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Mon, 31 May 10
New skeletons from the age of dinosaurs answer century-old questions about prehistoric reptile Typothorax
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/y3HhGSoQxy4/100528125635.htm
More than 100 years ago, paleontologist E. D. Cope of "Dinosaur Wars" fame found a few fragmentary bones of a reptile in the deserts of New Mexico. He named the reptile Typothorax. A century later, Typothorax -- which belongs to a group of reptiles called aetosaurs -- remained something of a mystery, known mainly from pieces of armor, a few limb bones, and some sections of tail. Now, thanks to two remarkably complete skeletons, paleontologists are finally revealing what Typothorax really looked like.

Mon, 31 May 10
Natural self-repair mechanisms that kick in after spinal cord injury identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4WuK4OeX20w/100530144019.htm
University of Alberta researchers have identified one of the body's natural self-repair mechanisms that kick in after spinal cord injury which could lead to the development of more effective treatments.

Mon, 31 May 10
Air traffic poised to become a major factor in global warming, scientists predict
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qqXOZYMHgc8/100526124715.htm
The first new projections of future aircraft emissions in 10 years predict that carbon dioxide and other gases from air traffic will become a significant source of global warming as they double or triple by 2050.

Mon, 31 May 10
Surgery outperforms drug therapy in treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, research finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kA9N4LQ3_vs/100530093707.htm
A 17-year-long community study looking at symptoms of enlarged prostate in over 2,000 men age 40 to 79 years suggests that surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia offers more relief from incontinence and obstruction symptoms than treatment from drug-based therapy, according to a new study.

Mon, 31 May 10
Reforestation may lower the climate change mitigation potential of forests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/B1dJXGOIchs/100528211152.htm
Scientists in the U.S. and China have found that reforestation and afforestation -- the creation of new forests -- may lower the potential of forests for climate change lessening.

Mon, 31 May 10
Genetic makeup of Hispanic/Latino Americans influenced by Native American, European and African-American ancestries
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/G_NLK4s24lE/100503161421.htm
A new study finds that the imprint of European colonialism and imperialism is evident in the genetic makeup of today's Hispanic/Latino American populations. Scientists discovered that Europeans, Native Americans, as well as West Africans brought to the US and Latin America by the trans-Atlantic slave trade, have influenced the genes of the current Hispanic/Latino populations. However, a large variation in genes among individuals within each population were still found to exist.

Mon, 31 May 10
Acupuncture's molecular effects pinned down: New insights spur effort to boost treatment's impact significantly
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/h_yFQdhmjb0/100530144021.htm
Scientists have identified the molecule adenosine as a central player in parlaying some of the effects of acupuncture in the body. Building on that knowledge, scientists were able to triple the beneficial effects of acupuncture in mice by adding a medication approved to treat leukemia in people.

Mon, 31 May 10
Faulty gene stops cell 'antennae' from transmitting
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iS-HV_iqkA0/100530144023.htm
Researchers have identified the genetic cause of an inherited condition that causes severe fetal abnormalities. The work should allow couples at risk of conceiving babies with the profoundly disabling Meckel-Gruber and Joubert syndromes to be identified beforehand through genetic screening.

Mon, 31 May 10
NASA's airborne infrared observatory sees 'first light'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wuJ8IigFe6M/100530213407.htm
The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a joint program by NASA and the German Aerospace Center, achieved a major milestone May 26, with its first in-flight night observations.

Mon, 31 May 10
Circulating tumor cells correlate with poorer survival in pancreatic cancer patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YLV0o-_tOj0/100528210742.htm
Researchers have found that pancreatic cancer patients who have circulating tumor cells tend to have worse outcomes than patients without circulating tumor cells. Additionally, the team has uncovered evidence that not all circulating tumor cells are the same, and some may predict worse outcomes than others.

Mon, 31 May 10
NOAA expects busy Atlantic hurricane season
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1nJLrM2Q1lg/100530212148.htm
An "active to extremely active" hurricane season is expected for the Atlantic Basin this year according to the seasonal outlook issued by NOAA's Climate Prediction Center -- a division of the National Weather Service. As with every hurricane season, this outlook underscores the importance of having a hurricane preparedness plan in place.

Mon, 31 May 10
Community conditions related to malnutrition deaths among older adults
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NpoS46O2D9U/100512141912.htm
In a new study, researchers tackle a problem seldom acknowledged in the United States -- the incidence of malnutrition-related deaths among older adults.

Mon, 31 May 10
From butterflies' wings to bank notes: How nature's colors could cut bank fraud
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZLdGT-iTIHM/100530144025.htm
Scientists have discovered a way of mimicking the stunningly bright and beautiful colors found on the wings of tropical butterflies. The findings could have important applications in the security printing industry, helping to make bank notes and credit cards harder to forge.

Mon, 31 May 10
MRI research highlights high-risk atherosclerotic plaque hidden in the vessel wall
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VCfihTkc3cg/100525103941.htm
Researchers have shown that use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in an animal model can noninvasively identify dangerous plaques. The findings offer possible applications in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with atherosclerosis.

Mon, 31 May 10
Researchers develop test to identify 'best' sperm
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ui5QWN4eOzc/100528211202.htm
Researchers have discovered a method to select sperm with the highest DNA integrity in a bid to improve male fertility. The method is comparable to that of the egg's natural selection abilities, according to their study.

Mon, 31 May 10
Predicting severity of breast cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/S9_rwf_-UZE/100525103709.htm
Researchers have identified a biomarker in patient blood which can predict the severity of breast cancer in patients and may enable clinicians to track patients throughout the course of their treatment.

Mon, 31 May 10
NOAA predicts below normal Eastern Pacific hurricane season
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lz8yhBRJhoU/100530212100.htm
NOAA's National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center has announced that projected climate conditions point to a below normal hurricane season in the Eastern Pacific this year. The outlook calls for a 75 percent probability of a below normal season, a 20 percent probability of a near normal season and a five percent probability of an above normal season.

Mon, 31 May 10
New technology will make election voting more efficient
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/36whkuaZ1nY/100526124713.htm
Did you stay up all night to hear your local result during the recent election? Time-consuming manual vote-counts and ballot boxes could soon be consigned to the history books, thanks to innovative new secure voting technology.

Mon, 31 May 10
How whales have changed over 35 million years
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QshX4mckIFk/100528211150.htm
Evolutionary biologists have looked back 35 million years to provide the first test of why whales show such rich diversity. Species diversification and body size of whales were established early in their evolution.

Mon, 31 May 10
Genes associated with throat cancer found through study of over 10,000 subjects
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qZFt5hsfAkU/100530144015.htm
Scientists from Singapore, China and USA have identified three new susceptibility genes in a genome-wide association study of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The study advances understanding of the important role of host genetic variation in influencing susceptibility to NPC.

Mon, 31 May 10
Spawning habitat of bluefin tuna in Gulf of Mexico: Critical area intersects Deepwater Horizon oil spill
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9jr0ZeJcops/100528210726.htm
Electronic tagging and fisheries catch data have revealed pronounced differences in preferred habitat of Atlantic bluefin tuna and yellowfin tuna in the Gulf of Mexico, despite their close ancestry, according to a new study. Bluefin tuna return to the same regions of the Gulf of Mexico during spring months to spawn. Yellowfin tuna are more widely distributed throughout the warm Gulf waters and occupy the region throughout the year.

Mon, 31 May 10
Comparison of overall survival for non-small cell lung cancer patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vPfOFgPjqc0/100528210734.htm
Patients with early stages of NSCLC are typically treated with surgery, but those with stage IIIA present more of a challenge because they are such a diverse group. However, new research shows that patient's with stage IIIA NSCLC who receive surgery, lobectomy in particular, have increased overall survival compared to those who received chemoradiation alone -- those receiving lobectomy plus chemoradation had survival rates that were higher than previously reported as well.

Mon, 31 May 10
NOAA expands fishing closed area in Gulf of Mexico; approximately 75 percent of Gulf still open for fishing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/B2Skw2xJKpA/100530212019.htm
NOAA has extended the closed fishing area in the Gulf of Mexico to include a large area of oil sheen patches crossing the eastern edge of the current boundary, as well as an area currently outside the southern boundary which a small portion of the sheen is moving toward.

Mon, 31 May 10
Consent forms for research: Have they improved in 25 years?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RyGWRZRUtz8/100528210732.htm
Consent forms that people sign before participating in research are widely considered difficult to understand and sometimes inaccurate. Lack of clarity was implicated in a high-profile legal settlement in April between Arizona State University and a Native American tribe, which claimed that blood samples that its members provided for genetic research were used for purposes not stated in the consent form. Efforts have been made to improve the forms, but how effective are they?

Sun, 30 May 10
New horned dinosaur: Two-ton plant-eater lived 78 million years ago in Montana
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qZGs8ZNZ_Ss/100528113914.htm
A new horned dinosaur, Medusaceratops lokii, has been discovered. Approximately 20 feet long and weighing more than 2 tons, the newly identified plant-eating dinosaur lived nearly 78 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period in what is now Montana. Its identification marks the discovery of a new genus of horned dinosaur.

Sun, 30 May 10
New source of stem cells form heart muscle cells, repair damage
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LtInqtEAioE/100528210730.htm
A new and noncontroversial source of stem cells can form heart muscle cells and help repair heart damage, according to results of preliminary lab tests.

Sun, 30 May 10
Genetically modified rats produced using novel sperm stem-cell technique
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7X_nJFkMuJQ/100527171022.htm
For two decades, the laboratory mouse has been the workhorse of biomedical studies and the only mammal whose genes scientists could effectively and reliably manipulate to study human diseases and conditions.

Sun, 30 May 10
Understanding the relationship between bacteria and obesity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ae8gjP1DA3k/100526141845.htm
Research sheds new light on the role bacteria in the digestive tract may play in obesity. The studies paint a picture that may be more complex than originally thought.

Sun, 30 May 10
Clocks in the Americas and the Caribbean Islands now ticking in unison
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HO0lPgVI_gc/100528113918.htm
Clocks in the Americas and the Caribbean Islands are now ticking in unison thanks to the work of the Sistema Interamericano de Metrologia (SIM), a regional metrology organization that works to promote accurate measurements throughout the Americas.

Sun, 30 May 10
Consumers: Why do you like what I like, but I don't like what you like?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oiI1QRQh6E0/100419151108.htm
When we like a product, do we think others will like it, too? And when we believe others like a product, do we like it as well? A new study says these two questions are fundamentally different.

Sun, 30 May 10
Coastal birds carry toxic ocean metals inland
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2QSiYsWI7C4/100525133224.htm
Biologists has found that potent metals like mercury and lead, ingested by Arctic seabirds feeding in the ocean, end up in the sediment of polar ponds.

Sun, 30 May 10
Those with allergic asthma face double trouble during flu season, findings suggest
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fzpSiB-bHLk/100528113923.htm
New research suggests that allergic reactions to pet dander, dust mites and mold may prevent people with allergic asthma from generating a healthy immune response to respiratory viruses such as influenza.

Sun, 30 May 10
New explaination of how certain cancers develop
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/N4_AyoAO0Pk/100527170959.htm
Researchers have discovered a new interaction between a cell signaling system and a specific gene that may be the cause of B-cell lymphoma. The finding suggests a similar interaction could be occurring during the development of other types of cancer, leading to further understanding of how cancer works -- and how it might be stopped.

Sun, 30 May 10
How RNA viruses copy themselves: Hijack cellular enzyme to create viral replication factories on cell membranes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ddt7d27uubo/100528210736.htm
Researchers have made a significant new discovery about RNA (ribonucleic acid) viruses and how they replicate themselves. Certain RNA viruses -- poliovirus, hepatitis C virus and coxsackievirus -- and possibly many other families of viruses copy themselves by seizing an enzyme from their host cell to create replication factories enriched in a specific lipid. The scientists have uncovered that certain RNA viruses take control of a cellular enzyme to design a replication compartment on the cell's membrane filled with PI4P lipids. Those lipids, in turn, allow the RNA viruses to attract and stimulate the enzymes they need for replication.

Sun, 30 May 10
Underwater robot sent to study Deepwater Horizon spill
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/D6TB4dCf23o/100528211158.htm
A high-tech robotic submersible has been sent to the oily waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The goal is to collect information about the oil plume from the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig accident for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Sun, 30 May 10
Buyer beware: Consumers in conflict may become victims to unwanted influence
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_Poik9XCAwQ/100419151000.htm
When products don't easily fit into our goals, we experience conflict. According to a new study, conflicted consumers are easily swayed by unwanted influences.

Sun, 30 May 10
New species of invertebrates discovered in the Antarctic
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iXwFarlZmwI/100526093610.htm
On board the German oceanographic ship and through various expeditions carried out between 1996 and 2008, two scientists have discovered six new gorgonia (colonial marine invertebrates made up of tubular bodied polyps with eight tentacles) in the Antarctic region, in the Eastern Weddell Sea. These discoveries reveal the great diversity of the Antarctic that is still unknown.

Sun, 30 May 10
Antiretroviral therapy associated with decreased risk of HIV transmission
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ABcaaPJpggw/100527013230.htm
Researchers have found that treating HIV-infected persons with antiretroviral therapy reduces HIV transmission to their sexual partners by more than 90 percent.

Sun, 30 May 10
The great pond experiment: Pond communities bear a lasting imprint of random events in their past
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/S7GkHlz2JXQ/100527141953.htm
A seven-year experiment shows that pond communities bear the imprint of random events in their past, such as the order in which species were introduced into the ponds. This finding locates one of the wellsprings of biodiversity but also suggests that it may not be possible to restore ecosystems whose history we cannot recreate.

Sun, 30 May 10
When helper cells aren't helpful
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ptEEDl8qJmA/100524072910.htm
Current research suggests that T helper-type 1 cells, previously thought to mediate autoimmunity, may actual inhibit the development of experimental immune encephalomyelitis, a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, by suppressing Th17 cells.

Sun, 30 May 10
Precise trace gas analysis, without the noise
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/t5hRKgHCG58/100524130844.htm
Analyzing trace atmospheric gases can now be considerably more precise with the help of a device that delivers stable and reliable power to the lasers used in gas sensors.

Sun, 30 May 10
Tobacco industry influence on health policy detailed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1wXYysvkzSY/100528092025.htm
The wide reach of the tobacco industry and its influence on young people, military veterans and national health-care reform has been detailed in three new studies.

Sat, 29 May 10
First horned dinosaur from Mexico: Plant-eater had largest horns of any dinosaur
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oz9_yN0nWTI/100528124513.htm
A new species of horned dinosaur unearthed in Mexico has larger horns that any other species -- up to 4 feet long -- and has given scientists fresh insights into the ancient history of western North America, according to paleontologists.

Sat, 29 May 10
Experimental treatment protects monkeys from lethal Ebola virus post-exposure
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LqvUDWW-qVM/100528081436.htm
Scientists using tiny particles of genetic material to interfere in the replication process of the deadly Ebola virus have successfully prevented monkeys exposed to that virus from dying of hemorrhagic fever. The proof-of-concept study suggests that such protection also should be possible in humans.

Sat, 29 May 10
Snails on methamphetamine: Memories formed by snails under influence of meth are harder to forget
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JFrONYb7V8U/100527204224.htm
Crystal meth (methamphetamine) is a highly addictive drug, which improves memory, but once hooked, addicts find the habit hard to break. One researcher wondered whether she could learn more about the effects of meth by studying the effect it has pond snail's memories. She found that memories formed by snails under the influence of meth are harder to forget and could help us understand human addiction.

Sat, 29 May 10
Novel protein essential for successful pregnancy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6bBW10uebRY/100528211204.htm
Researchers have helped clarify the function of a unique protein called preimplantation factor, which is produced by healthy embryos to direct embryo attachment and help the mother adapt to pregnancy.

Sat, 29 May 10
Improved carbon sponges to strip carbon dioxide from power plant exhausts
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ASaB9Er7rTI/100527171020.htm
A new class of materials with a record-shattering internal surface area may have the right stuff to efficiently strip carbon dioxide from a power plant's exhaust.

Sat, 29 May 10
Researcher decodes Rembrandt's 'magic'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/khCzivad7HY/100528092019.htm
A researcher using computer-rendering programs has uncovered what makes Rembrandt's masterful portraits so appealing. Rembrandt may have pioneered a technique that guides the viewer's gaze around a portrait, creating a special narrative and "calmer" viewing experience.

Sat, 29 May 10
Clue to origin of Milky Way gas clouds discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DlWflnzmsco/100526111230.htm
A study of hydrogen gas clouds in two different regions of the Milky Way shows that they are much more abundant above areas of intense star formation, indicating they are blown away from the Galaxy's plane by stellar winds and supernova explosions.

Sat, 29 May 10
Cold sore virus may contribute to cognitive and brain abnormalities in schizophrenia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/h0fnAVi7aTU/100528211200.htm
Exposure to the common virus that causes cold sores may be partially responsible for shrinking regions of the brain and the loss of concentration skills, memory, coordinated movement and dexterity widely seen in patients with schizophrenia, according to research led by Johns Hopkins scientists.

Sat, 29 May 10
Deep subduction of the Indian continental crust beneath Asia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/a-r8qMgH8jo/100528101552.htm
Geological investigations in the Himalayas have revealed evidence that when India and Asia collided some 90 million years ago, the continental crust of the Indian tectonic plate was forced down under the Asian plate, sinking down into the Earth's mantle to a depth of at least 200 km.

Sat, 29 May 10
Cut the salt and ditch the drugs: Controlling blood pressure in dialysis patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VRRb8pCqjxU/100527170953.htm
For kidney patients trying to control their blood pressure, reducing fluid build-up in the blood is more effective than using antihypertensive medications, according to a new analysis. The research suggests that lowering salt intake may help reduce build-up.

Sat, 29 May 10
Zeroing in on quantum effects: New materials yield clues about high-temperature superconductors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7SyCj02pyzQ/100528124515.htm
US and Chinese physicists are zeroing in on critical effects at the heart of the newest high-temperature superconductors, the family of iron-based compounds called "pnictides." The scientists used similarly structured materials called "oxychalcogenides" to investigate the effect of expanding the distance between iron atoms in the crystal lattice.

Sat, 29 May 10
Empathy: College students don't have as much as they used to, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SMrDTKDYG2E/100528081434.htm
Today's college students are not as empathetic as college students of the 1980s and '90s, a new study shows.

Sat, 29 May 10
How do bumblebees get predators to buzz off?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xCx9TBapksk/100526093608.htm
Toxic or venomous animals, like bumblebees, are often brightly colored to tell would-be predators to keep away. However scientists in the UK have found a bumblebee's defense could extend further than its distinctive color pattern and may indeed be linked to their characteristic shape, flight pattern or buzzing sound.

Sat, 29 May 10
Dieting alone may not help stave off type 2 diabetes; muscle mass, strength important
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VjZ4-szzq_Q/100527171001.htm
Sarcopenia -- low skeletal muscle mass and strength -- was associated with insulin resistance in both obese and non-obese individuals. It was also associated with high blood-sugar levels in obese people but not in thin people. These associations were stronger in people under age 60, in whom sarcopenia was associated with high levels of blood sugar in both obese and thin people, and with diabetes in obese individuals.

Sat, 29 May 10
Experts gather as volcanic dust settles
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qRZ2oSTxQFs/100528113921.htm
Following the eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajoekull volcano that spewed huge amounts of ash and grounded numerous flights, more than 50 experts from around the world gathered at a workshop organized by ESA and EUMETSAT to discuss what has been learned and identify future opportunities for volcanic ash monitoring.

Sat, 29 May 10
Genetic research shows degeneration in aging worm
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bKJxu_3A52w/100527213901.htm
Genetic research focusing on the soil nematode C. elegans has generated fundamental new insights into the way in which these tiny worms age. During the aging process, the activity of the worm's genes gradually becomes more turbulent and gene regulation declines. Because degenerative processes in worms and humans are similar, the research results offer clues for the prevention and medication of geriatric diseases.

Sat, 29 May 10
Genome comparison tools found to be susceptible to slip-ups
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7IvD9I8k5mY/100526170244.htm
Tools used to align genomes from different species have serious quality-control issues, according to a new study.

Sat, 29 May 10
Many with HIV start care too late
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1-wlHqRY-Vo/100528150835.htm
Despite growing evidence that the earlier people are diagnosed with HIV and get access to care, the better their clinical outcomes, many HIV-infected people in the United States and Canada are not receiving the care they need early enough.

Sat, 29 May 10
Toward a useful quantum computer: Researchers design and test microfabricated planar ion traps
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DAT-UeQzNl4/100526091044.htm
Researchers are designing, fabricating and testing planar ion traps that can be more readily combined into large, interconnected trap arrays. In the future, these arrays may be used to create a useful quantum computer.

Sat, 29 May 10
Light shed on deadly GI disease in infants born with complex congenital heart disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0NkEgeFfWnU/100526111240.htm
Infants born with complex congenital heart disease are not only at risk for serious heart-related complications, but also for developing a deadly bowel disease, regardless of the type of surgical intervention they receive for their heart.

Sat, 29 May 10
Novel 'cuckoo search algorithm' beats particle swarm optimization in engineering design
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pkglCSZ2PhA/100527213816.htm
The familiar early summer call of the cuckoo has inspired composer and poet alike, but the sound belies the bird's true parasitic nature. Now, researchers have taken the cuckoo's wont to deposit its eggs in the nests of other birds as inspiration for a new approach to engineering design.

Sat, 29 May 10
Shoplifting linked to unpleasant personality
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NP5A-TjrA24/100526093616.htm
Psychologists have identified dimensions of personality seen in persons prone to shoplifting. Three characteristics in his study stood out: Being male; unpleasant and antisocial; and disorganized and unreliable.

Sat, 29 May 10
Planetary scientists solve 40-year-old mysteries of Mars' northern ice cap
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6NHSSdCC07A/100526134150.htm
Scientists have reconstructed the formation of two curious features in the northern ice cap of Mars -- a chasm larger than the Grand Canyon and a series of spiral troughs -- solving a pair of mysteries dating back four decades while finding new evidence of climate change on Mars.

Sat, 29 May 10
Modified measles virus shows potential for treating childhood brain tumors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2WZ8OPNWE5E/100526124711.htm
The use of modified measles virus may represent a new treatment for a childhood brain tumor known as medulloblastoma, according to a new study.

Sat, 29 May 10
Little-known mouth fluid may lead to test for gum disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/79R263XTNQM/100526124719.htm
A little-known fluid produced in tiny amounts in the gums, those tough pink tissues that hold the teeth in place, has become a hot topic for scientists trying to develop an early, noninvasive test for gum disease, the No. 1 cause of tooth loss in adults. It's gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), produced at the rate of millionths of a quart per tooth.

Sat, 29 May 10
Slow-release NSAIDs pose greater risk of GI bleeding, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4KAZtXxLNDc/100526111326.htm
The risk of gastrointestinal complications due to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use varies by specific NSAID administered and by dosage, according to new research. The study further determined that NSAIDs with a long half-life or slow-release formulation are associated with a greater risk of GI bleeding or perforation.

Sat, 29 May 10
Electric supercar team aims for UK first in lead-up to world record attempt across the Americas
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0CCKYiBfWWo/100527204233.htm
Students driving an electric supercar are attempting to be the first to drive an all-electric vehicle around the M25 twice on one battery charge, in the lead-up to the team's attempt to cross the Americas in July this year and break a world record.

Sat, 29 May 10
Deep voice of alpha male: Rival's masculine voice not enough to challenge a man's dominance
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uDeX_nHY8GI/100528081821.htm
Men with a deep, masculine voice are seen as more dominant by other men but a man's own dominance - perceived or actual - does not affect how attentive he is to his rivals' voices. His own dominance does however influence how he rates his competitors' dominance: the more dominant he thinks he is, the less dominant he rates his rival's voice, according to new research.

Sat, 29 May 10
If you don't brush your teeth twice a day, you're more likely to develop heart disease, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/eb4Oi1hrdeQ/100527204227.htm
Individuals who have poor oral hygiene have an increased risk of heart disease compared to those who brush their teeth twice a day, finds new research.

Fri, 28 May 10
Piece of the puzzle for individualized cancer therapy via gene silencing discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dUWOIyz_AnE/100526170246.htm
In a major cancer-research breakthrough, researchers have discovered that a small segment of a protein that interacts with RNA can control the normal expression of genes -- including those that are active in cancer.

Fri, 28 May 10
Advances made in walking, running robots
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dHTMjrHXSmY/100526151529.htm
Researchers have made an important fundamental advance in robotics, in work that should lead toward robots that not only can walk and run effectively, but use little energy in the process. By achieving an optimal approach with robotic mechanisms, studies are moving closer to robots that could take on dangerous missions in the military, create prosthetic limbs for humans that work much better, or even help some people who use wheelchairs to gain "walking" abilities.

Fri, 28 May 10
In infant heart surgery, newer technique yields better survival in first year of life
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NOo847VORVg/100527013327.htm
Pediatric researchers report that a recently introduced surgical procedure offers infants with severely underdeveloped hearts a better chance at surviving during their first year of life, in comparison to the standard surgery.

Fri, 28 May 10
Solar panels can attract breeding water insects ... but scientists propose a simple fix
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/N420yBWz8Yo/100527142007.htm
Solar power might be nature's most plentiful and benign source of energy, but shiny dark solar cells can lure water insects away from critical breeding areas, scientists warn. Applying white grids or other methods to break up the polarized reflection of light, however, makes mayflies and other aquatic insects far less likely to deposit eggs on the panels thinking that they are water, the group discovered.

Fri, 28 May 10
Opioid-blocking medication reduces brain's response to alcoholism cues, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tnx_ZEf2F84/100526151527.htm
Researchers have produced the first evidence that the opioid blocker extended-release injectable naltrexone is able to reduce the brain's response to cues that may cause alcoholics to relapse.

Fri, 28 May 10
Optical Legos: Building nanoshell structures
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zd40sRMO1uU/100527142005.htm
Scientists have created a way to use light-activated nanoshells as building blocks for 2-D and 3-D structures that could be useful for making chemical sensors, nanolasers and bizarre light-absorbing metamaterials. Much as a child might use Lego blocks to build 3-D models of complex buildings or vehicles, the scientists are using the new chemical self-assembly method to build complex structures that can trap, store and bend light.

Fri, 28 May 10
Novel therapeutic approach shows promise against multiple bacterial pathogens
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/58xj76RqMIw/100527170957.htm
A team of scientists from government, academia and private industry has developed a novel treatment that protects mice from infection with the bacterium that causes tularemia, a highly infectious disease of rodents, sometimes transmitted to people, and also known as rabbit fever. In additional experiments with human immune cells, the treatment also demonstrated protection against three other types of disease-causing bacteria that, like the tularemia bacteria, occur naturally, can be highly virulent, and are considered possible agents of bioterrorism.

Fri, 28 May 10
To double spud production, just add a little spit
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/93kaxORsflU/100527131704.htm
When it comes to potentially doubling the output of the world's fourth largest food crop, the secret may be in the spit. Researchers have discovered that when a major South American pest infests potato tubers, the plant produces bigger spuds. The secret to this increased yield is found that the saliva of the Guatemalan potato moth larvae.

Fri, 28 May 10
Flu doesn't die out, it hides out
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ti0Qrfd5Cwc/100527170950.htm
Every autumn, as predictably as falling leaves, flu season descends upon us. Every spring, just as predictably, the season comes to a close. This cyclical pattern, common in temperate regions, is well known, but the driving forces behind it have been in question.

Fri, 28 May 10
Dicty mystery solved: First to starve in slime mold thrive at others' expense
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Y0vpH-S8Wjc/100527111341.htm
Evolutionary biologists have found that the first cells to starve in a slime mold seem to have an advantage that not only helps them survive to reproduce, but also pushes those that keep on eating into sacrificing themselves for the common good.

Fri, 28 May 10
Traditional aerobic fitness training trumps pedometer-based walking programs for health benefits
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hWLFWo6Goc8/100517111904.htm
Researchers compared fitness training to a pedometer-based walking program, measuring the fitness and health outcomes of each. All participants saw health benefits but traditional aerobic fitness training outclassed walking program benefits significantly.

Fri, 28 May 10
Scientists detect huge carbon 'burp' that helped end last ice age
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/F0WKCp_v51U/100527141959.htm
Scientists have found the possible source of a huge carbon dioxide "burp" that happened some 18,000 years ago and which helped to end the last ice age.

Fri, 28 May 10
New weapon against highly resistant microbes within grasp
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hEAc1b9it_I/100527142003.htm
An active compound from fungi and lower animals may well be suitable as an effective weapon against dangerous bacteria. We're talking about plectasin, a small protein molecule that can even destroy highly resistant bacteria. Researchers have shed light on how the substance does this. The authors see plectasin as a promising lead compound for new antibiotics.

Fri, 28 May 10
Nondestructive methods for evaluating ancient coins could be worth their weight in gold
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sqK8cc2ZCgg/100527124053.htm
Researchers have demonstrated that sensitive nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques can be used to determine the elemental composition of ancient coins, even coins that generally have been considered too corroded for such methods.

Fri, 28 May 10
Fewer infections with new heart-pump implant, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/a4Q_cdOk3YM/100527101041.htm
A state-of-the-art heart pump recently approved for use in end-stage cardiac patients has a significantly lower risk for infection than an earlier model of the device, according to new research.

Fri, 28 May 10
Scientists offer solutions to arsenic groundwater poisoning in southern Asia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fgZNZyZ0CVM/100527142001.htm
About 60 million people in Bangladesh are exposed to unsafe levels of arsenic in their drinking water, dramatically raising their risk for cancer and other serious diseases. Because most of the contaminated water is near the surface, many Bangladeshis have installed deep wells to tap into groundwater relatively free of arsenic. But now, farmers are using the deep aquifers for irrigation, which could compromise access to clean drinking, according to scientists.

Fri, 28 May 10
Largest supercomputers to simulate life on Earth, including economies and whole societies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EOkxtIlEV00/100526134039.htm
Scientists are planning to use the largest supercomputers to simulate life on Earth, including the financial system, economies and whole societies. The project is called "Living Earth Simulator" and part of a huge EU research initiative named FuturIcT.

Fri, 28 May 10
Bursting 'bubbles' the origin of galactic gas clouds, astronomers find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2pM1LLt2JSg/100527101047.htm
Like bubbles bursting on the surface of a glass of champagne, "bubbles" in our galaxy burst and leave flecks of material in the form of clouds of hydrogen gas, researchers using CSIRO's Parkes radio telescope in eastern Australia have found. Their study explains the origin of these clouds for the first time.

Fri, 28 May 10
New bacterial signaling molecule could lead to improved vaccines
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gYA_vl8W1vs/100527171003.htm
In a 20-year quest to determine why Listeria bacteria produce a uniquely strong immune response in humans, scientists have found part of the answer: an unsuspected signaling molecule that the bacteria pump out and which ramps up production of interferon by the host. Interferon mobilizes the immune system to fight off bacteria and viruses. According to researchers, the finding could help improve vaccines.

Fri, 28 May 10
Scaffold gradients: Finding the right environment for developing cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MGda0lJPXPs/100527122158.htm
A research team has developed a way to offer cells a 3-D scaffold that varies over a broad range of degrees of stiffness to determine where they develop best. Their technique is a way to rapidly optimize 3-D cell growth media to meet the developmental needs of specific cell types for a wide variety of potential tissue-replacement therapies.

Fri, 28 May 10
Single-lens distance glasses reduce falls in active older people
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VG2OxwVuJyw/100525202307.htm
Providing single-lens distance glasses to older people who wear multifocal glasses and who regularly take part in outdoor activities is a simple and effective way of preventing falls, concludes a recent study.

Fri, 28 May 10
Computers can effectively detect diabetes-related eye problems, analysis finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1igTCwOkqq4/100513064124.htm
People with diabetes have an increased risk of blindness, yet nearly half of the approximately 23 million Americans with diabetes do not get an annual eye exam to detect possible problems. But it appears that cost-effective computerized systems to detect early eye problems related to diabetes can help meet the screening need, a new analysis shows.

Fri, 28 May 10
Shark cartilage shows no benefit as a therapeutic agent for lung cancer, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yu2qI4vHFgc/100526170035.htm
In the first scientific study of its kind, shark cartilage extract, AE-941 or Neovastat, has shown no benefit as a therapeutic agent when combined with chemotherapy and radiation for patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Fri, 28 May 10
Out of the woods for 'Ardi': Early human habitat was savanna, not forest, scientists argue
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kxpq3LOBILk/100527141955.htm
Pre-humans living in East Africa 4.4 million years ago inhabited grassy plains, not forests, a team of researchers has concluded.

Fri, 28 May 10
Milk: Two glasses a day tones muscles, keeps the fat away in women, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pKf_C72mQ-4/100526141854.htm
Women who drink two large glasses of milk a day after their weight-lifting routine gained more muscle and lost more fat compared to women who drank sugar-based energy drinks, a study has found.

Fri, 28 May 10
Discovery simplifies view of atmospheric aerosols, a factor in climate change
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GHhgLLFdtBQ/100526134245.htm
The large number of tiny organic aerosols floating in the atmosphere -- emitted from tailpipes and trees alike -- share enough common characteristics as a group that scientists can generalize their makeup and how they change in the atmosphere, according to new research.

Fri, 28 May 10
New left-side heart pump improves right-side heart function, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yPLFhcq8ddI/100527101043.htm
A state-of-the-art heart pump, designed to maintain a continuous flow of blood in end-stage cardiac patients with damage to the left side of the heart, also improves function on the right side of the heart, according to new research.

Fri, 28 May 10
Virulent new strains of Ug99 stem rust, a deadly wheat pathogen
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IlwxxZwzZc4/100526134146.htm
Four new mutations of Ug99, a strain of a deadly wheat pathogen known as stem rust, have overcome existing sources of genetic resistance developed to safeguard the world's wheat crop. Leading wheat experts say the evolving pathogen may pose an even greater threat to global wheat production than the original Ug99.

Fri, 28 May 10
A stone says more than a thousand runes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lI1YiC1FJTg/100527101057.htm
It was not necessary to be literate to be able to access rune carvings in the 11th century. At the same time, those who could read were able to glean much more information from a rune stone than merely what was written in runes.

Fri, 28 May 10
X-51 Waverider makes historic ramjet-powered hypersonic flight
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xS7O1f64piw/100527130438.htm
An X-51A Waverider flight-test vehicle successfully made the longest supersonic combustion ramjet-powered hypersonic flight May 26 off the southern California Pacific coast.

Fri, 28 May 10
Increasing BPA levels in urine associated with worsening male sexual function, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5NNHBoUKwV8/100527101510.htm
A new study finds that increasing bisphenol-A levels in urine are associated with worsening male sexual function, including decreased sexual desire, more difficulty having an erection, lower ejaculation strength and lower level of overall satisfaction with sex life. The five-year study examined 427 workers in factories in China, comparing workers in BPA manufacturing facilities with a control group of workers in factories where no BPA was present.

Fri, 28 May 10
Yeast make plant hormone that speeds infection, scientists discover
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FiJ2e0bEUoQ/100526134243.htm
Scientists report that yeast produce a hormone previously known to be made by plants, and that the presence of that hormone in sufficient quantity within the yeast's immediate environment triggers the fungal cells to become more infectious. The journal editors called it a "surprising finding."

Fri, 28 May 10
High blood cortisol levels significantly increases death rate in patients with acute coronary syndrome
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/s9Emu4jrNH0/100426081316.htm
Growing evidence suggests that serum cortisol levels are associated with increased cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic heart failure.

Fri, 28 May 10
Secrets of a chiral gold nanocluster unveiled
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/C3rfx2CDffc/100527101049.htm
Researchers have resolved the structural, electronic and optical properties of a chiral gold nanocluster that remained a mystery for 10 years.

Fri, 28 May 10
Young assault victims often involved in subsequent violence
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LD_g-TX_E-0/100503074243.htm
When adolescents are treated in an emergency department (ED) after being assaulted, they have a significant chance of being involved in another violent encounter soon afterward.

Fri, 28 May 10
Brief exercise reduces impact of stress on cell aging, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yh-CujNgswQ/100527013321.htm
Exercise can buffer the effects of stress-induced cell aging, according to new research that revealed actual benefits of physical activity at the cellular level.

Fri, 28 May 10
Case study analyzes why, where and when of leading shark attack site
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/co0VyQROEkA/100526151535.htm
Shark attacks are most likely to occur on Sunday, in less than 6 feet of water, during a new moon and involve surfers wearing black and white bathing suits, a first of its kind study suggests.

Fri, 28 May 10
Lengthening time a drug remains bound to a target may lead to improving diagnostics, therapy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NEX4klwLOQc/100425151141.htm
Studies indicate that modifications that enhance the time a drug remains bound to its target, or residence time, may lead to better diagnostic and therapeutic agents.

Fri, 28 May 10
Microbes answer more questions collectively
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xDDC0Jk7nxo/100526111244.htm
Studying whole microbial communities rather than individual microorganisms could help scientists answer fundamental questions such as how ecosystems respond to climate change or pollution.

Fri, 28 May 10
An underlying cause for psychopathic behavior?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pe4Sacons-4/100427091723.htm
Psychopaths are known to be characterized by callousness, diminished capacity for remorse, and lack of empathy. However, the exact cause of these personality traits is an area of scientific debate. The results of a new study show striking similarities between the mental impairments observed in psychopaths and those seen in patients with frontal lobe damage.

Fri, 28 May 10
Compulsive behavior in mice cured by bone marrow transplant
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/n4i6gH-NUVE/100527122150.htm
Scientists earlier found that mice missing one of a group of core developmental genes known as the Hox genes developed an odd and rather unexpected pathology: the mutant animals groomed themselves compulsively to the point that they were removing their own hair and leaving self-inflicted open sores on their skin.

Fri, 28 May 10
Ultrasound could boost tissue implant success
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IfWgm4zCSas/100527101508.htm
New research shows low-intensity ultrasound stimulation would be able to enhance the survival of implanted tissue graft, which could vastly increase the rates of success of a broad range of tissue-graft therapies.

Fri, 28 May 10
Indoor tanning to melanoma definitively linked in new study, researchers say
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LYMpdQcrLmc/100527101502.htm
Researchers say a new study definitively links the use of indoor tanning devices to increased risk of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.

Fri, 28 May 10
Gene mutation linked to lymphatic dysfunction discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Dtc3iGBXmC8/100527122152.htm
A genetic mutation for inherited lymphedema associated with lymphatic function has been discovered that could help create new treatments for the condition, say researchers.

Fri, 28 May 10
Oil spill threatens toothy marine predator that is cultural and historic icon
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/os4tE8vTnBk/100527122154.htm
The BP oil blowout in the Gulf of Mexico threatens the existence of a critically endangered sawfish and its relative that recently has been proposed to join it as the only two marine fish in United States waters to receive such federal protection.

Fri, 28 May 10
Racial bias clouds ability to feel others' pain, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZkPYVobmneU/100527122141.htm
When people witness or imagine the pain of another person, their nervous system responds in essentially the same way it would if they were feeling that pain themselves. Now, researchers have new evidence to show that that kind of empathy is diminished when people (black or white) who hold racial biases see that pain is being inflicted on those of another race.

Thu, 27 May 10
Palaeontologists solve mystery of 500 million-year-old squid-like carnivore
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/o1khsh-6cUo/100526134142.htm
Researchers sheds new light on a previously unclassifiable 500 million-year-old squid-like carnivore known as Nectocaris pteryx.

Thu, 27 May 10
Male sex hormones in ovaries essential for female fertility
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/M-HSHv97STQ/100526111234.htm
Male sex hormones, such as testosterone, have well defined roles in male reproduction and prostate cancer. What may surprise many is that they also play an important role in female fertility. A new study finds that the presence and activity of male sex hormones in the ovaries helps regulate female fertility, likely by controlling follicle growth and development and preventing deterioration of follicles that contain growing eggs.

Thu, 27 May 10
New role of molecule in the health of body's back-up blood circulation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ww9ch9TMO-U/100526091046.htm
Researchers have discovered that the abundance of collateral blood vessels in a healthy individual and their growth or remodeling into "natural bypass vessels" depends on how much of a key signaling molecule, nitric oxide, is present.

Thu, 27 May 10
Using fish to illuminate the architecture of inherited disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/x1cuP590GB0/100524151431.htm
A research team has developed a way to simultaneously look at the effects of 125 mutations occurring on 14 different genes. They used zebrafish as a model to analyze the function of every known mutation in an inherited syndrome called BBS, Bardet-Biedl syndrome.

Thu, 27 May 10
Electron ‘spin’ in silicon will lead to revolutionary quantum chips
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YgkR9niLR2E/100526093612.htm
A silicon-based nanoscale system which aims to harness the 'spin' of electrons to boost the processing power of future computer systems is being developed.

Thu, 27 May 10
Macho men a liability on roads, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5BT4Z8EPez4/100526111332.htm
"Catch that car!" was the instruction given to 22 men sitting in a driving simulator. The more "macho" the man, the more risks he took on the road, according to a new study.

Thu, 27 May 10
Astronomers discover new star-forming regions in Milky Way
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/penrepISJIw/100526111232.htm
Newly-discovered star-forming regions are revealing new view of Milky Way's structure and promise new clues about the Galaxy's chemical composition

Thu, 27 May 10
First common gene found for congenital heart disease; Acting very early in development, tied to most common birth defect
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/I-JPTX5Mqbk/100527013234.htm
Although congenital heart disease represents the most common major birth defect, scientists have not previously identified the genes that give rise to it. Now genetics and cardiology researchers, two of them brothers, have discovered a genetic variant on chromosome 5 that strongly raises the risk of congenital heart disease.

Thu, 27 May 10
Household detergents, shampoos may form harmful substance in wastewater
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/F8Sjkp_PlIs/100526134152.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, 27 May 10
Rheumatoid arthritis incidence on the rise in women
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Qn4-SGRZtJE/100526111324.htm
The incidence of rheumatoid arthritis in women has risen during the period of 1995 to 2007, according to a newly published study. The study suggests that environmental factors may be the cause of the increase.

Thu, 27 May 10
Graphane yields new potential: Physicists dig theoretical wells to mine quantum dots
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XsdF1qB6vxk/100525133219.htm
Researchers have discovered the strategic extraction of hydrogen atoms from a 2-D sheet of graphane naturally opens up spaces of pure graphene that look -- and act -- like quantum dots.

Thu, 27 May 10
Hey Jude: Get that song out my head!
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sjTSQvsiosc/100526111334.htm
Some 98-99 percent of the population has, at some point, been "infected" with a song they just can't seem to shake off. This common phenomenon has rarely been researched, until now.

Thu, 27 May 10
'Law-like' mathematical patterns in human preference behavior discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pfUpeXArS-A/100527013329.htm
Scientists have found mathematical patterns underlying the way individuals unconsciously distribute their preferences regarding approaching or avoiding objects in their environment. These patterns appear to meet the strict criteria used to determine whether something is a scientific law and, if confirmed in future studies, could potentially be used to guide diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders.

Thu, 27 May 10
Ancient jaw bones discovered in Sahara help scientists identify new pterodactyl
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZchUBKKitEo/100526095818.htm
With the help of ancient fossils unearthed in the Sahara desert, scientists have identified a new type of pterosaur (giant flying reptile or pterodactyl) that existed about 95 million years ago.

Thu, 27 May 10
Blocking tumor's 'death switch' paradoxically stops tumor growth
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/W8H7stmJvZM/100526134148.htm
Every cell contains machinery for self-destruction, used to induce death when damaged or sick. But according to a new research study, a receptor thought to mediate cell suicide in normal cells may actually be responsible for the unrestrained growth of cancerous tumors. Blocking the activity of this "death receptor" can stop and even reverse the growth of tumors in human tissue culture and mice, scientists report.

Thu, 27 May 10
WISE telescope has Heart and Soul
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sM-zoFXCzC8/100524161101.htm
NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, has captured a huge mosaic of two bubbling clouds in space, known as the Heart and Soul nebulae. The space telescope, which has completed about three-fourths of its infrared survey of the entire sky, has already captured nearly one million frames like the ones making up this newly released mosaic.

Thu, 27 May 10
Some statins have unintended effects and warrant closer monitoring, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/snPhJAmB5XU/100526095658.htm
The type and dosage of statin drugs given to patients to treat heart disease should be proactively monitored as they can have unintended adverse effects, concludes a new study.

Thu, 27 May 10
Outstanding in their field effect: Researchers print field-effect transistors with nano-infused ink
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/exYA3YXciJU/100525133221.htm
Researchers have discovered thin films of nanotubes created with ink-jet printers offer a new way to make field-effect transistors, the basic element in integrated circuits.

Thu, 27 May 10
Learning strategies are associated with distinct neural signatures
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EnR8GGZeMpE/100526124709.htm
The process of learning requires the sophisticated ability to constantly update our expectations of future rewards so we may make accurate predictions about those rewards in the face of a changing environment. Although exactly how the brain orchestrates this process remains unclear, a new study suggests that a combination of two distinct learning strategies guides our behavior.

Thu, 27 May 10
NASA's Swift Survey finds 'smoking gun' of black hole activation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0jC3-zwtkAw/100526170239.htm
Data from an ongoing survey by NASA's Swift satellite have helped astronomers solve a decades-long mystery about why a small percentage of black holes emit vast amounts of energy.

Thu, 27 May 10
Vaccine hope for skin cancer sufferers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nacOMwIeWyk/100526095814.htm
Scientists have been given the green light to test a vaccine which they hope could reverse, and even cure malignant melanoma, the most deadly type of skin cancer.

Thu, 27 May 10
Computer model for locating and forecasting sunken oil following spills
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tfUvzBH2h4A/100526151533.htm
A team of researchers has developed a computer model for finding and projecting in time sunken oil masses on the bottom of bays, after an oil spill. The unique model can be used in oil spill planning, response, and recovery applications.

Thu, 27 May 10
New treatment approach to rare cancer results in prolonged survival
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JXje0woCJtQ/100526134159.htm
Aggressive treatment of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma has dramatically increased survival in the small group of patients who chose to undergo it, say physicians in a new study.

Thu, 27 May 10
Physicists pin down proton-halo state in Flourine-17
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-EosbKK5Bj4/100526134154.htm
A halo may be difficult to acquire in terms of virtue, but it can also be tough to calculate in terms of physics. Physicists have managed to do just that, however. A halo nucleus differs from the more traditional nuclei because it has one or more nucleons (protons or neutrons) that are only weakly bound to the nuclear core. Consequently, they drift far away from it, forming, in effect, a halo. These nuclei are difficult to study because their lives are both short (often lasting only milliseconds) and fragile.

Thu, 27 May 10
Elderly drivers' ability to detect hazards doesn't degrade with age, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/g_yJtFXwH7o/100526111238.htm
Advanced age does not affect older drivers' ability to perceive hazards according to a new study. The study also found that older drivers are more sensitive to potential hazards than young-inexperienced drivers.

Thu, 27 May 10
Undersea forces from hurricanes may threaten Gulf pipelines
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-LF1z9_55hM/100526141852.htm
Hurricanes could snap offshore oil pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico and other hurricane-prone areas, since the storms whip up strong underwater currents, a new study suggests.

Thu, 27 May 10
Promising treatment for aggressive lymphoma identified in new study
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/r6ZlcJCJl1o/100526151531.htm
New research illustrates that some patients with transformed lymphoma showed "remarkable" response to lenalidomide, an oral drug with few side effects.

Thu, 27 May 10
Discovery may lead to safer drinking water, cheaper medicine
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wGRMrNylE6w/100526141850.htm
A discovery that may pave the way to helping reduce health hazards such as E. coli in water could also make chemicals and drugs such as insulin cheaper to produce and their production more environmentally friendly. By creating a three-dimensional model, biochemists discovered exactly how the AceK protein acts as a switch in some bacteria to bypass the energy-producing cycle that allows bacteria like E. coli and salmonella to go into a survival mode and adapt to low-nutrient environments, such as water.

Thu, 27 May 10
Low caveolin-1 expression contributes to lung disease?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/l_HCNyeIYUk/100526104019.htm
Researchers propose that low levels of caveolin-1 contribute to the over-proliferation of fibroblasts in lung disease.

Thu, 27 May 10
New model for chronic wasting disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qEDvZxcWYDQ/100526103906.htm
Scientists have generated a mouse model of cervid chronic wasting disease. Chronic wasting disease is a fatal prion-induced disease, similar to mad cow disease, that affects cervids such as deer, elk, and moose. It is a neurodegenerative disease typified by chronic weight-loss leading to death.

Thu, 27 May 10
Love it or hate it, PowerPoint shapes strategy-making, says new paper
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fR6GuLn2X6I/100526134239.htm
It's a staple presentation tool in most businesses. Its been banned as a productivity killer. Say what you like about PowerPoint, the computer software that presents business cases like a slide show, but one researcher at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management says that such critiques ignore the ways the technology is used to shape idea generation and build corporate strategies.

Thu, 27 May 10
Electric ash found in Eyjafjallajokull's plume, say UK researchers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tbzonS2Styk/100527013219.htm
In the first peer-reviewed scientific paper to be published about the Icelandic volcano since its eruption in April 2010, UK researchers write that the ash plume which hovered over Scotland carried a significant and self-renewing electric charge.

Thu, 27 May 10
Copycat behavior in children is universal and may help promote human culture
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zI106-ffHMQ/100503135705.htm
A new study of Australian preschoolers and Kalahari Bushman children finds that a particular kind of imitation -- overimitation, in which a child copies everything an adult shows them, not just the steps that lead to some outcome -- appears to be a universal human activity, rather than something the children of middle-class parents pick up. The work helps shed light on how humans develop and transmit culture.

Thu, 27 May 10
Gene pattern may identify kidney transplant recipients who don't need life-long anti-rejection drugs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CTLPh300oIA/100524173731.htm
Researchers have identified a distinct pattern of gene expression in the largest reported group of kidney transplant recipients who have not rejected the transplant kidneys even though they stopped taking anti-rejection drugs. This finding may help identify other transplant recipients who could safely reduce or end use of immunosuppressive therapy. In 2008, more than 80,000 people in the United States were living with a kidney transplant.

Thu, 27 May 10
Virtual Romanesque monuments being created
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lXR1Bzr7olA/100525111936.htm
Researchers in Spain have created full color plans in 3-D of places of cultural interest, using laser scanners and photographic cameras. The technique has been used to virtually recreate five churches in the Merindad de Aguilar de Campoo, a region between Cantabria, Palencia and Burgos which boasts the highest number of Romanesque monuments in the world.

Thu, 27 May 10
Link between nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and liver cancer confirmed in new study
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kc-pBXmP16g/100525090556.htm
A new study finds that patients suffering from cirrhosis preceded by nonalcoholic steatohepatitis are at an equal risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma than those who develop cirrhosis resulting from hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Thu, 27 May 10
Improved gluten-free bread
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0xeKO3b9N3c/100525090519.htm
Researchers in Ireland are producing tasty, nutritious gluten-free breads for coeliac disease sufferers. The research focused on using the so-called ‘pseudocereals’ amaranth, quinoa and buckwheat to replace wheat in bread formulations. These cereals are gluten-free, and are also rich in nutrients; therefore, their incorporation in the gluten-free diet could not only add variety but also improve nutritional quality.

Thu, 27 May 10
Changing 'channels' to eliminate chronic pain: Researcher maps drug target to wipe pain away
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UP-UExlMjxk/100426131557.htm
Researchers are developing new computer-derived models of drugs that might affect chronic pain -- such as pain from backaches, sore limbs and arthritis -- which are targeted for calcium channels.

Thu, 27 May 10
Swarming locusts need larger brains
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UvEMAJTdkJc/100525202301.htm
One of the most devastating events in the insect world -- the locust swarm -- has extraordinary effects on the insect's brains, scientists have discovered.

Thu, 27 May 10
Gene change raises odds of mother-to-child HIV transmission
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bhbC2eUCaLg/100524203300.htm
A correlation has been discovered between specific variants of the gene that codes for a key immune system protein, TLR9, and the risk of mother-to-child, or vertical, transmission of HIV. Researchers studied three hundred children born to HIV-positive mothers, finding that those who had either of two TLR9 gene variants were significantly more likely to acquire the virus.

Thu, 27 May 10
Canine aggression and genetic control
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WCjpXhsyJfI/100525090552.htm
The control of different behaviors is a complex process that is influenced by both genetics and environmental factors. A new study throws light on interesting connections between canine aggression and genes that are involved in neurotransmission in the brain.

Thu, 27 May 10
Novel RNA interference screening technique identifies possible path for malignant glioma treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZB2BuD8wAiE/100525154006.htm
Researchers report on a cellular pathway in the deadly brain cancer malignant glioma, a pathway essential to the cancer's ability to grow -- and a potential target for therapy that would stop the cancer's ability to thrive.

Thu, 27 May 10
Quantum communication in random networks: Theorists find surprising behaviours in quantum random networks
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gUqA685v8Zo/100525090337.htm
The Internet, networks of connections between Hollywood actors, etc., are examples of complex networks, whose properties have been intensively studied in recent times. The 'small-world' property (that everyone has a few-step connection to celebrities), for instance, is a famous example. Scientists have now introduced complex networks in the quantum realm.

Thu, 27 May 10
Domestic violence victims have higher health costs for years after abuse ends
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UzFCegUlNmY/100426131559.htm
Victims of domestic violence endure significantly higher health costs than other women for three years after the abuse ends, a new study finds. Abuse victims had health care costs that averaged more than $1,200 above non-abused women for the first two years after the abuse ended and about $400 above others in the third year.

Thu, 27 May 10
Gene causes blue light to have a banana odor in fruit flies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ab-8NSfx6Q0/100526093618.htm
Scientists in Germany have succeeded to genetically modify fruit fly larvae allowing them to smell blue light. The research team can activate single receptor neurons out of 28 olfactory neurons in the larvae for this sensory perception. Normally animals avoid light. However, blue light simulates in genetically modified larvae the smell of an odorant, e.g., banana, marzipan or glue -- odors which are all present in rotting fruit and attractive to fruit fly larvae.

Thu, 27 May 10
Bisphenol A and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals pose cancer risk, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DoRApo5OTq0/100525103937.htm
A review article describes the carcinogenic effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including bisphenol A. Researchers express the need for more complex strategies for studying how these chemicals affect health but report that ample evidence supports changing public health and environmental policies to protect the public, particularly the developing fetus and women of reproductive age.

Thu, 27 May 10
Parasitic threat to animals and the environment revealed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bwWS_GsGGNY/100525090523.htm
Researchers have discovered animal populations may often be under a much larger threat from parasites than previously recognized.

Thu, 27 May 10
Control of high blood pressure improving in US, but prevalence not decreasing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IY9q96HFT4c/100525171321.htm
About 50 percent of patients with hypertension have adequate control of their blood pressure, meeting a goal of Healthy People 2010, but the rate of hypertension in the US has not decreased in recent years, according to a new study.

Wed, 26 May 10
Supermassive black holes may frequently roam
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LTVvG9Qgux0/100525154004.htm
The supermassive black hole (SMBH) at the center of the most massive local galaxy (M87) is not where it was expected. Research, conducted using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), concludes that the SMBH in M87 is displaced from the galaxy center.

Wed, 26 May 10
Mutant gum disease bacteria provide clue to treatment for Alzheimer's
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mlGmClcqAgQ/100525140952.htm
A defective, mutant strain of the bacterium that causes gum disease could provide a clue to potential treatments for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and a number of other diseases.

Wed, 26 May 10
More 'good' cholesterol is not always good for your health
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NRZtuWZkbvM/100525111944.htm
A new study finds that a high level of HDL, or the so-called "good" cholesterol, is not always beneficial and puts certain patients at high risk for recurrent coronary events, such as chest pain, heart attack, and death. Increasing good cholesterol can lead to negative consequences in some people, and should be taken into account when testing drugs designed to increase HDL cholesterol.

Wed, 26 May 10
High-strain tendons repair less frequently
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/A_Cji9R5zNQ/100525141000.htm
Tendons in high-stress and strain areas, like the Achilles tendon, actually repair themselves less frequently than low-stress tendons. This study sheds some light on the increased susceptibility of certain tendons to injury during aging.

Wed, 26 May 10
High level of bacteria found in bottled water in Canada
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IHT6iTL8uGc/100525140954.htm
A Montreal study finds heterotrophic bacteria counts, in more than 70 percent of bottled water samples, exceed the recommended limits specified by the United States Pharmacopeia.

Wed, 26 May 10
Close, but not too close: Donors to charities aren't always comfortable with a victim-in-need, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SdK_rcEIaiI/100504124352.htm
Victim-centered charitable campaigns, like those that feature hungry children in distant lands, may be less effective with some potential donors than those that highlight the broader aims of the charity, according to new research.

Wed, 26 May 10
Extinct giant shark nursery discovered in Panama
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zFnEZKSSp1c/100517132851.htm
Young giant sharks, now extinct, may have grown up in shallow water nurseries, according to new findings from Panama's Gatun Formation.

Wed, 26 May 10
Bacteria as a predicter of colorectal cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XzWRPF_kJrY/100525140956.htm
Recent findings suggest that bacteria residing in the the human intestinal tract may be associated with an individual's risk of developing colon cancer.

Wed, 26 May 10
Stem-cell disruption induces skull deformity, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aGlrtIT2RXY/100525111938.htm
Scientists have discovered a defect in cellular pathways that provides a new explanation for the earliest stages of abnormal skull development in newborns, known as craniosynostosis.

Wed, 26 May 10
Early antibiotic treatment for severe COPD symptoms linked with improved outcomes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FnIwJ1AL_7s/100525171323.htm
Among patients hospitalized for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), those who received antibiotics in the first 2 hospital days had improved outcomes, such as a lower likelihood of mechanical ventilation and fewer re-admissions, compared to patients who received antibiotics later or not at all, according to a new study.

Wed, 26 May 10
Major step ahead for cryptography
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9FxBnLklaz0/100525223526.htm
Scientists have taken a step towards a fully practical system to compute on encrypted data. This work could have wide ranging impact on areas as diverse as database access, electronic auctions and electronic voting.

Wed, 26 May 10
What's more important in the obesity battle –- physical activity or medical treatment?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/K8NCcEKGlJI/100525202305.htm
Experts disagree about the best way to tackle the obesity crisis. While some acknowledge that "physical inactivity is a major contributor to the global burden of disease," they say that it would be wrong to only focus on this and ignore the problem of obesity.

Wed, 26 May 10
Star of Africa's savanna ecosystems may be the lowly termite: Regularly spaced termite mounds are key to maintaining ecological function
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/psFVYnD25qc/100525171229.htm
The majestic animals most closely associated with the African savanna -- fierce lions, massive elephants, towering giraffes -- may be relatively minor players when it comes to shaping the ecosystem. The real king of the savanna appears to be the termite, say ecologists who've found that these humble creatures contribute mightily to grassland productivity in central Kenya via a network of uniformly distributed colonies.

Wed, 26 May 10
Gene variants lead to autism and mental retardation: Inner structure of nerve synapses defective in patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1vYZDgaG6Cc/100525103933.htm
Researchers in Germany have discovered previously unknown mutations in autistic and mentally impaired patients in what is known as the SHANK2 gene, a gene that is partially responsible for linking nerve cells.

Wed, 26 May 10
Dangerous lung worms found in people who eat raw crayfish
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yI6oBV1SXnE/100525171319.htm
If you're headed to a freshwater stream this summer and a friend dares you to eat a raw crayfish -- don't do it. You could end up in the hospital with a severe parasitic infection.

Wed, 26 May 10
Study sheds light into the nature of embryonic stem cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qHnsQdCJJzo/100525171310.htm
New insight into what stem cells are and how they behave could help scientists to grow cells that form different tissues. A new study has shown that embryonic stem cells consist of cells that switch back and forth between precursors of different cell types. This may be linked to their potential to become any cell type in the body.

Wed, 26 May 10
NASA develops enhanced search and rescue technologies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4STp_FhlW1Q/100524161342.htm
NASA, which pioneered the technology used for the satellite-aided search and rescue capability that has saved more than 27,000 lives worldwide since its inception nearly three decades ago, has developed new technology that will more quickly identify the locations of people in distress and reduce the risk of rescuers.

Wed, 26 May 10
Criminals have their own distictive 'local haunts' when committing crimes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GotUVJbA2d8/100525202303.htm
Research conducted by psychologists and the police has found that criminals have their own distinctive "local haunts" when committing crime.

Wed, 26 May 10
20th century one of driest in nine centuries for northwest Africa
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Du2j7A_pT20/100525181012.htm
Droughts in the late 20th century rival some of North Africa's major droughts of centuries past, reveals new research that peers back in time to the year 1179. The first multi-century drought reconstruction that includes Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia shows frequent and severe droughts during the 13th and 16th centuries and the latter part of the 20th century. An international team developed the tree-ring-based drought history.

Wed, 26 May 10
Moving closer to a universal influenza vaccine
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FyUV2hlLvAU/100525133217.htm
Researchers have developed a new influenza vaccine that brings science one step closer to a universal influenza vaccine that would eliminate the need for seasonal flu shots.

Wed, 26 May 10
New study of psoriatic cells could fire up the study of inflammation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1o-2Slp2lk4/100524104230.htm
New research promises to pry some long held secrets from one of humanity's oldest known diseases. Scientists have discovered how to parse the most troublesome cells behind the debilitating skin lesions in psoriasis and have identified several distinctive markers that suggest how they might be contributing to the disease -- a painful inflammation of the skin that afflicts up to 2 percent of the U.S. population.

Wed, 26 May 10
Vaccination key to preventing childhood pneumonia in sub-Saharan Africa
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fYCG8PXvJHw/100525171327.htm
Researchers have found that respiratory syncytial virus appears to be the predominant virus detected among infants and children hospitalized in Kenya.

Wed, 26 May 10
Grin and bear it: Texas dentists to test students' portable suction device
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/t6SnH5SqpRI/100524121248.htm
A group of university students has created a portable dental suction device, an inexpensive, battery-powered version of the vacuum system commonly used in dentists' offices to remove blood and saliva from a patient's mouth.

Wed, 26 May 10
Banning all gay men from donating blood is unscientific and wrong, say AIDS researchers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8h34TA3hT3c/100525133209.htm
Since 1983, blood agencies in Canada, the United States and many other industrialized nations have disallowed all blood donations from men who have sex with men. While a total ban was justified scientifically and ethically in 1983, in 2010 it no longer makes sense, say AIDS researchers in a new article.

Wed, 26 May 10
Nearby black hole is feeble and unpredictable
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/suWkJXyZcFA/100525094902.htm
A decade-long study by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory reveals that the supermassive black hole at the heart of the Andromeda galaxy was in a very dim, or quiet, state before 2006. However, on January 6, 2006, the black hole became more than a hundred times brighter, suggesting an outburst of X-rays. This was the first time such an event had been seen from a supermassive black hole in the nearby, local universe.

Wed, 26 May 10
New cancer vaccine starves tumours of blood
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1mKHonGp5Jk/100524111705.htm
A DNA-vaccine that restricts the supply of blood to tumors has been developed by scientists in Sweden. The vaccine slows the growth of breast cancer tumors in mice.

Wed, 26 May 10
Scientists track plume of polluted groundwater to the sea
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/45y922ysgWo/100520141218.htm
In the first study of its kind, researchers have tracked a plume of polluted groundwater from a septic system to one of Northern California's top recreational beaches. The researchers say their findings could be an important step toward improving waste water management in coastal communities throughout the United States.

Wed, 26 May 10
Pregnancy doubles HIV risk in men; first trial of a microbicide in pregnant women
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vzLz0aEfV2w/100523205810.htm
Young women of reproductive-age are among those at greatest risk of acquiring HIV, and several studies have suggested that during pregnancy women are even more susceptible to infection. Now, a new study finds that pregnancy is a time when men also are at greater risk -- double the risk, in fact. Another pivotal study is the first to ask whether using a microbicide during pregnancy is safe for women and their babies.

Wed, 26 May 10
Rising levels of dioxins from common soap ingredient in Mississippi River, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FPovaW0mAM4/100518113236.htm
Specific dioxins derived from the antibacterial agent triclosan, used in many hand soaps, deodorants, dishwashing liquids and other consumer products, account for an increasing proportion of total dioxins in Mississippi River sediments, according to new research.

Wed, 26 May 10
Male antelopes trick females into extra sex opportunities
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/t29-v0ec3Yw/100524111726.htm
Scientists have caught male topi antelopes in the act of faking fear in front of females in heat as a way to improve their chances of having sex. The male antelopes, observed in southwest Kenya, send a false signal that a predator is nearby only when females in heat are in their territories. When the females react to the signal, they remain in the territory long enough for some males to fit in a quick mating opportunity.

Wed, 26 May 10
'Nature's batteries' may have helped power early lifeforms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UlGfE1AMJGs/100525094906.htm
Researchers in the UK have uncovered new clues to the origins of life on Earth. The team found that a compound known as pyrophosphite may have been an important energy source for primitive lifeforms.

Wed, 26 May 10
Discovery of stem cell illuminates human brain evolution, points to therapies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_Zn44_IVogA/100525094929.htm
Scientists have discovered a new stem cell in the developing human brain. The cell produces nerve cells that help form the neocortex -- the site of higher cognitive function -- and likely accounts for the dramatic expansion of the region in the lineages that lead to humans, the researchers say.

Wed, 26 May 10
What genes help blossoms last longer?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ka2tUp2Ygvs/100524114045.htm
To help cut flowers and potted plants stay fresh longer, a plant physiologist is investigating the gene-controlled mechanisms of plants' aging.

Wed, 26 May 10
New role for zebrafish in human studies: Animal model uses mysterious enzyme also found in human brains
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZPWKs_qngGY/100519151741.htm
A researcher has discovered that zebrafish -- an important animal model in disease and environmental studies -- could provide the means to help scientists eventually reveal the function of a mysterious enzyme linked to the steroid cortisol, and found in the human brain.

Wed, 26 May 10
Perennial grass Miscanthus shows promise as energy crop while lowering atmospheric CO2
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fzBZlFmPo_g/100521092751.htm
A new article reveals that Miscanthus x giganteus, a perennial grass, could effectively reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, while lowering atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Wed, 26 May 10
Saving rainforests may help reduce poverty
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/I6XD9uj5_J0/100525103939.htm
Saving rainforests and protecting land in national parks and reserves reduced poverty in two developing countries, according to new research.

Wed, 26 May 10
Weird orbits of neighbors can make 'habitable' planets not so habitable
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/V9aoKxt6p9Y/100524143419.htm
New findings from computer modeling indicate some exoplanets might fluctuate between being habitable and being inhospitable to life because of forces exerted by giant neighbors with eccentric orbits.

Wed, 26 May 10
Folate prevents alcohol-induced congenital heart defects in mice, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3NRfnfQj6-w/100524130839.htm
A new animal study found that high levels of the B-vitamin folate prevents heart birth defects induced by alcohol exposure very early in pregnancy, a condition known as fetal alcohol syndrome. The dose that best protected against heart defects in mice was considerably higher than the current dietary recommendation of 400 micrograms of folate daily for women of child-bearing age, researchers report.

Wed, 26 May 10
Preventing cells from getting the kinks out of DNA
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ELOeiln5Gkk/100524151437.htm
Some of the most common antibiotics and anticancer drugs block topoisomerases that snip the tangles out of DNA. If a cell cannot remove the tangles, it dies. Researchers investigating the structure of these enzymes have found that Type II topoisomerases, which snip double-stranded DNA, use their metal catalysts in a novel way that could help drug designers improve antimicrobials and cancer poisons and make them less toxic to the host.

Wed, 26 May 10
Antibiotic alternative for battling meningitis-causing bacteria
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TDrldpEvbxQ/100524121246.htm
A new study suggests that boosting the abundance of one of the body's own proteins might be more effective than antibiotic treatment at fighting off a common meningitis-causing bacterium.

Wed, 26 May 10
Scientists to study impact of gulf oil spill on marine food webs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DzzFGGTZsj8/100524143425.htm
New reports are surfacing every day about the immediate impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on Gulf Coast wildlife, especially as the oil reaches the sensitive marshlands along the coast. But how will these communities be affected over time? Shells from oysters, clams, and periwinkles hold clues about the ways and rates at which harmful compounds from the spill are being incorporated into the Gulf's marine food web.

Wed, 26 May 10
Switching medications and continuing treatment could help teens with severe depression, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GuEOlXGXIWY/100517132844.htm
More than one-third of teenagers with treatment-resistant depression -- many of whom had been depressed for more than two years -- became symptom-free six months after switching their medication or combining a medicine switch with cognitive behavioral therapy during a multicenter study.

Wed, 26 May 10
Inspired by a cotton candy machine, engineers put a new spin on creating tiny nanofibers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kQFbd5Eg04s/100525094925.htm
Hailed as a "cross between a high-speed centrifuge and a cotton candy machine," a new, practical technology for fabricating tiny nanofibers has been developed by bioengineers. The reference to the fairground treat of spun sugar is deliberate, as the device literally -- and just as easily -- spins, stretches and pushes out 100 nanometer-diameter polymer-based threads using a rotating drum and nozzle.

Wed, 26 May 10
Viral infection linked to juvenile diabetes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Pgt-g6qoT0A/100524161238.htm
Researchers from Italy have found a statistically significant association between enteroviral infection and diagnosis of type-1 diabetes in children.

Wed, 26 May 10
Chott el Jerid, Tunisia: Closest thing to Mars on Earth?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Va0HGRax3Os/100525090331.htm
Scientists are analyzing one of the most Mars-like places on Earth -- Chott el Jerid in South West Tunisia -- in preparation for future missions to the Red Planet.

Wed, 26 May 10
Using antiretroviral to prevent HIV could result in drug resistance if routine screening is not done, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WqbRmx8p5gY/100524114041.htm
Their scientific methods may have been quite different, but their conclusions were not. In asking whether drug resistance could be a problem if antiretroviral (ARV) drugs become a mainstay for HIV prevention, two studies -- one involving a mathematical model and the other assays of cells and tissue -- arrived at the same answer. Resistance could happen if people who are unknowingly already infected use the approach.

Wed, 26 May 10
Self-healing concrete: Research yields cost-effective system to extend life of structures
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TWPPMQFZUTc/100524143421.htm
Efforts to extend the life of structures and reduce repair costs have led engineers to develop "smart materials" that have self-healing properties, but many of these new materials are difficult to commercialize. A new self-healing concrete, however, may prove to be cost-effective.

Wed, 26 May 10
Discarded data may be gateway to new brain insights
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/S9Fmv79UVQM/100512125228.htm
Scientists regularly discard up to 90 percent of the signals from monitoring of brain waves, one of the oldest techniques for observing changes in brain activity. Now, though, researchers have found evidence that these data may contain significant information about how the brain works.

Tue, 25 May 10
Were dinosaurs warm- or cold-blooded? First method for directly measuring body temperatures of extinct vertebrates
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VFc13ossQz4/100524151428.htm
Questions about when, why, and how vertebrates stopped relying on external factors to regulate their body temperatures and began heating themselves internally have long intrigued scientists. Now, a team of researchers has taken a critical step toward providing some answers. They have developed the first method for the direct measurement of the body temperatures of large extinct vertebrates -- through the analysis of rare isotopes in the animals' bones, teeth, and eggshells.

Tue, 25 May 10
Drinking fewer sugar-sweetened beverages may lower blood pressure
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fSzx_208us4/100524161244.htm
Drinking fewer sugar-sweetened beverages -- a leading source of added sugar in the US diet -- may lower blood pressure, according to new research.

Tue, 25 May 10
To attack H1N1, other flu viruses, gold nanorods deliver potent payload
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/F7dUZBaZ8vM/100524161335.htm
Future pandemics of seasonal flu, H1N1 and other drug-resistant viruses may be thwarted by a potent, immune-boosting payload that is effectively delivered to cells by gold nanorods, scientists report.

Tue, 25 May 10
H1N1 associated with serious health risks for pregnant women, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fxlD1SvWFE8/100524161248.htm
Pregnant women who contract the H1N1 flu strain are at risk for obstetrical complications including fetal distress, premature delivery, emergency cesarean delivery and fetal death, according to a new report.

Tue, 25 May 10
Pollution dispersion research aids understanding of 2002 break-up of Antarctic ozone hole
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xX6_PA6gAV0/100524173729.htm
Researchers report findings on the flow of particles that will aid in understanding and controlling global-scale phenomena, such as pollution dispersion in the atmosphere and the ocean. For instance, the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico might be modeled to provide greater insight into how the particles might be dragged into the Loop Current.

Tue, 25 May 10
Sept. 11 attacks linked to increased male baby miscarriages, even in women with no direct connection to events
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pwbrPxVsR8w/100524203304.htm
Stress caused by psychological shock from the Sep. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, felt even by people with no direct link to the event, may have led to an increase in male children being miscarried in the US.

Tue, 25 May 10
Can bacteria make you smarter?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_sejchP_ODY/100524143416.htm
Exposure to specific bacteria in the environment, already believed to have antidepressant qualities, could increase learning behavior, according to new research.

Tue, 25 May 10
Research points to two promising proteins for preventing diabetes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kK_jaDsTE7g/100524173721.htm
Two human proteins that evolutionary processes have conserved from ancient single-celled organisms appear to provide new targets of opportunity for scientists hoping to thwart the development of diabetes.

Tue, 25 May 10
Phoenix Mars Lander is silent, new image shows damage
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2UOfL6NIFyA/100524160754.htm
NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander has ended operations after repeated attempts to contact the spacecraft were unsuccessful. A new image transmitted by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shows signs of severe ice damage to the lander's solar panels.

Tue, 25 May 10
Beta-blockers may be associated with benefits in patients with lung disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YmIZqFLT8_0/100524161246.htm
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may have fewer respiratory flare-ups and longer survival if they take beta-blocker medications, according to a new report.

Tue, 25 May 10
Odds are about 1-in-3 that mega-earthquake will hit Pacific Northwest in next 50 years, scientists say
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cknHko3UVCo/100524121250.htm
The major earthquakes that devastated Chile earlier this year and which triggered the catastrophic Indonesian tsunami of 2004 are more than just a distinct possibility to strike the Pacific Northwest coast of the United States, scientists say. There is more than a one-in-three chance that it will happen within the next 50 years.

Tue, 25 May 10
Revealing China's ancient past
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uAZrMQMS8SE/100524161344.htm
A U.S. archeologist is helping to reveal for the first time a snapshot of rural life in China during the Han Dynasty. The rural farming village of Sanyangzhuang was flooded by silt-heavy water from the Yellow River around 2,000 year ago. T.R. Kidder, professor of anthropology, is working to excavate the site, which offers a exceptionally well-preserved view of daily life in Western China more than 2,000 years ago.

Tue, 25 May 10
Comet dives into Sun: STEREO, SOHO spacecraft catch crash
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RTw6JKyuMm8/100524203306.htm
Solar physicists have used STEREO data to track the path of a sun-grazing comet and have caught it crashing through the corona and chromosophere to evaporate in the photosphere.

Tue, 25 May 10
Brain injuries may result in trouble sleeping, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cwvgECKrCx4/100524161236.htm
People with brain injuries may produce low amounts of melatonin, which affects their sleep, according to a new study.

Tue, 25 May 10
First realistic simulation of DNA unfolding
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yGHVp9wENtE/100520093323.htm
The separation of the two DNA strands occurs in millionths of a second. Consequently, it is extremely difficult to study this phenomenon experimentally and researchers must rely on computational simulations. After four years of fine-tuning an effective physical model and massive use of the supercomputer Mare Nostrum, researchers have managed to produce the first realistic simulation of DNA opening at high resolution.

Tue, 25 May 10
Model demonstrates infectious cause of asthma
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/v2n0rsJrLVk/100524161240.htm
Scientists have developed an animal model that shows how an early childhood lung infection can cause asthma later in life.

Tue, 25 May 10
Nile delta natural gas potential is significant
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ilGae_S_VYM/100524130842.htm
An estimated 223 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered, technically recoverable natural gas are in the Nile Delta 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.

Tue, 25 May 10
Smoking cessation treatments work and are safe for people with severe mental illness
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GlKcld8ONfY/100520131445.htm
In a new study, researchers have determined that treatment for smoking dependence is as effective among people with severe mental illnesses as it is for the general population. Importantly, they also found that offering such treatments does not appear to cause deterioration in mental health.

Tue, 25 May 10
Tissue engineering technique yields potential biological substitute for dental implants
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CQjFMbhKT5g/100524111724.htm
A pioneering tissue engineering technique can orchestrate stem cells to migrate to a 3-D scaffold infused with growth factor, holding the translational potential to yield an anatomically correct tooth in as soon as nine weeks once implanted.

Tue, 25 May 10
Anti-aging supplements may be best taken not too late in life
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1Sngwpe6wRA/100524114043.htm
Researchers investigated the potential anti-aging benefits of a commercially available mixture marketed for relieving chronic fatigue and protecting against muscle aging. The findings in rats suggest anti-aging supplements made up of mixtures might be better than single compounds at preventing decline in physical function.

Tue, 25 May 10
Using remote sensing to track invasive trees
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OOfKzp29U8Y/100521102631.htm
A team of agricultural scientists has refined remote sensing tools for identifying invasive Ashe juniper shrubs and trees in central Texas and nearby regions. These findings can help rangeland managers determine the extent and severity of Ashe juniper infestations and boost mitigation efforts.

Tue, 25 May 10
Frequent doctor visits help diabetics lower blood pressure more quickly
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Z8ncrBU5qSU/100524161242.htm
Frequent doctor visits helped diabetes patients lower their high blood pressure to normal quicker, according to a large study.

Tue, 25 May 10
Antibacterial silver nanoparticles are a blast
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kul6cdj3Mh0/100524101339.htm
In a new article, researchers explain how blasting silver nitrate solution with an electron beam can generate nanoparticles that are more effective at killing all kinds of bacteria, including gram-negative species that are not harmed by conventional antibacterial agents.

Tue, 25 May 10
Obesity remains an economic issue, research finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MwwWPNNRRdw/100524121252.htm
Nutrition researchers are asking: "Who buys what foods, why, where and for how much?" The answers might surprise you. Most studies have used distance to the nearest supermarket as the best predictor of whether people have good diets and better health. But new research finds that's not true. Driving further to save money on groceries is common. For that reason, physical proximity to a supermarket may not, by itself, assure a healthy diet.

Tue, 25 May 10
Well-tolerated radiotherapy provides longer life to patients with recurrent brain cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wCLPAcEy1Ls/100517172013.htm
Patients who received hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for their recurrent brain cancers lived longer lives, according to researchers.

Tue, 25 May 10
Nine new species for Tasmania's disappearing handfish family
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/A89vqSOjmlY/100524101358.htm
Nine new species of handfish have been described by Australian scientists in research that highlights an urgent need to better understand and protect the diversity of life in Australia's oceans. The review brings the family to 14 known species -- six found only in Tasmania and one known from only one specimen possibly collected in Tasmania by early European explorers, yet not recorded since. It also deepens concerns about declining populations of some handfishes.

Tue, 25 May 10
Most patients survive common thyroid cancer regardless of treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/u8snu4JlC2c/100517161136.htm
Individuals with papillary thyroid cancer that has not spread beyond the thyroid gland appear to have favorable outcomes regardless of whether they receive treatment within the first year after diagnosis, according to a new report.

Tue, 25 May 10
New method for producing 'libraries' of important carbohydrate molecules
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wucaLs18alg/100523205816.htm
A team of scientists has created a method for the rapid chemical synthesis of complex carbohydrates, and that method could dramatically change the availability of such molecules for research.

Tue, 25 May 10
Flexible treatment intervention associated with greater improvement in anxiety symptoms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nYhv-wgByK4/100518101614.htm
An intervention in primary care settings that allowed a choice of cognitive behavior therapy, medication or both, along with computer-assisted treatment support for patients with common anxiety disorders, resulted in greater improvement in anxiety symptoms and functional disability compared to usual care, according to a new study.

Tue, 25 May 10
DNA sequence itself influences mutation rate, new research indicates
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RHG4n5BLRFU/100524092348.htm
Genetic variation due to DNA mutation is a driving force of adaptation and evolution, as well as a contributing factor to disease. However, the mechanisms governing DNA mutation rate are not well understood. In a new study, researchers have identified intrinsic properties of DNA that influence mutation rate, shedding light on mechanisms involved in genome maintenance and potentially disease.

Tue, 25 May 10
Cancer-targeting virus delivered by IV is successful in treating advanced cancers, research finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tnl0IxsCIvQ/100524105050.htm
Intravenous delivery of a cancer-targeting virus is successful in destroying cancer cells that have spread throughout the body, according to new research.

Tue, 25 May 10
When it comes to security, think 'natural': Security organizations could be more effective if officials learn from nature
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/q330_CM7nrU/100520141223.htm
Security organizations could be more effective if officials learn from occurrences in the environment, researchers suggest in a new article. The authors are working with security and disaster management officials to help put some of their recommendations -- such as decentralizing forces and forming alliances -- into practice.

Tue, 25 May 10
Four biomarkers important in colerectal cancer treatment prognosis discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ciI6r_ITJu0/100419090947.htm
The science of microRNAs continues to generate new insights into cancer and disease treatment. New research shows that four specific miRNAs will help predict which patients are more likely to develop aggressive colorectal cancer and which are not. The findings also shed light on the genetics that result in worse colorectal cancer-treatment outcomes for African-Americans, compared with Caucasians.

Tue, 25 May 10
Intelligent therapies with virtual reality for the psychological treatment of patients suffering from fibromyalgia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/k_qEln1hXxc/100524072959.htm
Researchers in Spain have developed a new therapy based on the use of mobile devices and virtual reality for the psychological treatment of patients suffering from fibromyalgia.

Tue, 25 May 10
It's the little things: Everyday gratitude as a booster shot for romantic relationships
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SuHAcBWbt8M/100524072912.htm
Our busy lives sometimes feel like they are spinning out of control, and we lose track of the little things we can do to add meaning to our lives and make our loved ones feel appreciated. A new article in points the way to the methods of gratitude we can use to give a boost to our romantic relationships, and help us achieve and maintain satisfaction with our partners.

Tue, 25 May 10
Ultraviolet radiation not culprit killing amphibians, research shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/87VEwp4KXck/100524101335.htm
In nature, ultraviolet radiation from sunlight is not the amphibian killer scientists once suspected. Naturally occurring murky water and females who choose to lay their eggs in the shade keep embryos of one of the nation's most UV-sensitive amphibian species out of harm's way most of the time, new research shows.

Tue, 25 May 10
Alcohol consumption may protect against risk of Alzheimer's disease, particularly in female nonsmokers, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VVOZGKbQva4/100524072901.htm
Knowledge regarding environmental factors influencing the risk of Alzheimer's disease is surprisingly scarce, despite substantial research in this area. In particular, the roles of smoking and alcohol consumption still remain controversial. A new study suggests a protective effect of alcohol consumption on the risk of Alzheimer's disease, particularly in women who do not smoke.

Tue, 25 May 10
Invention could aid Mars probes' search for life
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OSh372sCaYU/100524072906.htm
The next generation of Mars rovers could have smaller, cheaper, more robust and more sensitive life-detecting instruments, thanks to an advance in mass spectrometry that will make it easier to direct ions along specified paths. Equipment based on the technology could make the Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer -- part of the 2018 ExoMars mission -- a better life-detecting tool.

Tue, 25 May 10
Routine breast cancer biopsy might predict lymph node cancer spread
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/smJ9YBYagfQ/100418155430.htm
Predicting breast cancer spread from a sentinel lymph node removed during surgery is a hit or miss affair, say researchers: there are still many false negatives, which means the node, when analyzed under a microscope, appears clean of cancer cells, but metastasis can still occur in the patient. The sentinel node is the first lymph node in the axilla that cancer spreads to.

Tue, 25 May 10
How grazing lands influence greenhouse gas
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TKfBXk5YYhk/100518121629.htm
Scientists estimated net global warming potential for three grazing management systems located in central North Dakota. The results indicate that grazing lands are strong sinks of soil organic carbon and minor sinks of methane, but small to moderate sources of nitrous oxide.

Tue, 25 May 10
More than 3,500 pediatric injuries related to crutches, walkers and wheelchairs each year in the US, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AvMiQBKCsz0/100524101345.htm
Children and adolescents with an injury or disability may use mobility aids such as crutches, walkers and wheelchairs to help them move around more easily. However, use of these aids has been associated with risk for injury. A new study found that more than 63,000 pediatric mobility aid-related injuries were treated in United States emergency departments from 1991-2008, and the annual number of cases increased 23 percent during the 19-year study period.

Tue, 25 May 10
Regular violent eruptions from interacting pair of stars
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/i5QhfB1fLk0/100524085514.htm
Astronomers have spotted violent eruptions from an interacting pair of stars that orbit around each other every 25 minutes. Unusually, these outbursts take place at regular and predictable intervals, erupting every two months. The new observations were made using the fully robotic Liverpool Telescope sited in the Canary Islands and the orbiting Swift observatory.

Tue, 25 May 10
'Stress' protein could halt aging process, say scientists
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MwMqtNA7vlU/100524101341.htm
Scientists have discovered that a protein which responds to stress can halt the degeneration of muscle mass caused during the body's aging process.

Tue, 25 May 10
3-D model of blood flow by supercomputer predicts heart attacks
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xpJuGXhTIuY/100520102913.htm
Researchers in Switzerland have developed a flowing 3-D model of the cardiovascular system that should allow for predictions of certain heart diseases before they become dangerous.

Tue, 25 May 10
Lung cancer: Biopsy-based study tilts field toward personalized treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SLIBcXfoiqU/100419113652.htm
The first lung cancer clinical trial to guide targeted therapies to patients based on molecular signatures in tumor biopsies is a step toward personalized care and more effective, efficient clinical trials for new drugs, study leaders report.

Tue, 25 May 10
'Printing' pills to order: Research to create safer, faster-acting medicines
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/asCpT3BgfDk/100524073001.htm
A collaboration in the UK is looking at 'printing' pills to order, to create safer and faster-acting medicines. The research is set to revolutionize a process which has remained unchanged for over a thousand years.

Tue, 25 May 10
Early detection of Parkinson's disease by voice analysis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/atISB73oXV0/100419102927.htm
A new technique assisting in early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease has been developed. It involves analysis of voice and articulation.

Mon, 24 May 10
Ribbon at edge of our solar system: Will the Sun enter a million-degree cloud of interstellar gas?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/v7o_NeB08w0/100521191114.htm
Is the Sun going to enter a million-degree galactic cloud of interstellar gas soon? A U.S.-Polish team of scientists suggests that the ribbon of enhanced emissions of energetic neutral atoms, discovered last year by the NASA Small Explorer satellite IBEX, could be explained by a geometric effect due to the approach of the Sun to the boundary between the Local Cloud of interstellar gas and another cloud of a very hot gas called the Local Bubble. If this hypothesis is correct, IBEX is catching matter from a hot neighboring interstellar cloud, which the Sun might enter in a hundred years.

Mon, 24 May 10
New blood test for newborns to detect allergy risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pTQqT7gWxMI/100521092427.htm
A simple blood test can now predict whether newborn babies are at high risk of developing allergies as they grow older.

Mon, 24 May 10
Small RNA controls a bacterium's social life
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rb511HX1oWY/100520141210.htm
For the first time, biologists have directly shown how spontaneous mutation of a small RNA (sRNA) regulatory molecule can provide an evolutionary advantage. The scientists also identify the sRNA as a key regulator of social behavior in Myxococcus xanthus, a soil bacterium widely studied for its ability to cooperatively construct fruiting bodies that house stress-resistant spores when food runs out.

Mon, 24 May 10
Uncovering lithium's mode of action
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UdreTCLjWaE/100521191440.htm
Though it has been prescribed for over 50 years to treat bipolar disorder, there are still many questions regarding exactly how lithium works. Researchers have provided solid evidence that lithium reduces brain inflammation by adjusting the metabolism of the health-protective omega-3 fatty acid called DHA.

Mon, 24 May 10
Decoding our network communities
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Jl5wj3kD7mw/100521210128.htm
A new way of finding community structure within networks -- anything from social networks such as Facebook, to power grids, political voting networks, and protein interaction networks in biology -- could help us understand how people are connected and how connections change over time. The new technique aims to be more realistic than conventional approaches, which only capture one type of connection or a network at only one moment in time.

Mon, 24 May 10
Game theoretic machine learning methods can help explain long periods of conflict
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Z1Lr32KtivA/100513064126.htm
Researchers have developed new machine learning methods to study conflict. The new method, which they call Inductive Game Theory, has been applied to a time series of fights gathered from detailed observations of an animal society model system.

Mon, 24 May 10
Small mammals -- and rest of food chain -- at greater risk from global warming than thought, research finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_zujQNDO8Bk/100523205822.htm
Small-mammal communities got knocked seriously askew about 12,000 years ago by the last episode of global warming. Environmental disruptions let highly adaptable species thrive while others lost population and range. The current warming may push some species to extinction, destabilizing the food chains and ecosystems of which they are a vital part.

Mon, 24 May 10
Scientists make important step toward stopping plaque-like formations in Huntington's disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dftmTexoOx0/100521191239.htm
Researchers describe a laboratory test that allows scientists to evaluate large numbers of fruit fly genes for a possible role in the formation of plaque-like protein aggregates within cells. Those genes often have counterparts in humans, which might then be manipulated to stop or slow the formation of plaque-like protein aggregates, the hallmark of Huntington's and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Mon, 24 May 10
Physicists develop a quantum interface between light and atoms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TmAQNc5Tylw/100521092624.htm
Physicists in Germany have developed a quantum interface which connects light particles and atoms. The interface is based on an ultra-thin glass fiber and is suitable for the transmission of quantum information. This is an essential prerequisite for quantum communication which shall be used for secure data transmission via quantum cryptography.

Mon, 24 May 10
Immune evasion common in many viruses, bacteria and parasites is uncommon in M. tuberculosis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FnVNTeunjAI/100523205818.htm
Scientists have discovered that the strategy of "immune evasion" common to many viruses, bacteria and parasites, is uncommon to M. tuberculosis where the antigens remain strikingly unchanged and homogeneous. The study suggests that M. tuberculosis antigens do not mutate because they hope to be recognized by the body's immune system -- perhaps because the host immune mechanism that leads to the typical lung destruction and cough can contribute to the spread of the disease. This finding has the potential to change the direction of vaccine research and could result in a new focus on different targets of immune response to the bacteria.

Mon, 24 May 10
Organic solids in soil may speed up bacterial breathing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gAKdFwnlc3Q/100523205820.htm
The "mineral-breathing" bacteria found in many oxygen-free environments may be "carbon-breathing" as well. Oxygen-free, or anaerobic, environments contain microbes sometimes described as "mineral-breathing" because they use iron oxides and other minerals in the same way we use oxygen. According to a new study, this bacterial respiration may be accelerated by solid organic compounds in the soil.

Mon, 24 May 10
Patients have misconceptions and high levels of anxiety about general anesthesia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/z3hih3-CYTM/100520093032.htm
Eighty-five percent of patients who took part in a survey shortly after day surgery said that they had been anxious about receiving a general anesthetic. The top three concerns that made patients very anxious were the thought of not waking up, dying while asleep and waking up during surgery.

Mon, 24 May 10
Two peas in an irregular pod: How binary stars may form
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/eNT2sLC0ikw/100521205606.htm
Our sun may be an only child, but most of the stars in the galaxy are actually twins. The sibling stars circle around each other at varying distances, bound by the hands of gravity. How twin stars form is an ongoing question in astronomy. Do they start out like fraternal twins developing from two separate clouds, or "eggs"? Or do they begin life in one cloud that splits into two, like identical twins born from one egg?

Mon, 24 May 10
Gene network associated with vitamin A deficiency and lung birth defects
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HiNZ58mR584/100517171959.htm
Researchers have discovered the mechanism responsible for the failure of the lungs to form as a result of vitamin A/retinoic acid (RA) deficiency. The study also shows that corrections to this network make it possible to prevent the lung defect in retinoic acid-deficient animals.

Mon, 24 May 10
Minnow with fangs, golden orb spider and carnivorous sponge make top 10 list of new species
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iarQGnGttzU/100521191432.htm
The International Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University and an international committee of taxonomists have announced the top 10 new species described in 2009. The top 10 new species list includes a carnivorous sponge, bug-eating slug, edible yam, stinkhorn fungus, golden orb spider, flat-faced frogfish, banded knifefish, minnow with fangs, deep-sea worm and charismatic plant that feeds on insects.

Mon, 24 May 10
Pistachios offer multiple benefits, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Z-ZguE74k6s/100520092942.htm
Pistachio nuts, eaten as part of a healthy diet, can increase the levels of antioxidants in the blood of adults with high cholesterol, according to nutritional scientists.

Mon, 24 May 10
Danger in the internet cafe? New computer security threat for wireless networks: Typhoid adware
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/eDxO8YI9Tsk/100521191436.htm
There's a potential threat lurking in your internet café, say computer science researchers. It's called Typhoid adware and works in similar fashion to Typhoid Mary, the first identified healthy carrier of typhoid fever who spread the disease to dozens of people in the New York area in the early 1900s.

Mon, 24 May 10
Learning from experience? Multisensory tools create discerning wine lovers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iQaqvuGfWAA/100518113232.htm
Wine aficionados are better able to resist misleading advertising if they are provided with accurate sensory descriptors, according to a new study.

Mon, 24 May 10
Silica cages help anti-cancer antibodies kill tumors in mice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OXHgXZzWjIA/100521191237.htm
Packaging anti-cancer drugs into particles of chemically modified silica improve the drugs' ability to fight skin cancer in mice, according to new research. Results show the honeycombed particles can help anti-cancer antibodies prevent tumor growth and prolong the lives of mice.

Mon, 24 May 10
Patients at high risk of recurrences of heart disease: Breakthrough in prevention
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pIHhqMpj8Ng/100520141242.htm
Researchers have announced promising findings of a major clinical study study on VIA-2291 -- a recently developed medication that can effectively reduce inflammation, which can contribute to the formation and progression of atherosclerosis plaque and infarct.

Mon, 24 May 10
Geometry Drives Selection Date for 2011 Mars Launch
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZSOyrT8BqtQ/100521205942.htm
Planners of NASA's next Mars mission have selected a flight schedule that will use favorable positions for two currently orbiting NASA Mars orbiters to obtain maximum information during descent and landing.

Mon, 24 May 10
Systems biology helps explain hematopoiesis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/p_ICG-FyRTo/100521191434.htm
After blood loss, large amounts of the hormone Epo flood the hematopoietic system in the bone marrow. Scientists have shown how a rapid turnover of Epo receptor molecules on hematopoietic cells ensures that these remain ready to react. Thus, our body can respond even to extreme increases of Epo levels with an adequate supply of red blood cells.

Mon, 24 May 10
Switch protein also influences the cytoskeleton
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oDc6oYKMGqM/100521092755.htm
The protein Ras is known as the switch for cell division when it is activated. Mutations in Ras and its interaction partners can thus lead to the development of cancer. Researchers in Germany have now discovered another unexpected capability of Ras, namely that it, by interacting with another protein, controls the synthesis of the cytoskeleton responsible for the structure and stability of the cell.

Mon, 24 May 10
Air Force Prevention Program reduces suicide rates significantly, according to new data
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/A_9iTnEkEnw/100520112349.htm
The US Air Force Suicide Prevention Program has reduced suicide rates significantly since it was launched in 1996, according to a new study that examined almost three decades of data.

Sun, 23 May 10
Odd geometry of bacteria may provide new way to study Earth's oldest fossils
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dJiQXPiSf2I/100517152520.htm
Deciphering the few clues about ancient bacterial life that are seen in these poorly preserved rocks has been difficult, but researchers may have found a way to glean new information from the fossils. Specifically, they have linked the even spacing between the thousands of tiny cones that dot the surfaces of stromatolite-forming microbial mats -- a pattern that also appears in cross-sectional slices of stromatolites that are 2.8 billion years old -- to photosynthesis.

Sun, 23 May 10
'Fountain of youth' steroids could protect against heart disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_Q7gzXDslvA/100517111912.htm
A natural defense mechanism against heart disease could be switched on by steroids sold as health supplements, according to researchers.

Sun, 23 May 10
Female damselflies prefer 'hot' males
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/R_a5VaxqD3Q/100520092948.htm
Researchers have found that female damselflies prefer hot males. Hot male damselflies, who have warmed their bodies in the sun, are more attractive to their female counterparts.

Sun, 23 May 10
Surgical options for female incontinence found to be effective but with different complications
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gXiHqviXIBI/100518093830.htm
Two popular procedures for female stress incontinence were found to be equivalent in efficacy but differed in side effects, according to new data. These surgical techniques, called mid urethral slings, are increasingly common for the treatment of stress incontinence or urine loss from physical activity such as coughing, sneezing or laughing.

Sun, 23 May 10
Large number of public wells in U.S. have potentially harmful contaminants in source water, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0qtH6WY8I6E/100521191446.htm
More than 20 percent of untreated water samples from 932 public wells across the nation contained at least one contaminant at levels of potential health concern, according to a new study. The study focused primarily on source (untreated) water collected from public wells before treatment or blending rather than the finished (treated) drinking water that water utilities deliver to their customers.

Sun, 23 May 10
Homeless adults have significant unmet health care needs, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cfu0EOnbXn8/100514151924.htm
The vast majority of homeless adults surveyed in a national study had trouble accessing at least one type of needed health care service in the preceding year, according to new research that may be the first broad-based national study of factors related to unmet health needs among homeless people.

Sun, 23 May 10
New analysis reveals clearer picture of brain’s language areas
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lTnfsP6decc/100518144436.htm
Language is a defining aspect of what makes us human. Although some brain regions are known to be associated with language, neuroscientists have had a surprisingly difficult time using brain imaging technology to understand exactly what these 'language areas' are doing. Neuroscientists now report on a new method to analyze brain imaging data -- one that may paint a clearer picture of how our brain produces and understands language.

Sun, 23 May 10
Quickly evolving bacteria could improve digestive health
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JfvspglRmkg/100518170216.htm
When the forces of evolution took over an experimental strain of bacteria, it derailed an experiment that researchers thought they were conducting, but led to something much more profound instead. The researchers used a colony of mice raised in a large plastic bubble, called an isolator, that was completely sterile, lacking even a single bacterium. They introduced a single type of bacteria into the mouse colony, but it mutated quickly into different types, making new bacteria that were hardier inside of the mice than the original bacterium was.

Sun, 23 May 10
Why do Earth’s storm tracks differ from those of Jupiter?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wwVunryGXIo/100518130636.htm
Computer simulations show that both ocean dynamics, such as the Gulf Stream, and mountain ranges influence the pattern of storm tracks on Earth. This also explains why Earth's storm tracks are so different from those on the gas giant Jupiter.

Sun, 23 May 10
Simple electronic gadget could speed up HIV/AIDS diagnostics
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/a1eengQGDG0/100519092700.htm
A relatively simple electronic gadget could speed up HIV/AIDS diagnostics and improve accuracy particularly in parts of the world with very limited access to health-care workers.

Sun, 23 May 10
Supramolecular architecture explains the incredible strength of fibrin blood clots
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bmWEC-PstJE/100518121627.htm
A new study unlocks the previously unknown structural features that underlie the incredible elastic resilience of fibrin, the main protein in blood clots. The research provides insight into how the molecular architecture of a fibrin network contributes to its resilience and may help to explain what causes the failure of a clot, which can lead to a stroke or heart attack.

Sun, 23 May 10
The fear of falling
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Jsu0HgGMJps/100514151922.htm
One in four people over the age of 70 suffers from gait disturbance. To prevent falls, specific treatment should be given. In a new study, researchers in Germany describe methods of differential diagnosis and therapy.

Sun, 23 May 10
Synthetic biomaterials mimic cellular membranes: Use in nanomedicine, drug delivery
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-G2c7cBobSk/100520141208.htm
An international collaboration led by chemists and engineers has prepared a library of synthetic biomaterials that mimic cellular membranes and that show promise in targeted delivery of cancer drugs, gene therapy, proteins, imaging and diagnostic agents and cosmetics safely to the body in the emerging field called nanomedicine.

Sun, 23 May 10
Gene therapy may be effective in treating pulmonary arterial hypertension
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cblSMAFigbs/100519112607.htm
Gene therapy has been shown to have positive effects in rat models of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), according to researchers at the University of Adelaide in Australia.

Sun, 23 May 10
Schooling fish offer new ideas for wind farming
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NzK8LiXxt6A/100517152532.htm
The quest to derive energy from wind may soon be getting some help from a fluid-dynamics expert -- and a school of fish.

Sun, 23 May 10
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation reduces muscle atrophy in COPD, researchers find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XShGbbb4KrI/100517144810.htm
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) may reduce muscle atrophy in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to Canadian researchers.

Sun, 23 May 10
Enabling video systems to react intelligently to content
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VTV8-Gz1ZOE/100519081440.htm
Highly sophisticated video-content analysis now makes possible fast and reliable diagnosis of pulmonary embolisms, automatically detects threatening situations in surveillance scenarios and can provide more enjoyable and customized home entertainment. The systems achieve this by reacting not only to the contents of the data but also to the context. Commercial applications are already developing across Europe.

Sun, 23 May 10
Arizona's smoking ban reduced hospital visits
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/A-HDrybplHE/100520093034.htm
Since the 2007 state law that bans smoking in public venues took effect, admissions for ailments related to secondhand smoke have declined by as much as 33 percent.

Sat, 22 May 10
Invention regulates nerve cells electronically
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5cx-WFT5CoY/100521191111.htm
A major step toward being able to regulate nerve cells externally with the help of electronics has been taken by researchers in Sweden. The breakthrough is based on an ion transistor of plastic that can transport ions and charged biomolecules and thereby address and regulate cells.

Sat, 22 May 10
Prenatal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals linked to breast cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ed3Z9Ob53N4/100521102633.htm
A study in mice reveals that prenatal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, like bisphenol-A (BPA) and diethylstilbestrol (DES), may program a fetus for life. Therefore, adult women who were exposed prenatally to BPA or DES could be at increased risk of breast cancer, according to a new study.

Sat, 22 May 10
Gesture-based computing on the cheap: Multicolored gloves making Minority Report-style interfaces more accessible
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Gf1MhyYHHgc/100521213630.htm
Ever since Steven Spielberg's 2002 sci-fi movie Minority Report, in which a black-clad Tom Cruise stands in front of a transparent screen manipulating a host of video images simply by waving his hands, the idea of gesture-based computer interfaces has captured the imagination of technophiles. Researchers have now developed a system that could make gestural interfaces much more practical. Aside from a standard webcam, like those found in many new computers, the system uses only a single piece of hardware: a multicolored Lycra glove that could be manufactured for about a dollar.

Sat, 22 May 10
Exercise may keep cancer patients healthier during, after treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/96i_mwqAY6I/100520213110.htm
Breast and prostate cancer patients who regularly exercise during and after cancer treatment report having a better quality of life and being less fatigued, according to researchers.

Sat, 22 May 10
Breaking the logjam: Improving data download from outer space
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/guGwXb4eXrM/100519092702.htm
Space satellites that detect nuclear events and environmental gasses face a data logjam because their increasingly powerful sensors produce more information than their bandwidth can easily transmit. Experiments at the International Space Station indicate that sending more complex computer chips into space to pre-reduce the large data stream sent Earthbound could be the answer. But how well would the latest, most sensitive computing electronics fare in the harsh environment of outer space?

Sat, 22 May 10
Meaner than fiction: Reality TV high on aggression, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XPBsROH3Jyk/100521191235.htm
Researchers looked at five reality shows and five non-reality shows and found 52 acts of aggression per hour on reality TV compared to 33 per hour for the non-reality programs.

Sat, 22 May 10
Better way to detect food allergies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AE9WQiu4FhM/100521191241.htm
A chemical engineer believes he has a better way to diagnose such allergies. His new technology can analyze individual immune cells taken from patients, allowing for precise measurement of the cells' response to allergens such as milk and peanuts.

Sat, 22 May 10
Increased cancer risk of people with type 2 diabetes, large study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/teVTLVAWuNE/100521102629.htm
Scientists in Germany have published the largest study worldwide on the combined risk of diabetes and cancer. People affected by type 2 diabetes have an elevated risk of 24 of the types of cancer studied. The effect is most evident for liver cancer and pancreatic cancer. By contrast, people with diabetes have a significantly lower rate of prostate cancer.

Sat, 22 May 10
Cassini heading to Saturn's Titan after tagging Enceladus
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Tch7w4M1ARc/100521210426.htm
NASA's Cassini spacecraft is on its way to a flyby of Saturn's largest moon, Titan, after capturing some stunning images of Enceladus. One view shows the hazy outline of Titan behind Saturn's rings, with the dark curve of Enceladus at the bottom.

Sat, 22 May 10
Kidney weight matters when it comes to transplantation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/e91begFftMo/100520212617.htm
Receiving an organ low in weight in relation to the recipient's body weight increases kidney transplant recipients risk of complications and transplant failure, according to a new study. The results suggest that compatibility between a donated kidney's weight and the weight of the recipient could improve the success of transplantation.

Sat, 22 May 10
New England losing forest cover -- scholars call for accelerated conservation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/r0ok1OyJDqQ/100519112611.htm
New England forests are at a turning point. A new study reports that, following almost 200 years of natural reforestation, forest cover is declining in all six New England states. The authors of the report call for conserving 70 percent of New England as forestland, a target that they say is critical to protecting vital natural benefits that would be costly, and in some cases impossible, to replace.

Sat, 22 May 10
Mistakes can explain 'cooperative' behavior
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KHns2LJirhY/100521205753.htm
How people behave in economic games, where they can choose to be selfish or cooperative, can be explained more easily by 'mistakes' than wanting others to succeed.

Sat, 22 May 10
Ocean stored significant warming over last 16 years, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-wZWtRoZgvs/100521192533.htm
The upper layer of the world's ocean has warmed since 1993, indicating a strong climate change signal, according to a new study. The energy stored is enough to power nearly 500 100-watt light bulbs per each of the roughly 6.7 billion people on the planet.

Sat, 22 May 10
New path for novel Alzheimer's therapies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oSkq1aMRfJQ/100520093030.htm
Researchers have found a new Alzheimer's-related mechanism that could give rise to the development of new therapies against this disease.

Sat, 22 May 10
NASA's Mars rovers set surface longevity record
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CDoAMTpf2xQ/100521210107.htm
NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Project will pass a historic Martian longevity record on May 20. The Opportunity rover will surpass the duration record set by NASA's Viking 1 Lander of six years and 116 days operating on the surface of Mars. The effects of favorable weather on the red planet could also help the rovers generate more power.

Sat, 22 May 10
Better prognosis for children born with severe acute asphyxia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GNQ1vv0H4mE/100521092628.htm
The prognosis for children born with severe acute asphyxia has improved in recent years owing to new clinical procedures and better diagnostics, according to new research from Sweden. By measuring levels of lactic acid in the blood during childbirth and the brain activity of the newborn afterwards, doctors can make a much more reliable assessment of the risk of serious brain damage.

Sat, 22 May 10
Low-cost, ultra-fast DNA sequencing brings diagnostic use closer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EjVuRPsXIjE/100519163840.htm
Researchers show the viability of a novel, more efficient method to sequence DNA using nanopores. By doing it fast and inexpensively, this method brings routine use of DNA sequencing in medical diagnostics closer to reality.

Sat, 22 May 10
Nationwide smoking ban would help reduce heart attack admissions, slash costs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YOwMTuYgzIs/100520212603.htm
A nationwide smoking ban would save more than $90 million and significantly reduce hospitalizations for heart attack, according to a new study.

Sat, 22 May 10
Hubble finds a star eating a planet
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7CYUZiVPixo/100521191622.htm
The hottest known planet in the Milky Way galaxy may also be its shortest-lived world. The doomed planet is being eaten by its parent star, according to observations made by a new instrument on NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS). The planet may only have another 10 million years left before it is completely devoured.

Sat, 22 May 10
Genes and brain centers that regulate meal size in flies identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wwDOCpxzzvI/100520131437.htm
Biologists have identified two genes, the leucokinin neuropeptide and the leucokinin receptor, that appear to regulate meal sizes and frequency in fruit flies. Both genes have mammalian counterparts that seem to play a similar role in food intake, indicating that the steps that control meal size and meal frequency are not just behaviorally similar but are controlled by the same genes throughout the animal kingdom.

Sat, 22 May 10
I am treefrog, feel me shake
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RPrH05VjwsI/100520131433.htm
Using experiments involving a mechanical shaker and a robotic frog, researchers have found new evidence that male red-eyed treefrogs communicate with one another in aggressive contests by using vibrations they send through their plant perches. The findings open the door to further study of what has been a neglected channel for vertebrate communication.

Sat, 22 May 10
Genetic secrets of common kidney cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fnPX7VXNTDU/100518180926.htm
By examining expression of every human gene in clear cell renal cell carcinoma compared to normal kidney cells, researchers have discovered gene signatures they say explain much of the biology of this common and difficult-to-treat kidney cancer.

Sat, 22 May 10
Presence of chemical in smoker's breath indicates person has smoked in last three days
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yvMwm817dPI/100520093325.htm
If you smoke, your breath contains 2,5-dimethylfuran. A team of Catalan researchers have proved that the presence of this chemical compound indicates that a person has smoked in the last three days. This substance does not appear in the breath of non-smokers, unless they have been in direct contact with tobacco smoke for a long time.

Sat, 22 May 10
Get rhythm: Why the key to finding music you like is rhythm, not genre
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UqC33eEWlKc/100520092934.htm
So close and yet so wrong -- you might love heavy metal like Metallica but your music platform suggests you should also like the '60s sound of the Doors, simply because both bands are classified as rock. New research shows that searching for the temporal aspects of songs -- their rhythm -- might be better to find music you like than using current automatic genre classifications.

Fri, 21 May 10
What makes music sound so sweet (or not)
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VFFs6601ccY/100520131431.htm
Ever since ancient times, scholars have puzzled over the reasons that some musical note combinations sound so sweet while others are just downright dreadful. The Greeks believed that simple ratios in the string lengths of musical instruments were the key, maintaining that the precise mathematical relationships endowed certain chords with a special, even divine, quality. Now, researchers think they may have gotten closer to the truth by studying the preferences of more than 250 college students from Minnesota to a variety of musical and nonmusical sounds.

Fri, 21 May 10
Better ways to inhibit blood clots revealed by new study
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZpLSqwCrCPM/100519081333.htm
A new study reveals factors that improve the performance of synthetic fibrin "knobs", which bind to "holes" on fibrinogen molecules to prevent blood clot formation. The study also identifies a novel synthetic knob that displays a 10-fold higher affinity for holes than current synthetic knobs.

Fri, 21 May 10
Personality of geese determines their foraging behaviour
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-bqhEtgGhcM/100520093206.htm
When searching for food, slow, shy barnacle geese follow information given by their flock mates. On the other hand, fast, bold geese ignore this type of information and go off in search for food on their own. Whether barnacle geese make use of social information (from other individuals) depends on their personality.

Fri, 21 May 10
New breakthrough in fight against lethal CCHF virus
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6GoLoak1dww/100517204401.htm
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus is a rare but serious human infection that causes internal bleeding, organ failure and ultimately death. Scientists have developed a new model to study CCHF which should enhance the development of vaccines and antivirals against this deadly disease.

Fri, 21 May 10
Arsenic in playgrounds nothing to worry about, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GSGex241pAs/100520131554.htm
Pressure-treated wooden playground structures do not live up to the bad reputation they have earned as being harmful to children, according to the findings of a new study.

Fri, 21 May 10
Tai Chi gets cautious thumbs up for psychological health
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aqnB5zD6_fQ/100520213106.htm
Tai Chi, a low impact martial art, has been associated with reduced stress, anxiety and depression, and enhanced mood, in both healthy people and those with chronic conditions. A systematic review of the subject found that although Tai Chi does appear to have positive psychological effects, more high quality, randomized trials are needed.

Fri, 21 May 10
Probing the dark side of the universe: In search of primordial gravitational waves
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kiEQi6-rSq0/100520141216.htm
Much like ripples moving across a pond, gravitational waves waves stretch the fabric of space itself as they pass by. If detected, these elusive waves could provide an unprecedented view of the earliest moments of our universe. Researchers are exploring the most likely detection method of these waves.

Fri, 21 May 10
Study finds Alzheimer's disease link in eyes of children with Down syndrome
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/S5U6Va7T0zY/100520212611.htm
A team of researchers has discovered that the protein that forms plaques in the brain in Alzheimer's disease also accumulates in the eyes of people with Down syndrome. The new findings in Down syndrome show that the toxic protein, known as amyloid-beta, that causes Alzheimer's pathology in the brain also leads to distinctive cataracts in the eyes. The discovery is leading the researchers to develop an innovative eye test for early detection of Alzheimer's pathology in both disorders.

Fri, 21 May 10
Experimental vaccine protects monkeys from new Ebola virus
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/d95Sl9MK284/100520212613.htm
New research has found that an experimental Ebola vaccine developed by researchers at the National Institutes of Health protects monkeys against not only the two most lethal Ebola virus species for which it was originally designed, both recognized in 1976, but also against a newer Ebola virus species that was identified in 2007.

Fri, 21 May 10
Reducing niacin intake can prevent obesity, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5ZiNaINddOI/100520112347.htm
A research team from China explored the mechanism underlying niacin's action on glucose metabolism, and the association between the US per capita niacin consumption and the obesity prevalence in the US. They found there is a close correlation between the niacin consumption and the obesity prevalence in the US population. The increased obesity prevalence in the US children in the past three decades may be to a large extent of a niacin fortification-related event.

Fri, 21 May 10
To improve lung cancer diagnosis, good medicine is a polymer pill
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aRRQvDHSMw8/100428121445.htm
Doctors may soon be able to diagnose lung cancer more effectively, thanks to scientists who have found ways both to increase the accuracy of computed tomography scans and to lessen the amount of time necessary to perceive telltale changes in lung tissue.

Fri, 21 May 10
Books in home as important as parents' education in determining children's education level
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FnN5hJCZkm0/100520213116.htm
Whether rich or poor, residents of the United States or China, illiterate or college graduates, parents who have books in the home increase the level of education their children will attain, according to a 20-year study.

Fri, 21 May 10
Scientists discover the molecular heart of collective behavior
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cpoeLlpvP0o/100520151212.htm
A group of scientists seeking the answer to the mystery of collective motion has found strong evidence pointing to the idea that collective behavior can arise in cells that initially may not be moving at all, but are prodded into action by an external agent such as a chemical.

Fri, 21 May 10
New associations between diabetes, environmental factors found by novel analytic technique
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VNrH_awZMbk/100520212615.htm
Got diabetes? If so, you probably know that the adult-onset form of the disease can be triggered by, among other things, obesity and a fatty diet. You're also more likely to develop diabetes if other family members have it. But a new study suggests that you should also begin looking suspiciously at other aspects of your life -- like your past exposure to certain pesticides or chemicals and even one form of vitamin E.

Fri, 21 May 10
More physical activity leads to less obesity -- often, but not always
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5AU2aYP7X2Y/100520092946.htm
It may seem intuitive that greater amounts of exercise lead to less obesity, but a new study has found that this conventional wisdom applies primarily to white women. The findings draw attention not only to racial, ethnic and gender differences regarding exercise but also to the role work can play.

Fri, 21 May 10
Non-invasive technique could distinguish fertile and infertile human sperm cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/O2usm00PXuE/100518064608.htm
Scientists in Germany have developed a non-invasive technique that within seconds can distinguish healthy fertile and infertile sperm cells by collecting the spectral chemical fingerprint. The method has the potential for a novel fertility technology and a test scheme which does not only rely on morphological characteristics, but also utilizes chemical signatures.

Fri, 21 May 10
'Scrubbing' chemical-contaminated buildings clean with lasers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LVUWiVKEjuc/100520170939.htm
While no terrorist has managed to deploy a dirty bomb, the same cannot be said of chemical agents. In a series of tests still underway researchers are using lasers to scrub surfaces clean of sulfur mustard gas and VX, a nerve agent. The tests have proved successful so far, even on complex, porous surfaces like concrete.

Fri, 21 May 10
First drug to demonstrate therapeutic effect in a type of autism
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wzv7_SQ-y8c/100520131547.htm
Researchers have identified a drug that improves communication between nerve cells in a mouse model of Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS). Behavioral symptoms of PMS fall under the autism spectrum disorder category.

Fri, 21 May 10
Human microbiome project: Diversity of human microbes greater than previously predicted
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zJuEmJtiKvE/100520141214.htm
The Human Microbiome Project has published an analysis of 178 genomes from microbes that live in or on the human body. The researchers discovered novel genes and proteins that serve functions in human health and disease, adding a new level of understanding to what is known about the complexity and diversity of these organisms.

Fri, 21 May 10
Estrogen-lowering drugs minimize surgery in breast cancer patients, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZHMpE_5cJgE/100520213108.htm
A nationwide study has confirmed the benefit of giving estrogen-lowering drugs before surgery to breast cancer patients. The treatment increased the likelihood that women could undergo breast-conservation surgery, also called lumpectomy, instead of mastectomy.

Fri, 21 May 10
Seeing moire in graphene
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/k_QIr-tg4H4/100428121528.htm
Researchers have demonstrated that atomic scale moire patterns, an interference pattern that appears when two or more grids are overlaid slightly askew, can be used to measure how sheets of graphene are stacked and reveal areas of strain.

Fri, 21 May 10
Yogurt-like drink DanActive reduced rate of common infections in daycare children
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3UTRlKtM8ao/100519081329.htm
The probiotic yogurt-like drink DanActive reduced the rate of common sicknesses such as ear infections, sinusitis, the flu and diarrhea in daycare children, say researchers who studied the drink in the largest known probiotic clinical trial to be conducted in the United States. An additional finding, however, showed no reduction in the number school days missed.

Fri, 21 May 10
How laptops can enhance learning in college classrooms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lYqZaE_vN6k/100520161950.htm
Despite the distraction potential of laptops in college classrooms, new research shows that they can actually increase students' engagement, attentiveness, participation and learning.

Fri, 21 May 10
In the green of health: Just 5 minutes of 'green exercise' optimal for good mental health
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sQQ9eLPq0d0/100502080414.htm
How much "green exercise" produces the greatest improvement in mood and sense of personal well-being? A new study has a surprising answer likely to please people in a society with much to do but a little time to do it: Just five minutes of exercise in a park, on a nature trail, or other green space will benefit mental health.

Fri, 21 May 10
Clue to antimatter conundrum: Physicists find evidence for significant matter-antimatter asymmetry
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/J8OxYT_S8D0/100520212139.htm
Scientists at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory have announced that they have found evidence for significant violation of matter-antimatter symmetry in the behavior of particles containing bottom quarks beyond what is expected in the current theory, the Standard Model of particle physics. The new result indicates a one percent difference between the production of pairs of muons and pairs of antimuons in the decay of B mesons produced in high-energy collisions at Fermilab's Tevatron particle collider.

Fri, 21 May 10
New blood test shows promise as screening tool for early detection of ovarian cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zheTPW81Xto/100520213114.htm
Evaluating its change over time, CA-125, the protein long-recognized for predicting ovarian cancer recurrence, now shows promise as a screening tool for early-stage disease, according to researchers.

Fri, 21 May 10
Research promises more healthful vegetable oil -- and tractor fuel to harvest it
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qU8KnPC7WJY/100520161952.htm
Genetic discoveries from a shrub called the burning bush, known for its brilliant red fall foliage, could fire new advances in biofuels and low-calorie food oils, according to scientists. New low-cost DNA sequencing technology applied to seeds of the species Euonymus alatus -- a common ornamental planting -- was crucial to identifying the gene responsible for its manufacture of a novel, high-quality oil.

Fri, 21 May 10
Antibiotic resistance lasts up to a year, primary care patient study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Fko7Xzc4IEk/100518230524.htm
Patients prescribed antibiotics in primary care may develop a resistance that lasts up to 12 months, according to research published on bmj.com today.

Fri, 21 May 10
Researchers develop computer-based system to automatically track radiation dose exposure from CT scans
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5JSIK6rf588/100503090140.htm
Researchers have developed a computer-based system that can automatically track patient-specific radiation dose exposure (based on a patient's size and weight) on every patient that receives a computed tomography scan, providing patients with a way to start tracking their cumulative health care-related radiation exposure, according to a new study.

Fri, 21 May 10
Pandemic flu containment measures bought valuable time, Vietnam study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HLehXHWQvEY/100518180854.htm
Containment measures introduced in Vietnam to prevent the spread of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza did not succeed in halting the virus, but may have bought health services and clinical researchers valuable time, according to research. The study also showed that patients with mild disease responded favorably in terms of viral clearance -- and hence reduced transmission of the virus -- to oseltamivir, the most commonly-used antiviral drug, when given in the first 3-4 days of illness.

Fri, 21 May 10
Big bang in the protein universe?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wDcs9bRMQ8I/100519205503.htm
New research is providing evidence supporting the common ancestry of life, thanks to a new computational approach to study protein evolution. The work takes its inspiration from the astronomer Edwin Hubble and uses his approach to study protein evolution. The extrapolation of Hubble's approach to proteins shows that proteins that share a common ancestor billions of years ago continue to diverge in their molecular composition.

Fri, 21 May 10
Gene found that may be key to kidney cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Fvr-zVikusI/100520141221.htm
Researchers have discovered a key gene that, when turned off, promotes the development of common kidney cancer. Their findings suggest that a combination of agents now being tested in other cancers may turn the gene back on, providing a much-needed therapy for the difficult-to-treat cancer.

Fri, 21 May 10
Large caps this spring's must-have for water fleas
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BKih-aTRJPY/100503111523.htm
It remains one of the unresolved mysteries of the animal world: why do females change the way they look each season while males look the same all year round? Researchers who have been studying fashion trends for water fleas have found some of the answers.

Fri, 21 May 10
Finding the soft spot: Researcher develops tool to measure tissue damage in the bedridden and paralyzed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tJuKhbwf4OY/100518121633.htm
An engineer has developed the prototype for a new device he calls a Soft Tissue Stress Monitor, designed to alleviate some of the deep-tissue damage and problems suffered by the amputated and infirm.

Fri, 21 May 10
Solar power manufacturing makes good business sense for governments, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ysh9fSfqr7E/100520131550.htm
Canadian and provincial governments could spend $2.4 billion to build a large scale solar photovoltaic manufacturing plant and then give it away for free and still earn a profit in the long run, according to a financial analysis.

Fri, 21 May 10
New vision needed for combating and preventing TB among migrants, experts urge
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Y30xnZU9w_U/100518230520.htm
Tuberculosis is an enormous global public health problem. Migration and failure by governments and the public health community to adequately treat and prevent TB among migrants is an important barrier to TB control. To reduce the incidence, spread and severity of tuberculosis, government policies must ensure that all patients have easy access to diagnosis and treatment, according to a new commentary.

Fri, 21 May 10
Abdominal fat at middle age associated with greater risk of dementia: Obesity linked to lower total brain volume
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cCoV4OBIac8/100520092940.htm
Researchers have determined that excess abdominal fat places otherwise healthy, middle-aged people at risk for dementia later in life. Preliminary findings suggest a relationship between obesity and dementia that could lead to promising prevention strategies in the future.

Fri, 21 May 10
Mercury levels are increasing in popular species of game fish in Lake Erie
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lxFPkNsMDiI/100520102923.htm
Scientists are reporting that mercury levels in a popular species of game fish in Lake Erie are increasing after two decades of steady decline. The study is the most comprehensive to date on mercury levels in Great Lakes fish.

Fri, 21 May 10
One-a-day heart polypill to be tested in new international trial
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CnjiijRamns/100517070245.htm
Researchers will be exploring whether a new, very low cost, one-a-day combined ‘polypill’ could reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular problems across the world, in a major new international trial. The new ‘Red Heart Pill’ contains low-dose aspirin, a statin and two blood pressure-lowering medicines in a single polypill.

Fri, 21 May 10
Unexpectedly high rate of multiple strains in fungal infection
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/217FqWTVFx4/100519143443.htm
New research shows that nearly 1 in 5 cases of infection with the potentially deadly fungus Cryptococcus neoformans are caused by not one but multiple strains of the pathogen.

Fri, 21 May 10
Depressed chronic kidney disease patients more likely to face complications
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mEWb83Hok0s/100519173102.htm
Patients with chronic kidney disease who have been diagnosed with depression are twice as likely to be hospitalized, progress to long-term dialysis treatments or die within a year as those who are not depressed, researchers have found.

Fri, 21 May 10
First results study on impact of large celestial body on Jupiter
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Qa4nYcnaM0o/100520092950.htm
Astronomers have researched the impact of a large-sized celestial body on the planet Jupiter last July. According to the studies, the main spot, a very black cloud comprising the waste materials produced by the impact, reached a size of about 5,000 km in the atmosphere of Jupiter, even though it was surrounded by a halo caused by the falling of the material expelled from the atmosphere of up to 8,000 km, slightly smaller than the size of the Earth.

Fri, 21 May 10
Nanotech breath sensor detects diabetes and potentially serious complication
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_uWDqy3nR20/100520102921.htm
Scientists are reporting development and successful testing of a sensor that can instantly tell whether someone has type I diabetes. It could also be used by emergency room doctors to determine whether a patient has developed diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially serious complication that happens when diabetics do not take enough insulin. Someday the technology may also be used by diabetics, in their own homes, to determine whether they need more insulin.

Fri, 21 May 10
'Prehistoric' frogs may face extinction if conservation area is opened to mining
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZV6EwfgHqts/100520102917.htm
The world's most ancient frogs may soon be mined to extinction, if the New Zealand government's plans to open up a conservation area for mining go ahead, conservation biologists warn.

Fri, 21 May 10
Young infants are not sufficiently protected against measles, research finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7chhaZMwpfw/100518230526.htm
Young infants appear to have a gap in their protection against measles, from around two to three months old until they are vaccinated at 12 months of age, finds new research.

Fri, 21 May 10
Biodiesel from sewage sludge within pennies a gallon of being competitive
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Li9oRvPzbSk/100520102919.htm
Existing technology can produce biodiesel fuel from municipal sewage sludge that is within a few cents a gallon of being competitive with conventional diesel refined from petroleum, according to a new article. Sludge is the solid material left behind from the treatment of sewage at waste-water treatment plants.

Fri, 21 May 10
Depression care program eliminates suicide
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WlEUG6GCufA/100518170032.htm
A unique program for patients with depression has resulted in two and a half years without a single suicide from Henry Ford's patient population. The program was created by the Behavioral Health Services division of Henry Ford Health System in 2001.

Thu, 20 May 10
Artificial antibodies hold biomedical promise
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NbZoRtC3-ls/100519173100.htm
Researchers have developed a much faster and simpler way of making synthetic antibodies, by carrying out the usual steps in reverse. They have developed a technique for constructing peptide sequences, then linking them together to form a synthetic antibody, or synbody, that can bind with one or more protein molecules contained in the vast repository of human proteins -- the proteome.

Thu, 20 May 10
New steps toward a universal flu vaccine
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/b7tlypt8YUk/100519143441.htm
Researchers have developed a novel influenza vaccine that could represent the next step towards a universal influenza vaccine eliminating the need for seasonal immunizations.

Thu, 20 May 10
Commonly used atrazine herbicide adversely affects fish reproduction
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/i2G6BRCXpXI/100519131126.htm
Atrazine, one of the most commonly used herbicides in the world, has been shown to affect reproduction of fish, according to a new study.

Thu, 20 May 10
Sari cloth a simple sustainable protector from cholera
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FPFSVRpuzig/100519143415.htm
A five-year follow up study in Bangladesh finds that women are literally wearing the answer to better health for themselves, their families and even their neighbors. Using the simple sari to filter household water protects not only the household from cholera, but reduces the incidence of disease in neighboring households that do not filter.

Thu, 20 May 10
Are invasive species bad? Not always, say researchers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NKjRA328aHo/100517111939.htm
New research challenges the notion that invasive species can't coexist with native animals. The researchers studied the Asian shore crab, which has proliferated along the Atlantic shore. They explain why the crab has been successful in its new home without hurting native species.

Thu, 20 May 10
Severity of binge eating disorder linked to childhood sexual or emotional abuse, researchers find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JEsGEqgZQEs/100512125230.htm
Researchers in Canada have discovered a link between childhood sexual and emotional abuse and binge eating disorder in adulthood.

Thu, 20 May 10
Artificial butterfly in flight and filmed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yAUHSf_OpgA/100519205506.htm
A group of Japanese researchers have succeeded in building a fully functional replica model -- an ornithopter -- of a swallowtail butterfly, and they have filmed their model butterfly flying.

Thu, 20 May 10
Genetic link to infectious disease susceptibility revealed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XKf2sikUXFU/100519173058.htm
Researchers have identified new genetic variants that increase susceptibility to several infectious diseases including tuberculosis and malaria.

Thu, 20 May 10
Body's own molecular protection against arthritis discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hGwhFEJuchM/100518121639.htm
Scientists have discovered that a natural molecule in the body counters the progression of osteoarthritis. The findings could one day lead to new therapies for some common diseases of aging.

Thu, 20 May 10
Popular autism diet does not demonstrate behavioral improvement
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MqSHO7M9kYA/100519143401.htm
A popular belief that specific dietary changes can improve the symptoms of children with autism was not supported by a tightly controlled study, which found that eliminating gluten and casein from the diets of children with autism had no impact on their behavior, sleep or bowel patterns.

Thu, 20 May 10
Stripes offer clues to superconductivity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/i7oHs-L-43o/100517111916.htm
Magnetic stripes hint at the origin of superconductivity in ceramics.

Thu, 20 May 10
Shyness negatively affects marital quality
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/htn_vwvjSzk/100519092706.htm
Shyness can influence the quality of an ongoing relationship -- even one as important as marriage -- according to a new study.

Thu, 20 May 10
Possible new class of supernovae puts calcium in your bones
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/14ck5wYNkxk/100519131116.htm
Astronomers have discovered several examples of an unusual type of exploding star that may be a new class of supernovae spewing calcium into the galaxy, which eventually ends up in all of us. Researchers studied one supernova detected in 2005, and concluded that it resulted from the thermonuclear explosion of a helium layer on a low mass white dwarf.

Thu, 20 May 10
Muscle loss in elderly linked to blood vessels' failure to dilate
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QJBAPNcCRPY/100519163846.htm
Researchers have found that muscle loss in the elderly is directly linked to decreased post-meal expansion in blood vessels that supply nutrients to muscles.

Thu, 20 May 10
Scientists use biomedical technique to image marine worm
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hJMs2bvtVQs/100518101623.htm
Scientists have, for the first time, successfully imaged the internal tissues of a soft-bodied marine worm at high resolution using a technique borrowed from biomedical science.

Thu, 20 May 10
Multivitamins can add sparkle for healthy young people
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7A7lzghtwAA/100514075108.htm
The effects of multivitamins are most often researched in the elderly. This is one of very few studies to assess the relationship between supplementation with vitamins/minerals and psychological functioning in healthy groups of non-elderly adults. This study shows how a proprietary multivitamin and mineral supplement improves mood and mental performance while also reducing stress, mental tiredness and fatigue in healthy males.

Thu, 20 May 10
Nuclear magnetic resonance aids in drug design
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/upc8BKsDLeQ/100519163838.htm
A new study is using nuclear magnetic imaging, to move drug design into groundbreaking consideration of the dynamic flexibility of drugs and their targets.

Thu, 20 May 10
Preschool depression: The importance of early detection of depression in young children
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WZvJgURnhAw/100519143445.htm
It is difficult to imagine a depressed third-grader. It is even more difficult to imagine a depressed preschooler. Although childhood depression is a well-recognized and treated disorder, only recently have research studies begun looking at depression in children younger than six years old. However, due to the potentially long-lasting effect of preschool depression, early identification and intervention become very important.

Thu, 20 May 10
Wild birds opt for conventional food over organic, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/398DbI7T7xA/100518230515.htm
The nutritional benefits of organic food have been called into question by new research which shows wild garden birds prefer conventional seed to that which has been organically- grown. A three-year study by Newcastle University has found that wild birds are not swayed by the organic label, but instead prefer the more protein-rich, conventional food that will help them to survive the winter.

Thu, 20 May 10
Progress in exploring new avenues for brain repair: Astroglia reprogrammed to generate synapse-forming neurons
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/67SvRQyJ4QI/100518180848.htm
Scientists report a major step forward in discovering a therapy for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or stroke. The researchers were able to convert glial cells of the brain into two different functional classes of neurons.

Thu, 20 May 10
A fat cell grows up: Stages from early to mature cell offer clues for anti-obesity drug development
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oWuNhlnsxE4/100517144818.htm
In a finding with potential drug-development implications, researchers report the discovery of an intermediate state between early-stage fat cells and fully mature ones that is only present transiently during the fat-cell formation process. This intermediate state is induced by hormones related to cortisol, which are known to contribute to obesity and metabolic disturbances in people.

Thu, 20 May 10
Drug in new class of targeted therapies shows early promise against blood-related cancers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QY0Jgm41IBY/100519112719.htm
A Phase I clinical trial of SNS-032, one of the first in a new class of drugs that inhibit cyclin-dependent kinases, demonstrated the drug's safety and potential clinical action against advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Thu, 20 May 10
Costs and benefits of testosterone in birds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_0DxKwOfBWE/100513112753.htm
Do nice guys finish last, or will the meek inherit the earth? A new study suggests that, at least for birds, the right answer is somewhere in between.

Thu, 20 May 10
Parent involvement continues to be important in elementary years
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JWTSL08fpXM/100514074915.htm
Children whose parents were more involved across elementary school had fewer problem behaviors and better social skills, but that children's academics weren't affected. The study followed 1,300 children from 10 US cities from birth to fifth grade.

Thu, 20 May 10
Nanotech discovery could lead to breakthrough in infrared satellite imaging technology
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/v-s5i3vg95s/100518170220.htm
Researchers have developed a new nanotechnology-based "microlens" that uses gold to boost the strength of infrared imaging and could lead to a new generation of ultra-powerful satellite cameras and night-vision devices. By leveraging the unique properties of nanoscale gold to "squeeze" light into tiny holes in the surface of the device, the researchers have doubled the detectivity of a quantum dot-based infrared detector.

Thu, 20 May 10
Parallel brainstem circuit discovery suggests new path in Parkinson's research
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dqSegT-6nOA/100519131124.htm
Neurobiology researchers report they've identified a nervous system pathway that runs parallel to brainstem locomotion command circuitry in vertebrates. Biologists say the finding may suggest new ways for treating symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Thu, 20 May 10
Scientists offer new take on selective fishing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/65fbnmmqq2k/100513093729.htm
A new, less selective approach to commercial fishing is needed to ensure the ongoing productivity of marine ecosystems and to maintain biodiversity, according to new research.

Thu, 20 May 10
Post-transplant drug may also help patients with common genetic kidney disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aWj9B0VCXqc/100513172856.htm
The immunosuppressive drug sirolimus considerably improves the kidney health of patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), according to a new study. The results suggest that this agent may be a promising treatment option for patients with ADPKD -- the most common genetic kidney disease and a major cause of kidney failure.

Thu, 20 May 10
Growers can boost benefits of broccoli and tomatoes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/moBgfTB_MvQ/100514123504.htm
Agronomic practices can greatly increase the cancer-preventive phytochemicals in broccoli and tomatoes. The highest levels of detoxifying enzymes were found in rats that ate selenium-treated broccoli.

Thu, 20 May 10
Poor children more vulnerable to effects of poor sleep
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Y2v3h-0Xt8E/100514074917.htm
Researchers studying 140 children in third to fifth grades found that elementary-school-age children from poor families are more vulnerable to the effects of poor sleep than their peers. Researchers gathered information using parents' and children's reports, as well as motion sensors worn by the children at night to examine their sleep.

Thu, 20 May 10
Stem cells from adipose tissue turned into cardiac myocytes: Achievement paves way for future heart disease therapies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Fy4iT7j0LSI/100519081558.htm
Spanish researchers have employed for the first time adult cells extracted from a human heart to turn stem cells from adipose tissue into cardiac myocytes. In other words, they have managed to "reprogram" adult stem cells -- an achievement that promises to improve treatments for heart disease.

Thu, 20 May 10
Smallest waterlily in the world brought back from the brink of extinction at Kew Gardens
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FoPQzTFdW2Y/100518230528.htm
The world's smallest waterlily -- a rare species from Rwanda -- has been brought back from the brink of extinction at Kew Gardens; a fitting success story to celebrate International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22, 2010.

Thu, 20 May 10
Oncolytic viruses mediating anti-tumor immunity in human cancer patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9-iPYvrAXLA/100518131714.htm
Researchers developing new cancer therapeutics based on the next generation oncolytic viruses have published initial results that demonstrate an anti-tumor immunity of oncolytic viruses -- published for the first time in humans -- and indicate the strong efficacy of the next generation viruses against solid tumor cancers.

Thu, 20 May 10
Leading scientists call for more effort in tackling rising ocean acidity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2HivlIoffAE/100519081444.htm
Ten years ago, ocean acidification was a phenomenon only known to small group of ocean scientists. It's now recognized as the hidden partner of climate change, prompting calls for an urgent, substantial reduction in carbon emissions to reduce future impacts. Scientists from the European Science Foundation at European Maritime Day 2010 give a comprehensive view of current research and highlight the need for a integrated effort internationally to research and monitor ocean acidification effects.

Thu, 20 May 10
Medicalizing human conditions: A growth industry -- but what does it cost?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Y3g0zia_nIg/100517152536.htm
Menopause. Normal pregnancy. Infertility. ADHD. Erectile dysfunction. Over the last several decades, these conditions have come to be defined and treated as medical problems. They've been "medicalized." In the first study of its kind, researchers used national data to estimate the costs of these and a handful of other common conditions on escalating US health care spending.

Thu, 20 May 10
Mysterious ball lightning: Illusion or reality?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VV2ZTii8mOo/100518093822.htm
Ball lightning is a rare circular light phenomenon occurring during thunderstorms. Scientists have been puzzled by the nature of these apparent fire balls for a long time. Now physicists have calculated that the magnetic field of long lightning strokes may produce the image of luminous shapes, also known as phosphenes, in the brain. This finding may offer an explanation for many ball lightning observations.

Thu, 20 May 10
Experts call for urgent action to tackle strong links between impotence and heart disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-SnY-amq4iU/100519112613.htm
International experts are calling for all men experiencing impotence to undergo thorough medical assessments, after an extensive review showed that a significant proportion of men with erectile dysfunction (ED) exhibit early signs of coronary artery disease. Men with ED will often develop coronary symptoms within two to three years of impotence and actually experience a cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack, within three to five years.

Thu, 20 May 10
Male antelopes deceive females to increase their chances of mating
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BYiOvTAkw1Q/100519112618.htm
Scientists have discovered that male topi antelopes deceive their female counterparts in order to increase their chances of mating.

Thu, 20 May 10
Signaling protein spurs spread of prostate cancer, scientists find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oXoII1PkbX4/100519112727.htm
Researchers have found that Stat5, a signaling protein previously found to be key to survival of prostate cancer, is also involved in metastasis.

Thu, 20 May 10
New method could stop shark oil being used in cosmetics and vaccines
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-2iYJCgcESM/100518230649.htm
A new method of analyzing squalene and squalane, oils often used in the production of cosmetics and vaccines, can show whether they came originally from the liver oil of deepwater sharks or from olive oil.

Thu, 20 May 10
Suicide risk for seniors moving into residential homes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kH1n3BLz6Kk/100518180840.htm
Whether by choice or necessity, more older adults are now living in residential homes. And while the residences themselves are designed to be appealing, the underlying reasons that precipitate moving into a residential home, as well as the ensuing adjustment process, often result in stress that can sometimes lead to suicidal behavior.

Thu, 20 May 10
Prehistoric fish extinction paved the way for modern vertebrates; Event of unknown origin occurred as first vertebrates tested land
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/V8aydiTu9tA/100517152518.htm
A mass extinction of fish 360 million years ago hit the reset button on Earth's life, setting the stage for modern vertebrate biodiversity, a new study reports. The mass extinction scrambled the species pool near the time at which the first vertebrates crawled from water towards land, scientists report. Those few species that survived the bottleneck were the evolutionary starting point for all vertebrates -- including humans -- that exist today.

Thu, 20 May 10
Altered brain development found in children with newly diagnosed epilepsy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uYsrTvjmdAc/100519081554.htm
A newly published study reports that children with new/recent onset epilepsy have significantly slowed expansion of white matter volume compared to healthy children over a two year interval. The reduced white matter volume may affect brain connectivity and influence cognition.

Thu, 20 May 10
New technique enables drugs tests via exhaled breath
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WFoj_dsXBv0/100519081438.htm
Researchers in Sweden have developed a new technique that makes drug testing possible through exhaled air for the first time. By examining people who had received emergency care for an amphetamine overdose, the researchers found that in all cases there were traces of amphetamine and metamphetamine in the exhaled breath.

Thu, 20 May 10
High prevalence of depression after traumatic brain injury, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JGDJt9VPYs0/100518101616.htm
During the year following hospitalization for a traumatic brain injury, a majority of patients experienced major depression, according to a new study.

Thu, 20 May 10
Strong evidence on climate change underscores need for actions to reduce emissions and begin adapting to impacts, report finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2S7Fe2zqGN0/100519112723.htm
As part of its most comprehensive study of climate change to date, the National Research Council has issued three reports emphasizing why the United States should act now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop a national strategy to adapt to the inevitable impacts of climate change.

Thu, 20 May 10
Time to rethink causes, possible treatments of mental disorders, experts say
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/a-KV4Y3YM9o/100518101621.htm
It is time to reassess mental disorders, recognizing that these are disorders of brain circuits likely caused by development processes, according to a new commentary.

Wed, 19 May 10
Fly the eco-friendly skies: Airplanes that would use 70 percent less fuel than current models
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uEVulOnFVNA/100517162834.htm
In what could set the stage for a fundamental shift in commercial aviation, a team of researchers has designed a green airplane that is estimated to use 70 percent less fuel than current planes while also reducing noise and emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx).

Wed, 19 May 10
Between the genes: Making sense of genomic 'dark matter'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gO3-mlINkww/100518180846.htm
Scientists have uncovered some of the secrets behind what molecular biologists call "dark matter" transcripts. The term "dark matter" refers to the genomic output that does not originate from known genes, arising instead from regions that were once thought of as nothing more than "junk DNA." When genetic signals, namely RNA transcripts, were discovered coming from these areas, many believed there was a whole new mystery to solve, and that much more was going on than originally expected.

Wed, 19 May 10
Asteroid caught marching across Tadpole Nebula
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PYEqM3MihRQ/100517234711.htm
A new infrared image from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, showcases the Tadpole nebula, a star-forming hub in the Auriga constellation about 12,000 light-years from Earth. As WISE scanned the sky, it happened to catch an asteroid in our solar system passing by.

Wed, 19 May 10
Surprising infection inducing mechanism found in bacteria
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/L1A0M9bwQbo/100518093824.htm
A new study demonstrates that bacteria have a surprising mechanism to transfer virulent genes causing infections. The researchers describe an unprecedented evolutionary adaptation and could contribute to finding new ways of treating and preventing bacterial infections.

Wed, 19 May 10
NASA, Google data show North Korea logging in protected area
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nhAsBg95nPI/100517152534.htm
Using NASA satellite data and Google Earth, a Purdue University researcher has reported finding evidence that North Korea has been logging in what is designated as a protected United Nations forest preserve.

Wed, 19 May 10
'Experienced' female lizards attract greater attention from male lizards
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/S_FXKc6f4Qc/100518110927.htm
Female sagebrush lizards with greater courtship experience are more likely to be courted by their male counterparts, according to a recent study.

Wed, 19 May 10
Dopamine system in highly creative people similar to that seen in schizophrenics, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lbFID3ys0Dg/100518064610.htm
New research shows a possible explanation for the link between mental health and creativity. By studying receptors in the brain, researchers in Sweden have managed to show that the dopamine system in healthy, highly creative people is similar in some respects to that seen in people with schizophrenia.

Wed, 19 May 10
Preserving memory with age: Two methods of extending life span have very different effects
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7_qAHCS6_Hs/100518180844.htm
If you lived longer, would you still remember everything? It depends. Two methods of extending life span have very different effects on memory performance and decline with age, researchers show in a new study.

Wed, 19 May 10
Long-lasting sensory loss in World Trade Center workers from airborne toxins after 9/11 attacks
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Xf7cWZDRvak/100518064444.htm
Workers exposed to the complex mixture of toxic airborne chemicals following the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City had a decreased ability to detect odors and irritants two years after the exposure, new research shows.

Wed, 19 May 10
Challenging the use of routine repeated chest X-rays in certain patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3wrWSiiWqtM/100517101718.htm
A high school student presents findings on the medical necessity and cost effectiveness of repeated chest X-rays in children who are dependent on home mechanical ventilation.

Wed, 19 May 10
NOAA extends fishing closed area to portion of loop current as precaution in wake of Gulf of Mexico oil spill
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iSTyTA4NlUI/100518180608.htm
NOAA has extended the boundaries of the closed fishing area in the Gulf of Mexico into the northern portion of the loop current as a precautionary measure to ensure that seafood from the Gulf will remain safe for consumers. Though the latest analysis shows that the bulk of the oil remains dozens of miles from the loop current, the new boundaries address the possibility that a tendril of light oil has entered or will enter the loop current.

Wed, 19 May 10
Significant number of fathers experience prenatal, postpartum depression, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pA8jn32k41M/100518101618.htm
About 10 percent of fathers experience prenatal or postpartum depression, with rates being highest in the 3 to 6 month postpartum period, according to an analysis of previous research.

Wed, 19 May 10
Hammerhead shark study shows cascade of evolution affected size, head shape
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vZRfYNSjUM8/100518113132.htm
The ancestor of all hammerhead sharks probably in Earth's oceans about 20 million years ago and was as big as some contemporary hammerheads, according to a new study.

Wed, 19 May 10
New study characterizes cognitive and anatomic differences in Alzheimer's disease gene carriers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PH3zWGxl3rQ/100517152522.htm
In the most comprehensive study to date, neurologists have clearly identified significant differences in the ways that Alzheimer's disease affects patients with and without the apolipoprotein E e4 gene, a known genetic risk factor for the neurodegenerative disease, using a combination of cognitive and neuroanatomic measures. The study found that this gene influences the way the disease manifests, even at its mildest clinical stages.

Wed, 19 May 10
Using a pest's chemical signals to control it
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/18yUn0V8oG0/100517172256.htm
Agricultural scientists are tapping into the biochemistry of one of the world's most damaging insect pests to develop a biocontrol agent that may keep the pest away from gardens and farms.

Wed, 19 May 10
Regular use of aspirin increases risk of Crohn's disease by 5 times, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/v_RRotEj2kU/100503192451.htm
People who take aspirin regularly for a year or more may be at an increased risk of developing Crohn's disease, according to a new study.

Wed, 19 May 10
Control of cell movement with light accomplished in living organisms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2FR-cvCF69o/100516195702.htm
A new technique uses light to manipulate the activity of a protein at precise times and places within a living cell, providing a new tool for scientists who study the fundamentals of protein function.

Wed, 19 May 10
Behavior therapy effective in reducing tics in children with Tourette syndrome, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tgLNw_y1htU/100518180930.htm
A multisite study has developed an effective, non-medication treatment for children and adolescents with Tourette syndrome and related tic disorders that shows improvement similar to that found in recent anti-tic medication studies.

Wed, 19 May 10
Birds and mammals share a common brain circuit for learning
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GCzcHJ_hzJo/100518180850.htm
Bird song learning is a model system for studying the general principles of learning, but attempts to draw parallels between learning in birds and mammals have been difficult because of anatomical brain differences between the two species. A new study helps solve this problem, by identifying specific classes of neurons within the brains of songbirds and matching them to their mammalian counterparts.

Wed, 19 May 10
Sleep apnea may increase insulin resistance
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/o25-O5itnYQ/100517101712.htm
Sleep apnea may cause metabolic changes that increase insulin resistance, according to researchers. The intermittent hypoxia associated with sleep apnea causes a distinct drop in insulin sensitivity in mice, even though chronic hypoxia, such as that associated with high altitude, did not.

Wed, 19 May 10
Scientists reveal secret of nanoparticle crystallization in real time
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5CIBL85aU24/100517161146.htm
A collaboration between the Advanced Photon Source and Center for Nanoscale Materials at U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory has enabled researchers to "see" the crystallization of nanoparticles in unprecedented detail.

Wed, 19 May 10
Some patients with hepatitis B faring better after liver transplant
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rxrvguDxjDY/100505092002.htm
Treatment to reduce recurrence of hepatitis B appears to improve liver transplant outcomes for some patients, according to a new study.

Wed, 19 May 10
Software tool helps tap into the power of graphics processing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UwqiqJ6P41s/100517111908.htm
Today's computers rely on powerful graphics processing units (GPUs) to create the spectacular graphics in video games. In fact, these GPUs are now more powerful than the traditional central processing units. As a result, computer developers are trying to tap into the power of these GPUs. Researchers have now developed software that make it easier for traditional software programs to take advantage of the powerful GPUs, increasing complex computing brainpower.

Wed, 19 May 10
Asking 'why' instead of 'how' helps consumers achieve goals of saving money or losing weight
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SkqOyGDJKyQ/100518113136.htm
People who become focused on how to achieve a goal may have a harder time achieving their aims than people who think abstractly about why they want to do something, according to a new study.

Wed, 19 May 10
Volume and depth of the world's oceans calculated
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hKFl_VhwvUg/100518170040.htm
How high is the sky? Scientists have a pretty good handle on that one, what with their knowledge of the troposphere, stratosphere an the other "o-spheres." Now, thanks to new work, they are closing in on the other half of that age-old query: How deep is the ocean? The researchers report that the world's total ocean volume is less than the most recent estimates by a volume equivalent to about five times the Gulf of Mexico, or 500 times the Great Lakes. While that might seem a lot at first glance, it is only about 0.3% lower than the estimates of 30 years ago.

Wed, 19 May 10
Stem cells restore tissue affected by acute lung injury
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-Y4jIFAFdyc/100517144812.htm
Human stem cells administered intravenously can restore alveolar epithelial tissue to a normal function in a novel ex vivo perfused human lung after E. coli endotoxin-induced acute lung injury (ALI), according to new research.

Wed, 19 May 10
Three new monitor lizards from the Philippines identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TbnrJd4zxrI/100517070208.htm
Scientists in Germany have described two new monitor lizard species (Varanus spp.) and one new subspecies from the Philippines. Their comprehensive study of the Philippine water monitors revealed that despite the recently discovered new and fruit-eating monitor species from the main island of Luzon by an American-Philippine research team, the real diversity of these giant lizards in the archipelago has not yet been understood.

Wed, 19 May 10
Varicose vein study shows radiofrequency ablation causes less post-operative pain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-m1zUfV0e-s/100517070204.htm
Patients who received radiofrequency ablation for varicose veins reported less post-procedural pain than those treated with endovenous laser ablation. However, both groups reported the same clinical and quality of life improvements at six weeks.

Wed, 19 May 10
Between shoot and root, researcher unlocks new tool for biofuel industry
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nFyOznKq7kI/100517141538.htm
A new study has found that the protein ICR1 controls the way auxin moves throughout a plant affecting its development. When this protein is genetically engineered into valuable biofuel crops such as corn, sugarcane or experimentals like switchgrass, farmers can expect to get a far larger yield than what they harvest today, research suggests.

Wed, 19 May 10
I like it, but I don't know why: How does conditioning affect consumer choice?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jxHKDQAs5u0/100518113226.htm
Even when they are exposed to conflicting information about products, consumers are greatly affected by images attached to brands, according to a new study.

Wed, 19 May 10
Demoting a dinosaur: New fossil material redefines Azendohsaurus as a peculiar early reptile
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0S35nSzRsnk/100518113130.htm
Once thought to be a dinosaur, Azendohsaurus is now considered a very early and unusual plant-eating reptile. New fossil material suggests that this species, first described more than a decade ago, is not a dinosaur.

Wed, 19 May 10
Heavy exercise may produce asthma-like symptoms even in healthy children, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rQuUwN3C1Hc/100518170046.htm
Children who undergo brief periods of intense exercise may exhibit lung dysfunction or other symptoms similar to those experienced by asthma patients, even when no history of asthma exists, according to a new study.

Wed, 19 May 10
Egyptian blue found in Romanesque altarpiece
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QtSWgTezftM/100505102557.htm
Archeologists have discovered remains of Egyptian blue in a Romanesque altarpiece in the church of Sant Pere de Terrassa. This blue pigment was used from the days of ancient Egypt until the end of the Roman Empire, but was not made after this time. So how could it turn up in a 12th-century church?

Wed, 19 May 10
Push to understand basis of childhood brain tumors leads to a new treatment target
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WoRy-NPN8dA/100517172258.htm
The most comprehensive analysis yet of the genetic imbalances at the heart of childhood brain tumors known as high-grade gliomas identified a cancer gene that is unusually active in some tumors and is now the focus of a clinical trial.

Wed, 19 May 10
'Happy ending' gives recyclable products higher status
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OriQoKIauis/100510092101.htm
An industrial design researcher surveyed people's emotional attachment to various materials and found they valued those that could be recycled, reused or "relifed" over those that ended up in landfill. She suggests products should be make with materials appropriate to their lifespan.

Wed, 19 May 10
Majority of young victims of unintentional shootings shot by another youth, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qj7mOqK4PAY/100518170042.htm
Over three-quarters of youths under age 15 who die in firearm accidents are shot by another person, usually another youth, according to new research.

Wed, 19 May 10
Whole Earth Telescope watching 'dancing' stars
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/edWtpWLmDik/100518124843.htm
After billions of years of twinkling and shining, some stars in the heavens appear to "dance" as they wind down. Maybe not like Elvis or Michael Jackson, but they definitely have a rhythmic beat, and some may even spin like a top.

Wed, 19 May 10
Hearing loss may be associated with use of erectile dysfunction drug Viagra, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mjQE4YdD9Jg/100518105146.htm
New findings indicate a potential for long-term hearing loss following use of Viagra, and possibly following use of other phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors drugs such as Cialis and Levitra, although results on those drugs are inconclusive.

Wed, 19 May 10
Spicing the meat also cuts the cancer risk, research suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0sgN_rs0sTw/100518105801.htm
Spices will do more than just enhance the taste of ground beef. They may also cut down on the risk of compounds that can cause cancer, according to new research.

Wed, 19 May 10
Electrical muscle stimulation can prevent limb and respiratory muscle weakness in ICU patients, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ItC87Vu_SVY/100517204359.htm
Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) can prevent critical illness polyneuromyopathy (CIPNM), according to Greek researchers. CIPNM is an acquired limb and respiratory muscle weakness that is a common and serious problem among intensive care unit patients, and can result in prolonged ICU and hospital stay. EMS can also shorten the duration of weaning from mechanical ventilation and the length of ICU stay.

Wed, 19 May 10
New nanoscale electrical phenomenon discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Oumpyco8Kg4/100518131720.htm
At the scale of the very small, physics can get peculiar. A biomedical engineering professor has discovered a new instance of such a nanoscale phenomenon -- one that could lead to faster, less expensive portable diagnostic devices and push back frontiers in building micro-mechanical and "lab-on-a-chip" devices.

Wed, 19 May 10
Have we met? Research finds 'missing social knowledge'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/b3DGqMub5RI/100518110545.htm
The face looks familiar but... Just as humans don't always know their neighbors, new research shows even the most social of animals don't always recognize individuals they regularly encounter, the first known evidence of "missing social knowledge" in non-human primates.

Wed, 19 May 10
Greenland rapidly rising as ice melt continues
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0VCOWERPNKk/100518170218.htm
Scientists say Greenland's ice is melting so quickly that the land underneath is rising at an accelerated pace. The idea behind the study is that if Greenland is losing its ice cover, the resulting loss of weight causes the rocky surface beneath to rise.

Wed, 19 May 10
Gene fusions may be the 'smoking gun' in prostate cancer development
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2B-EwBDlYSc/100518131718.htm
Prostate cancer treatments that target the hormone androgen and its receptor may be going after the wrong source, according to a new study. It suggests that the gene fusion -- not the androgen receptor -- is the real smoking gun that should be targeted by treatments.

Wed, 19 May 10
Cholesterol crystals incite inflammation in coronary arteries, research finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3J_uo4CKl-I/100518170034.htm
Cholesterol crystals, known to be a catalyst for heart attacks and strokes, also cause cells to send out danger signals that can lead to the inflammation and hardening of arteries, according to new research. The discovery provides new insights into how arteries harden and gives hope for new and early treatments.

Wed, 19 May 10
Nerves under control: Potential treatment for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/K1P7PI-MBKI/100518112649.htm
The proper transmission of nerve signals along body nerves requires an insulation layer, named myelin sheath. To be efficient this sheath is designed to have a certain thickness and researchers have now discovered that proteins Dlg1 and PTEN interact to control the myelin sheath thickness. Their discovery improves our understanding of Charcot-Marie-Tooth neurodegenerative diseases and open a new avenue in the potential treatment of these incurable and debilitating diseases.

Wed, 19 May 10
Climate change played major role in mass extinction of mammals 50,000 years ago, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pueq-FJ9WJ8/100518064614.htm
Scientists have discovered that climate change played a major role in causing mass extinction of mammals in the late quaternary era, 50,000 years ago. Their study takes a new approach to this hotly debated topic by using global data modeling to build continental 'climate footprints.'

Wed, 19 May 10
Good results of bad habits? Research explains paradox
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/g80sQlkNdc8/100518121637.htm
When people are under chronic stress, they tend to smoke, drink, use drugs and overeat to help cope with stress. These behaviors trigger a biological cascade that helps prevent depression, but they also contribute to a host of physical problems that eventually contribute to early death.

Tue, 18 May 10
Invasive kudzu is major factor in surface ozone pollution, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/r49lR6urGx0/100517172302.htm
Kudzu, an invasive vine that is spreading across the southeastern United States and northward, is a major contributor to large-scale increases of the pollutant surface ozone, according to a new study.

Tue, 18 May 10
Scientists identify mechanism T-cells use to block HIV
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Bmfka-n3sqg/100517152524.htm
Scientists have found a new role for a host protein that provides further insight into how CD8+ T-cells work to control HIV and other infections. Study authors say the finding may yield new strategies for prevention or treatment.

Tue, 18 May 10
Physicists' findings about helium could lead to more accurate temperature
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DksXY0ecrIk/100517152526.htm
Most of us know helium as a gas for filling party balloons or for making your voice temporarily sound like a cartoon character's. Now researchers report new findings about helium that may lead to more accurate standards for how temperature and pressure are measured.

Tue, 18 May 10
Low umbilical cord pH at birth linked to death and brain damage
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fkq6lZXkM7c/100513212431.htm
Low umbilical cord blood pH at birth is strongly associated with serious outcomes such as infant death, brain damage and the development of cerebral palsy in childhood, concludes a new study.

Tue, 18 May 10
New 'Tree of Life' established for one of the largest groups of bacteria
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rBMMjijK5w4/100517152530.htm
A new "tree of life" has been constructed by researchers for the gamma-proteobacteria, a large group of medically and scientifically important bacteria. By building powerful phylogenetic trees, scientists are able to quickly identify similarities and differences between the make-up of many different organisms, crucial information in the search for treatments to fight anything from the bugs that cause food poisoning to the pathogens that cause life-threatening diseases.

Tue, 18 May 10
The psychology of food cravings
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TRY7txw-UFk/100517172300.htm
Why do we get intense desires to eat certain foods? Food cravings are a common experience and recent studies have been examining the psychology underlying food cravings and how they may be controlled.

Tue, 18 May 10
Newborn infants learn while asleep; Study may lead to later disability tests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nHHeVYIBH7M/100517172254.htm
Sleeping newborns are better learners than thought, according to new research. The study could lead to identifying those at risk for developmental disorders such as autism and dyslexia.

Tue, 18 May 10
Eating processed meats, but not unprocessed red meats, may raise risk of heart disease and diabetes, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ckz93-tG7qw/100517161130.htm
In a new study, researchers have found that eating processed meat, such as bacon, sausage or processed deli meats, was associated with a 42 percent higher risk of heart disease and a 19 percent higher risk of type 2 diabetes.

Tue, 18 May 10
Warmest April Global Temperature on Record, NOAA says
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/A8YmBMow61Y/100517233818.htm
The combined global land and ocean surface temperature was the warmest on record for both April and for the period from January-April, according to NOAA. Additionally, last month's average ocean surface temperature was the warmest on record for any April, and the global land surface temperature was the third warmest on record.

Tue, 18 May 10
Estrogen may reduce airway constriction in women patients with asthma
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CPdRYVYh_2Q/100516195531.htm
Female sex hormones may work with beta-agonists in reducing airway constriction, according to new bench research.

Tue, 18 May 10
New species of human malaria recognized
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/24FqyTW7EGY/100419150951.htm
Scientists investigating ovale malaria, a form of the disease thought to be caused by a single species of parasite, have confirmed that the parasite is actually two similar but distinct species which do not reproduce with each other.

Tue, 18 May 10
Cochlear implants slightly less beneficial in older patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xpAtLhK8BJo/100517161142.htm
Older adults appear to benefit significantly from cochlear implants, but not as much as younger patients who had similar levels of hearing impairment before surgery, according to a new study.

Tue, 18 May 10
Caffeine may slow Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, restore cognitive function, according to new evidence
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4OnDkCprccY/100517111937.htm
Although caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive drug worldwide, its potential beneficial effect for maintenance of proper brain functioning has only recently begun to be adequately appreciated. Substantial evidence from epidemiological studies and fundamental research in animal models suggests that caffeine may be protective against the cognitive decline seen in dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Tue, 18 May 10
Urinary tract infections becoming harder to treat, researchers find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sxv31LckEi8/100517204403.htm
Genes that make bacteria resistant to antibiotics can be transferred between humans and other animals, say researchers. The findings will help health experts to assess how using antibiotics in food-producing animals can affect the treatment of common human infections.

Tue, 18 May 10
Cassini Double Play: Enceladus and Titan
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Hl67TD_B1_8/100517234837.htm
About a month and a half after its last double flyby, NASA's Cassini spacecraft will be turning another double play this week, visiting the geyser moon Enceladus and the hazy moon Titan. The alignment of the moons means that Cassini can catch glimpses of these two contrasting worlds within less than 48 hours, with no maneuver in between.

Tue, 18 May 10
Toothpaste with triclosan/copolymer kills harmful germs, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7GE4nJ58Isc/100413121334.htm
Toothpaste that contains triclosan/copolymer is better than regular fluoride toothpastes at killing the kinds of bacteria that live in people's mouths, according to a new study.

Tue, 18 May 10
When plants attract bugs, it may be their own fault
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pv7w2x892ow/100517144816.htm
In new research in greenhouses on two types of impatiens plants, Cajun Carmine had significantly less damage from western flower thrips than Dazzler White and demonstrated that impatiens emit volatiles that attract the thrips.

Tue, 18 May 10
Focusing on appearance may reduce tanning in young women
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PeDLmsn_LqE/100517161132.htm
Focusing on the negative effects indoor tanning can have on appearance appears to reduce indoor tanning behavior, even among young women who report that they tan to relax or alleviate seasonal mood disorders, according to a new report.

Tue, 18 May 10
Newly discovered: the 'Pinocchio' of frogs, a gargoyle-faced gecko, and the world's smallest wallaby
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7oiz-0isg_w/100517170157.htm
A scientific expedition to a pristine wilderness once dubbed "The Lost World" by Western media has revealed a stunning diversity of spectacular species, many of which are believed to be new to science. The array of new species -- which include several new mammals, a reptile, an amphibian, no fewer than twelve insects, and the remarkable discovery of a new bird -- was found by a collaborative team of international and Indonesian scientists.

Tue, 18 May 10
High-fat ketogenic diet effectively treats persistent childhood seizures, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2bRkFMqrd9I/100517161221.htm
The high-fat ketogenic diet can dramatically reduce or completely eliminate debilitating seizures in most children with infantile spasms, whose seizures persist despite medication, according to a new study.

Tue, 18 May 10
Catalog details 1.25 million species of organisms across the world
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ic3qXT6jpfk/100517091948.htm
A catalog detailing 1.25 million species of organisms across the world is releasing a special edition to mark the International Year of Biodiversity.

Tue, 18 May 10
Children with severe asthma at increased risk of developing COPD, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ICb7uCvIWoQ/100516195540.htm
Children with severe asthma have more than 30 times the risk of developing adult chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) as adults compared to children without asthma, according to a prospective longitudinal cohort study.

Tue, 18 May 10
Sensor gives valuable data for neurological diseases and treatments
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XAwxcM7C4_8/100419151121.htm
A new biosensor can measure whether neurons are performing correctly when communicating with each other, giving researchers a tool to test the effectiveness of new epilepsy or seizure treatments.

Tue, 18 May 10
Kids understand the relationship between humans and other animals
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Qfw0B7Tb8JU/100517204409.htm
Parents, educators and developmental psychologists have long been interested in how children understand the relationship between human and non-human animals. The consensus was that as children begin reasoning about the biological world, they adopt only one vantage point, favoring humans over non-human animals when it comes to learning about properties of animals. Researchers challenge this long-held assumption in a new study, examining the reasoning patterns of children as young as three years old.

Tue, 18 May 10
Did the end of smallpox vaccination cause the explosive spread of HIV?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/X0gVeALIU7A/100517204405.htm
Vaccinia immunization, as given to prevent the spread of smallpox, produces a five-fold reduction in HIV replication in the laboratory. Researchers suggest that the end of smallpox vaccination in the mid-20th century may have caused a loss of protection that contributed to the rapid contemporary spread of HIV.

Tue, 18 May 10
Falling in old age linked to altered blood flow in brain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8osRa1L5i4s/100517161128.htm
A new study shows that altered blood flow in the brain due to high blood pressure and other conditions may lead to falls in elderly people. Each year, unintentional falls in the United States account for more than 16,000 deaths and 1.8 million emergency room visits.

Tue, 18 May 10
Nomadic people's good health baffle scientists
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CHdOXvQgvIk/100517111910.htm
The human body is a true miracle. Nadja Knoll recently found new proof of that statement in the nomadic Maasai people of Kenya in Eastern Africa. The German nutritionist analyzed the diet of a nomadic tribe in the Kajiado District. The surprising results of the field study show that the Maasai are in a good health status in spite of a limited diet.

Tue, 18 May 10
Bypass surgery compared to angioplasty
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/smVbOg7pWqk/100413121332.htm
A new study compares the safety and efficacy of heart bypass surgery to angioplasty with drug-eluting stents in patients with left main coronary artery disease, a diagnosis affecting thousands of individuals. Drug-eluting stents are treated with a medication that helps keep the artery from reclosing.

Tue, 18 May 10
Electric drive concepts for the cars of the future
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LRI8AImD-fI/100419132401.htm
The prospects look good that wheel hub motors will successfully become the accepted drive concept for electric vehicles. Researchers are now engineering these motors, which are integrated into the car's wheels.

Tue, 18 May 10
Gene that ties stress to obesity and diabetes discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/X6nr_A6rA2A/100419150834.htm
Scientists have identified a gene that links mental stress to such metabolic diseases as obesity, diabetes and arteriosclerosis.

Tue, 18 May 10
Pesticide exposure may contribute to ADHD, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IsQns-Tovlo/100517132846.htm
A team of scientists has discovered that exposure to organophosphate pesticides is associated with increased risk of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.

Tue, 18 May 10
Women clear winners with heart failure device, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DiCnMFiiFyc/100513183404.htm
For women with mild heart failure, device therapy is an extremely attractive option to prevent progression of the disease. A new study found that women with mild heart disease who had a cardiac resynchronization device combined with a defibrillator (CRT-D) implanted had a 70 percent reduction in heart failure alone and a 72 percent reduction in death from any cause. This is the first study in which a heart failure therapy has proven more effective in women than in men.

Tue, 18 May 10
New advances in science of the ultra-small promise big benefits for cancer patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EKXjWAK8Yfk/100428121455.htm
A $145-million U.S. Federal Government effort to harness the power of nanotechnology to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer is producing innovations that will radically improve care for the disease. That's the conclusion of an update on the status of the program, called the National Cancer Institute Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer.

Tue, 18 May 10
Metabolic vulnerability in tuberculosis and potential drug target discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1dJ2sKJuYis/100510132201.htm
The cause of tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), a slow-growing aerobic bacterium that divides every 16 to 20 hours. Scientists know that carbon metabolism plays a significant role in the ability of Mtb to replicate and persist in the body and that fatty acids are the major source of carbon and energy during infection. However, the specific enzymes required for the metabolism of fatty acids have not been completely defined. New research sheds light on a previously unrecognized aspect of fatty acid metabolism that could potentially lead to new targets for drug therapy.

Tue, 18 May 10
New freehand ultrasound system improves work flow and reduces scan time
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Hd13bBZObiY/100502173451.htm
Researchers have developed an automated 3-D mapping and labeling system that reduces scan time and improves the work flow, efficiency, and accuracy of routine freehand ultrasound exams, according to a new study.

Tue, 18 May 10
Ethics experts call for refocus of scientific review to ensure integrity of research process
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/y4uxPTo1TGA/100513143449.htm
In a paper published this week in the journal Science, experts caution that important ethical issues in the testing of new therapies like stem cells may not be receiving the attention they deserve. The authors examine the way scientists, physicians, and regulators evaluate risk and benefit when testing new drugs in human beings for the first time.

Tue, 18 May 10
Fish facing reflections become feisty but fearful
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZVkeByIx5LI/100517141540.htm
Fish faced with their reflection in a mirror get aggressive, but also show an unexpected element of fear, which they don't show when fighting a real foe. The discovery raises the possibility that other lower invertebrates such as frogs, lizards and birds may also be able detect nuances more subtle than they've been given credit for.

Tue, 18 May 10
Combination therapy targets stubborn leukemia stem cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LRO_xkKFKyo/100517132842.htm
New research discovers a combination of drugs that may prove to be a more effective treatment for a lethal form of leukemia. The study reports that the new therapeutic strategy effectively targets notoriously intractable leukemia stem cells that often escape standard treatment and are a main factor in disease relapse.

Tue, 18 May 10
Plumage-color traits more extreme over time
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FmPn_GEA0No/100503111521.htm
Ever since Darwin, researchers have tried to explain the enormous diversity of plumage color traits in birds. Now researchers are adding something new to this particular field of research, which is so rich in tradition, by demonstrating how a bird can become red instead of yellow.

Tue, 18 May 10
Advanced radiation techniques reduce side effects in head and neck cancer treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gymzePsqAPQ/100510121221.htm
Researchers have applied advanced radiation techniques for head and neck cancer to avoid treating critical structures that affect swallowing and eating. A new study shows these principles and techniques treated the cancer effectively while greatly reducing long-term swallowing complications.

Tue, 18 May 10
Chemist stitches up speedier chemical reactions: New details about the Piers catalyst to help chemical industry improve products
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tfAKDqpskWg/100509144649.htm
Some people have streets named after them. Warren Piers, a chemistry professor at the University of Calgary, has a catalyst penned after him. And in a new paper, Piers reveals the inner workings of the Piers catalyst at a molecular level of detail not previously available.

Tue, 18 May 10
Quality of child care linked to academic achievement: Behaviors persist into adolescence
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IMytyHmC8WY/100514074921.htm
Teens who were in high-quality child care settings as young children scored slightly higher on measures of academic and cognitive achievement and were slightly less likely to report acting-out behaviors than peers who were in lower-quality child care arrangements during their early years, according to the latest analysis of a long-running study.

Tue, 18 May 10
Geologists show unprecedented warming in Africa's Lake Tanganyika; Valuable fish stocks at risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0Pdn4u8G8tw/100516195655.htm
Geologists have documented that Lake Tanganyika in east Africa has experienced unprecedented warming in the last century. Using core samples obtained from the lake bed, the team determined the lake is currently the warmest it has been in the last 1,500 years. The warming likely is affecting the valuable fish stocks upon which millions of people depend.

Tue, 18 May 10
Immune system transplanted to cure rare disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sRDBzqjh_ac/100517091827.htm
Researchers have identified a previously undiagnosed condition and successfully treated it by performing an experimental stem cell transplant.

Tue, 18 May 10
Resilience factor low in depression, protects mice from stress
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/l0jrIY4zWPc/100516195653.htm
Scientists have discovered a mechanism that helps to explain resilience to stress, vulnerability to depression and how antidepressants work. The new findings, in the reward circuit of mouse and human brains, have spurred a high tech dragnet for compounds that boost the action of a key gene regulator there, called deltaFosB. Triggering deltaFosB, which is depleted in post-mortem brains of depressed patients, protected mice from developing a depression-like syndrome following chronic social stress.

Tue, 18 May 10
Lung disease may be genetic, despite lack of family history
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QMkvLfmYuc4/100517101716.htm
Patients who encounter serious lung diseases in middle age, despite an absence of family history or other predisposing factors, may still have their genes to blame, according to a new study.

Tue, 18 May 10
Scientists home in on lithium battery safety flaws
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Rlxs1If6v1M/100516195659.htm
Scientists have developed a simple, accurate way of "seeing" chemistry in action inside a lithium-ion battery.

Tue, 18 May 10
Charting the development of human populations in the north and south of the Mediterranean region
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CUBnwOiFndk/100514093423.htm
The Mediterranean is the birthplace of ancient peoples and cultures, but has it acted as a bridge or a barrier in the genetic history of northern and southern populations? Gene flow and population structure on the north and south shores of the Mediterranean form the basis of new research.

Mon, 17 May 10
Death of a star in 3D: New computer models show in detail how supernovae obtain their shape
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pBNE5Faw4io/100512112308.htm
Researchers have for the first time managed to reproduce the asymmetries and fast-moving iron clumps of observed supernovae by complex computer simulations in all three dimensions. To this end they successfully followed the outburst in their models consistently from milliseconds after the onset of the blast to the demise of the star several hours later.

Mon, 17 May 10
Unhealthy patterns of innate oral bacteria may cause bad breath
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3y2MbfCxcHM/100516084946.htm
It might not just be poor oral hygiene causing that bad breath say researchers from Japan. Unhealthy patterns of bacterial populations inherent to the mouth may also contribute to oral malodor.

Mon, 17 May 10
Redefining electrical current law with the transistor laser
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WTD_dANESmI/100512164335.htm
A major current law has been rewritten thanks to the three-port transistor laser. Data the transistor laser generated did not fit neatly within established circuit laws governing electrical currents, so the pair created a new model to account for the transistor laser having both electrical and optical output.

Mon, 17 May 10
High-fat meals a no-no for asthma patients, researchers find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hF0u5QnclcM/100516195534.htm
People with asthma may be well-advised to avoid heavy, high-fat meals, according to new research. Individuals with asthma who consumed a high-fat meal showed increased airway inflammation just hours after the binge, according to Australian researchers who conducted the study. The high fat meal also appeared to inhibit the response to the asthma reliever medication Ventolin (albuterol).

Mon, 17 May 10
Clash of the mites: Hot on the heels of a destructive coconut pest
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/etXmVboHHew/100511074821.htm
Biological control experts are sending mites after their own kind as researchers make headway in an initiative to naturally manage the most invasive and destructive pest of the crop, the coconut mite Aceria guerreronis Keifer.

Mon, 17 May 10
The art of mindreading: Empathy or rational inference?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EPKNQSxfpX4/100504095115.htm
The ability to infer what another person is thinking is an essential tool for social interaction and is known by neuroscientists as "Theory of Mind," but how does the brain actually allow us to do this?

Mon, 17 May 10
How spiders create silk threads: Lowering pH regulates spider’s silk production, researchers find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cT7rH4VAbTo/100514151853.htm
How can a tiny spider body contain material for several decimeters of gossamer silk, and what governs the conversion to thread? Researchers in Sweden can now explain this process.

Mon, 17 May 10
Temperature and humidity may effect virus survival on surfaces
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XHdshZoaRz0/100514123500.htm
The SARS coronavirus (CoV) may survive on surfaces for days at temperature and humidity levels common to indoor environments, say researchers.

Mon, 17 May 10
Precisely calculating the age of stars: Key to evolution of a type of white dwarf found
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cXRxiTRjDdk/100513064213.htm
An international team of scientists has precisely calculated the age of a group of white dwarf stars. The research results open up new opportunities for advancing our understanding of the evolution of stars, plasma physics, and the origin of the universe in general.

Mon, 17 May 10
Noroviruses identified as common cause of travelers' diarrhea
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/s3eEa9VvSPs/100516085119.htm
Noroviruses, infamous for causing outbreaks of gastroenteritis on cruise ships, may now be recognized as a common cause of travelers' diarrhea in multiple regions of the world as well.

Mon, 17 May 10
Seeing the forest for the trees: Object recognition systems that break images into ever smaller parts should be much more efficient
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hloolyu6paU/100511104633.htm
Object recognition is one of the core topics in computer vision research: After all, a computer that can see isn't much use if it has no idea what it's looking at. Researchers have developed new techniques that should make object recognition systems much easier to build and should enable them use computer memory more efficiently.

Mon, 17 May 10
Mum knows best? Research suggests pregnant women are more likely to follow their mothers’ wisdom than medical advice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oU2Ss8X_TlM/100514075155.htm
Researchers have found pregnant women are more likely to adopt practices their mothers and grandmothers carried out during their pregnancies.

Mon, 17 May 10
Bacterial genes that improve plant growth by 40% identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bi9lRIIyxyY/100513172852.htm
To find out what makes microbe-plant interactions "tick," scientists decoded the genome of a plant-dwelling microbe they'd shown could increase plant growth by 40 percent. The work could move the approach of using bacteria as growth-promoting agents one step closer to implementation for improved agriculture and biofuel production.

Mon, 17 May 10
Statins decrease risk of clot-related diseases, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/t1X1CvGBB3g/100516195649.htm
Individuals at risk for clot-related diseases may benefit from taking common cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins, according to a new study.

Mon, 17 May 10
Advanced geographical models bring new perspective to study of archaeology
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/I457049fcHU/100514094838.htm
The use of computational modeling is providing new opportunities to the field of archaeology and can possibly enhance previous findings of how humans and the environment interact.

Mon, 17 May 10
Higher blood pressure found in people living in urban areas
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/P6cNugyQ_po/100516195542.htm
People who live in urban areas where particulate air pollution is high tend to have higher blood pressure than those who live in less polluted areas, according to researchers from Germany.

Mon, 17 May 10
Single-cycle infrared light pulses
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FchtSXmoL9c/100511143041.htm
A major reason for wanting shorter light pulses is that more data can be encoded within a signal lasting a certain interval of time. Shorter pulses would allow more data to be sent down an optical fiber, for example. Another important scientific use of very short pulses is that they can serve as a stroboscopic illumination for making movies of very short-lived phenomena, such as the movement and interactions of molecules.

Mon, 17 May 10
Talking seriously with children is good for their language proficiency
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nvmoAfVMWww/100512172529.htm
How adults approach children aged 3 to 6 years during conversations has a major influence on their language acquisition. Those who address children as fully-fledged conversation partners lay an early basis for the development of 'academic language', says a Dutch researcher.

Mon, 17 May 10
First large-scale formal quantitative test confirms Darwin's theory of universal common ancestry
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/I15MVAVcY8k/100512131513.htm
More than 150 years ago, Darwin proposed the theory of universal common ancestry, linking all forms of life by a shared genetic heritage from single-celled microorganisms to humans. Until now, the theory that makes ladybugs, oak trees, champagne yeast and humans distant relatives has remained beyond the scope of a formal test. This week, a biochemist reports the results of the first large scale, quantitative test of the famous theory that underpins modern evolutionary biology.

Mon, 17 May 10
Long-term use of vitamin E may decrease COPD risk, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/c9iMeGfUF-k/100516195538.htm
Long-term, regular use of vitamin E in women 45 years of age and older may help decrease the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by about 10 percent in both smokers and non-smokers, according to a new study.

Mon, 17 May 10
Ivy can protect old walls
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uTcGjTkOBx0/100516124817.htm
The received wisdom that ivy destroys buildings has been overturned by a new study. Researchers analyzed the effects of ivy growing on buildings in five different parts of England and discovered that the plant plays a protective role. They found that an ivy canopy was like a thermal shield, combating the extremes of temperature which often cause walls to crack.

Mon, 17 May 10
New technique may quickly distinguish between active and latent TB
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/z0fjfvOK-as/100516195548.htm
An emerging technique designed to quickly distinguish between people with active and dormant tuberculosis may help health professionals diagnose the disease sooner, thereby potentially limiting early exposure to the disease, according to a new study.

Mon, 17 May 10
Laser cooling of solids for sensitive sensors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/a0psADHp7gw/100511143414.htm
The sensors that allow satellites to take measurements are happiest when cold. Mechanical pumps onboard keep sensors' semiconductor elements at temperatures hundreds of degrees below zero. But these cryogenic pumps also produce noisy vibrations that interfere with the collection of data by the sensitive sensors. Researchers are developing a technique to cool semiconductors loads that would use a vibration-free solid-state technology.

Mon, 17 May 10
Study demonstrates art therapy's effectiveness in pediatric asthma
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6Tiq9g7KwGU/100512141914.htm
In the first randomized trial of art therapy for asthma, researchers found that children with persistent asthma enjoyed decreased anxiety and increased quality of life after seven weekly art-therapy sessions.

Mon, 17 May 10
Titan's gem tumbler: Flash flooding paved streambeds on Saturn's moon
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0-p5MU6rwP4/100513082824.htm
It appears flash flooding has paved streambeds in the Xanadu region of Saturn's moon Titan with thousands of sparkling crystal balls of ice, according to scientists with NASA's Cassini spacecraft. By analyzing the way the terrain has scattered radar beams, scientists deduce the spheres measure at least a few centimeters (inches) and maybe up to a couple of meters (yards) in diameter. The spheres likely originated as part of water-ice bedrock in higher terrain in Xanadu.

Mon, 17 May 10
Belly fat or hip fat: It really is all in your genes, says researcher
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pNNhXWrKNbs/100514171910.htm
The age-old question of why men store fat in their bellies and women store it in their hips may have finally been answered: Genetically speaking, the fat tissue is almost completely different.

Mon, 17 May 10
Quantum dynamics of matter waves reveal exotic multibody collisions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fmiNRSmnaa4/100514094836.htm
At extremely low temperatures, atoms can aggregate into Bose-Einstein condensates forming coherent matter waves. Due to interactions between the atoms, fundamental quantum dynamics emerge. Scientists in Germany have now succeeded to reveal the complex structure of these quantum dynamics.

Mon, 17 May 10
'Votes' of sub-cellular variables control cell fate
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/V1uEnrB3Ies/100513123708.htm
Members of a population of identical cells often "choose" different fates, even though they exist in identical conditions. The difference may rest with the "hidden variables" within the cells, say researchers.

Mon, 17 May 10
Unstable chromosome regions are the origin of yeast's brewing capacity, researchers find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0XtlMGPKPGQ/100514094834.htm
The ability of yeast cells to convert sugar to alcohol arose in unstable regions of the chromosomes, researchers have found. The genes that allow yeast to digest sugars in fruits and grains have been duplicated several times over the course of time -- allowing for optimal conversion of different types of sugars (such as sucrose and maltose) into alcohol. Genes at the outskirts of the chromosomes are prone to rapid evolution and adaptation.

Mon, 17 May 10
Middle-aged men: Could dwindling testosterone levels decrease sleep?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ATLq5njXjDQ/100514171916.htm
At 30 years old, male testosterone levels drop by one to two percent annually. By age 40, men's quality of sleep begins to diminish. Could there be a link between decreased testosterone and reduced sleep?

Mon, 17 May 10
Baby corals dance their way home
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hZFxRIiKpag/100514171908.htm
Baby corals find their way home in their first days as free-swimming larvae by listening to the noise of animals on the reef and actively swimming towards it, an international team of researchers working in the Caribbean has discovered. These findings raise new concerns for the future of coral reefs as increasing human noise pollution in the world's oceans is masking reef sounds.

Mon, 17 May 10
Mechanism found that prepares the a newborn's brain for information processing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/X07Y7h9ww3g/100514094832.htm
Researchers in France and Finland have found a mechanism in the memory center of newborn that adjusts the maturation of the brain for the information processing required later in life.

Mon, 17 May 10
Optical quantum transistor using single atoms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0D383ectXEg/100514075106.htm
With the continued miniaturization of computer chip components, technology can no longer rely on the laws of the macroscopic world. Scientists all over the world are researching technologies based on quantum effects that can be used to communicate and process information. One of the most promising developments in this direction are quantum networks in which single photons communicate the information between different nodes, e.g. single atoms.

Mon, 17 May 10
Important mechanism behind breast cancer metastasis: 'Architectural' protein helps regulate cell motility and migration
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Nq9epDk10uQ/100513123710.htm
Scientists have identified the protein called palladin as an explanation for how Akt1 can function as a suppressor of breast cancer invasion and metastasis. This new finding reveals another key piece of information as scientists continue their development of targeted cancer therapies, and underscores the importance of dissecting the precise mechanisms by which tumor cells invade and metastasize to distant organs.

Mon, 17 May 10
Impact sensor provides athletic support: Composite materials generate electricity, reveal impact forces
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SU6M148bH0A/100514101805.htm
As athletes strive for perfection, sports scientists need to exploit every technological advance to help them achieve that goal. Researchers in New Zealand have now developed a new type of wearable impact sensor based that can provide much needed information about the stresses and strains on limbs for rugby players, high jumpers and runners.

Mon, 17 May 10
Men with bigger wallets have bigger waistlines, Canadian study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2juIuQk6gcM/100514171914.htm
In Canada, in stark contrast with the rest of the world, wealthy men increase their likelihood of being overweight with every extra dollar they make, according to a new study.

Sun, 16 May 10
Tibetans developed genes to help them adapt to life at high elevations
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/E2e_ZdbYc9w/100513143453.htm
Researchers have long wondered why the people of the Tibetan Highlands can live at elevations that cause some humans to become life-threateningly ill -- and a new study answers that mystery, in part, by showing that through thousands of years of natural selection, those hardy inhabitants of south-central Asia evolved 10 unique oxygen-processing genes that help them live in higher climes.

Sun, 16 May 10
Muscle mass in elderly boosted by combining resistance exercise and blood flow restriction
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WOjyy_fE9dI/100514151926.htm
Researchers have determined that moderately and temporarily restricting the flow of blood through muscles -- a practice adopted by bodybuilders who noticed that it made light weights feel heavier -- can be combined with low-level resistance exercise training to produce muscle-mass increases in older men.

Sun, 16 May 10
Faster Salmonella detection now possible with new technique
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LxxQtLnFxw0/100504142108.htm
A professor of food science and human nutrition wants to replace the current system of Salmonella detection with a new approach that can provide DNA sequencing-like results in hours rather than days.

Sun, 16 May 10
3D skin cancer diagnosis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/34UgnM93z1s/100514075157.htm
Scientists have developed a 3D test for malignant melanoma that can identify problems not easily spotted in a standard two-dimensional view of the pattern on the skin.

Sun, 16 May 10
New energy-efficient insulation for electrical wires
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/I8Uf77PViiU/100513064215.htm
Engineers in the UK are working to develop prototype insulation systems that could lead to new high-efficiency electrical generators.

Sun, 16 May 10
Virtual humans appear to influence ethical decisions in gender-specific ways
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gtlZ6271DgQ/100513104821.htm
Virtual humans are increasingly taking on roles that were once reserved for real humans. A study found that the decisions of men were strongly affected by presentational aspects of the simulated woman, while women's decisions were not.

Sun, 16 May 10
Spitting cobras track first, predict later
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/s_CB5L4glDk/100514074909.htm
Spitting cobras spray venom in the eyes of their victims with remarkable accuracy, but how do they achieve this accuracy when they cannot steer the jet of venom? Researchers have found that cobras initially track their prey's movements, but at the moment when they spit, they predict where the victim's eyes will be 200 meters in the future and aim there.

Sun, 16 May 10
Research may help patients with intestinal failure, other malabsorptive disorders
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NDvObadrrxQ/100504124350.htm
New treatments for intestinal failure and other intestinal absorption disorders are a step closer to the patients who need them after a discovery showing that butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid, helps intestine grow and become more functional.

Sun, 16 May 10
Revealing the metabolic activity of microbial communities: New method for tracing carbon flux
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xpQ35dfDAW0/100511074827.htm
Microbial communities are performing important functions all around us -- from the earth in our flowerpots to the human gut. Now researchers have developed a method for studying the metabolic functions of microbial communities in detail. It is now possible for the first time, thanks to a new algorithm, to use the incorporation of stable carbon isotopes into proteins to investigate natural remineralization processes in much greater detail, to identify relevant key species and to study the way they interact in complex decomposition processes.

Sun, 16 May 10
Clue to switch of bladder cancer from locally contained to invasive
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/d8YTiXCam1E/100514123502.htm
Bladder cancer often becomes aggressive and spreads in patients despite treatment, but now researchers have identified a protein they believe is involved in pushing tumors to become invasive -- and deadly.

Sun, 16 May 10
Strategies for increasing carbon stored in forests and wood
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/A0EIz6YoJgM/100513112801.htm
While the US and other world leaders consider options for offsetting carbon emissions, it is important to take into account the role forests play in the global carbon cycle, say scientists in a new research paper. Currently, the carbon stored in forests and harvested wood products offsets 12-19 percent of US fossil fuel emissions -- growth primarily the result of recovery from the large scale harvesting that occurred around 100 years ago.

Sun, 16 May 10
New research reveals Hurricane Katrina's impact on ecological and human health
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ez96aJM8f5g/100513212429.htm
Scientists studying the environmental impact of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans have revealed the ecological impact and human health risks from exposure to chemical contaminants. The findings demonstrate how Hurricane Katrina caused significant ecological damage by altering coastal chemistry and habitat.

Sat, 15 May 10
Eureka! Neural evidence for sudden insight
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/m1kazhRfDZI/100512125226.htm
A recent study provides intriguing information about the neural dynamics underlying behavioral changes associated with the development of new problem solving strategies. The research supports the idea of "a-ha" moments in the brain that are associated with sudden insight.

Sat, 15 May 10
Cheese -- acting as 'carrier' for probiotic bacteria -- found to improve immune response of elderly
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7-JDYYDAqlY/100513071957.htm
Scientists in Finland have discovered that cheese can help preserve and enhance the immune system of the elderly by acting as a carrier for probiotic bacteria. The research reveals that daily consumption of probiotic cheese helps to tackle age-related changes in the immune system.

Sat, 15 May 10
Novel pouch could reduce mother-to-infant HIV infection
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rNgwDoxoYNg/100513143540.htm
By using medications packaged just like fast-food ketchup, HIV-positive mothers in developing countries can more easily provide protection to newborn babies born at home.

Sat, 15 May 10
Concerns over radiation exposure may overshadow life-saving benefits of cardiac imaging tests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wFK4KkCLbfY/100510174622.htm
When patients present with chest pain or other high-risk symptoms of heart problems, doctors increasingly rely on nuclear imaging and computed tomography (CT) tests to find out whether there is evidence of heart disease, blockages in the coronary arteries or reduced blood flow to the heart. Results of these procedures can help guide life-saving prevention and treatment options.

Sat, 15 May 10
How microtubules let go of their attachments during cell division
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/L_3FU0H8s4A/100513123722.htm
Researchers have determined how cells regulate the chromosome/microtubule interface, which is central to proper chromosomal distribution during cell division. The chromosome/microtubule interface is critical during cell division. If a microtubule attaches incorrectly to a chromosome and cell division proceeds, the chromosomes may divide unevenly, resulting in cells with an incorrect number of chromosomes. Aberrant distribution of chromosomes can lead to cancer or premature cell death.

Sat, 15 May 10
Going to the dogs: What can shy dogs teach us about longevity?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MiILY4HUwFk/100513112759.htm
According to a new study by a Quebec research team, there are strong correlations between dog breeds' typical personalities, how long they live, and how much food they eat.

Sat, 15 May 10
Black holes: Gas blowers of the universe
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jX2BnBra9XA/100511111925.htm
Supermassive black holes with the mass of many millions of stars have been detected at the centre of many large galaxies. A super-massive black hole acts like a lurking "monster" at the centre of the galaxy which swallows the surrounding material through the intensity of its gravitational pull. X-ray observations indicate that a large amount of energy is produced by the in-fall of matter into a black hole, and ejected in powerful jets. Astronomers have now shown that these jets eject matter not only from their host galaxies but even the gas between the galaxy group members.

Sat, 15 May 10
Immune system compromised during spaceflight, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/E6oUv-gbhcE/100514094842.htm
Immunobiologists have discovered that spaceflight changes the activity of genes controlling immune and stress response, perhaps leading to more sickness.

Sat, 15 May 10
Setting time limits for hunting and fishing may help maintain wildlife populations
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zFq4hd3iyEI/100513162748.htm
Hunting and fishing quotas limit the number of game animals or fish an individual may take based on harvests from the previous year. But according to a new study, this strategy may jeopardize wildlife populations.

Sat, 15 May 10
Researchers discover additional benefit of vitamin A
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tDrhGEbkz2k/100512172334.htm
Vitamin A is critical to maternal health and child survival, yet in most developing countries Vitamin A deficiency is a leading cause of blindness and increased child mortality. Scientists recently discovered a link between offspring lung function and maternal vitamin A supplementation.

Sat, 15 May 10
Emergence of fungal plant diseases linked to ecological speciation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KbC7cc-apCQ/100513143550.htm
A new commentary on the nature of pathogens is raising startling new questions about the role that fundamental science research on evolution plays in the understanding of emerging disease.

Sat, 15 May 10
Childhood psychological problems create long-term economic losses, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MyqU8-ga_Vw/100513112749.htm
A first-of-its-kind study examining the long-term economic consequences of childhood psychological disorders such as depression and substance abuse finds the conditions diminish people's ability to work and earn as adults, costing $2.1 trillion over the lifetimes of all affected Americans.

Fri, 14 May 10
Building organs block by block: Tissue engineers create a new way to assemble artificial tissues, using 'biological Legos'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bz2Dj7EL8g4/100513112813.htm
Tissue engineering has long held promise for building new organs to replace damaged livers, blood vessels and other body parts. However, one major obstacle is getting cells grown in a lab dish to form 3-D shapes instead of flat layers. Researchers have now come up with a new way to overcome that challenge, by encapsulating living cells in cubes and arranging them into 3-D structures, just as a child would construct buildings out of blocks.

Fri, 14 May 10
New concerns about radiation and breast cancer raised in study
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/J9VxJ9i4A3U/100513143531.htm
A new study on human breast cells shows that even when radiation exposure does no direct genetic damage, it can alter the environment surrounding the cells so that future cells are more likely to become cancerous. This is further evidence for the treatment of cancer as a "systems biology" disease.

Fri, 14 May 10
Recycling 'tiny trash' -- cigarette butts
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9N4X9bNnUGA/100512112424.htm
A new study suggests expanding community recycling programs beyond newspapers, beverage containers, and other traditional trash to include an unlikely new potential treasure: Cigarette butts. Terming this tiny trash "one of the most ubiquitous forms of garbage in the world," the study describes discovery of a way to reuse the remains of cigarettes to prevent steel corrosion that costs oil producers millions of dollars annually.

Fri, 14 May 10
Persistence of melanoma explained through 'dynamic stemness'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KSDsaNPBU5M/100513123823.htm
Scientists offer a new explanation for the tenacity of melanoma cells, one of the reasons why melanoma remains the deadliest form of skin cancer. The concept of the "dynamic stemness" of melanoma can explain why melanoma cells behave like both conventional tumor cells and cancer stem cells. Their findings reveal the unique biology of melanoma, and suggest that melanoma requires a new therapeutic approach.

Fri, 14 May 10
Chemists create DNA assembly line
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/splISS-4ot4/100512131509.htm
Chemists have created a DNA assembly line that has the potential to create novel materials efficiently on the nanoscale.

Fri, 14 May 10
The joke is on us: A new interpretation of bared teeth in archaeological artifacts
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kDKXCjAfImo/100512125236.htm
Bared teeth are a prominent and eye-catching feature on many historical and archaeological artifacts, and are commonly interpreted as representing death, aggression and the shamanic trance. But a new study argues that the bared-teeth motif often expresses something a bit less sinister: the smile.

Fri, 14 May 10
Aiming to cure deafness, scientists first to create functional inner-ear cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/U-XsVgjSXY0/100513123720.htm
After ten years of effort, researchers say they have found a way to coax embryonic stem cells as well as reprogrammed adult cells to develop into sensory cells that normally reside in the mammalian inner ear. Those mechanosensitive sensory hair cells are the linchpin of hearing and balance.

Fri, 14 May 10
Potential new strategy for raising 'good' cholesterol levels: MicroRNA and host gene play key role
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ivQQTV8t_a0/100513143451.htm
Researchers have identified tiny segments of RNA that may play an important role in the body's regulation of cholesterol and lipids. Their study found that the miR-33 familyof microRNAs suppress a protein known to be important for generation of HDL -- the "good cholesterol" that transports lipids to the liver for disposal -- and for the removal of cholesterol from peripheral tissues, including cells that form atherosclerotic plaques.

Fri, 14 May 10
Tiny sensors tucked into cell phones could map airborne toxins in real time
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sRBnaZgPTn0/100513093739.htm
A tiny silicon chip that works a bit like a nose may one day detect dangerous airborne chemicals and alert emergency responders through the cell phone network. If embedded in many cell phones, its developers say, the new type of sensor could map the location and extent of hazards like gas leaks or the deliberate release of a toxin.

Fri, 14 May 10
How dangerous food-borne pathogen evades body's defenses
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/H7G1HwAq8HU/100513172854.htm
Scientists have pushed into place another piece of the puzzle of how Listeria monocytogenes, a dangerous food-borne pathogen, slips through the intestine's defenses and causes disease.

Fri, 14 May 10
Robin Hood's prison: Uncovering Nottingham's hidden medieval sandstone caves
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ATkCdGwUOFA/100513112755.htm
The very latest laser technology combined with old fashioned pedal power is being used to provide a unique insight into the layout of Nottingham's sandstone caves -- where the city's renowned medieval ale was brewed and, where legend has it, the country's most famous outlaw Robin Hood was imprisoned.

Fri, 14 May 10
Changing thoughts key to battling even severe depression
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4hMM9nth03A/100512125257.htm
Moderate to severely depressed clients showed greater improvement in cognitive therapy when therapists emphasized changing how they think rather than how they behave, new research has found.

Fri, 14 May 10
Water was present during birth of Earth, study of silver suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0rB5PlgnrYg/100513143457.htm
Tiny variations in the isotopic composition of silver in meteorites and Earth rocks are helping scientists put together a timetable of how our planet was assembled beginning 4.568 billion years ago. The new study indicates that water and other key volatiles may have been present in at least some of Earth's original building blocks, rather than acquired later from comets, as some scientists have suggested.

Fri, 14 May 10
Can Celebrex prevent cancer-causing colon polyps?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZSsgOe5GcLw/100513143538.htm
Researchers are testing whether celecoxib, known by its brand name Celebrex, can help prevent the growth of precancerous polyps that form in the colon, rectum and small intestine of children with an inheritable genetic disease called familial adenomatous polyposis.

Fri, 14 May 10
Bioengineers say cellular workouts strengthen endothelial cells' grasp
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lIn0QuRWkrg/100513162757.htm
Bioengineers have demonstrated that the cells that line blood vessels respond to mechanical forces -- the microscopic tugging and pulling on cellular structures -- by reinforcing and growing their connections, thus creating stronger adhesive interactions between neighboring cells.

Fri, 14 May 10
Rotavirus vaccine greatly reduces hospitalizations for acute gastroenteritis in children. Study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aXo4uow2xro/100513104823.htm
Vaccinating infants against rotavirus, a leading cause of severe diarrhea and dehydration among babies and young children, was associated with a dramatic decline in US hospitalization rates for acute gastroenteritis, according to a new study.

Fri, 14 May 10
Mathematicians solve 140-year-old Boltzmann equation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qjp3iFjv0S8/100513162755.htm
Mathematicians have found solutions to a 140-year-old, 7-dimensional equation that were not known to exist for more than a century despite its widespread use in modeling the behavior of gases.

Fri, 14 May 10
Frequent alcohol use linked to faster HIV disease progression
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/irWQ7qXFZoA/100513162753.htm
HIV disease tends to progress at a faster rate in infected individuals who consume two or more alcoholic drinks a day, according to a new study.

Fri, 14 May 10
Why a whiff of cats or rats is scary: Chemical signal from predators sparks fear in mice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qxU9LwvZiek/100513123718.htm
Scientists have found a specific chemical compound secreted by many predators that makes mice behave fearfully. The research helps scientists better understand animal behavior, and may eventually lead to new insights into how sensory information is processed in human brains.

Fri, 14 May 10
Certain laboratory technique allows rapid detection of eye pathogens
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wmEIBp3q5Ic/100510161300.htm
A laboratory technique using real-time polymerase chain reaction that copies DNA segments may allow clinicians to accurately identify pathogens infecting the cornea more quickly than standard methods, according to a new study.

Fri, 14 May 10
New details of tuberculosis protein-cleaving machinery revealed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Sl-dDaUJJyU/100511133829.htm
Scientists looking for new ways to fight tuberculosis (TB) have their sights set on a structure essential to the bacterium's survival. Disabling this structure could kill the microbes in the infected host and thwart TB infections. In a new study, scientists describe new features of how this structure, known as a proteasome, is put together and how it works. These details could assist researchers working to develop anti-TB drugs.

Fri, 14 May 10
Low oxygen levels prevent X chromosome inactivation in human embryonic stem cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lYczwgawX7Q/100513123821.htm
Oxygen levels in the lab can permanently alter human embryonic stem cells, inducing X chromosome inactivation in female cells. Deriving and maintaining human ES cells at physiologic levels of oxygen can prevent X chromosome inactivation, according to new research. High levels of oxygen can make the human ES cells less pluripotent -- the trait for which ES cells are most valued. This indicates that the current methods of isolation and maintenance are suboptimal.

Fri, 14 May 10
Wine-making yeast shows promise for bioethanol production
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0dPDsGNdxks/100513172902.htm
Researchers have identified a gene in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that might be important for ethanol production from plant material, providing insights into the bioethanol alternative to fossil fuels. Combining new high-throughput genome sequencing technology with traditional genetic methods, this study highlights the previously unknown potential of natural S. cerevisiae strains to convert five-carbon sugars into ethanol.

Fri, 14 May 10
Children with epilepsy say their quality of life is better than their parents think
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pttnUEitvzo/100513162751.htm
Researchers found that children with epilepsy say their quality of life is comparable to that of their healthy siblings. The parents of these children, though, say just the opposite. They rate their children with epilepsy as having a substantially worse quality of life than their other, healthy children.

Fri, 14 May 10
Fossil find fills in picture of ancient marine life
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xymegWQU_4c/100513123829.htm
Paleontologists have discovered a rich array of exceptionally preserved fossils of marine animals that lived between 480 million and 472 million years ago, during the early part of a period known as the Ordovician. The specimens are the oldest yet discovered soft-bodied fossils from the Ordovician, a period marked by intense biodiversification, and greatly expand our understanding of the animal life that existed at a crucial point in evolutionary history.

Fri, 14 May 10
Cardiac procedure significantly reduces risk of Alzheimer's disease and stroke, researchers find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yo4lPx6z1zs/100513123825.htm
New findings reveal treatment of the most common heart rhythm disorder that affects more than two million Americans significantly reduces the risk of stroke, mortality, Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

Fri, 14 May 10
Scientists investigate acoustics in Gulf of Mexico
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/L8OYYDVBOSs/100512112422.htm
Scientists from the Naval Research Laboratory recently completed an investigation of the acoustic properties of the deep seafloor in the Gulf of Mexico.

Fri, 14 May 10
New hope for better treatment for rising esophageal and upper stomach cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XW_S8-MzL_w/100513112751.htm
Poor diet, too much alcohol, smoking and increasing obesity could be leading to an epidemic of esophageal and upper stomach cancer, according to a leading UK team of specialists.

Fri, 14 May 10
Gene discovery may lead to new varieties of soybean plants
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5f-15509VnI/100427142144.htm
Just months after the soybean genome was sequenced, a scientist has discovered a long-sought gene that controls the plant's main stem growth and could lead to the creation of new types of soybean plants that will allow producers to incorporate desired characteristics into their local varieties.

Fri, 14 May 10
New forensics research will help identify remains of children
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/czfp3iYaSGQ/100513093733.htm
New research is now giving forensic scientists a tool that can be used to help identify the remains of children, and may contribute to resolving missing-persons cases, among other uses. Identifying skeletal remains can be a key step in solving crimes, but traditionally it has been exceptionally difficult to identify the skeletal remains of children.

Fri, 14 May 10
Two proteins key for normal-sized brains: Findings could shed light on evolution of human head size
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZefEl5PsQVo/100512125222.htm
In work that may one day correct or prevent genetic conditions tied to smaller-than-normal brains and shed light on the evolution of human head size, researchers analyzed the interaction of two proteins key to brain development.

Fri, 14 May 10
New treatment method possible in cardiac surgery
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tD8IwPNCqdY/100509202643.htm
A clinical trial conducted in Sweden has found that an element in human blood, fibrinogen, is likely more vital to the blood’s clotting ability in connection with heart surgery than previously considered. If the patients also receive a dose of fibrinogen prior to the procedure, this reduces the risk of hemorrhage during and after surgery. These results may open the door to new strategies in reducing bleeding complications in cardiac surgery.

Fri, 14 May 10
Easter Island discovery sends archaeologists back to drawing board
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TC6EIyEVygw/100512112149.htm
Archaeologists have disproved the fifty-year-old theory underpinning our understanding of how the famous stone statues were moved around Easter Island. New fieldwork has shown the remote Pacific island's ancient road system was primarily ceremonial and not solely built for transportation of the figures.

Fri, 14 May 10
New technology aids in prostate cancer treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/28LfElFJ5C8/100512141916.htm
Researchers have developed a new way of performing lab tests that could improve the way doctors manage prostate cancer treatment. It will allow them to identify with unprecedented accuracy losses of a gene called PTEN that is associated with an aggressive group of prostate cancers.

Fri, 14 May 10
Engineers design power structures that help keep the lights on
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/X_w9tcBbtcM/100511173823.htm
Engineers are developing new and improved poles to carry electricity across the countryside. They say the new structures -- which can bend and deflect an extreme load -- would be cheaper, easier to install, more secure and more resistant to cascading failures. That means better electrical service for everybody.

Fri, 14 May 10
Investigating separate and joint effects of alcohol and tobacco on the nucleus accumbens
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ixcLgsls64A/100504162807.htm
The brain's nucleus accumbens (NAC) is a core region of the mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system. The mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic system plays an important role in addiction. New findings show distinct gene expression patterns for alcoholics, smokers and smoking alcoholics in the NAC.

Fri, 14 May 10
Calcium in early life may prevent obesity later
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Tto_n2X6hOA/100513123833.htm
Not getting enough calcium in the earliest days of life could have a more profound, lifelong impact on bone health and perhaps even obesity than previously thought.

Fri, 14 May 10
Sniff of local anesthetic in the dentist's chair could replace the needle
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/o1VCIVozNV8/100513104818.htm
Modern dentistry has eliminated much of the "ouch" from getting a shot of local anesthetic. Now a new discovery may replace the needle used to give local anesthetic in the dentist's chair for many procedures. The discovery could lead to a new generation of intranasal drugs for noninvasive treatment for dental pain, migraine, and other conditions.

Fri, 14 May 10
Without this protein, embryonic development halts
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UWbnEgNL4dU/100512172344.htm
Researchers studying the common genetic disorder chromosome 22q.11 deletion syndrome have identified key proteins that act together to regulate early embryonic development. One protein is essential to life; in animal studies, embryos without the protein do not survive past the first few days of gestation. While not currently affecting treatments for the disease, the findings shed light on the biological events that give rise to chromosome 22q.11 deletion syndrome, which often includes congenital heart defects.

Fri, 14 May 10
No-till farming improves soil stability, research finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/L79D_s2U2MU/100511112013.htm
A new study across the central Great Plains on the effects of more than 19 years of various tillage practices shows that no-till makes soil much more stable than plowed soil.

Fri, 14 May 10
It was brawn over beauty in human mating competition, anthropologist says
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fsIoOrY5zuI/100513123835.htm
Male physical competition, not attraction, was central in winning mates among human ancestors, according to an anthropologist in a new study.

Fri, 14 May 10
As global temperatures rise, world's lizards are disappearing: 20 percent of all lizard species could be extinct by 2080
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6DxhQcLaMaA/100513143447.htm
After decades of surveying Sceloporus lizard populations in Mexico, an international research team has found that rising temperatures have driven 12 percent of the country's lizard populations to extinction. An extinction model based on this discovery also forecasts a grim future for these ecologically important critters, predicting that a full 20 percent of all lizard species could be extinct by the year 2080.

Thu, 13 May 10
Most distant galaxy cluster revealed by invisible light
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6XOVSrp9Yxw/100512164920.htm
An international team of astronomers from Germany and Japan has discovered the most distant cluster of galaxies known so far -- 9.6 billion light years away. The X-ray and infrared observations showed that the cluster hosts predominantly old, massive galaxies, demonstrating that the galaxies formed when the universe was still very young. These and similar observations therefore provide new information not only about early galaxy evolution but also about history of the universe as a whole.

Thu, 13 May 10
Generic drug may be potential treatment for deadly brain cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/I43Gd16m_2s/100512141909.htm
Medical researchers report evidence that the orphan generic drug dichloroacetate may hold promise as potential therapy for perhaps the deadliest of all human cancers: a form of brain cancer called glioblastoma.

Thu, 13 May 10
New insights into how deadly amphibian disease spreads and kills
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/o1We4lyDsQ4/100510151338.htm
Scientists have unraveled the dynamics of a deadly disease that is wiping out amphibian populations. New findings suggest that infection intensity determines whether frog populations will survive or succumb to an amphibian disease called Chytridiomycosis. The research identifies the tipping point in infection intensity, beyond which Chytrid causes death and extinction, and finds that continual re-infection causes the disease to reach this threshold.

Thu, 13 May 10
Rare toxic algae identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TjHm3VkHc00/100510201231.htm
Scientists have identified an unusual species of pathogenic algae that causes human skin infections. The finding should improve our understanding of how rare species of algae are sometimes able to cause serious disease in humans and animals.

Thu, 13 May 10
Sum of digits of prime numbers is evenly distributed: New mathematical proof of hypothesis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/e7etD99l_0o/100512172533.htm
On average, there are as many prime numbers for which the sum of decimal digits is even as prime numbers for which it is odd. This hypothesis, first made in 1968, has recently been proven by mathematics researchers in France.

Thu, 13 May 10
Violent teenage girls fail to spot anger or disgust in others’ faces
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6Ysk1J4nUDo/100510150223.htm
Girls appear to be "protected" from showing antisocial behaviour until their teenage years, new research has found. The study sheds new light on antisocial behavior in girls compared with boys and suggests that rather than violence or antisocial behavior simply reflecting bad choices, the brains of people with antisocial behavior may work differently from those who behave normally.

Thu, 13 May 10
New water-splitting catalyst: Researchers expand list of potential electrode materials that could be used to store energy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kxfyMD0HXHE/100512141953.htm
Researchers have found yet another formulation, based on inexpensive and widely available materials, that can efficiently catalyze the splitting of water molecules using electricity. This could ultimately form the basis for new storage systems that would allow buildings to be completely independent and self-sustaining in terms of energy: The systems would use energy from intermittent sources like sunlight or wind to create hydrogen fuel, which could then be used in fuel cells or other devices to produce electricity or transportation fuels as needed.

Thu, 13 May 10
Rate of childhood peanut allergies more than tripled from 1997 to 2008
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lp163DIsSnc/100512112320.htm
Results of a nationwide telephone survey have shown that the rate of peanut allergies in children more than tripled from 1997 to 2008.

Thu, 13 May 10
Investigating how spiders spin their silk, researchers unravel a key step
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NpPr0y9t-AY/100512131511.htm
Scientists in Germany have unraveled a decisive step in nature's way of producing spider silk. With industrial partners, they are working toward biomimetic production of synthetic fibers with comparable strength and elasticity. The researchers report how spider silk proteins can be stored in high concentrations without clumping and then drawn at a moment's notice into fibers with five times the tensile strength of steel.

Thu, 13 May 10
Angiogenesis inhibitors are safe cancer drugs despite hypertension risk, panel concludes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DZMn0MWZP3Y/100511111927.htm
A new class of cancer drugs can be used effectively while minimizing hypertensive side effects if patients' blood pressure is closely monitored and controlled, a clinical panel has determined.

Thu, 13 May 10
New plastic-like materials may say 'shhhh' to hush disease-causing microbes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xJTdv4-Q5kU/100512112428.htm
Scientists are silencing the biochemical conversations that disease-causing bacteria use to marshal their forces and cause infections. They have used specially designed plastic-like materials to soak up the substances that bacteria produce and pass to one another as messages.

Thu, 13 May 10
Giving sweet solutions to children before immunization reduces pain, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6-MrYIU9H_I/100512191838.htm
Infants who receive sweet solutions before being immunized experience less pain and are more comfortable, reveals new research.

Thu, 13 May 10
What makes world's strongest animal -- the tiny copepod -- so successful?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mTJRx3Qxu2I/100512172444.htm
The world's strongest animal, the copepod, is barely one millimeter long. It is also the world's fastest animal and the most abundant multicellular animal on the planet. So what is it that makes the copepod so successful?

Thu, 13 May 10
Response to vaccines could depend on your sex, researchers find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ijl-DURkbHY/100512164337.htm
Biological differences between the sexes could be a significant predictor of responses to vaccines, according to researchers. They examined published data from numerous adult and child vaccine trials and found that sex is a fundamental, but often overlooked predictor of vaccine response that could help predict the efficacy of combating infectious disease.

Thu, 13 May 10
New project aims for fusion ignition: Ignitor reactor could be world’s first to reach major milestone
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GY66qcOokWo/100512145348.htm
Russia and Italy have entered into an agreement to build a new fusion reactor outside Moscow that could become the first such reactor to achieve ignition, the point where a fusion reaction becomes self-sustaining instead of requiring a constant input of energy. The design for the reactor, called Ignitor, originated with MIT physics professor Bruno Coppi, who will be the project's principal investigator.

Thu, 13 May 10
Mirror neuron system functions normally in individuals with autism
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6dB8QX3_MGA/100512125219.htm
Neuroscientists have found that the mirror neuron system, which is thought to play a central role in social communications, responds normally in individuals with autism. Their findings counter theories suggesting that a mirror system dysfunction causes the social difficulties exhibited by individuals with autism.

Thu, 13 May 10
New fingermark analysis technique can give extra suspect details
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xax3UVv-lMs/100511112412.htm
A new technique to analyse fingermarks from crime scenes has the potential to give crucial additional details about a suspect such their medications, diet and the time at which they accidentally left the fingermark.

Thu, 13 May 10
Music aids Alzheimer's patients in remembering new information
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/L6i5NvaSDKQ/100512112314.htm
Researchers have shown that patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) are better able to remember new verbal information when it is provided in the context of music even when compared to healthy, older adults. The findings offer possible applications in treating and caring for patients with AD.

Thu, 13 May 10
Insects not 'hard-wired': Young male crickets grow larger in the presence of abundant male song
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LWo7L26kZwA/100512181054.htm
Biologists have found that male crickets growing up in the presence of abundant male song tend to be larger, behave differently, and invest nearly 10 percent more reproductive tissue mass in their testes than male crickets growing up in a silent environment. The subtle modifications of behavior depending on the environment, not genes, means that even in insects, animals are not "programmed" or "hard-wired" to do what they do.

Thu, 13 May 10
'Safe' cigarettes are as hazardous as tobacco, researchers demonstrate
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5INyPGGcFK4/100512151551.htm
Using a technique they developed to document the harmful effects of tobacco products, researchers have found that so-called "safer" cigarettes made without tobacco or nicotine may be more carcinogenic by inducing more extensive DNA damage than tobacco products.

Thu, 13 May 10
Stem cells: In search of a master controller
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SYAP8HaA5A0/100506172733.htm
With thousands of scientists across the globe searching for ways to use adult stem cells to fight disease, there's a growing emphasis on finding the "master regulator" that guides the day-to-day operations of stem cells. New research suggests that a closely connected trio of regulatory proteins fulfills that role in hematopoietic stem cells, the self-renewing cells the body uses to make new blood cells.

Thu, 13 May 10
New way to 'rescue' treatment sensitivity of breast cancer cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hopkl37KYsg/100510092006.htm
Researchers have identified a potential new combination therapy to "rescue" treatment sensitivity to fulvestrant in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers.

Thu, 13 May 10
Plankton disease epidemic this year? Check the lake's shape
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pvbaq539690/100505113241.htm
Of all the things that might control the onset of disease epidemics in Michigan lakes, the shape of the lakes' bottoms might seem unlikely. But that is precisely the case, and a new report explains why.

Thu, 13 May 10
Dementia takes away the meaning of flavours: Clues to brain basis for abnormal food preferences
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vCS0AYSZljo/100510075527.htm
Flavor is literally the spice of life and for many people life without the pleasures of the table would be unthinkable. Yet just this aspect of everyday life is vulnerable in certain degenerative dementias, with patients developing abnormal eating behaviors including changes in food preferences, faddism and pathological sweet tooth. New research has revealed evidence that these behaviors are linked to a loss of meaning for flavors.

Thu, 13 May 10
Why is breast milk best? It's all in the genes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0Z4yZwYA8r0/100512172342.htm
The ability to track which genes are operating in an infant's intestine has allowed scientists to compare the early development of breast-fed and formula-fed babies. For the first time, researchers can see that breast milk induces genetic pathways that are quite different from those in formula-fed infants.

Thu, 13 May 10
Study overturns decade-old findings in neurobiology: Research suggests potential target for drugs to combat alcohol addiction
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FIh_n20SWKU/100512151549.htm
In findings that should finally put to rest a decade of controversy in the field of neurobiology, researchers have found decisive evidence that a specific neurotransmitter system -- the endocannabinoid system -- is active in a brain region known to play a key role in the processing of memory, emotional reactions and addiction formation.

Thu, 13 May 10
Cages and emetics rescue wading birds: Decoy eggs injected with a drug to induce vomiting in predators
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/l7KUXbKq93I/100509202650.htm
The number of waders (shorebirds) in Sweden is falling rapidly. Scientists have tested drastic new methods to protect species such as the Northern lapwing and redshank from predators, including protective cages over their nests and decoy eggs injected with a drug to induce vomiting.

Thu, 13 May 10
Vaccination reduces burden of childhood rotavirus disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YsyWHy3qMgk/100511192252.htm
Vaccination of infants with Rotarix or RotaTeq significantly reduces the rate of severe rotavirus diarrhea, hospitalizations, medical attention due to rotavirus and severe diarrhea from all causes. The vaccines are not associated with increased numbers of serious adverse events, according to a new review.

Thu, 13 May 10
Tunable terahertz wire laser
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iVt9uk35EXE/100511143525.htm
Terahertz (THz) radiation is one of the hottest areas of modern physics research. This is because THz light waves, or T-rays as they are sometimes called, have great potential for spectroscopy and for the scanning of objects in a homeland security setting that are opaque to infrared and visible light. Now scientists have combined several technologies to obtain a versatile source of THz light.

Thu, 13 May 10
Doctors interrupted at work give shorter and poorer care to patients, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Owjbudem2Ag/100512191835.htm
Hospital doctors who are frequently interrupted while working in a clinical environment spend less time on tasks and fail to return to almost a fifth of their jobs in hand, reveals new research.

Thu, 13 May 10
Killer seaweed: First proof that chemicals from seaweeds damage coral on contact
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2wDdtiFMjeg/100510151340.htm
Field studies have shown for the first time that several common species of seaweeds in both the Pacific and Caribbean Oceans can kill corals upon contact using chemical means.

Thu, 13 May 10
Level of frailty predicts surgical outcomes in older patients, researchers find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qYgMIZ13sL4/100512164339.htm
A simple, 10-minute "frailty" test administered to older patients before they undergo surgery can predict with great certainty their risk for complications, how long they will stay in the hospital and -- most strikingly -- whether they are likely to end up in a nursing home afterward, new research suggests.

Thu, 13 May 10
Volcanic ash in Meridiani Planum
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mQX_46KfvEE/100512062629.htm
Deposits of volcanic ash color a new view of the Meridiani Planum, as seen by the Mars Express High Resolution Stereo Camera. They also give clues to the prevailing wind direction in this region of Mars.

Thu, 13 May 10
Why can surgical treatment improve type 2 diabetes mellitus?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/D67YLUAaDJE/100512112137.htm
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a commonly used surgical treatment for patients with morbid obesity. It significantly and persistently decreases the levels of blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin in 80-100 percent of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. A study group from China found the possible mechanism of treating T2DM with RYGB surgery. This study has provided new basis for surgery to treat T2DM and explained why the post-surgical nesidioblastosis occurs in RYGB patients.

Thu, 13 May 10
Speeding-up broadband spectroscopy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZmLzlRH4_Xc/100511143715.htm
Frequency can be measured quite accurately in the radio portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, where pulsations can be counted directly by electronic circuits. The "frequency comb" approach, introduced a few years ago, has revolutionized spectroscopy by allowing more accurate measurements of frequencies characteristic of infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light. The trick is to convert higher-frequency light into the lower radio frequency range, where the waves can be subjected to detailed measurement.

Thu, 13 May 10
Traffic density and increased body mass index linked
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/N9qlUV8JxU4/100511123042.htm
People living in neighborhoods where they perceived traffic made it unpleasant to walk were more likely to have a higher body mass index (BMI) than those who didn't, according to a new study looking at the relationship between the built environment, socio-economic status, and changes in BMI over a six year period.

Thu, 13 May 10
Researchers use entire islands in the Bahamas to test survival of the fittest
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/j4foIYhP0tg/100510105033.htm
By using entire islands as experimental laboratories, biologists have performed one of the largest manipulations of natural selection ever conducted in a wild animal population. Their results show that competition among lizards is more important than predation by birds and snakes when it comes to survival of the fittest lizard.

Thu, 13 May 10
High-dose vitamin D linked with increased risk of falls, fractures among older women
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ALysFv_0EB0/100511173700.htm
Women age 70 years or older who received a single annual high dose of vitamin D had a higher rate of falls and fractures compared to women who received placebo, according to a study in the May 12 issue of JAMA.

Thu, 13 May 10
50-year-old laser is only just getting started, physicists say
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/z3IaNaJBwOg/100512062626.htm
On the laser's 50th birthday, physicists assert that the discovery's usefulness has far further to go, despite already underpinning some of the last half century's most disruptive technologies (not least, the optical fibers which make today's high speed internet possible). While we can now find lasers in every industry from manufacturing, retail and medicine to entertainment and communications, lasers are also being developed for much more, such as personalised medical treatment and the production of virtually infinite, clean energy from nuclear fusion.

Thu, 13 May 10
Rapid prenatal test for alpha-thalassemia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jsRXXppfG-o/100511111929.htm
Researchers in Thailand have developed a rapid, high-throughput screening method for prevention and control of the blood disease thalassemia.

Thu, 13 May 10
Biofuel chemistry more complex than petroleum, say researchers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6mBaK8Gmnl4/100512072734.htm
Understanding the key elements of biofuel combustion is an important step toward insightful selection of next-generation alternative fuels.

Thu, 13 May 10
Nationwide study: One in four women show ambivalence toward pregnancy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EPdyxBER5Og/100506102938.htm
For years, a widely held assumption was that women of childbearing age fell neatly into two camps: those trying to have children, and those not trying to have children. A new nationwide study suggests, however, that nearly a fourth of women consider themselves "OK either way" about getting pregnant -- a wide swath of ambivalence that surprised researchers, and that could reshape how doctors approach many aspects of women's health care. The results surprised researchers, and could reshape how doctors approach women's health care.

Thu, 13 May 10
Quantum move toward next generation computing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GvoMaI3byYc/100511123040.htm
Physicists have developed a system for measuring the energy involved in adding electrons to semi-conductor nanocrystals, also known as quantum dots -- a technology that may revolutionize computing and other areas of science.

Thu, 13 May 10
Safer alternative to laser eye surgery?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EoVnqnh_bt8/100511192246.htm
A new type of procedure for correcting short-sightedness could be safer than laser eye surgery, according to a new review. The study also shows that patients prefer the new procedure, despite there being little difference between the two in terms of improving vision.

Thu, 13 May 10
For comfort, mom's voice works as well as a hug
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/H5vqMZEga9A/100511201730.htm
A simple phone call from mom can calm frayed nerves by sparking the release of a powerful stress-quelling hormone, according to researchers.

Thu, 13 May 10
Directing immune traffic: Signposts to the lung
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qkyUCzvUzi0/100510121223.htm
Inducing cellular immunity as a means to protect against influenza virus is the focus of researchers who have recently identified two important signaling components required by the immune system that might allow us to pre-position our own virus-fighting T cells to the lungs, the site of initial infection.

Thu, 13 May 10
NASA's declining research facilities could prevent agency from meeting important mission goals, report finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aDpLE4_65WU/100512073609.htm
NASA's abilities to meet major mission goals such as advancing aeronautics, exploring the outer planets, and understanding the beginnings of the universe are being seriously jeopardized by a steady and significant decrease in the agency's basic research capabilities, says a new report from the National Research Council. Congress and NASA should provide the support necessary for needed equipment and services to conduct fundamental high-quality research.

Thu, 13 May 10
Schizophrenia: Regular exercise guidelines still apply
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qYdLE021tkY/100511192250.htm
Regular exercise can play an important a role in improving the physical and mental wellbeing of individuals with schizophrenia, according to a new review. Following a systematic review of the most up-to-date research on exercise in schizophrenia, researchers concluded that the current guidelines for exercise should be followed by people with schizophrenia just as they should by the general population.

Wed, 12 May 10
X-ray discovery points to location of missing matter in universe
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZYlduFG1pPs/100511122745.htm
Using observations with NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and ESA's XMM-Newton, astronomers have announced a robust detection of a vast reservoir of intergalactic gas about 400 million light years from Earth. This discovery is the strongest evidence yet that the "missing matter" in the nearby Universe is located in an enormous web of hot, diffuse gas.

Wed, 12 May 10
Genetic variations associated with Alzheimer's disease, but do not help predict risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5fgynUfSSFo/100511173709.htm
Although genome-wide analysis identified two genetic variations associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), these variations did not improve the ability to predict the risk of AD, according to a new study.

Wed, 12 May 10
Lake sturgeon have genes from parasite, signs of human STD
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/g5-mwwtZWE4/100511141749.htm
While trying to find a DNA-based test to determine the sex of lake sturgeon, researchers found that the sturgeon genome contains trematode genes that didn't originally belong to it and may harbor a protozoan parasite that causes a sexually transmitted disease in humans.

Wed, 12 May 10
Clues to neuronal health found in tree-like nerve cell structures
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4cVpG2g9GWw/100506141606.htm
Using the small, round worm C. elegans, researchers have discovered how elaborate dendritic trees (tree-like nerve structures) are formed and maintained. Possible applications include treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and repair of injuries in which neurons are damaged.

Wed, 12 May 10
Astronomers plan second look at mega star birthing grounds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rPXF1d4ijiA/100510114351.htm
Astronomers this summer will take a close look at a rare cosmic cradle for the universe's largest stars, baby bruisers that grow up to have 50 times the sun's mass.

Wed, 12 May 10
Differences in language circuits in the brain linked to dyslexia: Important 'information highway' less well organized in the dyslexic brain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/su0EzUJNVs0/100510075529.htm
Children with dyslexia often struggle with reading, writing, and spelling, despite getting an appropriate education and demonstrating intellectual ability in other areas. New neurological research has found that these children's difficulties with written language may be linked to structural differences within an important information highway in the brain known to play a role in oral language.

Wed, 12 May 10
DNA could be backbone of next-generation logic chips
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9g8d_2S8xAg/100511133833.htm
In a single day, a solitary grad student at a lab bench can produce more simple logic circuits than the world's entire output of silicon chips in a month. So says an engineer who believes that the next generation of these logic circuits at the heart of computers will be produced inexpensively in almost limitless quantities. The secret is that instead of silicon chips serving as the platform for electric circuits, computer engineers will take advantage of the unique properties of DNA, that double-helix carrier of all life's information.

Wed, 12 May 10
Sickle cell disease may affect brain function in adults, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/M9XhlLnGeMI/100511173825.htm
Sickle cell disease may affect brain function in adults who have few or mild complications of the inherited blood disease, according to results of the first study to examine cognitive functioning in adults with sickle cell disease.

Wed, 12 May 10
Most high schoolers cheat -- but don't always see it as cheating, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-i7PUD23t90/100511173829.htm
Most high-school students participating in a new study on academic honesty say they have cheated on tests and homework -- and, in some alarming cases, say they don't consider certain types of cheating out of line.

Wed, 12 May 10
Cancer: Trapping the escape artist
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1BgmVzxGw4A/100511151654.htm
Cancer uses devious means to evade treatment and survive. One prime example is the way tumors express anti-cell death (anti-apoptotic) proteins to resist chemotherapy and radiation. However, new research may help curb these anti-apoptotic proteins and make current treatments more effective.

Wed, 12 May 10
'Tsunami' video sheds light on struggling pupfish
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GPXAVAw70BY/100511173827.htm
For the first time, an earthquake was recorded live in Devils Hole, home to the critically endangered pupfish species. The footage is educating scientists on how struggling species react to disturbance.

Wed, 12 May 10
Caffeine reduces mistakes made by shift workers, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2NXAuXsP100/100511192248.htm
Caffeine can help those working shifts or nights to make fewer errors, according to a new study. The findings have implications for health workers and for any industry relying on shift or night work, such as transportation.

Wed, 12 May 10
Laser beams penetrating thick canopy detect thousands of new structures, show Maya adept at 'building green'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wAlfomKLeeY/100511111935.htm
A flyover of Belize's thick jungles has revolutionized archaeology worldwide and vividly illustrated the complex urban centers developed by one of the most-studied ancient civilizations -- the Maya. Until now, Maya archeologists have been limited in exploring large sites and understanding the full nature of ancient Maya landscape because features are hidden within heavily forested and hilly terrain. LiDAR effectively removes these obstacles.

Wed, 12 May 10
No clear criteria for diagnosing food allergies, researchers find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YxIXISx7vnY/100511173706.htm
A new study shows that confusion over how to identify and treat food allergies is creating the potential for misdiagnosis of this condition.

Wed, 12 May 10
Fatty acid to enhance anticancer drug
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/c_6xd7WyPUE/100507101851.htm
Scientists in Germany have discovered that bioavailability and efficacy of the blood cancer drug azacytidine increase when the substance is coupled to a fatty acid.

Wed, 12 May 10
Early births decline in most categories, U.S. report finds; Rates drop for most states and ethnic and gestational-age groups
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tTdHQmJDyDI/100511173817.htm
For the first time in three decades, the nation and most states saw a two-year decline in preterm birth rates, indicating that strategies have begun to pay off. Rates declined for both late and early preterm births, among the major racial and ethnic groups, for mothers under 40, and regardless of the method of delivery.

Wed, 12 May 10
World record for shortest controllable time using laser pulses
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BB7Tf6pSnCU/100511173855.htm
Lasers can now generate light pulses down to 100 attoseconds, thereby enabling real-time measurements on ultrashort time scales that are inaccessible by any other methods. Scientist in Germany have now demonstrated timing control with a residual uncertainty of 12 attoseconds. This constitutes a new world record for the shortest controllable time scale.

Wed, 12 May 10
Spouses who care for partners with dementia at sixfold higher risk of same fate: Stress of caregiving may be to blame
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/quFojR0j7Ao/100505091630.htm
Husbands or wives who care for spouses with dementia are six times more likely to develop the memory-impairing condition than those whose spouses don't have it, according to results of a 12-year study. The increased risk that the researchers saw among caregivers was on par with the power of a gene variant known to increase susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease, they report.

Wed, 12 May 10
New insights into genomics of speciation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-znl4aATK4Y/100510161336.htm
New research could herald an important shift in thinking about the genomics of speciation. The prevailing assumption about how the genomes of newly forming species should differ during the earliest stages of divergence with gene flow speciation is that it will be characterized by a few regions of strong differentiation. New evidence suggests that instead, speciation in the classic apple maggot fly involves genome-wide differentiation driven by natural selection.

Wed, 12 May 10
Many pregnant women not getting enough vitamin D: Prenatal vitamins help, but are not enough for everyone
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8yaLcKLG9lM/100511173821.htm
Seven out of every 10 pregnant women in the United States are not getting enough vitamin D, according to a new study.

Wed, 12 May 10
Slimming aid from the cell laboratory? Inflammation enzyme regulates the production of brown fat tissue
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NJkWL2K-nhQ/100507111835.htm
Scientists in Germany have found that the COX-2 inflammation enzyme stimulates the formation of new brown fat tissue in mice. Brown fat tissue transforms energy into heat. Therefore, mice with increased COX-2 production have a higher energy consumption and are slimmer. On the basis of these results scientists might develop a novel weight loss method for pathogenic obesity.

Wed, 12 May 10
Non-cardiac surgery too soon after stenting raises risk of heart problems, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Xar5fQFSFeE/100504163117.htm
Non-cardiac surgery performed in patients who had coronary stents implanted within the previous six weeks is associated with an increased risk of heart complications and death. Patients who required stent implantation following a recent heart attack were at greater risk than those who had stents implanted due to chronic disease. The level of risk was similar for patients treated with bare metal stents and drug-eluting stents.

Wed, 12 May 10
New technology lowers cost for groundwater contaminant sensors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tKfgnlqjt10/100506112642.htm
Long-term continuous monitoring of groundwater where contaminants are present or suspected could be streamlined with new technology.

Wed, 12 May 10
Older people in assisted-living facilities sleep poorly, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/51UlZY6Fn6U/100507083248.htm
In a study of residents of assisted-living facilities in Los Angeles showed that 65 percent had clinically significant sleeping problems and that poor sleep was associated with declining quality of life and increased depression over a six month follow-up period.

Wed, 12 May 10
Odd dental features reveal undocumented primate: Previously unknown species complicates understanding of African evolution
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Q9OoFAHtSqY/100511092149.htm
It's in the teeth. An odd mosaic of dental features recently unearthed in northern Egypt reveals a previously undocumented, highly-specialized primate called Nosmips aenigmaticus that lived in Africa nearly 37 million years ago.

Wed, 12 May 10
Whole grain, bran intake associated with lower risk of death in diabetic women
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pZVwiYbSwHo/100510161246.htm
Women with type 2 diabetes who ate high amounts of the bran component of whole grain had a 35 percent lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease than women who ate the least amount, according to a new study. The link held regardless of whether the bran came from eating whole grain foods or from adding bran to the diet.

Wed, 12 May 10
As monarch butterflies journey north, gardeners can help protect species, researcher says
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LxxVPsKuXNs/100510151354.htm
It has been a hard winter for Monarch butterflies. Low temperatures, storms and habitat destruction have all threatened the butterflies' overwintering population in Mexico.

Wed, 12 May 10
MicroRNA dysregulation may contribute to melanoma development
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/d4C9pWax3gQ/100510141427.htm
Researchers in Canada have identified differential expression of miRNAs as a contributing factor in melanoma development.

Wed, 12 May 10
High-quality beef: Start cattle on corn, finish on co-products, researchers find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GUFi811CYXc/100510151350.htm
Researchers have discovered that high-quality beef and big per-head profits can be achieved by starting early-weaned cattle on corn and finishing them on a diet high in co-products.

Wed, 12 May 10
Predicting economic crises with 'econophysics'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Launxpc_tGg/100511092406.htm
Do physicists have better tools than economists or financial experts for predicting economic crises? Mainstream economists largely failed to forecast the sub-prime mortgage bubble, the ensuing financial crisis, and its global impact on world economy, which has now even challenged Europe's economic, political and social systems. A handful of physicists working on economic problems -- in the small but rapidly growing field of "econophysics" -- have done better.

Wed, 12 May 10
Herschel finds a hole in space: Surprising glimpse into end of star-forming process
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HTrVuEPXmns/100511102150.htm
The European Space Agency's Herschel infrared space telescope has made an unexpected discovery: a hole in space. The hole has provided astronomers with a surprising glimpse into the end of the star-forming process.

Wed, 12 May 10
Fly gut bacteria could control sleeping sickness
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jl0VbcO62kI/100510190840.htm
A new bacterial species, found in the gut of the fly that transmits African sleeping sickness, could be engineered to kill the parasite that causes the disease. The study could lead to new approaches to control this fatal infection that is becoming resistant to drug therapy.

Wed, 12 May 10
Bats' echolocation recorded and recreated
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7H0PBxu4XwI/100511072050.htm
A team of British researchers has worked with six adult Egyptian fruit bats to record and recreate their calls. These calls are pairs of 'clicks' from the bats' tongues that they use to fill their surroundings with acoustic energy; the echoes that return allow the bats to form an image of their environment. Engineers and biologists used a miniature wireless microphone sensor mounted on the bat whilst in flight.

Wed, 12 May 10
Fluctuating blood pressure associated with risk of cerebrovascular disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EUzBubeqzxw/100510161252.htm
The risk of cerebrovascular diseases appears to be higher among individuals with fluctuating blood pressure in addition to high blood pressure, according to a new study.

Wed, 12 May 10
Here comes the 3-D camera: Revolutionary prototype films world in three dimensions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OOVnafI5tuA/100510075413.htm
It's no pun: we are truly entering a new dimension in technology with a 3-D digital camera developed by researchers in Italy. The revolutionary prototype for filming the world in three dimensions promises applications in security, assistance to the elderly, videogames and intelligent navigation systems.

Wed, 12 May 10
Computer analysis of Twitter sentiments yields results similar to public opinion polls
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/U0ZMoVsnlSU/100511102117.htm
Computer analysis of sentiments expressed in a billion Twitter messages during 2008-2009 yielded measures of consumer confidence and of presidential job approval similar to those of well-established public opinion polls, researchers report.

Wed, 12 May 10
Jurassic fast food was a key to giant dinosaurs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FdSPtjr_O3g/100511074825.htm
Why were the sauropod dinosaurs able to get so much larger than today's terrestrial animals? Scientists believe they may have now solved this puzzle. According to new research, Jurassic fast food culture was a key to gigantism. The giant dinosaurs did not chew their food -- they just gulped it down.

Wed, 12 May 10
Eliminating the source of asthma-causing immune molecules
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bR5wum-sHqQ/100510174620.htm
Asthma and other allergic diseases are caused by inappropriate immune responses. Soluble IgE molecules, produced by immune cells known as B cells, are key immune mediators of these diseases. A team of researchers has now developed a way to specifically eliminate IgE-producing B cells, providing a potential new long-lasting therapeutic approach to treat asthma and other allergic diseases.

Wed, 12 May 10
New method developed to capture fingerprints on difficult surfaces
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QnxCuXXe-Es/100511102121.htm
CSI notwithstanding, forensics experts cannot always retrieve fingerprints from objects, but a new conformal coating process can reveal hard-to-develop fingerprints on nonporous surfaces without altering the chemistry of the print.

Wed, 12 May 10
How botulism-causing toxin can enter circulation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ESFEtlpb49c/100510121217.htm
New research helps explain how the toxic protein responsible for botulism can enter circulation from the digestive system.

Wed, 12 May 10
Tabletop 3D laserprinter for glass microsystems
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9h0vg92P6kI/100510114447.htm
A new European project, Femtoprint, is starting, with the goal to design a convenient 3D laser printer that will print microstructures in glass. With this ‘femtoprinter’ the manufacture of microstructures would no longer be the exclusive realm of big enterprises.

Wed, 12 May 10
Obesity linked to lowest earnings
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RK8lE2GhkOE/100511092151.htm
A new study has found that minimum-wage employees are more likely to be obese than those who earn higher wages, adding to growing evidence that being poor is a risk factor for unhealthy weight.

Wed, 12 May 10
Hubble catches heavyweight runaway star speeding from 30 Doradus
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qP1vKaIYTWE/100511092402.htm
A heavy runaway star rushing away from a nearby stellar nursery at more than 400,000 kilometres per hour, a speed that would get you to the Moon and back in two hours. The runaway is the most extreme case of a very massive star that has been kicked out of its home by a group of even heftier siblings. Tantalizing clues from three observatories, including the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope's newly installed Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS), and some old-fashioned detective work, suggest that the star may have traveled about 375 light-years from its suspected home, a giant star cluster called R136.

Wed, 12 May 10
Parkinson's disease treatments associated with compulsive behaviors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/V32gCQrUXCE/100510161256.htm
Pathological gambling, compulsive shopping, binge eating and other impulse control disorders appear to be more common among individuals taking dopamine agonist medications for Parkinson's disease, according to a new study.

Wed, 12 May 10
How cancer cells loose their (circadian) rhythm
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/V_jffELhbYE/100510151344.htm
Unlike the current assumption that cancer cells divide uncontrollably because their Circadian clocks are broken, the new study finds that cell division is uncontrolled in an immortal cell line with functioning biological clocks, suggesting that it is the link between the cell's timekeeper and the process of cell division that is disrupted, not the clock mechanism itself.

Wed, 12 May 10
NASA studies find omega-3 may help reduce bone loss
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/w2tsOkIEIDg/100510150838.htm
NASA-sponsored studies have found that omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil may play a role in mitigating bone breakdown that occurs during spaceflight and in osteoporosis. Ongoing research for decades has looked for ways to stop bone density loss in astronauts. The solution could have significant implications for space travelers and those susceptible to bone loss on Earth.

Wed, 12 May 10
Potential antifouling substance -- a veterinary sedative -- can cause paler fish, research shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/m_FdJUG3CNU/100509202641.htm
The sedative medetomidine has proved effective at inhibiting fouling and is now being trialled by the European Union as an ingredient for the antifouling paints of the future. Research in Sweden has shown that high concentrations of this substance can have an impact on the marine environment.

Wed, 12 May 10
Overtime work is bad for the heart, new research finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YhipPpROrDg/100511092145.htm
Working overtime is bad for the heart, according to results from a long-running study following more than 10,000 civil servants in London: the Whitehall II study. The study found that, compared with people who did not work overtime, people who worked three or more hours longer than a normal, seven-hour day had a 60 percent higher risk of heart-related problems such as death due to heart disease, non-fatal heart attacks and angina.

Tue, 11 May 10
X-rays reveal chemical link between birds and dinosaurs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/F0YeOMYf_Qg/100510151348.htm
Using the bright X-ray beam of the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, an international team of researchers has found that a 150 million year old "dinobird" fossil, long thought to contain nothing but fossilized bone and rock, has been hiding remnants of the animal's original chemistry.

Tue, 11 May 10
Tiny mutation might help indicate proper dosage for half of all drugs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/M5TeGqPKU-0/100510161334.htm
A tiny gene mutation in human liver cells could one day influence how high or low a dose patients need of about half of the clinically used drugs on the market, new research suggests. Scientists have identified this mutation, and have shown that it alters the level of a protein in the liver responsible for processing between 45 percent and 60 percent of medications used to treat a wide range of conditions.

Tue, 11 May 10
Untangling the quantum entanglement behind photosynthesis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2e3N4Cto3pI/100510151356.htm
Researchers have carried out the first study in which the quantum phenomenon known as "entanglement" has been observed and characterized in a real biological system. Quantum entanglement is thought to be a critical factor behind the ability of green plants and certain bacteria, through photosynthesis, to transfer energy from sunlight and initiate its conversion into chemical energy with near 100-percent efficiency.

Tue, 11 May 10
Evidence growing of air pollution's link to heart disease, death
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/osPFhnKeosw/100510161244.htm
Air pollution is a risk factor for heart disease; however, people can take action to reduce their individual risk, according to an updated American Heart Association scientific statement. Exposure to fine particulate matter over a few hours or weeks can trigger cardiovascular deaths, heart attacks, strokes, heart failure and irregular heartbeats, especially in susceptible individuals. Long-term exposure to elevated concentrations of fine particulate matter even further increases cardiovascular risk and reduces life expectancy probably by several months to a few years for those with higher exposures.

Tue, 11 May 10
Flaxseed-fed chickens shed light on ovarian cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8fNLKtH_DrI/100504124740.htm
In the race to find answers about ovarian cancer, researchers now have something to cluck about. The researchers have been using the chicken as a model to study this deadly disease and have recently discovered that a diet enriched with flaxseed decreases severity of ovarian cancer and increases survival in hens.

Tue, 11 May 10
Zero tolerance ineffective in schools, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ir6ANoqfuDs/100510132157.htm
Zero tolerance policy in schools -- which can mandate automatic punishment for weapons, drugs, profanity and various forms of disruptive behavior -- is failing to make students feel safe, contends a new study.

Tue, 11 May 10
Astronomers find recoiling supermassive black hole
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5i0DdoOvxZg/100510075523.htm
Astronomers have found a possible supermassive black hole that is recoiling out of a distant galaxy at high speed. The black hole, visible with X-rays as a clear star, is not located in the center of the galaxy, as would normally be the case. Recoiling black holes are interesting because they provide insights into how supermassive black holes develop in the center of galaxies.

Tue, 11 May 10
Running a marathon halts cellular suicide
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/i_6fkOjfvNM/100510201233.htm
Apoptosis, the natural 'programmed' death of cells, is arrested in the aftermath of strenuous exercise. Researchers studied peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), isolated from whole blood samples taken from people after finishing a marathon, finding that the balance between expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic genes is shifted after the race.

Tue, 11 May 10
Muscle stem cell movements documented
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dryi8hXRgZc/100506112603.htm
Researchers have used time-lapse photography to document satellite cell movements and behaviors when they interact with their "host" myofiber. Scientists hope that if they can understand more about what satellite cells do in healthy muscle, obstacles to cell or gene therapies for muscular dystrophy might be overcome.

Tue, 11 May 10
Risks associated with common acid-suppressing medications documented in series of studies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lko3-IU3ZWs/100510161248.htm
Proton pump inhibitors, medications that suppress acid in the stomach, appear to be associated with fractures in postmenopausal women and bacterial infections in many patients, and higher doses do not appear any more beneficial for treating bleeding ulcers, according to a series of reports. An additional report finds that introducing guidelines for proton pump inhibitor use into clinical settings may reduce rates of inappropriate prescriptions.

Tue, 11 May 10
Researchers create software for robot to improve rescue missions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/p6Kh7EMJQLg/100506112611.htm
In disaster emergencies, such as the recent West Virginia mine explosion or the earthquake in Haiti, it is often unsafe for responders to enter the scene, prolonging the rescue of potential survivors. Now, researchers have developed software for a robot with a laser sensor that can enter dangerous structures to assess the structure's stability and locate any remaining people. This technology could lead to safer and more efficient rescue missions.

Tue, 11 May 10
Animals talk, sing and act like humans? Young children's reasoning about biological world is influenced by cultural beliefs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ohxqb79vzGY/100510132203.htm
For decades, the consensus was that as young children begin reasoning about the biological world, they adopt an "anthropocentric" stance, favoring humans over non-human animals when it comes to learning about properties of animals. Researchers and educators recently teamed up to determine whether this human-centered reasoning is universal. They discovered children's reasoning about the biological world is influenced by cultural beliefs and daily experiences with nature.

Tue, 11 May 10
Did phosphorus trigger complex evolution -- and blue skies?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PDI0YBn7rBg/100510132159.htm
The evolution of complex life forms may have gotten a jump start billions of years ago, when geologic events over millions of years caused large quantities of phosphorus to wash into the oceans. According to this model, the higher levels of phosphorus would have caused vast algal blooms, pumping extra oxygen into the environment which allowed larger, more complex types of organisms to thrive.

Tue, 11 May 10
Restless legs syndrome: French-Canadian families at higher risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zQVPxbT7aBM/100510161302.htm
Restless legs syndrome, which causes an irresistible desire to move legs, appears to be a hereditary condition that's more prominent among French Canadian women and may be caused by a combination of genetic influences and environmental effects. According to a large-scale study, siblings of people affected by restless legs syndrome are three and a half times more likely to develop the disease.

Tue, 11 May 10
Nano parfait a treat for scientists: Researchers spin pure batches of nanotubes species
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fDv8YnAMkug/100510105134.htm
In two new papers, researchers report using ultracentrifugation to create highly purified samples of carbon nanotube species. One team has made a small but significant step toward the dream of an efficient nationwide electrical grid that depends on highly conductive quantum nanowire. The other team employed UCF to prepare structurally sorted batches of semiconducting nanotubes that could find critical uses in medicine and electronics.

Tue, 11 May 10
Folic acid found to improve vascular function in amenorrheic runners
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DbUf0uytXUE/100510174624.htm
A study has found that oral folic acid may provide a safe and inexpensive treatment to improve vascular function in young female runners who are amenorrheic (not menstruating).

Tue, 11 May 10
Vital functions monitored with wearable and implantable devices
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9NqEgcBPU7k/100510105031.htm
Physiological signals can nowadays be easily monitored with measurement devices implanted inside a living body. A Finnish researcher believes that the next tech-savvy generation represents a potential customer base for new applications in the field. They might be interested in monitoring their personal health with implantable electrocardiogram devices. The device could also be used as a diagnostic tool in emergencies, because it gives medical personnel instant access to the patient's EKG data.

Tue, 11 May 10
Medical costs of cancer have nearly doubled over the past two decades
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ad_mzRwq5IQ/100510075035.htm
A new analysis finds that the costs of treating cancer have nearly doubled over the past two decades and that the shares of these costs that are paid for by private health insurance and Medicaid have increased.

Tue, 11 May 10
Quantum mechanics reveals new details of deep Earth
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RdXxaAYLK34/100510161332.htm
Scientists have used quantum mechanics to reveal that the most common mineral on Earth is relatively uncommon deep within the planet. Using several of the largest supercomputers in the nation, a team of physicists has been able to simulate the behavior of silica in a high-temperature, high-pressure form that is particularly difficult to study firsthand in the lab.

Tue, 11 May 10
Eating nuts associated with improvements in cholesterol levels
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Xl_Kvsuls5o/100510161250.htm
Consuming more nuts appears to be associated with improvements in blood cholesterol levels, according to a pooled analysis of data from 25 trials.

Tue, 11 May 10
Aseismic slip as a barrier to earthquake propagation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-2LuIwAJovg/100505133306.htm
A research team made up of scientists from the U.S., Peru and France report on their analysis of GPS data from the 2007 Pisco quake in Peru. They found, in part, that 50 percent of the postseismic slippage is aseismic -- movement along a fault that occurs without any accompanying seismic waves.

Tue, 11 May 10
Smarter use of existing treatment helps dramatically boost survival of young acute myeloid leukemia patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AVc8vrZdIZY/100510105023.htm
More individualized therapy and better supportive care helped push the survival for children with acute myeloid leukemia to 71 percent three years after diagnosis, according to new research.

Tue, 11 May 10
Bolstered by geological and geophysical data: Total Area of Norway expanded
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/l6MIkU1fOlk/100510114445.htm
Basic research played a key role in expanding the total area of Norway by nearly 250,000 square kilometres in 2009. Knowledge acquired from a ten-year-old basic research project on geologic conditions of the oceanic crust proved invaluable in ultimately successful negotiations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. While the previous boundary was set at 200 nautical miles, the new boundary is based on specific geologic conditions. The basic geological research carried out proved to be invaluable for establishing the size of the Norwegian continental shelf and helped to clarify who has the rights and responsibilities in the various maritime areas.

Tue, 11 May 10
Science closing in on mystery of age-related memory loss, says neurobiologist
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GrN3iypX06I/100506141557.htm
The world's scientific community may be one step closer to understanding age-related memory loss, and to developing a drug that might help boost memory. In a new editorial, a U.S. neurobiologist says that research from the European Neuroscience Institute provides proof of concept that drugs known as histone deacetylase inhibitors have great promise in stopping memory loss -- and even in boosting the formation of memory in animal models.

Tue, 11 May 10
Most distant galaxy cluster revealed by invisible light
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0tBXDNghvVE/100510131505.htm
An international team of astronomers from Germany and Japan has discovered the most distant cluster of galaxies known so far -- 9.6 billion light years away. The X-ray and infrared observations showed that the cluster hosts predominantly old, massive galaxies, demonstrating that the galaxies formed when the universe was still very young. These and similar observations therefore provide new information not only about early galaxy evolution but also about history of the universe as a whole.

Tue, 11 May 10
Scientists shed light on potential treatment for Gaucher's disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/42pkUb_OsNg/100509144657.htm
In findings that advance scientists' understanding of a whole class of inherited disorders, a research team has shed light on a mechanism that enables a potential treatment for Gaucher's disease and other lysosomal storage diseases.

Tue, 11 May 10
Waterpipes: New pastime for North American youth? Hookah or shisha use on rise, yet contains nicotine, carbon monoxide and carcinogens
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/C5-jORnFWCQ/100510121219.htm
As fewer people puff on cigarettes, a new smoking trend may be gaining popularity among North American youth. A study has found that almost one-quarter of young adults in Montreal had used waterpipes (also known as shishas or hookahs) in the past year.

Tue, 11 May 10
New method for developing safer drugs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kYr9GUH-aH8/100509202645.htm
Amodiaquine was introduced as an antimalarial drug, but was withdrawn when serious adverse effects were observed. Scientists in Sweden have now developed a method that can be used to develop safer drugs.

Tue, 11 May 10
Cellulosic ethanol: Expanding options, identifying obstacles
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Be01jZOu9Lk/100409105352.htm
Scientists are figuring out how to turn wheat straw into ethanol "gold," and learning more about the bacteria that can "infect" ethanol plants and interfere with fuel production.

Tue, 11 May 10
Psychological research not always universal; Studies should involve more cross-cultural collaboration, says researcher
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/d4wxGKpaiA0/100507142149.htm
Previous studies have found that the vast majority of published psychological research in the United States is based on American samples and excludes 95 percent of the world's population. Yet, these results are often generalized and taken as universal. A researcher hopes his experience will encourage more researchers to develop cross-cultural relationships.

Tue, 11 May 10
Paternal mice bond with offspring through touch: Males generate new brain cells and form memories leading to positive relationships
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IZQUPpV_QqQ/100510092059.htm
New research by neuroscientists shows that paternal mice that physically interact with their babies grow new brain cells and form lasting memories of their babies. A recent study found that when paternal mice interact with their newborn babies, new brain cells develop in the olfactory bulb, the part of the brain responsible for sense of smell, and in the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory.

Tue, 11 May 10
Susceptibility for caries, gum disease found in genes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LnmLl4LKTt0/100415110037.htm
Certain genetic variations may be linked to higher rates of tooth decay and aggressive periodontitis, according to two new studies.

Tue, 11 May 10
Mozart's music does not make you smarter, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-UqthioS2Oc/100510075415.htm
For over 15 years, scientists have been discussing alleged performance-enhancing effects of hearing classical music. Now, researchers in Vienna, Austria present quite definite results on this so-called "Mozart effect" that suggest no evidence for specific cognitive enhancements by mere listening to Mozart's music.

Tue, 11 May 10
New understanding of dengue fever could help with vaccine
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yIhuE4bn7hs/100506141603.htm
Some of the human immune system's defenses against the virus that causes dengue fever actually help the virus to infect more cells, according to new research. The researchers hope their new findings could help with the design of a vaccine against the dengue virus.

Tue, 11 May 10
Study paves way for new biofuels models, technologies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/K5VGcqcoqwg/100510105132.htm
Biofuels hold promise as environmentally friendly sources of renewable energy, but which ones should industry and policy leaders focus their efforts on developing? A new study offers detailed insights into how biofuel chemicals react when burned. The research data and new computer models pave the way for development of new biofuels and technologies to maximize energy efficiency while minimizing environmental and human health risks.

Tue, 11 May 10
Can a mother's voice spur recovery from a coma?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JwJwBJUHOE8/100510132205.htm
A new clinical trial is investigating whether repeated stimulation with familiar voices can help repair a coma victim's injured brain networks and spur his recovery. Funded by the US Department of Veteran Affairs, the research may be useful to young people injured in motor vehicle accidents as well as soldiers injured in combat, who have a high rate of traumatic brain injuries from roadside bombs.

Tue, 11 May 10
Cometary dust in Antarctica?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1FThfBs4xEQ/100510075417.htm
A new family of extraterrestrial particles, probably of cometary origin, has been identified for the first time in snow in Central Antarctica. The micrometeorites, which are remarkably well preserved, are made up of organic matter containing small assemblages of minerals from the coldest and most remote regions of the solar system.

Tue, 11 May 10
Light activated 'warhead' turns modest molecules into super protein killers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/X6D2EdWlQ_Q/100314150910.htm
Using a novel light activation technique, scientists have been able to turn molecules with only a modest ability to fight specific proteins into virtual protein destroyers.

Tue, 11 May 10
Researchers to send bacteria into orbit aboard space shuttle Atlantis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/b1H5oL9pIWo/100510114349.htm
A team of researchers will send an army of microorganisms into space this week, to investigate new ways of preventing the formation and spread of biofilms, or clusters of bacteria, that could pose a threat to the health of astronauts. The Micro-2 experiment is scheduled to launch into orbit on May 14 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis.

Tue, 11 May 10
Dietary protein may reduce hip fractures in the elderly
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Gdw4stCuisE/100505092000.htm
Seniors who consume a higher level of dietary protein are less likely to suffer hip fractures than seniors whose daily dietary protein intake is less, according to a new study.

Tue, 11 May 10
New material can keep electronics cool: Few atomic layers of graphene reveal unique thermal properties
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hG-h85wNpiw/100510132211.htm
Researchers have taken another step toward new technology that could keep laptops and other electronic devices from overheating.

Tue, 11 May 10
Telephone therapy for depression? Study says yes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qyVFwYCTt3M/100510141729.htm
A trial shows professional counseling for depression may be just as effective over the phone as traditional face-to-face consultations.

Mon, 10 May 10
Blinking neurons give thoughts away
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/b-yE3K3nWh4/100505102555.htm
Scientists have used a genetic light source to measure brain signals. Electrical currents are invisible to the naked eye -- at least they are when they flow through metal cables. In nerve cells, however, scientists are able to make electrical signals visible. Scientists have now successfully used a specialized fluorescent protein to visualize electrical activity in neurons of living mice. In a milestone study, scientists are able to apply the method to watch activity in nerve cells during animal behavior.

Mon, 10 May 10
Agents that keep insulin working longer developed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IS22pPouDiI/100507151552.htm
More than half a century after researchers identified a promising way to treat diabetes based on blocking the breakdown of insulin in the body, a research team has developed potent molecules that can do just that.

Mon, 10 May 10
Molecular data and images from space used to study imperiled coastal dolphins
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dy3D3-F-z8s/100430131153.htm
Using DNA samples and images from Earth-orbiting satellites, conservationists are gathering new insights about the franciscana -- a poorly known coastal dolphin species of eastern South America -- in an effort to understand populations and conserve them.

Mon, 10 May 10
Drug now used to treat erectile dysfuncton may enhance delivery of herceptin to certain brain tumors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4Wkb_HwXOKE/100507175257.htm
New research suggests that a drug currently approved to treat erectile dysfunction may significantly enhance the delivery of the anti-cancer drug herceptin to certain hard-to-treat brain tumors. The research could help doctors improve treatments for lung and breast cancers that have metastasized to the brain.

Mon, 10 May 10
Common mosquito repellent no longer repels certain mosquitoes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hpV39JPVMtc/100506092733.htm
Mosquitoes can develop a resistance to substances used to repel them. The yellow fever mosquito has developed a resistance to the mosquito repellent DEET.

Mon, 10 May 10
Return home from war not always peaceful for young vets
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hNwtUoi4Yeg/100503074235.htm
When young servicemen and women return home from a tour of duty, their family and friends breathe a sigh of relief, knowing their loved ones finally are safe and sound. New research, however, shows that is not always the case. Young veterans are at risk for violent deaths at home, especially suicide.

Mon, 10 May 10
'Mouse grimace scale' to help identify pain in humans and animals
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Nn33-n346yg/100509144655.htm
A new study by psychologists in Canada shows that mice, like humans, express pain through facial expressions. The researchers have discovered that when subjected to moderate pain stimuli, mice showed discomfort through facial expressions in the same way humans do.

Mon, 10 May 10
Scientists solve mystery of fragile stem cells; New findings to speed research on potential therapies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/24FEyWKMmE0/100412170339.htm
Scientists have solved the decade-old mystery of why human embryonic stem cells are so difficult to culture in the laboratory, providing scientists with useful new techniques and moving the field closer to the day when stem cells can be used for therapeutic purposes.

Mon, 10 May 10
How Darwin's little-known work impacts current schizophrenia and autism treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FZUk43hLMN0/100504124346.htm
Historical research reveals more of Charles Darwin's thinking when he completed what may be the first example of a prospective "single-blind" study of human perception of emotional expression. Through scrutiny of Darwin's work, including previously unpublished handwritten notes on his experiments, a scholar explains how this early experiment has direct implications to current work today in the areas of schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders and other neuropsychiatric conditions.

Mon, 10 May 10
H1N1 influenza hits older children
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kvLWKsre-sQ/100504074831.htm
Children hospitalized with pandemic H1N1 influenza in 2009 were older and more likely to have underlying medical conditions than children hospitalized with seasonal influenza during prior flu seasons.

Mon, 10 May 10
Grapes reduce risk factors for heart disease and diabetes, animal study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dxfbUs-bYik/100426081024.htm
Scientists are teasing out clues to the effect of grapes in reducing risk factors related to cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. The effect is thought to be due to phytochemicals -- naturally occurring antioxidants -- that grapes contain.

Mon, 10 May 10
Why is late-life depression harder to treat?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CttfxvcYROE/100504102122.htm
Scientists have found an important clue in the quest to understand why people who suffer from depression in later life are harder to treat and keep well in the long term. According to a new study, older adults with depression don't respond normally to emotional stimuli, such as when they see happy, sad or neutral faces.

Mon, 10 May 10
Novel artificial pancreas successfully controls blood sugar more than 24 hours
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JX--qkH7EAY/100414152127.htm
An artificial pancreas system that closely mimics the body's blood sugar control mechanism was able to maintain near-normal glucose levels without causing hypoglycemia in a small group of patients.

Mon, 10 May 10
Suppressing activity of common intestinal bacteria reduces tumor growth
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iCgF5RD7W_s/100509144652.htm
Common intestinal bacteria appear to promote tumor growths in genetically susceptible mice, but tumorigenesis can be suppressed if the mice are exposed to an inhibiting protein enzyme, researchers has discovered. The research could portend an eventual new form of treatment for people with familial adenomatous polyposis or FAP, an inherited condition in which numerous initially benign polyps form in the large intestine, eventually transforming into malignant colon cancer.

Mon, 10 May 10
Odors classified by networks of neurons
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9bTjclnZflI/100426081237.htm
Scientists in Switzerland are unraveling how odors are processed by the brain. As they report in a new study, odors in the olfactory brain are classified into groups represented by discrete activity states of neuronal circuits. Using advanced optical methods, they discovered that gradual variations in odors result in abrupt transitions between patterns of neuronal activity. These findings provide fundamental insights into the brain's information-processing mechanisms.

Mon, 10 May 10
Researchers quantify benefits of minimally invasive removal of hard-to-reach tumors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bQqoi_ijW4Q/100401130236.htm
A minimally invasive endoscopic procedure holds promise for safely removing large brain tumors from an area at the bottom of the skull, near the sinus cavities, clinical researchers have found.

Mon, 10 May 10
Peruvian tectonic plates move by earthquakes and non-seismic slip
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uAz03ibYlDQ/100506131642.htm
Just a few years ago, Dan Farber happened to be doing field work in Peru with students when the 8.0 Pisco earthquake struck. As a scientist working in the active tectonics of the Peruvian Andes Farber was asked by colleagues if he could participate in a rapid response team to map the damage of the seismic deformation and install a system of geodetic stations.

Mon, 10 May 10
Exposure to prenatal smoking may lead to psychiatric problems
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fbbLC7EU7N4/100504074835.htm
New research shows that prenatal smoking can lead to psychiatric problems and increase the need for psychotropic medications in childhood and young adulthood.

Mon, 10 May 10
Atomic movement during photosynthesis photographed with X-ray flash
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JtASvH81J_s/100509202634.htm
Researchers in Sweden have managed, with the help of an advanced X-ray flash, to photograph the movement of atoms during photosynthesis. The achievement could be used in the solar panels of the future, where researchers hope to be able to imitate the sophisticated energy conversion of photosynthesis.

Mon, 10 May 10
Properties of insulin reduce inflammation caused by obesity, lower risk of type 2 diabetes, research finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0ixjEj7_o5c/100509202647.htm
Recent decades have seen a huge increase in type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This is a result of people being less active and eating fattier diets, which can lead to obesity and, in turn, diabetes. Researchers in Sweden have discovered properties of insulin which reduce inflammation caused by obesity and can therefore lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Mon, 10 May 10
Global warming threatens plant diversity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pscrcNEs5Dc/100323184611.htm
In the coming decades, climate change is set to produce worldwide changes in the living conditions for plants. Thus today's cool, moist regions could in future provide habitats for additional species, and in arid and hot regions the climatic prerequisites for a high degree of plant diversity will deteriorate.

Mon, 10 May 10
How a tumor suppressor induces senescence and staves off cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/o9YclIT1mxk/100413112056.htm
The retinoblastoma (RB) gene controls a vast and potent tumor suppression pathway, which is disabled in virtually all tumor cells because of mutations in the gene. RB gene mutations are some of the most frequently found in a variety of human cancers. Scientists have now found that a key function of RB in suppressing cancer stems from its ability to induce cellular senescence, a stage of growth arrest in which cells no longer divide.

Mon, 10 May 10
Materials research advances reliability of faster 'smart sensors'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/v0jcTjxTdCI/100420101340.htm
In military and security situations, a split second can make the difference between life and death, so the development of new "smart sensors" that allow for faster response times from military applications is important. Equally important is new research that will help ensure those sensors will operate under extreme conditions -- like those faced in Afghanistan or elsewhere.

Mon, 10 May 10
Use of certain anticonvulsant medications may be associated with increased risk of suicide
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fziWNvv7q3w/100413170659.htm
An analysis of prescription and clinical claims data suggests that the use of certain anticonvulsant medications may be associated with an increased risk of suicide, attempted suicide or violent death, according to a new study.

Mon, 10 May 10
Biologists link gut microbial equilibrium to inflammatory bowel disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lsydShwbzy8/100426092803.htm
We are not alone -- even in our own bodies. The human gut houses 100 trillion bacteria, which have co-evolved with our digestive and immune systems. Most people consider bacteria harmful pathogens causing infections and disease, but other microbes, taking a different evolutionary path, have established beneficial relationships with their hosts. Still others may be perched in between, according to new research that offers new insight into the causes of inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer.

Mon, 10 May 10
How viruses manipulate host cells by means of molecular mimics
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BkCa8WauFtE/100422121706.htm
Viruses can hide from the immune system by using small RNAs to silence the expression of cellular genes. Scientists have now identified the human genes targeted by herpes viruses that cause cancer. This represents a significant first step towards the development of new antiviral therapies.

Mon, 10 May 10
Quality of a tomato depends more on temperature than on natural light
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lE68DVNlZNM/100325131558.htm
Researchers questioned the generally held belief that the quality of tomatoes depends primarily on their exposure to natural light and states that the most determining factor is temperature.

Mon, 10 May 10
New adult malnutrition strategies could improve diagnosis and treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oZtijFazjTw/100413105708.htm
A new consensus statement on adult malnutrition suggests classifying patients in three categories related to the cause of malnutrition, according to an international committee of nutrition researchers. This approach could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of malnutrition.

Mon, 10 May 10
Bugging out: Researchers help track wayward pests through mapping
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IMHLTqUKpDY/100504102128.htm
Tracking invasive pests around the world is the job of an international team of researchers, who are working to improve pest-risk mapping to better inform decision makers on where and how to best combat pests.

Mon, 10 May 10
Pay-for-performance programs may worsen medical disparities, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/A8Z9uvFTMcc/100504074843.htm
Rewarding primary care physicians for providing better care to patients could end up widening medical disparities experienced by poorer people and those belonging to racial and ethnic minorities, according to a new study. Researchers found that under a typical pay-for-performance program medical practices that serve vulnerable populations would likely receive lower payments than other practices.

Sun, 9 May 10
Brain's master switch is verified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QGujKL66EgY/100507161421.htm
The protein that has long been suspected by scientists of being the master switch allowing brains to function has now been verified. New research shows that the protein called synaptotagmin1 is the sole trigger for the release of neurotransmitters in the brain.

Sun, 9 May 10
Gender specific disease risks start in the womb
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PFe8-1Nm6tY/100506205427.htm
Pregnancy places competing demands on a mother’s physiology: Her body wants to produce a healthy baby but not at the expense of her own health. Therefore, she passes so-called “imprinted genes” on to her child to protect her body from excessive demands from the child. Genes inherited from the father, however, aim at getting as many resources for the fetus as possible. This battle of genes might be at the root of later life diseases.

Sun, 9 May 10
GOCE satellite determines gravitational force in the Himalayas
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZpHn4kUC4nQ/100507101849.htm
Researchers report the first interim results of the ESA mission GOCE, the Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer. Evaluations of the first data from the satellite indicate that current models of Earth's gravitational field in some regions -- the Himalayas, for example -- can be fundamentally revised. The results could contribute to better understanding of many geophysical processes.

Sun, 9 May 10
Whole body MRI is highly accurate in the early detection of breast cancer metastases
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-5lbxYdBNIM/100506083436.htm
Whole body magnetic resonance imaging should be the imaging modality of choice for the detection of breast cancer metastases (when the cancer has spread beyond the breast) as it is highly accurate and can detect bone metastases while a patient is still asymptomatic (shows no symptoms), according to a new study.

Sun, 9 May 10
How does ice flow? First results of a new measurement method in Antarctica
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/S6_VaJ-LS9Q/100507111827.htm
Researchers in Germany report results from an environmentally friendly measurement method used on an Antarctic ice-shelf for the first time in early 2010. The method supplies data that are input to models for the ice mass balance and thus permit better forecasting of future changes in the sea level.

Sun, 9 May 10
Sponsoring by the pharmaceutical industry can bias the results of drug studies, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IU47bzXNF70/100507092335.htm
Drug studies financed by pharmaceutical companies frequently show positive results in favor of the sponsor. In a new study, a research team in Germany describes the influence of sponsoring on the results, protocol and quality of drugs studies.

Sun, 9 May 10
Seeing into the heart of planetary systems
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZehgrHLDWhw/100413202854.htm
Using four of the world's largest telescopes, scientists have obtained the most detailed information yet from the regions around two young stars tens of light years away, finding compact discs of rocky and dusty material at distances comparable to that from the Earth to the Sun.

Sun, 9 May 10
Fragile X syndrome gene's role in shaping brain uncovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bIWPJZWwHc0/100507161419.htm
Researchers have discovered how the genetic mutation that causes Fragile X syndrome, the most common form of inherited mental retardation, interferes with the "pruning" of nerve connections in the brain.

Sun, 9 May 10
Biologists discover an extra layer of protection for bacterial spores
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/C2m-u1jFdJQ/100506121746.htm
Bacterial spores, the most resistant organisms on earth, carry an extra coating of protection previously undetected, a team of microbiologists reports. Their findings offer additional insight into why spores of the bacteria that cause botulism, tetanus, and anthrax survive methods to eradicate them.

Sun, 9 May 10
Simple gene test identifies clinically important subtypes of breast cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Fy3yvnB_mCk/100506112559.htm
A simple genetic test that uses just three genes is among the most effective means of classifying breast cancer into subtypes.

Sun, 9 May 10
Algae advances as a 'green' alternative for improving water quality
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kuKSp_DCA4s/100507111829.htm
Algae -- already being eyed for biofuel production -- could be put to use right away to remove nitrogen and phosphorus in livestock manure runoff, according to an agricultural scientist.

Sun, 9 May 10
Hardship and human rights violations continue among Burma cyclone survivors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZfTiPKb78D4/100507175254.htm
The survivors of Cyclone Nargis, which struck Burma (also known as Myanmar) in May 2008, continue to face challenges in rebuilding their lives, in lack of access to relief and reconstruction efforts, and in violations of basic rights more than one year after the storm, according to a study.

Sun, 9 May 10
New nerve cells -- even in old age: Researchers find different types of stem cells in the brains of mature and old mice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xjNcwNfOk6Y/100506121751.htm
After birth, the brain loses many nerve cells and this continues throughout life -- most neurons are formed before birth, after which many excess neurons degenerate. However, there are some cells that are still capable of division in old age -- in the brains of mice, at least.

Sun, 9 May 10
Mild-mannered metabolic helper rushes to fight invading viruses, researchers report
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1dKIo21jHjo/100507151549.htm
Within cells, an ancient antiviral duo can deliver a one-two knockout to thwart invading viruses, report researchers who have just unmasked the cellular sidekick that throws the first punch. The findings mean scientists must rethink the design of antiviral immunity and how the body fends off viruses of all types, including influenza and HIV.

Sun, 9 May 10
New Martian views from orbiting camera show landscape diversity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DW7KUrmQw0o/100507160450.htm
New images from more than 750 recent observations of Mars by an orbiting telescopic camera testify to the diversity of landscapes there.

Sun, 9 May 10
Pluripotent and differentiated human cells reside in decidedly different epigenomic landscapes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EEun_k_nGnw/100506121748.htm
Human embryonic stem cells possess remarkable properties of self-renewal and pluripotency, the ability to become almost any kind of cell within the body. And yet they share the same genome or set of genes with lineage-committed cells, cells fated to be or do one thing.

Sun, 9 May 10
World record in current intensity achieved with distribution cables
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zJEA1z7-ChM/100506092845.htm
Researchers in Spain have developed the most advanced and powerful conductivity cable in the world. This prototype measures 30 metres and was made using superconducting material. The new cable surpasses the record in current intensity (3200 Ampers RMS) and can transport an electrical charge five times greater than a conventional copper cable of the same dimensions, thus reducing energy loss by half.

Sun, 9 May 10
Drivers who delay license reinstatement after suspension are often high risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-A_DvgL7JjE/100504162814.htm
Driver's license suspension is often used for individuals convicted of driving under the influence. A new study has found that many suspended drivers do not reinstate, continue to drive uninsured, and create danger on the roads for others. Results support license reinstatement with continued controls, such as interlocks as a condition of reinstatement.

Sat, 8 May 10
Lensless imaging of whole biological cells with soft X-rays
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5wZOx22iAVM/100427171844.htm
Scientists have used X-ray diffraction microscopy to make images of whole yeast cells, achieving the highest resolution -- 11 to 13 nanometers (billionths of a meter) -- ever obtained with this method for biological specimens. Their success indicates that full 3-D tomography of whole cells at equivalent resolution should soon be possible.

Sat, 8 May 10
Molecular marker could help spot pancreatic cancer early
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8e2iZ1jTNTU/100426181714.htm
Researchers have identified a molecular marker of pancreatic cancer that may help spot the disease at its earliest stages, when it can be treated more successfully with surgery.

Sat, 8 May 10
Paper wasps and honey bees share a genetic toolkit
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TmT8jmaROH0/100427114227.htm
They are both nest-building social insects, but paper wasps and honey bees organize their colonies in very different ways. In a new study, researchers report that despite their differences, these insects rely on the same network of genes to guide their social behavior.

Sat, 8 May 10
SSRIs and cardiovascular health: Popular antidepressants may have beneficial side effects for cardiovascular health
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TYdVKOUj81k/100426113104.htm
A class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may provide a boost to cardiovascular health by affecting the way platelets, small cells in the blood involved in clotting, clump together.

Sat, 8 May 10
Magnetic fields drive drug-loaded nanoparticles to reduce blood vessel blockages in an animal study
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OKL6KJwUc_Y/100419150821.htm
Scientists and engineers have used uniform magnetic fields to drive iron-bearing nanoparticles to metal stents in injured blood vessels, where the particles deliver a drug payload that successfully prevents blockages in those vessels. In this animal study, the novel technique achieved better results at a lower dose than conventional non-magnetic stent therapy.

Sat, 8 May 10
More than half of liver patients experience neurocognitive impairments
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KT3gKSUl9L4/100506121801.htm
Fifty-four percent of liver patients also display neurocognitive impairments such as short term memory loss, a study found. The average score of impaired patients was lower than that of patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease.

Sat, 8 May 10
Toddlers and TV: Early exposure has negative and long-term impact
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/t0GJWNTi1-c/100503161229.htm
Want kids who are smarter and thinner? Keep them away from the television set as toddlers. A shocking study from child experts has found that television exposure at age two forecasts negative consequences for kids, ranging from poor school adjustment to unhealthy habits.

Sat, 8 May 10
Naturally occurring microbe fights potentially deadly Clostridium difficile infection
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fs3G8ElRBw0/100503092030.htm
An international team of researchers has discovered a naturally occurring microorganism that directly targets a bacteria that causes a sometimes deadly intestinal disease in young children and the elderly.

Sat, 8 May 10
Making serial parts out of metal powder
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2eG8wh4nRB4/100503111519.htm
Complex-shaped components in aircraft engines can be produced quickly and at a reasonable price using selective laser melting, as researchers in Germany recently demonstrated.

Sat, 8 May 10
New therapy for cocaine toxicity: Enzyme break downs cocaine into inactive products nearly 1,000 times faster than human body does
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1fSkXc8A-UY/100426105637.htm
Researchers have developed and tested a modified enzyme that can break down cocaine into inactive products nearly 1,000 times faster than the human body does regularly. The engineered enzyme, called CocE, may be an excellent candidate for clinical use.

Sat, 8 May 10
Feeling stressed? So is the poplar -- but hormone suppression could help the tree
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QNM93vNh_VQ/100506152249.htm
Scientists have identified the molecular mechanism that poplar trees use to adapt to changing soil conditions, as well as some of the genes that turn the process on or off.

Sat, 8 May 10
Human working memory is based on dynamic interaction networks in the brain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BVcuEt-OwQE/100413105704.htm
A new study sheds light on the neuronal mechanisms sustaining memory traces of visual stimuli in the human brain. The results show that the maintenance of working memory is associated with synchronization of neurons, which facilitates communication between different parts of the brain. On the basis of interaction between the brain areas, it was even possible to predict the subject's individual working memory capacity.

Sat, 8 May 10
Climate change and mountain building led to mammal diversity patterns
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Wn7_l4ChJQU/100505163236.htm
Travel from the tropics to the poles, and you'll notice that the diversity of mammals declines with distance from the equator. Move from lowland to mountains, and you'll see diversity increase as the landscape becomes more varied. Ecologists have proposed various explanations for these well-known "biodiversity gradients," invoking ecological, evolutionary and historical processes. New findings suggest that the elevational patterns of diversity we see today have appeared, disappeared and reappeared over Earth's history and that these patterns arise from interactions between climate change and mountain building.

Sat, 8 May 10
Antibiotic prevents irritable bowel syndrome symptoms for weeks after final dose
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hZrwDZwglMg/100504095220.htm
A targeted antibiotic provides effective and long-lasting relief of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, according to the results of two multisite Phase III clinical trials. Rifaximin is the first drug treatment for IBS that relieves symptoms while it's being administered and continues to benefit patients after they stop taking the drug.

Sat, 8 May 10
Minilab can quickly identify antibiotic residues in milk, before it leaves the barn
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rXSjkjsCrok/100507111833.htm
Routine antibiotic residue tests used by the dairy industry take hours to produce a result and do not test for all antibiotics dairy cows are typically treated with. Scientists in Germany have developed a microarray chip that identifies residues from one or more of the 14 most important antibiotics with certainty and in parallel. In conjunction with an automated minilab, this enables rapid testing of raw, unpasteurized milk.

Sat, 8 May 10
Exercise can forestall osteoporosis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AwnagLszL0I/100426105643.htm
The stage for osteoporosis is set well before menopause -- but exercise can help rewrite the script, according to researchers. They hypothesize that higher levels of follicle-stimulating hormone decrease bone mineral density by influencing the production of cytokines.

Sat, 8 May 10
First-ever landscape-wide study of elephants and great apes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Kql9uBf0W2E/100506131644.htm
The Wildlife Conservation Society announced the results of the first-ever evaluation of a large, "landscape-wide" conservation approach to protect globally important populations of elephants and great apes.

Sat, 8 May 10
Consumer remorse: Difficult choices can lead to second-guessing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7BmkKzyJLic/100419151002.htm
Consumers who choose between two good product options build a "positivity bubble" to justify their choices. But according to a new study, that bubble is easy to burst.

Sat, 8 May 10
New protein involved in longevity identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WhFhl1lQ4Zg/100507161423.htm
Researchers have found that the level of a single protein in the tiny roundworm C. elegans determines how long it lives. Worms born without this protein, called arrestin, lived about one-third longer than normal, while worms that had triple the amount of arrestin lived one-third less.

Sat, 8 May 10
Coffee and soft drinks have little or no association with colon cancer risk, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pKxXircTMFs/100507161417.htm
Drinking even large amounts of coffee and sugar-sweetened, carbonated soft drinks is not associated with the risk of colon cancer, according to a large study.

Sat, 8 May 10
Engineers diagnosing Voyager 2 data system
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HLQsWLIYRlY/100507160545.htm
Engineers have shifted NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft into a mode that transmits only spacecraft health and status data while they diagnose an unexpected change in the pattern of returning data. Preliminary engineering data received on May 1 show the spacecraft is basically healthy, and that the source of the issue is the flight data system, which is responsible for formatting the data to send back to Earth. The change in the data return pattern has prevented mission managers from decoding science data.

Sat, 8 May 10
Same disease, different stem cell models
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6JEwxDRZrq4/100506131646.htm
In the last three years, a new technique for reprogramming adult cells has given scientists an easier and less controversial way to harness the power of embryonic-like stem cells to study human disease from its earliest beginnings in hopes of gleaning new insights into the root causes of disease and developing new therapies.

Sat, 8 May 10
Envisat captures renewed volcanic activity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/98BTRFjySx4/100507101914.htm
New eruptions from Iceland's Eyjafjallajoekull volcano have produced a 1600 km-wide ash cloud over the Atlantic. The brownish plume, traveling east and then south, is clearly visible in stark contrast to white clouds framing this Envisat image from May 6.

Sat, 8 May 10
Words to the wise: Experts define wisdom
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZYCHNFkmxZA/100507151554.htm
Could sagacity might have a neurobiological basis? In a new article, psychiatry experts attempt to identify the central, unifying elements that define wisdom.

Sat, 8 May 10
Coral and global warming: Diversity in some coral populations may affect their survival
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/peCsy14bcS8/100504194946.htm
Diversity in some coral populations may significantly influence their response to extreme temperature disturbances -- such as those predicted from climate warming. A team demonstrated natural selection acting on the species of algae living within corals may determine survival in extreme temperatures.

Sat, 8 May 10
Transplanted adult stem cells provide lasting help to injured hearts
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dygisToPM4o/100507092459.htm
Human adult stem cells injected around the damage caused by a heart attack survived in the heart and improved its pumping efficiency for a year in a mouse model, researchers report. Injection of a patient's own adult stem cells into the heart has shown some efficacy in assisting recovery after a heart attack in early human clinical trials. But how they work has been unknown, until now.

Sat, 8 May 10
Baby swimmers have better balance, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/C44i4_ZBYvA/100428101444.htm
Teaching babies to swim turns out to be more than just fun. Baby swimmers have better balance and are also better at grasping at things than non-swimmers. This difference persists even when children are five years old, when babies who have been taught to swim still outperform their peers.

Sat, 8 May 10
Heart attack risk doubles after COPD exacerbation, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6Kc3rMwxh6o/100504082735.htm
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who experience an exacerbation have an increased risk for both myocardial infarctions (MI) and ischemic stroke, according to a new study.

Sat, 8 May 10
Could new fiber optics technology replace semi-conductors?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mlYVSqE1MZI/100503135707.htm
Scientists have developed a new technology for the nano-photonics market, which manufactures optical devices and components. The plastic-based "filter" is made from nanometer-sized grooves embedded into the plastic. When used in fiber optics cable switches, this new device will make our communication devices smaller, more flexible and more powerful.

Sat, 8 May 10
Early childhood experiences have lasting emotional and psychological effects
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OzNo_9zmrow/100503161332.htm
Experiences between birth and age 5 matter significantly to children's long-term emotional and psychological health, and changing these experiences for the better pays dividends, according to an editorial and several new reports.

Sat, 8 May 10
Peptides may hold 'missing link' to life
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SY65i7cQ54k/100506121803.htm
Scientists have discovered that simple peptides can organize into bi-layer membranes. The finding suggests a "missing link" between the pre-biotic Earth's chemical inventory and the organizational scaffolding essential to life.

Sat, 8 May 10
Obese patients with methane on their breath have significantly higher body mass index, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2EPQ6LbVZWA/100506090937.htm
New research shows obese patients who test positive for methane on their breath have a significantly higher body mass index than their peers.

Sat, 8 May 10
Unmasking anthrax for immune destruction
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SvKCaOloSvM/100501013527.htm
Anthrax-causing bacteria can be engineered to shed their invisibility cloaks, making it easier for the immune system to eradicate it, according to a new study. The work could lead to new measures to treat anthrax infection in the event of a biological warfare attack.

Sat, 8 May 10
Preventing blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/H3zy7IaD-zY/100505152449.htm
A new company envisions its product helping to preserve the sight of millions of people at risk of vision loss from diabetic retinopathy.

Sat, 8 May 10
Unearthing the truth about volcanic ash: Spain has been spared for 40,000 years, and other facts
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QIqh1EHkQjk/100507083842.htm
Research from scientists in the UK shows Spain has been spared volcanic ash falls for the past 40,000 years and so could serve as an emergency flight hub in the event of future eruptions.

Sat, 8 May 10
Children's well-being another casualty of recession: Researchers see marked increase in abusive head trauma cases during economic downturn
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yRbDu6Tsoik/100501013403.htm
The incidence of abusive head trauma among children has skyrocketed since the beginning of the recession in late 2007, according to new research.

Fri, 7 May 10
New genes involved in human eye color identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UCgnDmamL84/100506172731.htm
Three new genetic loci have been identified with involvement in subtle and quantitative variation of human eye color. Previous studies on the genetics of human eye color used broadly-categorized trait information such as 'blue', 'green', and 'brown'. However, variation in eye color exists in a continuous grading from the lightest blue to the darkest brown.

Fri, 7 May 10
Candidate gene culprits for chronic pain discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JsVwonqhGbM/100506172729.htm
Scientists report that chronic pain may be caused by the inadvertent reprogramming of more than 2,000 genes in the peripheral nervous system. The research might ultimately lead to "transcription therapy," the researchers speculate, which would employ drugs that kill pain by correcting the activity of specific genes.

Fri, 7 May 10
Discovery of rare genetic mutation could help battle Tourette syndrome
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lRIf7dSu9uM/100505181445.htm
A single, very unusual family with Tourette syndrome has led researchers to identify a rare mutation in a gene that is required to produce histamine. The finding provides a new framework to understand many years of data on the role of histamine function in the brain and points to a potentially novel approach to treatment of tics and Tourette.

Fri, 7 May 10
Chromosome 'glue' surprises scientists
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/s4naHeBpUic/100506121753.htm
Proteins called cohesins ensure that newly copied chromosomes bind together, separate correctly during cell division, and are repaired efficiently after DNA damage. Scientists have found that cohesins are needed in different concentrations for their different functions. This discovery helps to explain how certain developmental disorders, arise without affecting cell division essential to development.

Fri, 7 May 10
British summer is advancing, experts show
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oLQOR8biSQI/100506121759.htm
The onset of summer in England has been advancing since the mid 1950s, new research has shown. The investigations examined records of the first blooming date of early summer flowering plants (phenology) and the timing of first occurrences of warm "summer" temperatures -- events linked with the onset of summer.

Fri, 7 May 10
Wash away your doubts when you wash your hands
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/a56F6e8fphM/100506141601.htm
Washing your hands "wipes the slate clean," removing doubts about recent choices, according to researchers. Their study expands on past research by showing that hand-washing does more than remove the guilt of past misdeeds.

Fri, 7 May 10
Trapping giant Rydberg atoms for faster quantum computers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RSXpZ6gEhCw/100506141638.htm
In an achievement that could help enable fast quantum computers, physicists have built a better Rydberg atom trap. Rydberg atoms are highly excited, nearly-ionized giants that can be thousands of times larger than their ground-state counterparts.

Fri, 7 May 10
Endometrial stem cells restore brain dopamine levels; Mouse study may lead to new therapies for Parkinson's Disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rQxg5G4pOk8/100506141608.htm
Endometrial stem cells injected into the brains of mice with a laboratory-induced form of Parkinson's disease appeared to take over the functioning of brain cells eradicated by the disease. The finding raises the possibility that women with Parkinson's disease could serve as their own stem cell donors. Similarly, because endometrial stem cells are readily available and easy to collect, banks of endometrial stem cells could be stored for men and women with Parkinson's disease

Fri, 7 May 10
Nanocoating makes perfectly non-reflecting displays
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1r75HEZP5q4/100505092627.htm
A new nanocoating ensures a perfectly non-reflecting view on displays and through eyeglasses. The necessary surface structure is applied to the polymeric parts during manufacture, obviating the need for a separate process step. The hybrid coating has further advantages: the components are scratch-proof and easy to clean.

Fri, 7 May 10
Prescription drug could boost effects of vaccines for HIV and other diseases
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/33ST4gD2xeg/100505113251.htm
A prescription drug already approved to treat genital warts and skin cancer may have a new use in boosting the effectiveness of future vaccines for bacterial and viral diseases, such as hepatitis C and HIV.

Fri, 7 May 10
Engineers to improve test for cardiovascular disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VE5qfZEEnRQ/100505173010.htm
Scientists are working to help keep your heart beating stronger and longer simply by monitoring the temperature of your fingertip. VENDYS, a device mechanical engineering professors have develop, is allowing doctors to monitor how changes in blood flow affect finger temperature to measure an individual's risk for cardiovascular disease.

Fri, 7 May 10
Shape up the quick way: Lose weight fast for lasting results suggests new study
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BRbUFWPGdnE/100506092735.htm
If you thought the best way to lose and maintain weight was the slow and steady approach, think again. A new study suggests that the key to long-term weight loss and maintenance is to lose weight quickly, not gradually, in the initial stages of obesity treatment.

Fri, 7 May 10
New study ranks countries on environmental impact
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7s4pd07yE_0/100505092006.htm
A new study led by researchers in Australia has ranked most of the world's countries for their environmental impact. The world's 10 worst environmental performers according to the proportional environmental impact index (relative to resource availability) are: Singapore, Korea, Qatar, Kuwait, Japan, Thailand, Bahrain, Malaysia, Philippines and Netherlands. In absolute global terms, the 10 countries with the worst environmental impact were found to be (in order, worst first): Brazil, USA, China, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, India, Russia, Australia and Peru.

Fri, 7 May 10
Genome breakthrough allows scientists to identify and profile tumor cells from very small samples
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IIrE8Nz3j-M/100506112555.htm
Researchers have developed a powerful new technique for analyzing the genome of single tumor cells. The breakthrough allows them to study in fine detail the biology of how tumors develop.

Fri, 7 May 10
A cluster and a sea of galaxies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/f_TSnfnToFo/100505102559.htm
A new wide-field image released today by ESO displays many thousands of distant galaxies, and more particularly a large group belonging to the massive galaxy cluster known as Abell 315. As crowded as it may appear, this assembly of galaxies is only the proverbial "tip of the iceberg," as Abell 315 -- like most galaxy clusters -- is dominated by dark matter. The huge mass of this cluster deflects light from background galaxies, distorting their observed shapes slightly.

Fri, 7 May 10
Cancer researchers link ovarian hormone to breast stem cells growth
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NrWO0fwbL-c/100505133256.htm
Cancer researchers have discovered that the ovarian hormone progesterone plays a pivotal role in altering breast stem cells, a finding that has important implications for breast cancer risk.

Fri, 7 May 10
Those living near highway and railroad intersections more likely to develop asthma, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8LdNEp60bT0/100506141634.htm
Researchers recently released study data showing children who lived near major highway or railroad intersections have higher diagnoses of asthma. The researchers used this study to show how neighborhood environment is a risk factor in understanding the development of pediatric asthma.

Fri, 7 May 10
First course of veggies may appeal to hungry preschoolers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6F8DLyV8fvU/100505152451.htm
Increasing the amount of vegetables in the first course of preschool lunch could be a smart way to get children to eat more vegetables, according to nutrition researchers.

Fri, 7 May 10
Problem gamblers provoked by 'near misses' to gamble more
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qCoI1Fa5OH8/100504173817.htm
The brains of problem gamblers react more intensely to "near misses" than casual gamblers, possibly spurring them on to play more, according to new research. The researchers found the brain region that responds to rewards by delivering a dose of the chemical dopamine was especially active in these individuals.

Fri, 7 May 10
Nausea and speeding heart can be signs of flu in pregnant women
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6x5T9S9wSEE/100505163234.htm
Nausea in pregnant women tends to fade after the first three months, but during the second and third trimesters it can be a sign of flu, researchers have found in a study of expectant women who sought medical care.

Fri, 7 May 10
A new way to use herbicides: To sterilize, not kill weeds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8YaLdGOnzik/100505102603.htm
Using herbicides to sterilize rather than to kill weedy grasses might be a more economical and environmentally sound weed-control strategy, according to a study by agricultural scientists and a cooperator.

Fri, 7 May 10
Toward simplifying treatment of a serious eye infection
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PLhbKvNwQ40/100505113253.htm
Scientists are reporting development of a potential new way of enabling patients with bacterial keratitis to stick with the extraordinarily intensive treatment needed for this potentially blinding eye infection. The disease affects more than 500,000 people each year worldwide, including 30,000 people in the United States.

Fri, 7 May 10
Multistage nanovector system provides sustained delivery of siRNA cancer therapeutic in mice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/H_hb8LpX6Vg/100505143130.htm
New research could make it easier for patients to use a family of promising experimental cancer therapeutics known as small interfering RNA.

Fri, 7 May 10
Summer weight-loss camp improve obese children's health, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Frdlc3jYWaw/100506141630.htm
A residential summer weight-loss camp markedly improved obese children's health. A physician found the camp improved children's weight, body mass index, physical fitness and blood pressure.

Fri, 7 May 10
Hidden side of star birth revealed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vaYmZCrWtno/100506112607.htm
The first scientific results from ESA's Herschel infrared space observatory are revealing previously hidden details of star formation. New images show thousands of distant galaxies furiously building stars and beautiful star-forming clouds draped across the Milky Way. One picture even catches an "impossible" star in the act of formation.

Fri, 7 May 10
Potential new drug target to combat Kaposi's sarcoma
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_yyY4YonWYo/100506112609.htm
Scientists have identified how the virus which causes Kaposi's sarcoma replicates and spreads -- opening a door to a possible new treatment for the disease.

Fri, 7 May 10
Stream water study detects thawing permafrost
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/27H4WcNPBgQ/100505163232.htm
Among the worrisome environmental effects of global warming is the thawing of Arctic permafrost -- soil that normally remains at or below the freezing point for at least a two-year period and often much longer. Monitoring changes in permafrost is difficult with current methods, but a new study offers a new approach to assessing the extent of the problem.

Fri, 7 May 10
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy could lead to acute myeloid leukemia in children
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pMLesKfTTM8/100506083434.htm
Despite public health warnings, drinking is still high among pregnant women. In a new study, acute myeloid leukemia risk increased 56 percent among children of those who drank alcohol.

Fri, 7 May 10
Doctors use ultrasound to diagnose possible muscular trauma in professional athletes on-site
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XSBKpzCkwio/100506083449.htm
Doctors can use ultrasonography (ultrasound) to evaluate and diagnose muscular trauma in professional athletes on-site, which helps them to determine whether or not a player's injuries are severe enough to take them out of the game, according to a new study.

Fri, 7 May 10
Racial disparities evident in taking sexual histories in emergency departments
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3M9DvvxdHp8/100504194948.htm
Emergency department physicians are more likely to document sexual histories of black adolescent girls with symptoms potentially related to sexually transmitted infections than white teen girls with the same symptoms, according to a new study. The result is that emergency physicians may be providing less comprehensive services for white teen girls than black, say study authors.

Fri, 7 May 10
Mice can synthesize their own morphine, research shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Mj0_pv1_fHA/100506165907.htm
Traces of morphine in urine samples have been considered a clear proof of drug use or the consumption of food containing poppy in the past. Now a study by a team of scientists in Germany and the U.S. points to another possible explanation: they managed for the first time to prove that mice -- and probably humans and other mammals as well -- produce their own morphine in their bodies.

Fri, 7 May 10
Breast cancer metastasis increases after estrogen and progestin hormone therapies, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oecK44J80yI/100506112638.htm
New evidence has been found that estrogen and progestin in hormone therapies increase the risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal women. Now, a new study has found that progestins can also increase the chance of the cancer metastasizing, or spreading to the lymph nodes.

Fri, 7 May 10
Roots meshed in waste materials could clean dirty water
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9acB-GDkgwg/100505091958.htm
Plant roots enmeshed in layers of discarded materials inside upright pipes can purify dirty water from a washing machine, making it fit for growing vegetables and flushing toilets, according to horticulturists.

Fri, 7 May 10
Milk and risk of renal cell cancer: Genetic research sheds new light
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/z8DhMlHaj2s/100506083451.htm
While previous research had suggested that drinking milk was related to factors that may increase the risk of renal cell cancer, results of a recent study exploiting the genetic contribution to variation in milk consumption suggest that this may not be the case.

Fri, 7 May 10
Ancient leaves help researchers understand future climate
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zsHaYh00hFs/100506102934.htm
Potential climate change caused by rising levels of carbon dioxide might be better understood by examining fossil plant remains from millions of years ago, according to biogeochemists. The types of carbon within the leaves can serve as a window into past temperatures and environmental conditions.

Fri, 7 May 10
Police, thieves and ordinary people apply different logic when making decisions, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AGkyfpYXvSU/100504102118.htm
A study conducted by researchers in Spain and the United Kingdom reveals that police officers and criminals are more consistent in their judgments than ordinary people. However, police officers' reasoning is more similar to that of ordinary people than to that of thieves. This conclusion might have significant implications on criminal jurisdiction.

Fri, 7 May 10
Neanderthal genome yields insights into human evolution and evidence of interbreeding with modern humans
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uvtJ-Xgg2yk/100506141549.htm
After extracting ancient DNA from the 40,000-year-old bones of Neanderthals, scientists have obtained a draft sequence of the Neanderthal genome, yielding important new insights into the e