmmSRwWuZk/100324184556.htm
Researchers in the UK are working on a project that could take carbon dioxide from the air and turn it into car fuel. The project aims to develop porous materials that can absorb the gas that causes global warming and convert it into chemicals that can be used to make car fuel or plastics in a process powered by renewable solar energy.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
High systolic BP in patients with chest pain linked with favorable prognosis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1O1y_GjEesA/100323161455.htm
New research finds that there is an inverse association between the level of supine (lying face up) systolic blood pressure measured on admission to an intensive care unit for acute chest pain and risk of death at one year, with those patients having high systolic blood pressure having a better prognosis after a year.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
Naval research laboratory takes a close look at unique diamonds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TaEtr9XnABA/100323121801.htm
Naval Research Laboratory, which has been involved in pioneering work involving chemical vapor deposition of diamond and the use of diamond materials in advanced technologies relevant to the Department of Defense since 1987, has recently undertaken some new projects in diamond research. In collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution Museum of Natural History, NRL researchers have begun studying unique and historic natural colored diamonds to understand and characterize the defects/impurities, which cause the color.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
Transition into adult health care is a rocky road for 20 somethings
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ho40NFY7uW4/100324174053.htm
Young adults, a generally healthy population, are increasingly flocking to emergency departments instead of outpatient clinics for medical treatment.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
Compulsive eating shares addictive biochemical mechanism with cocaine, heroin abuse, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/W1z48UWGo8s/100328170243.htm
In a newly published study, scientists have shown for the first time that the same molecular mechanisms that drive people into drug addiction are behind the compulsion to overeat, pushing people into obesity.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
Coronary artery development mystery solved, may lead to better bypasses
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1RqL6S0xs8s/100324142008.htm
Scientists studying cardiac development in mouse embryos have identified the source of cells that become the coronary arteries -- the vessels that deliver blood to nourish the continuously pumping heart muscle.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
Vast microbial diversity of carnivorous pitcher plant uncovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SQbvYGQ07Ek/100323223913.htm
The microbial ecosystem inside the carnivorous pitcher plant is vastly more diverse than previously thought, according to new research.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
Slowing down immune system's 'brakes' may improve HIV vaccines
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NwsPak0ICvA/100325113427.htm
Like a skittish driver slamming the brakes, a special class of T cells may be limiting the effectiveness of therapeutic vaccines for HIV by slowing the immune system response too soon, report health science researchers. Their study may help researchers improve the efficacy of such vaccines by devising methods to circumvent the braking mechanism of these cells.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
A two-in-one test for detecting E. coli in ground beef and other foods
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ds-Ylb2q10I/100323171628.htm
Scientists have developed the first two-in-one test that can simultaneously detect both the E. coli bacteria responsible for terrible food poisoning outbreaks, and the toxins, or poisons, that the bacteria use to cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms in its victims.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
Mother-son relationship key to emotional development
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5PMtc0rnkJQ/100325093124.htm
New research shows that children, especially boys, who have insecure attachments to their mothers in the early years have more behavioral problems later in childhood.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
Single gene dramatically boosts yield, sweetness in tomato hybrids
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jg1tDwhSxTA/100328170239.htm
Giving tomato breeders and ketchup fans something to cheer about, scientists have identified a gene that pushes hybrid tomato plants to spectacularly increase yield. The yield-boosting power of this gene, which controls when plants make flowers, works in different varieties of tomato, and crucially, across a range of environmental conditions.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
Paired drugs kill precancerous colon polyps, spare normal tissue
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/u-q6K8s6bB8/100328170245.htm
A two-drug combination destroys precancerous colon polyps with no effect on normal tissue, opening a new potential avenue for chemoprevention of colon cancer, scientists report.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
Searching for genes behind a trait
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AmeTa35zWnw/100324142312.htm
A new study located dozens of genes that may determine key traits such as flowering time and disease resistance in plants. The study of possible causal genes of plant traits breaks new ground for two reasons: the authors studied natural variation of 107 different traits -- a far higher number than in previous studies; and advances in genetic analysis enabled the authors to check the genome for mutations at many more points.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
Topical drug to treat diabetic macular edema promising
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/h3cp9413xRE/100324094629.htm
Early-stage human clinical trials showed that a new topical drug was safe and had biological effects in a type of diabetic eye disease, and may offer researchers a new approach to prevent and treat diabetic macular edema.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
Key enzyme discovered to be master regulator in protein-protein reactions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/L21PSE0btGY/100324121015.htm
New research explains how a key enzyme, PP1, functions in protein-protein interactions. Researchers have described how PP1 "chooses" proteins. The finding is important, because erroneous PP1 regulation can cause numerous diseases, including cancer, diabetes and Parkinson's.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
How does ethnicity affect asthma prevalence?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tXB9FhK5irY/100324211149.htm
A study of UK schoolchildren has revealed that black Africans, Indians and Bangladeshis have a similar or lower prevalence of asthma than white children, while black Caribbean and mixed black Caribbean/white boys are more likely to have asthma. Researchers studied the occurrence of asthma, investigating ethnic differences in risk factors.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
Commercial cooking elevates hazardous pollutants in the environment, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/68sfdpo3AAU/100324085304.htm
Scientists in Minnesota are reporting that commercial cooking is a surprisingly large source of a range of air pollutants that could pose risks to human health and the environment.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
How does a heart know when it's big enough?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mO4PwnDPv4Q/100325143231.htm
A protein discovered in fruit fly eyes has brought scienetists closer to understanding how the human heart and other organs automatically "right size" themselves, a piece of information that may hold clues to controlling cancer.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
Using nanotechnology in cancer research
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3arlj8SOh2E/100324184604.htm
Biomedical researchers in Norway are applying nanotechnology to mimic the body's natural processes, create new blood vessels to supply engineered tissue, and deepen our understanding of cancer.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
Breast cancer and drug interactions: Making sure patients get full benefit of tamoxifen treatments
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NMGwVH9n4Ns/100324085252.htm
Some breast cancer patients taking tamoxifen may not be getting the full benefit of their treatment because they have also been taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, prescribed drugs that inhibit the effect of an important enzyme, CYP2D6. In a new study, scientists have shown that by taking action as soon as interacting medications are found, patients can be weaned off and switched to a different treatment with no deleterious effect on tamoxifen metabolism.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
Pressure sensors on alert
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pKCwTnZ7MfE/100324113410.htm
Vacuum panels are particularly good for insulating buildings -- as long as the vacuum does not leak. A tiny pressure sensor can now constantly check the condition of the vacuum and indicate whether the insulation effect is still present.
Mon, 29 Mar 10
Patients requesting prophylactic mastectomies overestimate their breast cancer risk, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-RqtzC8Tmd0/100325102400.htm
Women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer believe the risk of the disease occurring in their unaffected breast is as much as 10 times higher than it actually is. As a result, they are choosing to have prophylactic mastectomies based on a false perception of increased risk, according to new research.
Sun, 28 Mar 10
Individual light atoms, such as carbon and oxygen, identified with new microscope
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OyU-Ur5Qwwo/100324162621.htm
Using the latest in aberration-corrected electron microscopy, researchers have obtained the first images that distinguish individual light atoms such as boron, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen.
Sun, 28 Mar 10
Possible new treatment for pancreatic cancer?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/74QLdHPh2T0/100326124917.htm
A new technique will deliver cancer treatments directly to certain tumors. One of the cancers this could have particular benefit in targeting is pancreatic cancer, which is currently very difficult to treat.
Sun, 28 Mar 10
Rodeo bull goes head-to-head with zoo dolphins in a study of balance
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AutGGgYZgmA/100324121017.htm
Dolphins, whales and porpoises have extraordinarily small balance organs, and scientists have long wondered why. Now a study has contradicted a leading theory, which held that the animals moved their heads so vigorously that they had to have smaller, less responsive balance organs to avoid overwhelming their senses.
Sun, 28 Mar 10
New animal model developed to study craniofacial pain by manipulating genes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DVy4ccSGVio/100325092254.htm
Using a novel animal model to study craniofacial pain, researchers have discovered that when tissues are inflamed, the nerve cells carrying pain information from the head to the brain produce in large quantities a protein involved in pain signaling.
Sun, 28 Mar 10
Structure of insulin's docking point identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NQQsXyLG5Tw/100324094720.htm
Scientists have determined the structure of a previously unseen part of the insulin receptor, making possible new treatments for diabetes.
Sun, 28 Mar 10
Motherhood appears to protect against suicide, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/L4Tq_FGxHVY/100322121105.htm
Motherhood appears to protect against suicide, with increasing numbers of children associated with decreasing rates of death from suicide, found a new article.
Sun, 28 Mar 10
Colonies of bacteria fight for resources with lethal protein
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rYKWySJXoGg/100324094717.htm
Rival colonies of bacteria can produce a lethal chemical that keeps competitors at bay, scientists report this week. By halting the growth of nearby colonies and even killing some of the cells, groups of bacteria preserve scarce resources for themselves, even when the encroaching colony is closely related.
Sun, 28 Mar 10
When memory-related neurons fire in sync with certain brain waves, memories last
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XbX78tvIkA0/100324142115.htm
They say there's only one chance to make a first impression, but what makes that memory last? Research scientists now suggest that when memory-related neurons in the brain fire in sync with certain brain waves, the resulting image recognition and memories are stronger than if this synchronization does not occur.
Sun, 28 Mar 10
Zebrafish study with human heart implications: Cellular grown-ups outperform stem cells in cardiac repair
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1Ef1Rnv6m_8/100324141957.htm
Bony fish like the tiny zebrafish have a remarkable ability that mammals can only dream of: if you lop off a chunk of their heart they swim sluggishly for a few days but within a month appear perfectly normal. How they accomplish this -- or, more importantly, why we can't -- is one of the significant questions in regenerative medicine today.
Sun, 28 Mar 10
New studies on surgical options in inherited breast cancer show drastic treatment is not always best
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6WywSD4F4Z4/100326101106.htm
Two new studies shed light on the treatment options facing women carrying the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations. Researchers found that prophylactic mastectomy does not improve disease-free or overall survival, and the first multi-institutional systematic comparison of treatment outcomes from breast conserving therapy versus mastectomy found more recurrences in the breast with BCT compared to recurrences at the chest wall following mastectomy, but similar rates of recurrence when BCT patients also received chemotherapy.
Sun, 28 Mar 10
Made easy with light: How lasers can make manufacturing structures out of fiber-reinforced thermoplastics efficient
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QyNc3wuRm_4/100324113408.htm
Lightweight, sturdy and non-corrosive: fiber-reinforced thermoplastics are an ideal material for making boats and cars, and for aerospace engineering. But up to now, processing the raw materials was considered laborious and costly. Researchers have now demonstrated how lasers can make the manufacturing of structures out of fiber-reinforced thermoplastics efficient, clean, reliable and automatic.
Sun, 28 Mar 10
Hand and feet massages provide consolation for bereaved relatives
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/r_Uv4mfNqyg/100324094638.htm
Receiving soothing massages for eight weeks after the death of a loved one can provide much-needed consolation during an intense, stressful period of grieving. Eighteen people, aged from 34-78, who had lost a relative to cancer took part in the study. They all said the massages provided consolation, helping them to balance the need to grieve and the need to adapt to life after the loss of their relative.
Sun, 28 Mar 10
Cyclone Oli deals major blow to French Polynesia's coral reefs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rCG4fwGt7DE/100327075904.htm
On February 3-4, 2010, tropical cyclone Oli hit western French Polynesia. Scientists were soon to discover the extent of the damage: the coral reef, which had already been made vulnerable by the invasion of a starfish that is a coral predator, had been almost completely destroyed.
Sun, 28 Mar 10
Kidney disease hides in people with undiagnosed diabetes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_zFtL6YAOiU/100325171217.htm
Millions of Americans may have chronic kidney disease and not know it, according to a new study.
Sun, 28 Mar 10
In search of the magnetic monopole: Large Hadron Collider experiment could rewrite laws of physics
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/b0r2M_PwePA/100324142119.htm
An experiment at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN could dramatically change our concepts of basic physics, revolutionize our understanding of the universe and could eventually lead to technologies in future generations that right now only exist in science fiction. Physicists will use ultra high energy proton collisions in search for a hypothetical particle -- the magnetic monopole.
Sun, 28 Mar 10
Survival in metastatic breast cancer patients is improving: targeted therapies have contributed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8xc2eNx_dRI/100326101108.htm
Survival is improving in patients with metastatic breast cancer, especially in those patients whose tumors are described as being HER2 positive, according to new research. Median survival times for five-year intervals of 557 metastatic breast cancer patients increased steadily, from 10 months for the 1985 to 1990 period, to 22 months for the 2000 to 2004 period. The researchers attribute this to the advent of targeted treatment.
Sun, 28 Mar 10
Cheap and green: Spin-off to revolutionize sustainable energy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aPU0pTuPTNE/100324184753.htm
A new spin-off company from The University of Nottingham is aiming to prove that one new form of green energy could be in widespread use within 15 years and at a fraction of the cost of its nearest competitor.
Sun, 28 Mar 10
Widely used screening scale may misidentify borderline personality disorder as bipolar disorder
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0BsD5ogGuGo/100325131600.htm
A widely-used screening tool for bipolar disorder may incorrectly indicate borderline personality disorder rather than bipolar disorder. Researchers question the effectiveness of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Mother birds know best -- even before birth
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7bDroAqTEpA/100311141209.htm
Mother birds communicate with their developing chicks before they even hatch by leaving them messages in the egg, new research has found.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Immune cells use 'bungee of death' to kill dangerous cells, new research shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Mv6wbRDbdWM/100308151053.htm
Immune cells ensnare dangerous cells that are on the run with a bungee-like nanotube, according to new research. The study shows that natural killer cells use this bungee to destroy cells that could otherwise escape them.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Plants can grow quickly or ward off hungry insects, but not both
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PF9ZbY73TGo/100325143051.htm
There's a war occurring each day in our backyards -- plant versus plant-eating insect versus insect-eating insect. Research suggests the outcome -- of interest to farmers -- is a stalemate.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
MRI finds tumors in second breast of women diagnosed with cancer in one breast, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2QN6LVwB5bc/100308152114.htm
Postmenopausal women, including those over 70 years old, who have been newly diagnosed with cancer in one breast have higher cancer detection rates when the other breast is scanned for tumors with MRI, compared to premenopausal women, say researchers.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Exploring Echinacea's enigmatic origins
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/K6xCzHO5ZQQ/100305112153.htm
Agricultural cientists are helping to sort through the jumbled genetics of Echinacea, the coneflower known for its blossoms -- and its potential for treating infections, inflammation, and other human ailments.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Pursuit of status and affection drives bullies' behavior
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/t77Dpc-CktU/100325091424.htm
A longitudinal study of almost 500 Dutch elementary-school children ages 9 to 12 finds that bullies generally choose to gain status by dominating their victims and that, at the same time, bullies try to reduce the chances that they'll end up on the outs with other classmates by choosing as victims children who are weak and not well-liked by others. The research team also found that gender plays a strong role in who victimizes whom.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Prolonged climatic stress main reason for mass extinction 65 million years ago, paleontologist says
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lwkDHeCZti8/100326124654.htm
Long-term climate fluctuations were probably the main reason for the extinction of the dinosaurs and other creatures 65 million years ago, according to new research from a German paleontologist. The results challenge the almost 30-year-old theory that a meteorite impact at the Mexican Yucatan peninsula was the single cause for one of the five largest mass extinctions in Earth history.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Of mice and memory: 'Working memory' of mice can be improved
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Cv-cEAUPpSg/100325122001.htm
Mice trained to improve their working memory become more intelligent, suggesting that similar improvements in working memory might help human beings enhance their brain power, according to new research.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Hidden habits and movements of insect pests revealed by DNA barcoding
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qCeeqXN1NEQ/100309182447.htm
Researchers have found a faster way to study the spread and diet of insect pests. Using a technique called DNA barcoding, which involves the identification of species from a short DNA sequence, they studied populations of numerous moth and butterfly species across Papua New Guinea. DNA barcodes showed that migratory patterns and caterpillar diets are very dynamic.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
New alterations found in young adults with type 2 diabetes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6kFG6HzC0i8/100311101604.htm
Diet and aerobic exercise are highly effective for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but not for obese subjects that have developed the disease when very young. A new study demonstrates that obese subjects between 18 and 25 years of age carry mitochondrial proteins and genes that work abnormally and that these anomalies contribute to generating insulin resistance and a reduced response to physical exercise.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
A more sensitive sensor
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/G1z05ga0DKs/100322121113.htm
Scientists have set out to make sensors for microelectromechanical systems significantly more sensitive and reliable than they are today, shrinking their work to nano-size to do it.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Older adults remember the good times: Changes in brain connectivity with aging may enable older adults to remember positive events
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EJJ9ryTd_DM/100324094636.htm
Despite the aches and pains that occur in old age, many older adults maintain a positive outlook, remembering the positive experiences from their past.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Behavior of single protein observed in unprecedented detail
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Hp31tI0azdw/100311101600.htm
Scrutinizing a single molecule for more than a few milliseconds used to require effectively "stapling" it down, inhibiting its normal behavior. Now, using a newly developed technique, chemists have for the first time confined a protein (one involved in photosynthesis), observed its behavior for more than a second and learned things about it that could influence solar energy technology and biofuels.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
New gateway to treat leukemia and other cancers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pC1CKhwjWUg/100325113425.htm
Researchers have discovered a previously hidden channel to attack leukemia and other cancer cells, according to a new study. The findings may change the way doctors treat cancer patients.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
New Alzheimer's test offers better opportunities for early detection
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kL8pR1SDuk0/100311111733.htm
Early detection is key to more effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of cognitive impairment, and recent research shows that a new test is more than 95 percent effective in detecting cognitive abnormalities associated with these diseases.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Weight-bearing exercise does not prevent increased bone turnover during weight loss
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uxns_j0_JRo/100311123533.htm
During weight loss, bones are being remodeled -- breaking down old bone and forming new bone -- at an accelerated rate. As a result, bone density is reduced, causing increased fragility. In a new study researchers found that weight-bearing exercise, in this case, fast walking or jogging, did not prevent the increased bone turnover caused by weight loss.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Plant hormone increases cotton yields in drought conditions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zA4uZjQyL1Y/100310142449.htm
A naturally occurring class of plant hormones called cytokinins has been found to help increase cotton yields during drought conditions.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Sleep differences among ethnic groups revealed in new poll
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3E96ZVZYRJE/100308081740.htm
Significant differences have been found in the sleep habits and attitudes of Asians, African-Americans, Hispanics and whites.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Playing 'Pong' with the blink of an eye
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MFS4y9WM85k/100326101113.htm
University students in the UK have developed a computer game that is operated by eye movements, which could allow people with severe physical disabilities to become "gamers" for the first time.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Tumors hide out from the immune system by mimicking lymph nodes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7VYSeSG4kPw/100325143042.htm
A new mechanism explaining how tumors escape the body's natural immune surveillance has recently been discovered. The study shows how tumors can create a tolerant microenviroment and avoid attack by the immune system by mimicking key features of lymph nodes. The discovery underscores the role of the lymphatic system in cancer and may open up new possibilities for cancer treatment.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
No 'simple theory of everything' inside the enigmatic E8, researcher says
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/J4DVf6hemIY/100326132341.htm
The "exceptionally simple theory of everything," proposed by surfing physicist Garrett Lisi, does not hold water, according to some mathematicians. Centered on the elegant E8 structure, they use linear algebra and proving theorems to translate the physics into math, and show that Lisi's formulas don't work, while also demonstrating flaws in a class of related theories.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Beta-blockers help reduce metastasis and improve survival in breast cancer patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PUlCl5JMTZQ/100326101104.htm
Treatment with beta-blockers can help reduce the spread of cancer, says the first study in the world to have investigated their effect in breast cancer patients. Patients treated with beta-blockers showed a significant reduction in metastasis and better survival. The use of beta-blockers appears to slow down tumor growth and could also be used to target those patients who have an increased risk of developing secondary cancers.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Green computing: New world record in energy-efficient data processing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/st7Px86PWk4/100325131556.htm
Scientists in Germany have developed a system that substantially reduces the energy consumption for processing huge amounts of data. They improved over the power efficiency of the former record holders by a factor of three to four.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Spoiler alert: TV medical dramas 'rife' with bioethical issues and breaches of professional conduct
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HYsYdCzvcMs/100326101319.htm
Scientists analyzed depictions of bioethical issues and professionalism over a full season of two popular medical dramas -- "Grey's Anatomy" and "House, M.D." -- and found that the shows were "rife" with ethical dilemmas and actions that often ran afoul of professional codes of conduct.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Your fat may help you heal: Researcher extracts natural scaffold for tissue growth
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ScCxeCOTg8U/100325143059.htm
A person's own fat cells may be the source of matrix material to grow new cells and, ultimately, new tissue for humans without risk of rejection.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Rapid development of drug-resistant 2009 H1N1 influenza reported in two cases
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/x0m8EwPpgvU/100326134744.htm
Two people with compromised immune systems who became ill with 2009 H1N1 influenza developed drug-resistant strains of virus after less than two weeks on therapy, report doctors.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Scientists create rainbow of fluorescent probes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2NxJFWwXfgM/100325121954.htm
Scientists are advancing the state-of-the-art in live cell fluorescent imaging by developing a new class of fluorescent probes that span the spectrum -- from violet to the near-infrared. The new technology, called fluoromodules, can be used to monitor biological activities of individual proteins in living cells in real time.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
How cells recognize viral toxins
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ke6zzwf8pAU/100325214544.htm
New research has identified how specific proteins on the surface of cells, known as class A scavenger receptors, bind to double-stranded RNA and bring it into the cell, jumpstarting the immune response to a virus.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Search for Air France Flight 447 begun
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/syVOXYwgVrE/100325214554.htm
Researchers have begun a sea search operation to locate the deep-sea wreck site of Air France Flight 447 and to retrieve the flight recorders from the Airbus A 330.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Feeling powerful leads to more optimistic and less accurate time predictions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Sht8P8G8ZFU/100326124924.htm
When people feel powerful they become more optimistic and less accurate in predicting the completion time of forthcoming tasks. New research examined for the first time the planning behavior of powerful people and found that power drastically reduced the accuracy of forecasts with error rates soaring up to 70%.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Dawn of the Anthropocene Epoch? Earth has entered new age of geological time, experts say
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KE25ctFb7hI/100326101117.htm
A number of leading scientists suggest that Earth has entered a new age of geological time -- the Anthropocene Epoch. And the dawning of this new epoch, they say, may include the sixth largest mass extinction in Earth's history.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Community-acquired MRSA becoming more common in pediatric ICU patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qhA-R6XYK3M/100326101321.htm
Once considered a hospital anomaly, community-acquired infections with drug-resistant strains of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus now turn up regularly among children hospitalized in the intensive-care unit, according to new research.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Snowblower on Enceladus: How moon's ice jets feed Saturn's E ring and cause some slight snowfall
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gUku3AKl458/100325112917.htm
Cassini's nose dives through Saturn's E ring have yielded insights on the give and take of ice particles between Enceladus and the ring. Some of the moon's jets are successful in shooting ice grains far enough to become part of the E ring. But even the ice grains that make it to the E ring tend to be recaptured by Enceladus within a few orbits as the moon moves around Saturn.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
Insulin-like signal needed to keep stem cells alive in adult brain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/y7ny_TeWnsw/100325171219.htm
Most parts of the fruit fly brain, as well as the human brain, are devoid of neural stem cells, which means that once a nerve cell dies, it can't be replaced. A new study in fruit flies shows one way to keep stem cells from dying as the brain matures. Whereas stem cells blocked from apoptosis persist, they suffer insulin withdrawal; revving up the insulin system gives healthy stem cells and generates normal-looking neurons.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
The sexual tug-of-war -- a genomic view
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jJTzpjP0dc0/100315201623.htm
The genes that are most beneficial to males are the most disadvantageous for females, and vice versa. However, this genetic conflict between the sexes is important in maintaining genetic variation within a species, researchers have shown in a study on fruit-flies.
Sat, 27 Mar 10
In brain-injured children, early gesturing predicts language delays
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/F9skm--FrIc/100325091421.htm
A new study has found that gesturing at 18 months (but not early speech) predicted which children with pre- or perinatal brain lesions had vocabulary delays a year later. The results suggest that gesture may be a tool for diagnosing persistent language delay in such children. This research is important because about 1 in 4,000 infants has this type of brain injury, and intervention early in development may be critical to successful remediation of language delay.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
First ever southern tyrannosaur dinosaur discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CpT5wboptOs/100325143045.htm
Scientists have found the first ever evidence that tyrannosaur dinosaurs existed in the southern continents. They identified a hip bone found at Dinosaur Cove in Victoria, Australia, as belonging to an ancestor of Tyrannosaurus rex.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Potential new target for treating rheumatoid arthritis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/B7Xj030D2-Q/100325143049.htm
By enhancing the activity of immune cells that protect against runaway inflammation, researchers may have found a novel therapy for rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. Researchers now reveal how treating these immune cells with an investigational drug wards off inflammation by holding a particular enzyme at bay.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Words influence infants' cognition from first months of life
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4vRGGsriTb4/100325091432.htm
Researchers have found that even before infants begin to speak, words play an important role in their cognition. For 3-month-old infants, words influence performance in a cognitive task in a way that goes beyond the influence of other kinds of sounds, including musical tones.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
1918 and 2009 pandemic influenza viruses lack a sugar topping
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/88Q4PMezmY0/100324141955.htm
Although they emerged more than 90 years apart, the influenza viruses responsible for the pandemics of 1918 and 2009 share a structural detail that makes both susceptible to neutralization by the same antibodies.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
World oil reserves at 'tipping point'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1NuxoisEGeI/100324225511.htm
The world's capacity to meet projected future oil demand is at a tipping point, according to new research.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Exposure to fast food can make us impatient
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bi2m7xMzFfs/100325151345.htm
Fast food has become an industry that has widespread influence on what and how we eat. The original idea behind fast food is to increase efficiency, allowing people to quickly finish a meal so they can move on to other matters. Researchers, however, have found that the mere exposure to fast food and related symbols can make people impatient, increasing preference for time saving products, and reducing willingness to save.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
After growth spurt, supermassive black holes spend half their lives veiled in dust
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/eITXpQwaBOg/100325143053.htm
Supermassive black holes found at the centers of distant galaxies undergo huge growth spurts as a result of galactic collisions, according to a new study.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Novel Parkinson's treatment strategy involves cell transplantation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WS2_qTzZYr8/100325143233.htm
Scientists have used a novel cell-based strategy to treat motor symptoms in rats with a disease designed to mimic Parkinson's disease. The strategy suggests a promising approach, the scientists say, for treating symptoms of Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases and disorders, including epilepsy.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Blueprint for 'artificial leaf' mimics Mother Nature
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2VNEScGgST4/100325131549.htm
Scientists have presented a design strategy to produce the long-sought artificial leaf, which could harness Mother Nature's ability to produce energy from sunlight and water in the process called photosynthesis. The new recipe, based on the chemistry and biology of natural leaves, could lead to working prototypes of an artificial leaf that capture solar energy and use it efficiently to change water into hydrogen fuel, they stated.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Researchers discover fundamental step in immune-system development
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-KVkU1jrDFU/100324155409.htm
Researchers have discovered a fundamental step in the development of the immune system, one that allows B cells to mature and fight disease by producing effective antibodies. Immunologists have demonstrated that immature B cells in the bone marrow must receive a positive signal, mediated by the Erk protein, before they can migrate to the spleen where they mature and are activated.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
New insights into the 3-D organization of the human genome
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9hc38FCyalc/100325214541.htm
Insights into the genomics of the human nucleolus have been revealed in a study by researchers in Germany and Spain. The research sheds new light on the functional organization of human genetic material.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Memory decline linked to an inability to ignore distractions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VkLj8-zRuI0/100325102403.htm
One of the most common complaints among healthy older adults relates to a decline in memory performance. This decline has been linked to an inability to ignore irrelevant information when forming memories.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Pollution from Asia circles globe at stratospheric heights
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UBepEcanctI/100325143047.htm
The economic growth across much of Asia is coming with a troubling side-effect: pollutants from the region are being wafted up to the stratosphere during monsoon season. The new finding provides additional evidence of the global nature of air pollution.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Genetic variation linked to possible protection against sudden cardiac arrest
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vdkKu1bUzz8/100325092256.htm
Scientists have found that a genetic variation is associated with lower risk of sudden cardiac arrest, a disorder that gives little warning and is fatal in about 95 percent of cases.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Could robots and smart devices help older people look after themselves?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aHsgMpo8f9M/100324184558.htm
Researchers are taking part in a European project aimed at creating an intelligent system comprising a robot and smart sensors that can support independent living for elderly people.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Inflammation research opens route to better pain relief
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/x14vDB9b9yM/100324174045.htm
Scientists have discovered how two proteins play a key role in the way we feel pain, offering new targets on which drug development can be focused.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Virtual biopsy probe system is 'almost perfect' in detecting precancerous polyps during colonoscopy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TFdg4Maa0jM/100323111601.htm
The newest generation of "virtual biopsy" colonoscopy probes being tested demonstrate that it might soon be possible to use such a device to determine whether a colon polyp is benign and not remove it for biopsy. Currently, all colon polyps are extracted during a colonoscopy and sent to a pathologist for examination, which adds time, expense, and some surgical risk, to the procedure.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Teen bloggers show little risky behavior online, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zW70ht1VMj4/100324121010.htm
An study of 100 teen bloggers from around the United States found that the vast majority use blogs to nurture relationships with their peers and build a sense of community -- rather than to admit misbehavior. This preliminary study suggests that blogging could be used therapeutically to help troubled teens express themselves in positive ways.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Safer nuclear reactors with self-healing nanocrystalline materials
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Bpn_HljEtTc/100325151347.htm
Self-repairing materials within nuclear reactors may one day become a reality as a result of research by Los Alamos National Laboratory scientists. Researchers report a surprising mechanism that allows nanocrystalline materials to heal themselves after suffering radiation-induced damage.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
New cancer biomarker may herald personalized medicine
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Kzy72trDYBA/100324230239.htm
Scientists have shown how simple diagnostic tests to identify which patients will respond to which cancer drugs can be developed, potentially ushering in a new era of personalized cancer medicine.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
More economical process for making ethanol from nonfood sources
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Qud4p6hpF54/100325121952.htm
Scientists have discovered a way to lower the cost of converting wood, corn stalks and other materials into ethanol fuel. Their process reduces amounts of costly enzymes needed to break down tough cell fibrous matter in biomass for fermentation into alcohol.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Benefits of osteoporosis treatments outweigh possible risk of rare femoral fractures, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/e6mWFi3crdE/100324174049.htm
The occurrence of an unusual type of fracture of the femur, or the thigh bone, is very low in patients with osteoporosis, including those treated with the drug family known as bisphosphonates, according to a new study.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Eleven questions for the next decade of geographical sciences
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1E20b2qAzTU/100325113429.htm
Eleven questions that should shape the next decade of geographical sciences research were identified in a new report. Reflecting a time when populations are moving and natural resources are being depleted, the questions aim to provide a more complete understanding of where and how landscapes are changing to help society manage and adapt to the transformation of Earth's surface.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
When will children disobey parents? It depends on the rule
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cTVxMweIrl4/100325091419.htm
A study of 60 4- to 7-year-olds that considers the connections between control over issues within children's personal domain, identity, and emotional well-being has found that children make important distinctions between different kinds of rules. Using role-playing situations, the researchers learned how children would act and feel when a parent forbids them from engaging in a desired activity. The findings suggest that children make important distinctions between different kinds of rules when reasoning about decisions and emotions.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Developing a test to save eyesight by detecting glaucoma years earlier
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/srCCGPurMdI/100324174043.htm
Scientists are reporting progress toward a test that could revolutionize the diagnosis of glaucoma -- the second leading cause of vision loss and blindness worldwide -- by detecting the disease years earlier than usually happens at present.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
World's largest particle collider may unlock secrets of universe
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aq4fQdE5uSo/100324094715.htm
New insights into the Big Bang, the mysterious properties of dark matter and perhaps even extra dimensions in the universe could be discovered by the Large Hadron Collider, the world's highest-energy particle accelerator.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Trans fats linked to increased endometriosis risk and omega-3-rich food linked to lower risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ePGdOFQGHh0/100323212146.htm
New research suggests women whose diets are rich in foods containing omega-3 oils might be less likely to develop endometriosis, while those whose diets are heavily laden with trans fats might be more likely to develop the debilitating condition. The study is the largest to have investigated the link between diet and endometriosis risk and the first prospective study to identify a modifiable risk factor for the condition.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Intentional variation increases result validity in mouse testing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4_nHv-YekYw/100309111637.htm
For decades, the traditional practice in animal testing has been standardization, but a new study has shown that adding as few as two controlled environmental variables to preclinical mice tests can greatly reduce costly false positives, the number of animals needed for testing and the cost of pharmaceutical trials.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Child health may suffer in a booming economy, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/h1fkTIhrtuk/100324113545.htm
A short-term economic boom is not always a good thing for children in developing nations, according to a new study. The study found that when Colombia's coffee trade suddenly booms, illness and mortality rates among children increase in coffee-producing counties.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Scientists uncover cells that mend a broken heart
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SxNqaYYNCY8/100324142010.htm
Humans have very limited ability to regenerate heart muscle cells, which is a key reason why heart attacks that kill cells and scar heart tissue are so dangerous. But damaged heart muscles in the amazing, highly regenerative zebrafish have given scientists a few ideas that may lead to new directions in clinical research and better therapy after heart attacks.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Human brain becomes tuned to voices and emotional tone of voice during infancy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LQXucJj0zAQ/100324121004.htm
New research finds that the brains of infants as young as seven months old demonstrate a sensitivity to the human voice and to emotions communicated through the voice that is remarkably similar to what is observed in the brains of adults. The study probes the origins of voice processing in the human brain and may provide important insight into neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Shoes: A treatment for osteoarthritis in the knees?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iS9KrVwYVz0/100324113424.htm
Flip-flops and sneakers with flexible soles are easier on the knees than clogs or even special walking shoes, a study has found. And that's important, because loading on the knee joints is a key factor in the development of osteoarthritis.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
El Niño's last hurrah?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CaGRMsIUZNI/100324135708.htm
El Niño 2009-2010 just keeps hanging in there. Recent sea-level height data from the NASA/European Ocean Surface Topography Mission/Jason-2 oceanography satellite show that a large-scale, sustained weakening of trade winds in the western and central equatorial Pacific during late-January through February has triggered yet another strong, eastward-moving wave of warm water, known as a Kelvin wave.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Packing your troubles away actually works, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pBOGHFSDKq0/100324113420.htm
Finding it hard to get over a failed love interest? Just can't get details of a bad financial move out of your head? A new study suggests you might want to stick something related to your disappointment in a box or envelope if you want to feel better.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Surgeons transplant new trachea into child using his own stem cells to rebuild airway
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HS5sIvxxCeE/100325114400.htm
Scientists and surgeons have led a revolutionary operation to transplant a new trachea into a child, using the child's own stem cells to rebuild the airway in the body.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Why young are most affected by swine flu revealed in virus structure
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ax3cL3T9VX0/100324142001.htm
Scientists have solved the structure of a key protein from the virus that caused last year's "swine flu" influenza epidemic. The structure reveals that the virus shares many features with influenza viruses common in the early 20th century, helping to explain why, in general, older individuals have been less severely affected by the recent outbreak than younger ones.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Controlling x-rays with light: Step toward controlling how matter behaves
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/g76n9u28gt4/100324142123.htm
Controlling x-rays with ultrashort slices of light is a step toward controlling how matter behaves, shaping x-rays with other x-rays, and eventually directing the paths chemical reactions can take. Working with the femtosecond beamline at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Advanced Light Source, a team of scientists shows how it can be done.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Children with food allergies should carry two doses of emergency medicine, experts urge
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UoWPoPROK-Y/100324162619.htm
In a large six-year review of emergency department data, researchers found that many children with severe food-related allergic reactions need a second dose of epinephrine, suggesting that patients carrying EpiPens should carry two doses instead of one.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
NASA Mars rover getting smarter as it gets older
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LHZlew-rkKA/100324140230.htm
NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity, now in its seventh year on Mars, has a new capability to make its own choices about whether to make additional observations of rocks that it spots on arrival at a new location. Software uploaded this winter is the latest example of NASA taking advantage of the twin Mars rovers' unanticipated longevity for real Martian test drives of advances made in robotic autonomy for future missions.
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Virtual driving leads psychologists to the cells that sense direction in the brain: Path cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QxoFTtl8DQ8/100322153949.htm
Psychologists have used implantable electrodes and a first-person driving game to identify the cells of the brain that indicate travel in a clockwise or counterclockwise motion, called "path cells."
Fri, 26 Mar 10
Astronomers confirm Einstein's theory of relativity and accelerating cosmic expansion
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/si4E12m68as/100325091430.htm
An international team of astronomers has confirmed that the expansion of the universe is accelerating after looking at data from the largest-ever survey conducted by the Hubble Space Telescope. The researchers have, for the first time ever, used Hubble data to probe the effects of the natural gravitational "weak lenses" in space and characterize the expansion of the universe.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
New bird fossil hints at more undiscovered Chinese treasures
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JFosVzwan_8/100324233003.htm
The study of Mesozoic birds and the dinosaur-bird transition is one of the most exciting and vigorous fields in vertebrate paleontology today. A newly described bird from the Jehol Biota of northeast China suggests that scientists have only tapped a small proportion of the birds and dinosaurs that were living at that time, and that the rocks still have many secrets to reveal.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Anesthesia increases risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in patients with genetic predisposition, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6HLVZ4vfINQ/100324155359.htm
The use of repetitive anesthesia with isoflurane (one of the most common anesthetics by inhalation) increases the risk of developing changes similar to those observed in AD brains in mice with mutations of the amyloid precursor protein.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Bathing and showering: Under-appreciated sources of water pollution from medicines
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3RY_51pZNOA/100324211140.htm
That bracing morning shower and soothing bedtime soak in the tub are potentially important but until now unrecognized sources of the hormones, antibiotics, and other pharmaceuticals that pollute the environment, scientists have reported.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
'Doublesex' gene key to determining fruit fly gender
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/I-ZOk7taK7E/100321182913.htm
The brains of males and females, and how they use them, may be far more different than previously thought, at least in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, according to new research.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Pesticide chlorpyrifos linked to childhood developmental delays
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EQ62gThfAxE/100319115642.htm
Exposure to the pesticide chlorpyrifos -- which is banned for use in US households but is still widely used throughout the agricultural industry -- is associated with early childhood developmental delays.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Teenagers programmed to take risks
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-fkom_9UGac/100324211144.htm
Risk-taking peaks in adolescence, according to scientists in the UK. In a new study, children, adolescents and adults aged 9-35 years chose between risky and safe options in a computer gambling game. Scientists found that the teenagers took the most risks compared with the other groups, with the most risky behaviour seen in 14-year olds.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Plant breeding breakthrough: Offspring with genes from only one parent
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9F0cUWYQ3ks/100324142012.htm
A reliable method for producing plants that carry genetic material from only one of their parents has been discovered by plant biologists. The technique could dramatically speed up the breeding of crop plants for desirable traits.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
New findings about how cells achieve eternal life
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oFY12W2CQmw/100324184426.htm
Researchers can now show that cells that grow forever get this capacity through gradual changes in the expression of genes that govern the repair of DNA damage and regulate growth and cell death. The research also shows that activation of the enzyme complex telomerase, which is necessary for unlimited growth, occurs late in this process.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Guinea pigs not 'dumbed down' by domestication
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RowDtMwYvjs/100324211142.htm
Despite reductions in brain size, domestication has not reduced the ability of guinea pigs to navigate a water maze. Researchers tested domesticated and wild animals ("cavies") and found that they both performed well at the test, with the domestic animals actually being slightly superior.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Versatility of optogenetics brain-research technique vastly expanded
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fZNEKuk8k_s/100318132456.htm
Recently, brain researchers have gained a powerful new way to troubleshoot neural circuits associated with depression, Parkinson's disease and other conditions in small animals such as rats. They use an optogenetics technology that precisely turns select brain cells on or off with flashes of light. Although useful, the optogenetics tool set has been limited. Researchers have now developed major advances that will enable a much wider range of experiments in larger animals.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Process in big-screen plasma TVs can produce ultra-clean fuel
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PPLKwNY6IKA/100322121100.htm
The process that lights up big-screen plasma TV displays is getting a new life in producing ultra-clean fuels, according to a new report. It describes a small, low-tech, inexpensive device called a GlidArc reactor that uses electrically-charged clouds of gas called "plasmas" to produce in three steps super-clean fuels from waste materials.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Fertility industry offers big money to recruit egg donors with high SAT scores
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/v0vDH9vI0tM/100324155401.htm
Many egg donation agencies and private couples routinely exceed compensation recommendation limits for potential donors, a new study finds. From a sample of over 300 college newspapers, findings reveal that almost one-quarter of advertisements offered payment in excess of $10,000, a violation of guidelines issued by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
New CO2 'scrubber' from ingredient in hair conditioners
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_BZ3Fc7ym2g/100324141953.htm
In an effort to fight global warming, scientists in New York are reporting the first use of a new chemical approach that has the potential to remove 90 percent of carbon dioxide from the flue gas from coal-burning power plants. The new "scrubber" is more efficient and less expensive than current technologies, the scientists say.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Vaccine could delay bowel inflammation and colon cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/89M3UEDOCZg/100324113422.htm
An experimental vaccine against an abnormal protein found in some tumors has the potential to delay the onset of inflammatory bowel disease and in turn prevent progression to colon cancer, according to researchers.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Summers were wetter in the Middle Ages than they are today
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DmNb6y9UP-o/100324184600.htm
The annual growth rings of oak trees provide researchers with information on summer droughts from late medieval times to the present.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Diabetes at epidemic proportions in China, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/L7AnWQe04zY/100324174057.htm
A large population-based study of diabetes in China has concluded that the disease has reached epidemic proportions in the adult population of China.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
On the road to 'sweet' tires made with a more sustainable process
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hMmqK0Py_tc/100324155352.htm
Motorists will be driving on the world's first "green" tires within the next five years, scientists have predicted, thanks to a revolutionary new technology that produces a key tire ingredient from renewable feedstocks rather than petroleum-derived feedstocks.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Study connects workplace turmoil, stress and obesity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7QcPotjzlik/100324142133.htm
A new study that provides a snapshot of a typical American workplace observed that chronic job stress and lack of physical activity are strongly associated with being overweight or obese. Researchers also found that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables did little to offset the effect of chronic job stress on weight gain among the employees, who were mostly sedentary. Instead, exercise seemed to be the key to managing stress and keeping a healthy weight.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Emotions key to judging others: New piece to puzzle of how human brain constructs morality from study of harmful intent
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MNGw6MUq83Y/100324121008.htm
A new study by neuroscientists suggests that our ability to respond appropriately to intended harms -- that is, with outrage toward the perpetrator -- is seated in a brain region associated with regulating emotions.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
New way to attack TB
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/H7UgLbsUzyo/100324183431.htm
Suspecting that a particular protein in tuberculosis was likely to be vital to the bacteria's survival, scientists screened 175,000 small chemical compounds and identified a potent class of compounds that selectively slows down this protein's activity and, in a test tube, blocks TB growth, demonstrating that the protein is indeed a vulnerable target.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Dormant microbes promote diversity, serve environment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/w1mNYSp0NZY/100322111943.htm
Scientists have developed a mathematical model and molecular tools to study how dormancy affects the biodiversity of natural microbial communities, especially in lakes.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Virtual colonoscopy allows detection of unsuspected cancers beyond colon
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6qUgE93ZG3w/100322182024.htm
A new, large-scale study of more than 10,000 adults found that more than one in every 200 asymptomatic people screened with CT colonography, or virtual colonoscopy, had clinically unsuspected malignant cancer and more than half of the cancers were located outside the colon.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Biofuel mandates would make corn shortfall costly, experts say
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sXawjxu9-JU/100324121012.htm
Grocery shoppers face hefty price increases if bad weather withers a US corn crop that is now tethered to grain-intensive renewable fuel mandates, a new study warns.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
New scale for measuring addiction to work
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/U8EegBZK0Ow/100323105945.htm
Researchers have proven the usefulness of DUWAS, a new scale for measuring addiction to work, a disorder that affects around 12 percent of all working people in Spain. The experts say that 8 percent of the working population in Spain devotes more than 12 hours per day to their job.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Even soil feels the heat: Soils release more carbon dioxide as globe warms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pL6upf7Mds8/100324141959.htm
Twenty years of field studies reveal that as the Earth has gotten warmer, plants and microbes in the soil have given off more carbon dioxide. So-called soil respiration has increased about one-tenth of 1 percent per year since 1989, according to an analysis of past studies.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
How weight-loss surgery reverses type 2 diabetes: New study offers explanation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jplS2Vvew0k/100324094646.htm
Researchers have shown for the first time that a surgical procedure in rats that is similar to bariatric surgery in humans can delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. The researchers also have identified biochemical changes caused by the surgeries that may be responsible for that delay.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Pure maple syrup contains medicinally beneficial compounds, pharmacy researcher finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_anrDUiF4eg/100321182924.htm
An expert in medicinal plant research has found more than 20 compounds in maple syrup from Canada that have been linked to human health, 13 of which are newly discovered in maple syrup. In addition, eight of the compounds have been found in the Acer (maple) family for the first time.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Bailout stenting successful treatment for infants with constricted aortas
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zLBd6pJfgnE/100318113250.htm
Cardiac interventionalists and surgeons have achieved successful stent implantation and follow-up coarctectomy in premature infants suffering from aortic coarctation.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Scientists are helping rice farmers in Uruguay stop polluting their waterways
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vC6aWstRlm4/100322182022.htm
Scientists are helping rice farmers in Uruguay stop polluting their waterways -- including drinking-water sources and a globally valuable nature reserve.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Healthy food makes consumers feel hungrier when choices are limited
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pQXrVzrLqDo/100322153959.htm
If we don't have a choice in the matter, eating something that's considered healthy might simply lead us to feel hungry and eat something else, according to a new study.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Great apes know they could be wrong, research suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ln71scgLPbQ/100324094640.htm
Great apes -- orangutans, chimpanzees, bonobos and gorillas -- realize that they can be wrong when making choices, according to new research.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Newly discovered gene explains mouse embryonic stem cell immortality
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Pr0cQh5OHsc/100324142117.htm
Researchers have discovered a key to embryonic stem cell rejuvenation in a gene -- Zscan4. This breakthrough finding could have major implications for aging research, stem cell biology, regenerative medicine and cancer biology.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Stretchable electronics device holds promise for treating irregular heart rhythms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9FqsgpVBAD8/100324142125.htm
The electronics can bend, stretch and twist. Now the flexible and stretchable electronics can map waves of electrical activity in the heart with better resolution and speed than that of conventional cardiac monitoring technology. Researchers from three institutions are the first to demonstrate a flexible silicon electronics device used for a medical application. The thin device produced high-density maps of a beating heart's electrical activity, providing potential means to localize and treat abnormal heart rhythms.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Comprehensive screening test for falling risk developed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FMb1DPsAhe8/100324094644.htm
A new study has found that falls are not just a problem for older adults. Researchers have found that people in their 20s and 30s have significant issues affecting their balance, indicating an increased risk for falling. A researcher has now developed a screening test that could quickly diagnose an individual's risk of falling at any age.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Increasingly threatened loggerheads follow their own paths in travel, eating
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1tU3vfvP4kE/100323212142.htm
With loggerhead sea turtle nests in dramatic decline, researchers would love to know more about where the turtles go, and what they eat, so they can better protect the creatures' habitat.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
People are living longer and healthier: Now what?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oun-RYQTsaA/100324142121.htm
People in developed nations are living in good health as much as a decade longer than their parents did, not because aging has been slowed or reversed, but because they are staying healthy to a more advanced age.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Researchers create 'handshaking' particles
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dy2SM6ClwsI/100324142006.htm
Physicists have created "handshaking" particles that link together based on their shape rather than randomly. Their work marks the first time scientists have succeeded in "programming" particles to join in this manner and offers a type of architecture that could enhance the creation of synthetic materials.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Traumatic brain injury causes loss of smell and taste
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Fki_YRmoDuc/100324113418.htm
The ability to taste and smell can be lost or impaired after a head injury, according to a new study. The research established that mild to severe traumatic brain injury could cause olfactory loss.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Why many surveys of distant galaxies miss 90 percent of their targets
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wbRWhqhFZ1k/100324142004.htm
Astronomers have long known that in many surveys of the very distant Universe, a large fraction of the total intrinsic light was not being observed. Now, thanks to an extremely deep survey using two of the four giant 8.2-m telescopes that make up ESO's Very Large Telescope and a unique custom-built filter, astronomers have determined that a large fraction of galaxies whose light took 10 billion years to reach us have gone undiscovered.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Scientists in hot pursuit of first new drug for global killer in 50 years
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/P5OQLZRLrWs/100324085250.htm
This World TB Day, researchers in Australia have announced they have made an important discovery that could lead to the first new drug for tuberculosis in almost 50 years. The scientists are looking at the genetics of TB in the hope they will reveal a way to reduce the impact of one of the deadliest diseases in the world.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Warmer summers could create challenges for nesting Arctic seabirds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yqEFkHT2dII/100324113538.htm
In tropical regions, seabird deaths are often due to introduced predators, ecto-parasites or fishery collapse. In the Arctic, however, causes of bird deaths are a bit unusual. For example, birds can crash into each other or cliffs during heavy fogs, they can be smashed into the water by Katabatic winds, or they can die in rock slides. Three northern biologists suggest that warmer temperatures could also create survival challenges for nesting Arctic seabirds.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Cyber wars
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HjivJoOsQLw/100323133049.htm
As cyberspace has become the arena for political activism, governments are growing more sophisticated in controlling free expression online -- from surveillance to filtering. And it's now becoming harder than ever for human rights activists to outwit the authorities.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Pulling power points the way to world's strongest insect -- a dung beetle
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5cIWU05Z7m8/100323212158.htm
Following months of grueling tests and trials, scientists now reveal the world's strongest insect to be a species of dung beetle called Onthophagus taurus.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Leptin therapy in animal models shows promise for type 1 diabetes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/q__Wkvny-9U/100324094649.htm
Using leptin alone in place of standard insulin therapy shows promise in abating symptoms of type 1 diabetes, researchers report.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
New Hubble treasury project to survey first third of cosmic time
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/moQJor884Og/100316214625.htm
Astronomers will peer deep into the universe in five directions to document the early history of star formation and galaxy evolution in an ambitious new project requiring an unprecedented amount of time on the Hubble Space Telescope.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Hair dye and smoking linked to progressive liver disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9iAXuUEz87s/100323212148.htm
Hair dye and smoking both increase the risk of progressive liver disease, suggests new research. Primary biliary cirrhosis, which is an early form of liver cirrhosis, is a long term progressive autoimmune disease, in which environmental factors are thought to play a part.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Hard plastics decompose in oceans, releasing endocrine disruptor BPA
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xJPa0Jc0GUQ/100323184607.htm
Scientists have reported widespread global contamination of sea sand and sea water with the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA) and said that the BPA probably originated from a surprising source: Hard plastic trash discarded in the oceans and the epoxy plastic paint used to seal the hulls of ships.
Thu, 25 Mar 10
Optimism boosts the immune system
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/x3QnhMBWNdw/100323121757.htm
Feeling better about the future might help you feel better for real. In a new study, psychological scientists studied how law students' expectations about the future affected their immune response. Their conclusions: optimism may be good for your health.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Mini generators make energy from random ambient vibrations
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dP1gYr-beYg/100323105952.htm
Tiny generators could produce enough electricity from random, ambient vibrations to power a wristwatch, pacemaker or wireless sensor.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Probing the secrets of sharp memory in old age
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XIhJXJjJZHU/100323212139.htm
Scientists are reporting new findings that may help explain why some individuals maintain sharp memory during aging, while others have normal or diminished mental capacity. The scientists found that "super-aged" brains tend to have fewer or no brain 'tangles' when compared to other individuals.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Social bees have bigger brain area for learning, memory
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NVAFhEMtqAo/100323212247.htm
Who's in charge? Who's got food? The brain region responsible for learning and memory is bigger in social bee queens who may have to address these questions than in solitary queens, report scientists who study the tropical sweat bee species, Megalopta genalis, in Panama. Their study is the first comparison of the brain sizes of social and non-social individuals of the same species.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Another perk of painkillers? Decreased hormone levels may reduce cancer risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5fl69ETRUTg/100323133043.htm
Postmenopausal women who regularly use aspirin and other analgesics (known as painkillers) have lower estrogen levels, which could contribute to a decreased risk of breast or ovarian cancer.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
New spintronics material could help usher in next generation of microelectronics
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3pcNc5PoenY/100323161507.htm
Complementary metal oxide semiconductor technology is used today in all forms of electronic devices. However power dissipation and variability, saturation of device performance, are two major issues the market will need to overcome as it continues to scale down its devices. Electrical engineers have just created a new material incorporating spintronics that could lead to a new generation of devices.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Poker face busted? Our eye position betrays the numbers we have in mind, new study
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2e-9HiH49zI/100323110109.htm
It will be harder to lie about your age or your poker hand after new research from Australia has revealed that our eye position betrays the numbers we are thinking about. In the study, participants were asked to state a series of random numbers. By measuring their vertical and horizontal eye position, researchers were able to predict with reliable confidence the next chosen number -- before it was spoken.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
New dinosaur from Utah's red rocks
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KNeszk0J7ag/100323212144.htm
Utah's red rocks -- world-famous attractions at numerous national parks, monuments and state parks -- have yielded a rare skeleton of a new species of plant-eating dinosaur that lived 185 million years ago and may have been buried alive by a collapsing sand dune.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
New theory of Down syndrome cause may lead to new therapies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MrLeUz9bfB4/100323121839.htm
Conventional wisdom among scientists for years has suggested that because individuals with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome, the disorder most likely results from the presence of too many genes or proteins contained in that additional structure. But a recent study reveals that just the opposite could be true -- that a deficiency of a protein in the brain of Down syndrome patients could contribute to the cognitive impairment and congenital heart defects that characterize the syndrome.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Greenland ice sheet losing mass on northwest coast
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cgYKuEmqbT8/100323161819.htm
Ice loss from the Greenland ice sheet, which has been increasing during the past decade over its southern region, is now moving up its northwest coast, according to a new international study.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Height loss in postmenopausal women may indicate spinal fracture
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hH7IvE3NulM/100322121107.htm
Loss of height in postmenopausal women may indicate a vertebral fracture, according to a new article.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Diesel exhaust associated with lethargy in offspring
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9LURGheBO40/100323105943.htm
Breathing diesel exhaust during pregnancy is associated with sluggishness in offspring. Researchers studied the effects of pollution exposure in mice, finding that the offspring of mothers who breathed diesel fumes while pregnant were less likely to show spontaneous movement.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
It's the thought that counts: Helping behavior in infants may be determined by previous interactions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5tt1sEODRAc/100323121805.htm
We are usually eager to assist people who have helped us in the past. These reciprocal relationships are an important part of adult interactions and foster cooperation in society. New findings suggest that this reciprocal behavior may have early beginnings and can be demonstrated in children as young as 21 months.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
New form of insulin can be inhaled rather than injected
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CPy6X4WBC0I/100323133041.htm
A new inhalable powder carrying insulin not only eliminates the pain of injections, but actually delivers the medication faster than a needle, researchers.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Infection with tickborne parasite may suppress malaria
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hE5ppL657rE/100323224028.htm
A new study suggests that monkeys chronically infected with babesiosis, a tick-borne parasite, are able to suppress malaria infection when exposed to a simian malaria parasite.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Tsunami generator will help protect against future catastrophe
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WNLpL2FaEH0/100323105958.htm
A unique wave-generating machine that mimics the activity of real-life tsunamis with unprecedented realism has been used successfully in a laboratory in the UK. The simulator has copied the behavior of the first massive wave of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Stopping clinical trials early often exaggerates treatment effects
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CHwYdlBhBqU/100323161503.htm
An international study of nearly 100 clinical trials that were stopped early due to positive treatment effects has found that many of those effects were exaggerated.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Lab-on-a-chip with moveable channels
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8f7wFmfO0Ko/100323161821.htm
Microfluidic devices typically depend upon electrokinetic or traditional pressure methods to move microscopic amounts of fluid around a fixed microchip. Engineering researchers have created a paradigm shift -- and moved some tiny channels in the process.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Therapy via teleconference? Professor studies remote psychotherapy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mAgJ6FjjQoY/100323121759.htm
Obtaining therapy via teleconference is just as effective as face-to-face meetings, according to new research.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Are hand sanitizers better than handwashing against the common cold?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_splBQ8qgjE/100323223948.htm
A new study suggests that hand sanitizers containing ethanol are much more effective at removing rhinovirus from hands than washing with soap and water. Sanitizers containing both ethanol and organic acids significantly reduced recovery of the virus from hands and rhinovirus infection up to 4 hours following application.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
New drug for menstrual cramps shows promise in early clinical trial
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8M7G3Mf8-_g/100323184609.htm
Scientists have discovered of a new drug, which is currently in Phase II clinical trials, designed to specifically target the root cause of painful menstrual cramps, not just the symptoms. The condition, called dysmenorrhea, is the leading cause of absenteeism from school and work among women in their teens and 20s.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Indian spice may delay liver damage and cirrhosis, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/G9T0-a4AIwA/100323212150.htm
Curcumin, one of the principal components of the Indian spice turmeric, seems to delay the liver damage that eventually causes cirrhosis, suggests preliminary experimental research.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Community acquired MRSA infection rates are six times greater in HIV patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IUd3n1yvFKg/100323161823.htm
A new study found the incidence of CA-MRSA in the Chicago area was six-fold higher among HIV-infected patients than it was among HIV-negative patients.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Laser security for the Internet: Scientist invents a digital security tool good enough for the CIA -- and for you
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-7MsZZtTLIE/100323121834.htm
A new invention promises an information security system that can beat today's hackers -- and the hackers of the future -- with existing fiber optic and computer technology.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Health behaviors may account for substantial portion of social inequality in risk of death
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DvxBdj0BEmg/100323161457.htm
An analysis of nearly 25 years of data for about 10,000 civil servants in London finds an association between socioeconomic position and risk of death, with much of this relation accounted for by health behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, diet and physical activity, according to a new study.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Could smell play a role in the origin of new bird species?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lu1iJtZOh-8/100323111555.htm
Two recently diverged populations of a southern California songbird produce unique odors, suggesting smell could contribute to the reproductive isolation that accompanies the origin of new bird species.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Four preventable risk factors reduce life expectancy in US and lead to health disparities, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cRI4o7DJPeI/100322211829.htm
A new study estimates that smoking, high blood pressure, elevated blood glucose and overweight and obesity currently reduce life expectancy in the US by 4.9 years in men and 4.1 years in women.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Cup plant is potential new biomass/carbon storage crop
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AStKCY15j1s/100322091419.htm
American researchers are exploring a native perennial called the cup plant as a potential new biomass crop that could also store carbon in its extensive root system and add biodiversity to biomass plantings.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Patients at risk for complications after coronary artery fistula closure
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/utxusdtj0wA/100323161501.htm
After surgery to repair abnormally connected heart arteries called coronary artery fistula (CAF) some patients fare worse than others. This study suggests that CAF that drain into the coronary sinus (at the back of the heart) are more likely to have complications after corrective surgery.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Marine conditions of Aralar mountain range of 120 million years ago
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jrMbU-RcU5w/100322121111.htm
The Early Aptian (120 million years ago) was an age of intense volcanic activity on Earth, eruptions that emitted large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, thus causing a revolution in the carbon cycle. As a consequence, great changes happened in the whole of the terrestrial system. A researcher in Spain has studied how these changes happened in the marine environment of the Aralar mountain range (at that time it was under the sea) in the Basque Country, and found more than one surprise.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Study examines impact of education, income on support for suicide bombings
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3R_KGGlbZU8/100323105941.htm
A study shows that the relationship between education and support for suicide bombings varies by country and by the target of the attacks.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
New method could revolutionize dating of ancient treasures
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jOX6e2P8kIM/100323105938.htm
Scientists have developed a first-of-its-kind method for determining the age of ancient artifacts without causing damage to the objects. The method could help shed new light on the history of mummified bodies, old maps, cave paintings, and other treasures, they say.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
HIV vaccine strategy expands immune responses
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Bpq1Gak2D1A/100303131707.htm
Researchers have announced an HIV vaccination strategy that has been shown to expand the breadth and depth of immune responses in rhesus monkeys. Rhesus monkeys provide the best animal model currently available for testing HIV vaccines.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Mouse work: New insights on a fundamental DNA repair mechanism
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Zurk8pJ3a6g/100304151252.htm
A team of researchers has demonstrated for the first time the specific activity of the protein NEIL3, one of a group responsible for maintaining the integrity of DNA in humans and other mammals. Their work sheds new light on a potentially important source of harmful DNA mutations.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Long waits for radiotherapy linked to increased recurrence of breast cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ugwDqX9JGGc/100302195926.htm
The longer women wait for radiotherapy after breast cancer surgery, the more chance there is of local recurrence, concludes a new study. The authors suggest that starting radiotherapy as soon as possible will minimize this risk.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Destructive citrus disease affecting Florida could be combated with bacteria-resistant trees, early detection
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MCz-D9_Bg5s/100323105956.htm
Urgency, cooperation, and persistent management are needed among producers, processors, government officials, and scientists while solutions are developed and implemented to combat the citrus greening disease threatening Florida citrus production, says a new report from the National Research Council.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Men and women respond differently to stress
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uD3K1q2PlnA/100323121755.htm
Age and gender play a major role in how people respond to stress, according to a new study on 20- to 64-year-olds.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
New approach to water desalination could lead to small, portable units for disaster sites or remote locations
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rFSEMDIZpjY/100323161505.htm
A new approach to desalination could lead to small, portable desalination units that could be powered by solar cells or batteries and could deliver enough fresh water to supply the needs of a family or small village. As an added bonus, the system would also remove many contaminants, viruses and bacteria at the same time.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
High dietary phosphate intake may promote skin cancer formation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/J58yz43bqjw/100323111557.htm
A high dietary intake of phosphate promotes tumor formation in an animal model of skin cancer. The results suggest a high intake of phosphates may promote tumor development and contribute to tumor growth in skin cancer, while restricting phosphate intake may help prevent cancer.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Ingredient in tequila plant may fight osteoporosis and other diseases
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zMTqG5k7mrI/100323171630.htm
The plant that gave the world tequila contains a substance that seems ideal for use in a new genre of processed foods -- so-called "functional foods" -- with health benefits over and above serving as a source of nutrients, scientists report.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Scientists share secret of how our cells make us tick
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5zFDDwoYV60/100323105950.htm
Scientists have shed light on a key control process within cells that helps ensure our bodies function efficiently.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Precise model of tectonic-plate movements developed from 20-year study
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OHhixXtSQCI/100322182020.htm
When it comes to 3-D puzzles, Rubik's Cube pales in comparison with the latest creation from a team of geophysicists. They have just put the finishing touches on a 20-year effort to precisely describe the relative movements of the interlocking tectonic plates that make up about 97 percent of Earth's surface.
Wed, 24 Mar 10
Binge drinking doesn't affect next-day student test-taking
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Bh3G1-zi-iY/100323161817.htm
In a first-of-its kind controlled experiment, researchers have found that surprisingly, binge drinking the night before a test does not impact college students' test performance -- although it can affect their moods, attention and reaction times.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Bird bones may be hollow, but they are also heavy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WDgWJthLsbY/100322112103.htm
For centuries biologists have known that bird bones are hollow, and even elementary school children know that bird skeletons are lightweight to offset the high energy cost of flying. Nevertheless, many people are surprised to learn that bird skeletons do not actually weigh any less than the skeletons of similarly sized mammals. In other words, the skeleton of a two-ounce songbird weighs just as much as the skeleton of a two-ounce rodent.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Controlling HIV: Highly promising new compound developed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lwI6pkQSSo0/100322083850.htm
A compound that can inhibit the transfer of HIV from one cell to another has been developed by researchers in France. It acts by saturating a receptor called DC-SIGN, which is used by HIV to ensure its transmission throughout the body.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Proof in humans of RNA interference using targeted nanoparticles
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MKTh28l8jZU/100321182915.htm
A team of researchers and clinicians has published the first proof that a targeted nanoparticle -- used as an experimental therapeutic and injected directly into a patient's bloodstream -- can traffic into tumors, deliver double-stranded small interfering RNAs, and turn off an important cancer gene using a mechanism known as RNA interference. Moreover, the team provided the first demonstration that this new type of therapy can make its way to human tumors in a dose-dependent fashion.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Genes keep watch on blood clotting time
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Pno_q8M9TQA/100322101525.htm
Scientists have discovered three genes that could shed light on the genetic causes of blood-clotting disorders such as thrombosis and some types of stroke.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Nanowire advances promise improved light-emitting diodes and solar-energy generation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MlQ6QAzwOE0/100322073536.htm
Researchers are making improvements to semiconductor alloys that will help overcome some of the technical roadblocks to producing more effective photovoltaic cells for generating solar energy and will enable light-emitting diodes to provide more versatile and efficient lighting.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Memory may decline rapidly even in stage before Alzheimer's disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/M-vX6ntAhX4/100322171008.htm
Memory and thinking skills may decline rapidly for people who have mild cognitive impairment, which is the stage before Alzheimer's disease when people have mild memory problems but no dementia symptoms, and even more rapidly when dementia begins, which is when Alzheimer's disease is usually diagnosed.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Mysterious stone spheres in Costa Rica investigated
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Sd2McDK1jlc/100322143217.htm
Researchers are investigating the origin of the giant stone balls in Costa Rica that inspired the opening scenes of "Raiders of the Lost Ark."
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Hypoglycemia linked to mortality rates in critically ill
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NZkda4eY7sQ/100315111309.htm
Researchers report that they have found a link between mild to moderate hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and mortality in critically ill patients.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Growing by Biblical portions: Last Supper paintings over Millennium depict growing appetites
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DYb8-qneBBs/100322171014.htm
The sizes of the portions and plates in more than four dozen depictions of the Last Supper -- painted over the past 1,000 years -- have gradually grown bigger and bigger, according to a new study.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Exploring the link between sunlight and multiple sclerosis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/awEuMgW8fw4/100322153951.htm
For more than 30 years, scientists have known that multiple sclerosis is much more common in higher latitudes than in the tropics. Because sunlight is more abundant near the equator, many researchers have wondered if the high levels of vitamin D engendered by sunlight could explain this unusual pattern of prevalence.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
How strong is your booze? True strength of alcohol revealed by new portable device
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CcT6jwVWCMA/100322194800.htm
Both legitimate brewers and distillers -- and authorities on the track of illicit alcohol from home stills -- will soon have a helping hand. Measurement experts have unveiled a portable device to determine the strength of alcoholic drinks quickly and easily, almost anywhere. In a new study, the researchers show that their technique is just as accurate, and more sophisticated, than widely used lab-based methods.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Fearless fish forget their phobias
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/p5txl9cID3c/100322194802.htm
Imagine if your fear of spiders, heights or flying could be cured with a simple injection. Research suggests that one day this could be a reality.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
How dinosaurs rose to prominence
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8_QPXd0x08A/100322153947.htm
How did dinosaurs become rulers of Earth more than 200 million years ago? Widespread volcanism and a spike in atmospheric carbon dioxide wiped out half of all plant species, and extinguished early crocodile relatives that had competed with the earliest dinosaurs, according to experts.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
High fructose corn syrup linked to liver scarring, research suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Huw4KYjlBmQ/100322204628.htm
High fructose corn syrup, which some studies have linked to obesity, may also be harmful to the liver, according to new research.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
New bone-hard biomaterial for surgical screws
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Zt2R4FX6NLo/100322111947.htm
Screws used in surgical operations are often made of titanium. They usually have to be removed after a while or replaced by new ones. A new biomaterial makes this unnecessary. It promotes bone growth and is biodegradable.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Genes may exert opposite effects in diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PcDH3Rpoq0E/100322131425.htm
Pediatric researchers analyzing DNA variations in type 1 diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease have found a complex interplay of genes. Some genes have opposing effects, raising the risk of one disease while protecting against the other. In other cases, a gene variant may act in the same direction, raising the risk for both diseases.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Evolution of primordial chemical sensor, nociception, sniffed out
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MY_PMpmwR0o/100317144630.htm
Whenever you choke on acrid cigarette smoke, feel like you're burning up from a mouthful of wasabi-laced sushi, or cry while cutting raw onions and garlic, your response is being triggered by a primordial chemical sensor conserved across some 500 million years of animal evolution, report scientists.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Modern medicine conquers witchcraft in fight against AIDS in Ghana
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6JpBUZaYy10/100322101529.htm
More than a third of Ghana's population believes that AIDS is caused by witchcraft. But large-scale intervention programs for improving health standards have convinced people to trust medical explanations of the disease.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Helium rain on Jupiter explains lack of neon in atmosphere
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aBSXd7vYyL8/100322101527.htm
When the Galileo probe descended through Jupiter's atmosphere in 1995, it found neon to be one-tenth as abundant as predicted. This unexpected finding has led researchers to propose an explanation: at about 10,000 kilometers below the cloud tops, helium condenses into droplets and falls inward, dragging neon with it and depleting Jupiter's outer layers of neon as well as helium.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat may cut heart disease risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2AW4y7FheRs/100322211831.htm
A new study provides the first conclusive evidence from randomized clinical trials that people who replace saturated fat in their diet with polyunsaturated fat reduce their risk of coronary heart disease by 19 percent, compared with control groups of people who do not.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Seafarers' scourge provides hope for biofuel future
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0ZTmeISrHK0/100308151047.htm
For centuries, seafarers were plagued by wood-eating gribble that destroyed their ships, and these creatures continue to wreak damage on wooden piers and docks in coastal communities. But new research is uncovering how the tiny marine isopod digests could hold the key to converting wood and straw into liquid biofuels.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Chagas disease surveillance focuses on palms, undercover bugs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jMzOuRR4LUo/100301201929.htm
Failure to detect disease vectors may result in increased disease risk. The first systematic study in the Amazon of surveillance techniques for the bugs that transmit Chagas disease takes into account the fact that sticky traps and manual searches often miss bugs living in palm trees.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Is this the future of tablet technology?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NM7UmhW2W30/100322083848.htm
Before you swallow a tablet, or put it into a glass of water to dissolve, do you ever stop and think about how it actually works in your body and how quickly and effectively it can deliver the drug to where it is needed?
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Apples for me, potato chips for you: Consumers buy healthier foods for themselves
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jzZnGoaOQ24/100322171024.htm
Feel like Mom is pushing dessert? According to a new study consumers choose foods that are less healthy when they are purchasing for others.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Walnuts slow prostate tumors in mice, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/r-ub5fHl-ok/100322153953.htm
Walnut consumption slows the growth of prostate cancer in mice and has beneficial effects on multiple genes related to the control of tumor growth and metabolism, researchers have found.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Chest X-rays can help predict which H1N1 patients are at greatest risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XMZHNrjZTYM/100322182016.htm
A new study suggests that chest x-rays may play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of H1N1 influenza by predicting which patients are likely to become sicker.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Alcohol in moderation is good for sick hearts too, Italian study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7dqXZJ14wso/100322182014.htm
A new study shows that moderate consumption, one or two glasses of wine a day or the equivalent amounts of beer or other alcoholic beverages, significantly reduces the risk of death from any cause in those who already suffered from ischemic vascular disease.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Combining weight-focused counseling, medication helps women quit smoking
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bmoGXg0fO2w/100322171010.htm
For women smokers worried about their weight, combining cognitive behavioral therapy addressing weight concerns with the medication bupropion appears more effective than counseling alone to help them quit smoking, according to a new study.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
World has underestimated climate-change effects, expert argues
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KVP_HRHNM9w/100322232229.htm
The world's policymakers have underestimated the potential dangerous impacts that man-made climate change will have on society, say a professor of earth and atmospheric sciences.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Securing elite college admissions: Women caught up in 'rug-rat race'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qiHYCMeNXI4/100322171052.htm
College-educated mothers in the United States are going to extremes to secure elite college admission for their kids. Since the mid-1990s, these women have dramatically increased the time they spend on childcare, especially on organizing and driving to activities.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Giant 'microscope' will use neutrons to study glass transition mystery in solid-state research
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LFQ3_RV-_B8/100322153957.htm
Scientists are building an electrostatic levitation chamber that will be installed at the Spallation Neutron Source in Oakridge National Laboratory. Using neutrons as a probe, the instrument will allow scientists to watch atoms in a suspended drop of liquid as the drop cools and solidifies. Researchers are particularly eager to see what the new instrument will tell them about the "glass transition," the smooth change a glass undergoes from a freely flowing liquid to a viscous liquid to a rigid structure. The physics underlying the transition has been called "the deepest and most interesting unsolved problem in solid-state research."
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Poorly understood cell plays role in immunity against the flu
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Gja5RbP9-sQ/100322101533.htm
A new understanding of a certain cell in the immune system may help guide scientists in creating better flu vaccines, researchers report.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Cracking the plant-cell membrane code
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8Lxon4USNBM/100322171054.htm
To engineer better crops and develop new drugs to combat disease, scientists look at how the sensor-laden membranes surrounding cells interact with their environment. But remarkably little is known about how proteins interact with these protective structures. For the first time for any multicellular organism, researchers have analyzed 3.4 million potential protein/membrane interactions and have found 65,000 unique relationships.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Immunology: New Gene Mutation Linked To Antibody Deficiency
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kCyKZze41cI/100308220432.htm
Individuals who have abnormally low levels of immune molecules known as antibodies have an increased susceptibility to infection with certain types of bacteria. By analyzing one such person, researchers have identified a new genetic cause of antibody deficiency, mutations in the CD81 gene.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Fishing discard ban could damage sea bird success, scientists warn
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wMbfbUXZ8_M/100322101521.htm
A proposed EU ban on throwing unwanted fish overboard from commercial boats could put one of the North Sea's most successful sea birds at risk, say researchers.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Physical therapy exercise program can reduce risk of postnatal depression in new mothers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JgSDsnhOwM4/100322182026.htm
A physical therapy exercise and health education program is effective in improving postnatal well-being and reducing the risk for postnatal depression.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Smelling scenery in stereo: Desert ants perceive odor maps in navigation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oWNM5Jop-bU/100309102527.htm
Desert ants are well-known for their remarkable orientation: they use a compass along with a step counter and visible landmarks to locate their nest. After researchers discovered that these ants can navigate also by using olfactory cues, they now found that the animals even can take advantage of the distribution of different odors in a map-like manner by utilizing their antennae to smell their environment in stereo.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Radiotherapy can cause lasting vascular disease: Changes in gene expression to blame, research suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PG1cgR7k_XA/100322101523.htm
For an as yet unknown reason, cancer radiotherapy can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease later in life, a problem that is growing as more and more people survive their cancer diagnosis. New research from Sweden now suggests that sustained inflammation induced by post-radiotherapy changes in the gene expression in the arteries could be the cause.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Eating less meat and dairy products won't have major impact on global warming, export argues
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CIeLW7fPihk/100322121103.htm
Consuming less meat and dairy products will fail to reverse global warming -- despite continual claims that link greenhouse-gas production to eating meat-rich diets, according to one expert. In a recent report, an air quality specialist discusses this popular misconception and describes why he believes it is steering society away from solutions to the global crisis.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Quantity vs. quality: Long-term use of bone-building osteoporosis drugs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fAtsYXuhLzg/100310083439.htm
Bisphosphonate treatments, proven to enhance bone density and reduce fracture incidence in post-menopausal women, may adversely affect bone quality and increase risk of atypical fractures of the femur when used for four or more years, according to preliminary research.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Sticky environmental problem with carpet tiles solved
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mBwishFKFfA/100319210826.htm
A new adhesive for use in carpet tiles could help dramatically reduce their impact on the environment. The powerful adhesives currently used to bind the layers of carpet tiles together make it challenging to recycle them. In Europe, around 70 million kilograms of carpet tile waste is incinerated or sent to landfill sites every year.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Risky drinkers less likely to take good care of themselves and seek medical care
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EWmZTlAQRTs/100322092049.htm
A study of 7,884 men and women that found people who engage in frequent heavy drinking report significantly worse health-related practices, such as not wearing seat belts, unhealthy eating, and failing to visit their doctor regularly. The study also found women who drink heavily report worse general and mental health than men who drink at that same level.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
High-fructose corn syrup prompts considerably more weight gain, researchers find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ixBqgB61u3Y/100322121115.htm
Researchers have demonstrated that all sweeteners are not equal when it comes to weight gain: Rats with access to high-fructose corn syrup gained significantly more weight than those with access to table sugar, even when their overall caloric intake was the same.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
New superbug surpasses MRSA infection rates in community hospitals
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ASHDnozlGsw/100322073524.htm
While prevention methods appear to be helping to lower hospital infection rates from MRSA, a deadly antibiotic-resistant bacterium, a new superbug is on the rise, according to researchers.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Sea creatures' sex protein provides new insight into diabetes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IiXDtqg0Yk4/100322101659.htm
A genetic accident in the sea more than 500 million years ago has provided new insight into diabetes. New research findings could help to explain a rare form of the disease that causes sufferers to urinate more than three liters every day.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Patients with irritable bowel syndrome not more likely to develop polyps, colon cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Uq8afh7IdEA/100309161842.htm
Patients with irritable bowel syndrome are at no greater risk of having polyps, colon cancer or inflammatory bowel diseases than healthy people undergoing colonoscopies, according to a new study.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Spying on a cellular director in the cutting room
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2TlDaeVowzk/100321182947.htm
Like a film director cutting out extraneous footage to create a blockbuster, the cellular machine called the spliceosome snips out unwanted stretches of genetic material and joins the remaining pieces to fashion a template for protein production. But more than box office revenues are at stake: if the spliceosome makes a careless cut, disease likely results. Researchers have now managed to spy on the splicing process in single molecules.
Tue, 23 Mar 10
Success rates for organ transplants are increasing, but organ donations are decreasing, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Oozw2ad5VXk/100322092051.htm
The number of living donor organs available for transplant has progressively declined over the past five years, according to a new study. In addition, the study showed that for the first time, organs from deceased donors decreased in 2008.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
Early galaxy went through 'teenage growth spurt,' scientists say
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lksQFIX9pjg/100321182945.htm
Scientists have found a massive galaxy in the early universe creating stars like our sun up to 100 times faster than the modern-day Milky Way.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
Gene is linked to lung cancer development in never-smokers: one third have gene variant
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vPIc2lgdVFM/100321203510.htm
A study that scanned the genomes of thousands of "never-smokers" diagnosed with lung cancer as well as healthy never smokers has found a gene they say could be responsible for a significant number of those cancers.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
New bacteria strain points the way toward 'super sourdough' bread
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CNZ8v5JMIGA/100321182911.htm
Researchers have unveiled a potentially additive-free, more healthful sourdough loaf that could even taste better. More healthful breads of other kinds could be baked using a new bacterial ingredient in sourdough as well.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
Chemical that may protect hearts of muscular dystrophy patients discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fCA202NuWhw/100315172213.htm
Researchers have discovered a chemical that may, over the long term, protect the hearts of Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients -- a fatal and most common form of muscular dystrophy in children.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
Multifunctional polymer neutralizes both biological and chemical weapons
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yVXfsIgD-8w/100318113754.htm
In an effort to mirror the ability of biological tissues to respond rapidly and appropriately to changing environments, scientists have synthesized a single, multifunctional polymer material that can decontaminate both biological and chemical toxins.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
Women do make men throw caution to the wind, research confirms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SX_VGQbiVPU/100319115715.htm
The presence of an attractive woman elevates testosterone levels and physical risk taking in young men, according to a recent study.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
Seaweed to tackle rising tide of obesity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TNXbUoE1fh0/100321203508.htm
In a new study, scientists in the UK have shown that by adding seaweed fiber to the diet you can reduce fat digestion by up to 75 percent.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
Researchers discover two new ways to kill TB bacteria; Findings could help tame extremely drug-resistant strains
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/axM9kCaQU4k/100321182922.htm
Researchers have found two novel ways of killing the bacteria that cause tuberculosis, a disease responsible for an estimated two million deaths each year.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
Brewing up a gentler java: Dark-roasted coffee contains stomach-friendly ingredient
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ms14ozdyiRg/100321203504.htm
Stomach irritation preventing almost two out of every 10 people from enjoying coffee. Now, scientists report the discovery of several substances that may be among the culprits responsible for brewing up heartburn and stomach pain in every cup.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
Health-care worker vaccination rates remain perilously low
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xPLebypaHDY/100317091255.htm
Health-care personnel influenza immunization rates have remained low, despite recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other leading health-care organizations that all health-care personnel receive annual flu vaccines. Experts say these levels are perilous. Increasing vaccination rates substantially improves patient safety, lowering flu deaths by 40 percent.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
Imperfect chips pave the way for new quantum technology
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FUhtWKnFAC8/100316235815.htm
When it comes to optical chips, disorder can actually be desirable. The surprising finding was made by a research group in Denmark, overturning the common notion that optical chips must be perfect.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
Memory for visual scenes is enhanced when events occur at behaviorally relevant times
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0373l-PrT9U/100315201621.htm
What determines whether a scene is remembered or forgotten? According to a new study memory for visual scenes may not depend on attention level or what a scene contains, but when the scene is presented. The study shows how visual scenes are encoded into memory at behaviorally relevant points in time.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
'Cold fusion' moves closer to mainstream acceptance
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XlZCYN_Ot7w/100321182909.htm
"Cold fusion," a controversial energy source once relegated to the scientific equivalent of banishment to Siberia, is now moving closer toward acceptance by the mainstream scientific community, as evidenced by a special two-day symposium at the American Chemical Society's 239th National Meeting.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
Direct injection of gold nanoparticles into tumors opens door to new treatment for pancreatic cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xKJ4C7PsLp0/100316101356.htm
Pancreatic cancer -- known as the most fatal cancer with no known effective treatment -- requires a radical new therapy. A promising approach may come in the form of tiny gold nanoparticles -- loaded with a therapeutic agent to kill cancer -- in a novel procedure called "nanoembolization," said researchers.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
Mastery of rare-earth elements vital to America's security
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JBSwyDXYFV4/100316174212.htm
Used in everything from batteries to electric motors, rare earth elements are vital to America's security, a senior metallurgist at the US Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory, told members of the Investigations & Oversight Subcommittee of the House Committee on Science and Technology. Yet, the great majority of rare earth mining and production currently takes place in China.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
Protecting cancer patients by reducing radiation doses, side effects
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ik_sphTiucA/100317101357.htm
New recommendations for the safe irradiation of 16 organs have been published. For each organ, the relationship between dose/volume and clinical outcome is reviewed.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
Beluga sturgeon in Caspian Sea reclassified as 'critically endangered'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UhzKShLovKc/100318113241.htm
Beluga sturgeon in the Caspian Sea have been reclassified as "critically endangered" placing them on IUCN's Red List, providing strong evidence that fishing and international trade should be halted and a stock-rebuilding plan should be initiated immediately. Beluga sturgeon populations have been decimated in part due to unrelenting exploitation for black caviar -- the sturgeon's unfertilized eggs -- considered the finest in the world.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
Emergency contraception: Advance provision does not reduce pregnancy rates; No increase in unprotected sex
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sErR0DsE6xo/100316191441.htm
Providing emergency contraception to women in advance of need does not reduce pregnancy rates, despite increased use and faster use after unprotected sexual intercourse, according to a new review.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
Fungi can change quickly, pass along infectious ability
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/S0pzPogkbo4/100317144634.htm
Fungi have significant potential for "horizontal" gene transfer, a new study has shown, similar to the mechanisms that allow bacteria to evolve so quickly, become resistant to antibiotics and cause other serious problems.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
Key predictor of cardiovascular death identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ghf3WXNS9jY/100315162051.htm
Coronary artery disease (CAD) hospitalizes more than 160,000 Canadians every year, and almost one quarter of those patients die from this common form of heart disease. But now researchers have identified a key predictor of mortality in CAD patients, which means that specialists can better determine how to treat and improve outcomes for patients with CAD.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
Rapid increases in tree growth found in US
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aLjRdoDtki8/100318132500.htm
Rapid increases in tree growth in the US, slower tree growth in the tropics, new ideas about biodiversity, new methods for monitoring forest carbon stocks: These are among the mid-term results from the HSBC Climate Partnership.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
Nurses' research settles a common cancer concern: Skin care
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/d8wdINCeg3M/100317112051.htm
Given the complexity of cancer treatment, skin care may seem like a small matter. However, a nurse at the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center knew that skin issues were a constant source of anxiety for many patients receiving radiation therapy, and through research she discovered that routine advice was rooted in myth instead of scientific evidence.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
Environmental refugees and global warming
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rtRg3XMFiSQ/100317000027.htm
Climate change and environmental degradation are likely to trigger increased migration in Sub-Saharan Africa with potentially devastating effects on the hundreds of millions of especially poor people, according to a new article.
Mon, 22 Mar 10
Sexism: Cat-calls are detrimental to everyone
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tThpXCtyuXA/100318093303.htm
For every woman who is a direct target of sexism, there are others who witness the event and are also affected. The actions of one sexist man affect how female bystanders feel and behave towards men in general.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Bully galaxy rules the neighborhood
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UbC_MiDYHZA/100304102159.htm
In general, galaxies can be thought of as "social" -- hanging out in groups and frequently interacting. However, a new Hubble Space Telescope image highlights how some galaxies appear to be hungry loners. These cosmic oddities have set astronomers on the "case of the missing neighbor galaxies."
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Omega 3 curbs precancerous growths in those prone to bowel cancer, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/I2IoF7Jym9E/100317212648.htm
A purified form of an omega 3 cuts the number and size of precancerous bowel growths (polyps) in people whose genetic makeup predisposes them to bowel cancer, finds new research.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Tryptophan-enriched diet reduces pig aggression
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vV1F6oFKOWI/100318141620.htm
Feeding the amino acid tryptophan to young female pigs as part of their regular diet makes them less aggressive and easier to manage, according to a new study.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Children with insomnia may have impaired heart rate variability
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/M1daV2rH5Ac/100302185528.htm
Children with insomnia and shorter sleep duration had impaired modulation of heart rhythm during sleep, researchers report.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Plant's ability to identify, block invading bacteria examined
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QmKKCQBhJ8I/100303162858.htm
Understanding how plants defend themselves from bacterial infections may help researchers understand how people and other animals could be better protected from such pathogens. That's the idea behind a study to observe a specific bacteria that infects tomatoes but normally does not bother the common laboratory plant arabidopsis.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Frequency and cost of copying college homework revealed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xicV7do6vZE/100318113750.htm
The history of students who copy homework from classmates may be as old as school itself. But in today's age of lecture-hall laptops and online coursework, how prevalent and damaging to the education of students has such academic dishonesty become? According to new research, it turns out that unnoticed student cheating is a significant cause of course failure nationally.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Evolution of fairness and punishment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jWl8jQRP3iU/100318141551.htm
A new study suggests that the cooperative nature of each society is at least partly dependent upon historical forces -- such as religious beliefs and the growth of market transactions.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Variability as well as high blood pressure holds high risk of stroke
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/eoatT53wFiM/100317223728.htm
Three new articles show that it is variability in patients' blood pressure that predicts the risk of a stroke most powerfully and not a high average or usual blood pressure level.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Barnacles prefer upwelling currents, enriching food chains in the Galapagos
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/eKzBXnAplAU/100302171525.htm
The barnacle, a key thread in the marine food web, was thought to be missing along rocky coasts dominated by upwelling. Now a research team has found the opposite to be true: Barnacle populations thrive in vertical upwelling zones in moderately deep waters in the Galapagos Islands.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Children and teens less likely than young adults to die of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Pcl9Oq4-dMM/100301171117.htm
Young adults diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma appear to have a higher risk of dying from the disease than do children and teens.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
First parasitic nematodes reported in biofuel crops
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AWpbSgXdBJA/100317161956.htm
Researchers in Illinois have discovered widespread occurrence of plant-parasitic nematodes in the first reported nematode survey of Miscanthus and switchgrass plants used for biofuels.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Broad application of bipolar diagnosis in children may do more harm than good
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sqgFWmoYRzE/100318174723.htm
Troubled children diagnosed with bipolar disorder may fare better with a different diagnosis, according to new research. The researchers support an emerging approach, which gives many of those children a new diagnosis called severe mood dysregulation or temper dysregulation disorder with dysphoria.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Brain scans could be marketing tool of the future
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VUy5dvEVXzU/100304112233.htm
Using advanced tools to see the human brain at work, a new generation of marketing experts may be able to test a product's appeal while it is still being designed, according to a new analysis.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Test of implantable cardioverter defibrillator linked to cognitive problems
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/W4Ga5SSSPlA/100302162255.htm
A standard test of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is linked to significant thought-processing problems that improve for most patients within a year after the device is inserted, according to new research.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Wide variety of genetic splicing in embryonic stem cells identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mRTY59FHPZ8/100301151921.htm
Like tuning in to an elusive radio frequency in a busy city, human embryonic stem cells must sort through a seemingly endless number of options to settle on the specific genetic message, or station, that instructs them to become more-specialized cells in the body. Now researchers have shown that this tuning process is accomplished in part by restricting the number of messages, called transcripts, produced from each gene.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Examining alcohol use disorders through gene networks instead of individual genes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2nH1LpiDNmE/100301165606.htm
Multiple genetic, environmental and behavioral factors contribute to alcohol use disorders (AUDs). A person's level of response (LR) to alcohol can indicate a person's risk for developing AUDs. A new study has looked at "gene networks" instead of individual genes to confirm the influence of glutamate receptor signaling genes on a person's LR.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
UK scientists devise worldwide food alert system
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pUwvSWwgyt4/100304112320.htm
Countries producing food containing harmful bacteria and toxins could be named and shamed more quickly using a worldwide alert system devised by a team of scientists from the UK.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Older non-smokers gain most from tobacco ban, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zwnKhDwzaYQ/100316191450.htm
Older people who have never smoked benefit most from smoking bans, a study suggests.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Evidence indicates humans' early tree-dwelling ancestors were also bipedal
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uSbEcyNdpfg/100319202526.htm
Experiments by anthropologists show that fossil footprints made 3.6 million years ago are the earliest direct evidence of early hominids using the kind of efficient, upright posture and gait now seen in modern humans.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Imaging fat layer around heart can help predict disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vbIbDyK0GFM/100315104032.htm
Imaging epicardial adipose tissue, or the layer of fat around the heart, can provide extra information compared with standard diagnostic techniques such as coronary artery calcium scoring. The size of the layer of fat around the heart can be measured by X-ray imaging techniques such as CT or MRI.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Microbe detective seeks out germs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FmnSuwGkz3w/100319115634.htm
Microorganisms are everywhere and most of them are harmless, but they can do a lot of damage in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals or in tissue transplants. With the aid of a new device, germs can be detected in artificial cartilage within a few hours.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Machinery of immune protection against inflammatory diseases like colitis detailed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DR4gAknt1Bg/100318132506.htm
Scientists report a protein made by a gene already associated with a handful of human inflammatory immune diseases plays a pivotal role in protecting the intestinal tract from colitis.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Breakthrough for the quantum simulator: When ultra-cold atoms can be anything
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/M-K-JvUJ0uU/100315231554.htm
For the first time, physicists have succeeded in describing a quantum simulator realizable with current technology. The scientists have shown that the level of control needed for such a simulator can be achieved using ultra-cold atoms in a highly excited Rydberg states.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Sleep deprivation influences drug use in teens' social networks, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kVpjyTSLMWY/100319202524.htm
Recent studies have shown that behaviors such as happiness, obesity, smoking and altruism are "contagious" within adult social networks. In other words, your behavior not only influences your friends, but also their friends and so on. Researchers have taken this a step farther and found that the spread of one behavior in social networks influences the spread of another behavior -- adolescent drug use.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Acne drug prevents HIV breakout
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/O_0svV3AuRE/100319202528.htm
Scientists have found that a safe and inexpensive antibiotic in use since the 1970s for treating acne effectively targets infected immune cells in which HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, lies dormant and prevents them from reactivating and replicating.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Freezing out breast cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-xuA0jOQ1Ec/100316101347.htm
Interventional radiologists have opened the door to an encouraging potential future treatment for the nearly 200,000 women who are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States each year: image-guided, multiprobe cryotherapy. In the first reported study, researchers were able to successfully freeze breast cancer in patients who refused surgery; the women did not have to undergo surgery after treatment to ensure that tumors had been killed.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Silver proves its mettle for nanotech applications
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ENlneSEcSxo/100319115629.htm
Scientists have introduced a new method to deterministically and precisely position silver nanoparticles onto self-assembling DNA scaffolds.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Vitamin D levels have different effects on atherosclerosis in blacks and whites, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/deYj04V85zU/100315091259.htm
Vitamin D is quickly becoming the "go-to" remedy for treating a wide range of illnesses, from osteoporosis to atherosclerosis. However, new evidence suggests that supplementing vitamin D in those with low levels may have different effects based on patient race and, in black individuals, the supplement could actually do harm.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Perils of plastics? Survey of risks to human health and the environment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GgaPo04wJto/100319115631.htm
Researchers have undertaken a survey of existing scientific literature concerning the hazards of plastics to human health and to the ecosystems we depend on.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Failed college dreams don't spell depression, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gw20mg0DnCc/100319115625.htm
High school seniors, take note: a wise person once said, "It is better to shoot for the stars and miss than aim at the gutter and hit it." That's right on, says a sociology professor who just completed a study to determine whether unrealized educational expectations are associated with depression among adults.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Designer nanomaterials on demand: Scientists report universal method for creating nanoscale composites
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DQL9dGKynXM/100319202532.htm
Researchers have developed a universal method by which designer nanomaterials can be created on demand. This scheme can be used to create materials for battery electrodes, photovoltaics and electronic data storage among a great many other possible applications.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Causes found for stiff skin conditions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vy5U5pUijdE/100319202530.htm
By studying the genetics of a rare inherited disorder called stiff skin syndrome, researchers have learned more about scleroderma, a condition affecting about one in 5,000 people that leads to hardening of the skin as well as other debilitating and often life-threatening problems. The findings, which appear this week in Science Translational Medicine, open doors to testing new treatments.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Rapid response oceanographic expedition dispatched to Chile earthquake site
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Y-5IqGZLPZA/100319142700.htm
Scientists are undertaking an expedition to explore the rupture site of the 8.8-magnitude Chilean earthquake.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Feedback loop explains inflammatory effect on intestinal lining
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gBFq9v1NqvY/100318132458.htm
Signals released by immune cells during a bout of inflammatory bowel disease interfere with intestinal cells' ability to regenerate. Yet people with inflammatory bowel diseases have a higher risk of developing colon cancer: a hyper-activation of growth in those same intestinal cells. Researchers have identified a feedback loop involving a growth-regulating circuit in intestinal cells, which helps explain these apparently contradictory observations. Interfering with one component of the feedback loop -- a protein called "dickkopf 1" -- may aid in controlling inflammatory bowel diseases.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Grass, fungus combination affects ecology
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/z9uqEXku3Pk/100315162203.htm
Fescue grass covers an area equivalent to 12 million football fields in the US, and a new study by ecologists shows that the grass and a symbiotic fungus can affect local ecosystems in significant ways. Study results show that the genetic identity of an invisible fungus living symbiotically in fescue can alter the surrounding composition and diversity of the plant community.
Sun, 21 Mar 10
Do financial interests result in positive results in scientific research?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1k-zhrOb8H4/100319085308.htm
Virtually all of the scientific authors who provided positive results for the anti-diabetic drug rosiglitazone had financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies, according to new research.
Sat, 20 Mar 10
Biology may not be so complex after all, physicist finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9_1pjITU66s/100301102757.htm
Centuries ago, scientists began reducing the physics of the universe into key laws described by a handful of parameters. Such simple descriptions have remained elusive for complex biological systems -- until now. A biophysicist has identified parameters for several biochemical networks that distill the entire behavior of these systems into simple equivalent dynamics. The discovery may hold the potential to streamline the development of drugs and diagnostic tools, by simplifying the research models.
Sat, 20 Mar 10
Stress during pregnancy may increase offspring's risk of asthma
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1G5frfCWHFA/100318082018.htm
Stress during pregnancy may raise the risk of asthma in offspring, according to researchers. The researchers investigated differences in immune function markers in cord blood between infants born to mothers in high stress environments and those born to mothers with lower stress and found marked differences in patterns that may be associated with asthma risk later in life.
Sat, 20 Mar 10
In search of key blue ingredient in ancient Egyptian pottery
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yEIoFROiffU/100317121354.htm
As one of the "generic geologists" on a dig called the Dakhleh Oasis Project, associate professor Jennifer Smith was asked to sample the alum from ancient mines and to determine whether it could be the source of the blue in the "blue painted pottery" found at sites dating from the New Kingdom. It was a small question but an intriguing one.
Sat, 20 Mar 10
Young men and elderly women at biggest risk for shoulder dislocations
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/O34jXBnkLps/100301151929.htm
The shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in the body and consequently one of the most commonly dislocated joints.
Sat, 20 Mar 10
Cows like leaves their tongues can wrap around easily
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/H4WHupBYydY/100303131532.htm
Lots of leaves growing in easy reach of a cow's tongue means less time and less land needed to raise beef cattle.
Sat, 20 Mar 10
Some bullies are just the shy type: New research shows a darker side to social anxiety disorder
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gT8eT1cg1u0/100318113255.htm
When you think of people suffering from social anxiety, you probably characterize them as shy, inhibited and submissive. However, new research from psychologists suggests that there is a subset of socially anxious people who act out in aggressive, risky ways -- and that their behavior patterns are often misunderstood.
Sat, 20 Mar 10
Songbirds yield insight into speech production
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/16cejQ_XMY0/100318181320.htm
With the help of a little singing bird, physicists are gaining insight into how the human brain functions, which may lead to a better understanding of complex vocal behavior, human speech production and ultimately, speech disorders and related diseases.
Sat, 20 Mar 10
Women with swine flu 13 times more likely to suffer critical illness if they are pregnant, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/U1kaZlHzPlY/100319085306.htm
Pregnant women in Australia and New Zealand who had swine flu were 13 times more likely to be admitted to hospital with a critical illness, according to new research.
Sat, 20 Mar 10
Stem cells used to model infant birth defect
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/opY_jX4dXxY/100318113302.htm
Researchers recently discovered that infantile hemangiomas originate from stem cells, and have used these stem cells to better understand this tumor in the laboratory. They show that steroids target hemangioma stem cells specifically, reveal their mechanism of their action and suggest other possible ways to halt and shrink hemangiomas.
Sat, 20 Mar 10
Tool to measure severity of chronic graft-vs.-host disease symptoms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/50XtcDbwzCI/100301151937.htm
Researchers have developed a new assessment tool to measure the severity of symptoms that can complicate stem cell transplantation. The tool assesses symptoms resulting from chronic graft-vs.-host disease (cGVHD).
Sat, 20 Mar 10
Supermarket lighting enhances nutrient level of fresh spinach
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CW5rcWWnguc/100303113959.htm
Far from being a food spoiler, the fluorescent lighting in supermarkets actually can boost the nutritional value of fresh spinach, scientists are reporting. The finding could lead to improved ways of preserving and enhancing the nutritional value of spinach and perhaps other veggies, they suggest.
Sat, 20 Mar 10
Environment may impact apes' ability to understand declarative communication, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HdmHkkHDMQw/100315162058.htm
Bonobos and chimpanzees that had been reared in socio-linguistically rich environments (i.e., lots of opportunities for complex communicative interactions with humans) performed significantly better in the pointing, vocalizing, and pointing-and-vocalizing conditions of an object-choice task than did chimpanzees that had been reared in standard laboratory settings. These results indicate that apes may have the potential for understanding declarative communication and this potential may be achieved in specific environments.
Sat, 20 Mar 10
'Flying vaccinator': Can genetically engineered mosquitoes provide a new strategy against malaria?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/o3jiUOHTIUQ/100318192658.htm
Mosquitoes transmit infectious diseases to millions of people every year, including malaria for which there is no effective vaccine. New research reveals that mosquito genetic engineering may turn the transmitter into a natural "flying vaccinator," providing a new strategy for biological control over the disease.
Sat, 20 Mar 10
Light twists rigid structures in unexpected nanotech finding
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0Wg2mKeucRQ/100317112059.htm
In findings that took the experimenters three years to believe, engineers have demonstrated that light itself can twist ribbons of nanoparticles.
Sat, 20 Mar 10
Extreme obesity affecting more children at younger ages
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/U6JJ616UAS4/100318174715.htm
Extreme obesity is affecting more children at younger ages, with 12 percent of black teenage girls, 11.2 percent of Hispanic teenage boys, 7.3 percent of boys and 5.5 percent of girls now classified as extremely obese, according to a study of 710,949 children and teens.
Sat, 20 Mar 10
Mineral studies advance antibacterial alternatives
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/S3wdHsZcf80/100303192444.htm
Alternative approaches to medicine are stock-in-trade in the Arizona State University laboratory of microbiologist Shelley Haydel. So when ASU senior Jenny Koehl joined Haydel's investigative team seeking firsthand knowledge of how basic research is done, how drugs are tested and potential cures produced, she found it and much more.
Sat, 20 Mar 10
Feeling lonely adds to rate of blood pressure increase in people 50 years old and older
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SdtkxveyOfM/100317132014.htm
Chronic feelings of loneliness take a toll on blood pressure over time, causing a marked increase after four years. A new study shows, for the first time, a direct relation between loneliness and larger increases in blood pressure four years later -- a link that is independent of age and other factors that could cause blood pressure to rise, including body-mass index, smoking, alcohol use and demographic differences such as race and income.
Sat, 20 Mar 10
Students discover new species of raptor dinosaur in Inner Mongolia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hNNJb4amlXI/100319085257.htm
A new species of dinosaur, a relative of the famous Velociraptor, has been discovered in Inner Mongolia by two Ph.D. students. The exceptionally well preserved dinosaur, named Linheraptor exquisitus, is the first near complete skeleton of its kind to be found in the Gobi desert since 1972, and will help scientists work out the appearance of other closely related dinosaur species.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
'Glow-in-the-dark' sperm sheds light on reproductive biology, sexual selection and speciation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pUSahNMjhi0/100318141547.htm
By genetically altering fruit flies so that the heads of their sperm were fluorescent green or red, biologists were able to observe in striking detail what happens to live sperm inside the female. The findings may have huge implications for the fields of reproductive biology, sexual selection and speciation.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Shutting out soft tissue cancers in the cold
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HSjrtjmO8Js/100316101349.htm
Cryotherapy, an interventional radiology treatment to freeze cancer tumors, may become the treatment of the future for cancer that has metastasized in soft tissues (such as ovarian cancer) and in bone tumors. Such patients are often not candidates for surgery and would benefit from minimally invasive treatment, say researchers.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Urban CO2 domes increase deaths, poke hole in cap-and-trade proposal
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FqxMmBx4qTs/100316101705.htm
In the first study ever done on the local health effects of the domes of carbon dioxide that develop above cities, researchers found that the domes increase the local death rate. The result provides a scientific basis for regulating CO2 emissions at the local level and points out a significant oversight in the carbon dioxide "cap-and-trade" proposal that was passed by the House of Representatives in June 2009.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Vitamin A: Key mechanism that guides cells to form heart tissue
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tkf5TqFaUcU/100317091301.htm
Researchers have identified a key cellular mechanism that guides embryonic heart tissue formation -- a process which, if disrupted, can lead to a number of common congenital heart defects.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Weak laser can ignite nanoparticles, with exciting possibilities
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RPoEStcZB-k/100318132504.htm
Engineering researchers have found they can ignite certain nanoparticles using a low-power laser, a development they say opens the door to a wave of new technologies in health care, computing and automotive design.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Could a pill increase learning ability post-puberty?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/i4WAqzGCqUc/100318141540.htm
New research shows that a novel brain receptor, alpha4-beta-delta, emerges at puberty in the hippocampus, part of the brain that controls learning and memory.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Earlier butterfly emergence linked to climate change
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/N4DZpYY1JwA/100318132510.htm
Butterflies are emerging in spring over 10 days earlier than they did 65 years ago, a shift that has been linked to regional human-induced climate change in an Australian-led study. The work reveals a causal link between increasing greenhouse gases, regional warming and the change in timing of a natural event.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Targeting blood vessels, immune system may offer way to stop infection-caused inflammation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gW90rxA2y88/100317161958.htm
Treating virulent influenza, sepsis, and other potentially deadly infections long has focused on looking for ways to kill viruses and bacteria. But new research shows that modulating the body's own overeager inflammatory response to infection may help save more lives.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Layered graphene sheets could solve hydrogen storage issues
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DbesP31X9fw/100317161952.htm
Stacked sheets of graphene may be a promising material for capturing and storing hydrogen for future fuel-cell systems according to recent research.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
New TB booster shows promise
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kUn5YDVIk40/100316142515.htm
A booster shot appears to improve tuberculosis (TB) resistance in previously vaccinated adults, according to new research in South Africa.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
New statistical method for genetic studies could cut computation time from years to hours
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3_8Hp6TSNL0/100318093307.htm
Mathematicians have developed a new computational strategy for genome-wide association studies that corrects for population structure and is both faster and easier to use.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
A magical way to move kids: Researcher uses magic tricks to treat children with locomotor disabilities
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GF8q-RYnqw8/100315125601.htm
An innovative yet remarkably simple series of therapeutic exercises has been developed for children and young adults based on sleight-of-hand tricks used by professional magicians.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
WISE captures a cosmic rosebud blossoming with new stars
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mpl50-3CGMQ/100316183430.htm
A new infrared image from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, shows a cosmic rosebud blossoming with new stars. The stars, called the Berkeley 59 cluster, are the blue dots to the right of the image center. They are ripening out of the dust cloud from which they formed, and at just a few million years old, are young on stellar time scales.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Stem cells suspended in X-ray-visible microbubbles build new blood vessels to treat peripheral arterial disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5izBUq59_w0/100316101358.htm
Bone marrow stem cells suspended in X-ray-visible microbubbles dramatically improve the body's ability to build new blood vessels in the upper leg -- providing a potential future treatment for those with peripheral arterial disease or PAD, say researchers.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
African bird discovery proves there is something new under the sun
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/y-gYGlYz7y4/100316101610.htm
"Four and 20 black birds baked in a pie" -- but wait, one has blue-gray eyes. That discovery, backed by DNA analysis, means scientists now know there is one more species of black shrike in the Albertine Rift of Africa than was previously thought. And if Dr. Gary Voelker has his way, he'll soon be studying the bird's habits to determine its susceptibility to the deforestation now occurring across its native habitat.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
New chemotherapy combination shows promise in endometrial cancer, researchers find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JlmZOsLSaLk/100317162002.htm
Researchers report that in a small study of women with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer, gemcitabine and cisplatin, when used in combination, produced a response rate in fifty percent of patients.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
New lunar images and data available to the public
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9prgbtIyGWg/100316172901.htm
The general public can now follow along with NASA on its journey of lunar discovery. On March 15, the publicly accessible Planetary Data System released data sets from the seven instruments on board NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Novel 'medical home' program for pediatric patients, families cuts ER visits in half
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mbb1rSg3Pbc/100316152525.htm
In the first quantitative study to look at the benefits of utilizing the medical home concept in a resident-education outpatient clinic at a specialized children's hospital, researchers found that participation in the program significantly reduced families' use of the emergency room.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Nano-based RFID tags could replace bar codes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Kx6Ttafp6S8/100318113300.htm
Researchers have come up with an inexpensive, printable transmitter that can be invisibly embedded in packaging. It would allow a customer to walk a cart full of groceries or other goods past a scanner on the way to the car.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Researcher maps how age, gender can affect risk to radiation exposure
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/I4FRZyeNBIY/100316164948.htm
Scientists imaged cartilage, bone marrow and two types of mineral bone in 20 different skeletal sites from two newborns to learn more about how much radiation is absorbed by the body. They discovered that children have a greater percentage of total mineral bone in direct contact with sensitive bone marrow than do adults. This has implications for radiation treatments and types of chemotherapy used to treat cancer patients, especially therapies targeting pediatric bone cancers.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Cloves are 'best' natural antioxidant, Spanish study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sfDvTYyLMME/100316124231.htm
Using spices eaten in the Mediterranean diet as natural antioxidants is a good way forward for the food industry, given the beneficial health effects of these products. This has been shown by researchers in Spain who have put the clove in first place.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Preventive behaviors limited household transmission of H1N1 influenza during initial outbreak
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-hrlbk02cZM/100316142549.htm
Simple, common sense behaviors, including having a discussion at home about how to prevent influenza, can help limit the spread of H1N1 in a household, according to a study of the initial outbreak in New York City in 2009.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Measuring protein movements with nanosecond resolution
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XfY_x8bD2JY/100315162054.htm
Researchers who developed a method for observing nanosecond-scale movements of proteins have used it to distinguish two structural forms where only one was known. The experiments focused on HP35 in the protein villin, which contributes to cells' stability by linking actin filaments. More generally, the results suggest that this method, based on fast electron transfer between different parts of a protein, could help unlock the mechanisms behind folding and misfolding of proteins.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Progress has been made in war on cancer, but still many challenges
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bur4d1ZgOyc/100316101556.htm
Although there have been achievements in the battle against cancer, including a decrease in the rate of death and new diagnoses, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in the US, with a need for continued improvement in the areas of prevention, detection and treatment, according to a commentary.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
What makes you unique? Not genes so much as surrounding sequences, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XWxKMmubnwc/100318141536.htm
The key to human individuality may lie not in our genes, but in the sequences that surround and control them, according to new research.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Deep brain stimulation reduces epileptic seizures in patients with refractory partial and secondarily generalized seizures
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FwNMfEHygME/100318082016.htm
Patients with refractory partial and secondarily generalized seizures had a reduction in seizures after deep brain stimulation, according to new research. This multi-center clinical trial determined that the benefits of stimulation of the anterior nuclei of thalamus for epilepsy persisted and by 2 years there was a 56 percent reduction in seizure frequency.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Synthetic Biology: Engineered Bacteria
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YHNkPB8u-6o/100317231614.htm
Researchers have devised a way to attach sugars to proteins using unique biological and chemical methods. This means that large quantities of different glycoproteins can be generated for various medical and biological studies.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Staples lead to higher risk of infection after joint surgery than traditional stitches
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iZbkya_p35k/100316211327.htm
Using metal staples to close wounds after orthopedic (joint) surgery can lead to a greater risk of infection than using traditional nylon sutures, concludes a new study.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
From international harbor to native habitat: Detecting exotic pests before forest and agricultural invasion
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BUIDG5MyWSI/100316124239.htm
In the 1930s, soil used as ballast to weigh down cargo ships from South America to Mobile, Alabama introduced the red imported fire ant to the southern United States. Since then, the ants have been found as far north as Maryland and as far west as California, shorting out streetlights and eating through crops and native plants in the process. Since pests like the fire ant primarily enter the U.S. through international hubs like Mobile and then spread to nearby ecosystems, the early detection of exotic pests should start at the most vulnerable urban areas, researchers say.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Looming unemployment harms older workers' health
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nvLygpUAwOU/100318113752.htm
Downsizing and demotions at the workplace can be a health hazard for people over age 50, according to new research.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Cassini Shows Saturnian Roller Derby, Strange Weather
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4x5bpKREBaw/100318141745.htm
From our vantage point on Earth, Saturn may look like a peaceful orb with rings worthy of a carefully raked Zen garden, but NASA's Cassini spacecraft has been shadowing the gas giant long enough to see that the rings are a rough and tumble roller derby. It has also revealed that the planet itself roils with strange weather and shifting patterns of charged particles.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
New technique reduces tobacco smoke damage to lungs in mice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vggxi-l4k20/100318082020.htm
Researchers in Australia have demonstrated that blocking a certain protein can reduce or prevent cigarette smoke-induced lung inflammation in mice. Inflammation underlies the disease process of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and many other smoking-related ailments.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Electronic assistant to detect stress
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ef5N_rr9RsA/100317231106.htm
Researchers are developing electronic stress assistants that are supposed to monitor stress levels in everyday life -- a step towards preventing burnout and depression more effectively. In principle stress is a healthy reaction. In the short term, the stress reaction helps the body to adapt to the stressor. However, if the organism has no time to recover and the stress reaction proceeds over longer time, this can have adverse effects like cardiovascular diseases or mental illness.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Revisiting the need to detect circulating tumor cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aHxFuzsC-3E/100316164946.htm
One of the most dangerous characteristics of cancer is its ability to metastasize, or spread through the body. For this reason, oncologists have a major need for better tests to detect cells that break away from primary tumors to travel to other parts of the body. Effective identification of these cells, referred to as circulating tumor cells, could help guide treatment and improve quality of life for many cancer patients.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Porous China-Myanmar border allowing illegal wildlife trade, experts say
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/h4H9TdYeLYo/100316101651.htm
Porous borders are allowing vendors in Myanmar to offer a door-to-door delivery service for illegal wildlife products such as tiger bone wine to buyers in China, according to TRAFFIC's latest snapshot into wildlife trade in China.
Fri, 19 Mar 10
Shift workers at more risk for irritable bowel syndrome, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aD-uL-D8yDg/100318132508.htm
Nurses participating in shift work, especially those working rotating shifts, face a significantly increased risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome and abdominal pain compared to those working a standard day-time schedule, according to new research.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Dogs likely originated in the Middle East, new genetic data indicate
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4VoUJzo009s/100317144640.htm
Dogs likely originated in the Middle East, a new genetic analysis by an international team of scientists indicates. Previous genetic research suggested an East Asian origin for dogs.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Genes linked to ulcerative colitis identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZL3mBKRIwcU/100317091303.htm
A study of the human genome has now identified genes linked to ulcerative colitis, offering clues as to what causes the condition and potential avenues for new therapies to treat the disease.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Chemists influence stem-cell development with geometry
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/p4VZeT-2kAY/100317162000.htm
Scientists have successfully used geometrically patterned surfaces to influence the development of stem cells. The new approach is a departure from that of many stem-cell biologists, who focus instead on uncovering the role of proteins in controlling the fate of stem cells.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Obesity and passive smoking reduce oxygen supply to unborn baby
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1gbohgfvKPU/100316101659.htm
Babies born to mothers with obesity and exposed to passive smoking are more likely to have health problems than others. This conclusion is based on evidence of elevated levels of nucleated red blood cells in the umbilical cord.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
High Arctic species on thin ice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AbfX-eH2Wtc/100317101342.htm
A new assessment of the Arctic's biodiversity reports a 26 percent decline in species populations in the high Arctic.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Smoking, but not past alcohol abuse, may impair mental function, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iKGOdb25Rhg/100316083721.htm
Men and women with a history of alcohol abuse may not see long-term negative effects on their memory and thinking, but female smokers do, a new study suggests.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Fast growing primitive black holes discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HehIdp2ks_U/100317144627.htm
The most distant quasars found in the early universe, a mere 800 million years after the Big Bang, have been observed by astronomers.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Potent radiation treatment provides tumor control for patients with inoperable lung cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5m-uUrjeyfY/100316101552.htm
Early findings suggest a radiation therapy that involves numerous highly-focused and potent radiation beams provides targeted tumor control in nearly all patients, reduces treatment-related illness, and may ultimately improve survival for patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer, according to a new study.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Prescribed burns may help reduce US carbon footprint
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OGfFXJuNHyE/100317121352.htm
The use of prescribed burns to manage Western forests may help the United States reduce its carbon footprint. A new study finds that such burns, often used by forest managers to reduce underbrush and protect bigger trees, release substantially less carbon dioxide emissions than wildfires of the same size.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Anti-obesity drugs unlikely to provide lasting benefit, according to scientists
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/u2AdZv4stAQ/100316112448.htm
Scientists argue that anti-obesity drugs fail to provide lasting benefits for health and well-being because they tackle the biological consequences of obesity, and not the important psychological causes of over-consumption and weight gain.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Computer scientists create a multilingual search engine
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZPRwKxYXAbc/100316235821.htm
Researchers have developed a multilingual search engine to query a contents repository written in Interlingua using questions formulated in any language. The search engine returns a precise answer in the language in which the question was formulated.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Media reports may paint overly optimistic view of cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/izG6Mig2vzs/100316101558.htm
Newspaper and magazine reports about cancer appear more likely to discuss aggressive treatment and survival than death, treatment failure or adverse events, and almost none mention end-of-life palliative or hospice care, according to a report.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Fossil of rare armor-plated worm-like creature discovered in Canada's capital
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/o2TWGTnjsw0/100316142523.htm
Scientists have unearthed the remains of one of the world's rarest fossils -- in downtown Ottawa, Canada. The 450-million-year-old fossil preserves the complete skeleton of a plumulitid machaeridian, one of only 8 such specimens known. Plumulitids were annelid worms -- the group including earthworms, bristleworms and leeches, today found everywhere from the deepest sea to the soil in your yard -- and although plumulitids were small they reveal important evidence of how this major group of organisms evolved.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Selenium protects men against diabetes, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0rS3dbre0L0/100317212646.htm
The role of selenium in diabetes has been controversial, with some studies suggesting that it raises diabetes risk and others finding that it is protective. Now, research has shown that, for men, high plasma selenium concentrations are associated with a lower occurrence of dysglycemia.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
How cells protect themselves from cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WaSggy8LTS0/100316101653.htm
Cells have two different protection programs to safeguard them from getting out of control under stress and from dividing without stopping and developing cancer. Now for the first time, using an animal model for lymphoma, cancer researchers have shown that these two protection programs work together through an interaction with normal immune cells to prevent tumors. Their findings may be of fundamental importance in the fight against cancer.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Significant amount of inappropriate CT and MRI referrals from primary care physicians, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0Gs5Ik3U-Rg/100301091308.htm
A large academic medical center has found that a significant percentage of outpatient referrals they receive from primary care physicians for computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging studies are inappropriate (based upon evidence-based appropriateness criteria developed by a radiology benefits management company), according to a new study.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Switch mechanism for controlling traffic in cells discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DJEc12HihW0/100317161947.htm
Scientists have identified a mechanism that switches on an extremely important process for the proper functioning and survival of our body's cells. Specifically, the fast-track transportation pathway of "cargo" to and from the surface of the cell.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Mother is 'more essential' to orphans than breadwinner father, research suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BytJvXFG9iQ/100317223251.htm
The role of a mother in African families is even more essential to the well-being of a child than the role played by the breadwinner father, according to a new study.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Brain naturally follows scientific method? Less effort to register 'predictable' images
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/u8BcQyzGHh4/100311101602.htm
It turns out that there is a striking similarity between how the human brain determines what is going on in the outside world and the job of scientists. Good science involves formulating a hypothesis and testing whether this hypothesis is compatible with the scientist's observations. Researchers have now shown that this is what the brain does as well. A study shows that it takes less effort for the brain to register predictable as compared to unpredictable images.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Low levels of vitamin D linked to higher rates of asthma in African-American kids
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Dn8jx9-XIUQ/100317112055.htm
Researchers have discovered that African American children with asthma in metropolitan Washington, DC, are significantly more likely to have low levels of vitamin D than healthy African-American children. This study supports recent research that suggests vitamin D plays a greater role in the body than just keeping bones healthy. Vitamin D deficiency has been recently linked to a variety of non-bone related diseases including depression, autoimmune disorders, and now asthma.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Staying the course: Fruit flies employ stabilizer reflex to recover from midflight stumbles
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/g61c3yyeMkg/100301151933.htm
Observing the aerial maneuvers of fruit flies, researchers have uncovered how the insects -- when disturbed by sharp gusts of wind -- right themselves and stay on course. Fruit flies use an automatic stabilizer reflex that helps them recover with precision from midflight stumbles.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Drug dramatically reduces nausea and vomiting in bone marrow transplant patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GkrFD2wC3HU/100301091258.htm
Bone marrow transplant patients say two of the most debilitating side effects of the treatment are nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy and radiation. But a new study has found the drug aprepitant can dramatically reduce both nausea and vomiting when combined with other anti-nausea drugs.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Molecules in cell membranes move in a flowing motion rather than chaotically, new research finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pcuDcS6ewn0/100301164749.htm
Researchers in Spain have discovered that the molecules in cell membranes move in a flowing motion rather than chaotically, as previously thought.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Hypnotherapy eases irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, expert says
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nykl3iyBC-4/100317212652.htm
Hypnotherapy seems to be very effective for easing the distressing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and in a goodly proportion of cases, clears up symptoms altogether, reveal experts.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Phylogenetic analysis of Mexican cave scorpions suggests adaptation to caves is reversible
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZSTLUPx0ZrI/100312133722.htm
A new study of the scorpion family Typhlochactidae, a group of nine dark-adapted species endemic to Mexico, shows that specialized traits are not necessarily an evolutionary dead end. At least three reversals, or a return to generalized morphology, were found in a phylogenetic analysis.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Newer cornea transplant surgery shows short- and long-term promise
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SHZX3Ewubac/100301091300.htm
One year post-surgery, patients who underwent Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) experienced greater cell loss overall compared to those who underwent penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), according to a new analysis of data. However, the study showed that cell loss in DSAEK patients plateaued more quickly than in those who underwent PKP.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Cells of aggressive leukemia hijack normal protein to grow
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BH9rXA3hZWQ/100226115127.htm
Researchers have found that one particularly aggressive type of blood cancer, mixed lineage leukemia, has an unusual way to keep the molecular motors running. The cancer cells rely on the normal version of an associated protein to stay alive.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
If you take simvastatin to control cholesterol, watch out for infection, says new report
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/25C-D7f__Eo/100301091430.htm
Simvastatin might help us control our cholesterol, but when it comes to infection, it's an entirely different story says a new research study. Scientists have shown that simvastatin delivers a one-two punch to the immune system. First it impairs the ability of specialized immune cells, called macrophages, to kill pathogens. Then, it enhances production of molecules, called cytokines, which trigger and sustain inflammation.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
How can accidental captures of loggerhead turtles be reduced?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yvxmP1X5wJ8/100226093221.htm
Scientists have studied interactions between the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and fishing gear such as longline hooks used at the water surface, mass beachings, and the effects of climate change on these animals. In order to reduce captures of this marine species without causing economic losses for fishermen, the scientists are proposing that fishing in the summer should only be carried out by night and in areas more than 35 nautical miles from land.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Some clinical trials explicitly exclude gay and lesbian patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wVD3XqPFH24/100317212642.htm
All clinical trials have guidelines that clearly state who can and cannot participate, but according to the National Institutes of Health these guidelines are typically based on age, gender, previous treatment history, the type and stage of a disease, and other medically relevant factors. However, researchers have now gathered evidence indicating that some trials explicitly exclude individuals based on their sexual orientation.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Water oxidation advance boosts potential for solar fuel
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ibdmDt7x5gc/100311141207.htm
Chemists have developed the most potent homogeneous catalyst known for water oxidation, considered a crucial component for generating clean hydrogen fuel using only water and sunlight.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Another serious eye disease, uveitis, linked to smoking
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hYAZLDl-DEk/100301135215.htm
Smoking is already a known risk factor for age-related macular degeneration, cataract and thyroid eye disease. Now, the first study to specifically examine the impact of smoking on uveitis-inflammation of the eye's middle layer of tissue-indicates that tobacco smoke likely plays a role in this serious eye disease, as well. In the United States about 10 percent of blindness is caused by uveitis.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
'Smart Hip' monitors real-time performance of bone implants, stimulates bone growth
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/e21ma31aRK0/100228074141.htm
To monitor the real-time performance of bone implants is the challenge of "Smart Hip," an innovative medical device that aims to reduce the number of surgical interventions in the hip area and regenerate bone tissue by using non-evasive methods. The device -- developed by an engineering doctoral student in Portugal -- has already been successfully tested on animals.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Ghrelin mitigates liver fibrosis in animal models; regulates human fibrosis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/F5EyRuGYxXI/100301091410.htm
Spanish researchers determined that rats treated with recombinant ghrelin displayed a reduction in liver fibrosis. Ghrelin, a stomach hormone, reduced the amount of fibrogenic cells by 25 percent in the treated rodents. Research further showed ghrelin prevented acute liver damage and reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in the animal models.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Chitosan as alternative to growth-promoting antibiotics for cattle and other ruminants
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ynHt1L6rTHU/100226093215.htm
The natural-occurring biopolymer known as chitosan is being put forward as an effective alternative to growth-promoting antibiotics in the diet of ruminants, according to new research.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
When mom has an eating problem
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qOuM7xtceco/100317112101.htm
Norwegian research reveal the nature of emotional problems experienced by mothers with eating difficulties. Guilt and shame are key factors. Health workers need better training in order to be able to spot and alleviate such problems.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Marine Mr. Mom: Male pipefish gives birth, but some are deadbeat dads, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ywB9qYt7Rqs/100317144638.htm
Male pipefishes and their seahorse cousins are the only males that actually become pregnant and give birth, but pipefishes likely will never win any "Father of The Year" awards -- their attitude towards their offspring can range from total love to total neglect, according to new findings.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Disabling Skp2 gene helps shut down cancer growth
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/50EWVyyxu4k/100317144636.htm
Increased understanding of the Skp2 gene and its relation to cellular senescence may lead to the development of novel agents that can suppress tumor development in common types of cancer, researchers report.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Modified home video game shows promise for improving hand function in teens with cerebral palsy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5QbFwx324eI/100317144642.htm
Engineers have modified a popular home video game system to help teenagers with cerebral palsy improve their hand functions. In a pilot trial, the system improved the teens' abilities to perform a range of daily personal and household activities. The modified system with custom-developed software and games provided exercise routines aimed at improving hand speed and range of finger motion.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Drug metabolism: How enzymes interact is important to toxicity and effectiveness
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vesqPxctzDY/100317112057.htm
Researchers have found that drug metabolism depends not only upon which enzymes are present in an individual, but also how they interact, and that can be the difference in whether a drug is safely eliminated from the body or is converted into a toxic or carcinogenic byproduct.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Ivory enforcement failures identified in parts of Africa, Asia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/viOWT6CYI80/100317091257.htm
Urgent law enforcement action by governments in Central and West Africa and Southeast Asia is crucial to addressing the illicit ivory trade, according to a new analysis of elephant trade data. Detailed regional summaries of the data held in the Elephant Trade Information System, the world's largest database on ivory seizures, highlight the failure of law enforcement in key elephant range states.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Difficulty trusting and reaching out to others may shorten diabetes patients' lives
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-1Eecco1gxg/100317132012.htm
Being overly cautious or dismissive in relating to others, including health-care providers, may shorten the lives of people with diabetes. In a five-year study, diabetes patients who had a lower propensity to reach out to others had a higher mortality rate than those who felt comfortable seeking support. There are approaches that health-care professionals might try to improve collaboration with patients who have an independent relationship style.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Could regulating intestinal inflammation prevent colon cancer?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sViHmEuG4jI/100317112053.htm
Every day, our gut comes in contact with bacteria, inducing an inflammatory response that is tolerated and controlled. Sometimes the control of inflammation is lost and this can lead to inflammatory bowel disease that may predispose to colon cancer. Caspase-1, an important protein involved in the mechanism of inflammation, has long been believed to be one of the culprits behind excessive inflammation in the colon. Researchers suggest the opposite in a new study.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Surprise Shrimp Under Antarctic Ice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wcHDGAZeqwI/100317111505.htm
At a depth of 600 feet beneath the West Antarctic ice sheet, a small shrimp-like creature managed to brighten up an otherwise gray polar day.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Urban pollution affects cardiac function: Initial results in the healthy rat
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ioj-PUf_pws/100317000025.htm
In the healthy rat, prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) under conditions that mimic urban pollution leads to changes to cardiac morphology and function. Compensatory mechanisms develop in these animals to sustain normal cardiac activity, but they become more vulnerable to heart disease. The results provide cellular proof in the rat of a direct effect of urban pollution on cardiac function. Studies are ongoing to verify these findings in humans.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Some 40 percent of surface disinfectants ineffective in eliminating viruses that cause gastroenteritis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WStv31xM4po/100317101355.htm
Some 40 percent of commercial disinfectants used to clean surfaces are believed to be ineffective in eliminating noroviruses, a group of viruses responsible for more than half of all food-borne gastroenteritis outbreaks. According to a recent study, only bleach-based disinfectants drastically reduce the concentration of these viruses.
Thu, 18 Mar 10
Thrill-seeking holidaymakers may be putting dolphins at risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SXe9vJUA5X4/100316191448.htm
Tourists wanting to watch and swim with dolphins are now being urged to keep their distance in a bid to protect both the animals and the local communities whose livelihoods depend on them.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Jaws -- 4 million BC: How an extinct shark attacked its prey
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4LP_inXP1SQ/100316142519.htm
Palaeontologists have discovered evidence of how an extinct shark attacked its prey, reconstructing a killing that took place 4 million years ago.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Blocking cancer in its path: New cellular defect discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4fIHAwQk89s/100316152520.htm
Researchers have discovered that a key cellular defect that disturbs the production of proteins in human cells can lead to cancer susceptibility. The scientists also found that a new generation of inhibitory drugs offers promise in correcting this defect.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Russian lunar rover found: 37-year-old space mystery solved
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DX1j3B3oeDY/100316164950.htm
A Canadian researcher has helped solve a 37-year-old space mystery using lunar images released by NASA and maps from an atlas of the moon.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Severe acid reflux: Stomach wraps effective in short to medium term
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/McD03Y2j4Is/100316191444.htm
Stomach wrap operations may be more effective than acid suppression tablets in the treatment of severe acid reflux, according to a new review. The study shows a more pronounced improvement in symptoms shortly after surgery than with drug treatment.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
NASA's chopper crash test a smash hit
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/h5WOyvReQHE/100316183637.htm
The second crash test of a small lightweight helicopter at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., was a smashing success, literally -- just as engineers had predicted.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Depression: Antidepressants beneficial in physically ill patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OVe7KxPV6wI/100316191446.htm
Antidepressants are effective against depression in patients suffering from physical illnesses, according to a new systematic review in the UK. The researchers found the drugs were more effective than placebos at treating depression in these patients.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Frogs, foam and fuel: Solar energy converted to sugars
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/k7YZ8E43Dfg/100316142527.htm
In natural photosynthesis, plants take in solar energy and carbon dioxide and then convert it to oxygen and sugars. The oxygen is released to the air and the sugars are dispersed throughout the plant -- like that sweet corn we look for in the summer. Unfortunately, the allocation of light energy into products we use is not as efficient as we would like. Now engineering researchers are doing something about that.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Potential new drug for type 2 diabetes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/B8ZgMqXKRag/100315144816.htm
An experimental oral drug has lowered blood sugar levels and inflammation in mice with Type 2 diabetes, suggesting that the medication could someday be added to the arsenal of drugs used by millions of Americans with this disease, according to new research.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Brain abnormalities identified that result from prenatal methamphetamine exposure
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ki4AKLZuIH8/100316174208.htm
Children whose mothers abused methamphetamine (meth) during pregnancy show brain abnormalities that may be more severe than that of children exposed to alcohol prenatally, according to a new study. While researchers have long known that drug abuse during pregnancy can alter fetal brain development, this finding shows the potential impact of meth. Identifying vulnerable brain structures may help predict particular learning and behavioral problems in meth-exposed children.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
New study finds 70 percent of able-bodied hockey players have abnormal hip and pelvis MRIs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sKI0TU91neY/100313115328.htm
Seventy percent of healthy professional and collegiate hockey players had abnormal hip and pelvis MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging), even though they had no symptoms of injury, according to a new study. The study's surprising findings could serve as a warning for surgeons to not depend excessively on imaging when diagnosing patients.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Environmental and social impact of the 'livestock revolution'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8cMhOFPHDGY/100316101703.htm
Global meat production has tripled in the past three decades and could double its present level by 2050, according to a major report on the livestock industry. The impact of this "livestock revolution" is likely to have significant consequences for human health, the environment and the global economy, the authors conclude.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Was the recent US stock market drop accompanied by more heart attacks?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0FuqTsoEzps/100315104038.htm
A novel report explores the possible relationship between fluctuations in the stock market and the incidence of local heart attacks.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Metallic glass yields secrets under pressure
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zauhOrqeq_U/100316142525.htm
Metallic glasses are potentially useful materials at the frontier of materials science research. They combine the advantages and avoid many of the problems of normal metals and glasses, two classes of materials with a wide range of applications. Scientists used high pressure to probe the connection between the density and electronic structure of a cerium-aluminum metallic glass, opening up new possibilities for developing metallic glasses for specific purposes.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Level of gene alters risk of Alzheimer's disease, researchers find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XgrZ2qTPBGI/100315144820.htm
Using sophisticated techniques that scan the genomes of patients, researchers have found that a gene appears to either help protect against development of Alzheimer's disease, or promote the disorder depending on the level of gene in the brain.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Brain plaques may explain higher risk of Alzheimer's based on mom's history
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YdTQSunXiSg/100315161921.htm
A family history of Alzheimer's is one of the biggest risk factors for developing the memory-robbing disease, which affects more than 5 million Americans and is the most common form of senile dementia. Researchers have found the likely basis for this heightened familial risk -- especially from the maternal side.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Antiseptic cloths associated with reduced rate of treatment-resistant bacteria in the trauma center
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7I0GID3prcQ/100315161730.htm
Bathing trauma patients daily using cloths containing the antiseptic chlorhexidine may be associated with a decreased rate of colonization and infection by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other difficult-to-treat bacteria, according to a new report.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Scarcity of phosphorus threat to global food production
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sIGzGPdImlE/100311092124.htm
Phosphorus is just as important to agriculture as water. But a lack of availability and accessibility of phosphorus is an emerging problem that threatens our capacity to feed the global population. Like nitrogen and potassium, it is a nutrient that plants take up from the soil and it is crucial to soil fertility and crop growth.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
African-Americans have highest cancer rates of all racial ethnicities, yet feel less at risk, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tw1Q2BTKxc4/100315144818.htm
Mammograms, pap smears and early detection tests for prostate cancer, colorectal cancer and other malignancies are critical for catching cancer before it becomes deadly. However, a new study shows that persons of different ethnic groups have different ideas and opinions about whether they are at risk for developing cancer -- perceptions that can influence whether they undergo screening.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Scientists establish leech as model for study of reproductive behavior
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tFWUzXpSlSE/100316142521.htm
Researchers have discovered that injecting a simple hormone into leeches creates a novel way to study how hormones and the nervous system work together to produce species-specific reproductive behavior.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Treating vitamin D deficiency significantly reduces heart disease risk, studies find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vGcIRoLTGKk/100315161716.htm
Researchers in Utah last fall demonstrated the link between vitamin D deficiency and increased risk for coronary artery disease. These new studies show that treating vitamin D deficiency with supplements may help to prevent or reduce a person's risk for cardiovascular disease and a host of other chronic conditions. Researchers also establish what level of vitamin D further enhances that risk reduction.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
The mode of action of certain toxins that accumulate in seafood
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0lb8qBBo3XE/100311092118.htm
Toxins released by certain microalgae can contaminate fish and shellfish which then become toxic to humans. Researchers have, for the first time, identified the mechanisms of action of two of these toxins. They have shown how and why they cause neurological symptoms. These findings could provide a basis for the development of new tests to screen for these toxins.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Some older ER patients are getting the wrong medicines
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/h9XesJjZ5Ds/100312134943.htm
It is common for patients 65 and older to receive potentially inappropriate medications when treated in an emergency room. Nearly 19.5 million older patients, or 16.8 percent of eligible emergency visits from 2000-2006, received one or more of these medications.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Southern Ocean winds open window to the deep sea
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/29R5kZrClyI/100315103820.htm
Scientists have discovered how changes in winds blowing on the Southern Ocean drive variations in the depth of the surface layer of sea water responsible for regulating exchanges of heat and carbon dioxide between the ocean and the atmosphere.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Parents may not understand or recall risks associated with children's surgery
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DV2Gi39N1zQ/100315161733.htm
Parents of children undergoing ear, nose and throat surgery do not appear to remember all of the risks of the procedures explained to them by clinicians, even when detailed surgical risk counseling and data sheets are used, according to a new report.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Flowering plants may be considerably older than previously thought
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/J6wyiQmKme4/100315161919.htm
Flowering plants may be considerably older than previously thought, says a new analysis of the plant family tree. Previous studies suggest that flowering plants, or angiosperms, first arose 140 to 190 million years ago. Now, a new article pushes back the age of angiosperms to 215 million years ago, some 25 to 75 million years earlier than either the fossil record or previous molecular studies suggest.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Obesity and alcohol act together to increase the risk of liver disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HIF-DzoZlHk/100311191806.htm
Two studies show that obesity and alcohol act together to increase the risk of liver disease in both men and women.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Seeking dark matter on a desktop
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZtXHVEevBhQ/100315125647.htm
Desktop experiments could point the way to dark matter discovery, complementing grand astronomical searches and deep underground observations. According to recent theoretical results, small blocks of matter on a tabletop could reveal elusive properties of the as-yet-unidentified dark matter particles that make up a quarter of the universe.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Study assesses complications associated with nasal ventilation in newborns
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HHSpXCMB_Yc/100315161906.htm
More than 10 percent of newborns who receive oxygenation and ventilation using nasal continuous airway pressure in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may experience complications inside or outside the nose, according to a new report.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Safer, greener cars: Cork may be better than polymer foam, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Dm34I3Oc7Vk/100312143352.htm
Crash-test dummies could soon be facing vehicle collision tests in cars padded with cork rather than traditional materials such as polymer foams or porous aluminium metal, according to Portuguese engineers.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Underpriveleged patients not as likely to be referred to specialty hospitals for brain tumors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ApDtsWvH0MA/100315161724.htm
African-American, Hispanic and economically disadvantaged patients with brain tumors are significantly less likely to be referred to high-volume hospitals that specialize in neurosurgery than other patients of similar age, the same gender, and with similar comorbidities, according to new research.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
How plants put down roots: Geneticists research organ development in the plant embryo
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NzCMC40nozQ/100315132706.htm
Scientists have investigated how the thale cress, Arabidopsis thaliana, forms its first roots: the root founder cell in the tiny group of cells contained in the seed is activated by a combination of a plant hormone and a transcription factor. These insights could contribute to the breeding of plants with a particularly effective root system in the future.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Amniotic fluid cells more efficiently reprogrammed to pluripotency than adult cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sFZPyupOkJE/100315125557.htm
In a breakthrough that may help fill a critical need in stem cell research and patient care, researchers have demonstrated that skin cells found in human amniotic fluid can be efficiently "reprogrammed" to pluripotency, where they have characteristics similar to human embryonic stem cells that can develop into almost any type of cell in the human body.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Chemicals that eased one environmental problem may worsen another
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OsOb7pgUHD0/100303114001.htm
Chemicals that helped solve a global environmental crisis in the 1990s -- the hole in Earth's protective ozone layer -- may be making another problem -- acid rain -- worse, scientists are reporting. A new study analyzes the effect of chemicals that replaced the ozone-destroying chlorofluorocarbons once used in aerosol spray cans, air conditioners, refrigerators, and other products.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Cardiac rehabilitation helps survival time in heart patients receiving stent therapy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FZnGdD4h-c0/100315125659.htm
Researchers have found that cardiac rehabilitation is associated with significantly reduced mortality rates for patients who have had stents placed to treat blockages in their coronary arteries.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Earthquake observatory in Northern Chile to monitor the last seismic gap
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xWMyhFVz_G8/100315125559.htm
The high-magnitude earthquake of Feb. 27, 2010 in southern Central Chile closed one of the two remaining seismic gaps at the South American plate boundary. After the quake of Concepción, the remaining gap in the north of Chile now holds potential for a comparable strong quake and is, thus, moving more and more into the focus of attention.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
People will forgo luxury for green products when status is on mind, researcher finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6wGkYiLjuhA/100315132702.htm
A new study finds that people will forgo luxury and comfort for a green item.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Jupiter's spot seen glowing: Scientists get first look at weather inside the solar system's biggest storm
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VNcancXpAho/100316174210.htm
New ground-breaking thermal images obtained with ESO's Very Large Telescope and other powerful ground-based telescopes show swirls of warmer air and cooler regions never seen before within Jupiter's Great Red Spot, enabling scientists to make the first detailed interior weather map of the giant storm system linking its temperature, winds, pressure and composition with its color.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
As girth grows, risk of sudden cardiac death shrinks
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5jWxM7QCBok/100316142553.htm
Being skinny confers no advantage when it comes to the risk of dying suddenly from cardiac causes, new research suggests. Scientists found that non-obese heart failure patients -- including overweight, normal and underweight patients -- had a 76 percent increase in risk of sudden cardiac death compared to obese heart failure patients. Normal and underweight patients showed a startling 99 percent increase in risk for sudden cardiac death compared to obese patients.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Catastrophic flooding may be more predictable with new models
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YCVsIFDwI8k/100316142513.htm
Researchers have created a miniature river delta that replicates flooding patterns seen in natural rivers, resulting in a mathematical model capable of aiding in the prediction of the next catastrophic flood.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Therapeutics for trauma patients may not be effective if infection is present
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pB4sJ3Vi4xU/100316101701.htm
A new study is analyzing how the immune system is involved in damage to the intestines following hemorrhagic shock. While studying the effects of a complement inhibitor given following hemorrhage, it found that Helicobacter infection changes the body's mechanistic response and would therefore affect the therapeutics given to trauma patients.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Ultra-powerful laser makes silicon pump liquid uphill with no added energy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oY_3hqelrc8/100316112450.htm
Researchers have discovered a way to make liquid flow vertically upward along a silicon surface, overcoming the pull of gravity, without pumps or other mechanical devices. The research could lead to the design of better computer cooling systems.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Heart abnormalities diagnosed in World Trade Center workers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GuNz_7XEsn4/100316101657.htm
The World Trade Center collapse has caused potentially dangerous heart problems in responders on-site, according to new research.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
UV exposure has increased over the last 30 years, but stabilized since the mid-1990s
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IOMy380omuc/100316142529.htm
NASA scientists analyzing 30 years of satellite data have found that the amount of ultraviolet radiation reaching Earth's surface has increased markedly over the last three decades. Most of the increase has occurred in the mid-and-high latitudes, and there's been little or no increase in tropical regions.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
New hormone treatment shows potential to reverse infertility
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tRxDZAk3bnM/100315230914.htm
Twice weekly injections of the hormone kisspeptin may provide a new treatment to restore fertility in some women. The findings show that twice-weekly injections of kisspeptin can lead to increases in the levels of sex hormones, which control the menstrual cycle. This is the first study to show this effect can be maintained over the long term and it may lead to new therapies for women whose infertility is due to low sex hormone levels.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Robot teaches stroke survivors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0O8HG_DKD70/100315104034.htm
Shaking hands with a robotic arm could be a new way to help stroke patients learn to use their arms again. Researchers report a pilot trial of the "Braccio di Ferro" (iron arm) robot in 10 patients.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Keeping up with the neighbors speeds vaccine use
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MB9Jqtl4kQo/100315201636.htm
Researchers have conducted an analysis of worldwide use of Haemophilus influenza Type b vaccine (Hib) to determine what factors influenced a nation's adoption of the vaccine. The study found that a nation's eligibility for support from the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization and whether a country's neighbors used the vaccine were major influencing factors in addition to price of the vaccine.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
An express-lane for the Internet
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/b3OG5MKyIDU/100315230004.htm
The Internet is expected to be inundated in the future with billions of gigabytes (or exabytes) of data as high-definition video and other bandwidth-busting downloads become the norm. The cost of upgrading the Internet for this so-called "exaflood" could make Web connections too expensive for most consumers. Internet service providers may be able to keep prices down by opening up an express-lane for large data hauls.
Wed, 17 Mar 10
Family mealtimes help children with asthma breathe easier, study says
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Zz2uZGrIxAU/100316112452.htm
Children who have asthma are at high risk for separation anxiety, but a new study has found a home remedy that parents can use -- regular family mealtimes.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Golden bullet for cancer? Nanoparticles provide targeted version of photothermal therapy for cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/u8rRu6ppxGE/100312164701.htm
Nanocages that efficiently convert light to heat are the basis for a targeted form of phototherapy that would destroy tumors without making cancer patients sick.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Female sex chromosomes, not just hormones, help regulate blood pressure
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5yifj_SOIuw/100315161720.htm
Researchers have determined that something in female sex chromosomes appears to trigger a rise in blood pressure after the onset of menopause. This finding challenges the current belief that sex hormones are largely responsible for regulating blood pressure.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Monkeys choose variety for variety's sake
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Vkxwsbpfx4U/100315125649.htm
Given a choice between spending a token to get their absolute favorite food or spending it to have a choice from a buffet of options, capuchin monkeys will opt for variety.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Surgeons use neck muscle, surrounding tissue as lip implant
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BAjVSribCYs/100315161908.htm
Augmenting the lips with grafts of muscle and connective tissue from the neck appears to result in improved appearance for at least two years, according to a new report.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Formula for making teeth will soon be found, researchers say
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6bFuCZu6Cdo/100315103940.htm
Each cusp of our teeth is regulated by genes which carefully control the development. A similar genetic puzzle also regulates the differentiation of our other organs and of all living organisms. Scientists have developed a computer model reproducing population-level variation in complex structures like teeth and organs. The research takes a step towards the growing of correctly shaped teeth and other organs.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
March Madness: Bracket seedings irrelevant after Sweet Sixteen round
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0Fu4T3-G21A/100315162045.htm
For the average college basketball fan looking for an edge in a March Madness office pool, an expert in statistics and data analysis has some advice on how to pick winners: After the Sweet Sixteen round of play, ignore a team's seeding, which is a statistically insignificant predictor of a team's chances of winning.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Super supernova: White dwarf star system exceeds mass limit
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vqzsEjsmYA8/100315162049.htm
Astronomers have, for the first time, measured the mass of a type of supernova thought to belong to a unique subclass and confirmed that it surpasses what was believed to be an upper mass limit. Their findings could affect the way cosmologists measure the expansion of the universe.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Erectile dysfunction strong predictor of death, cardiovascular outcomes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aduhDKFxvHM/100315161911.htm
Men with cardiovascular disease and erectile dysfunction (ED) are at higher risk for death from all causes and also are more likely to suffer cardiovascular death, heart attack, stroke and heart failure hospitalization, according to a new study. Treatments effective in reducing cardiovascular disease had no effect on ED. Erectile dysfunction should be considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, researchers said.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Babies are born to dance, new research shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/99UT9LeBDSI/100315161925.htm
A study of infants finds they respond to the rhythm and tempo of music and find it more engaging than speech. The research suggest that babies may be born with a predisposition to move rhythmically in response to music.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
New avenue for developing treatments for genetic muscle-wasting disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZUURbMHZ98Y/100315103948.htm
Scientists have identified a promising new approach for developing drugs to treat Spinal muscular atrophy, the leading inherited cause of death in infants and toddlers. They have found that an enzyme called RhoA is overly active in a mouse model of this disease, and a common laboratory compound that blocks this enzyme can greatly increase survival.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Computational feat speeds finding of genes to milliseconds instead of years
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WUpK7UyumOc/100315161915.htm
Like a magician who says, "Pick a card, any card," computer scientist Debashis Sahoo seemed to be offering some kind of trick when he asked researchers to pick any two genes already known to be involved in stem cell development. Finding such genes can take years and hundreds of thousands of dollars, but Sahoo was promising the skeptical stem cell scientists that, in a fraction of a second and for practically zero cost, he could find new genes involved in the same developmental pathway as the two genes provided. Sahoo went on to show that this amazing feat could actually be performed.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Today's youth aren't 'ego-driven slackers' after all
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JeE72bZx5tQ/100315104030.htm
Today's youth are generally not the self-centered, antisocial slackers that previous research has made them out to be, according to a provocative new study.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
3-D cell culture: Making cells feel right at home, suspended in magnetic fields
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kD-UvYdDPpY/100315162056.htm
New research takes aim at a biological icon: the two-dimensional petri dish. Scientists have found a simple way to suspend cells in magnetic fields so they grow into three-dimensional cell cultures. Compared with flat cell cultures, the 3-D cell cultures more closely resemble real tissues from the body and should provide more realistic targets for testing new drugs.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Fruit flies and test tubes open new window on Alzheimer's disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EygZyY3mVDA/100315201633.htm
Scientists have discovered a molecule that can prevent a toxic protein involved Alzheimer's disease from building up in the brain. They found that in test tube studies the molecule not only prevents the protein from forming clumps but can also reverse this process. Then, using fruit flies with Alzheimer's disease, they showed that the same molecule effectively "cures" the insects of the disease.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Chemical in bananas identified as potent inhibitor of HIV infection
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MTLZBGGdPvI/100315091303.htm
A potent new inhibitor of HIV, derived from bananas, may open the door to new treatments to prevent sexual transmission of HIV, according to a new study.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
How muscle cells control fatty acid uptake
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ob5jOEIS76Q/100315103934.htm
A new study shows that the blood vessels and muscles of the heart can regulate the uptake of fatty acids that we ingest through meat, milk products and other food. The researchers have also identified the way in which regulation is governed by the muscles themselves. The results open the way for new forms of treatment for pathological fat accumulation in the muscles which, in turn, increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Controlling structure on the nanoscale could lead to better superconductors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BgB3INMOCrE/100315091305.htm
A new experiment shows how adjacent regions affect each other in superconductors, and suggests ways that the materials could be improved by controlling their nanoscopic structures.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Exploring status quo bias in the human brain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AjRrDAtTP30/100315162041.htm
The more difficult the decision we face, the more likely we are not to act, according to new research by scientists that examines the neural pathways involved in "status quo bias" in the human brain.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
New hand bacteria study holds promise for forensics identification
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Dtz2n06g4W8/100315161718.htm
Forensic scientists may soon have a valuable new item in their toolkits -- a way to identify individuals using unique, telltale types of hand bacteria left behind on objects like keyboards and computer mice, says a new study.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Studies reveal substantial increases in non-melanoma skin cancers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RIADLTXGgZg/100315161726.htm
Both new diagnoses and a history of non-melanoma skin cancer appear to have become increasingly common, and the disease affects more individuals than all other cancers combined, according to two new reports.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Diabetes' link to eating disorders explored
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Sfi1tP4VkMw/100311123618.htm
Diabetics, under the gun to better manage their disease by controlling their food intake and weight, may find themselves in the sticky wicket of needing treatment that makes them hungry, researchers said.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Palpable breast cancers are more common in women not undergoing annual mammography
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fzrqltGJhG4/100315125553.htm
New research findings indicate that some breast cancers continue to be detected as a palpable lump rather than being found through mammographic screening. Patients who presented with palpable tumors -- those detected as a result of breast complaint or during examination -- had larger tumors and were at a more advanced stage at diagnosis.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Yellow fever strikes monkey populations in South America
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KJBNM59UNFE/100311175131.htm
A group of Argentine scientists have announced that yellow fever is the culprit in a 2007-2008 die-off of howler monkeys in northeastern Argentina, a finding that underscores the importance of paying attention to the health of wildlife and how the health of people and wild nature are so closely linked.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Trauma of war doubles asthma risk among civilians
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MIb95iuklzM/100315201629.htm
Living through the trauma of war seems to increase the risk of developing asthma, suggests new research.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
One gene lost = one limb regained? Scientists demonstrate mammalian regeneration through a single gene deletion
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QKpzkhVcvQY/100315161913.htm
The absence of a single gene, called p21, confers a healing potential in mice long thought to be reserved only for creatures like flatworms, sponges, and some species of salamander: regeneration. Researchers demonstrate that mice that lack the gene can regenerate lost or damaged tissue, suggesting that such an ability may be granted to mammals by blocking the effects of p21.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Neuroimaging study describes Alzheimer's disease-like changes in elderly people without the disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yFHgifUUIPk/100315103936.htm
Researchers have related the findings that are emerging from PET-PIB imaging to changes in the function of brain circuits.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Bt protein found effective against parasitic roundworm infections
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/H_UMoFo0Xeg/100301201935.htm
Biologists have discovered that a protein from a soil bacterium used to kill insects naturally on organic crops is a highly effective treatment for intestinal parasitic roundworms.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Researchers uncover new data about protein function in Joubert syndrome
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yL6uEjG0bWU/100315103816.htm
Researchers in Ireland have gained new understanding of the role played by the cilial protein Arl13b in Joubert syndrome (JS), a rare disorder characterized by developmental delay, mental retardation, and low muscle tone, among other symptoms.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Potential CITES trade ban for rare salamander underscores wildlife e-commerce
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jsvg5E_rjEQ/100315103942.htm
A little-known Iranian salamander is poised to become the first example of a species requiring international government protection because of e-commerce -- a major threat to endangered wildlife that authorities are struggling to address.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Young Britons see significantly more smoking in movies than US peers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Oy0VOY7Y4DI/100315201627.htm
Young Britons see significantly more on-screen smoking in movies than their US peers, finds new research.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Freshwater polyp hydra genome sequenced: Survey finds genes linked to Huntington's, Alzheimer's
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_L7_A0uollc/100314150922.htm
An international team of scientists have sequenced the genome of Hydra, a freshwater polyp that's been a staple of biological research for 300 years.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Plaque on CT scan is strong predictor of heart disease, worse long-term outcomes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sySNQTbYvL8/100314112817.htm
The presence of plaque on an abdominal CT scan is a strong predictor of coronary artery disease and mortality, according to a new study. Researchers found that patients are nearly 60 percent at risk of having coronary artery disease when the CT scan showed very high levels of abdominal aortic calcium, commonly known as plaque. High levels of the abdominal aortic calcium also increased their risk of dying, researchers say
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Crowded houses: Why our peripheral vision may not be as random as we think
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mKM2pmNQEOc/100304121546.htm
As you read this, you may notice that the word directly in front of you is clear, but all the surrounding words are hard to make out. For most people, this effect is not a problem. However, for millions of people worldwide with eye disease, it can make everyday tasks such as reading or recognizing friends a challenge. Researchers have made new insights into this process.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
'Tommy John' elbow reconstruction 95 percent successful with grown teen pitchers, study says
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Xbx1gz5Dzh4/100313115332.htm
A new study has found that 95 percent of skeletally mature high school pitchers were satisfied with their "Tommy John" elbow reconstruction surgery. Almost as many (94.7 percent) returned to competitive baseball.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Peru mahogany decision highlights overlooked timber proposals at CITES
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_eunveo9nXE/100315091307.htm
Beyond the headline-grabbing proposals on bluefin tuna and ivory trade, the largest wildlife trade convention meeting this week will also address several timber-related issues -- an often overlooked responsibility of the Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Emergency online communities: Building social networks to help the disadvantaged during disaster recovery
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/q64PH1Xm9_0/100304093637.htm
Online social networks could help with communications and recovery for people with disabilities following major natural disasters, or even terrorist attack, according a new research paper.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
When did the first 'modern' human beings appear in the Iberian Peninsula?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rcUVZrPubzQ/100315103938.htm
New research has stirred up scientific debate about the appearance of the first "modern" human beings on the Iberian Peninsula and their possible bearing on the extinction of the Neanderthals.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Researchers solve a molecular mystery in muscle
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SOllqmh4Ixo/100315172233.htm
Despite widespread interest in insulin-like growth factors, key details about how these potent molecules work on muscle cells have been lacking. Researchers have now cleared up a longstanding mystery about the workings of IGFs. The team's findings could lead to new treatments for muscle-wasting diseases and new ways of preventing the muscle loss that accompanies aging.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Phobos flyby images: proposed landing sites for the forthcoming Phobos-Grunt mission
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DUsfGZZQjrQ/100315125645.htm
Images from the recent flyby of Phobos, on March 7, 2010, have been released. The images show Mars' rocky moon in exquisite detail, with a resolution of just 4.4 m per pixel. They show the proposed landing sites for the forthcoming Phobos-Grunt mission.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Oscillations at odds in the heart
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YGP8LZKmEkk/100315103818.htm
Researchers show that a classical biological oscillator, the glycolytic oscillator, may increase damage to the heart during acute loss of oxygen (anoxia), and as may occur during ischemia.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Chinese medicine societies reject tiger bones ahead of CITES conference
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4TVxMnXpWx0/100312164653.htm
WWF and TRAFFIC welcome a World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies statement urging its members not to use tiger bone or any other parts from endangered wildlife.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Wealth buys health -- even in China
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OIcGBsny52Q/100315103946.htm
A new study from North Carolina State University shows that rich people tend to be healthier than poor people in China - a trend also seen in the US. However, there is one key difference. In China, the overall health gap across generations is getting narrower -- and it's getting wider in the US.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Fossil of early terrestrial amphibian discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/901S6eJgAVU/100315144812.htm
Researchers have described a new carnivorous amphibian from western Pennsylvania. The 300-million-year-old remarkably preserved fossil is one of few amphibians displaying evidence of a land-based life history so early in time. The rocks where Fedexia was found are nearly 20 million years older than those of its fossil relatives, suggesting that the group's expansion occurred much earlier than previously thought.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Better genetic test for autism? Chromosomal microarray analysis picks up more abnormalities than current tests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HE5Ln3WDJu0/100315091255.htm
A large study from Children's Hospital Boston and the Boston-based Autism Consortium finds that a genetic test that samples the entire genome, known as chromosomal microarray analysis, has about three times the detection rate for genetic changes related to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) than standard tests.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Carbon emissions 'outsourced' to developing countries
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CYTVnUWcflY/100308151041.htm
Scientists report that over a third of carbon dioxide emissions associated with consumption of goods and services in many developed countries are actually emitted outside their borders. The study finds that, per person, about 2.5 tons of carbon dioxide are consumed in the US but produced somewhere else. For Europeans, the figure can exceed four tons per person. Most of these emissions are outsourced to developing countries, especially China.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Gene discovered for newly recognized disease in Amish children
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1qdHNK2oy7k/100308132132.htm
The gene for a newly recognized disease has been identified thanks to the determination of an Amish father and physicians who specializes in disorders of the Amish. The identification of the new multisystem autoimmune disorder and the recessive gene that causes it have just been published
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Interventional radiology: Zapping uterine fibroids with heat from high-energy sound waves
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZJEtedUrZJY/100315103808.htm
There's a new interventional radiology tool showing promise in the treatment of uterine fibroids: magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS), a minimally invasive treatment that uses high-energy ultrasound waves to generate heat at a specific point to destroy uterine fibroid tissue and relieve symptoms.
Tue, 16 Mar 10
Confidence is key to gauging impressions we make
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QSie4RdMM0M/100310142451.htm
The gift of "seeing ourselves as others see us" comes in handy when judging how we've made a first impression. Yet many come away with little or no clue about how that first impression was perceived. A new study suggests confidence is a key indicator of how well we've assessed impressions left behind.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Unlocking the opium poppy's biggest secret: Genes that make codeine, morphine
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0O7aa-U-OEI/100314150916.htm
Researchers have discovered the unique genes that allow the opium poppy to make codeine and morphine, opening the door to alternate methods of producing these effective painkillers either by manufacturing them in a lab or controlling the production of these compounds in the plant.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Body's anticipation of a meal can be a diabetes risk factor
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/L8k_s4vH2Ug/100311141203.htm
Alterations in our response to the taste or smell of food may be another culprit responsible for Type 2 diabetes, according to scientists who have identified the specific mechanism in human specimens and in mice.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Decoding the long calls of the orangutan
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_0Mc5eIVGaQ/100309202923.htm
Research into the long calls of male orangutans in Borneo has given scientists new insight into how these solitary apes communicate through dense jungle. An acoustic analysis of the calls reveals that the calls not only serve to attract females, but also contain information on the identity and the context of the caller.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Minimally invasive sports hernia repair may get athletes 'back in the game' faster, study says
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-AFQfo1qwbQ/100313115325.htm
A new minimally invasive sports hernia repair gets athletes back in the game 3 times faster than the traditional repair, according to a new study. Sports hernias were often difficult to diagnose and prior to this new repair had a lengthy rehabilitation time.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Turning up the heat: Finding out how well the Webb telescope's sunshield will perform
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cmNHS1VUeGE/100304165904.htm
Keeping an infrared telescope at very cold operating temperatures isn't an option, it's an absolute necessity. Serving as a radiation blocker, the Webb telescope sunshield is subjected to nearly 100,000 thermal watts of solar heat, and reduces that to one tenth of a watt on the cold side, a million to one reduction.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
New insight on how fast nicotine peaks in the brain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4-TJ-0hr4Hc/100308151045.htm
Nicotine takes much longer than previously thought to reach peak levels in the brains of cigarette smokers, according to new research.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
New microscopy technique offers close-up, real-time view of cellular phenomena
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/X92JW8bu-p8/100314150920.htm
For two decades, scientists have been pursuing a potential new way to treat bacterial infections, using naturally occurring proteins known as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Now, scientists have recorded the first microscopic images showing the deadly effects of AMPs, most of which kill by poking holes in bacterial cell membranes.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Pancreatic cancer study reveals mechanism initiating disease, in mice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JCtXvkhQd0s/100312091407.htm
Scientists have discovered how a mutated gene known as Kras is able to hijack mouse cells damaged by acute pancreatitis, putting them on the path to becoming pancreatic cancer cells.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
'Microtentacles' on tumor cells appear to play role in how breast cancer spreads
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tqFxPMGVqac/100312133712.htm
Researchers have discovered that "microtentacles," or extensions of the plasma membrane of breast cancer cells, appear to play a key role in how cancers spread to distant locations in the body. Targeting these microtentacles, which are linked to a protein called "tau," might prove to be a new way to prevent or slow the growth of these secondary cancers, the scientists say.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Inner workings of the inflammatory response to Leishmaniasis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_3iM_DOO7wg/100311202719.htm
The secret world of inflammation is slowly being revealed by the application of advanced techniques in microscopy, as shown in a new study. Researchers used 2-photon microscopy to identify how killer T lymphocytes behaved when they enter sites of inflammation caused by the parasite Leishmania donovani, and which infected cells they were able to recognize.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
New 'hearing' maps are real conversation starters
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QJGfdSQ_kEk/100305093652.htm
Innovative sound-mapping software based on human hearing has been developed to help architects design out unwanted noise. The new software generates audibility maps of proposed room designs.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Free hormonal contraception halved termination rate, Norwegian study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7Ie553NBQPg/100312143318.htm
Free hormonal contraception was offered for a year to young women in two Norwegian cities. The result was that the abortion rate in the trial cities was halved.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Psychopaths' brains wired to seek rewards, no matter the consequences
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/g6meQSsr8mk/100314150924.htm
The brains of psychopaths appear to be wired to keep seeking a reward at any cost, new research finds. The research uncovers the role of the brain's reward system in psychopathy and opens a new area of study for understanding what drives these individuals.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
New cancer drug screening technique more closely mirrors reality
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qhDlCaEYn70/100314150926.htm
Improving on traditional screening tests for potential anti-cancer drugs, scientists have developed a laboratory technique that more closely simulates the real-world conditions in which tumor cells mingle with the body's normal cells.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Scientists glimpse nanobubbles on super non-stick surfaces
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/s0uCYScV2-A/100225164853.htm
Scientists have obtained the first glimpse of minuscule air bubbles that keep water from wetting a super non-stick surface. The research could lead to a new class of non-stick materials for a range of applications, including improved-efficiency power plants, speedier boats and surfaces that are resistant to contamination by germs.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Vitamin D and calcium interplay explored
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QLPW-mJMAEI/100312133716.htm
Increasing calcium intake is a common -- yet not always successful -- strategy for reducing bone fractures. But a new study underscores the importance of vitamin D and its ability to help the body utilize calcium. The study also may explain why increasing calcium alone isn't always successful in dealing with this problem.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Purple loosestrife: Climate may keep beautiful invasive plant in check
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Uuz71OHMKuY/100226115118.htm
The flowering plant -- purple loosestrife -- has been heading north since it was first introduced from Europe to the eastern seaboard 150 years ago. This exotic invader chokes out native species and has dramatically altered wetland habitats in North America. But it turns out it may have a vulnerability after all: the northern climate. Canadian scientists have found that adapting to the Great White North carries a severe reproductive penalty that may limit its spread.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Hospices rarely deactivate defibrillators in patients, survey finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Hp28VRScXOI/100301173829.htm
Researchers have found that patients admitted to hospice care who have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) are rarely having their ICDs deactivated and are receiving electrical shocks from these devices near the end of life.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Silk structure analysis explains paradox of super-strength; could lead to even stronger synthetic materials
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/P9dMmd9ftlA/100314150914.htm
Spiders and silkworms are masters of materials science, but scientists are finally catching up. Silks are among the toughest materials known, stronger and less brittle, pound for pound, than steel. Now scientists have unraveled some of their deepest secrets in research that could lead the way to the creation of synthetic materials that duplicate, or even exceed, the extraordinary properties of natural silk.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Caution urged in reducing blood pressure in patients with diabetes, coronary disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7U5TAyhfaZI/100314091133.htm
Systolic blood pressure levels between 130 and 140 appear to be the most healthful for patients with both diabetes and coronary artery disease, according to new findings.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Forest tree species diversity depends on individual variation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CxRgzJKeZwo/100225164857.htm
It's a paradox that's puzzled scientists for a half-century. Models clearly show that the coexistence of competing species depends on those species responding differently to the availability of resources. Then why do studies comparing competing tree species draw a blank?
Mon, 15 Mar 10
New risk score tool more accurately predicts patients' risk for cardiac disease and death, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qXzDAJz_kLI/100314150908.htm
By combining patients' Framingham Risk Score with new Intermountain Risk Score, researchers found that they were 30 percent more likely to correctly determine a woman's risk, and 57 percent more likely to determine a man's risk for a cardiovascular problem or death within 30 days of an angiography.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Analytical eye: Viewing through the data jungle
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/89VRSKUHZVY/100301111411.htm
Unmanageable volumes of data accumulate in our digitized working world. Scientists are developing analytical techniques that make use of our ability to identify complex data relationships by means of pictorial images.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Hutterite study: Vaccinating children for flu may help prevent transmission, protect those who are not vaccinated
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/C1UybV9OyhQ/100309161828.htm
Immunizing children and adolescents with inactivated influenza vaccine resulted in reduced rates of influenza in their community compared to a similar community in which children did not receive the vaccine, suggesting that vaccinating children may help prevent transmission of the virus and offer protection for unimmunized community residents, according to a new study of Hutterite communities.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
To Arctic animals, time of day really doesn't matter
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4aJv9IECwzE/100311123516.htm
In the far northern reaches of the Arctic, day versus night often doesn't mean a whole lot. During parts of the year, the sun does not set; at other times, it's just the opposite. A new study shows that Arctic reindeer have come up with a solution to living under those extreme conditions: They've abandoned use of the internal clock that drives the daily biological rhythms in other organisms.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Intensive blood pressure, combined lipid therapies do not help adults with diabetes, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KlTphejOMEo/100314091130.htm
Lowering blood pressure to normal levels -- below currently recommended levels -- did not significantly reduce the combined risk of fatal or nonfatal cardiovascular disease events in adults with type 2 diabetes who were at especially high risk for cardiovascular disease events, according to new results.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Can a single layer of cells control a leaf's size?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_WQMynMrbSE/100225140902.htm
Little is known about the developmental control of leaf size and shape, and understanding the mechanisms behind this is a major issue in plant biology. New research concludes that communication between adjacent cell layers plays an important role in determining leaf size. Cells in one tissue layer can control the rate of division of cells in another tissue layer, which in turn influences overall leaf size.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Donating kidney does not appear to significantly increase long-term risk of death
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6cFOr9k0xmk/100309161830.htm
An analysis of outcomes for live kidney donors in the US over a 15 year period finds they have similar long-term survival rates compared to healthy individuals who were not kidney donors, according to a new study.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Fishery management practices for beluga sturgeon must change, experts urge
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NTMreNplZw4/100225122710.htm
A first-of-its-kind study of a Caspian Sea beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) fishery demonstrates current harvest rates are four to five times higher than those that would sustain population abundance. The study's results suggest that conservation strategies for beluga sturgeon should focus on reducing the overfishing of adults rather than heavily relying upon hatchery supplementation.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
One-page questionnaire is effective screening tool for common psychiatric disorders
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BNvIPZGI_XQ/100308170955.htm
A one-page, 27-item questionnaire that is available free online is a valid and effective tool to help primary care doctors screen patients for four common psychiatric illnesses, a new study concludes.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Why surprises temporarily blind us
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kHKW5cWXtDw/100311091615.htm
New research reveals for the first time how our brains coordinate two different types of attention and why we may be temporarily blinded by surprises.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Stem cell research shows promise for tissue-engineered vascular grafts
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ATaLIASE1ng/100311175135.htm
Researchers are the first to fully characterize a special type of stem cell, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) that exist in circulating blood, to see if they can behave as endothelial cells in the body when cultured on a bioengineered surface. The results show promise for a new generation of tissue-engineered vascular grafts which could improve the success rate of surgery for peripheral arterial disease.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Mars constantly loses part of its atmosphere to space due to solar wind
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iiQllS68DOE/100312133725.htm
Space physicists have identified the impact of the Sun on Mars' atmosphere. The scientists report that Mars is constantly losing part of its atmosphere to space. The new study shows that pressure from solar wind pulses is a significant contributor to Mars's atmospheric escape.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
A sporting chance for active total knee replacement patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hbLfEb_QjrY/100312071800.htm
Total knee arthroplasty patients may be able to participate in high-impact sports without increasing risk of early implant failure, according to a new study.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
'World's most useful tree' provides new low-cost water purification method for developing world
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/83sT1p72hiA/100303082804.htm
A low-cost water purification technique could help drastically reduce the incidence of waterborne disease in the developing world. The procedure, which uses seeds from the Moringa oleifera tree, can produce a 90.00% to 99.99% bacterial reduction in previously untreated water.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Different fat types can help or hinder obese girls' bone health
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8Mdu9-LgctY/100301091415.htm
Obese teenage girls with a greater ratio of visceral fat (fat around internal organs) to subcutaneous fat (fat found just beneath the skin) are likely to have lower bone density than peers with a lower ratio of visceral to subcutaneous fat, according to a new study.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Discovery of cellular 'switch' may provide new means of triggering cell death, treating disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TS-f_DYaR_g/100311141205.htm
Scientists have discovered a previously unknown cellular "switch" that may provide researchers with a new means of triggering programmed cell death, findings with implications for treating cancer.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Designer nano luggage to carry drugs to diseased cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/psb5d6-0wLE/100309202929.htm
Scientists have succeeded in growing empty particles derived from a plant virus and have made them carry useful chemicals. The external surface of these nano containers could be decorated with molecules that guide them to where they are needed in the body, before the chemical load is discharged to exert its effect on diseased cells. The containers are particles of the Cowpea mosaic virus, which is ideally suited for designing biomaterial at the nanoscale.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Quantum dots spotlight DNA-repair proteins in motion
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8D7g7b879Rk/100311123522.htm
Repair proteins appear to efficiently scan the genome for errors by jumping like fleas between DNA molecules, sliding along the strands, and perhaps pausing at suspicious spots, say researchers who tagged the proteins with quantum dots to watch the action unfold.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
New tool for operations on people with severe or profound auditory loss
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/p1OnkkJKsJo/100312091403.htm
Engineers and doctors have designed a new tool for operating on the inner ear with maximum precision, reducing the possibility of damage to the auditory function during the surgery. This is the first micromanipulator specifically for operations involving cochlear and middle ear implants, of which about a hundred are carried out in this hospital annually.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Scientists identify key protein from mitochondria in energy regulation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/V0xcfqHvSxQ/100303131528.htm
Scientists have discovered a new mechanism that governs this pathway and in the process identified a novel potential therapeutic target for controlling fat metabolism.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
African-Americans have highest stroke rate, southerners more likely to die, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KyMoVR00xBM/100226205013.htm
African-Americans age 65 and younger are more than twice as likely to have a stroke compared with Caucasians in any region, and people who have a stroke are more likely to die in the South than elsewhere, according to researchers.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Scientists identify driving forces in human cell division
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/siwLjU07-7w/100310091652.htm
Using a novel imaging system for quantifying aspects of cell division in three dimensions, scientists have discovered new interactions between sister kinetochores -- the protein bundles at the contact point between the two identical strands of a chromosome -- and the microtubule motors that help pull the strands apart.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Effort aims to spike breast cancer with new approach
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yTVysYBuce0/100311151722.htm
Many women live with breast cancer that does not respond to standard medical treatment, a condition that researchers want to change by aggressively targeting specific genes.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Compliant systems: Flexible yet strong materials allow aircraft wings to flex with air flow
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/reNFN9uX7r4/100311092425.htm
Researchers once wanted to build aircraft wings based on compliant systems, which would continually change shape in response to the air flow resistance, obviating the need for rigid flap and rudder surfaces. A range of different industries are interested in so-called "smart" systems because they can be used to make low-maintenance (and therefore economic) products such as medical tools and robot gripper arms.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
New clues about the basis of muscle wasting disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dX7pUw2IiSM/100312133731.htm
New findings shed light on how genetic damage to muscle cell proteins can lead to the development of the rare muscle-wasting disease, nemaline myopathy.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
Barrier in mosquito midgut protects invading pathogens
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JVx1dj9WroY/100311175043.htm
Scientists studying the Anopheles gambiae mosquito have found that the act of feeding triggers two enzymes to form a protective barrier that prevents the mosquito's immune defense system from clearing disease-causing agents that can be passed on to humans. Disrupting the protein barrier can trigger mosquito immune defenses to intervene and protect the insect from infection. This finding could inform new strategies for blocking malaria transmission.
Mon, 15 Mar 10
12 year olds more likely to use potentially deadly inhalants than cigarettes or marijuana
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ptH-KRyuOhE/100312144534.htm
More 12 year olds have used potentially lethal inhalants than have used marijuana, cocaine and hallucinogens combined, according to new data.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
Human cells exhibit foraging behavior like amoebae and bacteria
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KL670azg0Dg/100311123622.htm
When cells move about in the body, they follow a complex pattern similar to that which amoebae and bacteria use when searching for food, researchers have found.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
New insight into brain's decision-making process
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/idj754tjNlY/100311123620.htm
The hippocampus, a part of the brain essential for memory, has long been known to "replay" recently experienced events. Previously, replay was believed to be a simple process of reviewing recent experiences in order to help consolidate them into long-term memory. However, new research shows the phenomenon of memory replay is much more complex, cognitive process that may help an animal maintain its internal representation of the world, or its cognitive map.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
Mars Dunes: On the Move?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gimNPGH5lls/100304184156.htm
New studies of ripples and dunes shaped by the winds on Mars testify to variability on that planet, identifying at least one place where ripples are actively migrating and another where the ripples have been stationary for 100,000 years or more.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
Effects of lifestyle and exposures are mirrored in blood gene expression
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jSjRJowJNNU/100311202723.htm
A study by Norwegian and French researchers hopes to provide new understanding of how blood cells adjust gene expression in response to various clinical, biochemical and pathological conditions. The Norwegian Woman and Cancer postgenome study highlights numerous blood gene sets affected by one's physical condition, lifestyle factors and exposure variables.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
Prehistoric response to global warming informs human planning today
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Sw_wCoFM0Q0/100310162831.htm
Since 2004, University at Buffalo anthropologist Ezra Zubrow has worked intensively with teams of scientists in the Arctic regions of St. James Bay, Quebec, northern Finland and Kamchatka to understand how humans living 4,000 to 6,000 years ago reacted to climate changes.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
Brain tumor's 'grow-or-go' switch discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1AXPSGR2yq0/100311151730.htm
High energy levels cause glioblastoma cells to proliferate; low levels cause them to grow less and to migrate. This study discovered that a molecule called miR-451 coordinates this grow-or-go behavior, which is closely linked to the cells' ability to invade and spread. Thus, the molecule might be a biomarker for predicting survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme and may serve as a target to develop drugs to fight these tumors.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
Small dogs originated in the Middle East, genetic study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/D-d77nS5Jq0/100223191924.htm
A genetic study has found that small domestic dogs probably originated in the Middle East more than 12,000 years ago. Researchers have traced the evolutionary history of the IGF1 gene, finding that the version of the gene that is a major determinant of small size probably originated as a result of the domestication of the Middle Eastern gray wolf.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
Exploiting the architecture of cancers may lead to their destruction
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4jwwdbcqtnQ/100310162825.htm
To grow larger, solid tumors require a network of blood vessels to nourish them. Chemotherapy exploits these vessels to deliver toxic drugs, but is inefficient if the drugs cannot pass quickly enough from the bloodstream into the tumor. A new study describes a way of transiently making the tumor blood vessels leakier, allowing more efficient drug uptake. This work may ultimately enhance delivery of chemotherapies into tumor tissue.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
Plants discover the benefits of good neighbors in strategy against herbivores
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yi-7LBjAId0/100309202931.htm
Scandinavian scientists have discovered that a species of tree defends itself from herbivore attack by using chemicals emitted by neighboring plants. The study reveals how species of Birch tree absorb chemical compounds from neighboring Marsh tea plants, Rhondodendron tomentosum, in a unique "defense by neighbor strategy."
Sat, 13 Mar 10
Best treatment for childhood epilepsy suggested by new research
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/60Og-qmiEq8/100312164655.htm
One of the oldest available anti-seizure medications, ethosuximide, is the most effective treatment for childhood absence epilepsy, according to initial outcomes.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
Calculations made by physicist Gustav Mie in 1908 put to test on single nanoparticles
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EDRZ1iSiz7s/100312173628.htm
Rice students put calculations by German physicist Gustav Mie, made in 1908, to the test when they decided to look at the optical properties of single nanoparticles.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
Different signal paths for spontaneous and deliberate activation of memories
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TwzzGkZTp_g/100311092122.htm
Entirely different signal paths and parts of the brain are involved when you try to remember something and when you just happen to remember something, prompted by a smell, a picture, or a word, for instance.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
Genome analysis of marine microbe reveals a metabolic minimalist
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ljqBPZAc_0E/100221143204.htm
Flightless birds, blind cave shrimp, and other oddities suggest a "use it or lose it" tendency in evolution. In the microbial world, an unusual marine microorganism appears to have ditched several major metabolic pathways, leaving it with a remarkably reduced set of genes.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
Breakthroughs in treatment of spine and back conditions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/om4YV-M_vKY/100310083445.htm
Approximately 21 million visits were made to physicians' offices due to back problems in 2006. While countless adults experience back pain and stiffness, many suffer from serious spine and back conditions -- including injury, herniated discs and the deterioration of the vertebrae. Three new studies detail advances in back care and treatment options for specific back and spine conditions.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
Genetic mapping of algae biofuel species groundwork done
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7M_LGYgk4zc/100312164659.htm
Using green algae to produce hydrocarbon oil for biofuel production is nothing new; nature has been doing so for hundreds of millions of years, according a scientists.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
Knee replacement in elderly patients shown to improve balance
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/o07szdOylPw/100311074117.htm
Total knee replacement (TKR) successfully relieves pain and improves function in patients with advanced knee arthritis, according to a new study.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
PEGylated dendrimers: A novel mechanism of drug delivery
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FMCpSgnxkTw/100311101612.htm
A research team has shown how PEGylated polylysine dendrimers, a new type of nano-sized drug delivery system, can be altered to target either the lymphatic system or the bloodstream, which may improve the treatment of particular types of diseases.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
Communication often fumbled during patient hand-offs in hospital
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FIaXUS0BDnw/100311091611.htm
As shifts change in a hospital, outgoing physicians must "hand off" important information to their replacements in a brief meeting. But a new study of this hand-off process finds that the most important information is not fully conveyed in a majority of cases, even as physicians rate their communication as successful.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
Fossil bird eggshell provides source of ancient DNA
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bk-vKXCtimA/100310211824.htm
Scientists have successfully isolated ancient DNA from fossil eggshell remains of extinct birds for the first time.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
Tumors may respond to extreme and moderate heat
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yalaCSIPM0g/100311074129.htm
Aided by ultrasound guidance, treating tumors with extreme heat or moderate heat may provide a possible therapeutic option, according to early research.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
Conservationists urge treaty panel to reject ivory sale by Tanzania, Zambia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ERA5TeP0WME/100311141200.htm
An international team of conservationists says relaxing a current moratorium on ivory sales to allow one-time sales by Zambia and Tanzania could lead to increased slaughter of elephants for their ivory throughout Africa.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
New research aims to prevent 'sudden cardiac arrest'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oCJT6wkEsRc/100311123530.htm
Scientists are investigating the cause and effects of Sudden Cardiac Arrest syndrome. This team is hot on the trail of understanding how a multi-gene syndrome, one of the causes for SCA, operates inside the body. Once they figure out how the disorder operates and describe its molecular system in detail, they hope to develop a drug or therapy to stop this condition before it strikes.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
Third seed shipment sent to Norway seed vault by USDA
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/esTHX_WHmGo/100311131800.htm
A shipment of seed sent by the Agricultural Research Service earlier this month to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway included a wild Russian strawberry that an expeditionary team braved bears and volcanoes to collect.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
High-intensity interval training is time-efficient and effective, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-v8v4Y5wAtk/100311123639.htm
The usual excuse of "lack of time" for not doing enough exercise is blown away by new research. The study adds to the growing evidence for the benefits of short term high-intensity interval training (HIT) as a time-efficient but safe alternative to traditional types of moderate long term exercise. Astonishingly, it is possible to get more by doing less!
Sat, 13 Mar 10
Biologists find proof of first confirmed species of monogamous frog
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VRVdZEvi3w0/100311192933.htm
Amphibians may be a love 'em and leave 'em class, but one frog species defies the norm, scientists have found. Biologists have discovered in Peru the first confirmed species of monogamous amphibian, Ranitomeya imitator, better known as the mimic poison frog -- a finding that provides groundbreaking insight into the ecological factors that influence mating behavior.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
Children with chronic respiratory illness are vulnerable to critical H1N1
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ygnDxp17Mo0/100311175036.htm
As critical care professionals develop a better understanding of the progression of H1N1, they are becoming better prepared to treat children with severe cases. Additionally, with careful management, the pediatric critical care system is expected to be able to meet the increased demands of a flu pandemic.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
New way to get physical in fight against cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wAWhHSCeTBE/100311175041.htm
Researchers have shown that the biochemical activity of a key player in cancer metastasis can be altered by the application of a direct physical force. This new way in which cells can sense and respond to physical forces presents a new road for future cancer therapies.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
Powerful molecule regulator in blood pressure control system
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UyCs5cpMDL8/100311151726.htm
Researchers have discovered that nitric oxide is a powerful regulator of a molecule that plays a critical role in the development and function of the nervous system. The finding could someday play a significant role in the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure, which affects about one in three adults in the United States.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
New imaging technology brings trace chemicals into focus
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UaW2fvePa2o/100311141211.htm
Scientists have hit on a new, versatile method to significantly improve the detection of trace chemicals important in such areas as national security, human health and the environment. The research team was able to detect and identify tiny particles of the explosive trinitrotoluene or TNT -- each weighing less than a billionth of a gram -- on the ridges and canals of a fingerprint.
Sat, 13 Mar 10
First direct evidence of neuroplastic changes following brainwave training
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-lZIL96KMcI/100310114936.htm
Significant changes in brain plasticity have been observed following alpha brainwave training. Researchers have discovered the first evidence of neuroplastic changes occurring directly after natural brainwave training. They have demonstrated that half an hour of voluntary control of brain rhythms is sufficient to induce a lasting shift in cortical excitability and intracortical function.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Scavenging energy waste to turn water into hydrogen fuel
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4d_j5zlkK6Q/100311131802.htm
Materials scientists have designed a way to harvest small amounts of waste energy and harness them to turn water into usable hydrogen fuel.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Scientists identify microRNA as possible cause of chemotherapy resistance
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dRFMQww2nA4/100311074125.htm
Scientists may have uncovered a mechanism for resistance to paclitaxel in ovarian cancer, microRNA-31, suggesting a possible therapeutic target for overcoming chemotherapy resistance.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Proposed mission would return sample from asteroid 'time capsule'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/T6HEb29Hv9s/100311175049.htm
Meet asteroid 1999 RQ36, a chunk of rock and dust about 1,900 feet in diameter that could tell us how the solar system was born, and perhaps, shed light on how life began. It also might hit us someday.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Contraceptive pill not associated with increased long-term risk of death, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HOrnuHUbccI/100311191810.htm
Women in the UK who have ever used the oral contraceptive pill are less likely to die from any cause, including all cancers and heart disease, compared with never users, according to new research.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
High-tech armrest: Computer-controlled hand and arm support devise developed for doctors, artists
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aLB_CTkC0-M/100308081746.htm
Engineers developed a computer-controlled, motorized hand and arm support that will let doctors, artists and others precisely control scalpels, brushes and tools over a wider area than otherwise possible, and with less fatigue.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
R-rated movies increase likelihood of underage children trying alcohol
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tYH4RGjn24Y/100311123616.htm
R-rated movies portray violence and other behaviors deemed inappropriate for children under 17 year of age. A new study finds one more reason why parents should not let their kids watch those movies: adolescents who watch R-rated movies are more likely to try alcohol at a young age.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Cassini data show ice and rock mixture inside Saturn's moon Titan
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/R_rdbNQDE-I/100311143830.htm
By precisely tracking NASA's Cassini spacecraft on its low swoops over Saturn's moon Titan, scientists have determined the distribution of materials in the moon's interior. The subtle gravitational tugs they measured suggest the interior has been too cold and sluggish to split completely into separate layers of ice and rock.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Seaweed extract may hold promise for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/stmDlV6EmGM/100311074123.htm
Seaweed extract may eventually emerge as a lymphoma treatment, according to laboratory research. Seaweeds containing fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide similar to heparin in chemical structure, have been reported to have anti-tumor activity in mice and some cell lines.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
How electricity moves through cells: Finding has implications for improving energy efficiency
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2fumHKfxcT4/100311175045.htm
Researchers have created a molecular image of a system that moves electrons between proteins in cells. The achievement is a breakthrough for biology and could provide insights to minimize energy loss in other systems, from nanoscale devices to moving electricity around the country.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Research points to way to improve heart treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KfS7pzLmhUM/100310142453.htm
Current drugs used to treat heart failure and irregular heartbeat have limited effectiveness and have side effects. New basic science findings suggest a way that treatments could potentially be refined so that they work better and target only key heart-related mechanisms.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
More maize ethanol may boost greenhouse gas emissions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IyJDV6vxscY/100311074121.htm
Mandated increases in the production of maize-derived ethanol will lead to land-use changes that boost carbon dioxide emissions enough to make the fuel a worse environmental option than burning gasoline, according to a new analysis.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
After a fight with a partner, brain activity predicts emotional resiliency
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XKpxebVrfZw/100309161844.htm
Neural activity in the lateral prefrontal cortex can predict whether an individual will still be upset on the day after a conflict with his or her partner, according to new research. The findings point to the brain region's role in emotion regulation, and suggest that greater activity in this area might lead to improvement in day-to-day mood.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Scientists discover 600 million-year-old origins of vision
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wBb_RCxIa9Y/100311151724.htm
By studying the hydra, a member of an ancient group of sea creatures that is still flourishing, scientists have made a discovery in understanding the origins of human vision.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Immune cells that fight parasites may promote allergies and asthma
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GyOIxVDdQSM/100311131758.htm
Millions of people in both the developing and developed world may benefit from new immune-system research findings that identify a cell population that fights off parasitic infections but also causes allergies and asthma.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Why female moths are big and beautiful
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wCro_KWgPvU/100311141218.htm
In most animal species, males and females show obvious differences in body size. But how can this be, given that both sexes share the same genes governing their growth? Entomologists studied this conundrum in moths and found clues that had been overlooked by previous efforts to explain this mystery of nature.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Finding Charcot-Marie-Tooth gene ends a quest and begins new era of personalized genomic medicine
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NyQBhmTKCnk/100310175132.htm
Baylor College of Medicine's Dr. James Lupski came to the end of a personal quest earlier this year when the Baylor Human Genome Sequencing Center sequenced his complete genome and identified the gene involved in his own form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome, which affects the function of nerves in the body's limbs, hands and feet. At the same time, the finding opened a new door showing that genome information has clinical importance.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Research streamlines data processing to solve problems more efficiently
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TPTtbAKiAXY/100310091650.htm
Researchers have developed a new analytical method that opens the door to faster processing of large amounts of information, with applications in fields as diverse as the military, medical diagnostics and homeland security.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Pediatric sports injuries: the silent epidemic
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SU3kbRRF_Eg/100310083441.htm
Two new studies focus on the dramatic rise of pediatric sports injuries in recent years. However, despite this alarming trend, awareness, education, warning signs and early treatment can make a significant difference and help keep these athletes in the game, according to the study experts.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Aquatic 'dead zones' contributing to climate change
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OFq7F9kOo5U/100311141213.htm
The increased frequency and intensity of oxygen-deprived "dead zones" along the world's coasts can negatively impact environmental conditions in far more than local waters. Scientists explain that the increased amount of nitrous oxide produced in hypoxic waters can elevate concentrations in the atmosphere, further exacerbating the impacts of global warming and contributing to ozone "holes" that increase our exposure to harmful UV radiation.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
End to lice? Effectiveness of new oral treatment demonstrated
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NH_L2tAf0TU/100311111737.htm
French medical researchers have recently demonstrated the effectiveness of a new molecule in the fight against lice. Faced with the emergence of increasing resistance to conventional treatments by these parasites, this new medication represents a real therapeutic alternative which is effective in 95 percent of cases.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Computer system helps reduce adverse drug side effects and interactions in ICU patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4UiXBlu14jE/100310101720.htm
To get life-threatening diseases under control, patients in the intensive care unit usually are administered many medications at the same time. Even for experts, it is difficult to keep track of the variety of possible side effects and interactions. Researchers in Germany has now shown that physicians can reduce serious events resulting from drug interactions by about half with the help of the "AiDKlinik" drug information system.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Neutropenia: Research findings expected to ease treatment of low neutrophil counts in cancer patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kbSfz48hqtQ/100310113533.htm
New research may change neutropenia treatment for all childhood cancer patients. Neutropenia is the dangerous drop in white blood cells that leaves cancer patients at increased risk for infections and can delay chemotherapy.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Khirbet Qeiyafa identified as biblical 'Neta'im'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AcgGB7GMZz8/100308095459.htm
Has another mystery in the history of Israel been solved? Researchers have identified Khirbet Qeiyafa as "Neta'im", which is mentioned in the Bible's book of Chronicles.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Men, not ladies, first: We're still sexist in writing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dduSzlhxL8E/100311092431.htm
Putting male names before female names in writing is a remnant of sexist thinking, new research suggests.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
New study debunks myths about vulnerability of Amazon rain forests to drought
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/u4WggMJ7WKk/100311175039.htm
A new study has concluded that Amazon rain forests were remarkably unaffected in the face of once-in-a-century drought in 2005, neither dying nor thriving, contrary to a previously published report and claims by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Advance in understanding body’s natural defenses
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/11hmZf10ke0/100311092423.htm
Researchers in the UK have made a new advance in understanding how the body fights certain types of cancer and other disease such as Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Malaria in pregnant women: Step towards a new vaccine
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mm6zEhzudB4/100309112025.htm
By managing to express the protein that enables red blood cells infected with the malaria agent Plasmodium falciparum to bind to the placenta and by deciphering its molecular mechanisms, a team of researchers has taken an important first step in the development of a vaccine against pregnancy-associated malaria.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Breast cancer drug fulvestrant appears more effective in the presence of CK8 and CK18
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/s-cIq3h8kGQ/100310101724.htm
Women's responsiveness to the second-line breast cancer drug fulvestrant may depend on whether the cancer cells are expressing two key proteins, scientists report.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Production of chemicals from wood waste made more environmentally-friendly and cheaper
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pSphUt4RGWQ/100310113527.htm
Researchers have discovered that the bacterium Cupriavidus basilensis breaks down harmful by-products which are produced when sugars are released from wood. They also managed to incorporate the degradation process in bacteria which are in common industrial use. This breakthrough does away with the need to resort to costly and environmentally unfriendly methods for removing by-products, thereby boosting the appeal of waste wood as a sustainable resource for biochemicals and biofuels.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
How a romantic breakup affects self-concept
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PSGtoP1a3JE/100308132139.htm
When a romantic relationship ends, an individual's self-concept is vulnerable to change, according to new research.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Shocking recipe for making killer electrons
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xuzbQzaxtTk/100311101659.htm
Take a bunch of fast-moving electrons, place them in orbit and then hit them with the shock waves from a solar storm. What do you get? Killer electrons. That's the shocking recipe revealed by ESA's Cluster mission.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Novel stroke treatment passes safety stage of clinical trial
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/E8huK8SfF2s/100310134200.htm
A clinical research trial of a new treatment to restore brain cells damaged by stroke has passed an important safety stage, according to the neurologist who led the effort.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
If bonobo Kanzi can point as humans do, what other similarities can rearing reveal?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QczBspO_cNA/100301131907.htm
You may have more in common with Kanzi, Panbanisha and Nyota, three language-competent bonobos living at Great Ape Trust, than you thought. And those similarities, right at your fingertip, might one day tell scientists more about the effect of culture on neurological disorders that limit human expression. A recently published pointing study supports the assertion that the success of language studies with bonobos is tied to rearing.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Fewer platelets could be used for some cancer and bone-marrow transplantation patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/H1frCXoojmg/100310134308.htm
Physicians may be able to safely lower the platelet dosage in transfusions for cancer and bone-marrow transplant patients without risking increased bleeding, according to new research.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Inventing new oat and barley breads
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3sqGcSc3S1Q/100228095545.htm
Scientists are working on a delicious new all-oat or all-barley bread.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Youth baseball throwing arm injuries are rising dramatically
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2IDBKJw7fTs/100310083443.htm
Throwing arm injuries are on the rise in Little League and other youth baseball programs. After these injuries occur, many players are out for the season; others require surgery and must refrain from play for an even longer duration; still others sustain injuries so severe that they cause permanent damage and are unable to continue playing baseball. Three new studies address this critical issue, each offering new solutions to help prevent these injuries.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Scientists solve puzzle of chickens that are half male and half female
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sQTeabqPsDU/100310134156.htm
A puzzle that has baffled scientists for centuries -- why some birds appear to be male on one side of the body and female on the other -- has been solved by researchers. The research, which involved studying rare naturally occurring chickens with white (male) plumage on one side and brown (female) plumage on the other, sheds new light on the sexual development of birds.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Years of smoking associated with lower Parkinson's risk, not number of cigarettes per day
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mh51kCW9mGU/100310162823.htm
Researchers have new insight into the relationship between Parkinson's disease and smoking. Several studies have shown that smokers have a lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease. A new study shows that smoking for a greater number of years may reduce the risk of the disease, but smoking a larger number of cigarettes per day may not reduce the risk.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Physicists take atoms for a quantum walk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GPKEU0iPqZs/100310083836.htm
A team of physicists has achieved a quantum walk in a quantum system with up to 23 steps. It is the first time that this quantum process using trapped ions has been demonstrated in detail. This latest advance promises to be important for the development of quantum computers in finding search quantum algorithms that outperform their classical counterparts as different directions could be chosen simultaneously.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Movement disorder symptoms are lessened by an antibiotic: Treating worms with ampicillin helps restore normal movement
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hxF41qp_kYA/100310162827.htm
Discovery of an antibiotic's capacity to improve cell function in laboratory tests is providing movement disorder researchers with leads to more desirable molecules with potentially similar traits, according to scientists.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
World crude oil production may peak a decade earlier than some predict
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/62ABEyf4q5s/100310134255.htm
In a finding that may speed efforts to conserve oil and intensify the search for alternative fuel sources, scientists in Kuwait predict that world conventional crude oil production will peak in 2014 -- almost a decade earlier than some other predictions.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Massage eases anxiety, but no better than simple relaxation does
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tuqwxhSmzqE/100309102521.htm
A randomized trial shows three months after 10 massages, patients' anxiety symptoms were halved -- an improvement like that previously reported with psychotherapy, medications, or both. But the trial also found massage no more effective than simple relaxation.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Traces of the past: Computer algorithm able to 'read' memories
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2Fx0eMH7QaQ/100311123520.htm
Computer programs have been able to predict which of three short films a person is thinking about, just by looking at their brain activity. The research provides further insight into how our memories are recorded.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Mother's flu during pregnancy may increase baby's risk of schizophrenia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/a9BTKEr_654/100311123528.htm
Rhesus monkey babies born to mothers who had the flu while pregnant had smaller brains and showed other brain changes similar to those observed in human patients with schizophrenia, a study has found.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Atmospheric nanoparticles impact health, weather professor says
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jyTt7Ax16Bg/100301102753.htm
Nanoparticles are atmospheric materials so small that they can't be seen with the naked eye, but they can very visibly affect both weather patterns and human health all over the world -- and not in a good way, according to a new study.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Scientists make important discovery in gene regulation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/D18QCjj37zc/100226133540.htm
Scientists have a greater understanding of how our genes are controlled following a major research project. The findings of the study, which looked at how proteins work as teams to control genes in the cells, could also help to unravel the mechanisms of disease such as cancer.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Can we detect quantum behavior in viruses?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/axhYxRVXzr0/100311092429.htm
Scientists are using the principles of an iconic quantum mechanics thought experiment -- Schrödinger's superpositioned cat -- to test for quantum properties in objects composed of as many as one billion atoms, possibly including the flu virus.
Fri, 12 Mar 10
Male batterers consistently overestimate rates of violence toward partners, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YLkd-VHJ9Jo/100309131800.htm
Men who engaged in domestic violence consistently overestimated how common such behavior is by two or three times, and the more they overestimated it the more they engaged in abusing their partner in the previous 90 days.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Mysterious cosmic 'dark flow' tracked deeper into universe
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GsYTHBe2ca0/100310162829.htm
Distant galaxy clusters mysteriously stream at a million miles per hour along a path roughly centered on the southern constellations Centaurus and Hydra. A new study tracks this collective motion -- dubbed the "dark flow" -- to twice the distance originally reported.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Brain mechanism may explain alcohol cravings that drive relapse
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fQcsG3RSAxM/100310134146.htm
New research provides exciting insight into the molecular mechanisms associated with addiction and relapse. The study uncovers a crucial mechanism that facilitates motivation for alcohol after extended abstinence and opens new avenues for potential therapeutic intervention.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Temporary hearing deprivation can lead to 'lazy ear'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iJufmtOSmyI/100310134148.htm
Scientists have gained new insight into why a relatively short-term hearing deprivation during childhood may lead to persistent hearing deficits, long after hearing is restored to normal. The research reveals that, much like the visual cortex, development of the auditory cortex is quite vulnerable if it does not receive appropriate stimulation at just the right time.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Obesity linked to poor colon cancer prognosis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oaPB8dG7qIc/100309131752.htm
Obese patients with colon cancer are at greater risk for death or recurrent disease compared to those who are within a normal weight range, according to a new study.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Conquering the chaos in modern, multiprocessor computers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/h-JymnwtbkE/100310162857.htm
A group of computer scientists have found a way to tame multiprocessor computers, which behave in wildly unpredictable ways even as the systems become widespread in the industry.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Students' perceptions of Earth's age influence acceptance of human evolution
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0x8U4IrVfC0/100310162833.htm
High school and college students who understand the geological age of the Earth (4.5 billion years) are much more likely to understand and accept human evolution, according to a new study. A 2009 Gallup poll reported that 16 percent of biology teachers believe God created humans in their present form at some time during the last 10,000 years.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Development of more muscular trout could boost commercial aquaculture
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/B34K_w4ruOA/100310113540.htm
A 10-year effort by a scientist to develop transgenic rainbow trout with enhanced muscle growth has yielded fish with what have been described as six-pack abs and muscular shoulders that could provide a boost to the commercial aquaculture industry.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Experimental drug that mimics thryoid hormone safely lowers 'bad' cholesterol
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CmQlM34RXNo/100310175139.htm
People whose "bad" cholesterol and risk of future heart disease stay too high despite cholesterol-lowering statin therapy can safely lower it by adding a drug that mimics the action of thyroid hormone.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Boost for technology: Huge step toward mass production of coveted form of carbon
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/N-FrHzdEVOM/100310134300.htm
Scientists have leaped over a major hurdle in efforts to begin commercial production of a form of carbon that could rival silicon in its potential for revolutionizing electronics devices ranging from supercomputers to cell phones. Called graphene, the material consists of a layer of graphite 50,000 times thinner than a human hair with unique electronic properties.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Study finds elevated levels of cobalt and chromium in offspring of patients with metal-on-metal hip implants
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vrFjG6eOTXc/100309075158.htm
Hip replacement patients with metal-on-metal implants (both the socket and hip ball are metal) pass metal ions to their infants during pregnancy, according to a new study.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Mystery of symmetry in vertebrates revealed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/58V5Q8G3MXc/100226204549.htm
Some of our organs, such as the liver and the heart, are lateralized. As our bodies develop they mostly display bilateral symmetry across the vertebral column. A new molecular pathway, which plays a role in this symmetry in vertebrates, has recently been discovered.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Game on? Video-game ownership may interfere with young boys' academic functioning
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XRjAFMYUQ3U/100310162835.htm
According to new findings, owning a video-game system may hamper academic development in some children. Boys who received a video-game system immediately had significantly lower reading and writing scores after four months than boys receiving a video-game system at the end of the experiment. Further analysis revealed that the time spent playing video games may link the relationship between owning a video-game system and reading and writing scores.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Sequencing genome of entire family reveals parents give kids fewer gene mutations than was thought
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/b9Ur05_b8Ww/100310175141.htm
Researchers have sequenced for the first time the entire genome of a family, enabling them to accurately estimate the average rate at which parents pass genetic mutations to their offspring and also identify precise locations where parental chromosomes exchange information that creates new combinations of genetic traits in their children.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Gastric bypass surgery increases risk of kidney stones, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sf3RgYhgOFw/100310175143.htm
Patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery experience changes in their urine composition that increase their risk of developing kidney stones, research suggests.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Plotting and treachery in ant royal families
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iKg8Vs7N3iY/100225101218.htm
Social insects -- ants in particular -- are usually thought of as selfless entities willing to sacrifice everything for their comrades. However, new research suggests that ant queens are also prepared to compromise the welfare of the entire colony in order to retain the throne.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Warfarin users appear more likely to develop brain bleeding following stroke treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iWrEmeLgaqo/100308171141.htm
Patients already taking warfarin who develop an acute stroke appear more likely to experience a brain hemorrhage following treatment with an intravenous clot-dissolving medication, even if their blood clotting function appears normal, according to a new study.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Physicists build basic quantum computing circuit
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pZ-QsSRYKd8/100226161436.htm
Exerting delicate control over a pair of atoms within a mere seven-millionths-of-a-second window of opportunity, physicists created an atomic circuit that may help quantum computing become a reality.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Behavioral problems in childhood doubles the risk of chronic widespread pain in adult life
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KDLwoEh2ang/100309202920.htm
Bad behavior in childhood is associated with long-term, chronic widespread pain in adult life, according to the findings of a study following nearly 20,000 people from birth in 1958 to the present day. The research found that children with severe behavior disturbances had approximately double the risk of chronic widespread pain by the time they reached the age of 45 than children who did not have behavior problems.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Potential for using algae to produce human therapeutic proteins shown
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ulYsokEDZWc/100308151058.htm
Pharmaceutical companies could substantially reduce the expense of costly treatments for cancer and other diseases produced from mammalian or bacterial cells by growing these human therapeutic proteins in algae -- rapidly growing aquatic plant cells that have recently gained attention for their ability to produce biofuels.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Mouse model reveals a cause of ADHD
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TYmFouvhJyA/100227211115.htm
Although it's typically considered an adolescent curse, ADHD actually affects about five percent of adults as well. New research in a mouse model of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder suggests that the root of the psychiatric disorder might be the over-activity of a protein that regulates dopaminergic pathways. The work suggests a path toward new treatments for symptoms including inattentiveness, over-activity and impulsivity.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
How sea turtle hatchlings use their flippers to move quickly on sand
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/I8srSx0AwBk/100225091342.htm
Researchers conducted the first field study showing how endangered loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings use their limbs to move quickly on a variety of terrains in order to reach the ocean.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Emerging tick-borne disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WU040YEg1LI/100225140913.htm
A new assay allows scientists to discover whether ticks are carrying disease-causing bacteria and which animals provided their last blood meal. Assay results suggest three emerging diseases in the St. Louis area are carried by lone star ticks feeding on record-high populations of white tailed deer.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
New research advances voice security technology
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HHKF_tgC2Bs/100308102202.htm
Most people are familiar with security technology that scans a person's handprint or eye for identification purposes. Now we are closer to practical technology that can test someone's voice to confirm their identity.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Link between brain chemical, cognitive decline in schizophrenia demonstrated
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LT_teh9ZKKg/100310175130.htm
In one of the first such studies involving human patients with schizophrenia, researchers have provided evidence that deficits in a brain chemical may be responsible for some of the debilitating cognitive deficits -- poor attention, memory and problem-solving abilities -- that accompany the delusions and hallucinations that are the hallmarks of the disorder.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Smell of salt air surprisingly detected a mile high and 900 miles inland
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aWih-WKll6c/100310134150.htm
In a surprise with implications for air quality, researchers have found that chemistry involving airborne chloride, thought to be restricted to sea spray, occurs at similar rates in air above Boulder, Colo., nearly 900 miles away from any ocean.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Frequent napping linked to increased risk of type 2 diabetes in older adults
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yoxIXiVgNDc/100301091256.htm
A study shows that frequent napping is associated with an elevated prevalence of type 2 diabetes and impaired fasting glucose in an older Chinese population.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Impacts of changing climate on ocean biology
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/S5QlwCP1fVs/100225122701.htm
A three-year field program now underway is measuring carbon distributions and primary productivity in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean to help scientists worldwide determine the impacts of a changing climate on ocean biology and biogeochemistry.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Poorer breast cancer survival associated with micrometastases in axillary lymph nodes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/eeICS9Hzllg/100226161426.htm
Metastases that were 2 millimeters or less in diameter ("micrometastases") in axillary lymph nodes detected on examination of a single section of the lymph nodes were associated with poorer disease-free and overall survival in breast cancer patients, according to a new study.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Students take aim at bear spray canisters
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Tb88uymVeUo/100225151922.htm
Visitors to national parks and forests are encouraged to use bear spray when they encounter grizzlies, but disposing of the bear spray canisters is a problem that students have addressed.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Patient safety reporting and drug label accuracy missing vital information, expert says
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZpVEOcJTBbE/100310175136.htm
An expert calls for change in the way researchers and pharmaceutical companies collect and report adverse symptom information in clinical trials submitted to the Food and Drug Administration, and how the FDA represents this information on drug labels.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Galaxy study validates general relativity on cosmic scale, existence of dark matter
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/T8nroTU7hsk/100310134152.htm
While general relativity describes well the behavior of the solar system, Einstein's theory of gravity and spacetime has not been tested on cosmological scales. Now, a team has analyzed data on 70,000 galaxies to show that the theory is so far the best description of the universe, at least out to 3.5 billion light years from Earth. Specifically, theories without dark matter do not fit the observations.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Molecule tells key brain cells to grow up, get to work
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8rbZ7DEgIqg/100310134144.htm
About four out of every 10 cells in the brain are so-called oligodendrocytes. These cells produce the all-important myelin that coats nerve tracts, ensuring fast, energy-efficient transmission of nerve impulses. Scientists have now identified a molecular master switch that catalyzes these cells' transition to mature, myelin-making mavens.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Study provides better understanding of how mosquitoes find a host
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bm737Dw7-fI/100309111633.htm
The potentially deadly yellow-fever-transmitting Aedes aegypti mosquito detects the specific chemical structure of a compound called octenol as one way to find a mammalian host for a blood meal.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Sonic hedgehog gene found in an unexpected place during limb development
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5Mvz7N5yHnw/100309182451.htm
Sonic hedgehog is at work in mice limb buds in what is known as the ectoderm, the cell layer that gives rise to skin, researchers discovered. Finding Sonic hedgehog here is akin to discovering that yeast has crept from the batter to the frosting, where it has the surprising effect of limiting how much the cake rises. In this case, instead of causing appendages to grow in mice, Sonic hedgehog prevents digits from developing.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
NoMix toilets get thumbs-up in seven European countries
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZwRMZA6VrUw/100310134258.htm
People in seven European countries have positive attitudes toward a new eco-friendly toilet that could substantially reduce pollution problems and conserve water and nutrients, scientists in Switzerland are reporting. Their article calls on authorities to give wider support for the innovative toilet technology.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
ATV and motocross sports: High velocity toys merit caution, experts say
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zwNbUmEETOc/100310083448.htm
Over the years, all terrain vehicles (ATVs) and motocross motorcycles have gained popularity and marketed as toys to consumers. These high-velocity machines can weigh between 300 and 600 pounds, and run on average between 25 and 60 miles per hour, while some even reach maximum speeds of 75 miles per hour. In 2008, nearly 28 percent of all ATV-related injuries were to children younger than 16. There were an estimated 135,000 injuries for riders of all ages for ATV use. A majority of ATV injuries happen from tipping, overturning or multiple riders.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Discovery of 'fat' taste could hold the key to reducing obesity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-7RlzKSmH0Y/100310164011.htm
A newly discovered ability for people to taste fat could hold the key to reducing obesity, researchers believe. They also found that people with a high sensitivity to the taste of fat tended to eat less fatty foods and were less likely to be overweight
Thu, 11 Mar 10
First inherited prostate cancer genetic mutation in African-American men identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XZFVLcBs88o/100310101722.htm
Researchers have discovered, for the first time, a genetic mutation in African-American men with a family history of prostate cancer who are at increased risk for the disease. The team identified an inheritable genetic defect in the receptor for the male hormone, androgen (testosterone), that may contribute to the development of prostate cancer and its progression.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Large mammals need protected areas, forest cover in India
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Dz5YO7iw1Kg/100310113535.htm
A study of extinction patterns of 25 large mammal species in India finds that improving existing protected areas, creating new areas, and interconnecting them will be necessary for many species to survive this century.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Osteoporosis drug improves healing after rotator cuff surgery
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ODEUb82_C6U/100310091648.htm
Tears in the shoulder's rotator cuff, a common sports injury, are painful and restricting. New research shows an approved therapy for osteoporosis, Forteo, may speed healing and improve patient outcomes, according to a preliminary study.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Physicians click their way to better prescriptions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iIp2c8izpQg/100310113529.htm
Is it time for all community-based doctors to turn to e-prescribing to cut down on the number of medication errors? Electronic prescriptions can dramatically reduce prescribing errors -- up to seven-fold, according to a new study of the benefits of e-prescribing in primary care practices.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Playing music on your clothing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/surkUQM1vPs/100310083840.htm
In the future it may be considerably easier for orchestras to tour. Jeannine Han, who is in the second year of her master's program in textiles and fashion design at the Swedish School of Textiles in Borås, Sweden, working together with technician Dan Riley, has developed clothing that plays music when touched.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Discovery in legumes could reduce fertilizer use, aid environment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/d1tBN0bFuk4/100301091552.htm
Escalating use of nitrogen fertilizer is increasing algal blooms and global warming, but a recent discovery by researchers could begin to reverse that. They have revealed a key step in how symbiotic bacteria living in legumes turn nitrogen into plant food, which could be used to improve the process in some plants, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Hormone thought to slow aging associated with increased risk of cancer death
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rPh1S1AaZ4w/100301091417.htm
Older men with high levels of the hormone IGF-I (insulin-like growth factor 1) are at increased risk of cancer death, independent of age, lifestyle and cancer history, according to a new study.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Papaya extract thwarts growth of cancer cells in lab tests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-akW6W_oT0k/100309182449.htm
Papaya extract seems to have a toxic effect on cancer cells in culture, suggesting a potential treatment. Scientists documented for the first time that papaya leaf extract boosts the production of key signaling molecules called Th1-type cytokines. This regulation of the immune system, in addition to papaya's direct anti-tumor effect on various cancers, suggests possible therapeutic strategies that use the immune system to fight cancers.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Obese 3-year-olds show early warning signs for future heart disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gafLoNPM5bk/100301091419.htm
A new study finds that obese children as young as 3 years old have elevated levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation that in adults is considered an early warning sign for possible future heart disease.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Pottery leads to discovery of peace-seeking women in American Southwest
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/i8XEBJA2zGo/100310101726.htm
A researcher believes pottery found throughout the North American Southwest comes from a religion of peace-seeking women in the violent, 13th-century American Southwest. These women sought to find a way to integrate newly immigrating refugees and prevent the spread of warfare that decimated communities to the north.
Thu, 11 Mar 10
Work, leisure attitudes of Baby Boomers, Generation Xers and Millennials compared
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ixhNmFUTH-0/100310083450.htm
Managing the young generation of workers -- sometimes called GenY, GenMe, or Millennials -- is a hot topic, covered in the popular press and discussed in numerous books and seminars. However, most of these discussions are based on perceptions and anecdote rather than hard data, partially because no one had established that GenY differed in work values from previous generations -- until now.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Big power from tiny wires: Carbon nanotubes can produce powerful waves that could be harnessed for new energy systems
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/x18_eNViLxA/100307215536.htm
Scientists have discovered a previously unknown phenomenon that can cause powerful waves of energy to shoot through minuscule wires known as carbon nanotubes. The discovery could lead to a new way of producing electricity, the researchers say.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Low oxygen levels in body linked to cancer-aiding protein
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3YaYMClsROM/100309113644.htm
A professor of biochemistry who was researching protein kinase C gamma in the lens of the human eye found her work taking a fascinating turn when she discovered a correlation between the protein Coonexin46 and hypoxia -- a deficiency of oxygen which kills normal tissue cells. The researcher believes the findings will lead to serious advancements in treating retinoblastoma, a cancer that forms in the tissue of the retina.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Ever-changing Earth: How the atmosphere can affect planet's shape, rotation, gravitational field
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LkCYtUeFCOk/100308203308.htm
Researchers in Austria are investigating the effects of the Earth's atmosphere on our planet's shape, its rotation and its gravitational field. The researchers' aim is to develop a better understanding of the Earth's system and to support the development of the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS).
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Transplant drug preserves kidneys, avoids toxicity, studies suggest
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fx6Q3KoSHps/100303162900.htm
The experimental drug belatacept can prevent graft rejection in kidney transplant recipients while better preserving kidney function when compared with standard immunosuppressive drugs, data from two international phase III clinical trials show.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Cotton is the fabric of your lights, your MP3 player, your cell phone
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AtE79VLMedE/100309161840.htm
Consider this T-shirt: It can monitor your heart rate and breathing, analyze your sweat and even cool you off on a hot summer's day. Or a solar-powered dress that can charge your MP3 player? This is not science fiction -- this is cotton in 2010.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Life is shorter for men, but sexually active life expectancy is longer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/STkJKXTu1EY/100309202927.htm
At age 55, men can expect another 15 years of sexual activity, but women that age should expect less than 11 years, according to a new study. Men in good or excellent health at 55 can add 5 to 7 years to that number. Equally healthy women gain slightly less, 3 to 6 years.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Scientists discover 'catastrophic event' behind the halt of star birth in early galaxy formation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-X276hifl7Q/100309202933.htm
Scientists have found evidence of a catastrophic event they believe was responsible for halting the birth of stars in a galaxy in the early universe. The researchers observed the massive galaxy as it would have appeared just three billion years after the Big Bang when the Universe was a quarter of its present age.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
New study questions benefits of elective removal of ovaries during hysterectomy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AI-88bj5WwM/100309171427.htm
Removal of the ovaries (bilateral oophorectomy) while performing a hysterectomy is common practice to prevent the subsequent development of ovarian cancer. This prophylactic procedure is performed in 55% of all U.S. women having a hysterectomy, or approximately 300,000 times each year. A new article suggests that this procedure may do more harm than good.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Chemical competition: Research identifies new mechanism regulating embryonic development
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LcWnL-hwan8/100309111643.htm
A research team has discovered that protein competition over an important enzyme provides a mechanism to integrate different signals that direct early embryonic development. The work suggests that these signals are combined long before they interact with the organism's DNA, as was previously believed, and also may inform new therapeutic strategies to fight cancer.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Hemoglobin A1c outperforms fasting glucose for risk prediction
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/s1zbjMajo-E/100303192434.htm
Measurements of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) more accurately identify persons at risk for clinical outcomes than the commonly used measurement of fasting glucose, according to a new study. HbA1c levels accurately predict future diabetes, and they better predict stroke, heart disease and all-cause mortality as well.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Future of broadband: Where data is broadcast using desk lamps
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mvOVK24MzuU/100309151503.htm
In the future, getting a broadband connection might be as simple as flipping on a light switch. In fact, according to a group of researchers from Germany, the light coming from the lamps in your home could one day encode a wireless broadband signal.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Acts of kindness spread surprisingly easily: just a few people can make a difference
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LCHcRgcd3wU/100308151049.htm
For all those dismayed by scenes of looting in disaster-struck zones, whether Haiti or Chile or elsewhere, take heart: good acts -- acts of kindness, generosity and cooperation -- spread just as easily as bad. And it takes only a handful of individuals to really make a difference.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Lizard moms choose the right genes for the right gender offspring
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JrICnws3az4/100304142245.htm
Brown anole lizards make an interesting choice when deciding which males should father their offspring. The females of this species mate with several males, then produce more sons with sperm from large fathers, and more daughters with sperm from smaller fathers. The researchers believe that the lizards do this to ensure that the genes from large fathers are passed on to sons, who stand to benefit from inheriting the genes for large size.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Reovirus may be a novel approach to prostate cancer treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mgHsFAL5NWc/100309131754.htm
Researchers in Canada have detected a novel oncolytic viral therapy against prostate cancer with use of a virus called the reovirus, according to a new study.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
'The Rosenfeld' named after California's godfather of energy efficiency
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xVhD5CjcXYM/100309161838.htm
Pioneering French physicists Marie and Pierre Curie have the curie, a unit of radioactivity, named after them. Renowned inventor Nikola Tesla is honored with the tesla, which measures a magnetic field. And now, the Rosenfeld, proposed as a unit for electricity savings, will be named after the man seen by many people as the godfather of energy efficiency, Arthur Rosenfeld.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
CT-scan screening for LAM in women with collapsed lung is cost-effective
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jUOPRRpu8oU/100304072704.htm
Researchers have found that using high-resolution CT-scans to screen for lymphangioleiomyomatosis, or LAM, is cost-effective in non-smoking women between 25 and 54 who come to the emergency room for the first time with a collapsed lung.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Professor predicts baseball winners, uses baseball to tout power of math
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dvNEJk8fcyI/100309111635.htm
With pitchers and catchers having recently reported to spring training, a professor has applied mathematical analysis to compute the number of games that Major League Baseball teams should win in 2010.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Choosing a university degree is not linked to personality, Spanish study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iJpS7zbbXtM/100303092401.htm
Researchers in Spain have studied the connection between professional preferences and personality, based on interviews and questionnaires carried out on 735 secondary school students from the province of Cadiz. The results indicate that personality does not have an influence when choosing a professional career.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Learning from nature: Scientists break down carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide using visible light
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JYiMyebN5PA/100308095840.htm
A recent discovery in understanding how to chemically break down the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into a useful form opens the doors for scientists to wonder what organism is out there -- or could be created -- to accomplish the task. Scientists have figured out a way to efficiently turn carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide using visible light, like sunlight.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Surprising findings about Hepatitis C and insulin resistance
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8V_okhFVy7Y/100309102519.htm
Scientists have known for several years that Hepatitis C, a common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer, also makes people three to four times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. In studying the insulin resistance of 29 people with Hepatitis C, Australian researchers have confirmed that they have high insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes. However, almost all insulin resistance was in muscle, with little or none in the liver, a very surprising finding given that Hepatitis C is a liver disease.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Skin transplant offers new hope to vitiligo patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xf06DAWO3hs/100309142749.htm
A new study finds that skin transplant surgery is safe and effective for treating vitiligo. Researchers followed 23 patients for up to six months after surgery and found that the treated area regained on average 52 percent of its natural skin color. In eight patients with a specific type of vitiligo, the treated area regained on average 74 percent of its natural skin color.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Loss of enzyme reduces neural activity in Angelman syndrome
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9g87XNOAZC0/100304121538.htm
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a debilitating neurological disorder characterized by mental retardation and a high frequency of autism. Researchers have now found that the gene mutation underlying AS appears to affect the ability of neurons to communicate and to properly develop during the first few years of life, a time when brain activity is "rewired" by external stimuli.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
HaptiMap project aims to make maps accessible through touch, hearing and vision
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/stLGSKHRu3o/100309102710.htm
If you are walking or cycling, and do not want to (or are unable to) spend most of your time focusing on a screen, the use of mobile devices tends to be a frustrating experience. The same is true in bright sunlight or if your eyesight is not good enough to see every detail on the mobile screen.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
'Mean' girls and boys: The downside of adolescent relationships
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JoM62v34LBQ/100302093342.htm
Psychology researchers exploring relational aggression and victimization in 11- to 13-year-olds have found adolescent boys have a similar understanding and experience of "mean" behaviors and "bitchiness" as girls.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Cancer mortality has declined since initiation of 'war on cancer'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/igJIAkUrBrU/100309151505.htm
A new American Cancer Society study finds progress in reducing cancer death rates is evident whether measured against baseline rates in 1970 or in 1990. The study finds a downturn in cancer death rates since 1990 results mostly from reductions in tobacco use, increased screening allowing early detection of several cancers, and modest to large improvements in treatment for specific cancers.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Infectious virus hidden in chromosomes can be passed from parents to children
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SKsxDMnt4N4/100308151055.htm
In some individuals the common herpes virus HHV-6 can integrate into structures at the end of chromosomes and be reactivated to an infectious form.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Earthquake in Chile: A complicated fracture
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7wLZ9rWaL9E/100309083656.htm
The extremely strong earthquake that struck Chile Feb. 27 was a complicated rupture process, scientists say. Quakes with such magnitude virtually penetrate the entire Earth's crust. After closer analysis of the seismic waves radiated by this earthquake during the first 134 seconds after start of the rupture, the researchers came to the conclusion that only the region around the actual epicentre was active during the first minutes.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Lacosamide validated as promising therapy for uncontrolled partial-onset seizures
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Tn02hKKZrOc/100225122708.htm
A recent multi-center study has confirmed earlier study results that 400 mg/day of lacosamide provides a good balance of efficacy and tolerability for patients with uncontrolled partial-onset seizures, and doses of 600mg/day may provide additional benefit for some patients.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Mathematical model may offer better understanding of embryonic development
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/t28Pr1N1kvw/100309121546.htm
A mathematical model can predict complex signaling patterns that could help scientists determine how stem cells in an embryo later become specific tissues, knowledge that could be used to understand and treat developmental disorders and some diseases.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Researcher presents risk-free treatment for low female sexual desire
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nhYU08rvGGs/100309111639.htm
Researchers are currently testing a new drug, flibanserin, which was developed as an antidepressant and affects neurotransmitters in the brain, to treat women with low sexual desire. However, experts are concerned about the side effects of this possible treatment. Now, a researcher has found evidence that a low-cost, risk-free psychological treatment is effective and may be a better alternative to drugs that have adverse side effects.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Snake venom charms science world: Novel protein from king cobra as drug discovery
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kZ4jVVakv1s/100308095842.htm
The king cobra continues to weave its charm with researchers identifying a protein in its venom with the potential for new drug discovery and to advance understanding of disease mechanisms.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Mathematical approach to immune cell analysis seen as first step to better distinguish health and disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-1IG28og7a4/100308095455.htm
Researchers have developed a new mathematical approach to analyze molecular data derived from complex mixtures of immune cells. This approach, when combined with well-established techniques, readily identifies changes in small samples of human whole blood, and has the potential to distinguish between health and disease states.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
How ATP, molecule bearing 'the fuel of life,' is broken down in cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UunVZ500of0/100301091428.htm
Researchers have figured out how ATP is broken down in cells, providing for the first time a clear picture of the key reaction that allows cells in all living things to function and flourish. Discovered some 80 years ago, adenosine triphosphate is said to be second in biological importance only to DNA.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Preventing or reversing inflammation after heart attack, stroke may require two-pronged approach
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MgziJsSZOC8/100301091425.htm
Researchers are releasing results of a study this week that they say will help refocus the search for new drug targets aimed at preventing or reversing the devastating tissue inflammation that results after heart attack and stroke.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Friction: All may look smooth, but there are 'bumps' along the way
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/weZkzoYcqEU/100308095501.htm
Friction in human relations is all too obvious and prevalent, but friction in physics has had a "secret life" of its own that has now been revealed by scientists.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Repeated anesthesia can affect children's ability to learn
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JjIRWKpyFC0/100308095838.htm
There is a link between repeated anesthesia in children and memory impairment, though physical activity can help to form new cells that improve memory, reveals new research.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Insulators made into conductors: Polymers coaxed to line up, transformed into materials that could dissipate heat
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZmA1sB5Bwy4/100307215542.htm
Most polymers -- materials made of long, chain-like molecules -- are very good insulators for both heat and electricity. But scientists have now found a way to transform the most widely used polymer, polyethylene, into a material that conducts heat just as well as most metals, yet remains an electrical insulator.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Genetic variant greatly increases lung cancer risk for light smokers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vPyH2xGbWF0/100309131756.htm
Individuals with a certain type of genetic susceptibility to lung cancer face a greatly increased risk for the deadly disease with even a small exposure to cigarette smoke, a new study finds.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Natural antioxidants give top barn swallows a leg on competitors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EsU-DF-VuSQ/100224205832.htm
A new study indicates North American barn swallows outperform their peers in reproduction -- the "currency" of evolutionary change -- by maintaining a positive balance of antioxidants commonly sold in health food stores.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
How to fortify the immunity of HIV patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/M0W4kdQKny0/100308095828.htm
New findings may soon lead to an expansion of the drug arsenal used to fight HIV.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Natural and artificial sheaths used to mend traumatic bone loss
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NTXPLObnGIE/100309102515.htm
A research team has shown that the stem-cell rich periosteum sheath around bone can be used to mend serious bone loss faster and more simply than bone grafts. The researchers have developed an artificial periosteum that can be implanted in patients who have too little of the natural covering left.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Divine intervention? New research looks at beliefs about God's influence in everyday life
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-SHz_VWWCVY/100309131758.htm
Most Americans believe God is concerned with their personal well-being and is directly involved in their personal affairs, according to new research.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Most extreme white dwarf binary system found with orbit of just five minutes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/H790ElHRWYQ/100309091450.htm
An international team of astronomers has shown that the two stars in the binary HM Cancri definitely revolve around each other in a mere 5.4 minutes. This makes HM Cancri the binary star with by far the shortest known orbital period. It is also the smallest known binary.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
New syndrome affecting potentially thousands of hospital inpatients identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JH58LUWdvLI/100308170953.htm
Researchers have identified a new syndrome affecting potentially thousands of hospital inpatients. Coined SHAKE (Supplement-associated Hyperammonemia After C(K)achetic Episode), the condition, which results in altered mental status and difficulty walking, can be prevented by excluding high protein dietary supplements in a patients' diet if they have experienced poor eating for more than a week prior to their admittance.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Deceptive model: Stem cells of humans and mice differ more strongly than suspected
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JmTnNFLAffI/100308095445.htm
Mice are in many ways similar to Homo sapiens on a fundamental level. That is why the law in this part of the world only permits scientists to conduct research on human embryonic stem cells when they have "clarified in advance" their specific questions by using animal cells as far as possible. However, such tests are often pointless -- and sometimes even misleading, as a recent study demonstrates.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Heat therapy shown effective in treating cutaneous leishmaniasis among US soldiers in Iraq
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/T0IwQ8aQCMA/100308203203.htm
A single session of heat therapy using the ThermoMed device appears to be as effective as a 10-day intravenous course of sodium stibogluconate for the treatment of Leishmania major skin lesions, according to a new study. The randomized treatment trial involved 56 military personnel who contracted L. major while serving in Iraq.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Increased solar radiation requires additional CO2 reduction of 50 million tonnes, analysis finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4voQzDnraDA/100309083700.htm
The recently observed reduction in air pollution implies that more solar radiation reaches Earth’s surface. This could lead to a far more rapid increase in Earth’s temperature in the coming decades than has previously been expected. In order to successfully combat global warming, it is crucial that scientists incorporate increases in CO2 emissions reductions as well as reductions in air pollution in the calculations, according to a new analysis based on unique solar radiation data collected from weather stations between 1959 and 2002.
Wed, 10 Mar 10
Full house raises risk of hospital deaths, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NIoh4kLdNrM/100309102529.htm
A full house isn't always a good thing, according to a new study that links high hospital occupancy to higher death rates for patients. High occupancy periods are a challenging time when more things can go wrong, authors say. Researchers evaluated records at 39 Michigan hospitals to study a set of factors that can affect hospital deaths. The large scale study can provide lessons for hospitals across the country.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Physicists find way to see through paint, paper, and other opaque materials
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sLi3j1rjk_M/100308132052.htm
New experiments show that it's possible to focus light through opaque materials and detect objects hidden behind them, provided you know enough about the material.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Bone marrow can harbor HIV-infected cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nO0L-QG8YiU/100308132045.htm
Antiviral drugs have reduced AIDS to more of chronic disease rather than a death sentence, but why is the disease so hard to cure? New research shows that bone marrow, previously thought to be resistant to the virus, can contain latent forms of the infection. Targeting these reservoirs of latent cells may open the door to new treatments.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Biggest, deepest crater exposes hidden, ancient moon
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HHWhyfepzsY/100304165918.htm
Shortly after the Moon formed, an asteroid smacked into its southern hemisphere and gouged out a truly enormous crater, the South Pole-Aitken basin, almost 1,500 miles across and more than five miles deep.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
New light shed on how retina's hardware is used in color vision
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GbdEaLJeo_A/100308151051.htm
Biologists have identified, in greater detail, how the retina's cellular hardware is used in color preference. The findings enhance our understanding of how eyes and the brain process color.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Synthetic 'sea shells' made from chalk and materials used in disposable coffee cups
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SUAjFFl9fA0/100308095449.htm
Scientists have made synthetic 'sea shells' from a mixture of chalk and polystyrene cups -- and produced a tough new material that could make our homes and offices more durable.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Exposure to letters A or F can affect test performance
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/deiGSMrzDUc/100308203306.htm
Seeing the letter A before an exam can improve a student's exam result while exposure to the letter F may make a student more likely to fail, according to a new study.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Asexual plant reproduction may seed new approach for agriculture
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mWmJFkeI9FI/100308132035.htm
A scientist has moved a step closer to turning sexually-reproducing plants into asexual reproducers, a finding that could have profound implications for agriculture.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Like little golden assassins, 'smart' nanoparticles identify, target and kill cancer cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Rteb2ZcQJWc/100308171219.htm
Another weapon in the arsenal against cancer: nanoparticles that identify, target and kill specific cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Women who drink moderately appear to gain less weight than nondrinkers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ei2J3meGl_0/100308132032.htm
Normal-weight women who drink a light to moderate amount of alcohol appear to gain less weight and have a lower risk of becoming overweight and obese than nondrinkers, according to a new article.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Dietary supplements discouraged for prostate cancer patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ANWgoqLYomI/100308102206.htm
Prostate-specific dietary supplements should not be taken during radiation therapy treatments because they have been shown to increase the radiosensitivity of normal prostate cell lines, leading to normal tissue complications, according to a new study.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Listening in on single cells: Novel sensor array detects single molecules produced by living cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zdqkldouuQs/100307215528.htm
Chemical engineers have built a sensor array that, for the first time, can detect single molecules of hydrogen peroxide emanating from a single living cell.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Abused children more likely to suffer unexplained abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LM56ldSKd48/100308170957.htm
Children who have been abused psychologically, physically or sexually are more likely to suffer unexplained abdominal pain and nausea or vomiting than children who have not been abused, a new study concludes.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
New method to grow arteries could lead to 'biological bypass' for heart disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-2W-yEewsN0/100308182507.htm
A new method of growing arteries could lead to a "biological bypass" -- or a noninvasive way to treat coronary artery disease.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Obesity as protection against metabolic syndrome, not its cause
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bahbZMtKLFk/100308122023.htm
The collection of symptoms that is the metabolic syndrome -- insulin resistance, high cholesterol, fatty liver, and a greater risk for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke -- are all related to obesity, but, according to a new review not in the way you probably think they are.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Is That Saturn's Moon Titan or Utah?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/W397ZMdP2YM/100308124809.htm
Planetary scientists have been puzzling for years over the honeycomb patterns and flat valleys with squiggly edges evident in radar images of Saturn's moon Titan. Now, working with a "volunteer researcher" who has put his own spin on data from NASA's Cassini spacecraft, they have found some recognizable analogies to a type of spectacular terrain on Earth known as karst topography.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Shoulder function not fully restored after rotator cuff surgery, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WKZXLUS7Sdw/100306223835.htm
Shoulder motion after rotator cuff surgery remains significantly different when compared to the patient's opposite shoulder, according to researchers. In the study, researchers used X-rays providing a 3D view of motion of the arm bone in relation to the shoulder blade, to compared motion in the shoulders of 14 patients who had arthroscopic surgical repair of tendon tears and no symptoms in their other shoulders.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Campylobacter bacteria in cattle manure may survive composting
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CSN3IOeQPbA/100224171828.htm
Contrary to popular belief, some disease causing bacteria may actually survive the composting process. Researchers report that campylobacter bacteria in cattle manure can survive composting and persist for long periods in the final product.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Unhealthy foods become less popular with increasing costs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ioCU68uzvhc/100308170959.htm
Adults tend to eat less pizza and drink less soda as the price of these items increases, and their body weight and overall calorie intake also appear to decrease, according to a new study.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Drastic musk ox population decline 12,000 years ago due to climate, not humans, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OMtTNh_forE/100308171152.htm
Scientists have discovered that the drastic decline in Arctic musk ox populations that began roughly 12,000 years ago was due to a warming climate rather than to human hunting. The research is the first study to use ancient musk ox DNA collected from across the animal's former geographic range to test for human impacts on musk ox populations.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
New heart valve replacement technologies offer hope for high-risk patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/e4icBL10hpM/100308122029.htm
A significant number of people with heart disease will benefit from less invasive transcatheter heart valve replacements in future, finds a review of updated practices.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
New ways to disarm deadly South American hemorrhagic fever viruses
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/P1LGhOm4l_s/100308132041.htm
Researchers have discovered how one New World hemorrhagic fever virus latches onto and infects human cells, offering a much-needed lead toward new treatments.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
High weight associated with risk of colorectal tumors without microsatellite instability
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/96H2Cj9VtUw/100305163036.htm
The increased risk of colorectal cancer associated with obesity may be largely restricted to tumors that have no or low microsatellite instability, a common condition in most colorectal cancers, according to a new study.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Scatterometry: measuring ever-smaller chip production
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GVtZvP_hDK8/100225123616.htm
As computer chips rapidly continue to evolve, new technologies must be developed to closely monitor the fabrication process and guard against faults at a sub-microscopic level.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Genealogical tourism redefining leisure travel market, professor says
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5cPhnPsRId4/100304142302.htm
For the work-weary, the word "vacation" may conjure images of leisurely, carefree days at the beach sipping umbrella drinks. But according an expert in tourism and recreation, genealogical tourism is one of the fastest growing markets in vacation travel because it represents a conscious shift away from relaxation and into the realm of personal enrichment and fulfillment.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
'Globetrotting' new worms discovered on Great Barrier Reef and Swedish coast
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CHHy2WMz1ZU/100308095836.htm
Between the grains of sand on the sea floor there is an unknown and unexplored world. Scientists have just found new animal species on the Great Barrier Reef, in New Caledonia, and in the sea off the Gullmarsfjord in the Swedish county of Bohuslan.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Researchers induce a new transmissible prion disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3nZ1Gkr82Qc/100226211408.htm
Researchers have conducted a study on prion disease and found that transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) can be induced without an outside catalyst like a virus.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
A fingerprint for genes: Scientists develop new strategy to play major role in research on human diseases
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gqriCPgJtDc/100305093644.htm
Scientists in Germany have applied a new strategy to identify and characterize genes involved in endocytosis. From their findings the scientists also hope to derive significant information about how infections could be prevented and diseases treated in future.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Breast cancer screening: MRI sensitive, no added value with mammography, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MkhdlAuDZKY/100226101326.htm
Do we need a revision of current recommendations for breast cancer screening? According to a recent study, this appears advisable at least for young women carrying an increased risk of breast cancer. The results of the EVA trial confirm once more that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is substantially more accurate for early diagnosis of breast cancer than digital mammography or breast ultrasound: MRI is three times more sensitive for breast cancer than digital mammography.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
New way forward for nanocomposite nanostructures
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hC4V0yVDmzM/100225151920.htm
Scientists recently reported a new technique for directly writing composites of nanoparticles and polymers. Recent years have seen significant advances in the properties achieved by both these materials, and so researchers have begun to blend these materials into nanocomposites that access the properties of both materials.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Most teens don’t stop to think about tattoo-removal risks
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-3Am4s0dZJI/100306144801.htm
Many adolescents think about getting tattoos, but less than half know what's involved in having them removed, according to an Italian study.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Chilean earthquake moved entire city 10 feet west, shifted other parts of South America
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SlirFdzMrPw/100308132043.htm
The massive magnitude 8.8 earthquake that struck the west coast of Chile last month moved the entire city of Concepcion at least 10 feet to the west, and shifted other parts of South America as far apart as the Falkland Islands and Fortaleza, Brazil. These preliminary measurements, done by researchers including geophysicists on the ground in Chile, paint a much clearer picture of the power behind this temblor, believed to be the fifth-most-powerful since instruments have been available to measure seismic shifts.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Ocular shingles linked to increased risk of stroke
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wWgTZO5ZzX8/100303162852.htm
Having a shingles infection that affects the eyes may increase the risk of stroke, according to new research.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Vitamin D crucial to activating immune defenses
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/w7PMMfdhGcw/100307215534.htm
Scientists have found that vitamin D is crucial to activating our immune defenses and that without sufficient intake of the vitamin - the killer cells of the immune system -- T cells -- will not be able to react to and fight off serious infections in the body. The research team found that T cells first search for vitamin D in order to activate and if they cannot find enough of it will not complete the activation process.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Pioneering treatment reduces disability in premature babies with serious brain hemorrhage, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kWw7hkvUarA/100307215540.htm
A pioneering technique has been shown to reduce disability in premature babies with serious brain hemorrhage by washing the brain to remove toxic fluid.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Mathematical innovation turns blood draw into information gold mine
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Jr78iYD5YkA/100307215530.htm
Scientists have devised a software algorithm that could enable a common laboratory device to virtually separate a whole-blood sample into its different cell types and detect medically important gene-activity changes specific to any one of those cell types.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Lung cancer patients with optimistic attitudes have longer survival, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OV_esVBOF-8/100303131656.htm
A new study explores the importance of a patient's outlook as it relates to health behavior and health status. Researchers focused on lung cancer patients and discovered that those who exhibited an optimistic disposition experienced more favorable outcomes than those with a pessimistic disposition.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Unselfish molecules may have helped give birth to the genetic material of life
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4IVZ8LcaTqA/100308151043.htm
One of the biggest questions facing scientists today is how life began. Scientists have discovered that small molecules could have acted as "molecular midwives" in helping the building blocks of life's genetic material form long chains and may have assisted in selecting the base pairs of the DNA double helix.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Anti-depressants bring higher risk of developing cataracts
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tN43BCUGUPE/100308151100.htm
Some anti-depressant drugs are associated with an increased chance of developing cataracts, according to a new statistical study.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
'Microrings' could nix wires for communications in homes, offices
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zfyM1BgQfKA/100303141932.htm
Researchers have developed a miniature device capable of converting ultrafast laser pulses into bursts of radio-frequency signals, a step toward making wires obsolete for communications in the homes and offices of the future.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Genetic cause discovered for rare bleeding disorder
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/B4uJdmkVv44/100304093635.htm
Hematologists have discovered the genetic cause of Quebec platelet disorder. They have gone on to develop a genetic test for the condition -- a major advance in diagnosing this serious and unusual bleeding problem.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
LED streetlights best buy for cities, researchers report
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9C2Qm45WOjg/100308132136.htm
Researchers have conducted the first cradle-to-grave assessment of light-emitting diode streetlights and determined that the increasingly popular lamps strike the best balance between brightness, affordability, and energy and environmental conservation when their life span -- from production to disposal -- is considered. LEDs consist of clusters of tiny, high-intensity bulbs and are extolled for their power efficiency and clear luminosity.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Possible early glimpse of autism's impact on older siblings
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/M12A6gfVnHw/100308132142.htm
A new study suggests a trend toward developing hyperactivity among typically developing elementary-school-aged siblings of autistic preschoolers and supports the notion that mothers of young, autistic children experience more depression and stress than mothers with typically developing children.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Bacterial product isolated in soil from Easter Island rescues learning, memory in Alzheimer's mouse model
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yYFXeQ3tOvA/100224165259.htm
A new study offers the first evidence that the drug rapamycin -- a bacterial product first isolated in soil from Easter Island -- is able to reverse Alzheimer's disease-like deficits in an animal model.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Occupational sunlight exposure reduces kidney cancer risk in men, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/N8iIJrWoU8o/100308081742.htm
Study says men employed in occupations with potential exposure to high levels of sunlight have a reduced risk of kidney cancer compared with men who were less likely to be exposed to sunlight at work.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Alternative Energy Crops in Space
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tqVPCPOPKuI/100308125356.htm
What if space held the key to producing alternative energy crops on Earth? That's what researchers are hoping to find in a new experiment on the International Space Station.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
New treatments and good skin care helping patients control acne and rosacea
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fKJikbIoFxU/100306143640.htm
Acne and rosacea are two seemingly different skin conditions that have one important thing in common: both are chronic and extremely common skin conditions. However, dermatologists recommend that with proper diagnosis, treatment and a healthy dose of good, old-fashioned skin care, acne and rosacea can be less of a nuisance for patients.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Breakthrough blueprint for studying differentiation and evolution with new atlas of transcription factor combinations
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XRbv-ZSZJqw/100304121536.htm
In a significant leap forward in the understanding of how specific types of tissue are determined to develop in mammals, an international team of scientists has succeeded in mapping the entire network of DNA-binding transcription factors and their interactions. This global network indicates which factors can combine to determine cell fate.
Tue, 9 Mar 10
Vitamin D lifts mood during cold weather months, researchers say
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/F8nBULtRgsg/100303162854.htm
A daily dose of vitamin D may just be what people in northern climates need to get through the long winter, according to researchers. This nutrient lifts mood during cold weather months when days are short and more time is spent indoors.
Sun, 7 Mar 10
Tides, Earth's rotation among sources of giant underwater waves
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/btUWByB_tkQ/100224165231.htm
Scientists are gaining new insight into the mechanisms that generate huge, steep underwater waves that occur between layers of warm and cold water in coastal regions of the world's oceans.
Sun, 7 Mar 10
Virus infections may be contributing factor in onset of gluten intolerance
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/b_VVWoVyrnc/100305083304.htm
Recent research findings indicate a possible connection between virus infections, the immune system and the onset of gluten intolerance, also known as celiac disease.
Sun, 7 Mar 10
Vitamins stored in bathrooms, kitchens may become less effective
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/R6Dfm1G07rg/100302162257.htm
High humidity present in bathrooms and kitchens could be degrading the vitamins and health supplements stored in those rooms, even if the lids are on tight, a new study shows. Crystalline substances are prone to a process called deliquescence, in which humidity causes a water-soluble solid to dissolve. Keeping vitamins and supplements away from warm, humid environments can help ensure their effectiveness.
Sun, 7 Mar 10
Personalized medicine in warfarin therapy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_dKrgYJEjSo/100225151918.htm
Researchers have developed a rapid, multiplexed genotyping method to identify the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that affect warfarin dose.
Sun, 7 Mar 10
Climate fluctuations 115,000 years ago: Were short warm periods typical for transitions to glacial epochs?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/d0x-ZrYIJ6c/100302111912.htm
At the end of the last interglacial epoch, around 115,000 years ago, there were significant climate fluctuations. In Central and Eastern Europe, the slow transition from the Eemian Interglacial to the Weichselian Glacial was marked by a growing instability in vegetation trends with possibly at least two warming events. This is the finding of German and Russian climate researchers who have evaluated geochemical and pollen analyses of lake sediments in Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg and Russia.
Sun, 7 Mar 10
Canine health may parallel community health
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BlHC3tbqg-o/100306145502.htm
The family dog may not only be a friendly companion but also a reflection of community health.
Sun, 7 Mar 10
Lava likely made river-like channel on Mars
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Q_0ILTiQgfY/100304165916.htm
Flowing lava can carve or build paths very much like the riverbeds and canyons etched by water, and this probably explains at least one of the meandering channels on the surface of Mars.
Sun, 7 Mar 10
Studies on nutrients, gene expression could lead to tailored diets for disease prevention
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/u7QW90tw0xE/100305112159.htm
A new research article examines the potential for nutrigenomics, a field that studies the effects of food on gene expression. The researchers discussed the possibility of using food to prevent an individual's genes from expressing disease. They said nutrigenomics could completely change the future of public health and the food and culinary industries.
Sun, 7 Mar 10
Icecold calculations: How much cold can we actually tolerate without it affecting our performance?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/grSTXbZXuik/100304075710.htm
Researchers in Norway are gathering physiological data on how we react to cold. These data will give scientists the expertise they need to develop what they call "advanced protection" for persons who operate in our most severe climate zones, such as Siberia and the Arctic.
Sun, 7 Mar 10
New strategy develops two prototype drugs against cancer, retinal diseases
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Vuku5JCl0tE/100225122659.htm
A comprehensive drug development strategy that starts with extensive screening of potential targeting peptides to identify prototype small-molecule drugs has produced two that target the EGFR and VEGFR pathways in novel ways.
Sun, 7 Mar 10
How nanosized particles may affect skin care products
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hRouh05lGi8/100306104209.htm
The rapidly growing field of nanotechnology and its future use in cosmetic products holds both enormous potential and potential concern for consumers. Currently, major cosmetic manufacturers have imposed a voluntary ban on the use of nanoparticles in products while they await a ruling from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the safety of this technology. However, these manufacturers know that when ingredients in products such as sunscreens and anti-aging products are converted into nano-sized particles, the end product displays unique properties that can benefit the skin in ways that otherwise could not be achieved using larger-sized particles.
Sun, 7 Mar 10
Eliminating junk foods at schools may help prevent childhood obesity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dOeGQBIKk1k/100302083500.htm
New policies that eliminate sugary beverages and junk foods from schools may help slow childhood obesity, according to a new study.
Sun, 7 Mar 10
Breakthrough reveals blood vessel cells are key to growing unlimited amounts of adult stem cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sR_dEslDJfM/100304184542.htm
In a leap toward making stem cell therapy widely available, researchers have discovered that endothelial cells, the most basic building blocks of the vascular system, produce growth factors that can grow copious amounts of adult stem cells and their progeny over the course of weeks. Until now, adult stem cell cultures would die within four or five days despite best efforts to grow them.
Sun, 7 Mar 10
Small molecule with high impact: Researchers examine new adjuvant to improve vaccinations
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/C5lY468VK0Y/100302111914.htm
Researchers in Germany have found a new molecule with the capacity of improving responses to vaccines. The synthetic compound, the so-called c-di-IMP, might be more than just a potent vaccine enhancer. The scientists expect to create new vaccination strategies based on c-di-IMP.
Sun, 7 Mar 10
Proton collisions detected at unprecedented levels of energy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xlS4QxbJW3g/100303094820.htm
CERN has been able to take the first measurements of collisions between particles with the highest energy ever generated. These collisions were performed at CERN’s new LHC accelerator.
Sun, 7 Mar 10
Can blood-pressure cuffs work? Novel ways to limit stroke damage
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1miBOV5nknk/100224171455.htm
Can using a simple blood-pressure cuff limit damage from strokes caused by decreased blood supply to the brain? An emerging field of study is working to see whether using this blood-pressure cuff or other methods of "training the brain" could help reduce damage from a stroke as it is occurring while a patient is being transported to the hospital.
Sun, 7 Mar 10
New digital archive study aims to create permanence from the web
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/x8mMOkt0k3g/100301164412.htm
How can we curate and make permanent the narratives and transient experiences we share daily on the web? Can we preserve a player’s participation in an Alternate Reality Game that spans continents and platforms, or in reading a story that disappears from the world once its last page is turned?
Sun, 7 Mar 10
Teaching self-control skills to children reduces classroom problems
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cUHxNT8pVeA/100305112201.htm
Children taught skills to monitor and control their anger and other emotions improved their classroom behavior and had significantly fewer school disciplinary referrals and suspensions, according to a new study.
Sat, 6 Mar 10
Water practically flies off 'near perfect' hydrophobic surface that refuses to get wet
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mUoF7CNxZvc/100224132639.htm
Engineering researchers have crafted a flat surface that refuses to get wet. Water droplets skitter across it like ball bearings tossed on ice.
Sat, 6 Mar 10
Low levels of vitamin D linked to muscle fat, decreased strength in young people
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/m52Zx1uChB8/100305112157.htm
A ground-breaking study found an astonishing 59 percent of study subjects had too little vitamin D in their blood. Nearly a quarter of the group had serious deficiencies of this important vitamin. Since vitamin D insufficiency is linked to increased body fat, decreased muscle strength and a range of disorders, this is a serious health issue.
Sat, 6 Mar 10
Graphene hybrid: One-atom-thick sheet offers new microelectronic possibilities
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CV_dFsKm1q0/100301165740.htm
Researchers have found a way to stitch graphene and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) into a two-dimensional quilt that offers new paths of exploration for materials scientists.
Sat, 6 Mar 10
Hot road to new drugs: Efficient identification of drug candidates
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_WwgrDFfu68/100224102229.htm
The quest for new drugs is generally a lengthy and costly undertaking. Researchers in Germany have now come up with a simpler and more efficient way of going about it. Not only pharmaceutical research but also medical diagnostics and the environment stand to benefit from the new work.
Sat, 6 Mar 10
Genetically engineered tobacco plant cleans up environmental toxin
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4wsHrpqQD2Y/100301091550.htm
Tobacco might become as well known for keeping us healthy as it is for causing illness thanks to researchers from the UK. In a new study, scientists explain how they developed a genetically modified strain of tobacco that helps temper the damaging effects of toxic pond scum, scientifically known as microcystin-LR which makes water unsafe for drinking, swimming or fishing.
Sat, 6 Mar 10
New generation of rapid-acting antidepressants?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OuLnSgvSOM4/100301111407.htm
Conventional antidepressant treatments generally require three to four weeks to become effective, thus the discovery of treatments with a more rapid onset is a major goal of biological psychiatry. The first drug found to produce rapid improvement in mood was the NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist, ketamine. Researchers report that another medication, scopolamine, also appears to produce replicable rapid improvement in mood.
Sat, 6 Mar 10
Hormone study gives scientists a sense of how animals bond
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YI5LawPAvAU/100224132653.htm
Scientists have pinpointed how a key hormone helps animals to recognize others by their smell. Researchers have shown that the hormone vasopressin helps the brain differentiate between familiar and new scents.
Sat, 6 Mar 10
Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages daily linked to diabetes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_cSgFzQUkqQ/100305224430.htm
More Americans now drink sugar-sweetened sodas, sport drinks and fruit drinks daily, and this increase in consumption has led to more diabetes and heart disease over the past decade, researchers report.
Sat, 6 Mar 10
From carnivorous plants to the medicine cabinet? Anti-fungal agents in pitcher plants investigated
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BKZ1rno2xEo/100218150652.htm
Unusual components from carnivorous plants' pitchers were found effective as anti-fungal drugs against human fungal infections, which are widespread in hospitals.
Sat, 6 Mar 10
Deficits in brain's 'executive' skills common with TIA, minor stroke
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/L8Rx9b8HlaE/100224102222.htm
Cognitive impairment is common in transient ischemic attack and minor ischemic stroke patients. Cognitive impairment in these patients can be detected with tests that evaluate the brain's "executive functions" -- but not with another commonly used screening designed to test for Alzheimer's dementia.
Sat, 6 Mar 10
Molecular imaging technique uses ultrasound and microscopic bubbles to target cancer cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3PRMAtxplcY/100301102751.htm
An imaging technique combining ultrasound and specially modified contrast agents may allow researchers to noninvasively detect cancer and show its progression. The technique enables researchers to visualize tumor activity at the molecular level.
Sat, 6 Mar 10
Infants do not appear to learn words from educational DVDs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zfmT-8xlIMY/100301165612.htm
Among 12- to 24-month old children who view educational baby videos, there does not appear to be evidence that overall general language learning improves or that words featured in the programming are learned, according to a new study.
Sat, 6 Mar 10
Giant panda genome reveals new insights into the bear's bamboo diet
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/T64re4EYmLc/100218102448.htm
Biologists have shed new light on some of the giant panda's unusual biological traits, including its famously restricted diet.
Sat, 6 Mar 10
'Death messenger' molecule causes inflammation after spinal cord injury, prevents healing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AFDLeznZXBc/100303092359.htm
The signaling molecule CD95L, known as "death messenger," causes an inflammatory process in injured tissue after spinal cord injuries and prevents its healing, according to a new study by scientists in Germany. In mice, the researchers found out that if they switch off CD95L, the injured spinal cord heals and the animals regain better ability to move. Therefore, substances which block the death messenger might offer a new approach in the treatment of severe inflammatory diseases.
Sat, 6 Mar 10
Biogenic insecticides decoded
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wSHek-2vsZ8/100301163657.htm
Researchers have discovered a new mode of action of insecticidal toxins from Photorhabdus luminescens, a bacterium which lives in a symbiotic relationship with nematodes. The tiny worms enter insect larvae through natural openings, where they proceed to "cough up" the bacteria. Bacterial toxins produced by the light-emitting bacteria kill the insect larvae, thus creating a larger reservoir of nourishment for the proliferation of nematodes and bacteria. For this reason, the worms and their bacteria are often used as biogenic insecticides.
Sat, 6 Mar 10
Researchers find oncogene is important in pancreatic cancer growth and spread
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aQ0NprtN-oA/100223132012.htm
Researchers have found that PKC-iota (PKC-i), an oncogene important in colon and lung cancers, is over-produced in pancreatic cancer and is linked to poor patient survival. They also found that genetically inhibiting PKC-i in laboratory animals led to a significant decrease in pancreatic tumor growth and spread.
Sat, 6 Mar 10
Mosses, deep-frozen
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8JwVvY3vpmM/100224134325.htm
The University of Freiburg in Germany has launched international resource center for research with mosses.
Sat, 6 Mar 10
Critical brain chemical shown to play role in severe depression
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FlFPSVhjX8Q/100301102803.htm
The next advance in treating major depression may relate to a group of brain chemicals that are involved in virtually all ou