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Fri, 30 Apr 10
Watching a living brain in the act of seeing -- with single-synapse resolution
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vSKvzQ5TDrw/100429092932.htm
Scientists report evidence that individual neurons carry out significant aspects of visual processing. Their novel microscopy method makes it possible to observe individual synapses on a single neuron in a living mammalian brain. Focusing on neurons involved in processing movement-related signals, they discovered that an individual neuron integrates inputs from many synapses into a single output -- a decision, in essence, made by a single nerve cell.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Curcumin nanoparticles 'open up' resistant cancers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZVf0qgwSM50/100428204552.htm
Pre-treatment with curcumin, a component of the spice turmeric, makes ovarian cancer cells more vulnerable to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Researchers found that delivering the curcumin via very small (less than 100nm) nanoparticles enhanced the sensitizing effect.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Purple pokeberries hold secret to affordable solar power worldwide
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ly3QTADFZTg/100429141430.htm
Pokeberries -- the weeds that children smash to stain their cheeks purple-red and that Civil War soldiers used to write letters home -- could be the key to spreading solar power across the globe, according to researchers.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
New reliable method based on patients’ gait helps to diagnose fibromyalgia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bIIf0Ge-_Yg/100427081053.htm
A researcher from Spain has designed a reliable method that -- combined with the diagnostic criteria of the American College of Reumathology -- helps to diagnose fibromyalgia on the basis of patients' walk parameters, i.e. their gait.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Researchers preparing for Blue Waters: Most powerful supercomputer in the world
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yh6N7myRj9I/100427182536.htm
Researchers are preparing their computational chemistry tools for the Blue Waters supercomputer and its quadrillion calculations per second. Blue Waters is expected to be the most powerful supercomputer in the world for open scientific research when it comes online in 2011.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Out of mind, out of sight: Blinking eyes indicate mind wandering
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fHKh6EMaa84/100429153959.htm
When your mind wanders, you're not paying attention to what's going in front of you. A new study suggests that it's not just the mind, it's the body, too; when subjects' minds wandered, they blinked more, setting up a tiny physical barrier between themselves and the outside world.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Healthy person's genome analyzed to predict risk for diseases, responses to treatments
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nuaxeDjfQUA/100429204658.htm
For the first time, researchers have used a healthy person's complete genome sequence to predict his risk for dozens of diseases and how he will respond to several common medications.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Tiny particles may help surgeons by marking brain tumors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gcnMNJqjX98/100429154001.htm
Researchers have developed a way to enhance how brain tumors appear in MRI scans and during surgery, making the tumors easier for surgeons to identify and remove. Scientists are experimenting with different nanoparticles that they hope may one day be injected into the blood of patients and help surgeons remove lethal brain tumors known as glioblastomas.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
World first remote heart operation carried out in UK using robotic arm
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Kin9RjKkifw/100428204554.htm
A pioneering world first robotics system operation is to be conducted at Glenfield Hospital Leicester in the UK. The system is novel because it allows a doctor to carry out a common heart treatment procedure remotely using a robotic arm.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Smoking during radiation therapy for head and neck cancers linked to poorer outcomes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_zucyOEHgpU/100427171847.htm
Smokers who don't quit before radiation therapy for throat, mouth and other head and neck cancers fair significantly worse than those who do, researchers have found.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Scientist tracks origins of bootleg honey from China
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ryk-nQJ0WXk/100429154003.htm
One scientist spends hours at a time peering at slides of pollen samples, comparing them to track down the origins of honey with questionable heritage. Some of the samples contain labels from other countries when in fact they originated in China but were re-routed to avoid tariffs of up to 500 percent, he says.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Organic snackers underestimate calories, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/X8mF0enmDj8/100428173344.htm
Researchers show that "organic" labels on snack foods can lead people to underestimate the number of calories in their snacks by up to 40%.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Sign language study shows multiple brain regions wired for language
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HtIbQYKatTg/100429173005.htm
A new study finds that there is no single advanced area of the human brain that gives it language capabilities above and beyond those of any other animal species. Instead, humans rely on several regions of the brain, each designed to accomplish different primitive tasks, in order to make sense of a sentence.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Study challenges prevailing view that common diseases are usually caused by common mutations
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jp9IZmmKm10/100429143927.htm
In findings that may speed the search for disease-causing genes, a new study challenges the prevailing view that common diseases are usually caused by common gene variants (mutations). Instead, say genetics researchers, the culprits may be numerous rare variants, located in DNA sequences farther away from the original "hot spots" than scientists have been accustomed to look. The study team successfully tested their approach using real sequencing data from patients with hearing loss.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
A clamp for emerging flu viruses: Researchers unravel secret of innate immune response
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/a0fhTao7pv8/100428085843.htm
When the human body becomes infected with new influenza viruses, the immune system rapidly activates an inborn protective mechanism to inhibit the intruding pathogen. A protein known as Mx plays an important role in this process, keeping the spread of viruses in check. Exactly how Mx accomplishes this task was previously unknown. Now virologists and structural biologists have unraveled the structure of the Mx protein and are able to explain how it develops its anti-viral effect.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Potential treatment for bone death in the hip from osteonecrosis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_jRj2iqR06E/100427171851.htm
Researchers have found a potential new treatment for osteonecrosis, or the death of bone tissue, in people who are treated with steroids for several common medical conditions. There are currently no treatment options for people with this debilitating disease.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Carbon, nitrogen link may provide new ways to mitigate pollution problems
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uzroAcIO9ho/100421133106.htm
A new study exploring the growing worldwide problem of nitrogen pollution from soils to the sea shows that global ratios of nitrogen and carbon in the environment are inexorably linked, a finding that may lead to new strategies to help mitigate regional problems ranging from contaminated waterways to human health.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
It's not what politicians say but what we hear
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/L3qG4x4xzwI/100427190941.htm
There is increasing evidence that individuals interpret the same election message in different ways, according to their personal political views, say experts.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
First case of animals making their own essential nutrients: carotenoids
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Mvu1Le1oMcI/100429141417.htm
The insects known as aphids can make their own essential nutrients called carotenoids, according to new research. No other animals are known to make the potent antioxidants, which are crucial for life. Until now scientists thought the only way animals could obtain the orangey-red compounds was from their diet. Carotenoids are building blocks for molecules crucial for vision, healthy skin, bone growth and other key physiological functions.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Low vitamin D levels are related to MS brain atrophy, cognitive function, studies show
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4Szfg6CyyRY/100429153955.htm
Low vitamin D levels may be associated with more advanced physical disability and cognitive impairment in persons with multiple sclerosis, studies conducted by neurologists have shown.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
ACE measurements and STEREO vision build space weather forecasting system
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wAJeQvKNeuI/100413202848.htm
Scientists have used observations from NASA's STEREO and ACE satellites to come up with more accurate predictions of when blasts of solar wind will reach Earth, Venus and Mars.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
High doses of B vitamins associated with increased decline in kidney function for patients with kidney disease from diabetes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sd1tUWR52i8/100427171752.htm
Patients with diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease caused by diabetes) who received high dose B-vitamin therapy experienced a more rapid decline in kidney function and had a higher rate of heart attack and stroke than patients who received placebo, according to a study.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
DNA And Its Complexes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3whhlxByNqA/100421215000.htm
Throughout life, DNA repair mechanisms go to work during exposure (UV radiation, etc.) in order to protect the human genetic code. This role is assured by the NER complex. Scientists have just shown that NER's role goes well beyond repairing DNA: it regulates transcription, the first stage for all processes necessary for life.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Fibromyalgia affects mental health of those diagnosed and their spouses, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9UvcU9_dqiI/100428101450.htm
Researchers are examining how the diagnosis of fibromyalgia can affect marriages. Initial findings reveal that diagnosed spouses have considerably higher levels of depressive symptoms and pain and report more marital instability and anger than their spouses. For both spouses, the symptoms can trigger increased emotional withdrawal and mental strain.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
'Survivor' black holes may be mid-sized
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aI81-TY_dx0/100429132751.htm
New evidence from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and ESA's XMM-Newton strengthens the case that two mid-sized black holes exist close to the center of a nearby starburst galaxy. These "survivor" black holes avoided falling into the center of the galaxy and could be examples of the seeds required for the growth of supermassive black holes in galaxies, including the one in the Milky Way.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Scientists 'see' molecular signals of eye disease before symptoms arise with new tool
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_lFPPKyK2H4/100429102826.htm
Forget what you know about how diseases are diagnosed -- new research details a noninvasive ground-breaking tool that detects signs of disease at early molecular stages before symptoms can be seen using traditional methods.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Genome sequence marks big leap forward for frog researchers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-B5goDaOvrY/100429141423.htm
An African clawed frog has joined the spotted green puffer fish, the honeybee, and the human among the ranks of more than 175 organisms that have had their genetic information nearly completely sequenced. The research could help scientists better understand the factors causing the vast die-off of amphibians around the globe and also gives scientists a new tool to understand how our genes work at the most basic level.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
A single protein regulates two immune pathways
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/in13HyqwWL8/100429132745.htm
Researchers have identified a protein called NLRC5, a member of the NOD-like protein family, that is involved in inhibition of protein complexes key to critical pathways of innate immunity called NF-κB and type I interferon signaling.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Crude oil no longer needed for production of plastics
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/u6NlLNf5ppA/100429102920.htm
Each year the world produces about 130 million kilo of ethene, the most important raw material for plastics. This gigantic industry is currently dependent on crude oil. And that is running out. Researchers might have found a solution for this problem. With a new reactor ethene can be produced from natural gas and, therefore, in the future from biogas as well.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Lottery game helps to assess brain damage following stroke
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zFj6meIqKgA/100428093354.htm
Patients recovering from stroke sometimes behave as if completely unaware of one half of the world: colliding with obstacles on their left, eating food only from the right side of their plate, or failing to dress their left side. This puzzling phenomenon is termed “spatial neglect” and it affects roughly 45% of patients suffering from a stroke in the right side of the brain. The condition can indicate a long road to recovery, but researchers have now developed a quick and simple lottery game, which can be used to assess the extent of these symptoms and potentially aid the design of rehabilitation programs.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Migratory behaviour affects the size of bird brains
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/haugqUhkMiA/100429082854.htm
Researchers have shed new light on the evolution of brain size in birds. Scientists have known for some time that migratory birds have smaller brains than their resident relatives. Now a new study looks into the reasons and concludes that the act of migrating leads to a reduced brain size. Authors point to the fact that the causes could be due to a need to reduce energetic, metabolic and cognitive costs. To reach these conclusions, scientists reconstructed the evolutionary history of one of the most numerous orders of birds, the passeriformes, a group which includes swallows, tits and crows.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Our genes can be set on pause: Embryonic stem cells reveal oncogene's secret growth formula
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QzQv8r-yVao/100429132743.htm
New evidence in embryonic stem cells shows that mammalian genes may all have a layer of control that acts essentially like the pause button on your DVR. The researchers say the results show that the pausing phenomenon, previously thought to be a peculiarity of particular genes, is actually a much more general feature of the genome.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Nude-colored hospital gowns could help doctors better detect hard-to-see symptoms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JGQ8rwDFKIw/100429132842.htm
Changing the hue of hospital gowns and bed sheets to match a patient's skin color could greatly enhance a physician's ability to detect cyanosis and other health-related skin color changes, according to a new study.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
New genetic link to scleroderma discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xF8DhjvAPgU/100429132844.htm
Scientists have identified a new genetic link to the systemic form of scleroderma. Researchers believe a thorough understanding of the genetic nature of the disease is crucial to developing a cure.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Study gives green light to plants’ role in global warming
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/U4c7VH1yblo/100429111021.htm
Plants remain an effective way of tackling global warming despite emitting small amounts of an important greenhouse gas, a study has shown.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Use of alternative therapy for pain treatment increases with age and wealth
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2why8yRp6os/100429082405.htm
One out of 3 patients with chronic pain reported using complementary and alternative medicine therapies such as acupuncture and chiropractic visits for pain relief.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Scientists report first genome sequence of frog: Genome of Xenopus tropicalis will advance frog genetics
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/j-xUdfG9JWc/100429141421.htm
Because of its large eggs, Xenopus laevis -- the African clawed frog -- has become a popular model for studying embryo development and cell biology. It's smaller cousin, X. tropicalis, is now gaining converts, however, because, with its diploid rather than polyploidy genome, it is easier to insert or block genes in order to determine their function. The X. tropicalis genome is now the first amphibian genome to be sequenced.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Why cholesterol damages arteries: Cholesterol crystals lead to life-threatening inflammation in blood vessel walls
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yzxFrNjMgGA/100428142300.htm
The presence of crystalline cholesterol in the walls of our arteries is a major cause of life-threatening inflammation. This has been demonstrated in a new study.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Developing world will produce double the e-waste of developed countries by 2016, study predicts
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/g8Earuu0Lm8/100428121451.htm
Developing countries will be producing at least twice as much electronic waste (e-waste) as developed countries within the next 6-8 years, according to a new study. It foresees in 2030 developing countries discarding 400 million-700 million obsolete personal computers per year compared to 200 million-300 million in developed countries.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Quick new screening exam could save thousands of people from bowel cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/B_-AlnAJC6I/100427190939.htm
A five-minute screening test could cut the risk of developing bowel cancer by a third and save thousands of lives from what is the UK's second biggest cancer killer, according to new research.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Nano-infused filters prove effective
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OK2wC6ivCAk/100426151634.htm
Researchers have found a way to make carbon nanotube membranes that could find wide application as extra-fine air filters and as scaffolds for catalysts that speed chemical reactions.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Animals' 'right to privacy' denied by wildlife documentary makers, academic argues
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nWFIU_NZ9-4/100429092934.htm
Animals' 'right to privacy' is being denied by makers of television wildlife documentaries, an academic in the UK argues.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Deliver drugs within the body with precision with the help of liposomes?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3dkE5OQn9Fg/100428142334.htm
Scientists have defined the workings of a new technique for making liquid-filled vesicles called liposomes, "fat bubbles" that may one day be used to precisely deliver drugs within the body. The new insight could help make a microchip-scale liposome manufacturing process practical.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
MS study suggests key role of environmental factor in the disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QWtKAMH142E/100428142256.htm
Scientists are reporting what they say is compelling evidence that some powerful non-heritable, environmental factor likely plays a key role in the development of multiple sclerosis.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Military develops multi-purpose 'green' decontaminants for terrorist attack sites
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RN2LMxmyZ40/100428121447.htm
Chemists with the United States military have developed a set of ultra-strength cleaners that could be used in the aftermath of a terrorist attack. The new formulas are tough enough to get rid of nerve gas, mustard gas, radioactive isotopes, and anthrax. But they are also non-toxic, based on ingredients found in foods, cosmetics, and other consumer products.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
'Epigenetic' concepts offer new approach to degenerative disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_WdV5d8wr-8/100428081836.htm
In studies on cancer, heart disease, neurological disorders and other degenerative conditions, some scientists are moving away from the "nature-versus-nurture" debate and are finding you're not a creature of either genetics or environment, but both -- with enormous implications for a new approach to health.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Peat moss could be new tool for oil-spill clean-ups
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oCIR1yZED_I/100427111453.htm
A small company in eastern Norway has developed a peat moss mixture with unusually good absorbent qualities. The material could be a useful tool for clearing up oil-spills after minor incidents or major catastrophes.

Fri, 30 Apr 10
Hormone spray improves male sensitivity, German research finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iaPCd_8-MqA/100429083024.htm
Many women have no doubt been waiting a long time for this: the neuropeptide oytocin enhances male empathy. This substance also increases sensitivity to so-called "social multipliers," such as approving or disapproving looks, according to a new study.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Melting icebergs in polar oceans causing sea level rise globally, new assessment finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/e349OIafnCw/100428142258.htm
Scientists have discovered that changes in the amount of ice floating in the polar oceans are causing sea levels to rise -- by a mere hair's breadth today, but possibly much more if melting trends continue.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Breakthrough method predicts risk of invasive breast cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/o8cMGDsbd6I/100428173335.htm
For the first time, scientists have discovered a way to predict whether women with ductal carcinoma in situ -- the most common form of non-invasive breast cancer -- are at risk of developing more invasive tumors in later years.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
New tool for controlling ultracold gases: Electric fields
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/v6-xKTTC8VU/100428142252.htm
Physicists have demonstrated a new tool for controlling ultracold gases and ultracold chemistry: electric fields.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
HIV patients hold clues to Salmonella vaccine development
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qBks5BYmgas/100422153925.htm
A new study offers a long-awaited explanation for the link between HIV infection and susceptibility to life-threatening nontyphoidal strains of Salmonella. The research goes on to identify targets that could be pursued for Salmonella vaccine development.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Nanodots breakthrough may lead to 'a library on one chip'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4dJYBSiOz_s/100428110802.htm
A researcher has developed a computer chip that can store an unprecedented amount of data -- enough to hold an entire library's worth of information on a single chip. The new chip stems from a breakthrough in the use of nanodots, or nanoscale magnets, and represents a significant advance in computer-memory technology.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Canadians lead longer, healthier lives than Americans
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wkYZZXmm_4E/100428204550.htm
Compared to their neighbors south of the border, Canadians live longer, healthier lives. Research has found this disparity between the two countries, suggesting that America's lack of universal health care and lower levels of social and economic equality are to blame.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Surprising behavior of tiny 'artificial muscles' explained
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CBpU3CssyVc/100428121521.htm
Using neutron beams and atomic-force microscopes, a team of researchers may have resolved a 10-year-old question about an exotic class of "artificial muscles" -- how do they work? Their results could influence the design of future specialized robotic tools.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Researchers attack stem cells that cause colon cancer: Tumor cell 'factories' may be difficult to defeat
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Npw6L9fJ-uA/100428121441.htm
Many of the colon cancer cells that form tumors can be killed by genetically short-circuiting the cells' ability to absorb a key nutrient, a new study has found. While the findings are encouraging, the test tube study using human colon cancer cells also illustrates the difficulty of defeating these cells, known as cancer stem cells.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Procedure for knocking out genes in nematode worms developed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TAVnOh8X7Vg/100425151127.htm
Knocking genes out of action allows researchers to learn what genes do by seeing what goes wrong without them. Scientists have now devised a procedure for knocking out genes in nematode worms.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Causes of death in AIDS patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DkNkwiwszSk/100428101441.htm
New research shows that antiretroviral therapy (ART) continues to dramatically reduce rates of mortality from HIV infection in high-income countries, such that non-AIDS-related deaths exceed AIDS deaths after approximately four years of taking ART.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Synthetic enzymes could help ID proteins
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bvnIHbSFA7I/100428184348.htm
Using a rare metal that's not utilized by nature, chemists have created a synthetic enzyme that could help unlock the identities of thousands of difficult-to-study proteins, including many that play key roles in cancer and other diseases.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Doctors reconsider health and death of 'El Libertador,' general who freed South America
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XFpvURUK6L0/100428110816.htm
Could one of South America's greatest generals have died from a deadly poison? The death of Simon Bolivar is the medical mystery at this year's Historical Clinicopathological Conference. This conference is devoted to the modern medical diagnosis of historical figures. Venezuelan President Chavez has taken a personal interest in Bolivar's death, and the Venezuelan embassy will attend Friday's conference.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Researchers reveal process of making ribs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fLTn8Utx4X8/100427071236.htm
Like all vertebrates, snakes, mice and humans have in common a skeleton made of segments, the vertebrae. But a snake has between 200-400 ribs extending from all vertebrae, from the neck to the tail-end, whereas mice have only 13 pairs of ribs, and humans have 12 pairs, in both cases making up the ribcage. In a new study, researchers in Portugal reveal that, contrary to what was thought, making ribs is not the default state for vertebrates, but is actually an active process of balancing the activities of a remarkable class of genes -- the Hox genes.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Panel finds insufficient evidence for Alzheimer's disease preventive measures
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KPF8gpv1Q9c/100428173342.htm
Many preventive measures for cognitive decline and for preventing Alzheimer's disease -- mental stimulation, exercise, and a variety of dietary supplements -- have been studied over the years. However, an independent panel convened by the National Institutes of Health determined that the value of these strategies for delaying the onset and/or reducing the severity of decline or disease hasn't been demonstrated in rigorous studies.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Secrets of unique enzyme may illuminate ancient ecosystems
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vJSfIQoDUlE/100426092801.htm
Chemists have determined the structure of an intermediate form of a unique enzyme that participates in some of the most fundamental reactions in biology.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Test for swallowing disorder treatments being developed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-JYwhDNQcS4/100428121525.htm
One of the silent, and most serious, symptoms of Lou Gehrig's disease is losing the ability to swallow. Swallowing impairment, or dysphagia, affects about 500,000 people annually in the US, but little is known about the disorder. Now, a researcher is developing a test that might help pinpoint the neurological or physiological origins of swallowing disorders, leading to possible life-saving treatments.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
New lentil being readied for market
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ct0Vo1dxLcU/100316112454.htm
"Essex," a new lentil variety has a lot to offer: high seed yields for growers, nitrogen-fixing bacteria for wheat crops, and a tasty source of protein for consumers to add to soups, salads and other fare.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Critical care outcomes tied to insurance status, systematic review finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UToodqql4yY/100428110814.htm
Among the general US population, people who are uninsured are about half as likely to receive critical care services as those with insurance, according to systematic review of the literature by the American Thoracic Society's Health Disparities Group. They also found that once admitted to the hospital intensive care unit, uninsured patients are less likely to have invasive procedures or pulmonary artery catheterizations and more likely to have life support withdrawn.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Where comets emit dust: Scientists identify the active regions on the surface of comets
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UyTaHxcDs04/100426113112.htm
Studying comets can be quite dangerous -- especially from close up. Because the tiny particles of dust emitted into space from the so-called active regions on a comet's surface can damage space probes. Scientists have now developed a computer model that can locate these regions using only the information available from Earth. The new method could help calculate a safe flight route for ESA's space probe Rosetta, which is scheduled to arrive at the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Gene silencing may be responsible for induced pluripotent stem cells' limitations
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EsKlKlsb4tY/100425151134.htm
Scientists may be one step closer to being able to generate any type of cells and tissues from a patient's own cells. Investigators have found that an important cluster of genes is inactivated in those induced pluripotent stem cells lacking the full development potential of embryonic stem cells.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Skeleton key for cancer metastasis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bQJWXpNTaY4/100426131431.htm
Cancer cells need all three of their cytoskeletons -- actin, microtubules and intermediate filaments -- to metastasize, according to a study.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Experts find SBRT to be good alternative to surgery in some lung cancer patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DSrFeHExGNY/100428121453.htm
The American Society for Radiation Oncology has released its Emerging Technology Committee's report evaluating the use of stereotactic body radiotherapy in lung cancer treatment.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Swedish scientists stop acorn barnacles
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rROAH_Qi2bU/100315230916.htm
Marine organisms that fasten to the bottoms of ships have always been a scourge to seafaring. By monitoring how the larvae of acorn barnacles go about finding suitable spots to attach themselves, researchers in Sweden have managed to design surfaces that prevent growths -- without using poisonous chemicals.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Communities with active participants demonstrate lower levels of crime and lower death rates
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/41tAdm-4EKE/100428101448.htm
Both violent crime and all-cause mortality rates are on average substantially lower in communities with a vibrant civic climate, according to new research.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Part of Alaska inundated by ancient megafloods
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Lx239yBm2To/100428142338.htm
New research indicates that one of the largest fresh-water floods in Earth's history happened about 17,000 years ago and inundated a large area of Alaska that is now occupied in part by the city of Wasilla.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Muscle and bone diseases affect each other, according to new theory
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kLHlgtSybC0/100427131353.htm
A new theory that muscle and bone diseases affect each other could have a major impact on medical science and the cost of getting sick.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
New microscopy technique reveals mechanics of blood cell membranes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ph6rRGnNXKE/100428121523.htm
Thanks to an interdisciplinary team of researchers, scientists now have a more complete understanding of one of the human body's most vital structures: the red blood cell. The team used diffraction phase microscopy to measure fluctuation in the cell membrane and developed a model that could lead to breakthroughs in screening and treatment of blood-cell-morphology diseases, such as malaria and sickle-cell disease.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
More evidence low-moderate alcohol consumption does not impair vitamin D status in women
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/C1ZHPoTQc3w/100427131355.htm
Whether alcoholic drinks provide health benefits is an area of active and on-going research and debate among health and nutrition experts. A new study finds that low to moderate alcohol consumption, at least over the short term, appears not to harm bone health.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Making digital personal: Bringing jewellery into the technological age
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZiMnVQm8BT0/100428121558.htm
Dr Jayne Wallace is a jewellery designer with a difference - she works with individuals (her latest projects include working with Shetland fishermen and a couple with dementia) to create personal digital objects that are emotionally significant and beautiful rather than simply something to throwaway when the latest version comes along.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
At-risk children who can self-regulate behavior have higher test scores than their peers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/p5XLkgo_wFs/100427131403.htm
A new study adds to the mounting evidence that self-regulation -- or children's ability to control their behavior and impulses -- is directly related to academic performance.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Melting sea ice major cause of warming in Arctic, new study reveals
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/U_LjSAHZDUI/100428142324.htm
Melting sea ice has been shown to be a major cause of warming in the Arctic, according to an Australian study.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Better way to predict heart attacks: Measure of calcium in coronary arteries may help predict heart disease risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gnYAW1ICM2w/100427171708.htm
Use of a score based on the amount of calcium in coronary arteries in addition to traditional risk factors improved the classification of risk for prediction of coronary heart disease events, and placed more individuals in the most extreme risk categories, according to a new study.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Asteroid ice may be 'living fossil' with clues to oceans' origins
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2UAvtUVTlOc/100428153258.htm
The first-ever discovery of ice and organic molecules on an asteroid may hold clues to the origins of Earth's oceans and life 4 billion years ago. Researchers suggest that an asteroid like this one may have hit Earth and brought our planet its water. The discovery is unexpected because asteroids this close to the sun are expected to be too warm for ice to survive for long.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Drugs used for treatment of influenza in pregnancy appear to be safe, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WfujwGatvOY/100427131433.htm
Tamiflu and two other drugs used to treat influenza appear safe for pregnant women and their babies, researchers have found in a retrospective study of 239 cases of women who received the medications during pregnancy.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Mexico City air pollution adversely affects the hearts of young people
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/O9ovWaHFouM/100428153256.htm
A post-mortem study of the hearts of 21 young people in Mexico City has found that the heart begins to show the adverse effects of air pollution at a young age and that tiny bits of inactivated bacteria that hitch a ride on pollutants may make the problem worse.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Lower wages, lack of job opportunities means more Americans delaying 'adulthood'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Cl9CJFrL6tI/100427101217.htm
Despite living in an age of iPads and hybrid cars, young Americans are more like the young adults of the early 1900s than the baby boom generation: They are living at home longer, are financially insecure and are making lower wages.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Evidence of water ice and organic materials on asteroid's surface
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vcIpPbWk94I/100428142302.htm
Researchers have found evidence of water ice and organic material on the asteroid 24 Themis. This evidence supports the idea that asteroids could be responsible for bringing water and organic material to Earth.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Alzheimer's memory problems originate with protein clumps floating in the brain, not amyloid plaques
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/J5XCndLWbJ0/100427111257.htm
Using a new mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, researchers have found that Alzheimer's pathology originates in amyloid-beta (Abeta) oligomers in the brain, rather than the amyloid plaques previously thought by many researchers to cause the disease.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Winds from Siberia reduce Arctic sea ice cover, Norwegian researchers find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/omoDWOX0oZI/100427111449.htm
The ice cover in the Arctic has decreased dramatically in recent years. Norwegian researchers have discovered that changes in air circulation patterns create winds that push away the ice. The changed wind direction pushes large ice masses away from the Arctic and down along the eastern coast of Greenland. At the same time, less ice forms when the winds over the Arctic are determined by the pressure systems in northern Russia rather than those over the North Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean, as is normally the case.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Blessing in disguise: Factors that cause a high blood pressure condition in pregnant women protect against breast cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ber9ec03p9k/100426113100.htm
One researcher is investigating how specific factors released from the placenta of women with preeclampsia inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Versatile new system for oil spill contingency
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/49ZEtD7mseY/100426081248.htm
New oil recovery locations are spawning a need for new technology. To prepare the petroleum industry for oil spills, a small company in Northern Norway has made innovative strides in oil boom technology. The objective of NorLense AS has been to develop a versatile new system for oil spill contingency that can perform in coastal areas and farther out to sea – as well as in rough weather and difficult currents.

Thu, 29 Apr 10
Performers of classical music can suffer from hearing problems, too
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Lhp3-GfPQ9U/100428085849.htm
Musicians have hearing problems caused by prolonged exposure to sound. This also applies to performers of classical music, who are exposed to high sound levels. Hearing problems also affect the musicians’ experience of their working environment. Stress and experiencing the working environment as noisy are associated with hearing problems. Although musicians are worried about their hearing, the use of hearing protectors is rare.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Elephants have word for 'bee-ware'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kxqmQ61qO7g/100427093106.htm
For the first time elephants have been found to produce an alarm call associated with the threat of bees, and have been shown to retreat when a recording of the call is played even when there are no bees around.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Obese children metabolize drugs differently than healthy weight children
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/k92KyFcnHiY/100427171800.htm
Researchers have provided the first evidence-based data on changes in drug metabolism in obese children as compared to healthy weight children.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Scientists study 'glaciovolcanoes,' mountains of fire and ice, in Iceland, British Columbia, US
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YBMQbtwVGPI/100426092807.htm
Glaciovolcanoes, they're called, these rumbling mountains where the orange-red fire of magma meets the frozen blue of glaciers.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Extremely preterm babies face long-term lung deficits
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qr1rd4uv3dg/100422153927.htm
More than half of children who were born very early -- at 25 weeks or less (normal gestation is around 40 weeks) -- have abnormal lung function and are twice as likely as their full-term peers to have a diagnosis of asthma, according to UK researchers, who followed a national cohort of extremely preterm infants to age 11.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Is there a micro-supercapacitor in your future?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SKP607GSxJk/100426092805.htm
Researchers have developed a unique new technique for integrating high performance micro-sized supercapacitors into a variety of portable electronic devices through common microfabrication techniques. Featuring high power densities and rapid-fire cycle times, these new supercapacitors have the potential to substantially boost the performance and longevity of portable electric energy storage devices.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Project fruit fly: What accounts for insect taste?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kLbSbgqTPBM/100423113824.htm
Scientists have identified a protein in sensory cells on the "tongues" of fruit flies that allows them to detect a noxious chemical and, ultimately, influences their decision about what to eat and what to avoid.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Rare 95 million-year-old flying reptile Aetodactylus halli is new pterosaur genus, species
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hVFjcNEBtJw/100427131359.htm
A 95 million-year-old fossilized jaw discovered in Texas has been identified as a new genus and species of flying reptile, Aetodactylus halli. The rare pterosaur -- literally winged lizard -- is also one of the youngest members of the pterosaur family Ornithocheiridae in the world. It's only the second ornithocheirid ever documented in North America.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Lower levels of 'rotten egg' gas (hydrogen sulfide) in blood linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes and poorer circulation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QBOqwMsciHA/100427190937.htm
Researchers have for the first time identified a link between blood levels of the gas hydrogen sulfide (a gas more commonly associated with the smell of rotten eggs), obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Peppers may increase energy expenditure in people trying to lose weight
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TWEMp9Mvb8E/100427190934.htm
In a study designed to test the weight-loss potential of dihydrocapsiate (DCT), the non-spicy cousin of hot peppers, researchers found energy expenditure was significantly increased in those consuming the highest amounts of DCT.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Brain tumor growth linked to lowered expression of hundreds of immune function genes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lmH9uD6NArs/100426141500.htm
A new study links progression of a lethal type of brain tumor with reduced expression of more than 600 immune system genes, suggesting how complex the immune response is to the cancer and the resulting difficulty in targeting specific immune system proteins for treatment.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Hydrocooling shows promise for reducing strawberry weight loss, bruising
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/L_IoLTwdzWI/100415161939.htm
Strawberries are very fragile and highly susceptible to mechanical injury during commercial production and must be harvested when they are ripe to minimize bruising. Scientists have shown that strawberries have different responses to compression and impact forces based on pulp temperature. Fruit at low temperature were more resistant to compression, while fruit at higher temperatures were more resistant to impact.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Merely seeing disease symptoms may promote aggressive immune response
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lUDhrW3bT5U/100427111248.htm
Just seeing someone who looks sick is enough to make your immune system work harder, according to a new study in which volunteers looked at pictures of sick people.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Earth microbes may contaminate the search for life on Mars
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NvSWchrx9O4/100427111252.htm
Bacteria common to spacecraft may be able to survive the harsh environs of Mars long enough to inadvertently contaminate Mars with terrestrial life, according to new research.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Long-term anabolic steroid use may weaken heart more than previously thought
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5ziG2Vk3dOw/100427171802.htm
Long-term anabolic steroid use may weaken the heart more than previously thought, a new study finds. Steroid-related heart impairment is severe enough to potentially increase the risk of heart failure. The left ventricle, the heart muscle primarily responsible for pumping blood throughout the body, was significantly weaker among steroid users.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Blood protein triggers scars in the brain after injury; New target might help aid recovery for patients with traumatic injuries
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VmMlM2HkuSo/100427171804.htm
A protein called fibrinogen that is known to help form blood clots also triggers scar formation in the brain and spinal cord, according to new research. Researchers found that fibrinogen carries a dormant factor that activates when it enters the brain after an injury, prompting brain cells to form a scar. Scars in the brain or spinal cord can block connections between nerve cells and often keep injury patients from reaching full recovery.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Are periodontal disease and prostatitis linked?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/axoUzbv1iwQ/100426141502.htm
Are prostate problems, which impact 8 percent of the population, associated with poor oral health? Researchers report initial results from a small sample that inflammation from gum disease and prostate problems just might be linked.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Putting bacterial antibiotic resistance into reverse
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/G6AkhXBscPM/100426072125.htm
The use of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections causes a continual and vicious cycle that leads to the emergence and spread of resistant strains. What if it didn't have to be this way? One researcher explains how it could work.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
New Braille technology helps visually impaired 'see' emotions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/02N752Fw2ws/100427111447.htm
Without vision it’s impossible to interpret facial expressions, or so it’s believed. Not any more. A researcher in Sweden is presenting a new technology in his doctoral thesis – a Braille code of emotions.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Social networking helps hermit crabs find homes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zONaJMBj1To/100426141458.htm
Biologists have discovered that, contrary to their name, hermit crabs may locate new and improved housing using previously unknown social networking skills. These behaviors may shed light on any animal that relies on discrete and reusable resources, from hole-nesting woodpeckers to urban apartment dwellers.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
HPV test detects more pre-cancerous cells than conventional smear test
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FxUNejOiFeg/100427190943.htm
Human papillomavirus screening detects more cervical severe pre-cancerous lesions than conventional cervical screening, a new study finds.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
3-D 'occupational therapy' for children: Virtual muscle machine for kids with disabilities
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/E7SRoXfdDSc/100427171842.htm
A researcher is using a "virtual tabletop" to "move" kids with disabilities and provide home-based treatments using virtual reality tools. Combining new three-dimensional exercises with two-dimensional graphical movement games already programmed into the tabletop (which resembles an early video game), she reports not only success but also enthusiasm among her young patients.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Vitamin D deficiency associated with chronic fatigue in brain injured patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cNjfQwoAVOQ/100427182609.htm
New evidence has shown that vitamin D deficiency is closely associated with the chronic fatigue that often follows post traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Wed, 28 Apr 10
European Space Agency's Envisat monitors oil spill
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JgZOYrejInE/100427111250.htm
New ESA Envisat images capture the oil that is spilling into the Gulf of Mexico after a drilling rig exploded and sank off the coasts of Louisiana and Mississippi, US, on April 22.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Uncovering the truth about Viking Men
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VIfCxvNc2LM/100427111451.htm
Vikings are associated with weapons and warfare, machismo and mayhem. But many of them had the same concerns about choosing their children's names as we do, says a UK researcher.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Early death by junk food? High levels of phosphate in sodas and processed foods accelerate the aging process in mice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WlTBeqh6p7s/100426151636.htm
High levels of phosphates may add more "pop" to sodas and processed foods than once thought. That's because researchers have found that the high levels of phosphates accelerate signs of aging. High phosphate levels may also increase the prevalence and severity of age-related complications, such as chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular calcification, and can also induce severe muscle and skin atrophy.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Major breakthrough in the diagnosis of parasitic diseases: Novel screening tool in the fight against Chagas disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/V03mi3deQUM/100427171812.htm
Chagas disease is one of the most deadly parasitic diseases in the world. It affects more than 10 million people, primarily in the Americas. A reliable and rapid diagnosis is the key in the battle against infection but until now, this has been next to impossible. Researchers have now developed a new diagnostic approach that will help in the fight against Chagas disease.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Cell division orchestrated by multiple oscillating proteins
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CBuz98NKyqU/100427115203.htm
Cell division is a crucial but dangerous business. It unfolds in a cycle of many steps, including DNA replication, spindle formation, mitosis and others, and they must happen in the right order to prevent abnormal cell death and cancer formation. New research examines the activity of two proteins at the heart of the cell-cycle control system and finds that the cycle has not just one, but several independent processes that help to maintain order. The work suggests that autonomous oscillating proteins may coordinate the events of the cell cycle through a phenomena called "phase-locking," similar to how our circadian rhythm syncs to the light-dark cycle of our environment.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Mechanisms underlying two genetically distinct forms of cleft palate linked
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qiFYNbQBODo/100426212643.htm
Cleft lip and cleft palate are frequent and debilitating congenital malformations. Mutations in the genes p63 and IRF6 have each been shown to cause cleft lip and cleft palate, but the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this have not been clearly determined -- until now.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
What is a grass? Chloroplast DNA reveals that a grass may not be a grass
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5AJcpAs0efE/100427171810.htm
Researchers recently investigated the evolution of grasses, one of the most economic and ecologically important plant families, by sequencing the chloroplast DNA of an early diverging grass genus, Anomochloa, and comparing it to the chloroplasts of other grasses. Their examination of the chloroplast sequence uncovered features the Anomochloa chloroplast shares with other grasses, features unique to Anomochloa, and features that call into question our definition of grasses or the classification of Anomochloa as a grass.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
One billion euros to unleash the power of information
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/whrxGnk45K8/100427081051.htm
Humanity faces enormous challenges ranging from financial and economic instability to environmental destruction and climate change, all linked directly to our inability to manage our collective activities and their consequences. Now a diverse group of leading scientists has unveiled an extraordinary plan to meet these challenges. Their ambitious proposal aims to build a more powerful and accurate science of human systems and their interaction with the global environment. Their efforts will exploit the revolutionary scientific potential of modern computational, communication, and information technologies, backed up by theoretical analysis.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
How chimps deal with death: Studies offer rare glimpses
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-BIKXSYNX2s/100426131426.htm
Two studies offer rare glimpses into the ways that chimpanzees deal with the deaths of those closest to them. In one case, researchers describe the final hours and moment of death of an older female chimp living in a small group at a UK safari park as captured on video. In the other, researchers observed as two chimpanzee mothers in the wild carried their infants' mummified remains for a period of weeks after they were lost to a respiratory epidemic.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Cigarette smoking, fructose consumption exacerbates liver disease, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pvSe__6Hb8M/100427081044.htm
Recent studies suggest that modifiable risk factors such as cigarette smoking and fructose consumption can worsen nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). With NAFLD, fat accumulates in the liver of overweight individuals despite drinking little alcohol, causing in some cases liver scarring that can lead to liver failure. Identifying modifiable factors that contribute to disease severity and progression is essential in improving patient outcomes.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Young salamanders' movement over land helps stabilize populations
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/b15a1QM3yNs/100330142433.htm
Researchers can now describe how species of stream salamanders find new homes by moving both within streams and over land to adjacent streams during multiple life stages, and how this movement may help to stabilize their populations.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
What causes seizure in focal epilepsy?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6FYUI_6kQus/100413190722.htm
In focal epilepsy, seizures are generated by a localized, synchronous neuronal electrical discharge that may spread to large portions of the brain. In spite of intense research in the field of epilepsy, a key question remains unanswered: what are the earliest cellular events leading to the initiation of a focal seizure? Elucidating this issue is of paramount importance both for understanding the pathophysiology of focal epilepsies and for the development of new pharmacological strategies for drug-resistant forms of these disorders.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Species distribution models can exaggerate differences in environmental requirements
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wHuCU-Q46I8/100414161553.htm
Separate species that live in radically different environments don't necessarily also have different ecological niches. This is the finding of a study investigating the accuracy of current statistical tests that use models of geographic distributions to infer changes in environmental requirements.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
The joy is in the social hunt: Facebook users more engaged emotionally when conducting specific searches
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UPoVt1GJRfE/100423113735.htm
Researchers recently studied users of the social networking website, Facebook.com. Screen capturing software was used, matched with skin sensors on participants, to determine that Facebook users are more engaged emotionally when they are conducting specific searches on Facebook, rather than broad cursory site exploration.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
A single gene is responsible for OCD-like behaviors in mice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/R6EH0inif2I/100426131555.htm
Researchers have discovered that mice missing a single gene developed repetitive obsessive-compulsive-like behaviors. The genetically altered mice, which behaved much like people with a certain type of obsessive-compulsive disorder, could help scientists design new therapies for this debilitating condition.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Fossil of newly discovered species found in Spain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GFhrCiUdLEA/100325102409.htm
In the '80s, researchers found the first fossils of Cloudina in Spain, a small fossil of tubular appearance and one of the first animals that developed an external skeleton between 550 and 543 million years ago. Now palaeontologists have discovered a new species, Cloudina carinata, the fossil of which has preserved its 3-D shape.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Gene expression test reduces need for invasive heart muscle biopsy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nCcZTu0Sk4g/100426131440.htm
Monitoring rejection in heart transplantation patients with a simple blood test can safely reduce their need for invasive heart-muscle biopsies, a new study has found.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Assembly of protein strands into fibrils
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/r0G922tabms/100411143351.htm
Researchers have now described how filamentous proteins assemble into ribbon like structures, the so-called amyloid fibrils. They can now explain how denatured milk proteins assemble into ribbon like structures composed of up to five filaments.

Wed, 28 Apr 10
Gene variant may protect memory and thinking skills in older people
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tg1pKEBkVVc/100419162119.htm
New research shows a gene variant may help protect the memory and thinking skills of older people.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
New monitor lizard discovered in Indonesia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GigJyo8ZtPc/100426182024.htm
A newly discovered species of monitor lizard, a close relative of the Komodo dragon, has been discovered on Moluccan islands of east Indonesia.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
New technique reinforces immune cells that seek and destroy cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/C-jiTCPS4us/100426151623.htm
In what could be a shot in the arm for adoptive immunotherapy, new research shows promise in enhancing and controlling the growth of T cells in living mice and in human cell cultures, potentially overcoming one of the therapy's drawbacks.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Fuel cells get up to speed with a new kind of platinum
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nVEnEzB2WZM/100426113110.htm
A new form of platinum that could be used to make cheaper, more efficient fuel cells has been created. The process could help enable broader use of the devices, which produce emissions-free energy using hydrogen.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Erectile dysfunction and increased dangers of cardiovascular disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XfbKeFo3OBc/100426181612.htm
New research shows that men with erectile dysfunction and low testosterone have a higher than normal risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. Further work from the same research group shows that obesity is also associated with an impairment of blood flow to the penis, which in turn is also associated with cardiovascular disease in men with erectile dysfunction.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Small mobile devices can serve as own computer mice with optical sensing method
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WeGEF8v_V6o/100426105649.htm
The same inexpensive, but high-quality optical sensors employed in the common computer mouse can enable small mobile phones and digital music players to be used as their own pointing and gestural input devices, say researchers.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Ozone and traffic pollution increase asthma-related hospitalizations in children
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wqyvI9eGV_k/100422153810.htm
Both ozone and primary pollutants from traffic substantially increase asthma-related emergency department visits in children, especially during the warm season, according to researchers.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Personality may influence brain shrinkage in aging
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TN6qkGyZ-wc/100426092809.htm
A team of psychologists has found an intriguing possibility that personality and brain aging during the golden years may be linked. Researchers found lower volumes of gray matter in the frontal and medial temporal brain regions of volunteers who ranked high in neuroticism traits, compared with higher volumes of gray matter in those who ranked high in conscientious traits.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Four unhealthy behaviors combine to increase death risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WR63L_9c4Tg/100426181956.htm
Four unhealthy behaviors -- smoking, lack of physical activity, poor diet and alcohol consumption -- appear to be associated with a substantially increased risk of death when combined, according to a new report.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Shoe power generator, embedded in the sole of a shoe, harvest energy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4_7-UxiNG04/100426113137.htm
New technology harvests power from a small generator embedded in the sole of a shoe. It is based on new voltage regulation circuits that efficiently convert a piezoelectric charge into usable voltage for charging batteries or for directly powering electronics.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Visualizing brain invasion by a fungus
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2nTWNl8CDDM/100426212910.htm
Infection with the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans can cause meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain) and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain itself), conditions that are often lethal. To elicit these effects, the fungus must somehow leave the blood stream and enter the brain, but little is known about how it does this. A team of researchers has now used a form of microscopy known as intravital microscopy, which enables researchers to observe events in real-time in live animals, to visualize in mice the process of brain invasion by Cryptococcus neoformans.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Physicists locate long lost Soviet reflector on moon
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/d4odBXLe0Hk/100426203545.htm
A team of physicists has pinpointed the location of a long lost light reflector left on the lunar surface by the Soviet Union nearly 40 years ago that many scientists had unsuccessfully searched for and never expected would be found.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Race and empathy matter on neural level
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yUigcaqusio/100426182002.htm
Race matters on a neurological level when it comes to empathy for African-Americans in distress, according to a new study. In a rare neuroscience look at racial minorities, the study shows that African-Americans showed greater empathy for African-Americans facing adversity -- in this case for victims of Hurricane Katrina -- than Caucasians demonstrated for Caucasian-Americans in pain.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Scientists learn to block pain at its source: New non-addictive painkillers from substance similar to ingredient in hot chili peppers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/c9qOwPfQSWk/100426181706.htm
Researchers have discovered a new family of fatty acids, produced by the body itself, that play an important role in the biology of pain. The findings have even led to the development of a new class of non-addictive pain relievers.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Long telomeres can be linked to poorer memory
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Th3hGVFUD7s/100426081241.htm
New research from Sweden shows that long telomeres in non-demented adults and seniors can be associated with poorer memory.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Soil microbes produce less atmospheric CO2 than expected with climate warming
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/z0r3XAMdTIY/100426131612.htm
The physiology of microbes living underground could determine the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from soil on a warmer Earth, according to a new study.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Botulinum injection provides relief of tennis elbow
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0Oanc8b_xmw/100426131419.htm
An injection of botulinum toxin can provide relief for "tennis elbow" but needs to be injected properly to avoid potential paralysis, states a research article.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Scientists crack code of critical bacterial defense mechanism
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/X9qSHoP0DpI/100425151159.htm
Scientists have combined chemistry and biology research techniques to explain how certain bacteria grow structures on their surfaces that allow them to simultaneously cause illness and protect themselves from the body's defenses. The researchers are the first to reproduce a specific component of this natural process in a test tube -- an essential step to fully understanding how these structures grow.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Human brain recognizes and reacts to race
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xSE5poUxTVU/100426113108.htm
The human brain fires differently when dealing with people outside of one's own race, according to new research.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Novel nanoparticles prevent radiation damage
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_nh-Aoe3uxA/100426182022.htm
Tiny, melanin-covered nanoparticles may protect bone marrow from the harmful effects of radiation therapy, according to scientists who successfully tested the strategy in mouse models. Infusing these particles into human patients may hold promise in the future.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Researchers identify early ovarian cancers: Discovery may facilitate development of screening test
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cvtS3dMUW1g/100426181718.htm
Ovarian cancer kills nearly 15,000 women in the United States each year, and fewer than half of the women diagnosed with the disease survive five years. A screening test that detects ovarian cancer early, when it is still treatable, would likely reduce the high mortality, yet scientists have not known where the tumors originate or what they look like. Now, researchers think they have answered both questions.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
World’s biggest telescope to be located on Armazones, Chile
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Zh7URbWCS1c/100426115517.htm
Cerro Armazones has been selected as the baseline site for the planned 42-metre European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT). Cerro Armazones is a mountain at an altitude of 3060 metres in the central part of Chile's Atacama Desert, some 130 kilometres south of the town of Antofagasta and about 20 kilometres from Cerro Paranal, home of the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Researchers develop technique to visualize 'your brain on drugs'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bYifbzU1uGo/100426200633.htm
Researchers at the US Department of Energy have developed an imaging protocol that allows them to visualize the activity of the brain's reward circuitry in both normal individuals and those addicted to drugs.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
New computational method to uncover gene regulation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JJJbLUorRrE/100423113730.htm
Scientists have developed a new computational model to uncover gene regulation, the key to how our body develops -- and how it can go wrong. The researchers say the new method identifies targets of regulator genes.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Interruptions associated with medication errors by nurses
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cMHtlIPCdls/100426181958.htm
Nurses who are interrupted while administering medication appear to have an increased risk of making medication errors, according to a new report.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Reward-driven people win more, even when no reward at stake
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OzhDck0ntiE/100426182006.htm
Whether it's for money, marbles or chalk, the brains of reward-driven people keep their game faces on, helping them win at every step of the way, even when there is no reward at stake, suggests a surprising brain scan study.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Protein partners may provide insight into inherited mental retardation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Jzy4vakGD6o/100422153800.htm
A new study that uncovers a pathway critical for proper embryological development in zebra fish may also reveal a parallel mechanism that drives wiring of the vertebrate brain. The research provides intriguing insight into the complex signaling mechanisms of fragile-X proteins.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Brown rice and cardiovascular protection
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/d8Eh0-9vQ80/100426151625.htm
New research suggests a component in a layer of tissue surrounding grains of brown rice may work against angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is a protein and known culprit in the development of high blood pressure and atherosclerosis.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
MDS, a blood cancer, strikes nearly 5 times more Americans than previously thought
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Vk5neUEzVds/100426182000.htm
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) -- a group of serious blood cancers -- are nearly five times more common in seniors than previously thought, according to a new study. The study also showed for the first time that MDS patients are at much higher risk for heart attack, diabetes and other serious complications than other seniors, and that their health care costs are far higher.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
'Good vibrations' help in research into new bioactive metal complexes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jRtCZhksqx8/100426081243.htm
Scientists have managed to accurately determine the location of metal complexes within living cancer cells using Raman microscopy. The researchers have thus gained new insights into the mechanism of action of metal-containing drugs, to which they ascribe great potential capacities, e.g. in the treatment of cancer.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Getting college students to eat better using a stealthy strategy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hQoGqlPoneY/100426113114.htm
How do you get college students to eat better? A new study suggests that a "stealth" strategy of raising the students' awareness of environmental and social issues related to food can persuade them to eat more veggies and less ice cream.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Planck space observatory highlights the complexity of star formation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/q7f_clVomT4/100426113116.htm
New images from the European Space Agency's Planck space observatory reveal the forces driving star formation and give astronomers a way to understand the complex physics that shape the dust and gas in our Galaxy.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
New requirements for male fertility
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3vubj48Q2i0/100426181710.htm
Two independent groups of researchers have identified distinct roles for two proteins in a family of proteins known as PLA2s as crucial for sperm function and fertility in mice. These data identify proteins that could underlie causes of human infertility and provide potential targets for the development of new contraceptive agents and new approaches to treating infertility.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Periwinkle plants provide ammunition in the war on citrus greening
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lm4tB2Hbda0/100426105641.htm
Scientists have turned an ornamental plant into a tool for combating a bacterial disease that threatens the world's citrus crop.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Selecting high-risk patients for heart screening
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QxArgUTbd54/100426072140.htm
Using routine data from electronic patient records to select individuals at high risk of developing heart disease, rather than screening all adults aged 40-74 years of age, is just as effective at saving lives but will be cheaper to run, according to new research.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Botany: Final piece in phytate jigsaw discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/S5odwW85iPY/100426151621.htm
Scientists have identified the final piece in the jigsaw of how phytate is produced in plants. The discovery has implications for agribusiness, the environment and human health.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Pain free treatment of children and adolescents
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NT1CDaVYB8A/100426113143.htm
Properly performed analgesia protects children from pain and traumatization. In a new study, researchers show how analgesia for children and adolescents should be carried out.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Body's response to repetitive laughter is similar to the effect of repetitive exercise, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ow3c1cjrIPE/100426113058.htm
A new study looks at the effect that mirthful laughter and distress have on modulating the key hormones that control appetite.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Immune cells predict success of head and neck cancer treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mQ4Q1-Fn-LU/100426151632.htm
Levels of a key type of immune cell are higher in head and neck cancer patients whose tumors are linked to the human papillomavirus, or HPV, according to researchers.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Scientists get bird's-eye view of how cuckoos fool their hosts
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oSuUpgOSzKo/100426151627.htm
Using field experiments in Africa and a new computer model that gives them a bird's-eye view of the world, scientists have discovered how a bird decides whether or not a cuckoo has laid an egg in its nest. The finding offers unique insights into a 20-million-year-old evolutionary arms race.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Breast cancer risk factors differ among races
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AnMHSa9diIs/100426072109.htm
A new study finds that factors known to increase the risk of breast cancer among white women have less influence in Hispanic women.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
How grass buffers keep agricultural herbicides at bay
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RKxUH4MVqIg/100426072106.htm
Researchers studied the impact of grass and grass/tree buffer strips on three herbicides commonly used in agriculture. The scientists studied the transport of the herbicides in both surface runoff and subsurface infiltration during two growing seasons.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Magnitude of overdiagnosis in cancer indicates need for strategies to address the problem
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xNTB6RJs32o/100422170145.htm
Many cancers detected by screening tests are not destined to cause symptoms or death and therefore represent a phenomenon known as overdiagnosis. And because overdiagnosis leads to unnecessary treatment and other harms, it is important to develop clinical and research strategies to quantify, recognize, and manage it, according to a new review.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Research in Antarctica reveals non-organic mechanism for production of important greenhouse gas
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XdDVDcWb1Sk/100425151148.htm
A research team has discovered in Antarctica's Don Juan Pond a previously unreported chemical mechanism for the production of nitrous oxide, an important greenhouse gas. The discovery could help space scientists understand the meaning of similar brine pools in a place whose ecosystem most closely resembles that of Don Juan Pond: Mars.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
New hope exists in treating inherited disease by suppressing DNA mutations
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/W7oGX_G8wxE/100426131435.htm
Genetic mutation can disrupt the way human cells make proteins, which in turn leads to inherited disease. According to one researcher, scientists are closer than ever to producing drugs that fix this disrupted-protein pathway and drastically improving treatment of genetic disease.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Females shut down male-male sperm competition in leafcutter ants
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ASYxEsuOMY0/100318141555.htm
Danish researchers who have studied ants in Panama since 1992 discovered that in both ant and bee species in which queens have multiple mates, a male's seminal fluid favors the survival of its own sperm over the other males' sperm. However, once sperm has been stored, leafcutter ant queens neutralize male-male sperm competition with glandular secretions in their sperm-storage organ.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Location of stem cells near cartilage-rich regions in bones confirmed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JK36x0R2xXU/100426151630.htm
Working with mice, researchers have pinpointed the location of bone generating stem cells in the spine, at the ends of shins, and in other bones. The team also has identified factors that control the stem cells' growth.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
New device helps monitor low-level physical activity with a cell phone
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Q3NaZTOpvWk/100426113106.htm
Researchers have developed a program that helps people monitor their normal day-to-day physical activity using an everyday device like a cell phone or MP3 player.

Tue, 27 Apr 10
Do the blind have a more acute sense of smell?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VgxzVbwy5z0/100426131601.htm
An ongoing study has debunked the myth that the blind have a more acute sense of smell than the sighted. Vision loss simply makes blind people pay more attention to how they perceive smells.

Mon, 26 Apr 10
Brain-like computing on an organic molecular layer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/b3gC5uSAosw/100425151146.htm
One big advantage a brain's circuitry has always had over a computer's is its ability to evolve as it tackles complex problems. Now, scientists have created a tiny computing device with a brain-like "evolutionary circuit."

Mon, 26 Apr 10
Targeting a microscopic pathogen lurking in water
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xE-YWXhfxAc/100425151138.htm
The microscopic pathogen cryptosporidium lurks worldwide in water, contaminating swimming pools, water parks, and drinking water supplies. A top researcher has made a critical breakthrough in eroding cryptosporidium's defenses.

Mon, 26 Apr 10
Australian researchers develop highest-yielding salt-tolerant wheat
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QnLwzkzGMfM/100423094622.htm
In a major breakthrough for wheat farmers in salt-affected areas, Australian researchers have developed a salt tolerant durum wheat that yields 25 percent more grain than the parent variety in saline soils.

Mon, 26 Apr 10
Exercise therapy for low back pain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/d2iuV0X40Mg/100419162306.htm
Low back pain (or lumbago) is a common ailment often triggered by something as simple as lifting a suitcase. What is the best way to remedy the situation? An exercise machine designed specifically for back muscles could be the solution.

Mon, 26 Apr 10
Molecular structure of key fluorescent proteins revealed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/k6TgiWUN1yI/100422141159.htm
Scientists have determined the crystal structures of two key fluorescent proteins -- one blue, one red -- used to "light up" molecules in cells. The researchers now have the first roadmap for rationally designing new and differently colored fluorescent proteins to illuminate the structures and processes in living cells.

Mon, 26 Apr 10
To learn better, take a nap (and don't forget to dream)
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GZi5QBGjCV8/100422153753.htm
It is by now well established that sleep can be an important tool when it comes to enhancing memory and learning skills. And now, a new study sheds light on the role that dreams play in this important process.

Mon, 26 Apr 10
Ancient asphalt domes discovered off California coast
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/G9gmhNcYr0Q/100425151143.htm
They paved paradise and, it turns out, actually did put up a parking lot. A big one. Some 700 feet deep in the waters off California's jewel of a coastal resort, Santa Barbara, sits a group of football-field-sized asphalt domes unlike any other underwater features known to exist.

Mon, 26 Apr 10
Better vitamin D status could mean better quality of life for seniors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dV1bNz5FAkI/100425151136.htm
Paying attention to how much vitamin D we get is likely important at every age and can especially help enhance the quality component of life as we enter our senior years.

Mon, 26 Apr 10
Making its predators tremble: Multiple defenses act synergistically in aspen
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/taUSedI8xPg/100423204746.htm
If plants did not defend themselves in some way, they would certainly be gobbled up by a whole suite of voracious predators ranging from little insects to large mammalian herbivores. Indeed, not only do plants defend themselves, they typically have more than one kind of defense. When a plant has several options, how does it choose? Does it allocate multiple defenses to the same tissues or defend different tissues in different ways?

Mon, 26 Apr 10
Ethnic differences in precursors of type 2 diabetes apparent at an early age
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3WNan1mBqzc/100420174119.htm
A new study finds that precursors of higher risk of diabetes in South Asian and African-Caribbean adults in the UK are increased in healthy children from these ethnic groups.

Mon, 26 Apr 10
Fundamental discovery about how gene expression functions in bacteria
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Y7F3roYV9r0/100422153936.htm
Researchers have discovered and characterized a general mechanism that controls transcription elongation in bacteria. The mechanism relies on physical cooperation between a moving ribosome and RNA polymerase (RNAP) that allows for a precise adjustment of the transcriptional yield in response to translational needs. The study could lead to the development of new ways to interfere with bacterial gene expression and serve as a new target for antimicrobial therapy.

Mon, 26 Apr 10
Tapping away desire for those favorite foods and snacks
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ao85s5ajfbY/100423094627.htm
Psychological acupuncture has been shown to be successful in reducing food cravings for up to six months in people who are overweight or obese. The technique combines gentle tapping on pressure points while focusing on particular emotions and thoughts.

Mon, 26 Apr 10
How we can sense temperatures: Discovery could lead to novel therapies for acute and chronic pain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cPee_XtbtRc/100423094618.htm
Scientists have shed new light on the molecular mechanism that enables us to sense temperature, such as the heat from a sizzling stove. In addition to contributing to our knowledge of basic biology, the findings could one day lead to new therapies for conditions such as acute or chronic inflammatory pain.

Mon, 26 Apr 10
Studying altered brain cells sheds light on epilepsy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3UKCH1TatmU/100425151130.htm
Neuroscience researchers have zeroed in on a novel mechanism that helps control the firing of electrical signals among neurons. By isolating the molecular and electrical events that occur when this control is disrupted, the new research sheds light on epileptic seizures and potentially on other prominent diseases involving poorly regulated brain activity.

Mon, 26 Apr 10
Researchers model movement of radioactive materials in soil
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/htchqzCXJ14/100423113737.htm
Agricultural scientists are helping US Nuclear Regulatory Commission experts model the movement of radioactive materials in the soil. Their findings can be used to fine-tune the risk assessment studies that are an essential component in the development of commercial nuclear facilities.

Mon, 26 Apr 10
Breathe easy with the protein LPCAT1
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1M01tygbIrg/100419172850.htm
The leading cause of death in infants born prematurely is respiratory distress syndrome. It is caused by deficiency in a fat-protein complex known as lung surfactant, which is critical for optimal gas exchange in the lung. New research indicates that the protein LPCAT1 has a crucial role in surfactant generation in vivo in mice and that LPCAT1 activity must be maximal for the transition from the womb to air breathing.

Mon, 26 Apr 10
All three structures of single transporter protein revealed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/R0gBvMe3rmY/100422153933.htm
A team of UK researchers have captured the 3-D atomic models of a single transporter protein in each of its three main structural states, a goal of researchers from around the world for over 25 years.

Mon, 26 Apr 10
Poor quality teachers may prevent children from reaching reading potential, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EQca88vvl_0/100422153804.htm
When it comes to early reading, a bad teacher can prevent children from reaching their full potential. That's the finding of a new study that may put an end to a longstanding scholarly debate about the amount of influence teachers have on students' reading achievement.

Mon, 26 Apr 10
Pressure-cooking algae into a better biofuel
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nj8eX4YhG2w/100422153943.htm
Heating and squishing microalgae in a pressure-cooker can fast-forward the crude-oil-making process from millennia to minutes.

Mon, 26 Apr 10
Strep steps up in urinary tract infections
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/X1gFOWapKF0/100423094625.htm
Research suggests pathogenic strains of Group B Streptococcus are an under-recognized cause of urinary tract infections. The bacteria are better known as a cause of infection in pregnant women with subsequent risks of preterm delivery and transmission to newborn infants often with devastating consequences.

Mon, 26 Apr 10
Bivalves alert us to oil pollution: Mussel power to protect the environment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hv8VLvwXuXI/100423210008.htm
The biological sciences are edging their way into many different areas of society – including the petroleum industry. Petroleum activities on the Norwegian continental shelf can pose a major threat to the environment unless operators keep vigilant watch for any accidental emissions. The right people must be notified immediately so they can take decisive action to contain any contamination. A new “biological instrument” senses environmental conditions better than anything else – the common blue mussel.

Mon, 26 Apr 10
Nephrology: New insight into common kidney disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uUaw7Z35YHM/100419233256.htm
The kidney disease crescentic glomerulonephritis rapidly progresses to acute kidney failure and death within months if it is not treated. Even with treatment, many patients progress to end-stage kidney disease and require dialysis and sometimes a kidney transplant. New research in mice has identified a potential new drug target for the treatment of crescentic glomerulonephritis.

Mon, 26 Apr 10
DNA barcoding reveals mislabeled cod and haddock in Dublin
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7AIknEL74HA/100422112643.htm
Ecological scientists in Ireland recently used DNA barcoding to identify species of fish labeled as either "cod" or "haddock" in fish and chip shops, fresh fish counters and supermarkets in 10 postal districts in Dublin. They found that 39 out of 156 randomly sampled "cod" and "haddock" were genetically entirely different species and, therefore, mislabeled under European Union regulations.

Mon, 26 Apr 10
Electronic medical record technology aids marathon participants
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BvOFjYJAtr0/100422141205.htm
Researchers have brought the use of electronic medical records out of the hospital setting and into the streets by using the technology for a marathon. Volunteer medical providers at the 2009 Detroit Free Press Marathon were able to coordinate care for the 19,372 participants via laptops and a website, showing that the technology can help facilitate the care of runners.

Sun, 25 Apr 10
Galaxy merger dilemma solved
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WyittcnlwG8/100419173010.htm
Scientists have solved a long-standing dilemma about the mass of infrared bright merging galaxies. Because galaxies are the largest directly observable objects in the universe, learning more about their formation is key to understanding how the universe works.

Sun, 25 Apr 10
1976 'swine flu' shot linked to stronger immune response to 21st century pandemic flu
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lqlv3B4BvDg/100423121036.htm
New evidence shows immunization against "swine flu" in 1976 might provide individuals with some protection against the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus.

Sun, 25 Apr 10
Microfluidic integrated circuit could help enable home diagnostic tests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jlO5dKMs_Wg/100422170149.htm
As a way to simplify lab-on-a-chip devices that could offer quicker, cheaper and more portable medical tests, researchers have created microfluidic integrated circuits.

Sun, 25 Apr 10
Safe weight gain for heavier moms-to-be depends on level of obesity, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_OmLvdehMqQ/100422093536.htm
How much weight obese women should safely gain during pregnancy is often controversial, with current guidelines suggesting a single range of 11-20 pounds. A new study suggests instead that optimal weight gain for obese mothers-to-be depends on level of obesity. Also, weight loss or very minimal weight gain may be detrimental to newborn health, except in the case of extremely obese women.

Sun, 25 Apr 10
Mathematicians offer elegant solution to evolutionary conundrum
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UgTBKXti90k/100422153931.htm
Researchers have proffered a new mathematical model that seeks to unravel a key evolutionary riddle -- namely what factors underlie the generation of biological diversity both within and between species.

Sun, 25 Apr 10
Deer honesty: Mating deer calls change year-by-year with status of deer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PjfzuebcLXs/100409093209.htm
The vocalizations or "groans" of male fallow deer provide rivals and potential mates with an honest account of the emitting animal's competitive abilities. A study describes how the acoustic qualities of a deer's call change year by year and reflect changes in status and age.

Sun, 25 Apr 10
Particulate matter from fires in the Amazon affects lightning patterns
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/25aQM5hsvN0/100422121702.htm
Data on lightning patterns in the Amazon show how clouds are affected by particulate matter emitted by the fires used for slash-and-burn foresting practices. These findings could be used by climate change researchers trying to understand the impact of pollution on global weather patterns.

Sun, 25 Apr 10
Extremely preterm children are three times as likely to have psychiatric disorder
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nEPRTBxZypI/100423113822.htm
Significant advances in the neonatal intensive care have resulted in increased survival rates of children who are born at less than 26 weeks of gestation, so termed "extremely preterm children." Notably, however, improved survival rates have been accompanied by a higher risk for later cognitive, neuromotor, and sensory impairments in these children.

Sun, 25 Apr 10
NASA's Swift catches 500th gamma-ray burst
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/K8LPg01my2E/100419173012.htm
In its first five years in orbit, NASA's Swift satellite has given astronomers more than they could have hoped for. Its discoveries range from a nearby nascent supernova to a blast so far away that it happened when our universe was only 5 percent of its present age.

Sun, 25 Apr 10
People with diabetes are at higher risk of atrial fibrillation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DVBBdv0zhdY/100422184053.htm
People with diabetes have a 40 percent greater risk of developing atrial fibrillation, the most common type of chronically irregular heartbeat, according to a new study. Researchers found this risk rises even higher the longer people have diabetes and the less controlled their blood sugar is.

Sun, 25 Apr 10
Safer swiping while voting and globetrotting: Security expert finds security holes in passports and 'smart cards'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZRnuR0IPeI8/100415160141.htm
A new study finds serious security drawbacks in chips embedded in credit, debit and "smart" cards.

Sun, 25 Apr 10
Method developed to identify musical notes at any venue
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/G1GyXoQetfM/100423113732.htm
A team of telecommunications engineers has created a new method to automatically detect and identify the musical notes in an audio file and generate sheet music. The system identifies the notes even when the type of instrument, musician, type of music or recording studio conditions vary.

Sun, 25 Apr 10
Topography of mountains could complicate rates of global warming
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9VdFrzQ8_u0/100421121452.htm
The future effects of global warming could be significantly changed over very small distances by local air movements in complex or mountainous terrain -- perhaps doubling or even tripling the temperature increases in some situations.

Sun, 25 Apr 10
Prostate cancer: Risk increases with the number of affected family members
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OetBk0ehNXM/100423113724.htm
The risk of getting prostate cancer increases with the number of directly related family members who are affected by the disease. Scientists in Germany have now calculated the age-specific individual risks in the largest study ever made on familial prostate cancer.

Sun, 25 Apr 10
Faulty clean-up process may be key event in Huntington's disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xjJ7eErSfqQ/100411143355.htm
In a step towards a possible treatment for Huntington's disease, scientists have shown for the first time that the accumulation of a mutated protein may explain damaging cellular behavior in Huntington's disease.

Sun, 25 Apr 10
Complete revascularization improves outcomes for coronary artery disease patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nXUXE3y0Ha0/100423113726.htm
A three-year, retrospective study by cardiologists determined that 28.8 percent of patients with significant coronary artery disease who did not undergo complete revascularization had a higher mortality rate than patients completely revascularized.

Sun, 25 Apr 10
Grape preservation: New treatment combination safe alternative to sulfur dioxide
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Z1kmfqnB0Kc/100415171411.htm
To keep table grapes fresh and increase shelf life, scientists are seeking advanced techniques that provide healthy, safe alternatives to conventional packing methods. Researchers have developed and tested an effective new technique that combines hot water treatment, rachis removal and modified atmosphere packaging (MA) to extend the shelf life of table grapes.

Sun, 25 Apr 10
Forecasting rates of overweight
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/m_BNHUFEh2E/100423204751.htm
Obesity rates for American adults have stabilized while the rate of childhood and minority obesity is rising, according to a new study.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Gene that allows worms to grow new head and brain discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3Dozp7U9eM4/100423113721.htm
Scientists have discovered the gene that enables an extraordinary worm to regenerate its own body parts after amputation -- including a whole head and brain.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Scientists sever molecular signals that prolific parasite uses to puppeteer cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3zIbRFjtdH4/100420132837.htm
Scientists studying a cunning parasite that has commandeered the cells of almost half the world's human population have begun to zero in on the molecular signals that must be severed to free the organism's cellular hostages.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Starry-eyed Hubble celebrates 20 years of awe and discovery
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/amMkMXPWv9k/100423113719.htm
The best recognized, longest-lived and most prolific space observatory zooms past a milestone of 20 years of operation. On April 24, 1990, the Space Shuttle and crew of STS-31 were launched to deploy the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope into a low-Earth orbit. What followed was one of the most remarkable sagas of the space age.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Protein plays a critical role in the development of aggressive breast cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/atKBMx3fRNk/100420101229.htm
Researchers have identified a potentially significant molecular player in the development of aggressive breast cancer. The team's findings show that a protein called NEDD9 is critical in the formation of breast tumors induced by high levels of the cell-surface receptor HER2/neu in mice. HER2-driven breast cancer is known to be one the most aggressive forms of the disease.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Monitoring bridges: Early warning system for rust developed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9A7Sl4MhGAk/100421111355.htm
Damage to concrete bridges caused by rust can have fatal consequences, at worst leading to a total collapse. Now, researchers have developed an early-warning system for rust. Sensor-transponders integrated in the concrete allow the extent of corrosion to be measured.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Sports stars are no role models, say UK scientists
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EFGLNjvZhDk/100421191410.htm
The loutish and drunken behavior of some of our sporting heroes -- routinely reported in the media -- has little or no effect on the drinking habits of young people, new research in the UK has found.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Car steered with eyes, computer scientists demonstrate
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0cEGM_knWOM/100423215028.htm
"Keep your eyes on the road!" Scientists in Germany have given a completely new meaning to this standard rule for drivers: Using software they developed, they can steer a car with their eyes.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Long-term elder care patients and HIV infected patients may carry MRSA in their noses
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DPA8aoZGjtA/100420114229.htm
Researchers have determined that long-term elder care, HIV-infected and hemodialysis patients are at increased risk of carrying MRSA in their nose. The study also found that patients have vastly different quantities of MRSA in their noses, a potential indicator for their risk of developing an infection after surgery.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Searching for dark energy with the whole world's supernova dataset
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MxYAlZJPgos/100421133120.htm
The Supernova Cosmology Project's Union2 compilation and reanalysis of decades of supernova surveys from the world's leading researchers, with the addition of six high-redshift supernovae, puts new bounds on possible values for the nature of dark energy. Einstein's cosmological constant comfortably fits the data, but there's still plenty of room at the top for dynamical theories.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
In breasts considered 'healthy,' too much of one protein identifies abnormal growth
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/i33V0ahtEmY/100420142033.htm
By examining tissue removed during breast reduction surgery in healthy women, researchers have found a molecule they say identified women who had atypical hyperplasia, a potentially precancerous condition in which cells are abnormally increased.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Micro-RNA can move, new evidence in plants shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/r9lui2kgIcc/100421133108.htm
Ever since tiny bits of genetic material known as microRNA were first characterized in the early 1990s, scientists have been discovering just how important they are to regulating the activity of genes within cells. A new study now shows that microRNAs don't just control the activity of genes within a given cell -- they also can move from one cell to another to send signals that influence gene expression on a broader scale.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
New insights into the implications of autism onset patterns
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kRQpZ6bpJyE/100420114231.htm
New study results show that when and how autism symptoms appear in the first three years of life has vital implications to a child's developmental, diagnostic, and educational outcomes.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
IBM Research creates world's smallest 3D map; brings low-cost, ease of use to creation of nanoscale objects
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OiXFrhw-gnI/100423220607.htm
IBM scientists have created a 3D map of the earth so small that 1,000 of them could fit on one grain of salt. The scientists accomplished this through a new, breakthrough technique that uses a tiny, silicon tip with a sharp apex -- 100,000 times smaller than a sharpened pencil -- to create patterns and structures as small as 15 nanometers at greatly reduced cost and complexity. This patterning technique opens new prospects for developing nanosized objects in fields such as electronics, future chip technology, medicine, life sciences, and optoelectronics.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Singapore scientists make breakthrough findings on early embryonic development
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hudejpZhWew/100421102530.htm
Scientists in Singapore have recently generated significant single cell expression data crucial for a detailed molecular understanding of mammalian development from fertilization to embryo implantation, a process known as the preimplantation period. The knowledge gained has a direct impact on clinical applications in the areas of regenerative medicine and assisted reproduction.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Student research team sequences genome of bacterium discovered in college garden
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7pImedNIjSU/100421160015.htm
Under the supervision of a plant pathologist, a group of high school, undergraduate, and graduate students isolated and characterized a formerly unknown group of bacteria.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Long-sought protein subunits of a key receptor of the central nervous system discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EL5RtZpK2KQ/100420161001.htm
Researchers in Germany have discovered previously unknown subunits of the GABAB receptors in the central nervous system. GABAB receptors are transmembrane proteins in nerve cells which are of fundamental significance for the functioning of the brain and have great therapeutical and pharmaceutical importance.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Machine-learning revolutionizes software development
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7Eka-apDGzU/100420161222.htm
Automation technology has revolutionized the fine-tuning needed to maximize software performance on devices such as mobile phones.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Death rates not best judge of hospital quality, researchers say
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QQJKxO8t9J4/100420220756.htm
Inpatient mortality rates, used by organizations to issue "report cards" on the quality of individual US hospitals, are a poor gauge of how well hospitals actually perform and should be abandoned in favor of measures that more accurately assess patient harms and the care being provided, argue patient safety experts in a new paper.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Rattlesnakes sound warning on biodiversity and habitat fragmentation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DLXHlZ6kjc8/100421102449.htm
Researchers have discovered that fragmentation of natural habitats by roads -- even smaller, low-traffic highways -- has had a significant effect on genetic structure of timber rattlesnakes. The work reinforces similar research conducted on other species and underlines the grave danger habitat fragmentation poses to wildlife populations.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Potential new test for early diagnosis of osteoarthritis identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kgp7UWQrJU0/100422102946.htm
Researchers have discovered new ways of measuring biological markers in the blood which could be used to diagnose osteoarthritis earlier. The new biochemical test called metabolomics allows the scientists to test for 163 chemical signals at the same time from a single blood sample.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
New near-infrared cameras/spectrographs will allow astronomers to watch stars being born
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IYJSRX8l0n8/100422112639.htm
A new instrument, dubbed LUCIFER 1, provides a powerful tool to gain spectacular insights into the universe. It will allow astronomers to observe the faintest and most distant objects in the universe.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Researchers successfully lower radiation dose associated with pediatric chest CT scans, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xCneUy7eLk4/100421162621.htm
Adjusting the radiation dose based upon a child's weight can significantly lower the radiation dose associated with pediatric chest computed tomography (CT) scans, according to a new study. CT scanning combines special X-ray equipment with sophisticated computers to produce multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Cloud technology to combat cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/46yNTQC4hXk/100420161220.htm
Cloud services provided over grid technology are helping to treat cancer patients, thanks to an enormous effort by European researchers working closely with industry.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Language dysfunction in children may be due to epileptic brain activity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qKQzxx_tye4/100419132357.htm
Epileptic activity in the brain can affect language development in children, and EEG registrations should therefore be carried out more frequently on children with severe language impairment to identify more readily those who may need medical treatment, reveals new research.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Long-distance journeys out of fashion? Global warming may be causing evolutionary changes in bird migration
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ANWlOhC5ZDg/100421102348.htm
The results of genetic studies on migratory birds substantiate the theory that in the case of a continued global warming, and within only a few generations, migratory birds will -- subject to strong selection and microevolution -- at first begin to fly shorter distances and at a later stage, stop migrating, and will thus become so-called "residents."

Sat, 24 Apr 10
New carbon composite holds promise for bionics
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SLTZ8PLIHzo/100422141203.htm
Mimicking the human nervous system for bionic applications could become a reality with the help of a method developed to process carbon nanotubes.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Eyjafjallajokull's global fallout: Airports affected are not necessarily the ones you would think
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ULkpxY8XtqE/100423094620.htm
To gauge Eyjafjallajokull's global impact, researchers studied the worldwide air transportation network before and after 27 major European airports were closed. They found mobility patterns in places far from Europe -- including the United States, India and southeast Asia -- were significantly affected by the European disruption, to the surprise of the team. At the top of the list of most affected airports still operating were Singapore, Hong Kong and Beijing.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Chloride channels render nerve cells more excitable: Scientists discover how nerve cells may influence their own activity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ohUDfcfimKQ/100421102350.htm
Nerve cells communicate with each other by means of electrical impulses. To create such an impulse, the cells exchange charged ions with their environment. However, the role played by the ever-present chloride channels remained obscure, although some theories predicted a relation between the chloride channel ClC-2 and epilepsy. Scientists are now able to confirm a number of assumptions about the ClC-2 channel and could at last explain why the anticipated epileptic seizures do not occur when nerve cells lack the ClC-2 channels in mice. The results also provide a completely new understanding of how nerve cells may actively influence the exchange of information.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
An artificial eye on your driving
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dMEukh8iGmc/100420114238.htm
Scientists are working with GM to develop advanced algorithms that will help cameras mounted on cars detect threats, alerting drivers to make split-second decisions.

Sat, 24 Apr 10
Experts call for accelerated national sodium reduction initiatives
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pBmnJY_c30w/100420152843.htm
Responding to the health threat posed by Americans' over-consumption of sodium, nutrition experts are calling for sodium reduction strategies that are strong and effective -- and that maximize the enjoyment people derive from food.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Novel negative-index metamaterial bends light 'wrong' direction
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GA_Tn5AORgE/100422153939.htm
Scientists have engineered a type of artificial optical material -- a metamaterial -- with a particular three-dimensional structure such that light exhibits a negative index of refraction upon entering the material. In other words, this material bends light in the "wrong" direction from what normally would be expected, irrespective of the angle of the approaching light. The uniquely versatile material could be used for more efficient light collection in solar cells.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Substance in breast milk kills cancer cells, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-p-ZSPWIoRg/100419132403.htm
A substance found in breast milk can kill cancer cells, reveal a new study.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Potential for new cancer detection and therapy method described
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pYH3vZ5NmeE/100422170151.htm
Scientists have described a potentially new early cancer detection and treatment method using nanoparticles. A new paper illustrates how engineered gold nanoparticles tied to a cancer-specific receptor could be targeted to tumor cells to treat prostate, breast or lung cancers in humans.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Non-smokers put on less weight, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/H3-2tLm5VXQ/100422102941.htm
A new study links nicotine poisoning with weight gain, and concludes that active smokers, not only those who stop, put on more weight than non-smokers. After four years of analysis, those who put on least weight were those who had never smoked.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Rainfall linked to skewed sex ratios in African buffalo
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/m0WLkfZorSI/100422230647.htm
An increased proportion of male African buffalo are born during the rainy season. Researchers collected data from over 200 calves and 3,000 fetuses, finding that rain likely exerts this effect by interaction with so-called sex ratio genes, which cause differences in number, quality or function of X- and Y-bearing sperm.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
For children with hearing loss: The earlier the better for cochlear implants, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3e316I2mUgk/100420161758.htm
Receiving a cochlear implant before 18 months of age dramatically improves a deaf child's ability to hear, understand and, eventually, speak, according to a multicenter study led by scientists at Johns Hopkins.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Brains, worms and computer chips have striking similarities
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ePGLyTfx5uQ/100422184049.htm
Scientists have discovered striking similarities between the human brain, the nervous system of a worm, and a computer chip. Using data that is largely in the public domain, including magnetic resonance imaging data from human brains, a map of the nematode's nervous system, and a standard computer chip, they examined how the elements in each system are networked together.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Gene test shows who could benefit from statins to reduce colon cancer risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/s7RADnZU9OY/100419162121.htm
A genetic test can help determine in which patients cholesterol-lowering statin drugs might have the most benefit in also reducing the risk of colorectal cancer, a new study finds.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
New strain of virulent airborne fungi, unique to Oregon, is set to spread
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XyaDuv1e8m4/100422184040.htm
A newly discovered strain of an airborne fungus has caused several deaths in Oregon and seems poised to move into California and other adjacent areas, according to scientists.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Mammographic density and risk of breast cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2ASBQLkbmBI/100421102338.htm
Women who have a breast density of 75 percent or higher on a mammogram have a risk of breast cancer that is four to five times greater than that of women with little or no density, making mammographic breast density one of the strongest biomarkers of breast cancer risk.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Heavy snowfall over Himalayas makes drought over India more likely
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/twVa_d9hPcE/100422085227.htm
Scientists have helped to explain why heavy snowfall over the Himalayas in winter and spring can lead to drought over India, especially in the early part of the summer monsoon.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Children who lose a parent to suicide more likely to die the same way, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1u8UVleCU8I/100421160013.htm
Losing a parent to suicide makes children more likely to die by suicide themselves and increases their risk of developing a range of major psychiatric disorders, according to a study that is believed to be the largest one to date on the subject.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
World's smallest, lightest telemedicine microscope invented
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sZMx0RjSO98/100422164626.htm
Researchers have applied lensless imaging technology to create the world's smallest microscope. The microscope generates holographic, or 3-D, images of microparticles or cells by employing a light-emitting-diode to illuminate the objects and a digital sensor array to capture their images. Weighing in at only 46 grams, the self-contained imaging device is intended to be used in telemedicine networks in resource limited settings.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Antidepressants as treatment immediately following a stroke?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tAvnSpnfEnc/100412151815.htm
A study in rodents shows the growth of new neurons, also known as neurogenesis, lessens the severity of stroke and dramatically improves function following a stroke. The research suggests that drugs shown to promote neurogenesis in rodents could have benefits for human stroke victims and that those drugs -- which include antidepressants and mood stabilizers such as lithium -- may be suitable for study in human clinical trials.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Carbon dioxide emissions causing ocean acidification to progress at unprecedented rate
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bZg0T60vekk/100422102950.htm
The changing chemistry of the world's oceans is a growing global problem, says the summary of a congressionally requested study.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Key step for regulating embryonic development discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tFUnrho97cQ/100422153941.htm
The interplay of two proteins, SUMO and SNP2, influences epigenetic signaling that drives gene expression to form new tissues and organs as the embryo develops.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Biosensor chip enables high-sensitivity protein analysis for disease diagnosis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Xw7Tl7Me5Nc/100422141201.htm
In the battle against cancer and other diseases, precise analysis of specific proteins can point the way toward targeted treatments. Scientists have developed a novel biosensor chip that not only recognizes proteins that are characteristic for specific diseases, but also can show changes due to disease or medication.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Global biofuel drive raises risk of eviction for African farmers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YexCYS_z9-c/100422093534.htm
African farmers risk being forced from their lands by investors or government projects as global demand for biofuels encourages changes in crop cultivation.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Experimental explanation of supercooling: Why water does not freeze in the clouds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OnTF12uFC_Q/100421133114.htm
Supercooling, a state where liquids don't solidify even below their normal freezing point, still puzzles scientists today. An example of this phenomenon is found everyday in meteorology: clouds in high altitude are an accumulation of supercooled droplets of water below their freezing point. Scientists in France have now found an experimental explanation of the phenomenon of supercooling.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Risk of stroke associated with bypass surgery technique designed to prevent organ damage, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vN8ugjcAcvM/100422141154.htm
The standard practice of cooling and then rewarming a patient to prevent organ damage during cardiac bypass surgery may impair the body's mechanism that controls blood flow to the brain, potentially increasing the patient's risk of stroke, new research suggests.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Acidifying oceans dramatically stunt growth of already threatened shellfish, research finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HwUTOvl6CV0/100420152841.htm
New research shows that global warming and its effects -- in particular, ocean acidification -- have descended upon shellfish reefs, particularly those formed by the Olympia oyster.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Study: Better understanding of abnormalities that lead to chronic kidney disease in children
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nkFlflH0-OA/100408111315.htm
Kidney damage associated with chronic reflux is the fourth leading cause of chronic kidney disease and is the most common cause of severe hypertension in children. Doctors and researchers have developed a new mouse model of vesicoureteral reflux, a common childhood condition that can lead to chronic kidney disease in children.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Size affects structure of hollow nanoparticles
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/g01P3mDzbi4/100412111617.htm
A new study shows that size plays a key role in determining the structure of certain hollow nanoparticles. The researchers focused on nickel nanoparticles, which have interesting magnetic and catalytic properties that may have applications in fields as diverse as energy production and nanoelectronics.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Business affiliation could increase potential risk of farm-to-farm transmission of avian influenza
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7bSVtWdoF_w/100329162932.htm
A new study examines the potential influence that the business connections between broiler chicken growers may have on the transmission of avian influenza, H5N1. According to the study, the risk of between-farm transmission is significantly greater among farms within the same company group than it is between farms with different company affiliation.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Primate fossil more than 11 million years old discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zwzQwQq1pNI/100421102439.htm
Researchers have discovered in the rubbish dump in Spain a new species of Pliopithecus primate, considered an extinct family of primitive Catarrhini primates (or "Old World monkeys"). The fragments of jaw and molars found in this large site demonstrate that Pliopithecus canmatensis belongs to this group, which includes the first Catarrhini that dispersed from Africa to Eurasia.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Dietary supplement speeds silver cyclists
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ULWiPjZcUTk/100323192329.htm
Taking arginine supplements can improve the cycling ability of over-50s. Researchers tested a combination of the amino acid and an antioxidant in 16 cyclists, finding that it enhanced their anaerobic threshold -- the amount of work done before lactic acid begins to accumulate in the blood.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
One molecule opens the door to new treatments for depression
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/anybI0SNotg/100412084408.htm
There has been little progress in the way we treat depression and anxiety for over thirty years, but a recent study may open the door to new strategies. A new article explains how understanding the functioning of a molecule called MIF, or macrophage migration inhibitory factor, may change the way we treat depression.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
New evidence on co-prescribing for heart and stroke patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/egnaCG9k1NY/100408105156.htm
New research shows no risk in combining two commonly-prescribed treatments for patients at risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
New defenses deployed against plant diseases
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ei11rdgs0yk/100314150912.htm
Researchers have transferred broad spectrum resistance against some important plant diseases across different plant families. The breakthrough provides a new way to produce crops with sustainable resistance to economically important diseases.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Direct patient access to imaging test results could result in increased patient anxiety and physician overload
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/e8gsc3Oab2M/100401085552.htm
Providing patients with direct access to their imaging test results could improve patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes. However, physicians are concerned that it could lead to increased patient anxiety and unrealistic demands on physician time, according to a new study.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Cat's Paw Nebula: Celestial cat's hidden secrets revealed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vA67LGaMy8g/100421102441.htm
The Cat's Paw Nebula, NGC 6334, is a huge stellar nursery, the birthplace of hundreds of massive stars. In a magnificent new ESO image, the glowing gas and dust clouds obscuring the view are penetrated by infrared light and some of the Cat's hidden young stars are revealed.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
New breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility gene identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LD8tcU5BGvA/100421111359.htm
Medical researchers report evidence unambiguously implicating the gene RAD51C in susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancer. This gene normally plays a role in DNA repair. By screening RAD51C in unrelated individuals from 1,100 German families with hereditary breast and ovarian cancers, the researchers identified six mutations that increase cancer risk.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
A little less force: Making atomic force microscopy work for cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Mf99yrFjR8A/100421102451.htm
Scientists have developed a nanowire-based imaging technique by which atomic force microscopy could be used to study biological cells and other soft materials in their natural, liquid environment without tearing apart or deforming the samples. This could provide scientists with the long coveted non-destructive means of dynamically probing soft matter.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
New gene involved in the development of liver cancer identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fjD8ezh-O4A/100419162304.htm
Researchers have identified a new tumor-promoting gene that may play a key role in the development of liver cancer. Levels of the gene's expression are significantly higher in more than 90 percent of patients with the disease compared to their healthy counterparts.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Computer model better than clinical judgment for diagnosing fever in young children
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aZSfdk4WP9Y/100420220802.htm
A computerized diagnostic model outperforms clinical judgment for the diagnosis of fever in young children, and may improve early treatment, a new study finds.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Genetically engineered crops benefit many farmers, but the technology needs proper management to remain effective, report suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CufFBt7pKiM/100413112058.htm
Many US farmers who grow genetically engineered crops are realizing substantial economic and environmental benefits -- such as lower production costs, fewer pest problems, reduced use of pesticides, and better yields -- compared with conventional crops, says a new report.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Several different species of killer whales likely
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/V-9aZLQQz2k/100422121704.htm
Scientists report finding strong genetic evidence supporting the theory there are several species of killer whales (Orcinus orca, also known as orcas) throughout the world's oceans.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Ovarian cancer study offers vital clues for new therapies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GNA-P6imdwI/100421102346.htm
Scientists have taken a major step forward in the understanding of ovarian cancer, which could improve treatment for patients with the condition.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Breeding orchid species creates a new perfume
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8hU8i9KPYq0/100421102344.htm
Some orchids mimic the scent of a female insect in order to attract males for pollination. Researchers have found that breeding two of these orchid species to generate a novel hybrid resulted in a new scent. This new odor had no effect on normal solitary bees from the area but was highly attractive to another species of wild bee that never visited any of the parent orchid species.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Useful stroke trials left unpublished
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9rmXSjW6eto/100422093532.htm
An investigation into unpublished stroke research data has revealed that 19.6 percent of completed clinical trials, which could potentially influence patient care, are not published in full. Researchers describe how these unpublished studies included more than 16,000 participants and tested 89 different interventions.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Concern over hearing loss from personal music players
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-52iZCx8nlw/100420220758.htm
Young people who listen to personal music players for several hours a day at high volume could be putting their hearing at risk, warns an expert in a new editorial.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Perception: Skinny people aren't lazy but overweight people are
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IZy-LU1d3os/100420152839.htm
A new study shows that when a thin person is seen laying down watching television, people assume they're resting. But when people see an overweight person relaxing, it's automatically assumed they're lazy and unmotivated.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Retracing the tracks of dinosaurs reveals ecosystem the size of a continent
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Rj6MbF_kGF0/100421223712.htm
Researchers have uncovered the first evidence that a warm and moderate climate allowed dinosaurs to expand into one massive homogenous community across North America.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Physics strategy tested as solution for antibiotic resistance
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oSexKX3z1-M/100421121456.htm
A biologist proposes to use a physics strategy called resonant activation to nudge dormant bacteria cells into a stage where they will be sensitive to antibiotics.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Solar energy: Cheaper solar concentrator with fewer photovoltaic cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3zrYUyRle9w/100422093538.htm
A new solar concentrator design from an electrical engineering Ph.D. student could lead to solar concentrators that are less expensive and require fewer photovoltaic cells than existing solar concentrators.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
British heroin substitute may be associated with wide-ranging sight problems
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oHZW33mUKbk/100421191412.htm
Children born to mothers prescribed the heroin substitute methadone during pregnancy may be at risk of wide-ranging sight problems, indicates a small study.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
UK may experience more cold winters
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TS-aqFzIiLY/100422095549.htm
New research suggests the UK may experience more cold winters in future when the Sun is at a lower level of activity. The amount of radiation emitted by the Sun varies naturally over time and over centuries.

Fri, 23 Apr 10
Age dramatically delays recovery of the sense of taste
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/P6m9wq1Rtcg/100421102443.htm
Age dramatically delays the time if takes to recover the sense of taste following a significant nerve injury researchers report. When old rats received nerve injuries similar to ones that can occur in ear or dental surgery, their taste buds took essentially twice as long to recover function as their younger counterparts.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Researchers create 'sound bullets': Highly focused acoustic pulses could be used as sonic scalpels and more
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Mo4oyFM7S2M/100421172602.htm
Taking inspiration from a popular executive toy ("Newton's cradle"), researchers have built a device -- called a nonlinear acoustic lens -- that produces highly focused, high-amplitude acoustic signals dubbed "sound bullets." The acoustic lens and its sound bullets (which can exist in fluids--like air and water--as well as in solids) have the potential to revolutionize applications from medical imaging and therapy to the nondestructive evaluation of materials and engineering systems.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Key molecular step to fighting off viruses identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-M4IhTRVjNI/100421121454.htm
Researchers have determined how a protein that normally latches onto molecules inside cells and marks them for destruction also gives life to the body's immune response against viruses.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
House with an edible wall: Runs on sun, wind, rain and wastes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7B-XfgWOMWk/100421214408.htm
Students and researchers are constructing a house to run on solar power, as well as harness wind, rain and the building's wastes. Its also features include an edible wall.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Ethnicity key to accurate obesity measurements, researchers find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RivSnOfk7J0/100421172600.htm
The current National Institutes of Health body mass index cutoff values for obesity are too high for many reproductive-age women in the US and should be adjusted to account for ethnic differences in body composition to produce proper diagnosis of obesity, according to new research.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Does the weather cause northerners to get more prostate cancer?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xDqMnOBTqNA/100420220753.htm
Cold, dry weather has been linked to an increased incidence of prostate cancer. Researchers suggest that meteorological effects on persistent organic pollutants, such as some pesticides and industrial by-products, may be to blame.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
How do ads depicting mixed emotions persuade abstract thinkers?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yPRlGLlIPQc/100419150958.htm
People who think more abstractly respond better to ads that portray mixed emotions, according to a new study.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Smell your way to a longer life? Odors that represent food or indicate danger can alter an animal's lifespan
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bIC9ZJmSRb8/100420174113.htm
What does the smell of a good meal mean to you? It may mean more than you think. Specific odors that represent food or indicate danger are capable of altering an animal's lifespan and physiological profile by activating a small number of highly specialized sensory neurons, researchers have shown.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Higher amounts of added sugars increase heart disease risk factors, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ErL4l5cWIhY/100420161748.htm
Consuming a higher amount of added sugars in processed or prepared foods is associated with lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, the "good cholesterol") and higher levels of triglycerides, which are important risk factors for cardiovascular disease, according to a new study.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
New genetic framework could help explain drug side effects
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TxQ5IFz9O1Y/100420174127.htm
In a major step toward predicting adverse drug reactions, systems biologists have integrated genetic, cellular and clinical information to find out why certain medicines can trigger fatal heart arrhythmias. The new framework could be used to study other cardiac disorders and certain neurological diseases, including epilepsy and autism, and could aid the advance of personalized medicine.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Does a man's estrogen level impact his risk of prostate cancer?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DIm6rgJvOkw/100419150813.htm
A high level of one type of estrogen in a man's body might increase his risk of developing prostate cancer. That is one surprising conclusion from a new study which also offers another novel finding -- that high levels of the estrogen considered fuel for breast cancer might offer a protective benefit against prostate cancer.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Katrina storm surge led to over 200 onshore releases of petroleum and hazardous materials, rivaling Exxon Valdez oil spill
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Z-xlfzgL2MI/100421213706.htm
Scientists call for more risk-based facility design and improved prevention, response planning Hurricane Katrina was the cause of more than 200 onshore releases of petroleum and other hazardous materials, a new study has found.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Do pressures to publish increase scientists' bias?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wICrgF_HoZ8/100421172558.htm
The quality of scientific research may be suffering because academics are being increasingly pressured to produce 'publishable' results, a new study suggests. A large analysis of papers in all disciplines shows that researchers report more "positive" results for their experiments in US states where academics publish more frequently.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Gene therapy cures canines of inherited form of day blindness
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/G0NYzkOMeAo/100421133122.htm
Veterinary ophthalmology researchers have used gene therapy to restore retinal cone function and day vision in two canine models of congenital achromatopsia, also called rod monochromacy or total color blindness.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Genetic basis for health benefits of the 'Mediterranean diet'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/b3n5XvoWWgk/100419204628.htm
Eating a diet rich in the phenolic components of virgin olive oil represses several pro-inflammatory genes. Researchers suggest that this partly explains the reduced risk of cardiovascular disease seen in people who eat a "Mediterranean diet."

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Contact lens capable of correcting hyperopia without surgery
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/g0x_b0BgsyY/100420161224.htm
An innovative new contact lens developed by a Spanish researcher promises to improve the vision quality of thousands of people without surgery. The design represents the first contact lens capable of correcting hyperopia without refractive surgery by means of corneal reshaping.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Smoke exposure alters gene expression and estrogen metabolism in the lungs of mice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YkbPSpm8lYw/100419150817.htm
Lung cancer rates are increasing substantially in women, particularly in non-smoking women, with no known reason for the increase. Now researchers may have uncovered a critical piece in the puzzle.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
For stem cells, practice makes perfect
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NLIz_EWnKIc/100405152549.htm
Multipotent stem cells have the capacity to develop into different types of cells by reprogramming their DNA. In a new study, researchers have found that reprogramming is imperfect in the early stages of differentiation, with some genes turned on and off at random. As cell divisions continue, the stability of the differentiation process increases by a factor of 100.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Martial arts training for elderly patients gets the green light
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/G9uLD7MPmxQ/100421191408.htm
Martial arts could be the key to helping osteoporosis sufferers fall more safely. A study has found that martial arts training can likely be carried out safely.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
NASA's new eye on the sun delivers stunning first images
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OrT4GrPVbYc/100421150815.htm
NASA's recently launched Solar Dynamics Observatory, or SDO, is returning early images that confirm an unprecedented new capability for scientists to better understand our sun's dynamic processes. These solar activities affect everything on Earth.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Urine test for kidney cancer a step closer to development
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ha6lErnQYsk/100407134823.htm
Researchers have identified a pair of proteins excreted in the urine that could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis of kidney cancer. The research is the first to identify proteins in urine that appear to accurately reveal the presence of about 90 percent of all kidney cancers.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
How to be a better skier: Professor, students conduct research on the slopes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ATBWCH3YjcA/100420101344.htm
New research helps answer questions about how to be a better skier and have more fun in the process.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
The promise of DNA vaccines
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/op_zg0fD9yE/100419132450.htm
Laboratory research and clinical studies are beginning to demonstrate that DNA vaccines can be as effective as traditional vaccines. A number of factors are driving the growth of the field, especially new approaches to electroporation, vaccine formulation, and vector design.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Multimedia search without detours
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/farucqsptCI/100414114156.htm
Finding a particular song or video is often no easy matter. Manually assigned metadata may be incorrect, and the unpacking of compressed data can slow up the search. DIVAS, a multimedia search engine, uses digital fingerprints to reliably locate what you are looking for.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Dual approach gives a more accurate picture of the autistic brain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WYj_Iybok5k/100413141546.htm
A new study, the first of its kind, combines two complementary analytical brain imaging techniques, to provide a more comprehensive and accurate picture of the neuroanatomy of the autistic brain.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Bizarre matter could find use in quantum computers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qY3sqFJPxq8/100421133125.htm
There are enticing new findings in the search for materials that support fault-tolerant quantum computing. New results indicate that a bizarre state of matter that acts like a particle with one-quarter electron charge also has a "quantum registry" that is immune to information loss from external perturbations.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Sensitive nerve cells: Research sheds light on what triggers Parkinson's disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vDPJLhhA0Bk/100406172644.htm
In Germany alone, more than 300,000 people are afflicted by Parkinson's disease and the number is growing steadily. However, despite comprehensive research, scientists are still somewhat in the dark as to the molecular changes that trigger this illness. Scientists have demonstrated using a new animal model that nerve cells do not begin to die to the extent found in "Parkinson's" in mice until three conditions come together.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Dying: Millions of women in childbirth, newborns and young children
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/neNWbDZQM-w/100413121322.htm
As G8 leaders prepare for a June meeting at which maternal and child health problems will take top priority, a new analysis details the extent of the problem today: 350,000-500,000 women die in childbirth each year, 3.6 million newborns fail to survive their first month, and an additional 5.2 million children die before age five.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Enzyme found to be a predictive marker of survival in head and neck cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9pzrOTjyCP4/100419150819.htm
New research suggests that levels of ERCC1 -- an enzyme that helps repair cisplatin-related DNA damage -- offer a predictive marker of survival in squamous carcinoma of the head and neck. The findings might eventually help guide treatment selection for patients with recurrent and metastatic disease.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
How do older people use e-mail?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3O-9VvWR2e0/100419102411.htm
Researchers in Spain have studied how older people interact and use e-mail in their daily life. The study was carried out in social centers in Barcelona and will be used to design new e-mail systems that are more intuitive and accessible.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Fossil-fuel subsidies hurting global environment, security, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UOMxvzTt4L8/100421133110.htm
A comprehensive assessment of global fossil-fuel subsidies has found that governments are spending $500 billion annually on policies that undermine energy security and worsen the environment.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Research reveals genetic secrets underlying remarkable development of the domestic chicken
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xZZur-qD6s8/100310134154.htm
The domestication of animals and plants is perhaps the most important technological innovation during human history. This genetic transformation of wild species has occurred as humans have used individuals carrying favorable gene variants for breeding purposes. In a new study, researchers have revealed some of the secrets underlying the remarkable development of the domestic chicken.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Breast density change linked to cancer development, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/B0puAaeq6vc/100421102342.htm
An increase in breast density appears to be the culprit behind an increase of breast cancer found in women participating in an estrogen and progestin therapy study.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
To the Antarctic or Brazil for new feathers: Thin-billed prions select their moulting grounds individually
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/h4Ekwct2n58/100315132704.htm
Scientists have studied the migratory behavior of thin-billed prions and discovered that the animals spend their molting season in two areas that are at a considerable distance from each other. Thus, it would appear that some seabirds can be extremely flexible and change their habitat if required -- a vital adaptation to the unpredictable conditions found on the high seas.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Molecular basis for Pseudomonas aeruginosa persistent infections in CF patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9IpCCUDTOdI/100311202721.htm
New research reveals Small Colony Variants (SCVs) of P. aeruginosa to be a hallmark of chronic infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Results suggest that SCV-mediated persistence might be a good target for antimicrobial chemotherapy.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Increased radiation dose does not increase long-term side effects for prostate cancer patients, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Rm9y6lbpo3M/100316101604.htm
Boosting the radiation dose given to prostate cancer patients to a level that cut tumor recurrence in half did not increase the severity of side effects reported by patients up to a decade later. The study also found that patients characterized the impact of continuing side effects on their quality of life as considerably less bothersome than would be expected, based on earlier studies.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Simple, low-cost steps enhance adolescents' health
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jthknO3eAys/100315181222.htm
Simple, low-cost measures such as wearing a pedometer to inspire walking and spending a few minutes a day meditating can put adolescents on the track toward better health, researchers report.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
How red wine may shield brain from stroke damage: Researchers discover pathway in mice for resveratrol's apparent protective effect
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_09KBM21u-Y/100421133118.htm
Researchers say they have discovered the way in which red wine consumption may protect the brain from damage following a stroke.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Mercury is higher in some tuna species, according to DNA barcoding; New research provides insight into healthier consumption of sushi
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_SZDcboQP2w/100421075203.htm
The level of mercury in your sushi can depend on the species that you are consuming. New DNA barcoding research shows that mercury levels are higher in bigeye and bluefin tunas, especially for the leaner, redder akami. Yellowfin tuna does not seem to sequester as much mercury, nor does the fattier toro slices found in sushi.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Among deaths from H1N1, pregnant women appear to have high risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QhxnEHFIwew/100420161750.htm
Pregnant women had a disproportionately higher risk of death due to 2009 influenza A(H1N1) in the US, and early antiviral treatment appeared to be associated with fewer admissions to an ICU and fewer deaths, according to a new study.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
More accurate mapping of ash cloud from volcano in Iceland
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NHaCDg0sKpk/100421102445.htm
Scientists are following the progress of the ash cloud from the Eyjafjallajökul volcano across Denmark. New research provides more details about the actual height and development of the ash cloud as well as qualitative measurements of the volcanic ash concentrations in the cloud.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Excessive alcohol consumption may lead to increased cancer risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/H-RzTzXe8CI/100421102336.htm
Researchers have detected a link between alcohol consumption, cancer and aging that starts at the cellular level with telomere shortening.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
'Ancestral Eve' crystal may explain origin of life's left-handedness
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0HDMLC_19HU/100421121501.htm
Scientists are reporting discovery of what may be the "ancestral Eve" crystal that billions of years ago gave life on Earth its curious and exclusive preference for so-called left-handed amino acids. Those building blocks of proteins come in two forms -- left- and right-handed -- that mirror each other like a pair of hands.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Toward a urine test for detecting colon cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/99KDNsGGIZY/100421121505.htm
Scientists are reporting an advance toward development of a urine test for detecting colon cancer, the third most common cancer in the United States. Such a test could eventually compliment or even reduce the need for colonoscopy, the mainstay screening test used today.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Surfing the alien atmosphere of Venus
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vQoLM2daVEA/100421111357.htm
Venus Express has completed an "aerodrag" campaign that used its solar wings as sails to catch faint wisps of the planet's atmosphere. The test used the orbiter as an exquisitely accurate sensor to measure atmospheric density barely 180 km above the hot planet.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Fish oil supplements provide no benefit to brain power in elders, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QutgZn_pOhk/100421133116.htm
The largest ever trial of fish oil supplements has found no evidence that they offer benefits for cognitive function in older people. The study investigated the effects of taking omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements over a two year period on the cognitive function of participants aged 70-80 years.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
Animal feed, not automobiles, makes the San Joaquin Valley a smog hotspot
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GC3IDSuOLTw/100421121503.htm
A new study identifies cattle feed as a possible culprit in the long-standing mystery of why California's San Joaquin Valley -- a moderately-populated agricultural region -- has higher levels of ozone (one of the main ingredients in smog) than many densely-populated cities. The report explains how fermented cattle feed works with automotive exhausts in forming ozone.

Thu, 22 Apr 10
In developing countries, shorter maternal height associated with higher death rates for children
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xd6q4BGy3iw/100420161752.htm
Among 54 low- to middle-income countries, a mother's shorter height is associated with a higher rate of death for her children and a greater likelihood of these children being underweight and having a reduced rate of growth, according to a new study.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Seeing a bionic eye on medicine's horizon
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vqmYOfJ1JQo/100322143221.htm
Scientists have foundational research that may give sight to blind eyes, merging retinal nerves with electrodes to stimulate cell growth. Successful so far in animal models, this research may one day lay the groundwork for retinal implants in people.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Chicken antibodies may help prevent H5N1 pandemic
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9xyWJWagEEI/100419102413.htm
Scientists have discovered for the first time that antibodies in common eggs laid by hens vaccinated against the H5N1 virus can potentially prevent a possible H5N1 pandemic, raising the possibility that the same principle could be applied to the current H1N1 influenza pandemic.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Alternative turfgrasses show potential for use on golf course fairways
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BtqXm9ghmlg/100420114233.htm
Burgeoning restrictions on water use, fertilization, and pesticide application are becoming important considerations in golf course design and management. Other factors, including increasing energy costs, human health concerns, and environmental awareness are also prompting turfgrass managers to consider the use of alternative turfgrasses as a lower input, sustainable maintenance practice. Researchers identified four alternative turfgrass species -- two bentgrasses and two fescues -- as promising for use as low-input fairways.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Vitamin K may protect against developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, say Mayo Clinic researchers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WgvWQ_Mera0/100419151117.htm
In the first study of vitamin K and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma risk, researchers have found that people who have higher intakes of vitamin K from their diet have a lower risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system and is the most common hematologic malignancy in the United States.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Laser adds extra dimension to lab-on-chip
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8-xeoPrVexQ/100413131937.htm
A European research project has shown how to build optical sensors directly into the structure of labs-on-chips. The breakthrough paves the way for on-the-spot medical diagnostics.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Being naughty or nice may boost willpower, physical endurance
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/myGKYx5oQmg/100419151114.htm
Moral actions may increase our capacity for willpower and physical endurance. Study participants who did good deeds -- or even just imagined themselves helping others -- were better able to perform a subsequent task of physical endurance.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Global temperatures push March 2010 to hottest March on record
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KxKc6TYp90Y/100420225712.htm
The world's combined global land and ocean surface temperature made last month the warmest March on record. Taken separately, average ocean temperatures were the warmest for any March and the global land surface was the fourth warmest for any March on record. Additionally, the planet has seen the fourth warmest January -- March period on record.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Body mass index gain throughout adulthood may increase risk of postmenopausal breast cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MKNDNQ3gvwQ/100420152835.htm
Reported mid-life increase in body mass index (BMI) may lead to substantially higher risk of postmenopausal breast cancer, according to results of a prospective cohort study.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Carbon nanotubes boost cancer-fighting cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0nwvd0xmpXk/100420132846.htm
Engineers have found that the defects in carbon nanotubes cause T cell antigens to cluster in the blood and stimulate the body's natural immune response. Their findings could improve current adoptive immunotherapy, a treatment used to boost the body's ability to fight cancer.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Promoting recovery from effects of severe allergic reaction
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/G2uqlM_9bUE/100419172848.htm
One of the life-threatening consequences of anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that affects the function of multiple organ systems, is the widening of blood vessels that leads to a dramatic drop in blood pressure. New research in mice, has determined that drugs that trigger the protein S1PR2 might counteract the widening of blood vessels associated with anaphylaxis, thereby promoting recovery.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
To sleep or not to sleep? Math software to help plan astronaut, shift worker schedules
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HcM2YD-UcSo/100414122639.htm
Sleep. Humans need it in order to perform well on the job, in space and on the ground. Space researchers have developed software that uses mathematical models to help astronauts better adjust to shifting work and sleep schedules. On Earth, the software could help people who do shift or night work or who experience jet lag due to travel across time zones.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Why do grotesque fashion ads lure consumers?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UjtmrAGILXs/100419151004.htm
Women's fashion magazines are chock full of ads, some featuring bizarre and grotesque images. According to a new study these ads are effective at grabbing consumers' attention.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Mystery solved: Why nebulae around massive stars don't disappear
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Q51cpjUjMdk/100316101655.htm
The birth of the most massive stars -- those ten to a hundred times the mass of the Sun -- has posed an astrophysical riddle for decades. Massive stars are dense enough to fuse hydrogen while they're still gathering material from the gas cloud, so it was a mystery why their brilliant radiation does not heat the infalling gas and blow it away. New simulations show that as the gas cloud surrounding a massive star collapses, it forms dense filamentary structures that absorb the star's radiation when it passes through them. This makes heated nebulae flicker like a candle flame.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Increased EGFR levels may be an early marker of breast cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rYNegkoZt04/100420152833.htm
Levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) may be elevated in the blood of women within 17 months prior to their breast cancer diagnosis, according to new findings.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
New species of bacterium found in Swedish fjord
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cpihbx2TRFE/100419113650.htm
Researchers in Sweden have discovered a brand new species of bacterium found only in the Gullmarsfjord north of Gothenburg. The bacterium has been named Endoxenoturbella lovénii, an endosymbiotic prokaryote living in the gut of a marine worm called Xenoturbella, a creature also unique to the Gullmarsfjord.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Guillain-Barré Syndrome cases low after 2009 H1N1 vaccine
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Wxgu2Piwjlw/100413151906.htm
A new study finds that reports of a neurologic disease called Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) have been low after 2009 H1N1 vaccination.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Designer threads: New insight into protein fiber assembly
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fJJCDp31fus/100420132833.htm
Understanding how mixtures of proteins assemble and how to manipulate them in the laboratory has many exciting biomedical applications, such as providing scaffolds for the engineering of tissues that can replace diseased or damaged human tissues. Now, research reveals new information about the kinetics of protein assembly and demonstrates how to manipulate conditions in order to provide different distributions of protein fiber lengths.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
African-American babies and boys least likely to be adopted, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7DM76ewdWxE/100420142039.htm
Parents pursuing adoption within the United States have strong preferences regarding the types of babies they will apply for, tending to choose non-African-American girls, and favoring babies who are close to being born as opposed to those who have already been born or who are early in gestation. These preferences are significant and can be quantified in terms of the amount of money the potential adoptive parents are willing to pay in finalizing their adoption.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Long polymer chains dance the conga: new model of motion of molecules that give cells structure
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jyvgcrga5Aw/100316124233.htm
Researchers have demonstrated a new model for the motion of actin filaments, the molecules that give a cell its structure. Researchers have long assumed that actin filaments could move anywhere within a confined cylinder of space, like a snake slithering through a pipe. However, this study shows that a filament moves more like a conga line on a crowded dance floor: sometimes it's a tight squeeze.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
New methods identify thousands of new DNA sequences missing from the human genome reference map
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QiUjByr9qfE/100420132839.htm
New approaches enabled researchers to discover 2,363 new DNA sequences on the human genome. The sequences represent areas not charted in the human genome reference map. The extent of human genetic variation suggested to the scientist that there must be portions of the human genome where DNA sequences had yet to be discovered, annotated and characterized.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Small molecules mimicking key brain growth factor identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TY4nBFr5a6Q/100419172842.htm
Researchers have identified several small molecules that mimic a key but cumbersome protein in the brain, a discovery that could open the door to new therapies for a variety of brain disorders. The protein, designated by the acronym BDNF, is known to be involved in important brain functions that include memory and learning.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
'Vicious circle' offers new acute leukemia treatment target
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gKBZN9sJcPY/100413160905.htm
Researchers have discovered a network of protein and microRNA molecules that, when imbalanced, contributes to abnormally high levels of a protein called KIT and favors the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The researchers therapeutically targeted this network in mice and forced the disease into remission. They believe that targeting this mechanism and reducing the amount of KIT protein will prove to be a more effective therapy for AML than the current standard of care.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Sharing the load: Individual fibrin fibers distribute strain across a network in blood clots
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/i0UgOHyVeSw/100420132830.htm
A new study shows that when it comes to networks of protein fibers, individual fibers play a substantial role in effectively strengthening an entire network of fibers in blood clots. The research describes a mechanism that explains how individual fibrin fibers subjected to significant strain can respond by stiffening to resist stretch and helping to equitably distribute the strain load across the network.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Uncommon eye injury in autistic children has common cause
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Dif57cchXzk/100406093640.htm
The presence of metallic foreign bodies in the eye is an uncommon injury in children, so much so that two children with autism presenting with this injury led to detective work by two physicians that found the common cause. They discovered that therapeutic swings, commonly used for patients with autism-spectrum disorders, were shedding metallic particles directly into the eyes of the children.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Giant sequoias yield longest fire history from tree rings
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dS4ZxnarutA/100318093300.htm
A 3,000-year record from 52 of the world's oldest trees shows that California's western Sierra Nevada was droughty and often fiery from 800 to 1300, according to new research. Scientists reconstructed the region's history of fire by dating fire scars on ancient giant sequoia trees, Sequoiadendron giganteum, in the Giant Forest of Sequoia National Park. Individual giant sequoias can live more than 3,000 years and are considered the world's largest trees by volume.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Too much insulin a bad thing for the heart?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/60E-dQgUx0A/100419233109.htm
A team of researchers in Japan has generated data in mice that suggest that using insulin to treat diabetes could be harmful if the patient has chronic high blood pressure.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Graphene: What projections and humps can be good for
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SILFgIFJkxs/100419102415.htm
Scientists in Germany have investigated how a rough base affects the electronic properties of graphene. Their results suggest that it will soon be possible to control plasmons -- collective oscillations of electrons -- purposefully in graphene, by virtually establishing a lane composed of projections and humps.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
First-in-class drug tested in patients with advanced cancer; targets stem-like properties of certain cancer cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JA2xpeAWXlg/100419162117.htm
Researchers are working to develop a novel first-in-class cancer drug that works by targeting the stem-like properties of some cancer cells, and so far, results of an ongoing Phase I clinical trial demonstrate early signs of a strong safety profile and clinical activity.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
New material for more ecological, efficient and economic refrigeration systems
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tgTZDFHNfKo/100416193722.htm
Researchers in Spain and Germany have developed a new solid material that produces a caloric effect under hydrostatic pressure (solid-state barocaloric effect). The work was carried out using a high-pressure system. The research was inspired by guidelines in the Kyoto protocol on renewing current refrigeration systems based on the compression of harmful gases.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
One in ten drinkers plan on consuming more than 40 units of alcohol in a single evening
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BuXCIMQxOoA/100419204625.htm
Using measures of blood alcohol concentration, self-assessed and observer-assessed drunkenness, a study in the North West of England has confirmed the overwhelming prevalence of extreme alcohol consumption in UK nightlife. Researchers interviewed and "breathalyzed" revelers, finding that one in ten intended to drink more than 40 units by home time, with those using extended licensing hours having the most extreme alcoholic intentions.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
How ancient flowering plants grew: Early angiosperms were weedy, fast-growing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VIKEnXHkkFQ/100323110101.htm
Fossils of angiosperms first appear in the fossil record about 140 million years ago. Based on the material in which these fossils are deposited, early angiosperms must have been weedy, fast-growing shrubs and herbs found in highly disturbed riparian stream channels and crevasses. New research looks into whether aspects of a fossil plant's life history could be determined from its morphology -- could this technique corroborate the idea that these ancient plants were fast-growing species?

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Artificial light at night disrupts cell division, research shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KMjJEXyQtYo/100412095542.htm
Just one "pulse" of artificial light at night disrupts circadian cell division, reveals a new study.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Chemotherapy plus synthetic compound provides potent anti-tumor effect in pancreatic cancers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sEu_ukf0UdM/100323133045.htm
Human pancreatic cancer cells dramatically regress when treated with chemotherapy in combination with a synthetic compound that mimics the action of a naturally occurring "death-promoting" protein found in cells, researchers have found.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Amount of physical activity needed to prevent long-term weight gain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qdJ9bOo0LT8/100323161452.htm
Among women consuming a usual diet, physical activity was associated with less weight gain over 13 years only among women of normal weight, according to a new study. The researchers also found that women successful in maintaining normal weight averaged approximately 60 minutes a day of moderate-intensity activity throughout the study.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Chemical cocktail affects humans and the environment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/M2Y45bk1AX8/100329093634.htm
Throughout our lives we are exposed to an enormous range of man-made chemicals, from food, water, medicines, cosmetics, clothes, shoes and the air we breathe. At the request of the EU, researchers at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, have looked at the risk of "chemical cocktails" and have proposed a number of measures that need to be implemented in the current practice of chemical risk assessment.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Biofeedback more effective than EGS and massage for chronic rectal pain, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Y-I8xcXuej8/100331151142.htm
Biofeedback is more effective than two other treatments for a type of chronic rectal pain called levator ani syndrome, according to a new study.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Dusty experiments aim to solve interstellar water mystery
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_HPCluHJTXI/100413202856.htm
Dust may be a nuisance around the house but it plays a vital role in the formation of the key ingredient for life on Earth -- water. A pioneering experiment aims to solve one of the mysteries of the interstellar space: "Where did all the water come from?"

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Children's cognitive ability can be affected by mother's exposure to urban air pollutants
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3jMHCZKLxqI/100420132841.htm
A European study shows that prenatal exposure to pollutants can adversely affect children's cognitive development at age 5, confirming previous findings from New York City. Researchers report that children exposed to high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Krakow, Poland had a significant reduction in scores on a standardized test of reasoning ability and intelligence at age 5.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Two NASA Satellites Capture Eyjafjallajokull's Ash Plume
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LIfh4JkZQYI/100419162314.htm
NASA's Aqua and Terra satellites fly around the world every day capturing images of weather, ice and land changes. Over the last three days these satellites have provided visible and infrared imagery of the ash plume from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Researchers identify the source of 'noise' in HIV
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/X4XydPLIIgg/100420132828.htm
New research identifies a molecular mechanism that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) appears to utilize for generating random fluctuations called "noise" in its gene expression. The study pinpoints the likely source of HIV gene-expression noise and provides intriguing insight into the role of this noise in driving HIV's fate decision between active replication and latency.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
US needs new national strategy for era of cyber aggression, researchers urge
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gA5EO-wC0vg/100419132359.htm
Deterrence won't work as a posture for protecting the United States from those who seek to use cyber aggression to damage the country. So says a new article, which suggests that to remain safe in cyberspace, the US must be much more prepared to go on the offensive.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Contraband could hide in plain sight, research shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/omtBiUDyYZU/100420161804.htm
As airport security employees scan luggage for a large variety of banned items, they may miss a deadly box cutter if they find a water bottle first. According to new research, identifying an easy-to-spot prohibited item such as a water bottle may hinder the discovery of other, harder-to-spot items in the same scan.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Bone-eating worms 30 million years old
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1laeBD1BVuA/100420101220.htm
Scientists have found the first fossil boreholes of the worm, Osedax, that consumes whale bones on the deep-sea floor. They conclude that "boneworms" are at least 30 million years old.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Remarkable effects of fat loss on the immune system
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VKqJ7HBrt-w/100420101347.htm
Scientists have shown for the first time that even modest weight loss reverses many of the damaging changes often seen in the immune cells of obese people, particularly those with Type 2 diabetes.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Promising new drug target for Alzheimer's disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qkAsqu5Qtf0/100420114236.htm
Researchers have identified a potential drug target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: a receptor that is embedded in the membrane of neurons and other cells. A protein fragment associated with Alzheimer's disease activates this receptor, sparking increased activity in the affected neurons, eventually leading to cell death, researchers report.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Blood test identifies people at risk for heart attack that other tests miss
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8gs_TBKy9-8/100419173006.htm
A simple blood test can identify people who are at risk for a heart attack, including thousands who don't have high cholesterol. The new test measures gamma-prime fibrinogen, a component of the blood's clotting mechanism. Elevated levels indicate greater likelihood of a heart attack, even when other signs don't point to cardiovascular trouble, say researchers.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Artificial human skin with biomechanical properties created using tissue engineering
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SW_3nJdpV88/100420101218.htm
A biomaterial fibrin-agarose complex was used to generate the artificial skin that was later grafted onto athymic nude mice. Optimal skin development, maturation and functionality results were obtained. This finding could be useful in developing new treatment approaches for dermatological pathologies.

Wed, 21 Apr 10
Psychotropic medications overprescribed to children, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mOkKxL7Fkwg/100420101224.htm
A new study cautions the use of psychotropic medications for children.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Bees see super color at super speed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dcyVq37-NMc/100317101348.htm
Bees see the world almost five times faster than humans, according to new research. This gives bumblebees the fastest color vision of all animals, allowing them to easily navigate shady bushes to find food.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Secondhand smoke exposure associated with chronic sinus disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uAislwCXmX0/100419162131.htm
Individuals who are exposed to more secondhand smoke in private and public settings appear more likely to have chronic rhinosinusitis, according to a new article.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Beetles stand out using 'Avatar' tech
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JfZAIzOMi0U/100419102924.htm
Jewel scarab beetles find each other -- and hide from their enemies -- using the same technology that creates the 3-D effects for the blockbuster movie, "Avatar," research suggests.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Rare gene variants linked to high risk of broad range of seizure disorders
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EXu8sWo9KJE/100415125932.htm
Scientists have uncovered evidence suggesting that people missing large chunks of DNA on chromosome 16 are much more likely than others to develop a chronic seizure disorder during their lifetime.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Plastic chips monitor body functions, research suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/s7pybUOsC7w/100419113658.htm
A small blood lab that fits into the pocket of a jacket can quickly analyze the risk of blood clots in legs prior to a long distance flight; a sensor wristband for measuring electric smog can warn pacemaker patients of life-threatening exposure: "smart plastics" can turn such tools into reality.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Tobacco company's new, dissolvable nicotine products could lead to accidental poisoning
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8PvM3qiZNfo/100419090943.htm
A tobacco company's new, dissolvable nicotine pellet -- which is being sold as a tobacco product, but which in some cases resembles popular candies -- could lead to accidental nicotine poisoning in children, researchers warn.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
New bony-skulled dinosaur species discovered in Texas
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-QdQEr7elq4/100419132406.htm
Paleontologists have discovered a new species of dinosaur with a softball-sized lump of solid bone on top of its skull. The species, which the researchers named Texacephale langstoni, was a plant-eating dinosaur about as big as a medium-sized dog that lived 70-80 million years ago. The team discovered skull fragments in Big Bend National Park and found that they represent a new genus of pachycephalosaur that is different from its northern neighbors.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Metformin may prevent lung cancer in smokers, early research suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dnVvwyiiSnQ/100419162115.htm
Metformin, a mainstay of treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes, may soon play a role in lung cancer prevention if early laboratory research is confirmed in clinical trials.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Meat, especially if it's well done, may increase risk of bladder cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NNiGQGLIsow/100419150827.htm
People who eat meat frequently, especially meat that is well done or cooked at high temperatures, may have a higher chance of developing bladder cancer, according to a large study. This risk appears to increase in people with certain genetic variants.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Routine lifting may not be as bad for your back as thought, research suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BHFZvE4_bFc/100415125949.htm
A new study disputes advice that routine lifting is bad for your back. Researchers found that physical loading, the pressure put on the spine that comes with, for example, frequent lifting, may in fact slightly delay disc degeneration.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Food vs. fuel: Growing grain for food is more energy efficient
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HxTJMHON1Ho/100419172855.htm
Using productive farmland to grow crops for food instead of fuel is more energy efficient, scientists concluded, after analyzing 17 years' worth of data to help settle the food versus fuel debate.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Indoor tanning may be an addictive behavior
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dnlHmCOmOlU/100419162123.htm
Individuals who have used indoor tanning facilities may meet criteria for addiction, and may also be more prone to anxiety symptoms and substance use, according to a new article.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Bureaucracy linked to a nation's growth
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/76eUeS6r-Xs/100419172857.htm
"Bureaucracy is the death of all sound work," said Albert Einstein, sharing a popular view about bureaucracy grinding progress to a halt. But it now appears that the organizing functions of bureaucracy were essential to the progressive growth of the world's first states, and may have helped them conquer surrounding areas much earlier than originally thought.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Breast cancer risk tied to grandmother's diet
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aZsulfG1fZQ/100419172840.htm
Eating too much fat in pregnancy may be an indulgence that has a less-than-beneficial effect on generations to come, say researchers. Their unique study in rats shows that pregnant females that ate a high fat diet not only increased breast cancer risk in their female daughters but also in that daughter's offspring -- the "granddaughters."

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Performing complex tasks under stress activates hidden neuronal circuit in brain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hv_dy-jUo6M/100418155447.htm
Did you ever wonder how you are able to perform complex tasks -- even under stress? And how do emotions and memories mold your ability to live your everyday lives? Studies of a microscopic worm show how physiological detection of stress results in activation of a hidden neuronal circuit. It is suggested that such circuits form part of an escape response that enables animals to sense their environment and adapt their behavior under unfavorable conditions.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Monocyte turnover predicts speed and severity of AIDS and onset of brain disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3OEfHaQhYaQ/100415171406.htm
Researchers report the first observation within AIDS of a marker in blood or plasma exclusive to monocytes, which underscores the relationship between innate immune response and the devastating effects of AIDS within the brain.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Quantum computing closer: Properties of hybrid light-matter particles discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yl5PUsGRgSo/100419102918.htm
Physicists have discovered properties of hybrid light-matter particles, existing in the solid state matrix, which could one day lead to faster and more efficient computers and telecommunications.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Depression medication: Patients report 20 times more side effects than recorded in charts, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HPF_0c5kzDE/100419151112.htm
Patients report side effects from medication for the treatment of depression 20 times more than psychiatrists have recorded in the charts. The researchers recommend the use of a self-administered patient questionnaire in clinical practice to improve the recognition of side effects for patients in treatment.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Obesity gene, carried by more than a third of the US population, leads to brain tissue loss
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/odKt1nr4bhc/100419162308.htm
Researchers have found that an obesity-related gene carried by nearly half of all Central and Western Europeans may also be associated with brain degeneration.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
How genetic mutations may cause type 1 diabetes: Findings point to new drug target
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Q5W9VgARWmk/100419173004.htm
Scientists have provided an answer to the 40-year-old mystery of how certain genetic mutations lead to Type 1 diabetes. This new molecular understanding could lead to novel therapies for Type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Space storms could threaten UK power grid
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PMYsN_WGhGs/100414125142.htm
Changes in the space environment caused by the Sun can lead to periods of bad "space weather." As well as driving intense displays of the northern lights (or aurora borealis), this can generate unexpected currents in electricity distribution grids that could lead to blackouts and damage to valuable infrastructure with potentially high cost to the global economy. Now, scientists have developed a new model that shows the widespread impact inclement space weather could have on the UK.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Low vitamin D levels associated with more asthma symptoms and medication use
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4iFFLV-63W8/100415143906.htm
Low levels of vitamin D are associated with lower lung function and greater medication use in children with asthma, according to researchers. They also reported that vitamin D enhances the activity of corticosteroids, the most effective controller medication for asthma.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Nanotechnology makes a strong boron-cotton fabric that feels like T-shirt material
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mh_i4Bj6qn4/100416214943.htm
Cotton reinforced with boron carbide is tough and hard but nonetheless elastic. These properties indicate future promise, but this material is not yet bulletproof.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Therapy can help even very distressed married couples, largest study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tsmHdqhpg28/100419151119.htm
The largest, most comprehensive clinical trial of couple therapy ever conducted has found therapy can help even very distressed married couples if both partners want to improve their marriage. The study also has the longest, most comprehensive follow-up assessment of couple therapy ever conducted.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Chinese pigs 'direct descendants' of first domesticated breeds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hgrdzmM4kbQ/100419150947.htm
Modern-day Chinese pigs are directly descended from ancient pigs which were the first to be domesticated in the region 10,000 years ago, a new archaeological and genetic study has revealed.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Brain cancer: Study focuses on forgotten cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/I5YW00Bp6gI/100413095858.htm
Glioblastoma can often be removed surgically, but the brain tumor often reappears, because some tumor cells remain in the brain. Researchers have now subjected these "forgotten" cells to closer scrutiny for the first time. They found out that many of their fundamental properties were substantially different from the cells in the midst of the tumor mass. This possibly explains, why radiation or chemotherapy cannot entirely prevent the disease to reoccur.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
For older adults, flu season tends to peak first in Nevada, last in Maine
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/d9GnY8jLf_U/100415185816.htm
An analysis of hospitalization records for adults age 65 and over found that seasonal flu tends to move in traveling waves, peaking earliest in western states and moving east. New England states tend to have the latest peak in seasonal flu. The public health research team detected patterns between peak timing and intensity of seasonal flu. The findings may help healthcare providers prepare for flu outbreaks in this vulnerable population.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Two-drug combo twice as effective for Crohn's disease remission, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5Pv_Ol3vL_4/100414184209.htm
A new study suggests remission from Crohn's disease may be more likely if patients get biologic therapy combined with immune-suppressing drugs first instead of immune-suppressing drugs alone.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
New 'green' technologies make die castings stronger
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UCrYLosdV3Y/100417094404.htm
Conventional die castings can be made stronger using new, more environmentally friendly technologies developed by researchers in Australia.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Children with cochlear implants appear to achieve similar educational and employment levels as peers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/R2E4McTXbUk/100419162300.htm
Deaf children who receive cochlear implants appear more likely to fail early grades in school, but they ultimately achieve educational and employment levels similar to their normal-hearing peers, according to a new article.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Link between solar activity and the UK's cold winters
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7A-9MH_4nwg/100415080848.htm
A link between low solar activity and jet streams over the Atlantic could explain why, despite global warming trends, people in regions North East of the Atlantic Ocean might need to brace themselves for more frequent cold winters in years to come.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Biological link between stress, anxiety and depression identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dzrH8JTl5bI/100411143348.htm
Scientists have discovered the biological link between stress, anxiety and depression. By identifying the connecting mechanism in the brain, the researchers show exactly how stress and anxiety could lead to depression. The study also reveals a small molecule inhibitor developed by Ferguson, which may provide a new and better way to treat anxiety and depression.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Seabed biodiversity in oxygen minimum zones
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rMFXbdJrbFM/100324113541.htm
Some regions of the deep ocean floor support abundant populations of organisms, despite being overlain by water that contains very little oxygen, according to an international study. But global warming is likely to exacerbate oxygen depletion and thereby reduce biodiversity in these regions, they warn.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Mutations directly identifiable in active genes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/E_juQTX7tSs/100412100013.htm
Researchers have developed a new method for identifying genetic variation, including mutations, in active genes. Hopes are strong that the method represents an important research tool that will lead to the development of new diagnostic tests.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Traffic mining firewall logs could improve network security
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ulK9VClueqw/100416095758.htm
Managing firewall rules has proven to be a complex, error-prone, expensive, and inefficient for many large-networked organizations, according to a new research.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Mother-infant psychoanalysis may create a beneficial circle in the event of poor bonding
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nh9wFjuIWPI/100413072042.htm
Even when a baby has been longed for, some mothers might have trouble bonding with their baby, who in turn may develop disturbed behavior, such as crying, poor sleeping patterns and breast refusal. A new thesis shows that in such cases, the joint psychoanalytic treatment of mother and infant may be effective, particularly if the mother feels that she is unconsciously contributing to the problems.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Facial aging is more than skin deep
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hphaCNNYIy0/100323121836.htm
Facelifts and other wrinkle-reducing procedures have long been sought by people wanting to ward off the signs of aging, but new research suggests that it takes more than tightening loose skin to restore a youthful look. A new study indicates that significant changes in facial bones -- particularly the jaw bone -- occur as people age and contribute to an aging appearance.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Vitamin and calcium supplements may reduce breast cancer risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rMwP_wSsYvA/100418155436.htm
Vitamins and calcium supplements appear to reduce the risk of breast cancer, according to new research.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Pigeon 'backpacks' track flock voting
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Pn46CaSRXz0/100416214045.htm
Pigeon flocks are guided by a flexible system of leadership in which almost every member gets a 'vote' but the votes of high-ranking birds carry more weight, a new study has shown.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Terminal cancer patients do not receive appropriate radiation therapy, analysis finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/p0wKZCHMwcQ/100412075439.htm
A new analysis has found that a considerable proportion of patients with end-stage or terminal cancer do not benefit from palliative radiation therapy (radiotherapy) despite spending most of their remaining life undergoing treatments.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Scientists put proteins right where they want them
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sFtOquYDcW4/100414161555.htm
Using a method they developed to watch moment to moment as they move a molecule to precise sites inside live human cells, scientists are closer to understanding why and how a protein at one location may signal division and growth, and the same protein at another location, death.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Religious beliefs seen as basis of origins of Palaeolithic art
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8RIvYDQSkAs/100326101115.htm
The idea that palaeolithic art is based in religious beliefs isn't new. But for years, anthropologists, archaeologists and historians of art understood these artistic manifestations as purely aesthetic and decorative motives. A researcher in Spain now reveals the origins of the theory.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Printed origami offers new technique for complex structures
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oB742IIUliU/100414071228.htm
The marriage of direct-printing and wet-folding origami techniques heralds a new method for creating complex three-dimensional structures for biocompatible devices, microscaffolding and other microsystems. Researchers use sheets printed with inks containing metallic, ceramic or plastic particles to fold complex structures not attainable by conventional direct-print assembly, such as an origami crane.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Scientists find new genes for cancer, other diseases in plants, yeast and worms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6l3becEtZm8/100413141548.htm
From deep within the genomes of organisms as diverse as plants, worms and yeast, scientists have uncovered new genes responsible for causing human diseases such as cancer and deafness.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Deciphering the movement of pedestrians in a crowd
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OguYt2PUogs/100413072044.htm
How do pedestrians move in the street? How do they interact? Researchers in Europe have carried out a series of studies to improve understanding of the group behavior of pedestrians in urban environments. Their results establish realistic models of crowd dynamics to improve pedestrian traffic management.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Potential benefit of dark chocolate for liver disease patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kM1ayjWw1XA/100415114323.htm
Doctors could soon be prescribing a dose of dark chocolate to help patients suffering from liver cirrhosis and from dangerously high blood pressure in their abdomen, according to new research.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
US needs better-trained math teachers to compete globally, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aMlJcBLrGNc/100415105954.htm
Math teachers in the United States need better training if the nation's K-12 students are going to compete globally, according to new research.

Tue, 20 Apr 10
Greater access to cell phones than toilets in India
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pORt4NMWoSE/100414122632.htm
Far more people in India have access to a cell phone than to a toilet and improved sanitation, according to UN experts.

Sun, 18 Apr 10
Have black holes been turning up the volume on the cosmic radio background?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HwO6mZ4lnlg/100414124200.htm
Astronomers investigating why the cosmic background radiation is much brighter at radio wavelengths than expected have identified a potential culprit: fast spinning black holes early in the galaxy formation process.

Sun, 18 Apr 10
Patients gain limb movement years after stroke with help of robotic aids
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TmAnsOmzRKU/100416144529.htm
A clinical study has found that stroke patients can regain limb movement long after an injury through intensive therapy with specially trained personnel and newly created robotic aids.

Sun, 18 Apr 10
Gene that regulates hair growth identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JPMwaG_xzQo/100415085317.htm
Activation of the gene Lhx2 leads to increased hair growth. The findings partly refute earlier research results in the field.

Sun, 18 Apr 10
Bacteria in household dust may help or hinder childhood asthma
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TrP28SVMJz0/100415134254.htm
Bacterial populations found in household dust may determine whether or not a child living in that home develops asthma, according to new research.

Sun, 18 Apr 10
Volcanic eruption in Iceland unlikely to have global effects
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KMcsabIih3g/100416095802.htm
The eruption of an Icelandic volcano that sent a huge plume of ash into the atmosphere and caused sweeping disruptions of air traffic over Great Britain and Scandinavia today will likely dissipate in the next several days, according to an atmospheric scientist.

Sun, 18 Apr 10
Implications of 'intelligent design' for human behavior
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_zng4AQB6z0/100413170731.htm
Although evolutionists and creationists strongly disagree about the role that intelligent design plays in the origins of bodies and brains, they curiously agree about the role that intelligent design plays in the origins of human inventiveness. However, both camps would do well to focus less on perceived foresight and purpose and more on the actual origins of behavior, according to one expert.

Sun, 18 Apr 10
Lost light from the Moon may be sent astray by dusty reflectors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/J0h2H2DNydM/100414152133.htm
Light bounced off reflectors on the Moon is fainter than expected and mysteriously dims even more whenever the moon is full. Astronomers think dust is a likely culprit.

Sun, 18 Apr 10
Uncovering early stages of Alzheimer's disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/99RDIWhAp7c/100416095806.htm
A major Australian study has provided new insights into the loss of structure in regions of the brain and its potential association with Alzheimer's disease.

Sun, 18 Apr 10
Iceland volcano could continue erupting for more than a month, researcher says
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3OYo35yQrUI/100416193630.htm
The airspace over much of northern Europe remains shut and the Norwegian Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg, is stranded in New York City because of the threat from a volcanic ash plume being belched out of Iceland. How long will the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano continue and what other kinds of activity can we expect? A volcanologist in Norway who has worked extensively in Iceland says a month-long eruption would not be out of the question. But the eruption could also continue for a year or more, he says.

Sun, 18 Apr 10
Cellular channel may open doors to skin conditions, hair growth
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LP8H_4g1oiY/100415125947.htm
Skin and hair follicles are constantly renewed in the body, maintained by specialized stem cells. New research identifies a small cellular channel that regulates skin and hair growth and that could be targeted with small-molecule drugs, potentially treating variety of skin conditions, as well as thinning hair or unwanted hair growth.

Sun, 18 Apr 10
Astrophysicists cast doubt on link between excess positrons and dark matter
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bkIBd6TBaLo/100416095804.htm
Astrophysicists are looking everywhere -- inside the Large Hadron Collider, in deep mines and far out into space -- for evidence of dark matter, which makes up about 25 percent of the energy density of the universe.

Sun, 18 Apr 10
Older drivers often involved in daytime crashes more severe than younger drivers' crashes, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7fSpta4UsLk/100415110011.htm
Engineers identified the characteristics of older drivers in Kansas and the types of crashes they are involved in. Their research found most car accidents involving older drivers occur during the daytime and are more severe, often ending in injury or fatality, than those for younger populations. The researchers will follow up with a study to learn what changes can be made to improve these difficulties for older drivers.

Sun, 18 Apr 10
Dry regions becoming drier: Ocean salinities show an intensified water cycle
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DBT4Wc00va0/100416094050.htm
There is new evidence that the world's water cycle has already intensified. The stronger water cycle means arid regions have become drier and high rainfall regions wetter as atmospheric temperature increases.

Sun, 18 Apr 10
First evidence that chitosan could repair spinal damage
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Dm7XQjqLNog/100416094012.htm
Spinal injuries are some of the most debilitating that anyone can suffer. However, a new study offers spinal cord damage sufferers some hope. Researchers have discovered that chitosan, a sugar, can target and repair damaged spinal cord nerve membranes and restore nerve function.

Sun, 18 Apr 10
Icelandic volcanoes can be unpredictable and dangerous
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UwFY09TWYzs/100416145314.htm
If history is any indication, the erupting volcano in Iceland and its immense ash plume could intensify, says a researcher who has explored Icelandic volcanoes for the past 25 years.

Sun, 18 Apr 10
Chinese scientists discover marker indicating the developmental potential of stem cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JtmRbNZpG6s/100416094016.htm
Researchers in China are reporting that they have found a way to determine which somatic cells -- or differentiated body cells -- that have been reprogrammed into a primordial, embryonic-like state are the most viable for therapeutic applications.

Sun, 18 Apr 10
Scientists discover new genetic sub-code
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/X2q5axfvSdQ/100416144542.htm
Computer scientists are chasing possible sub-codes in genomic information. The study led to the identification of novel sequence biases and their role in the control of genomic expression.

Sun, 18 Apr 10
Who is injured determines who gets the blame
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/E5o6Nxds3TI/100416144636.htm
Researchers conducted a study to determine how much public blame is placed on organizations that undergo crises. The researchers determined that the public places more blame on organizations when customers are injured in a crisis, while less blame is placed if employees or members of the organization are injured.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Good prospects for extraterrestrial life? Rocky planets 'are commonplace' in our galaxy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PMDK0AgfBxI/100414125515.htm
Astronomers have discovered compelling evidence that rocky planets are commonplace in our Galaxy. They surveyed white dwarfs, the compact remnants of stars that were once like our Sun, and found that many show signs of contamination by heavier elements and possibly even water, improving the prospects for extraterrestrial life.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Women who eat foods with high glycemic index may be at greater risk for heart disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/td54ewivsgY/100412161917.htm
Consuming carbohydrates with high glycemic index -- an indicator of how quickly a food affects blood glucose levels -- appears to be associated with the risk of coronary heart disease in women but not men, according to a new report.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Urged on by urchins: How sea lilies got their get-up-and-go
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/b2xqAg_Edvg/100315172220.htm
Nature abounds with examples of evolutionary arms races. Certain marine snails, for example, evolved thick shells and spines to avoid be eaten, but crabs and fish foiled the snails by developing shell-crushing claws and jaws. Now, a study finds that sea urchins have been preying on marine animals known as crinoids for more than 200 million years and suggests that such interactions drove one type of crinoid -- the sea lily -- to develop the ability to escape by creeping along the ocean floor.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
New form of endoscopic scanning improves detection of precancerous condition, Barrett's esophagus
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aL2aWhPXA5M/100412111629.htm
A new endoscopic scanning technique has proven successful in the early detection of dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus and could help clinicians diagnose esophageal cancer at an earlier stage, when the condition is still treatable.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Helicopter helps test radar for 2012 Mars landing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BoFN25s3noM/100414141647.htm
This spring, engineers are testing a radar system that will serve during the next landing on Mars.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Dance therapy improves seniors' gait, balance, researcher finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5P58pTDOPjw/100416144617.htm
For seniors, dancing isn't just for fun; it also can be therapeutic. Two recent studies found that participation in dance-based therapy can improve balance and gait in older adults. Improved functionality among seniors can decrease their risk of falling and reduce costly injuries.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Lunar polar craters may be electrified, NASA calculations show
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/e_znuvGcXYs/100416185151.htm
As the solar wind flows over natural obstructions on the moon, it may charge polar lunar craters to hundreds of volts, according to new calculations by NASA's Lunar Science Institute team.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Structure of inner-ear protein is key to both hearing and inherited deafness
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ye-hOjQ2E0M/100416185146.htm
Using a combination of crystallization and physics-based simulations, researchers defined the structure of a protein, cadherin-23, that helps mediate our perception of sound. Their findings show the protein to be a rigid structure whose strength results from calcium ions binding within it. However, mutations that interfere with calcium-ion binding undermine the protein's firm structure and make it less resilient. This provides a possible explanation for certain forms of inherited deafness.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Gene may play key role in atherosclerosis and other diseases
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mAccHBJRG3Y/100315161722.htm
A new study suggests that a gene called HuR plays a critical role in inducing and mediating an inflammatory response in cells experiencing mechanical and chemical stresses. The finding may lead to new treatments for diseases associated with inflammation, such as atherosclerosis.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
'Smart' insulin molecule: Zinc-stapled insulin reduces insulin-related cancer risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Op3nQRWoe4E/100412151834.htm
Researchers have invented a "smart" insulin protein molecule that binds considerably less to cancer receptors and self-assembles under the skin. To provide a slow-release form of insulin, the analog self-assembles under the skin by means of "stapling" itself via bridging zinc ions.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Using fullerenes as a 'cushion' for nanoparticles
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-Oh2SaIHY20/100412112901.htm
Nanoparticles are recognized as promising building blocks for future applications, however their fixation on surfaces or in a matrix is everything else than a simple task. Now physicists have observed that a double layer of spherical C₆₀ carbon-molecules, called fullerenes, is an ideal substrate for these microscopic particles. Their results are an important step towards the application of tailor-made nanosystems.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Kindle e-reader motivates less-enthusiastic readers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/w9ai5-tptDY/100416144546.htm
A professor is finding that electronic readers allow children to interact with texts in ways they don't interact with the printed word.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Einstein's theory fights off challengers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BCRCvMRVNr0/100414130830.htm
Two new and independent studies have put Einstein's General Theory of Relativity to the test like never before. These results, made using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, show Einstein's theory is still the best game in town.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Discovery could help diabetics and others with slow-to-heal wounds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/34--XHyqjjM/100416185148.htm
A discovery about the wound-healing process could lead to better treatments for diabetics and other patients who have wounds that are slow to heal.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Earthquake in Chile causesd days to be longer, Austrian researchers find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nEOddAkx02M/100414083533.htm
Since the earthquake in Chile in February 2010, researchers in Austria have been helping measure Earth on a global scale. First results indicate that the rotational speed of Earth has become marginally slower and days have become longer by 0.3 microseconds.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Immune molecules target swine- and avian-origin influenza
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bf6PigTThU0/100412172826.htm
Immune molecules known as antibodies that protect against influenza virus infection target the highly variable influenza protein HA. It is thought the antibodies generated by an individual's immune system protect against only a few closely related influenza viruses. However, new research indicates that some individuals vaccinated with seasonal influenza vaccine produce antibodies that can target the forms of HA used by the deadly H5N1 avian influenza virus and the recent swine-origin pandemic H1N1 influenza virus.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Laser physics turned upside down: New way to generate tunable wavelengths using quantum-dot technology
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/j_ukcjRfexs/100414083537.htm
Physicists in Germany have developed a new method for generating tunable wavelengths, as well as more easily switching back and forth between two wavelengths, employing quantum-dot lasers. The finding could have a number of applications in biomedicine and nanosurgery.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Sexually transmitted infections, HIV counseling inadequate in male teens, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/46EfHkWfVYw/100414111035.htm
Despite national guidelines aimed at improving sexual health services for teenagers, most sexually active boys -- even those who report high-risk sexual behaviors -- still get too little counseling about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections during their visits to the doctor, according to a new study.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Lessons from the pond: Clues from green algae on the origin of males and females
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lzgdEsNV6UQ/100415141125.htm
A multicellular green alga, Volvox carteri, may have finally unlocked the secrets behind the evolution of different sexes. Scientists have shown that the genetic region that determines sex in Volvox has changed dramatically relative to that of the closely related unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Diet high in B vitamins lowers heart risks in Japanese study
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cHiYqXjqyzs/100415161933.htm
In a large study in Japan, women who reported eating more foods containing the B vitamins folate and B-6 were less likely to die from stroke and heart disease. Japanese men reporting diets high in these B vitamins were less likely to die of heart failure.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Texas doctors magnetically lengthen nine-year-old's leg as she grows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8sWITjb_2Ao/100415171414.htm
Nine-year-old Morgan LaRue is the first cancer patient in Texas to benefit from a groundbreaking procedure that will magnetically lengthen her leg, sparing her the possibility of up to 10 future surgeries as her body grows.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Weight training-related injuries increasing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0hxXazjGVEI/100330115925.htm
The popularity of weight training has grown over the past decade. A new study has found that the number of injuries from weight training has increased as well. The study found that more than 970,000 weight training-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments between 1990 and 2007, increasing nearly 50 percent during the 18-year study period.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Visualization of geographic patterns may predict spread of disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RaeVAr2u-hA/100415141130.htm
Disease statistics buried within patient records or detailed in newspaper clippings can be sorted and organized to depict geographic patterns, allowing the discovery of trends that were previously overlooked, according to a geographer.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Initiation ceremonies don't build team spirit, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qiIXEdvjOVY/100415191442.htm
Team building activities in sport are carried out for tradition's sake and don't help players to bond, according to results of a new study.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Supermassive black holes strip massive galaxies of star-forming gases
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/U5inmgSzoio/100416095800.htm
Black holes have long been beloved of science fiction writers for their destructive capabilities and peculiar ability to warp space time. A new study reveals the awesome power of supermassive black holes -- the ability to strip massive galaxies of the cool gases required to form new stars, leaving aging red giants to splutter out of existence with no stars to replace them.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
High-altitude metabolism lets mice stay slim and healthy on a high-fat diet
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/G8fI9TJ2_GA/100415125936.htm
Mice that are missing a protein involved in the response to low oxygen stay lean and healthy, even on a high-fat diet, a new study has found. While their normal littermates gain weight, develop fatty livers and become resistant to insulin, just like overweight humans do, the mutant mice suffered none of these ill effects.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Knowing when poultry goes foul
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NVpK-AmCGnw/100415171523.htm
Mom's trusty nose may be good, but now researchers have gone her one better by designing an instrument that quickly and precisely sniffs trace amounts of chemical compounds that indicate poultry spoilage without damaging the product itself.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Scientists track variant of gene-regulating protein in embryonic stem cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/B73kBDVSNxw/100410140854.htm
The journey from embryonic stem cell to a fully developed liver, heart or muscle cell requires not only the right genes, but genes that are turned on and off at the right time -- a job that is handled in part by DNA-packaging proteins known as histones. But it turns out that not all histones are created equally. New research shows that minute variations between histones play an important role in determining how and when genes are read.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Switch that enables Salmonella to sabotage host cells revealed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uTRorSqJg_w/100415141127.htm
A new switch that enables Salmonella bacteria to sabotage host cells is revealed in a new study. Researchers say that the discovery could ultimately lead to drugs that interfere with the switch in order to combat Salmonella and possibly other bacterial infections. In humans, Salmonella causes diseases ranging from gastroenteritis to typhoid fever.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
ADHD linked to interaction of genetics and psychology
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pka6BTK7LHA/100415205746.htm
ADHD may be caused by alterations in the serotonin neurotransmission system combined with a tendency to experience psychosocial distress. Researchers found that ADHD behaviors in children and adolescents were associated with interactions between low and high serotonin activity and self-blame in relation to inter-parental conflict.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
DNA transferred between two fertilized eggs: Breakthrough offers hope of preventing mitochondrial diseases
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ijTsH75xIAA/100416121800.htm
Scientists in the UK have developed a pioneering technique which enables them for the first time to successfully transfer DNA between two human eggs. The technique has the potential to help prevent the transmission of serious inherited disorders known as mitochondrial diseases.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Lung virus taking its toll on young lives, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/W_vNtk66_uk/100415205748.htm
A common virus that causes wheezing and pneumonia claims the lives of up to 200,000 children worldwide each year, a study has found.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
New detector counts photons with 99 percent efficiency
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sPX5adtrIts/100415171525.htm
Scientists have developed the world's most efficient single photon detector, which is able to count individual particles of light traveling through fiber optic cables with roughly 99 percent efficiency. The scientists' efforts could bring improvements to secure electronic communication, advanced quantum computation and the measurement of optical power.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Genetic signatures provide new direction in liver cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/70RdNKaAULQ/100416094319.htm
Scientists have identified a genomic portrait able to predict recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma, the fifth most common cancer in men.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
From wimp to jock: Cell motor protein finding sheds light on brain malformation that kills infants
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TQHljaXQaME/100415125934.htm
New research has uncovered how a "wimpy" protein motor works with two other proteins to gain the strength necessary to move nerve cells and components inside them. The findings shed light on brain development and provide clues to a rare brain disorder that often kills babies within months of birth.

Sat, 17 Apr 10
Better training needed to curb 'fatism' within the health professions, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BKrKRreOyQk/100415205750.htm
Prejudice towards obese people is rife among trainee health professionals, but can be modified, new research has found.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Electronic 'nose' can predict pleasantness of novel odors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZsWTidLTWsQ/100415171409.htm
Scientists have 'trained' an electronic system to be able to predict the pleasantness of novel odors, just like a human would perceive them. The researchers argue that the perception of an odor's pleasantness is innately hard-wired to its molecular structure, and it is only within specific contexts that personal or cultural differences are made apparent.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Scientists isolate portion of virus that causes pink eye
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dPAJEEHMXLY/100415171400.htm
Viral keratoconjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is a common, uncomfortable and highly contagious condition. But now, relief may be in sight with a new understanding of how the eye reacts to this virus. Researchers used a novel model to determine what part of the virus is responsible for inflammation in pink eye.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Classic Maya history is embedded in commoners' homes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NA6x2iKBcTY/100414111030.htm
They were illiterate farmers, builders and servants, but Maya commoners found a way to record their own history -- by burying it within their homes. A new study of the objects embedded in the floors of homes occupied more than 1,000 years ago in central Belize begins to decode their story.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Potential target for treatment of obesity-related diseases identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_Hsj9O4g36c/100414130834.htm
Scientists have identified a specific gene as potential new target for treating obesity-related diseases. Two recent research studies examined the role of a gene called STAT4 in the development of type 2 diabetes and other obesity-related cardiovascular diseases.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Breakthrough for babies born with severe cleft palates after experiments at ISIS
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SA3DrGP7BZ0/100318113244.htm
Scientists working on a treatment for babies born with cleft palates have made a promising breakthrough and the first clinical trials are planned for early next year. Clefts are the most common birth defect in Britain, with one in every 700 babies affected; currently in severe cases radical surgery is required to correct the problem, and in addition future complications can occur as the child grows into an adult.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Materialistic people liked less by peers than 'experiential' people
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Wb17KP8mrWw/100414130832.htm
People who pursue happiness through material possessions are liked less by their peers than people who pursue happiness through life experiences, according to a new study.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Source of zodiac glow identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1-Zj4UeysKM/100415185809.htm
The eerie glow that straddles the night time zodiac in the eastern sky is no longer a mystery. First explained by Joshua Childrey in 1661 as sunlight scattered in our direction by dust particles in the solar system, the source of that dust was long debated. David Nesvorny and Peter Jenniskens put the stake in asteroids. More than 85 percent of the dust, they conclude, originated from Jupiter Family comets, not asteroids.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Drug shared by addicts seems to protect against HIV brain dementia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aobF-y20ZYc/100415185805.htm
To their surprise, researchers have discovered that morphine (a derivate of the opium poppy that is similar to heroin) protects rat neurons against HIV toxicity -- a finding they say might help in the design of new neuroprotective therapies for patients with the infection.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Sequence is scaffold to study sleeping sickness
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lvqtTPLD35I/100413190724.htm
Researchers have published the genome sequence for T. b. gambiense -- the strain of Trypanosoma brucei responsible for almost all cases of sleeping sickness in humans. A remarkable level of similarity with the previously sequenced bovine infecting strain suggests the sequences provide a foundation for studies into how these parasites cause disease. The team found no genetic cause for T. b. gambiense's human infectivity, but suggest new avenues for future studies to understand the disease.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Personalized medicine for cancer patients in a new technology era
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/t9sj1K-Lvxs/100414130828.htm
A paper authored by over 200 members of the International Cancer Genome Consortium describes the beginnings of a Brave New World: a new era of personalized medicine for cancer patients. Formed in 2008, the consortium brings together leading cancer researchers from around the world, working together to catalog the genetic changes of the 50 most common cancers -- 500 genomes from each cancer type -- and make the results freely available on the Internet.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
New teaching tools aid visually impaired students in learning math
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4alWkIQdz54/100315172218.htm
Mastering mathematics can be daunting for many children, but researchers have found that children with visual impairments face disproportionate challenges learning math, and by the time they reach the college level, they are significantly under-represented in science, technology, mathematics and engineering disciplines.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Slumber aids could improve intensive care outcomes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/crZ6rtnh4j8/100414193816.htm
Eye masks and earplugs could help hospital patients get a better night's sleep. Researchers investigated their effect on sleep quality in a simulated intensive care environment.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
'Black Box' plankton found to have huge role in ocean carbon fixation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LNmXkS28PBs/100415085344.htm
Scientists in the UK have opened “the black box” of eukaryotic phytoplankton and discovered that they actually account for almost half the ocean’s carbon fixation by phytoplankton.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Molecular discovery points to new therapies for brain tumors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/E3Jm1nQgB0o/100415125940.htm
A class of brain tumor that tends to emerge in younger patients but is less aggressive than others can be identified by examining DNA methylation of a specific set of genes, scientists report.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Solar power in Ontario could produce almost as much power as all U.S. nuclear reactors, studies find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/76IlnfH7JCk/100414122643.htm
Solar power in southeastern Ontario has the potential to produce almost the same amount of power as all the nuclear reactors in the United States, according to two new studies.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
New procedure aims to save vision of children with eye cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/P5SOIshJZx8/100414122645.htm
An ophthalmologist is implanting radioactive discs in the eyes of children with a rare cancer in an attempt to save their vision and eyes. The treatment for the rare childhood eye cancer, called retinoblastoma, involves implanting a small disc, or plaque, which stays in the eye for three days before a second surgery to remove it.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog's site fidelity may lead to further decline
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VblbCbGPsWo/100311091613.htm
No longer found in 90 percent of its previously occupied habitat, the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog is further threatened by cumulative impacts of a changing climate, introduced non-native trout and site fidelity habits, hampering the breeding success of this imperiled frog. New research underscores the need to incorporate the site fidelity habits of this frog when designing restoration strategies for its continued existence.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Banning trans fats would save lives, say doctors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lMdv8_JnUKU/100415205755.htm
Banning trans fats from all foods in the UK would prevent thousands of heart attacks and deaths every year, and would be a simple way to protect the public and save lives, say two senior doctors.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Rock of ages: Clues about Mars evolution revealed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MY9U0U3RObM/100415141118.htm
Through the study of a popular Martian meteorite's age, researchers have made significant discoveries about the timeline of volcanic activity on Mars. Their data showed that the true age of the famous Martian meteorite ALH84001 is about 400 million years younger than earlier age estimates.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Many patients don't know they had minor stroke, need emergency care
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9qy0NtEmmUY/100415161931.htm
As many as 70 percent of patients were unaware they suffered a minor stroke and almost one-third of patients delayed seeking medical attention for more than 24 hours, according to a British study. Patients showed an overall lack of awareness about how to identify symptoms of minor stroke regardless of their age, gender, education and socioeconomic status. Researchers suggest more public awareness campaigns are needed.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Plant pathogen genetically tailors attacks to each part of host
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/s9wn-UpZKcI/100414161551.htm
Corn smut, a fungus that infects maize, can target its attack by choosing which of its genes to activate in order to maximize the effectiveness of its onslaught. This is the first time such tissue-specific targeting has been found in a pathogen.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
New studies reveal that age-related nerve decline is associated with inflammation, differs by gender
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JRtGxaGdL1s/100415091521.htm
New research investigating neurological decline in a population of "super healthy" elderly subjects found that the decline in neurological function of the peripheral nervous system attributed to aging may be related to metabolic factors, such as blood sugar levels, even if these factors are within the normal range.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Pinning down a proton
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Rsl5hLeSDng/100414152136.htm
Scientists have developed a new method for describing the binding of protons and neutrons within nuclei. This method may improve scientists' ability to predict and understand astrophysical reactions within stars.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Driving ban for epileptics? Assessing patients' abilities
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/z2yiMtmrik4/100415130022.htm
Physicians treating patients with epilepsy are in a difficult legal situation when they have to assess their patients' ability to drive.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
'Missing' heat may affect future climate change
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dnde2r3stDo/100415141121.htm
Current observational tools cannot account for roughly half of the heat that is believed to have built up on Earth in recent years, according to a new article. Scientists warn in the new study that satellite sensors, ocean floats, and other instruments are inadequate to track this "missing" heat, which may be building up in the deep oceans or elsewhere in the climate system.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Cataloguing cancer codes: International Cancer Genome Consortium plans to sequence 25,000 cancer genomes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OJbiN4H68mA/100415085311.htm
One of the most ambitious biomedical research efforts since the Human Genome Project, the International Cancer Genome Consortium has set out its plan to decode the genomes from 25,000 cancer samples and create a resource of freely available data.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Mitochondria: New functions of mitochondrial fusion uncovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_2rIWb5jcH0/100415125942.htm
A typical human cell contains hundreds of mitochondria -- energy-producing organelles -- that continually fuse and divide. Relatively little is known, however, about why mitochondria undergo this behavior. Now, scientists have taken steps toward a fuller understanding of this process by revealing just what happens to the organelle, its DNA (mtDNA), and its energy-producing ability when mitochondrial fusion fails.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Growth curve analyses of Finnish population shed light on the genetic regulation of growth in height
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xrd3PCRh5dY/100415125945.htm
Researchers in Finland have shown that a gene called LIN28B strongly influences height growth from birth to adulthood in a complex and sex-specific manner.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Grid technology comes to the iPhone and Sony PlayStation 3
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1tPV6apETl8/100413072040.htm
Enabling Grids for E-sciencE (EGEE) is the world's largest multi-disciplinary computing grid, supporting the research of thousands of scientists and bringing together to the processing power of hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide. The grid and the software that glues it all together, known as middleware, is designed to run on a widely diverse range of computers. Now, a team from Ireland has adapted the grid software gLite to run on the Play Station 3. An Italian group has been able to use the iPhone to access grid enabled digital repositories.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Childhood obesity interventions must begin early, experts say
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zUqN2Tkd55U/100414184213.htm
To be a truly comprehensive and successful anti-obesity program, First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign must include interventions that target pregnant women, infants, and pre-school-age children, experts say.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Stalagmite reveals carbon footprint of early Native Americans
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GVbkmHrpvZ4/100415110007.htm
A new study suggests that early Native Americans left a bigger carbon footprint than previously thought, providing more evidence that humans impacted global climate long before the modern industrial era.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Decoding tumor genomes reveals clues to spread of deadly breast cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GQ93e9FqHPw/100414134545.htm
Using powerful DNA sequencing technology to decode the genomes of cancer patients, scientists are getting an unprecedented look at the genetic basis of a highly lethal breast cancer that disproportionately affects younger women and those who are African-American.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Saturn's moon Enceladus leaves plasma bubbles in its wake
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5so2-7CRq-A/100414193919.htm
Observations of how Saturn's moon Enceladus interacts with its environment show it leaves a complex pattern of ripples and bubbles in its wake.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Oral bacteria linked to intrauterine infections and pre-term birth
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZMwVwPs8Uzk/100415134334.htm
Bacteria in the mouths of pregnant women can contribute to pre-term birth, according to researchers.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Energy conservation in south could save billions, create jobs, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/U05cLfLlp28/100412121018.htm
Energy-efficiency measures in the southern US could save consumers $41 billion on their energy bills, open 380,000 new jobs, and save 8.6 billion gallons of water by 2020, according to a new study. The study concludes that investing $200 billion in energy efficiency programs by 2030 could return $448 billion in savings.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Quantity may determine quality when choosing romantic partners
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BkktcOewndA/100415114325.htm
At bigger speed-dating events, with 24 or more dates, both male and female choosers were more likely to decide based on attributes that could be judged quickly, such as their dates' height, and whether they were underweight, normal weight or overweight.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Calorie restriction leads scientists to molecular pathways that slow aging, improve health
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JILORyf4-r8/100415141123.htm
Organisms from yeast to rodents to humans all benefit from cutting calories. In less complex organisms, restricting calories can double or even triple lifespan. But researchers report that they are less interested in calorie restriction for longer life than for its ability to promote good health throughout life.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
New gene associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/a4ZPqU3y9Fs/100414083305.htm
Researchers have identified a gene that appears to increase a person's risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer's disease, the most common type of Alzheimer's disease. The gene, abbreviated MTHFD1L, is located on chromosome six.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Treat acne with coconut oil and nano-bombs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lKVYEXoVA2U/100414184224.htm
A natural product found in both coconut oil and human breast milk -- lauric acid -- shines as a possible new acne treatment, thanks to a bioengineering graduate student. The student developed a "smart delivery system" capable of delivering lauric-acid-filled nano-scale bombs directly to skin-dwelling bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes) that cause common acne.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Aerosols: New tool against tuberculosis?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dDRXgI9wXAw/100415134412.htm
Scientists have developed a new strategy for treating tuberculosis using dry powder aerosols that could be delivered with an inhaler.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Recent earthquake activity is not unusual, scientists say
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ktY1s7Vj3j8/100415114725.htm
China's tragic magnitude 6.9 earthquake on April 13 and the recent devastating earthquakes in Haiti, Chile, Mexico, and elsewhere have many wondering if this earthquake activity is unusual.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Geography of human disease: Environment has much to do with surrounding pathogens
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3O4bLtTqg9Q/100415080854.htm
A new study finds that your environment has lots to do with the numbers of human diseases that surround you. But take heart: Spending more money on health care and disease prevention can mitigate the commonness of those diseases.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Iceland eruption: New satellite image of volcanic ash cloud
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Xbda6DdSAs0/100415110042.htm
A vast cloud of volcanic ash has been sweeping across parts of northern Europe from the eruption of a volcano in Iceland. The European Space Agency's Envisat satellite has imaged the ash cloud, showing for example the extent over the UK, more than 1,000 kilometers away.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Gene responsible for Duchenne muscular dystrophy can be repaired, research shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qXdBAdbQ0ls/100415110005.htm
Researchers have found that it is possible to repair the defective gene responsible for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Slobbery kisses from 'man's best friend' aid cancer research
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EgCCE2_WF1s/100415080857.htm
Fido's wet licks might hold more than love. They could provide the DNA keys to findings new treatments for rare cancers and other diseases in both dogs and human patients.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Primary cilia formation provides insight into genetic diseases
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bwOe_1Jeu2g/100414130836.htm
Scientists have identified a network of genes that initiate and manage cilia formation. Although scientists have known about cilia for decades, only recently have they discovered their role in disease.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Bio-inspired computer networks self-organise and learn
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jXq1VsAV9X8/100413131941.htm
Powerful computers made up of physically separate modules, self-organising networks, and computing inspired by biological systems are three hot research topics coming together in one European project.

Fri, 16 Apr 10
Playing a video game before bedtime has only a mild effect on adolescent sleep
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tUFgWRyNXBk/100415080850.htm
After playing "Call of Duty 4" it took adolescents a median of 7.5 minutes to fall asleep, which was only slightly longer than the three minutes it took them to fall asleep after watching "March of the Penguins" on DVD. No participants fell asleep while playing the video game, while about one-third of them fell asleep while watching the DVD. Playing the video game was associated with a small increase in cognitive alertness.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Cat brain: A step toward the electronic equivalent
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/w3Vwd5Nh6JQ/100414184218.htm
A cat can recognize a face faster and more efficiently than a supercomputer. That's one reason a feline brain is the model for a biologically-inspired computer project. A computer engineer has taken a step toward developing this revolutionary type of machine that could be capable of learning and recognizing, as well as making more complex decisions and performing more tasks simultaneously than conventional computers can.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Childhood body size affects future breast cancer chances, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Nn6oGbk_TZE/100414193814.htm
Thinner girls may be at higher risk of breast cancer. Researchers have found that girls who were leaner at age seven were at higher risk of cancer later in life.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Tapeworm brain infection 'serious health concern'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pgXk4Gssl8I/100414092525.htm
Tapeworm infections of the brain, which can cause epileptic seizures, appear to be increasing in Mexico and bordering southwestern states, researchers report.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Antibiotic used on drug-eluting stents may lead to advances in heart disease and cancer treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nraBpGW3qB8/100414122641.htm
Researchers have identified the mechanism of how a drug commonly used on stents to prevent reclosure of coronary arteries regulates cell movement, which is critical to wound healing and the progression of diseases like cancer.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Quick fix for coal mine methane emissions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IJAnoJABrzg/100413122617.htm
A new methane burner has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from underground coal mines by almost 90 per cent.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
'Love handles' repurposed for breast reconstruction in women without enough belly fat
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/frgvAmdh2KU/100414111037.htm
A new technique using tissue from those below-the-waist "love handles" improves cosmetic breast reconstruction in slim, athletic cancer patients without adequate fat sources elsewhere, a small study has found. The method also turns out to be less complicated than other options for surgeons as well, the research shows.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Scientists create 'molecular paper' -- largest two-dimensional polymer crystal self-assembled in water
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vIvmCDbRsgM/100414184222.htm
Scientists have created "molecular paper," the largest two-dimensional polymer crystal self-assembled in water to date. This entirely new sheet material is made of peptoids, engineered polymers that can flex and fold like proteins while maintaining the robustness of synthetic materials.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
New targeted therapy effective in treating advanced prostate cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8pS8rMJ33Lk/100414184216.htm
An experimental drug is showing promise for the treatment of men with an aggressive form of advanced prostate cancer. A new multicenter study has concluded that the targeted therapy MDV3100 is safe and effective for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer, known for its poor prognosis and limited treatment options.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Graphene: Super-thin material advances toward next-generation applications
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0pVn9eEFz30/100408160850.htm
Graphene maintains its superior thermal conductivity even when supported by a substrate, according to new research. The findings by a team of researchers underscore graphene's potential role in the next generation of nano-electric devices.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Changes in fetal epigenetics found throughout pregnancy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ev_gu88i8xg/100414152129.htm
Researchers have found that epigenetic marks on human placentas change from the first trimester of pregnancy to the third, a discovery that may allow clinicians to prevent complications in pregnancy.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
New method for recovering pricey nanoparticles
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/e9hknSv5u38/100414114114.htm
Scientists are reporting first use of a new method that may make it easier for manufacturers to recover, recycle, and reuse nanoparticles, some of which ounce for ounce can be more precious than gold. The method, which offers a solution to a nagging problem, could speed application of nanotechnology in new generations of solar cells, flexible electronic displays, and other products, the scientists suggest.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Hurts so good: Chronic pain changes brain response to acute pain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aUOruBGEyks/100414122637.htm
New research reveals why a stimulus that healthy human subjects perceive as a reward might be processed quite differently in the brains of humans suffering from chronic pain. The study provides fascinating insight into an apparent switch in neural circuitry that may be an integral part of the pathophysiology of chronic pain.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Flash: NASA's Cassini sees lightning on Saturn
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5M7ZvlmTiHo/100414144621.htm
NASA's Cassini spacecraft has captured images of lightning on Saturn. The images have allowed scientists to create the first movie showing lightning flashing on another planet.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
New marker identifies severe breast cancer cases
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9eH_HKNWFNo/100414134549.htm
Women with breast cancer whose tumors express high levels of a particular genetic marker are significantly more likely to die from their disease than are those with more normal levels, according to researchers. The finding implies that blocking the action of the marker -- a newly recognized type of RNA -- could one day be an effective way to prevent metastasis and improve survival for these women, who make up about one-third of all breast cancer patients.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Scientists devise way to link complex traits with underlying genes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dlwxWxMux_E/100414152138.htm
Scientists have developed a new way to identify the hidden genetic material responsible for complex traits, a breakthrough they believe ultimately could lead to a deeper understanding of how multiple genes interact to produce everything from blue eyes to blood pressure problems.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Immune sensors suppress colitis-associated cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mTsOGOkl31c/100412095533.htm
Particular components of inflammasomes -- protein complexes needed for generating immune responses to pathogens and cellular damage -- lessen the severity of colitis and colitis-associated colon cancer in mice, according to a new study.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Environmentally friendly way to produce propylene oxide using silver nanoclusters
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ELYLwUoRB_Q/100408160909.htm
Scientists have identified a new class of silver-based catalysts for the production of the industrially useful chemical propylene oxide that is both environmentally friendly and less expensive.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Panic disorder and depression can be treated over the Internet, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/eJjiWRohh0c/100412084406.htm
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) via the internet is just as effective in treating panic disorder (recurring panic attacks) as traditional group-based CBT., according to new research. It is also efficacious in the treatment of mild and moderate depression.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
The new T. rex: A leech with an affinity for noses
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/q7Iwk8b3Q0A/100414184205.htm
A new leech species with ferociously large teeth -- recently discovered in noses of children that swam in Peruvian rivers -- is providing insight into the evolutionary relationships among all the leeches that have an affinity for mucus membranes and orifices. Tyrannobdella rex was discovered in the remote Upper Amazon; its regular host remains unknown.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
New drug design technique could dramatically speed discovery process
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vit7XnSMGCg/100413170707.htm
Scientists here are taking the trial and error out of drug design by using powerful computers to identify molecular structures that have the highest potential to serve as the basis for new medications. Most drugs are designed to act on proteins that somehow malfunction in ways that lead to damage and disease in the body. The active ingredient in these medicines is typically a single molecule that can interact with a protein to stop its misbehavior.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
A lab rat -- created in the lab: Bioengineering tissues as an alternative to animal testing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rCwHUJsbp84/100413121330.htm
A researcher in Israel has concluded that tissue necessary for animal trials can be produced from fat, skin, bone and muscle cells. His breakthrough study could have hundreds of applications in the pharmaceutical and medical world.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Elastography: A useful method in depicting liver hardness
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RoalhZGf0r8/100412095544.htm
Elasticity measurements have been reported to be useful for the diagnosis and differentiation of many tumors, which are usually harder than normal surrounding tissues. Recently, trans-abdominal real-time elastography was proposed as a new method for noninvasive staging of liver fibrosis. A recently study from Romania found that computer-enhanced dynamic analysis of elastography movies is better able to characterize and differentiate between different degrees of liver fibrosis.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Geraniums could help control devastating Japanese beetle
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QMIki1kUT7U/100308132134.htm
Geraniums may hold the key to controlling the devastating Japanese beetle, which feeds on nearly 300 plant species and costs the ornamental plant industry $450 million in damage each year, according to scientists.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
'Communicative fathers' help reduce teenage smoking
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wy8Y4KeY9sI/100414193820.htm
Children who talk to their fathers about the issues that are important to them are less likely to take up smoking during early adolescence, a new study has found.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Newly discovered RNA steers brain development
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2qeRqtE9PWk/100414134554.htm
A newly discovered class of RNA molecules helps elucidate the long-standing scientific question of how a person's external experiences turn on the genes that over time help shape the connections among cells that make up the human brain. Called enhancer RNAs, these molecules operate globally throughout the genome within neurons.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
The onion, a natural alternative to artificial preservatives
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CRn5ltpLfyM/100414111028.htm
Some components of the onion have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, making it possible to use this bulb for food preservation, new research from Spain demonstrates.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Weight-loss surgery significantly reduces risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Lhc_oxdn-Ns/100413202656.htm
Obese women who have bariatric surgery before getting pregnant are at significantly lower risk for developing dangerous hypertensive disorders during pregnancy than those who don't, according to a study of medical insurance records.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Little melamine appears in eggs from chickens on highly contaminated feed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TyugUTXP-YU/100414114112.htm
Eggs from chickens that consumed extremely high levels of melamine in their feed still did not contain levels of the potentially toxic contaminant that exceeded US Food and Drug Administration limits. That was the conclusion of the first study to check on the effects of melamine-contaminated feed in laying hens.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Mixed-race people perceived as 'more attractive,' UK study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JU947UW6Ca4/100414092523.htm
People of mixed race are perceived as being more attractive than non-mixed-race people, a study in the UK has found.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Biggest comet measured to date: Comet McNaught
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7zJY_9GL2pE/100414124424.htm
Scientists have identified a new candidate for the biggest comet measured to date. Instead of using the length of the tail to measure the scale of the comet, the group have used data from the ESA/NASA Ulysses spacecraft to gauge the size of the region of space disturbed by the comet's presence.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
New gene in hair loss identified by Columbia-led research team
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ydCg1dLSyTk/100414134547.htm
A team of investigators has identified a new gene involved in hair growth. This discovery may affect future research and treatments for male pattern baldness and other forms of hair loss.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
New super bacterium doubles hydrogen gas production
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sRir6BlqRck/100414083539.htm
Hydrogen gas is today used primarily for manufacturing chemicals, but a bright future is predicted for it as a vehicle fuel in combination with fuel cells. In order to produce hydrogen gas in a way that is climate neutral, bacteria are added to forestry or household waste, using a method similar to biogas production. One problem with this production method is that hydrogen exchange is low, i.e. the raw materials generate little hydrogen gas. Researchers have studied a newly discovered bacterium that produces twice as much hydrogen gas as the bacteria currently used. The results show how, when and why the bacterium can perform its excellent work and increase the possibilities of competitive biological production of hydrogen gas.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Multiple sclerosis: Teriflunomide appears safe and effective as part of combination therapy, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zs0x2ghmq60/100413170712.htm
A Phase II study analyzed the effect of teriflunomide, an investigational oral medication for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), the most common form of the disease. The study analyzed teriflunomide added to ongoing treatment with glatiramer acetate, a currently prescribed medication, and determined that teriflunomide was safe and effective as part of combination therapy.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Wildlife still exposed to Exxon Valdez oil 20 years after disaster
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/01haH2D4zvQ/100414111018.htm
Scientists in Alaska have discovered that lingering oil from the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill is still ingested by some wildlife more than 20 years after the disaster.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Why humans believe that better things come to those who wait
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CzzG9CswjnI/100414122635.htm
New research reveals a brain circuit that seems to underlie the ability of humans to resist instant gratification and delay reward for months, or even years, in order to earn a better payoff. The study provides insight into the capacity for "mental time travel," also known as episodic future thought, that enables humans to make choices with high long-term benefits.

Thu, 15 Apr 10
Small, ground-based telescope images three exoplanets
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sEMdHYolhII/100414144504.htm
Astronomers have snapped a picture of three planets orbiting a star beyond our own using a modest-sized telescope on the ground. The surprising feat was accomplished by a team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., using a small portion of the Palomar Observatory's Hale Telescope, north of San Diego.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Creepy crawly cockroach ancestor revealed in new 3-D model
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tuutIh2dSRA/100413202658.htm
An early ancestor of the cockroach that lived around 300 million years ago is unveiled in unprecedented detail in a new three-dimensional "virtual fossil" model.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Is cleanliness to blame for increasing allergies?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jtrDzrXJ4gM/100413160901.htm
Allergies have become a widespread in developed countries: hay fever, eczema, hives and asthma are all increasingly prevalent. The reason? Excessive cleanliness is to blame, according to one expert.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Deepest core drilled from Antarctic Peninsula; may contain glacial stage ice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QPALouSOvJE/100412111627.htm
A new core drilled through an ice field on the Antarctic Peninsula may contain ice dating back into the last ice age. If so, that record should give new insight into past global climate changes. The expedition in early winter to the Bruce Plateau, an ice field straddling a narrow ridge on the northernmost tongue of the southernmost continent, yielded a core that was 445.6 meters (1,462 feet) long, the longest yet recovered from that region of Antarctica.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Childhood obesity linked to stiff arteries
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/52sM243pWZ0/100412095536.htm
Children with more body fat and less endurance than their fitter, leaner counterparts have stiffer arteries at a young age, researchers said.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
High-performance computing reveals missing genes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/erGBViveu-Q/100413151911.htm
Scientists have used high-performance computing to locate small genes that have been missed by scientists in their quest to define the microbial DNA sequences of life. Using an ephemeral supercomputer made up of computers from across the world, the mpiBLAST computational tool used by the researchers took only 12 hours instead of the 90 years it would have required if the work were performed on a standard personal computer.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Fear of getting fat seen in healthy women's brain scans
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/f3dxTKLG9qo/100413151913.htm
When healthy women see an image of an overweight stranger, it lights up a part of their brain that processes identity and self-reflection. These "sub-clinical" signs of body image discomfort may put women at greater risk for eating and mood disorders.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Giant natural particle accelerator above thunderclouds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GQV9mm5W4Kw/100413202850.htm
A lightning researcher has discovered that during thunderstorms, giant natural particle accelerators can form 40 km above the surface of the Earth.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Gene identified for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fyc4ZfBoMYU/100413190726.htm
A mutation in a brain protein gene may trigger irregular heart beat and sudden death in people with epilepsy, according to new research. People with epilepsy who are otherwise healthy are more than 10 times more likely to die suddenly and unexpectedly than the general population.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Only known living population of rare dwarf lemur discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/31OykN_WudE/100413162914.htm
Researchers have discovered the world's only known living population of Sibree's Dwarf Lemur, a rare lemur known only in eastern Madagascar. Researchers discovered approximately a thousand of these lemurs.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Lack of omega-6 fatty acid linked to severe dermatitis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VoVoN64iVHE/100412121022.htm
Scientists have learned that a specific omega-6 fatty acid may be critical to maintaining skin health.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Ice Age climate change did not pose significant challenges to first Americans, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PxVqpqrhETY/100412084527.htm
Paleoindian groups occupied North America throughout the Younger Dryas interval, which saw a rapid return to glacial conditions approximately 11,000 years ago. Until now, it has been assumed that cooling temperatures and their impact on communities posed significant adaptive challenges to those groups. Two researchers suggest otherwise in their review of climatic and environmental records from this time period in continental North America.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Blinded by jealousy?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rakCGnfdZXY/100413160859.htm
Jealousy really is "blinding," according to a new study by psychology professors. They found women who were made to feel jealous were so distracted, they could not spot targets in a computer test.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
New material is a breakthrough in magnetism; Step closer to 'magnetic monopole'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dj28YzdqKxM/100413212833.htm
Physicists have created a structure that acts like a single pole of a magnet, a feat that has evaded scientists for decades. The researchers say their new study takes them a step closer to isolating a 'magnetic monopole.'

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Wide variation found in those infected by H1N1
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/J3V2BCbCrKk/100413170657.htm
An analysis of blood samples taken before, during and after an epidemic wave of influenza A(H1N1) in Singapore in 2009 finds variation in infection risks and antibody levels, with younger age groups and military personnel having higher infection rates than other groups, according to a new study.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
DNA analysis suggests whale meat from sushi restaurants in L.A., Seoul originated from Japan
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sl1spyKqnK0/100413202638.htm
Scientists, documentary filmmakers and environmental advocates have uncovered an apparent illegal trade in whale meat, linking whales killed in Japan's controversial scientific whaling program to sushi restaurants in Seoul, South Korea, and Los Angeles, Calif.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
New tool to help study prostate cancer developed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Fhv4UFhgomw/100311141220.htm
Researchers have developed a new method to better study the cells that line and protect the prostate in relation to the development of cancer. Using the model, they found that normal cells and cancer cells depend on different factors to survive, which could aid in discovering how to target cancer cells without affecting normal cells when developing treatments.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Fats for health and beauty: Giving soybean oil a new role in serving society
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/I5uR9y3BhsE/100323133039.htm
Scientists have reported development of a new method for converting soybean oil into a highly effective bio-based sunscreen active ingredient that does not carry the potential health concerns of ingredients in some existing sunscreens. The new, natural sunscreen agent could replace petroleum-derived ingredients in a variety of personal-care products.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Tobacco policies: Smoking bans reduce exposure to secondhand smoke and reduce heart attacks, review finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KvnhVVHNy-4/100413202647.htm
In countries and states that have introduced policies that restrict smoking in public, people have less exposure to secondhand smoke. There is also a reduction in the number of people who have heart attacks, as well as an improvement in other indicators of health, according to a new review.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Solar explosion tracked all the way from the Sun to Earth
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/j6-R-lodkH0/100413202852.htm
Solar and space scientists have built the most complete picture yet of the full impact of a large solar eruption, using instruments on the ground and in space to trace its journey from the Sun to Earth.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Diet alone will not likely lead to significant weight loss, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HbJqsEn-gbY/100413170710.htm
Newly published research demonstrates that simply reducing caloric intake is not enough to promote significant weight loss.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
What should goldenrod do to avoid an insect attack? Duck!
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/82I125a6y40/100308095845.htm
Plants and herbivores have always been involved in a sort of arms race, and plants' defensive strategies commonly involve thorns, spines, and chemical toxins. But when certain flies are out looking for goldenrod to lay their eggs on, some goldenrod plants react in a seemingly rationale way: they duck.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Duffy-negative blood types no longer protected from P. Vivax malaria
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GHER_7TjFC8/100315162043.htm
In a paradigm changing discovery, Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) malaria has been identified in a population historically thought to be resistant to the disease, those who do not express the Duffy blood group protein on their red blood cells, according to new research.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Household pesticide labels lack details on safe use
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/A0gB7DoT1I0/100322131419.htm
Label directions for using some household pesticides are written in a way that may leave consumers with the impression that "if a little is good, more is better," according to a new study. As a result, consumers may use excessive amounts of pesticides that could subject family members and pets to increased exposures.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Hospital admissions dropped after anti-smoking legislation in place
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qxFPd_L593k/100412124957.htm
Since the implementation of anti-smoking legislation, hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory conditions have decreased 39 percent and 33 percent respectively, according to new research.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Investigational immune intervention slows brain shrinkage in Alzheimer's patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PqzDvXrHJwU/100413170705.htm
An investigational intervention using naturally occurring antibodies in human blood has preserved the thinking abilities of a group of mild- to moderate-stage Alzheimer's patients over 18 months and significantly reduced the rate of atrophy (shrinkage) of their brains, according to a new study.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Advancing age associated with increased risk of complications, death after implantation of cardiac devices
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ATxOetBofsA/100412161919.htm
Older patients may be more likely to die in the hospital following the implantation of defibrillators or pacemakers, according to a new report. More than one-fifth of cardiac devices appear to be implanted in individuals age 80 and older, despite the fact that most clinical trials have not included adults in this age group.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Exotic flowers help bees stay busy in winter
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bV0Z30RVHWY/100304202248.htm
Recent years have seen an unusual rise in the number of bees about in the cold winter months. Scientists have found that while most bees are hibernating, the buff-tailed bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, is out taking advantage of exotic winter-flowering plants in our gardens and parks.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Targeting vascular disease linked to cancer-causing gene mutation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6EC81wxpJ1w/100323142329.htm
Researchers have discovered how a genetic disease known mainly for its life-threatening tumors also can cause sudden death from cardiovascular disease in children, and are mounting a clinical trial to develop treatments for the problem.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Measuring global water vapor and formaldehyde
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/x1J1VqI-FS4/100409134731.htm
Atmospheric water vapor is the most important natural greenhouse gas, accounting for about two-thirds of the natural greenhouse effect. Despite this importance, its role in climate and its reaction to climate change are still difficult to assess. Many details of the hydrological cycle are poorly understood, such as the process of cloud formation and the transport and release of latent heat contained in the water vapor. In contrast to other important greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, water vapor has a much higher temporal and spatial variability.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Dying cancer patient visits to emergency departments can be avoided
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hQCflPGAMfw/100315125543.htm
Many visits by dying cancer patients to the emergency department can be avoided with effective palliative care, states a recent article. In Ontario, about 40 percent of cancer patients visit the emergency department in the last 2 weeks of life.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
How the sea snake got its stripes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/A2TOXGdzRqk/100413122837.htm
We all know that looks matter, and for snakes, a color which works well on land has dramatically different results under water, according to a recent study.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Small molecule targets B cell lymphoma
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xXlJ1Q1pges/100412124955.htm
Scientists are one step closer to developing a targeted therapy for lymphoma. New research identifies a specific small-molecule inhibitor that was nontoxic in animal experiments and could kill human lymphoma cells.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Assessing antibiotic breakdown in manure
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/c-t7PRhloI4/100304093641.htm
Agricultural scientists are studying how oxytetracycline, an antibiotic that is administered to animals, breaks down in cattle manure.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Aluminum adjuvants in vaccinations: How do they really work?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UZtKLRfv1LE/100303193113.htm
An new article by a leading researcher in the bioinorganic chemistry of aluminum explains how aluminum adjuvants work in boosting the immune response to vaccination.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
People living in communities near oil sands can breathe easy, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8WVIBr5R2VM/100413131051.htm
A researcher has found that despite ongoing oil sands development, people living in the communities near Alberta's oil sands should feel confident that the air they are breathing is safe.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Recent research on memory, learning
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vVFA7NJIDYE/100305224432.htm
Are we over estimating remembering and underestimating learning? In a recent study, people failed to predict that they would be able to remember more words after studying more.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
New pathway involved in rheumatoid arthritis identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3QbAr8p311I/100413095906.htm
Researchers have identified a pathway involved in turning off inflammation that does not work properly in people with inflammatory arthritis. The finding could lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches to treating arthritis in the future.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
LOFAR opens up the low-frequency universe -- and starts a new SETI search
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/p3ebEGY2t8s/100412192502.htm
The Low Frequency Array (LOFAR), a new pan-European radio astronomy facility, has started mapping the universe at very low energy wavelengths, a part of the electromagnetic spectrum that is relatively unexplored. It will detect faint signals from the first stars and mini-black holes that emerged when the universe was only 500,000 years old -- and will also be looking for signs of other civilizations in the Universe closer to home.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
New understanding of protein's role in brain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IBj6lnNKjL0/100325131553.htm
Brains in mammals modify a particular protein in a unique way, which alters the protein's normal function according to new research. The modified protein plays a key role in memory processes. This discovery represents an important step in understanding how our brains work.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Impact of antibiotic treatments on bacteria in the intestines of animals
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ycwVBB2VprU/100413081238.htm
Recent research from Norway has found that resistance to antibiotics is on the increase in intestinal bacteria in animals as a direct result of antibiotic treatments. The antibiotics also alter the composition of bacteria in the intestines. These discoveries provide more knowledge about the undesirable effect of antibiotic treatments and are of comparative interest as regards other animals and humans.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Depression affects how women with PMDD respond to stress, pain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EE2HHxY5rOk/100330092819.htm
A severe mood disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, affects 5 percent to 7 percent of all women of reproductive age in the United States, but it is often misdiagnosed as major depression or other mood disorder. A recent study further establishes that PMDD is biologically different, and that women with PMDD who have experienced depression could make up a subset.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Anti-aging hormones: Little or no benefit and the risks are high, according to experts
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZVOxSqDsrMg/100413121326.htm
In the wake of the American Medical Association's Council on Science and Public Health's recently released report "The use of hormones for 'anti-aging': a review of efficacy and safety," a leading medical authority has criticized the use of anti-aging hormones.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Traumatized trees: Bug them enough, they get fired up
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-WOWvR_mMk0/100413095904.htm
Whether forests are dying back, or just drying out, projections for warming show the Pacific Northwest is primed for more wildfires. Fuels built up after a century of rushing to suppress fires have long been pointed to as the reason, but starting in the early 1990s climate appears to have become a contributing factor.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Hepatitis A virus: Recent advances for improving treatment strategies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FmP2bW7xNj8/100326125440.htm
A research article could lead to improvements in the production of vaccines for hepatitis A, the most widespread viral disease in the world.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Synthetic peptide may enhance lung transplantation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/drZnmlX9rsw/100324113412.htm
Researchers have shown that putting the TIP peptide into the trachea of rat lungs about a half hour before transplantation can nullify the bad result, called ischemic reperfusion injury, and improve oxygenation.

Wed, 14 Apr 10
Guidelines issued on when people with Alzheimer's disease should stop driving
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/56bzUXarsvg/100412161902.htm
The American Academy of Neurology has issued a new guideline to help determine when people with Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia should stop driving.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Cluster spacecraft takes first look at charged particles that drive brightest aurora
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6sENiEICxvo/100412084547.htm
Scientists have made the first direct observations of charged particles that lead to some of the brightest aurora using the Cluster spacecraft.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Scientists find key to gene that promotes cancer metastasis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zsTDbnAOqWk/100412172834.htm
The molecular machinery that switches on a gene known to cause breast cancer to spread and invade other organs has been identified by an international team of scientists.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Move over predators: Plants can control the food chain too -- from the bottom up
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NS3M9cWOP3A/100325171225.htm
Most studies of food webs look at how predators at the top of the food chain control prey and plant populations below them. But a new study shows how plants at the bottom of the food chain have evolved mechanisms that influence ecosystem dynamics as well.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Experimental immune-boosting drug worsens tuberculosis in mice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/y4GUA5Sv50U/100412172832.htm
An experimental drug that boosts production of the immune system protein interferon worsens tuberculosis in mice, according to scientists.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Physicist sees terahertz imaging as ultimate defense against terrorism
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8vE-PCmrHGM/100412121024.htm
A physics professor sees the use of terahertz rays as a critical technology in the defense against suicide bombers and other terrorist activities. He recently described experimental results from a digital video camera invented in their laboratory that uses a terahertz imaging system. One day such a device could be used to scan airport passengers quickly and efficiently.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Work pressures lower nicotine dependence, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/C7KlpxAU99Y/100412192447.htm
It is often thought that smoking is used as a coping strategy to deal with work stress. However, the pressures of work can actually lower a smoker's nicotine dependence, contrary to popular belief. The surprising finding contradicts even the study researchers' hypothesis.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Undersea superhighway: Long-distance larvae speed to new undersea vent homes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gA0zAoWsGYY/100412151821.htm
Working in a rare, "natural seafloor laboratory" of hydrothermal vents that had just been rocked by a volcanic eruption, scientists have discovered what they believe is an undersea superhighway carrying tiny life forms unprecedented distances to inhabit the post-eruption site.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
New test takes guesswork out of diagnosing early-stage Alzheimer's disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mZE9KSjg_vA/100325143057.htm
A new test developed by Japanese scientists may revolutionize how and when physicians diagnose Alzheimer's disease. According to new research, the new test measures proteins in the spinal fluid known to be one of the main causes of brain degeneration and memory impairment in Alzheimer's patients: high molecular weight A-Beta oligomers.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Genes under control: Scientists develop gene switch for chloroplasts in plant cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/d1gMStZvcH8/100330092817.htm
The organelles of photosynthesis -- the chloroplasts -- have their own DNA, messenger RNA and ribosomes for forming proteins. Scientists have now discovered how to regulate the formation of proteins in the chloroplasts. They can use so-called riboswitches to switch the genes in the chloroplasts of tobacco plants on and off. These riboswitches could provide future benefit by making plants capable of delivering drugs or raw materials, or by improving the biological safety of genetically modified plants.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Oral Vaccine May Reduce Exacerbations in Patients with COPD
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ImrAaQaDlg8/100406160430.htm
A novel vaccine may help reduce the number and severity of exacerbations in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Harnessing the Web and supercomputers to track pathogens as they evolve
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/s-BE9EzYMIs/100412103713.htm
Supramap, a powerful new Web-based application that tracks pathogens in time and space as they evolve, will revolutionize the response to pathogens that cause disease by helping public health officials and national security experts predict and respond to novel infectious diseases. This is the first time that any user can input raw genetic sequences of a pathogen's strains into the program to build a phylogenetic tree based on mutations that is projected onto a map.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Patients with amnesia still feel emotions, despite memory loss
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/96QM7v1JWPE/100412151817.htm
A new study offers some good news for caregivers and loved ones of individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Patients might forget a joke or a meaningful conversation -- but even so, the warm feelings associated with the experience can stick around and boost their mood.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
First direct recording made of mirror neurons in human brain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0B8wErPeNbQ/100412162112.htm
For the first time, researchers have made the first direct recording of mirror neurons in the living human brain, thus providing definitive proof of their existence. Mirror neurons fire not only when we perform a particular action, but also when we watch someone else perform that same action, and if defective, are thought to play a role in autism.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Food combination associated with reduced Alzheimer's disease risk identified in new study
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JHbIrOB72Dw/100412161913.htm
Individuals whose diet includes more salad dressing, nuts, fish, poultry and certain fruits and vegetables and fewer high-fat dairy products, red meats, organ meats and butter appear less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease, according to a new report.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Conservation scientists call for 'biodiversity barometer'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qwf4BgVxMVw/100408160903.htm
For the first time scientists have put a figure on how much it would cost to learn about the conservation status of millions of species, some of which have yet to be identified. The price tag is $60 million, according to a team of scientists.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Link between acid reflux and sleep apnea challenged
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YEfbM11jjDA/100406160711.htm
New research suggests that a causal link between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may not exist.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Exposure to nitrogen dioxide lowers in vitro fertilization success
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DXcXbWa0MLY/100412111631.htm
Exposure to an increased level of air pollutants, especially nitrogen dioxide, has been associated with lower likelihoods of successful pregnancy among women undergoing in vitro fertilization, according to a team of fertility researchers.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Pediatricians find link between cumulative hardships and health in low-income young children
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9Grd9uE8iMk/100412075441.htm
Pediatric researchers have found that the cumulative effects of crowded and unstable housing and uncertain supplies of food and heat act together to decrease the chances of normal growth and development and good physical health among infants and toddlers. The findings bring attention to remediable conditions that influence the health, development and growth of America's youngest children.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Pre-history of life: Elegantly simple organizing principles seen in ribosomes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KReVur_ohyA/100412151823.htm
With few exceptions, all known forms of life on our planet rely on the same genetic code to specify the amino acid composition of proteins. Although different hypotheses abound, just how individual amino acids were assigned to specific three-letter combinations or codons during the evolution of the genetic code is still subject to speculation.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Fight-or-flight hormones help tumor cells escape to spread
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xnrxDyvf2zA/100412172830.htm
Chronic stress triggers a chain of molecular events that protects breakaway ovarian cancer cells from destruction, a team of researchers reports.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Tainted produce more likely for shoppers in low-income neighborhoods, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/adrvZm8eo8Q/100409152029.htm
No one wants a mixed salad tossed with extra bacteria, mold and yeast, but those are just what you might find when you try to eat a healthier diet in poorer neighborhoods. A new study shows that the level of bacteria found on the fresh produce can vary according to the income level of the neighborhoods where it is for sale.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Many adults unaware they may be suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zbw5KED_pBY/100406125532.htm
As many as 20 percent of adults with known risk factors are currently undiagnosed but suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to a new research article.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Bringing better grapes a step closer to reality
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EgeLWdA18Yk/100323105954.htm
A team of agricultural researchers has found a way to speed up grape breeding by developing a way to identify genetic markers in the grapevine's genome that can be linked with specific traits, such as fruit quality, environmental adaptation, and disease and pest resistance.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Over half of women in abusive relationships still saw their male partners as dependable
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cXKLQJy67ng/100412111625.htm
It's well known that many women remain in abusive relationships with their male partners. A new study suggests that many who live with chronic psychological abuse still see certain positive traits in their abusers -- such as dependability and being affectionate -- which may partly explain why they stay.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Massive Arctic ice cap is shrinking, study shows; Rate accelerating since 1985
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SHJ94TDv48s/100412121014.htm
Warmer summers are accelerating the rate at which the Devon Island ice cap is losing mass, according to new research. The study's authors say that although the extent and depth of the cap have been declining since measurements began in 1961, the trend has increased since 1985.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Better way to predict prognosis in pediatric leukemia patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7Umb_r_JIT0/100409162724.htm
Researchers may have found a way to more accurately predict treatment outcomes in young leukemia patients using information from a common and simple complete blood count test, also known as a CBC.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Of dollars and scents: Tracking the elusive sandalwood oil
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1dUIMXmfGSw/100409152907.htm
Roger Turpening has made a career of searching for hidden things of great value, many of them deep underground and traded on commodities exchanges. Now he is applying his seismic imaging skills in pursuit of another kind of oil, one that grows in trees.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Clinical trial to test whether vaccine can effectively treat melanoma
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6Ba_N4Zi1k4/100406141517.htm
A nationwide Phase III clinical trial is under way to determine whether a promising vaccine for advanced melanoma can effectively treat the deadly skin cancer.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Sugarcane OK in standing water, helps protect Everglades
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8pUn0z9FYwo/100324113416.htm
A study by agricultural scientists shows that sugarcane can tolerate flooded conditions for up to two weeks. That's good news for growers who are using best management practices for controlling phosphorous runoff into the Everglades.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
HPV vaccination more likely if mothers approve, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DXUwOrS3Mn0/100412151849.htm
College women were more likely to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) if their mothers communicated with them about sex and if they thought their mothers would approve of their getting vaccinated.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
When social fear is missing, so are racial stereotypes, shows study of children with Williams syndrome
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fGubEjDEwvs/100412124952.htm
Children with the genetic condition known as Williams syndrome have unusually friendly natures because they lack the sense of fear that the rest of us feel in many social situations. Now, a study suggests that children with Williams Syndrome are missing something else the rest of us have from a very tender age: the proclivity to stereotype others based on their race.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Healing a broken heart with stem cells?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/puoFzF-RQr4/100412095540.htm
Some patients with heart muscles seriously affected by coronary heart disease may soon be able to benefit from an innovative treatment. Researchers are evaluating the safety, feasibility and efficacy of injecting stem cells into the hearts of patients while they are undergoing coronary bypass surgery. These stem cells could improve healing of the heart and its function.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
How dangerous are air pollutants really?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Vnb3MyP3jDA/100408095459.htm
How severely do smog, diesel exhaust and secondhand smoke damage the lungs? What do pollen or nanoparticles trigger when they infiltrate the human body through inhaling? Researchers in Germany are presenting a new test system that can be used to investigate these questions.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Temperature-dependent drug may prevent blood clots during therapeutic hypothermia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZZzgYl546tM/100410160118.htm
Scientists have developed what may be the first temperature-dependent drug that starts working at the cooler temperatures of therapeutic hypothermia and stops when body temperature is raised to a normal level. The drug may prevent blood clots during therapeutic hypothermia by blocking platelets from clumping together.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Robots with better observation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/36ewYgnv9mk/100408141300.htm
A new 3D sensor will enable robots to observe their environment in a more natural and human-like manner. The TACO project will make it possible to apply current robots in more sophisticated markets so that they will play a major role in the fields of cleaning, construction, maintenance, security, health care, entertainment and personal assistance in the future.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Social networking utilized by academic to improve student satisfaction
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pbxAZfPnAkA/100412084529.htm
Social media could provide a solution for dealing with dissatisfaction among students on the levels of academic feedback they receive at university. A researcher is trialling the use of social media to enhance feedback - through the provision of ‘feed forward’.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Baby stars in the Rosette cloud
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rHjy_44DD-Y/100412112905.htm
Herschel's latest image reveals the formation of previously unseen large stars, each one up to ten times the mass of our Sun. These are the stars that will influence where and how the next generation of stars are formed.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Prevalence of HIV in Africa is leading to new strains of Salmonella, say scientists
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2epLwp8XEN8/100412103708.htm
Scientists in the UK have discovered that dangerous strains of Salmonella are beginning to emerge in people infected with HIV in Africa.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
A well-defended territory is what some female hummingbirds find most attractive in a mate
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2_XrbEqgVmM/100407110826.htm
Scientists recently discovered that it is in the best interest of male purple-throated caribs to defend and maintain a territory with a high density of nectar-producing flowers. Why? Because it is the quality of this territory -- rather than flashy plumage or elaborate courtship displays -- that attracts the most females.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections affected by stress
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/24OUiYhbQ44/100409105359.htm
PANDAS is an abbreviation for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections. This diagnosis was created when clinicians observed that following streptococcal infections, which include strep throat, scarlet fever, and impetigo, children developed tics and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Wireless nano sensors could save bridges, buildings
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cn3nGAAg6yo/100409105355.htm
Could inexpensive wireless sensors based on nanotechnology be used to alert engineers to problematic cracks and damage to buildings, bridges, and other structures before they become critical? A feasibility study would suggest so.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Measuring the suicidal mind
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0XXb8JtVTsw/100412111633.htm
An implicit association between death/suicide and self may be a behavioral marker for suicide attempt. Participants presenting to the emergency room after a suicide attempt had a stronger implicit association between death/suicide and self than did participants presenting with other psychiatric emergencies. Participants with strong associations between death/suicide and self were more likely to make a suicide attempt within the next six months than were those who had stronger associations between life and self.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Clovis mammoth hunters: Out with a whimper or a bang?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2RqeKPe8xLs/100412100017.htm
Researchers has revisited the evidence pointing to a cataclysmic event thought by many scientists to have wiped out the North American mega fauna -- such as mammoths, saber tooth cats, giant ground sloths and dire wolves -- along with the Clovis hunter and gatherer culture some 13,000 years ago. Their findings make an impact scenario as the cause of the Pleistocene extinctions appear less likely.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Targeting the blood-brain barrier may delay progression of Alzheimer's disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/f_HblsEUc54/100412103711.htm
Researchers may be one step closer to slowing the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease. An animal study shows that by targeting the blood-brain barrier, researchers are able to slow the accumulation of a protein associated with the progression of the illness.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Computer model helps biologists understand how coral dies in warming waters
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Q-x0dbvsORc/100329203228.htm
Researchers have found a new tool to help marine biologists better grasp the processes under the sea: They have created mathematical models to unveil the bacterial community dynamics behind afflictions that bleach and kill coral.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Ventricular assist device gives man chance to resume an active life
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7s9keHo7SKg/100408161015.htm
After receiving only the fourth US implant of a new-generation, Utah-made ventricular assist device, an Idaho man with heart failure is looking forward to resuming an active life following an operation on March 17 at University of Utah Hospital.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Rewiring of gene regulation across 300 million years of evolution
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/b0QE_IMrnu4/100409093211.htm
Researchers have discovered a remarkable amount of plasticity in how transcription factors, the proteins that bind to DNA to control the activation of genes, maintain their function over large evolutionary distances.

Tue, 13 Apr 10
Adolescent drinking adds to risk of breast disease, breast cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DTF4GwnJ_yE/100412111635.htm
Girls and young women who drink alcohol increase their risk of benign breast disease, according to a new study. Benign breast disease increases the risk for developing breast cancer.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
World's deepest known undersea volcanic vents discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QMgNsp3CCsw/100411214117.htm
Scientists have discovered the world's deepest undersea volcanic vents, known as 'black smokers', 3.1 miles (5000 meters) deep in the Cayman Trough in the Caribbean. They found slender spires made of copper and iron ores on the seafloor, erupting water hot enough to melt lead, nearly half a mile deeper than anyone has seen before.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Hormone sensitivity of breast stem cells presents drug target
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9XE88mb83yw/100411143357.htm
Researchers have discovered that breast stem cells are exquisitely sensitive to the female hormones estrogen and progesterone, a finding that opens the way for the development of new preventions and treatments for breast cancer.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Graphene films clear major fabrication hurdle
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cJQnyuGkWpA/100408140856.htm
Researchers have successfully used direct chemical vapor deposition to synthesize single-layer graphene films on dielectric substrates. This represents a major step towards future applications of graphene in both the electronics and the photonics industries, starting with superfast transistors and computer memory chips.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Key protein aids in DNA repair
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JJi9ICDPkz4/100411143359.htm
Researchers have shown that a particular protein -- called Ku -- is particularly adept at healing damaged strands of DNA.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Crowdsourcing: Cell phones that protect against deadly chemicals?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Sxlew6D3nc0/100409162722.htm
Cell phones are getting smarter, and some day they may even protect you from toxic chemicals. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Cell-All is such an initiative. Cell-All aims to equip cell phones with a sensor programmed to either alert the cell phone carrier to the presence of toxic chemicals in the air, and/or a central station that can monitor how many alerts in an area are being received.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Children with autistic traits remain undiagnosed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/I2Mk-xxcMo8/100322131423.htm
There has been a major increase in the incidence of autism over the last twenty years. While people have differing opinions as to why this is, there are still many children who have autistic traits that are never diagnosed clinically. Therefore, they do not receive the support they need through educational or health services.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Inexpensive highly efficient solar cells possible
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/m6GuwWcqHCE/100406125545.htm
The scientific and commercial future of solar cells could be totally transformed. Scientists have come up with solutions for two problems that, for the last twenty years, have been hampering the development of efficient and affordable solar cells.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Bionic eye in sight: Wide-view neurostimulator concept unveiled
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Z7i6B6-BDks/100330092815.htm
Researchers unveiled a new wide-view neurostimulator concept -- a bionic eye that will be implanted into Australia's first recipient of the technology.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Madagascar's radiated tortoise threatened with extinction
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3YFNed7g9I0/100405152555.htm
Madagascar's radiated tortoise -- considered one of the most beautiful tortoise species -- is rapidly nearing extinction due to rampant hunting for its meat and the illegal pet trade, according to biologists.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Promising strategy for treatment of lung cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_beDd3Rjc94/100329093617.htm
Researchers in Sweden have shown in a study that two closely related enzymes could be targets for the treatment of lung cancer. The discovery was made when the researchers blocked the production of the two enzymes in transgenic mice. This resulted in inhibition of cell growth, fewer tumors and greater survival among the mice.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Tiny gold probes give scientists a sense of how disease develops
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mwsZA1CVVwM/100329075933.htm
Tiny chemical sensors implanted into patients could help diagnose disease and track its progress, following a development by scientists.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
You’re born a copy but die an original
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_M0EV1gZ2eQ/100404203159.htm
The older we get, the more different we become. This is the conclusion of a study that followed people from their 70th to their 90th year of life.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Viruses harnessed to split water
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_U9ZKWZMIzc/100411143403.htm
Researchers have found a novel way to mimic the process by which plants use the power of sunlight to split water and make chemical fuel to power their growth. In this case, scientists used a modified virus as a kind of biological scaffold that can assemble the nanoscale components needed to split a water molecule into hydrogen and oxygen atoms.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Life on Saturn's moon Titan: Stand well back and hold your nose!
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GEbyC3YbzwQ/100411104350.htm
New research suggests that if life has evolved on the frozen surface of Saturn's moon, Titan, it would be strange, smelly and explosive compared to life on Earth.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Lifeline for 'antibiotic of last resort': Mechanism that triggers resistance to vancomycin identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tdK8uakbstc/100411143401.htm
A new study has uncovered how bacteria recognize and develop resistance to a powerful antibiotic used to treat superbug infections. Researchers have identified the specific mechanism that triggers resistance to vancomycin.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Quick nano-bio-chip checks for oral cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3-9VErKsjCE/100405152753.htm
The gentle touch of a lesion on the tongue or cheek with a brush can help detect oral cancer with success rates comparable to more invasive techniques, according to preliminary studies.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Keeping the weight off after a very-low-energy diet
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/S8n_bU9ZTv8/100404203155.htm
Simple advice can reduce the risk of weight regain after a very-low-energy diet: the secret to keeping the weight off is to switch back to normal food gradually, reveals new research from Sweden.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Evacuating 70,000 sports fans in less than an hour? Rehearse it with 70,000 avatars
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4-_Jy3uiaGg/100410160121.htm
If you think it's a hassle getting into a sold-out game, imagine trying to get out after a bomb explodes -- or even under a bomb threat, for that matter. In new simulation and training software, thousands of avatars are in motion at once, realistically representing the chaotic mix of sports fans, security staff, emergency responders and vehicles that interplay during a stadium evacuation.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Spice up your health this barbecue season
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6t_ynG7iMgk/100323121803.htm
A new study finds the sauces you use when firing up the barbecue this summer may provide unforeseen health benefits. The research shows common marinades may be more than just tasty sauces -- they can also provide a major source of natural antioxidants.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Moray eels: The most cosmopolitan of reef fish, but why?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4KLdMhBn0Kg/100407121217.htm
Genetic variations among moray eels don't show any geographic patterning, apparently because a long-lived larval form called a leptocephalus maintains gene flow among populations. With geographic isolation off the table, it is difficult to understand how the morays diversified into many species.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Proteins may point to alcohol use test
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/S5w3-8o-3jM/100323121812.htm
Measuring a set of protein changes in the blood linked to alcohol use may potentially lead to a more accurate diagnostic test than those currently available, according to researchers.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Forests at risk: Swiss needle cast epidemic in Douglas-fir trees unprecedented, still getting worse
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8BIylD2nSzs/100405152557.htm
The Swiss needle cast epidemic in Douglas-fir forests of the coastal Pacific Northwest is continuing to intensify, appears to be unprecedented over at least the past 100 years, and is probably linked to the extensive planting of Douglas-fir along the coast and a warmer climate, new research concludes.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Belief that intentional weight loss is harmful to seniors is unfounded, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fXuzkthNNBk/100405072314.htm
A new study refutes the widely held belief that intentional weight loss in older adults leads to increased risk of death.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Ultra-short, high-density electron pulses for advanced X-ray sources
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5NwyFbHITbc/100331081126.htm
Over the last few years interest has grown in compact X-ray laser sources which do not require the use of large particle accelerators. Instead, high-intensity laser light is used to accelerate ultra-short, high-density electron pulses to drive these advanced sources. Scientists have now measured the duration of these electron pulses precisely.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Intervention appears cost-effective for preventing repeated teenage births
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DtUWxsQGcXY/100406205111.htm
A computer-assisted, home-based intervention shown to reduce the risk of repeated births among low-income pregnant teenagers appears to do so at a reasonable cost, according to a new study.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Hubble snaps heavyweight of the Leo Triplet
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Gg4nTMPsCHw/100408105152.htm
Hubble has snapped a spectacular view of the largest "player" in the Leo Triplet, a galaxy with an unusual anatomy: it displays asymmetric spiral arms and an apparently displaced core. The peculiar anatomy is most likely caused by the gravitational pull of the other two members of the trio.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Study questions whether screening really cuts breast cancer deaths
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/l8o-zO5ueTs/100323212152.htm
A study from Denmark finds no effect of the Danish screening program on breast cancer deaths.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Doubled haploid technology for quickly developing inbred corn lines
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TGWGom_hoAo/100405175134.htm
An agronomist has launched a Doubled Haploid Facility that can develop pure, inbred corn lines in less time than traditional methods.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Diabetic tests must be regulated, experts urge
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BaWXq07utD8/100405092026.htm
As a benchmark for diagnosing diabetes, the importance of the A1C test must be reevaluated to improve glycemic numeracy of policy makers, patients and providers - who must make real-world decisions, experts argue in a new commentary.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
American industry's thirst for water: First study of its kind in 30 years
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8f7CE1dTa6Y/100331122646.htm
How many gallons of water does it take to produce $1 worth of sugar, dog and cat food, or milk? The answers appear in the first comprehensive study in 30 years documenting American industry's thirst for this precious resource. The study could lead to better ways to conserve water.

Mon, 12 Apr 10
Non-physician surgeons can save lives in low-income countries, researcher says
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0TFeV4AZ8ag/100331081214.htm
Every year, some 7.5 million mothers and new-borns die during pregnancy or childbirth, almost all of whom are in low and middle-income countries. One reason for this is the lack of trained medical staff, particularly doctors. Recent research shows that a solution could be the training of nurses in caesarean sections and other life-saving surgery.

Sun, 11 Apr 10
Exotic quantum spin-liquid simulated: A starting point for superconductivity?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BEEW-S5ESY4/100408141208.htm
An exotic state of matter that physicists call a "quantum spin-liquid" can be realized by electrons in a honeycomb crystal structure, researchers in Germany report.

Sun, 11 Apr 10
New, inexpensive way to predict Alzheimer's disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iDUpuddMjXM/100405111207.htm
Your brain's capacity for information is a reliable predictor of Alzheimer's disease and can be cheaply and easily tested, according to scientists.

Sun, 11 Apr 10
NASA sensors providing rapid estimates of Iceland volcano emissions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9Ghpo5Lmu18/100408150026.htm
A NASA research team is using the latest advances in satellite artificial intelligence to speed up estimates of the heat and volume of lava escaping from an erupting volcano in Iceland.

Sun, 11 Apr 10
Source of recurrent yeast infections in autoimmune syndrome pinpointed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mKsbdfNLoiI/100410140439.htm
Infectious diseases are not always caused by infection. Researchers have revealed that patients who suffer from a rare autoimmune disorder that makes them vulnerable to yeast infections produce antibodies that target and destroy immune-fighting proteins that would otherwise keep yeast in check.

Sun, 11 Apr 10
ODD solution to bomb scares: Optical Dynamic Detection provides better way to detect explosives
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/En91SosnKY4/100409093407.htm
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Science & Technology Directorate may have a better solution to detecting just what's in that suspicious package.

Sun, 11 Apr 10
Social influence plays role in surging autism diagnoses, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dlwSOgDXZC8/100408161017.htm
Researchers find that children living near a child who has been previously diagnosed with autism have a much higher chance of being diagnosed themselves in the following year. The increased likelihood of being diagnosed is not due to environmental factors or contagious agents, the study found. Rather, it is due mainly to parents learning about autism from other parents who have a child diagnosed with the disorder.

Sun, 11 Apr 10
Gene that changes the brain’s response to stress identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xehHh1zyiLU/100410141344.htm
Stress can literally warp your brain, reshaping some brain structures that help cope with life's pressures. In the short term, the stress response can be helpful -- i.e., fight or flight -- but over time it leads to a wear and tear that can cause disease in both the brain and other parts of the body. Digging deeper into what underlies these potentially harmful changes, new research has identified a key protein involved in remodeling the brain under stress.

Sun, 11 Apr 10
Cancer drug effectiveness substantially advanced: Co-administered peptide directs medicines deep into tumor tissue
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Emt0Iy2CbTA/100408160905.htm
Researchers have shown that a peptide (a chain of amino acids) called iRGD helps co-administered drugs penetrate deeply into tumor tissue. The peptide has been shown to substantially increase treatment efficacy against human breast, prostate and pancreatic cancers in mice, achieving the same therapeutic effect as a normal dose with one-third as much of the drug.

Sun, 11 Apr 10
Simple test can detect signs of suicidal thoughts in people taking antidepressants
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EaPEMNAWozw/100409093411.htm
Researchers have developed a non-invasive biomarker, or indicator, using a non-invasive measurement of electrical activity in the brain, to associate a sharp reduction of activity in a specific brain region within 48 hours of beginning pharmaceutical treatment in people who proved susceptible to developing thoughts of suicide.

Sun, 11 Apr 10
Hepatitis C infection doubles risk for kidney cancer, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NgXf_3F1Op0/100407155653.htm
Physicians have found that infection with the hepatitis C virus increases the risk for developing kidney cancer.

Sun, 11 Apr 10
Chemical compound effective in destroying antibiotic-resistant biofilms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RQ_Bo_8CHAE/100408160907.htm
Researchers have found a chemical compound that, when used in conjunction with conventional antibiotics, is effective in destroying biofilms produced by antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as the Staphylococcus strain MRSA and Acinetobacter. The compound also re-sensitizes those bacteria to antibiotics.

Sun, 11 Apr 10
Empathy and violence have similar circuits in the brain, research suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OlNrPWcKkOg/100409093405.htm
Researchers in Spain have investigated the brain structures involved with empathy -- in other words, the ability to put oneself in another person's position -- and carried out a scientific review of them. They conclude that the brain circuits responsible for empathy are in part the same as those involved with violence.

Sun, 11 Apr 10
Hawaiian submarine canyons are hotspots of biodiversity and biomass for seafloor animal communities
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/khswyM9pMeo/100407185958.htm
Underwater canyons have long been considered important habitats for marine life, but until recently, only canyons on continental margins had been intensively studied. Researchers have now conducted the first extensive study of canyons in the oceanic Hawaiian Archipelago and found that these submarine canyons support especially abundant and unique communities of megafauna including 41 species not observed in other habitats in the Hawaiian Islands.

Sun, 11 Apr 10
Powerful new method allows scientists to probe gene activation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/glDaTHOTQjk/100408121058.htm
Researchers have developed a powerful new method to investigate the discrete steps necessary to turn on individual genes and examine how the process goes wrong in cancer and other diseases. The finding allows scientists to investigate the unfolding of DNA, a process required for gene activation.

Sun, 11 Apr 10
Researchers identify secrets to happiness, depression among oldest of old
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EEmzJePhJqQ/100409093413.htm
Researchers have helped identify what predicts happiness and long life in centenarians, as well as what causes depression in 80-somethings and above.

Sun, 11 Apr 10
Therapeutic effect of fermented milk on chronic gastritis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/H_tuXzfJBiM/100409093213.htm
A research team from Argentina investigated the potential therapeutic effect of exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing Streptococcus thermophilus CRL 1190 fermented milk on chronic gastritis in mice. They found that both fermented milk and EPS were able to modulate the gastric inflammatory response and to increase the thickness of the gastric mucus gel layer, which could be used in novel functional foods as an alternative natural therapy for chronic gastritis induced by acetyl-salicylic acid.

Sun, 11 Apr 10
New medications faster: Harvesting biomolecules more quickly and reliably
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZsRDZ1YBb_Q/100408095502.htm
Before a new medication arrives on the market, it must be tested on animal models and in humans. In order to conduct these tests, a substantial amount of the therapeutically effective substances are needed -- such as proteins or nucleic acids, for example. Researchers in Germany are now presenting several processes with which biomolecules can be harvested quickly, robustly, reliably and with versatility.

Sun, 11 Apr 10
Poor sleep for obese adolescents
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/P0VQJL1swLo/100409083130.htm
Obese adolescents go to bed later and sleep less than their lighter contemporaries. Researchers explored the sleep patterns of 9-18 year old Australians on different days of the week. The poor sleep among obese students was particularly evident on Sundays -- the night before school resumed after a weekend off.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
Hiding out behind the Milky Way
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/q8aEYbwjHko/100408150201.htm
A leggy cosmic creature comes out of hiding in a new infrared view from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE. The spiral beauty, called IC 342 and sometimes the "hidden galaxy," is shrouded behind our own galaxy, the Milky Way.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
Sleep apnea tied to increased risk of stroke; Even mild sleep apnea puts men in danger, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DG847HJxAn0/100408075217.htm
Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of stroke in middle-aged and older adults, especially men, according to new results from a landmark study.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
Researchers shed light on ancient Assyrian tablets
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Xyw2Zw1FyxI/100408134519.htm
A cache of cuneiform tablets unearthed by a team of archaeologists has been found to contain a largely intact Assyrian treaty from the early 7th century BCE.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
Women with preeclampsia have fewer blood vessel precursor cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wSzN8wYv5iQ/100406125721.htm
Compared to women with uncomplicated pregnancies, women with preeclampsia have reduced numbers of special cells that are thought to help grow and maintain blood vessels, according to a new study.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
Closing in on a carbon-based solar cell
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-Lahq7UBM9I/100409105357.htm
To make large sheets of carbon available for light collection, chemists have devised an unusual solution -- attach what amounts to a 3-D bramble patch to each side of the carbon sheet. Using that method, the scientists say they were able to dissolve sheets containing as many as 168 carbon atoms, a first.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
Harm caused by nicotine withdrawal during intensive care
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bUS72FOAIYU/100408194125.htm
Nicotine withdrawal can cause dangerous agitation in intensive care patients. Researchers found that, compared to non-smokers, agitated smokers were more likely to accidentally remove tubes and catheters, require supplemental sedative, analgesic or anti-psychotic medications, or need physical restraints.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
Scientists explore origins of 'supervolcanoes' on the sea floor: Ancient goliaths blamed for multiple mass extinctions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QlRErjkblCU/100409131419.htm
"Supervolcanoes" have been blamed for multiple mass extinctions in Earth's history, but the cause of their massive eruptions is unknown.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
Magnetic attraction of stem cells creates more potent treatment for heart attack
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GsllzdtyYCM/100408160900.htm
Researchers have found in animals that infusing cardiac-derived stem cells with micro-size particles of iron and then using a magnet to guide those stem cells to the area of the heart damaged in a heart attack boosts the heart's retention of those cells and could increase the therapeutic benefit of stem cell therapy for heart disease.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
Rarest of the rare: List of critically endangered species
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KHrEIy_Oj6A/100409162708.htm
The Wildlife Conservation Society released a list of critically endangered species dubbed the "Rarest of the Rare" -- a group of animals most in danger of extinction, ranging from Cuban crocodiles to white-headed langurs in Vietnam.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
Rheumatoid arthritis linked to vitamin D deficiency, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IjXb9ZSqct8/100407121227.htm
Women living in the northeastern United States are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis, suggesting a link between the autoimmune disease and vitamin D deficiency.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
'Start/stop switch' for retroviruses found
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0ottmsICxKc/100407211228.htm
A researcher has discovered a previously unknown mechanism for silencing retroviruses, segments of genetic material that can lead to fatal mutations in a cell's DNA.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
New treatment for social problems in autism? Oxytocin improves emotion recognition
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/84Q9gqDKIPQ/100408105200.htm
In a new study, Australian researchers recruited adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and administered a single dose each of oxytocin and placebo via a nasal spray, received one week apart. Compared to administration of the placebo spray, the subjects' performance on a facial expression task that measures emotion recognition was improved when they received the oxytocin spray.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
Something's wrong with right whales
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kWic0PTfyKc/100409163450.htm
A few years ago, right whales began washing up on the shores of Argentina's Patagonian coast. So far, researchers have counted a total of 308 dead whales since 2005. These right whales in the waters around Peninsula Valdés are amidst the largest die-off of great whales ever recorded. Whatever is killing them remains unknown.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
New model tracks the immune response to a T
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wDKuNdryqUw/100408160856.htm
Researchers have created novel mouse models of the immune system starting with T cells primed for the infectious disease toxoplasmosis by generating cloned mice from these T cells. This type of model more accurately represents how immune cells respond to infectious diseases, and could be used to more reliably study immune cell biology and the role of immune cells in infectious disease. Earlier immune system models are inherently limited by the laboratory procedure involved.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
New agent chokes off energy supply, kills cancer cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bA2kcn3gaic/100407121219.htm
Researchers have designed an experimental drug that chokes off the energy supply of cancer cells. OSU-CG12 is one of a new class of anticancer drugs called energy-restriction mimetic agents. Energy restriction offers a powerful new treatment strategy because it targets a survival mechanism used by many types of cancer. The findings show that it is possible to design energy-restricting drugs, which may also be useful for treating metabolic syndromes, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
Retreating patients with hepatitis C: Telaprevir boosts cure rate
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_c6agU2dU34/100407185950.htm
Adding the investigational drug telaprevir to standard treatment for hepatitis C infection cures about half the patients willing to give therapy a second try. That compares to a cure rate of just 14 percent among those who were retreated with the standard regimen, according to new research.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
Privacy risks from geographic information
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZV7Ffp3Dv1w/100408105232.htm
In today's world more geographic information is being collected about us, such as where we live, where the clinic we visited is located, and where we work. Web sites are also collecting more geographic information about their users. This location information makes it easier to identify individuals, which can raise privacy concerns when location is coupled with basic demographics and sensitive health information. Individuals living in small areas tend to be more easily identifiable because they are unique on their local demographics. A new research study measures how easy it is to determine the identity of individuals using their geographical information. A new research study measures how easy it is to determine the identity of individuals using their geographical information.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
Music therapy fails dyslexics: No link between dyslexia and a lack of musical ability, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DFQKqRfbnQc/100408111313.htm
There is no link between a lack of musical ability and dyslexia. Moreover, attempts to treat dyslexia with music therapy are unwarranted, according to scientists in Belgium.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
Planet-like object found circling a brown dwarf
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/l7eKdGmla8M/100409144354.htm
As our telescopes grow more powerful, astronomers are uncovering objects that defy conventional wisdom. The latest example is the discovery of a planet-like object circling a brown dwarf. It's the right size for a planet, estimated to be 5-10 times the mass of Jupiter. But the object formed in less than 1 million years -- the approximate age of the brown dwarf -- and much faster than the predicted time it takes to build planets according to some theories.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
Migraine sufferers: More difficulty tuning out visual stimuli?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4tGvPBeSKZE/100408163858.htm
When people feel the onset of a migraine headache, they may head to a dark, quiet room to rest. This instinct may be sound: A new study suggests that even without the headache, migraine sufferers may process visual cues better in an environment with few visual distractions.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
Traffic-related pollution near schools linked to development of asthma in pupils, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pecFEnOJdpY/100409142431.htm
Living near major highways has been linked to childhood asthma, but a new study suggests that traffic-related pollution near schools is also contributing to the development of asthma in kids.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
Annual chlamydia screening may not protect women from pelvic inflammatory disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GFCBsKXrvTE/100408194129.htm
It is unlikely that single screening for chlamydia will prevent women developing pelvic inflammatory disease in the following year, according to new research.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
Significant findings about protein architecture may aid in drug design, generation of nanomaterials
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AU8AAY2gwdY/100409105403.htm
Researchers have gleaned key insights into the architecture of a protein that controls iron levels in almost all organisms. Their study culminated in one of the first successful attempts to take apart a complex biological nanostructure and isolate the rules that govern its natural formation.

Sat, 10 Apr 10
Children of combat-deployed parents show increased worries, even after parent returns
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/THTCcYaTO2M/100408161011.htm
Researchers have found that it is the number and lengths of repeated military deployments that cause higher levels of anxiety in children -- and that the anxiety persists even after the deployed parent returns home. Second, they found that the level of anxiety children experience can be predicted by the amount of psychological distress shown by both the active duty and at-home parent.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
DNA nanotechnology: 'Magic Bullets' breakthrough offers promising applications in medicine
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/o35DiYW2hV0/100317161950.htm
Scientists have achieved a major breakthrough in the development of nanotubes. They have developed tiny "magic bullets" that could one day deliver drugs to specific diseased cells. The research involves taking DNA out of its biological context. So rather than being used as the genetic code for life, it becomes a kind of building block for tiny nanometre-scale objects.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Tissue-engineered grafts composed of adult stem cells could one day replace synthetic vascular bypass grafts
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2ud13v3UWoc/100408181653.htm
Using adult stem cells, researchers have created functional blood vessels that could one day replace synthetic grafts often required in various vascular bypass surgeries, according to new research.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
How immune cells 'sniff out' bacteria
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5ZRiDGmggHw/100329203222.htm
Scientists are learning how our immune system senses and tracks down infection in the body by responding to chemical "scents" emitted by bacteria. Studying how immune cells manipulate their movement in response to external signals could shed light not only on how our immune system functions but also how cancer cells spread through the body and even how the brain wires itself.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder linked to high prevalence of epilepsy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MjU8XwnNwbA/100405174936.htm
Children with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) can suffer from many developmental problems. New findings show a very high prevalence of epilepsy/seizures in the FASD population. First-trimester drinking, and drinking during all three trimesters, were the predominant forms of fetal alcohol exposure.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
NASA's Global Hawk completes first science flight
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/v0d3Ba6klRk/100408150742.htm
NASA has successfully completed the first science flight of the Global Hawk unpiloted aircraft system over the Pacific Ocean. The flight was the first of five scheduled for this month's Global Hawk Pacific, or GloPac, mission to study atmospheric science over the Pacific and Arctic oceans.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Family tree research can open a 'Pandora's Box' of secrets that may cause rifts, research says
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vfnvb0SMP-Q/100408194131.htm
People researching their ancestors can open a "Pandora's Box" of secrets that may cause conflict and widen rifts in the family, new research says. While most people derive pleasure and satisfaction from researching their ancestry, for some it brings to light "secrets and skeletons", the study says.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Venus is geologically alive, signs of recent lava flows suggest
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GSETst7Enf0/100408143432.htm
For the first time, scientists have detected clear signs of recent lava flows on the surface of Venus. The observations reveal that volcanoes on Venus appeared to erupt between a few hundred years to 2.5 million years ago. This suggests the planet may still be geologically active, making Venus one of the few worlds in our solar system that has been volcanically active within the last 3 million years.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Fragile X protein loss alters brain pathways responsible for learning and memory
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fvTtAIYfVyc/100408171508.htm
Fragile X syndrome is due to the functional loss of fragile X mental retardation protein in the brain. Researchers are beginning to understand how FMRP regulates signaling pathways in the brain that are essential for learning and memory in adults. In a mouse model of fragile X syndrome, researchers found FMRP plays a key role in regulating adult neurogenesis, the process by which new neurons are generated in the adult brain. Adult neurogenesis is considered important for learning and memory.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
How ducks host influenza unharmed: Could findings shield humans from bird flu viruses?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qRz7aqhGHDw/100330151942.htm
Scientists have identified the genetic detector that allows ducks to live, unharmed, as the host of influenza. The duck's virus detector gene, RIG-I, enables a duck's immune system to contain the virus, which typically spreads from ducks to chickens, where it mutates and can evolve to be a human threat like the H5N1 influenza virus.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Bacterial spray can help children with glue ear
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-XMv_Qvi0vQ/100329093621.htm
Many children have long-term problems with fluid in the middle ear, and sometimes surgery is the only way to shift it. However, a bacterial nasal spray can have the same effect in some children, new research reveals.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Topography reflects Baja quake site's complex geology
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/A8ewegLfGQY/100408150613.htm
The topography surrounding the Laguna Salada fault in the Mexican state of Baja, California, is clearly shown in this combined radar image and topographic view (above) generated with data from NASA's Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). On April 4, 2010, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck along this fault about 64 kilometers (40 miles) south of the Mexico-United States border.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Foster care associated with improved growth, intelligence compared to orphanage care
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/anje0wwzutk/100405174949.htm
Socially deprived children removed from orphanages and placed in foster care appear to experience gains in growth and intelligence, catching up to their non-institutionalized peers on many measures, according to a new report.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Tiny worms employed to unlock keys to herbal medicines
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YaRm7Vr2IKs/100329082009.htm
Researchers have developed a biologic method to tease out which compounds from herbal medicines and medicinal herbal mixtures produce their reputed medicinal benefits. Using tiny worms that live only 20 days, the team sorted out which compounds found in two common Chinese herbal formulations showed most potential for their stated purpose: extending life expectancy. Cinnamon and ginseng won, showing the most promise.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
New way HIV infects women discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Mo1jBpB4Djk/100408171506.htm
Scientists have been puzzled as to how HIV finds its way into the female reproductive tract. The culprit could be HIV itself and what the virus does when it binds to epithelial cells.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
New high-speed integrated circuit for world's biggest physics experiment is fastest of its kind
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7i_KkMlXyOA/100408161013.htm
A new high-speed integrated circuit to reliably transmit data in the demanding environment of the world's largest physics experiment is the fastest of its kind. The "link-on-chip" -- or LOC serializer circuit -- was designed by physicists for use in a key experiment of CERN's Large Hadron Collider particle accelerator. Designed for a high-radiation environment, it can operate at cryogenic temperatures, with high data bandwidth, low-power dissipation and extremely high reliability.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Understanding night blindness and calcium
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/d8TWCLRQJ4k/100401101007.htm
Congenital stationary night blindness, an inherited condition that affects one's ability to see in the dark, is caused by a mutation in a calcium channel protein that shuttles calcium into and out of cells. Now, researchers have teased apart the molecular mechanism behind this mutation, uncovering a more general principle of how cells control calcium levels.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Bacterial 'food supplements' for small algae
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4wi-uxB5MIk/100329203224.htm
To boost their diet of mineral nutrients and sunlight, small algae also feast on bacteria in order to grow and fix carbon dioxide. Understanding more about the lifestyle of small algae -- which are major players in CO2 fixation in the ocean -- could help to improve ecological models of oceanic and global changes.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Soccer reduces risk of falls and bone fractures, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/coDQa83rCUA/100303103152.htm
An extensive research project has studied the effects of soccer on muscle strength, postural balance, bone mineral density and reflex response among adult women and men. Five new scientific articles show that regular participation in soccer increases bone mass and bone density, causes a significant improvement in standing postural balance and improves muscle strength. Together, these effects reduce the risk of falls and bone fractures.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Light and dark face of a star-forming nebula
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Mjd0bSGYBTE/100331081135.htm
Astronomers have unveiled an image of the little known Gum 19, a faint nebula that, in the infrared, appears dark on one half and bright on the other. On one side hot hydrogen gas is illuminated by a supergiant blue star called V391 Velorum. New star formation is taking place within the ribbon of luminous and dark material that brackets V391 Velorum's left in this perspective. After many millennia, these fledgling stars, coupled with the explosive demise of V391 Velorum as a supernova, will likely alter Gum 19's present Janus-like appearance.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Cold fronts linked to European H5N1 outbreaks
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ss66sKGU6ek/100408171504.htm
Avian influenza (H5N1) outbreaks in Europe during the winter of 2005-2006 occurred at the edge of cold weather fronts, according to researchers. Their results show that these outbreaks were driven by aggregated movements of wild waterbirds away from areas of frozen water.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
St. John's wort collection mined for its medicinal value
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KSqxNDySuv0/100330151945.htm
A unique collection of St. John's wort (Hypericum) is providing researchers with genetically diverse, well-documented sources of this herb to use in studies examining its medicinal potential.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Battling a biceps injury
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7rUejamzD4o/100303103156.htm
People who suffer from injuries to the distal biceps tendon may benefit from earlier surgical intervention and new surgical techniques, according to a review article.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Combustion residue lowers carbon dioxide emissions in concrete
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ja1fyLZS4TM/100329082011.htm
The cement used in Oslo's new Bjørvika tunnel kept 8,000 tonnes of CO2 from entering the environment – the equivalent of 60 million vehicle trips through the tunnel.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Your social network may affect your drinking habits
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/txnPx_6XVzA/100405174942.htm
According to a new study, the drinking habits of the people in your extended social group play a major role in determining your own rate of alcohol consumption.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Nanotechnology: New principle in material science discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/w3qE0jGVdb4/100407134817.htm
Engineers have discovered a new mechanism that governs the peak strength of nanostructured metals. They found that the deformation of nanotwinned metals is characterized by the motion of highly ordered, necklace-like patterns of crystal defects called dislocations. The finding could lead to stronger and more ductile metals.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Scientific breakthrough in combating HIV-1 virus
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/F0U6PS6igNs/100408171510.htm
Scientists have made major breakthrough in understanding how the Vpu protein of HIV-1 interferes with the antiviral activity of Tetherin, a novel effector of innate immunity, and contributes to the spread of HIV-1 in humans.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Sharks from deep waters of Cantabrian Sea are opportunist hunters
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mdpv4i631ms/100317101338.htm
A team of Spanish researchers has studied the diet of three species of sharks living in the deep waters in the area of El Cachucho, the first Protected Marine Area in Spain, which is located in the Cantabrian Sea off the coast of Asturias. These animals feed on the resources available in their environment, according to changes taking place in the ocean depths.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Delaying post-surgical radiation increases risk of breast cancer recurrence in older women, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qtO30SczKTY/100303131701.htm
Older women who have had breast cancer surgery have a greater risk of the cancer returning if they delay their post-surgical radiation treatment.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Reducing yield loss for crops under stress
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qribux4DTo4/100330102833.htm
New research could show how plants in dry areas of the world can overcome the stress of the environment and produce profitable crops. Understanding and eventually curbing crop susceptibility to certain stresses could allow for higher yields during drought years in the agricultural areas of the world. It may also allow drier areas of the planet to support sustainable yields and profitable crops.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Fatal injuries increase in older Americans
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6R07QpLxedc/100405152755.htm
The risk of dying from injuries is increasing for Americans ages 65 and older according to a new report, which found significant increases in death rates from falls, machinery, motorcycle crashes and unintentional poisoning.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Variations on the genetic theme: Researchers present global map of human gene expression
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/meshKPcDzrU/100408105154.htm
Just like members of an orchestra are active at different times although playing the same piece of music, every cell in our body contains the same genetic sequence but expresses this differently to give rise to cells and tissues with specialized properties. By integrating gene expression data from an unprecedented variety of human tissue samples, researchers have for the first time produced a global map of gene expression.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
An explanation for the so-called 'broken-heart syndrome'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/eEhXcCyrOjY/100408095504.htm
Cardiologists have identified the mechanism underlying the Tako-Tsubo syndrome, characterized by a balloon-shaped heart. The heart takes on that particular shape after a strong emotional stress and shows symptoms similar to the ones of the infarction, although it is a much less serious disease.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Preterm birth rate drops 3 percent
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7-XrMKT86bg/100406163030.htm
New U.S. nationwide statistics show a 3 percent decline in the preterm birth rate, according to a new report. The preterm birth rate dropped to 12.3 percent. That's down from the 2007 preliminary rate of 12.7 percent. The declines follow a more than 20 percent increase in the preterm birth rate between 1990 and 2006.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
How disorder at microscopic level reveals important changes in behavior of matter
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/APq7LTbsEaA/100407123348.htm
Researchers describe the new trends in research on disordered systems using ultracold gases that could have important consequences both for understanding complex physics processes and for building future quantum simulators and computers.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Hooking up or dating: Who benefits?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/94Ty5WzEBUA/100407094502.htm
Researchers explored the reasons that motivate college men and women to hook up or to date, as well as the perceived relative benefits and costs of the two practices.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Autism study reveals a 'DNA tag' (methylation) amenable to treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1oOYAOfKbVM/100408123245.htm
A new discovery raises hope that autism may be more easily diagnosed and that its effects may be more reversible than previously thought. Scientists have identified a way to detect the disorder using blood and have discovered that drugs which affect the methylation state ("DNA tagging") of genes could reverse autism's effects. This type of drug is already being used in some cancer treatments.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Natural gas potential assessed in Eastern Mediterranean
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NhqMISbC_bM/100408132812.htm
An estimated 122 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered, technically recoverable natural gas are in the Levant Basin Province, located in the Eastern Mediterranean region. This is the first U.S. Geological Survey assessment of this basin to identify potentially extractable resources.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
A tumor suppressor in the gastrointestinal tract
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4JbEtHyvKLo/100408095510.htm
Colorectal cancer is a major type of human cancer. Knowledge regarding the molecular basis for the etiology of this disease can help in identifying novel biomarkers for its early diagnosis or in improving the efficacy of interventionregimens. A recent study revealed that Recql5 knockout in mice resulted in increased tumorigenesis in a number of organ/tissue systems, but not in the GI tract.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Convergent evolution in lignin biosynthesis: Tools for re-engineering biomass composition
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qgWPjWhYDSE/100406133705.htm
The plant cell wall component lignin, a complex phenolic polymer, is valued for its energy content, but inhibits biomass breakdown for cellulosic ethanol. Investigators have now identified an alternative pathway for synthesis of syringyl lignin in the lycophyte Selaginella moellendorffii. This pathway, a likely example of convergent evolution, could be used to alter lignin composition in transgenic plants.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Family gets in the way of work for materialistic individuals, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/x8ZX6nyYVr4/100408141302.htm
The more materialistic individuals are, the more likely they are to view their family as an obstacle to work, according to a new study.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
NASA demonstrates novel ocean-powered underwater vehicle
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/topnV_bP7ug/100405142152.htm
NASA, U.S. Navy and university researchers have successfully demonstrated the first robotic underwater vehicle to be powered entirely by natural, renewable, ocean thermal energy.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Novel nanoparticle vaccine cures type 1 diabetes in mice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mFwUnaJRmEI/100408121054.htm
Using a sophisticated nanotechnology-based "vaccine," researchers were able to successfully cure mice with type 1 diabetes and slow the onset of the disease in mice at risk for the disease. The study provides new and important insights into understanding how to stop the immune attack that causes type 1 diabetes, and could even have implications for other autoimmune diseases.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Asteroid to fly by within Moon's orbit
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6gFrKiizsp0/100408150503.htm
A newly discovered asteroid, 2010 GA6, was expected to fly safely by Earth April 8. At time of closest approach 2010 GA6 will be about 359,000 kilometers (223,000 miles) away from Earth -- about 9/10ths the distance to the moon. The asteroid, approximately 22 meters (71 feet) wide, was discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey, Tucson, Az.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Gene variation among kidney donors associated with graft failure
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jY7IZA83rUs/100406162939.htm
Among kidney transplant donors, variation of a gene that is an inhibitor of the development of fibrous connective tissue is significantly associated with an increased risk of graft failure, according to a new study.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
Agricultural scientists develop self-pollinating almond trees
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GY36vg0G1AE/100406163028.htm
Self-pollinating almond trees that can produce a bountiful harvest without insect pollination are being developed by agricultural scientists.

Fri, 9 Apr 10
People at lower socioeconomic levels have higher death rates within 5-10 years after heart surgery, regardless of race, gender
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KP9WXzSjewA/100406162947.htm
People at lower socioeconomic levels die more often within five to 10 years after heart surgery than those at higher socioeconomic levels, regardless of race and gender, according to new research.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Astronomers take close-up pictures of mysterious dark object
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OxBHD5ZSTQk/100407134815.htm
For the first time, astronomers have directly observed the mysterious dark companion in a binary star system that has puzzled skywatchers since the 19th century.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Human enzyme that breaks down potentially toxic nanomaterials identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uqMcXbI2KMg/100407155651.htm
A new study provides the first identification of a human enzyme that can biodegrade carbon nanotubes -- the superstrong materials found in products from electronics to plastics -- and in laboratory tests offset the potentially damaging health effects of being exposed to the tiny components, according to new findings.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Aquatic ecosystems threatened by the size of non-native fish
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZBulpKumLUg/100327074402.htm
Fish introduced into rivers by human intervention over the past 150 years have modified the average body size of fish assemblages in many areas of the world. A new study shows that non-native fish are larger than native species by an average of 12 cm.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
CT and MRI scans associated with shorter hospital stays and decreased costs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HQz1x74V5ZA/100401085352.htm
Advanced imaging techniques such as computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging might shorten the length of a person's hospital stay and decrease the high costs associated with hospitalization if used early, according to a new study.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Household detergents, shampoos may form harmful substance in waste water
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3k2bMfCp89k/100407110819.htm
Scientists are reporting evidence that certain ingredients in shampoo, detergents and other household cleaning agents may be a source of precursor materials for formation of a suspected cancer-causing contaminant in water supplies that receive water from sewage treatment plants. The study sheds new light on possible environmental sources of this poorly understood water contaminant, called NDMA, which is of ongoing concern to health officials.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Doctor warns against St. John's wort for anxiety
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tiB3HjoB_FM/100406151151.htm
In a broad-based review of studies focused on drugs that treat anxiety, a doctor found no evidence supporting the use of so-called "natural" treatments in combating the effects of anxiety.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Controls for animals' color designs revealed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IPaJYJNmQ8Y/100407134812.htm
The vivid colors and designs animals use to interact with their environments have awed and inspired since before people learned to draw on the cave wall. But how different creatures in the animal kingdom -- from colorful birds and reef fish to butterflies and snakes -- make and deploy their artful designs is one of nature's deepest secrets. Now, however, a team of researchers has exposed the fine details of how animals make new body ornamentation from scratch.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Does smoking compound other multiple sclerosis risk factors?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MYF-Fww2os8/100407161734.htm
A new study shows that smoking may increase the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) in people who also have specific established risk factors for MS.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Lab-on-a-chip can carry out complex analyses on the spot
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/x6bNol9n1kQ/100319210434.htm
Many illnesses can be reliably diagnosed through laboratory tests, but these in vitro analyses often use up valuable time. A new system, which can carry out complex analyses on the spot, will soon be ready for the market.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Walking associated with lower stroke risk in women
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/InaMzr0gOdM/100406162945.htm
Women who walked two or more hours a week or who usually walked at a brisk pace had a significantly lower risk of stroke than women who didn't walk, according to a large, long-term study.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Mexican cuisine: Keeping queso fresco fresh
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uXNzNos5GZ0/100323171632.htm
Queso fresco, a quintessential ingredient in Mexican cuisine, would retain higher quality in supermarket display cases if stored at a lower temperature.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Depression associated with sustained brain signals: Genetic mutation in mice elevates their risk of stress-induced depression
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/m6SpGHcnFMw/100406073639.htm
Genetics may have some role in the predisposition of some people to the effects of stress, as changes in a gene that regulates brain signals are associated with depression. Scientists have now created a mouse with these same genetic changes. These mice show signs characteristic of depression and social anxiety and they provide some insight into the neurological effects that may influence vulnerability to depression in humans.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Thick-shelled turtle species lived with world's biggest snake, reveals fossil found in Columbian coal mine
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CJS4C1P_m1I/100406133714.htm
The discovery of a new fossil turtle species in Colombia's Cerrejón coal mine by researchers helps to explain the origin of one of the most biodiverse groups of turtles in South America.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
For osteoporosis patients, exercise pill one step closer to reality
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/itDOWGHEg-Q/100407094454.htm
For osteoporosis patients unable to exercise, help may be on the way. That's because scientists have discovered precisely how mechanical stress, such as exercise, promotes new bone growth. This opens the door to entirely new therapies that can trick bones into thinking they are getting a workout.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Scientists believe birds can teach us about healthy eating
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QCBdCpLhWz0/100324155357.htm
Two scientists believe that birds choose certain berries because they offer protection against oxidative stress that occurs during long flights. Oxidative stress can lead to inflammation and a variety of diseases in birds and humans.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Ninety percent of children with intermittent exotropia will become nearsighted by 20 years of age
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1En1_5zrAzg/100407094458.htm
Intermittent exotropia is a condition in which the eyes turn outward while looking at an object. Researchers followed 135 patients with intermittent exotropia over a 20-year period and found that slightly more than 90 percent of these children became nearsighted by the time they reached their 20s.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Ridge in Norway could become CO2 storage laboratory site
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hszCWBl-Zng/100315231558.htm
The Svelvik Ridge in southern Norway could quite literally become a green laboratory later this year: a unique tool for scientists who are developing the technology needed for secure underground storage of captured CO₂.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Exercise associated with reduced effects of obesity gene in teens
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0IcFjnsuKSI/100406205027.htm
Performance of an hour or more of physical activity per day by adolescents is associated with control of body weight even among those who are genetically predisposed to obesity, according to a new study.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Neptune's Moon Triton: Summer sky of methane and carbon monoxide
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sSnjJqtUpVk/100407094452.htm
According to the first ever infrared analysis of the atmosphere of Neptune's moon Triton, summer is in full swing in its southern hemisphere. Astronomers discovered carbon monoxide and made the first ground-based detection of methane in Triton's thin atmosphere. These observations revealed that the thin atmosphere varies seasonally, thickening when warmed.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Gene provides a link between lower birth weight and type 2 diabetes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/84soxuwiKSc/100407110852.htm
New research uncovers two genetic regions that influence birth weight. One of the regions is also associated with type 2 diabetes, which helps to explain why small babies have higher rates of diabetes in later life.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Scans of brain networks may help predict injury's effects
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/azSMTbx7jRs/100323110103.htm
Clinicians may be able to better predict the effects of strokes and other brain injuries by adapting a scanning approach originally developed for study of brain organization, neurologists have found.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Older people and those with HIV are more vulnerable to tuberculosis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_4G4ZbKxDIc/100324094634.htm
A new study has revealed those sections of the population that are most vulnerable to tuberculosis. The research shows that the highest death rates from this disease are among those aged over 50 or infected with HIV.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
American pika are thriving in the Sierra Nevada and southwestern Great Basin
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/U8q0-uJ-rzM/100304093645.htm
The American pika tolerates cold climate environments through physiological and behavioral adaptations which may make them sensitive to even mildly warm climates. Vulnerability of pika habitat to global warming has been an escalating concern, causing speculation that the range of suitable habitat will contract upward in elevation as lower elevation site temperatures increase. Addressing this question, scientists found that pika persist in a wider range of temperatures than previously discovered.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Girls at risk for depression may not process reward and loss properly
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OQaPoop9hq4/100406205500.htm
Young girls at high risk for depression, but who have not experienced any symptoms, show differences in neural response patterns when processing the possibility of receiving a reward or sustaining a loss, according to a new study.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Bacteria divide like clockwork: Cell division in cyanobacteria controlled by same kind of circadian rhythms that govern human sleep
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JTvDoaVs4bE/100318141544.htm
Scientists have shown how cell division in a type of bacteria known as cyanobacteria is controlled by the same kind of circadian rhythms that govern human sleep patterns. Previous studies have shown that even though cyanobacteria do not "sleep" in the same way that humans do, they cycle through active and resting periods on a 24-hour schedule. Cyanobacteria depend on sunlight for photosynthesis, so they are most active during the day.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
What insulin (and leptin) say to the brain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_QqDhXYbGsQ/100406125538.htm
Researchers report new evidence to explain just what message insulin delivers to our brains. The study also shows that leptin, an appetite suppressant hormone produced in fat tissue, delivers at least a partially overlapping message to the neurons that critically control energy balance. It's only when both receptors go missing from those so-called POMC neurons in mice that the animals show signs of systemic insulin resistance as their blood sugar levels rise.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Omega-3: Healthy no matter what?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4vcAHcUPcRk/100406133522.htm
The health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids are widely accepted. But how can these nutrients be absorbed most effectively into the body? And do they have any potentially negative effects? Norwegian researchers are seeking answers to these questions.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Identifying molecular targets for diabetes-related erectile dysfunction
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0pKnooXwZCI/100406172650.htm
Researchers have identified some of the molecular changes that accompany the onset of diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction, which may lead to markers that will help identify ED risk as well as new potential drug targets.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Tough new spuds take on double trouble
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kec-Zwa76Ms/100303113954.htm
Five new potato breeding lines being tested by agricultural scientists could open the door to new varieties of the crop that resist powdery scab and black dot diseases.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Symptoms of depression increase during medical internship
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VPW-K8pFlkM/100406205354.htm
The percentage of clinicians who meet criteria for depression appears to increase significantly during medical internship, according to a new study. Increased work hours, stressful life events, genetic predisposition and receiving a medical education in the United States are among the factors that appear to be associated with depressive symptoms among medical interns.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Carbon dioxide may explain 'near death experiences'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JCviohXDrE4/100407192448.htm
Near death experiences, reported to include sensations such as life flashing before the eyes, feelings of peace and joy, and apparent encounters with mystical entities, may be caused by raised levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. Researchers investigated the unexplained events in 52 cardiac arrest patients.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Supplement your stem cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7LhET6fU5sE/100407192446.htm
A nutritional supplement could stimulate the production of stem cells integral for repairing the body. New research suggests that a commercially-available supplement can increase the blood circulation of hematopoietic stem cells, which can give rise to all blood cells, and endothelial progenitor cells, which repair damage to blood vessels.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Traditional Inuit knowledge combines with science to shape weather insights
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/H0YkoaJ0BhI/100407190000.htm
Inuit forecasters in the Canadian Arctic equipped with generations of observational experiences are helping scientists learn more about Arctic weather by providing information and stories that can be combined with statistical climate measurements.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Vitamin C and E supplements do not reduce risk for blood pressure disorders of pregnancy, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/11U4V7A0HIk/100407185952.htm
Taking vitamin C and E supplements starting in early pregnancy does not reduce the risk for the hypertensive disorders and their complications that occur during pregnancy, according to a new study.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
FDNY rescue workers show lasting lung damage from 9/11 World Trade Center dust
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WKmwE0DqFMs/100407185947.htm
A study of nearly 13,000 rescue workers from the Fire Department of the City of New York shows that the significant proportion who suffered acute lung damage after exposure to World Trade Center dust have not recovered normal lung function in the years since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Getting heavier, younger: generational shift in obesity found
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dZq1aAMinjc/100407155649.htm
If you were born between 1966-1985 chances are you weigh more than your mother did at the same age, according to a new study. The study shows Americans are becoming heavier younger and carrying extra weight for longer periods over their lifetime.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Identifying smokers at highest risk for developing lung cancer: Researchers find new approach
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AKWsY8_U4YM/100407144703.htm
Researchers have discovered a new approach for identifying smokers at the highest risk for developing lung cancer. The findings will allow the researchers to use a genomic approach to prevent lung cancer in these individuals and to personalize cancer chemoprophylaxis and therapy.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Plant growth aided by insect-feeding animals
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/A3Kl1Ahle8A/100407134819.htm
Add insect-feeding birds, bats and lizards to the front lines of the battle against global climate change.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Genetic factor shown to regulate both heart failure and aneurysm disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TRg25YXluaw/100407144700.htm
Researchers have identified a major indicator of two deadly diseases of the heart and blood vessels: heart failure and aortic aneurysm. The absence of the Kruppel-like Factor 15 (KLF15), when combined with stress, leads to both heart failure and aortic aneurysms. The genetic factor, KLF15, protects the heart and aorta's ability to maintain structural and functional integrity.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Eastern US forests resume decline
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Pv6SEIpvo-U/100407094447.htm
A comprehensive study finds that urban expansion is the main cause of a net loss of forested land in the eastern United States over recent decades. Loss is most pronounced in the Southeastern Plains.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Toward a better dining experience: The emerging science of molecular gastronomy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/N8L6G843kOs/100407110821.htm
A new and relatively little-known scientific discipline called molecular gastronomy has quietly revolutionized the dining experience in some famous restaurants and promises to foster a wider revolution in other restaurant and home kitchens.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Spectacular new giant fruit-eating lizard species discovered in Sierra Madres of northern Philippines
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zX6CXvqQqVQ/100407104032.htm
A new species of monitor lizard has been discovered by an international team of biologists in the Sierra Madres of the northern Philippines. The new species -- Varanus bitatawa -- grows up to 2 meters long, displays bright yellow and black stripes and spots across its back, and eats mainly fruit and snails.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Folic acid in dietary supplements could increase risk of breast cancer, Swedish research suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jEh_tBeAOXQ/100407123342.htm
In most women folate, a type of B vitamin, reduces the risk of breast cancer. However, in women with a certain genetic make-up it has shown to be the opposite: folate raises the risk of breast cancer, according to a Swedish nutrition researcher.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Evidence that nanoparticles in sunscreens could be toxic if accidentally eaten
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0zSQTFhwf54/100407110824.htm
Scientists are reporting that particle size affects the toxicity of zinc oxide, a material widely used in sunscreens. Particles smaller than 100 nanometers are slightly more toxic to colon cells than conventional zinc oxide. Solid zinc oxide was more toxic than equivalent amounts of soluble zinc, and direct particle to cell contact was required to cause cell death.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Did seasonal flu vaccination increase the risk of infection with pandemic H1N1 flu?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JhJc78Ub6_k/100406172635.htm
In September 2009, news stories reported that researchers in Canada had found an increased risk of pandemic H1N1 influenza in people who had previously been vaccinated against seasonal influenza. Their research, consisting of four different studies, has now undergone further scientific peer review.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
New research may revolutionize ceramics manufacturing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/771ERqB8r_c/100407094500.htm
Researchers have developed a new way to shape ceramics using a modest electric field, making the process significantly more energy efficient. The process should result in significant cost savings for ceramics manufacturing over traditional manufacturing methods.

Thu, 8 Apr 10
Worsening memory associated with later Alzheimer's disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xRGzBNuQpL4/100406205315.htm
Subjective memory impairment, or mild deficits in memory that may or may not cause worry for an individual, appear to predict progression to more advanced stages of cognitive impairment and dementia, according to a new study.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Student uses skin as input for mobile devices
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PFytYc4EOZM/100406125547.htm
A combination of simple bio-acoustic sensors and some sophisticated machine learning makes it possible for people to use their fingers or forearms -- potentially, any part of their bodies -- as touchpads to control smart phones or other mobile devices.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
The skinny on brown fat
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IeNFDO9rSiI/100406125536.htm
Last year, researchers made a game-changing realization: brown fat, the energy-burning stuff that keeps babies warm, isn't just for the youngest among us. Adults have it, too (if they are lucky, anyway), and it is beginning to look like the heat-generating tissue might hold considerable metabolic importance for familiar and irritating trends, like our tendency to put on extra weight as we age.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Eating like a bird helps forests grow
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xiOZ8Md2vNI/100405152543.htm
Lions, tigers and bears top the ecological pyramid -- the diagram of the food chain that every school child knows. A new study examines complex interactions in the middle of the pyramid, where birds, bats and lizards consume insects. These predators indirectly benefit plants, scientists report.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
New test could identify smokers at risk of emphysema
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sFBOFfN0abg/100406101450.htm
CT scans that measure blood flow in the lungs of people who smoke may offer a way to identify which smokers are most at risk of emphysema before the disease damages and eventually destroys areas of the lungs. The discovery may also improve understanding of the underlying causes of emphysema; help distinguish it from other forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and help test the effectiveness of emphysema therapies.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Quantum mechanics demonstrated in motion of objects large enough to see with naked eye
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5A4474j0JRM/100318175003.htm
Researchers have provided the first clear demonstration that the theory of quantum mechanics applies to the mechanical motion of an object large enough to be seen by the naked eye. Their work satisfies a longstanding goal among physicists.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Childhood sleep problems and alcohol/drug problems in young adulthood
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NCvzF90J4-4/100405174940.htm
Childhood sleep problems are relatively common in the US. A new study has found that individuals with troubles sleeping during childhood and adolescence, as well as poor response inhibition during adolescence, have subsequent substance use and substance-related problems during young adulthood.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Our universe at home within a larger universe? So suggests physicist's wormhole research
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NUCmaQ7vJHU/100406172648.htm
Could our universe be located within the interior of a wormhole which itself is part of a black hole that lies within a much larger universe?

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Electronic Nose Sniffs Out Asthma
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IRaPdrhsb6A/100406160252.htm
New evidence shows that an "electronic nose" containing an array of gas sensors may have the ability to identify asthma in patients.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Computer program allows car to stay in its lane without human control
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hv5q0Nefc10/100406093630.htm
Researchers have created a computer program that allows a car to stay in its lane without human control, opening the door to the development of new automobile safety features and military applications that could save lives.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Poisoning by prescription drugs on the rise
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Kut1XWQGp8I/100406073637.htm
On the rise for more than 15 years, poisoning is now the second leading cause of unintentional injury death in the United States. Unintentional poisoning has surpassed motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of unintentional injury death among people 35. In a new study, researchers found that hospitalizations for poisoning by prescription opioids, sedatives and tranquilizers in the US have increased by 65 percent from 1999 to 2006.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Far-flung pine pollen still potent miles from the tree: Long-lived pine pollen might hinder containing transgenic trees
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zTSaRfC7u04/100405091943.htm
A new study suggests that pollen from the loblolly pine -- the most commonly planted tree in the southern US -- can still germinate after drifting long distances. The answer could have profound implications if and when the USDA approves transgenic trees. Far-flung pollen makes it difficult to prevent traits developed in transgenic trees from spreading to their wild counterparts, researchers say.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Unconscious learning uses old parts of the brain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Z4PgUVUJNEk/100406093520.htm
A new study provides evidence that basic human learning systems use areas of the brain that also exist in the most primitive vertebrates, such as certain fish, reptiles and amphibians. The study involved an investigation into the limbic striatum, one of the evolutionarily oldest parts of the brain, and the ability to learn movements, consciously and unconsciously, through repetition.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Nuclear missing link created at last: Superheavy element 117
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zicAfNbWzXI/100406181611.htm
The lifetime of element 117, which has now been created in the lab for the first time, confirms that superheavy elements lie in an island of stability on the periodic table.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Breast cancer patients with BRCA mutations four times more likely to get cancer in opposite breast
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/V4h1Udo48fQ/100405174946.htm
Women with breast cancer before age 55 who carry an inherited mutation in the breast cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 or BRCA2 are four times more likely to develop cancer in the breast opposite, or contralateral, to their initial tumor as compared to breast cancer patients without these genetic defects.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Rising water temperatures found in US streams and rivers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/35q90dxRdFg/100406101444.htm
New research by ecologists and hydrologists shows that water temperatures are increasing in many streams and rivers throughout the United States. The research documents that 20 major US streams and rivers -- including such prominent rivers as the Colorado, Potomac, Delaware, and Hudson -- have shown statistically significant long-term warming.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Genetic variants associated with a risk of Crohn's disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/41ToBO0i0h8/100406125534.htm
The likelihood of three genetic variants being associated with a risk of Crohn's disease is lower than many previous studies indicated, according to a new research article.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Keeping cattle cool and stress-free
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/t42sZQ0ZjWs/100325171223.htm
Scientists are identifying the causes of heat stress in cattle and finding ways to manage it which is helping producers deal with this significant production problem.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Groundbreaking cyber espionage report released; Identifies Dalai Lama as target
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oQUoC2uahTc/100406093508.htm
Information security experts have released a report documenting a complex ecosystem of cyber espionage that systematically targeted and compromised computer systems in India, the Offices of the Dalai Lama, the United Nations and several other countries.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Cancer protective effect of fruits and vegetables may be modest at best
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7Hfy6mQHEgI/100406162941.htm
An analysis of dietary data from more than 400,000 men and women found only a weak association between high fruit and vegetable intake and reduced overall cancer risk, according to a new study.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Obesity in infants can be diagnosed at 6 months, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oKmfuCfPyzY/100406093632.htm
Obesity can be detected in infants as young as 6 months, according to a new study.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
New tool developed for DNA research
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-T4ZW4FErDw/100406093526.htm
Luminescent markers are an indispensable tool for researchers working with DNA. But the markers are troublesome. Some tend to destroy the function and structure of DNA when inserted. Others emit so little light, that they can barely be detected in the hereditary material. So researchers have been asking for alternative markers.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Common test for detecting liver problems in children is often interpreted incorrectly, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pvA9rBFsZ8I/100401101055.htm
New research shows that the test most commonly used to screen pediatric patients for chronic liver disease is often incorrectly interpreted in many children's hospitals throughout the United States.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Next-generation sequencing technology applied to commercial cattle in Canada
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dsNbJvV99kI/100322092059.htm
Scientists in Alberta have successfully sequenced the genome of two influential bulls, one beef and one dairy, the first animals to have been fully sequenced in Canada.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Scientific risk-taking by young students fades with age, research suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Fp5I70_3kAE/100406093514.htm
A scientific theory may fail or succeed initially and be shot down later. Now put yourself in the shoes of elementary school students faced with stating an idea and then facing criticism. This summer, the nation's elementary school science teachers are being told to read about the issue.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Northwest lava flows could have altered Earth’s climate, wiped out species, new evidence suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/X2K9qQl3nIU/100406142602.htm
New research suggests the volcanic birth of the Northwest's Columbia Plateau happened much more quickly than previously thought and with an intensity that may have changed the earth's climate and caused some plants and animals to go extinct.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Childhood cancer survivors may face shortened lifespan, study reveals
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/D4rO-S5M5u0/100406093638.htm
Although more children today are surviving cancer than ever before, young patients successfully treated in the 1970s and 80s may live a decade less, on average, than the general population, according to a new study. Depending on the type of cancer, the estimated loss of life expectancy ranges from four years to more than 17 years.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Savvy injection molding
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NApGVTZAU0s/100406093522.htm
With the help of neural networks, in which complex algorithms are used to monitor critical process steps, engineers are paving the way for zero-defect production in the area of metal powder injection molding. The gain for manufacturers is less waste combined with time savings.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Leber congenital amaurosis: Gene therapy for blindness works only when specific mutation present
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ixgTqdpR3O4/100406093634.htm
Leber congenital amaurosis is a congenital retinal dystrophy present in approximately 1 of 80,000 births. Recently, there has been progress in gene therapy for this condition. In a recent study, researchers found that only a limited number of patients possess the exact genetic mutation necessary for a positive outcome.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
From oil sector to wind power
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KZuFFghXlAo/100329082013.htm
Eying the vast potential for establishing wind farms at sea, companies along Norway’s west coast are making the leap from offshore oil to offshore wind power.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Soccer improves health, fitness and social abilities
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/G28vIX3PN2g/100406093524.htm
Soccer is a pleasurable sport that provides an all-round fitness and can be used as treatment for lifestyle-related diseases. Men worry less when playing soccer than when running. Women's soccer creates we-stories and helps women stay active. The above statements are taken from the results from an extensive soccer research project involving more than 50 researchers from seven countries. The researchers studied physiological, psychological and sociological aspects of recreational soccer and compared it with running.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Geologist connects regular changes of Earth's orbital cycle to changes in climate
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3wh5rlSxZGk/100406133707.htm
In an analysis of the past 1.2 million years, a geologist examining ocean sediment cores has discovered a pattern that connects the regular changes of Earth's orbital cycle to changes in the Earth's climate.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Ultrasensitive detector pinpoints big problem in tiny fetal heart
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TiiZB4KHz4o/100405175136.htm
One of the most powerful magnetic detectors in the world is helping screen high-risk pregnant patients for rare but very serious fetal heart rhythm problems. The ultrasensitive detector measures magnetic signals coming from the tiny beating hearts of fetuses.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Brain tumors: Tissue stem cell turning into tumor stem cell
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5K4qusmQIag/100401100957.htm
Scientists have shown for the first time that malignant brain tumors arise directly from brain stem cells. Overproduction of the protein Tlx in mice stimulates the development of malignant brain tumors from brain stem cells. Tlx also plays an important role in glioblastoma, the most malignant of human brain cancers. Therefore, the discovery of Tlx might provide the first target for a specific therapy against glioblastoma.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Immune system's guard against cancer: How immuno-messenger substances can inhibit tumour growth
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/p5IpAG-Y_yE/100406074639.htm
The human body has developed various mechanisms, through which it can protect itself against newly-developing cancer cells. For instance, killer-cells recognize and destroy altered cells in our organs every day. Once tumors have developed, they may be inhibited in growth by messenger substances from the immune system. Scientists have now succeeded to reveal a completely unexpected function of such an immunological messenger substance in the suppression of tumors -- the molecule beta-interferon inhibits the tumor in its attempts to connect into the human blood circulatory system. Moreover, it hinders the production of growth factors that support the formation of new blood vessels. The conclusion: the tumor cannot grow.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Mushrooms grown on bay and eucalyptus leaves change flavor
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HOGCkDN87EE/100401101519.htm
Mushrooms grown on mulch made from bay and eucalyptus leaves experience changes in flavor and, to a small degree, in color, while those grown on bay leaves are better in quality, according to a study carried out by Argentinean researchers. The objective is to make use of waste generated by the essential oils industry.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Synergy between behavioral and pharmacologic interventions for ADHD
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7mQAkGy-054/100406125719.htm
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental health disorders affecting children and adolescents. Children with ADHD are excessively restless, impulsive, and distractible and experience difficulties at home and in school. Problems inhibiting behavior are a common theme for ADHD symptoms.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Archaeologists uncover land before wheel; site untouched for 6,000 years
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AKtZ5_BcAwA/100406133712.htm
A team of archaeologists from the U.S. and Syria is uncovering new clues about a prehistoric society that formed the foundation of urban life in the Middle East prior to invention of the wheel.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Early steps in Parkinson's pathology revealed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/eDfSThHUNs4/100406125541.htm
Although the cause of Parkinson's disease remains a mystery, scientists now have a better understanding of the earliest stages of abnormal aggregation of a key disease-associated protein. The research provides new insight into the first steps in the formation of neurotoxic structures called Lewy bodies that are the hallmark of the Parkinson's brain.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Researchers holding steady in an atomic-scale tug-of-war
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sgOK6MfGQ7Y/100401130246.htm
A research team has built an ultra-stable instrument for tugging on chains of atoms, an instrument that can maneuver and hold the position of an atomic probe to within 5 picometers.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Device to revolutionize preventive blood clot care after joint replacement surgery
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WVgq0pbJcn0/100406093518.htm
A mobile compression device is as effective as medication at preventing the formation of blood clots after hip replacement surgery but provides greater patient safety.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Coral disease in Hawaii: Rapid response team investigates coral disease outbreak in Kaneohe Bay, O'ahu
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EvR1Ecll7e8/100402110141.htm
An outbreak of a disease called Montipora White syndrome was found in Kaneohe Bay, O'ahu within the last month prompting an interagency response team composed of scientists and students to document the extent, spread and potential causes of the disease.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Child sexual abuse: A risk factor for pregnancy, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/b9M6myCVMOk/100406073255.htm
A new study has found that women who were victims of sexual abuse in childhood reported higher levels of depression and symptoms of post-trauma during pregnancy.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Cold atoms and nanotubes come together in an atomic 'black hole'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Zqb5LlQOfas/100406125716.htm
Carbon nanotubes, long touted for applications in materials and electronics, may also be the stuff of atomic-scale black holes. Physicists have found that a high-voltage nanotube can cause cold atoms to spiral inward under dramatic acceleration before disintegrating violently. Their experiments are the first to demonstrate something akin to a black hole at atomic scale.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Mouth breathing can cause major health problems
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Oh6CqEGn8fk/100406125714.htm
For some, the phrase "spring is in the air" is quite literal. When the winter snow melts and flowers bloom, pollen and other materials can wreak havoc on those suffering from seasonal allergies, usually causing a habit called "mouth breathing." The physical, medical and social problems associated with mouth breathing are not recognized by most health care professionals, according to a new study.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Commercial fishing estimated to kill millions of sea turtles
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/skMJZmwsIz8/100406125549.htm
The number of sea turtles inadvertently snared by commercial fishing gear over the past 20 years may reach into the millions, according to the first peer-reviewed study to compile sea turtle bycatch data from gillnet, trawl and longline fisheries worldwide.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Cardiology: Protecting heart muscle cells from death
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NUKkgDFowzM/100401220406.htm
A team of researchers has identified a role for the protein connexin 43 in protecting mouse heart muscle cells from death. The team therefore suggest that it might be an attractive target for therapies that help protect cells from injuries that normally result in death, such as the injuries suffered by cells as a result of heart attack.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Electronic health record alone may have limited ability to improve quality, costs of care
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vxif2ba-Gzw/100406101448.htm
The implementation of electronic health record systems may not be enough to significantly improve health quality and reduce costs. Researchers report that currently implemented systems have little effect on measures such as patient mortality, surgical complications, length of stay and costs.

Wed, 7 Apr 10
Middle-aged Americans report more mobility-related disabilities
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9C0JL25ZXN0/100406141515.htm
The proportion of older middle-aged Americans who report disabilities related to mobility increased significantly from 1997 to 2007, in contrast to the disability decline that has been found among Americans ages 65 and over, according to a new study.

Tue, 6 Apr 10
World’s smallest microlaser could revolutionize chip technology
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/67p27-blMy4/100405132251.htm
Physicists have developed a new kind of laser that shatters the boundaries of possibility: it is by far the smallest electrically pumped laser in the world and one day could revolutionize chip technology.

Tue, 6 Apr 10
Endocrine disruptors: Babies absorb the most bisphenol A
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iE-UZkHcFtE/100405105958.htm
The hormonally active substance bisphenol A is contained in many synthetic and packaging materials. As a result, the substance can find its way into the food chain and the human organism. Just who is exposed and to what extent is shown in a new study: babies who are fed with polycarbonate bottles are especially at risk.

Tue, 6 Apr 10
Bile sends mixed signals to E. coli
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VAvSXQoq2gQ/100330210940.htm
Bile secretions in the small intestine send signals to disease-causing gut bacteria allowing them to change their behavior to maximize their chances of surviving, according to new research. The findings could allow us to better protect food from contamination by these harmful bacteria, as well as understand how they manage to cause disease.

Tue, 6 Apr 10
Novel interventional radiology treatment with microspheres shows promise for liver cancer patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sshg305NkzA/100316101345.htm
An interventional radiology treatment -- the use of intra-arterial yttrium-90 microspheres for liver cancer (also known as hepatocellular carcinoma) -- shows promise in prolonging life for many patients with this devastating condition, according to researchers.

Tue, 6 Apr 10
Bees with an impaired insulin partner gene prefer proteins over carbs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dVvHFWYR-i4/100401173720.htm
A new study of food-choice behavior in honey bees has identified a gene involved in bees' decisions to bring protein or nectar back to the colony. By taking control of the insulin receptor substrate gene, an insulin partner gene in the bees' fat cells, researchers made the insects forego carbohydrates (sugar-containing nectar) and favor protein (pollen).

Tue, 6 Apr 10
This is your brain on Cryptococcus: Pathogenic fungus loves your brain sugar
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/s5D4dpu5cr4/100405152757.htm
Highly dangerous Cryptococcus fungi love sugar and will consume it anywhere because it helps them reproduce. To borrow inositol from a person's brain, the fungi have an expanded set of genes that encode for sugar transporter molecules. While a typical fungus has just two such genes, Cryptococcus have almost a dozen, according to new research.

Tue, 6 Apr 10
Form or function? Evolution takes different paths, genetic study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/I2N4xa-YALE/100405152545.htm
Biologists long have known that both the appearance of organisms and their inner workings are shaped by evolution. But do the same genetic mechanisms underlie changes in form and function? A new study suggests not.

Tue, 6 Apr 10
Clue to cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis revealed in new genetic study
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kZ-iKOC2K2c/100405152538.htm
Researchers have discovered a fifth genetic mutation associated with typical motor neuron disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), that has a similar pathological effect to certain genetic mutations revealed in earlier studies. Ultimately, the researchers hope that understanding what is causing motor neuron disease (MND), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, will lead to new avenues for treatment.

Tue, 6 Apr 10
Flu jab for bacteria
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-pYQuP_p1oo/100331201535.htm
Viruses can wreak havoc on bacteria as well as humans and, just like us, bacteria have their own defense system in place. Uncovering the workings of the bacterial "immune system" could be used to keep industrial microbes at peak performance.

Tue, 6 Apr 10
Potential new use for cancer treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/waXcSDXOrWs/100315172209.htm
New research suggests anti-angiogenic drugs may help in the treatment of a range of diseases including visceral leishmaniasis.

Tue, 6 Apr 10
New software design technique allows programs to run faster
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jmAP4zrp43A/100405102112.htm
Researchers have developed a new approach to software development that will allow common computer programs to run up to 20 percent faster and possibly incorporate new security measures.

Tue, 6 Apr 10
Hey, that's my shirt! Sibling conflict harms trust and communication between adolescent siblings
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kWYX4WhqaMI/100405122313.htm
Whether it is about who gets to ride shotgun or who wore a shirt without asking, siblings fight. While seemingly innocent, a recent study reveals that certain types of fights can affect the quality of sibling relationships. Researchers identified two major types of conflict among adolescent siblings and found that conflicts about personal space have a negative impact on trust and communication between siblings.

Tue, 6 Apr 10
Proposed grid could make offshore wind power more reliable
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MGb9tV9OxEY/100405152547.htm
Offshore wind power resources are abundant but unreliable. A five-year study of weather patte