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Blowing in the wind: Cassini helps with dune whodunit on Saturn's moon Titan
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/G-popVGlL2o/100729205552.htm
The answer to the mystery of dune patterns on Saturn's moon Titan did turn out to be blowing in the wind. It just wasn't from the direction many scientists expected.
Sat, 31 Jul 10
New cellular 'armor' developed to prevent infection by AIDS virus
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7h508zzmRYI/100730191616.htm
Researchers have developed a novel method of attack against the AIDS virus that involves creating a prevention system, i.e. an "armor" in the cells that are likely to be infected and thus impede the virus from accessing them and starting to act on their immunological system.
Sat, 31 Jul 10
Decontaminating dangerous drywall
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Dq_qioBtPjY/100730091129.htm
A nanomaterial originally developed to fight toxic waste is now helping reduce debilitating fumes in homes with corrosive drywall.
Sat, 31 Jul 10
Oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy may protect women against brain aneurysms, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/muRrju6TQX0/100730191708.htm
Results from a new study suggest that oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy may yield additional benefit of protecting against the formation and rupture of brain aneurysms in women.
Sat, 31 Jul 10
Some like it hot: How to heat a 'nano bathtub'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PM8VlfO6Cco/100730191710.htm
Researchers have demonstrated the use of infrared laser light to quickly and precisely heat the water in "nano bathtubs" -- tiny sample containers -- for microscopy studies of the biochemistry of single molecules and nanoparticles.
Sat, 31 Jul 10
Male modesty not appreciated by female or male interviewers, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nq-vQVUjw7k/100729122330.htm
A researcher who explored the consequences for men (and women) when they acted modestly in job interviews found that "modest" males were less liked, a sign of social backlash. Modesty was viewed as a sign of weakness, a low-status character trait for males that could adversely affect their employability or earnings potential. Modesty in women, however, was not viewed negatively nor was it linked to status.
Sat, 31 Jul 10
Breaking the language barrier: Language translation devices for US troops tested
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/F7wv3JP6OjA/100730191702.htm
In recent tests evoking visions of the universal translator on "Star Trek," researchers evaluated three two-way, real-time, voice-translation devices designed to improve communications between the US military and non-English speakers in foreign countries.
Sat, 31 Jul 10
Research of cell movements in developing frogs reveals new twists in human genetic disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mPyoLcsrn_M/100730191620.htm
Mutations in a gene known as "Fritz" may be responsible for causing human genetic disorders such as Bardet-Biedl syndrome, developmental biologists, human geneticists and cell biologists have found.
Sat, 31 Jul 10
From the heart: How cells divide to form different but related muscle groups
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KBYLCQa17Ys/100730191624.htm
Using the model organism Ciona intestinalis, commonly known as the sea squirt, researchers have uncovered the origins of the second heart field in vertebrates.
Sat, 31 Jul 10
Diet and alcohol alter epigenetics of breast cancer, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zIkHSxGx9Iw/100730191618.htm
Researchers have shown that the epigenetic profiles of breast tumors are related to patient diet and alcohol use as well as tumor size.
Sat, 31 Jul 10
Reforestation projects capture more carbon than industrial plantations, new research reveals
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Z0cQhYvTcc8/100730074354.htm
Australian scientists researching environmental restoration projects have found that the reforestation of damaged rainforests is more efficient at capturing carbon than controversial softwood monoculture plantations. The research challenges traditional views on the efficiency of industrial monoculture plantations.
Sat, 31 Jul 10
Tools that assess bias in standardized tests are flawed, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7B-tsgLfa94/100730074308.htm
Overturning more than 40 years of accepted practice, new research proves that the tools used to check tests of "general mental ability" for bias are themselves flawed. This key finding challenges reliance on such exams to make objective decisions for employment or academic admissions even in the face of well-documented gaps between mean scores of white and minority populations.
Sat, 31 Jul 10
Unexpected viral 'fossils' found in vertebrate genomes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/q7A6e9D20ls/100729172330.htm
Over millions of years, retroviruses, which insert their genetic material into the host genome as part of their replication, have left behind bits of their genetic material in vertebrate genomes. In a recent study, a team of researchers found that human and other vertebrate genomes also contain many ancient sequences from Ebola/Marburgviruses and Bornaviruses -- two deadly virus families.
Sat, 31 Jul 10
Plant compound resveratrol shown to suppresses inflammation, free radicals in humans
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6p5exx8nQ4w/100729133438.htm
Resveratrol, a popular plant extract shown to prolong life in yeast and lower animals due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, appears also to suppress inflammation in humans, based on results from the first prospective human trial of the extract.
Sat, 31 Jul 10
Snake venom studies yield insights for development of therapies for heart disease and cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Q41xMEAObd0/100729172435.htm
Researchers seeking to learn more about stroke by studying how the body responds to toxins in snake venom are this week releasing new findings that they hope will aid in the development of therapies for heart disease and, surprisingly, cancer.
Sat, 31 Jul 10
Researchers find new translocation; weak spots in DNA lead to genetic disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dVqnfyD-zYI/100729122324.htm
Pediatric researchers continue to discover recurrent translocations -- places in which two chromosomes exchange pieces of themselves, and can lead to genetic disease and disability. Originating in locations where DNA strands are prone to bending and breaking, this translocation between chromosomes 8 and 22 strengthens the possibility that unstable spots in the genome may reflect a general mechanism lurking in the structure of DNA.
Sat, 31 Jul 10
How not to blow up a molecule
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Yo9G-VIPAbc/100625101112.htm
Can single-shot imaging with femtosecond x-ray pulses from powerful new free electron lasers really work, or will the beam damage the sample too quickly? Pulse length is the key. A new study reveals that "frustrated absorption" explains why ultrashort pulses, even if their peak power is greater, do less damage to molecules than longer pulses.
Sat, 31 Jul 10
Brain potentials reveal spectator effect
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1PTk_46WAX0/100729191103.htm
The neurological responses caused by observing somebody else playing a game have been uncovered. Researchers found differing responses for neutral observers, compared to those who wished the player to fail and those who wanted to see the player succeed.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Rocks on Mars may provide link to evidence of living organisms roughly 4 billion years ago
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qdVsBwjfb1g/100729203027.htm
A new paper reveals groundbreaking research on the hydrothermal formation of Clay-Carbonate rocks in the Nili Fossae region of Mars. The findings may provide a link to evidence of living organisms on Mars, roughly 4 billion years ago in the Noachian period.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Calcium supplements linked to increased risk of heart attack, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pF6lVq7Lv8I/100729191154.htm
Calcium supplements, commonly taken by older people for osteoporosis, are associated with an increased risk of a heart attack, a new study finds.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Audubon's first engraving of a bird discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/z1wTkS5eWw4/100729122401.htm
In 1824, John James Audubon (1785-1851), the eminent American artist, created a drawing of a running grouse for use in the design for a New Jersey bank note. Although the artist mentions the drawing and the resulting engraved paper money in two separate diary entries, no one has ever been able to locate or identify such an illustration. Until now.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Resting brain activity associated with spontaneous fibromyalgia pain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fWZrbYIjTMk/100729172431.htm
A recent study provides the first direct evidence of linkage between elevated intrinsic (resting-state) brain connectivity and spontaneous pain intensity in patients with fibromyalgia. This research shows an interaction of multiple brain networks, offering greater understanding of how pain arises.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Black carbon implicated in global warming
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-D1shZgsSlA/100729144225.htm
Increasing the ratio of black carbon to sulfate in the atmosphere increases climate warming, suggests a new study.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Most youth hockey injuries caused by accidents, not checking, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6Jz4bXfu7Kk/100729133440.htm
Hockey fans likely would assume that body-checking -- intentionally slamming an opponent against the boards -- causes the most injuries in youth ice hockey. But they would be wrong.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Brown dwarf found orbiting a young sun-like star
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Gr3n_3GQcGI/100729172336.htm
Astronomers have imaged a very young brown dwarf, or failed star, in a tight orbit around a young nearby sun-like star. The discovery is expected to shed light on the early stages of solar system formation.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Cell-of-origin for human prostate cancer identified for first time
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iUMp6TMVexk/100729141136.htm
Scientists have identified for the first time a cell-of-origin for human prostate cancer, a discovery that could result in better predictive and diagnostics tools and the development of new and more effective targeted treatments for the disease.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Fluorescent biosensor to aid in drug development
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hpeTtbEnkdY/100729122336.htm
Scientists have developed a new fluorescent biosensor that could aid in the development of an important class of drugs that target a crucial class of proteins called G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). GPCRs are popular drug targets because of the pivotal role they play in cells' communication circuits responsible for regulating functions critical to health, including circuits involved in heart and lung function, mood, cognition and memory, digestion and the inflammatory response.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy for localized prostate cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1bJIKeyloW8/100727154802.htm
NYU Langone Medical Center has begun a clinical trial offering vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy to patients with localized prostate cancer. This novel, minimally invasive procedure uses a light-activated drug to deliver light energy waves by way of laser fibers in order to destroy prostate cancer cells.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Chemicals are likely cause of feminization of fish present in two rivers in Alberta, Canada, researchers find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qYiyvmphmZA/100729122332.htm
Chemicals present in two rivers in southern Alberta are likely the cause of the feminization of fish, say researchers.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Psychologists develop two potent new predictors of suicide risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MvSaybq1inA/100728111717.htm
Two powerful new tests developed by psychologists show great promise in predicting patients' risk of attempting suicide. The work may help clinicians overcome their reliance on self-reporting by at-risk individuals, information that often proves misleading when suicidal patients wish to hide their intentions.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Some trees 'farm' bacteria to help supply nutrients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MhAowXeiKXs/100729172332.htm
Some trees growing in nutrient-poor forest soil may get what they need by cultivating specific root microbes to create compounds they require. These microbes are exceptionally efficient at turning inorganic minerals into nutrients that the trees can use.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Key enzyme in DNA repair pathway identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dCEDTB5RFMs/100729141138.htm
Researchers have discovered an enzyme crucial to a type of DNA repair that also causes resistance to a class of cancer drugs most commonly used against ovarian cancer.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Best hope for saving Arctic sea ice is cutting soot emissions, say researchers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SQDD94ChNzo/100728092617.htm
Soot from the burning of fossil fuels and solid biofuels contributes far more to global warming than has been thought, according to a new study. But, unlike carbon dioxide, soot lingers only a few weeks in the atmosphere, so cutting emissions could have a significant and rapid impact on the climate. Controlling it may be the only option for saving the Arctic sea ice before it all melts.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Kidney injury prevention may be possible: Watch for the warning signs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KogBCs3FGFE/100729172326.htm
Reduced kidney function and protein in the urine place a person at risk for kidney injury, according to a new study. The results suggest that improved recognition of these warning signs could help reduce preventable forms of acute kidney injury.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Researchers study benefits of white button mushrooms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1ZBnivpfzgE/100729101609.htm
Scientists have conducted an animal-model and cell-culture study showing that white button mushrooms enhanced the activity of critical cells in the body's immune system.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Migrating birds can’t control themselves
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/d-abKL5LebM/100728193559.htm
During the spring and fall migratory seasons, sparrows become significantly less capable of resisting temptation. Researchers investigated impulse control and sleep in white-crowned sparrows during migratory and non-migratory seasons. During migratory periods, the birds slept very little and became more impulsive, but sleep loss itself was not entirely to blame for their impulsivity.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Graphene exhibits bizarre new behavior well suited to electronic devices
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nV7FxI5FkJg/100729141134.htm
Graphene, a sheet of pure carbon, has been touted as a possible replacement for silicon-based semiconductors because of its useful electronic properties. Now, physicists have shown that graphene has another unique and amazing property that could make it even more suitable for future electronic devices. When contorted in a specific way it sprouts nanobubbles in which electrons behave as if they are moving in a strong magnetic field.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
New pathway to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Fa_VawaPF4I/100729133436.htm
Researchers have uncovered new clues about the cause of brain cell death in neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Protein complex reveals molecular mechanism of innate immune response
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RWrp1qZ_RIE/100729122427.htm
A team of researchers at the RIKEN Plant Science Center and the Institute of Cancer Research has uncovered details of a protein complex governing innate immune response in plants and animals, with applications in the development of disease-resistant crops and treatment of human diseases.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Women in their 40s have lower mammographic tumor detectability, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MkVzphjfK5o/100727162858.htm
The reduced effectiveness of mammographic screening in women in their 40s is primarily due to lower detectability instead of faster tumor growth rate, according to a new study.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Polarstern expedition: Autonomous underwater vehicle dives under the Arctic ice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aNnh5A3xA90/100729101611.htm
The Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in the Helmholtz Association for the first time sent its Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) on an under-ice mission at about 79° North. The four-metre-long, torpedo shaped underwater vehicle was deployed from the research icebreaker Polarstern under heavy pack ice. The vehicle was subsequently recovered by helicopter.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Reform of primary care could reduce diagnostic errors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zgnxKsVpc6k/100727162854.htm
Errors in diagnosis place a heavy financial burden on an already costly health-care system, and can be devastating for affected patients. Strengthening certain aspects of a new and evolving model of comprehensive and coordinated primary care could potentially address this highly relevant, but underemphasized safety concern, say health researchers.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Signs of reversal of Arctic cooling: Rapid temperature rise in the coldest region of mainland Europe
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/c0GdVWXgjZU/100729101607.htm
Parts of the Arctic have cooled over the past century, but temperatures have been rising steeply since 1990, according to a summer temperature reconstruction for the past 400 years produced on the base of tree rings from regions beyond the Arctic Circle.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Adolescent vision screenings may miss farsightedness and astigmatism
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NT1jPnq8eF4/100712162626.htm
Among adolescents, visual acuity tests appear to reliably detect vision problems caused by nearsightedness but not farsightedness or astigmatism, according to a new study.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Laboratory in microdrops: Credit card-size microflow system handles thousands of experiments
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GcHAqZIWLd8/100728092409.htm
Tens of thousands of chemical and biochemical experiments may be conducted daily with the use of a microflow system of the size of a credit card, developed by scientists in Poland. The device has already been tested in research on the effectiveness of antibiotic mixtures.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
One molecule, many more insulin-producing cells to treat diabetes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5Ao5qTESMeQ/100728082747.htm
With a single stimulatory molecule, human insulin-producing beta cell replication can be sustained for at least four weeks in a mouse model of diabetes, according to new research. Scientists also found several cocktails of molecules that drive human beta cells to replicate, as well as important differences between mouse and human beta cells that could influence how these approaches are best used to treat diabetes.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Sensing wind speed with kites
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/n8Nse797MtQ/100728092625.htm
Researchers have developed a way to use a kite itself to measure wind speed. The instrument consists of a 2-meter-long and 1-meter-wide Rokkaku-type kite.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
To make one happy, make one busy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gT4CRkTikV4/100729101615.htm
A new study found that people who have something to do, even something pointless, are happier than people who sit idly.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Accepted theory explaining frequent eruptions at Italy’s Stromboli volcano questioned
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/z5tcWxU3r9U/100725165824.htm
One volcano that volcanologists believe they understand fairly well is Italy's Stromboli, which has been erupting every five to 20 minutes for thousands of years, spewing fountains of ash and magma several meters into the sky. For several decades, scientists have pretty much used one theory to explain what is causing huge amounts of gas to erupt so frequently: swimming-pool-sized bubbles that travel through a few hundred meters of molten magma before popping at the surface. But they may be wrong, according to new research.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Molecular mechanism triggering Parkinson's disease identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Y08BeASnJW8/100728131703.htm
Scientists have identified a molecular pathway responsible for the death of key nerve cells whose loss causes Parkinson's disease. This discovery not only may explain how a genetic mutation linked to Parkinson's causes the cells' death, but could also open the door to new therapeutic approaches for the malady.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Good and bad in the hands of politicians
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/j5AwxlRNY8w/100729075017.htm
Politicians' gestures can reveal their thoughts, according to a new study. In laboratory tests, right- and left-handers associate positive ideas like honesty and intelligence with their dominant side of space and negative ideas with their non-dominant side. To find out whether people link 'good' with 'dominant' beyond the laboratory, researchers examined spontaneous gestures during positive and negative speech in the final debates of the most recent US presidential elections.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Intensive chemotherapy may be harmful to most older patients with acute myeloid leukemia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/d-gsrh8t0Pk/100729091458.htm
The prognosis for nearly three-quarters of elderly patients on intensive chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia is poor, with a median survival of less than six months, according to a new study.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Super-rare 'elkhorn' coral found in Pacific
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7H0-Nh0qfcQ/100729091501.htm
An Australian scientist has discovered what could be the world's rarest coral in the remote North Pacific Ocean. The unique Pacific elkhorn coral was found while conducting underwater surveys of Arno atoll in the Marshall Islands.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
No safe level: First study to show teenage binge drinkers harm abilities in later life
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1g86KBMV_u8/100729075015.htm
Researchers in the UK have demonstrated a link between teenage binge drinking and damage to prospective memory.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Aging and longevity tied to specific brain region in mice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rqqbIRsST-g/100728155558.htm
The protein SIRT1 in the brain is tied into a mechanism that allows animals to survive when food is scarce, according to a new study. The research suggests that SIRT1 may be involved with the life span-increasing effect of low-calorie diets, they report.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
New class of drugs for epileptic seizures?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/y8G0Q67_mFk/100729091456.htm
A chemical compound that boosts the action of a molecule normally produced in the brain may provide the starting point for a new line of therapies for the treatment of epileptic seizures, according to a new study.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
More frequent, more intense heat waves in store for New York, climate scientists predict
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IX77SjgeKkI/100729101613.htm
Heat waves like those that baked the Northeast in July are likely to be more frequent and more intense in the future, with their effects amplified in densely built urban environments like Manhattan, according to climate scientists.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Vitamin D deficiency linked to arterial stiffness in black teens
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IrPMt7dqAck/100729074905.htm
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with arterial stiffness, a risk factor for heart disease and stroke, in black teens, according to a new study. Black teens taking vitamin D supplementation of 2,000 international units per day had a decrease in central arterial stiffness.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
RNA offers a safer way to reprogram cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/q7lIDGyiuM4/100723203950.htm
For the first time, researchers have shown that they can deliver those same reprogramming genes using RNA, the genetic material that normally ferries instructions from DNA to the cell's protein-making machinery. This method could prove much safer than DNA-based reprogramming, say the researchers. The new technique could revert cells to an immature state that can develop into any cell type.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Western diet link to ADHD, Australian study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kYPLqezNCzs/100729091454.htm
A new study from Australia shows an association between ADHD and a "Western-style" diet in adolescents. The study examined the dietary patterns of 1800 adolescents from the long-term Raine Study and classified diets into 'Healthy' or 'Western' patterns.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Swimmers at sub-tropical beaches show increased risk of illness, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_2GCN2h2Wws/100728111719.htm
Swimmers at sub-tropical beaches face an increased risk of illness, according to new research. Scientists examined the risk of illness that beachgoers face when exposed to recreational marine water at sub-tropical beaches with no known source of pollution or contamination.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Mystery of healthy fat people: Why some obese people go on to become diabetic while others do not
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9V3-FLR8Zso/100729075011.htm
It is common to find obese people – even morbidly obese people – who are healthier than their condition would normally allow. Working with subjects with a body mass index of about 56, a team of researchers investigated the inflammatory and insulin signaling pathways in the patients’ visceral adipose tissue.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Brilliant star in a colorful neighborhood
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZlWYfBdGcGo/100728092623.htm
A spectacular new image shows the brilliant and unusual star WR 22 and its colorful surroundings. WR 22 is a very hot and bright star that is shedding its atmosphere into space at a rate many millions of times faster than the Sun. It lies in the outer part of the dramatic Carina Nebula from which it formed.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Glucosamine appears to provide little benefit for chronic low-back pain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qR61B7qacpA/100706161745.htm
Even though it is widely used as a therapy for low back pain, a randomized controlled trial finds that patients with chronic low-back pain and degenerative lumbar osteoarthritis who took glucosamine for six months showed little difference on measures of pain-related disability, low back and leg pain and health-related quality of life, compared to patients who received placebo, according to a new study.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Quantum fractals at the border of magnetism
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ckgDIsbEg0U/100728193806.htm
Physicists are reporting new results from experiments on the perplexing class of materials that includes high-temperature superconductors. The team reports the unexpected discovery of a simple fractal form of electronic excitations in ultra-low-temperature quantum magnets at the border of magnetism.
Fri, 30 Jul 10
Vaccine scares may do more harm than previously believed to a population's 'herd immunity'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TOHBDdjbZ0I/100729101605.htm
Public immunization efforts may be much more sensitive than previously realized to small changes in the perceived costs or risks of vaccination, scientists report. In some cases, the spread of vaccine avoidance via social networks can make the difference between a minor, localized outbreak and an epidemic four times as large.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Brainstem, spinal cord images hidden in Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel fresco
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/I-S-WPTztFU/100728153935.htm
Michelangelo, the 16th century master painter and accomplished anatomist, appears to have hidden an image of the brainstem and spinal cord in a depiction of God in the Sistine Chapel's ceiling, a new study reports. These findings by a neurosurgeon and a medical illustrator may explain long controversial and unusual features of one of the frescoes' figures.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Sleep disorder may signal dementia, Parkinson's disease up to 50 years early
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YOF1dA1WLgw/100728161127.htm
A new study shows that a sleep disorder may be a sign of dementia or Parkinson's disease up to 50 years before the disorders are diagnosed.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Planets found in unusually intimate dance around dying star
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2_JOC7V8-IM/100728092633.htm
Astronomers have found two extrasolar planetary systems with gas giant planets locked in an orbital embrace. In one system -- a planetary pair orbiting the massive, dying star HD 200964, located roughly 223 light-years from Earth -- the intimate dance is closer and tighter than any previously seen.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
An HPV vaccine cheap enough for the developing world? Could be
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gzh1g1oqmLo/100709143409.htm
Vaccine manufacturers in India and other developing countries may be able to produce a lower-cost HPV vaccine in spite of the complicated array of patent protections on the technology, say researchers.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
NASA simulates space exploration at remote Arctic crater site
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kTVdJ22KnUo/100726142951.htm
NASA personnel are among a group of international researchers who are in the Canadian Arctic assessing concepts for future planetary exploration as part of the Haughton-Mars Project, or HMP-2010. Scientists are using the arid, rocky environment of the Haughton Crater on Devon Island, Canada to simulate conditions that might be encountered by explorers on other planetary bodies. The latest edition of the HMP-2010 began July 19 and includes three weeks of crew and mission control activities and robotic testing.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Can't place that face?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-6Cf5wPmpj4/100728151429.htm
Researchers are trying to understand the mechanisms at work in the face area of the brain called the "fusiform gyrus" by combining cognitive psychology with techniques like brain imaging and electrophysiology. This research may help business executives better match names with faces, and can lead to better facial recognition software to identify terrorists or criminals.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Quantum phenomenon observed: Atoms form organized structure from unorganized one
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7AHRtevTDRs/100728131711.htm
Physicists have experimentally observed a quantum phenomenon, where an arbitrarily weak perturbation causes atoms to build an organized structure from an initially unorganized one.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Dense bones linked to raised risk for prostate cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ec3spHIO3i0/100728161129.htm
Men who develop prostate cancer, especially the more aggressive and dangerous forms that spread throughout the body, tend to retain denser bones as they age than men who stay free of the disease, suggests new research.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Birth of a hurricane
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/M4ZVxri9R-4/100728092629.htm
Summer storms are a regular feature in the North Atlantic, and while most pose little threat to our shores, a choice few become devastating hurricanes. To decipher which storms could bring danger, and which will not, atmospheric scientists are heading to the tropics to observe these systems as they form and dissipate--or develop into hurricanes.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Women with gestational diabetes have increased risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XitazHtSFE0/100712103345.htm
There is an increased risk of recurring gestational diabetes in pregnant women who developed gestational diabetes during their first and second pregnancies, according to new study.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
New tool for improving switchgrass
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SRYfihYXYbI/100727151819.htm
Scientists have developed a new tool for deciphering the genetics of a native prairie grass being widely studied for its potential as a biofuel. The genetic map of switchgrass is expected to speed up the search for genes that will make the perennial plant a more viable source of bioenergy.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Teachers can close gender gap in classroom leadership during medical school, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/D51p6E1IgN4/100728193802.htm
A new study shows that female medical students volunteer for leadership roles in the classroom significantly less than their male peers. Subtle pep talks from teachers can even out the playing field.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Marine biodiversity strongly linked to ocean temperature
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sBePy55YCLg/100728131707.htm
Scientists have mapped and analyzed global biodiversity patterns for over 11,000 marine species ranging from tiny zooplankton to sharks and whales.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Diabetes care: Implanted glucose sensor works for more than a year in animal studies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FF8JXup7KmI/100728144347.htm
Bioengineers have developed an implantable glucose sensor and wireless telemetry system that continuously monitors tissue glucose and transmits the information to an external receiver. A new article describes the use of this glucose-sensing device as an implant in animals for over one year. After human clinical trials and FDA approval, the device may be useful to people with diabetes as an alternative to finger sticking and short-term, needle-like glucose sensors that have to be replaced every three to seven days.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
A future with or without trees: Greenhouse gas emissions from Brazilian Amazon state
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/psoQ4hORMRk/100727201635.htm
Researchers have estimated future emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane in the Brazilian Amazon state of Mato Grosso. The estimates were made by combining 105 years of historical data on land-use changes with possible scenarios for future deforestation and land use in the region.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Weight issues move up need for walkers, canes, other devices
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/E4dKreGfLA0/100728121331.htm
Obese older adults are more likely to use walkers, canes and other mobility devices at a younger age, and may run the risk of using them incorrectly, according to new research.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Talking touchscreens aid patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Iuk3vzG0KWc/100709155516.htm
Multimedia talking touchscreens, housed in computer kiosks at clinics and hospitals, are helping researchers and clinicians at local health care centers enhance patient-centered care for patients with diverse language, literacy and computer skills.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Penalty points system driver's license reduces accidents on a temporary basis, Spanish study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9DEKJkdIksY/100728092621.htm
Researchers have determined that after the implementation in 2006 of the penalty points system driver's license in Spain, there has been a reduction of 12.6 percent in the number of deaths in highway accidents. However, the effect on fatal accidents lasted only two years.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Hormonal birth control alters scent communication in primates
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OPKJSvr5AjU/100727201507.htm
Hormonal contraceptives change the ways captive ring-tailed lemurs relate to one another both socially and sexually, according to a study that combined analyses of hormones, genes, scent chemicals and behavior.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Sirtuin1 may boost memory and learning ability; Discovery could lead to new drugs to fight Alzheimer's, other neurological diseases
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jWJr_-V5pxc/100711155908.htm
The same molecular mechanism that increases life span through calorie restriction may help boost memory and brainpower, researchers report.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Genomes behave as social entities: Alien chromatin minorities evolve through specificities reduction
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/t_pKlbMix_4/100727112523.htm
Researchers in Portugal and the U.S. studied the introgression -- the movement of a gene from one species into the gene pool of another -- of rye alien chromatin in the wheat genome, and showed that genomes behave like social entities.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Millions of Americans in early stages of kidney disease need stroke monitoring, research finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hr6my4RBZ-o/100728121333.htm
Millions of Americans in the early stages of chronic kidney disease are at an increased risk of having atrial fibrillation -- a major risk factor for stroke -- according to new research.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Three-year investigation of military munitions sea disposal site in Hawaii completed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2ixNwja_gZA/100727201524.htm
The University of Hawaii at Manoa's School of Ocean Earth Science and Technology completed a three-year long investigation of Sea Disposal Site Hawaii Number 5, a deep-water military munitions disposal site in US coastal waters approximately 5 miles south of Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii. This complex investigation required the use of high-resolution sidescan sonar and remotely operated underwater vehicles to locate sea disposed munitions in water as deep as 1,500 feet.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Narcissistic heterosexual men target their hostility primarily at heterosexual women, the objects of their desires, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xA82gndXUGw/100728121329.htm
Heterosexual women bear the brunt of narcissistic heterosexual men's hostility, while heterosexual men, gay men and lesbian women provoke a softer reaction, according to a new study.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Ancient DNA identifies donkey ancestors, people who domesticated them
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/s3TbR7cvoPI/100728131717.htm
In a finding that says much about the people who lived in northern Africa 5,000 years ago, scientists believe domestication of the donkey was achieved by nomadic people responding to the growing borders of the Sahara. Scientists also determined the endangered African wild ass is the living ancestor of the modern donkey and found hints that one strain of African wild ass thought to be extinct may still be alive.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Mysterious workings of cholera bacteria uncovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/atAA7-xsQF0/100728121341.htm
Researchers have found that an enzyme in the bacteria that causes cholera uses a previously unknown mechanism in providing the bacteria with energy. Because the enzyme is not found in most other organisms, including humans, the finding offers insights into how drugs might be created to kill the bacteria without harming humans.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Nanomaterials poised for big impact in construction
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/icNDnvdo0PU/100728121337.htm
Nanomaterials are poised for widespread use in the construction industry, where they can offer significant advantages for a variety of applications ranging from making more durable concrete to self-cleaning windows. But widespread use in building materials comes with potential environmental and health risks when those materials are thrown away. Those are the conclusions of a new study.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Middle school students co-author research on enzyme for activating promising disease-fighters
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SqFV3M4Lkrk/100728121422.htm
Two middle school students from Wisconsin joined a team of scientists who are reporting the first glimpse of the innermost structure of a key bacterial enzyme. It helps activate certain antibiotics and anti-cancer agents so that those substances do their job.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Nanotechnology for water purification
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TLqnk6A3UD4/100728111711.htm
Researchers in India are investigating the use of several nanotechnology approaches to water purification. Water purification using nanotechnology exploits nanoscopic materials such as carbon nanotubes and alumina fibers for nanofiltration
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Novel algorithm cuts the risks of choosing ineffectual team members
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iNgvmxinXa0/100728083407.htm
Choosing team members is a risky business whether the field is world-class soccer management or car manufacture. Researchers describe a novel algorithm that can cut the risks associated with choosing ineffectual members and so bolster success in any field involving teamwork.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Marine phytoplankton declining: Striking global changes at the base of the marine food web linked to rising ocean temperatures
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UUALvLrExBU/100728131705.htm
A new article reveals for the first time that microscopic marine algae known as phytoplankton have been declining globally over the 20th century. Phytoplankton forms the basis of the marine food chain and sustains diverse assemblages of species ranging from tiny zooplankton to large marine mammals, seabirds, and fish.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Huntington's disease discovery provides new hope for treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zFE3Cwwh0OI/100728092619.htm
Australian scientists have identified the behavior of the mutant protein "huntingtin" which leads to the fatal Huntington's disease providing potential targets to treat the disease, a new study reveals.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Making eco-friendly diesel fuel from butter
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3bWFXghYy60/100728121339.htm
The search for new raw materials for making biodiesel fuel has led scientists to an unlikely farm product -- butter. In a new study, researchers report that butter could be used as an eco-friendly feedstock, or raw material, for making diesel fuel.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Multiple sclerosis: Antihypertensive drug ameliorates inflammation in the brain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JvCBGkreTyU/100728111709.htm
Researchers have discovered a new signaling pathway of brain cells that explains how widely used antihypertensive drugs could keep inflammation in multiple sclerosis in check.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Clean technology in 'hot water'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NkxduAI9a8Y/100726141819.htm
What if work performed in space could improve the treatment of household and nuclear waste on Earth? That's what investigators are hoping to do with the results of a fluid physics study in progress on the International Space Station. The experiment, called DECLIC-HTI, is studying supercritical water that could lead to spin-offs in the field of clean technologies for treating waste here on Earth.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Why fad diets work well for some, but not others
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QWqPfJuLvnc/100728144351.htm
Using fruit flies, researchers have found that genes interacting with diet, rather than diet alone, are the main cause of variation in metabolic traits, such as body weight. This helps explain why some diets work better for some people than others, and suggests that future diets should be tailored to an individual's genes rather than to physical appearance.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Artificially controlling water condensation leads to 'room-temperature ice'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aZ29-Y2lEpI/100727174915.htm
Researchers in Spain have studied the underlying mechanisms of water condensation in the troposphere and found a way to make artificial materials to control water condensation and trigger ice formation at room temperature.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Morphine blocks tumor growth, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/q2BEj1dkxiI/100728082749.htm
Current research suggests that taking morphine can block new blood vessel and tumor growth.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Electronic cigarettes require more suction than conventional brands
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7WeefENT2Ic/100728144349.htm
Stronger suction is required to smoke "electronic cigarettes" than conventional brands, with possible adverse effects on human health, researchers report. Using a smoking machine to compare the smoking properties of eight conventional cigarettes with five e-cigarette brands, the researchers also found that in the case of e-cigarettes, the aerosol density dropped after the first ten puffs, requiring still stronger suction thereafter to produce aerosol.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Early repolarization pattern is associated with cardiac risk among the middle aged
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QNUIa0mhhGw/100727174905.htm
The prevalence of early repolarization pattern among 35- to 54-year-olds is higher than previously thought, and has a clear link to an increased risk of cardiac death, especially among men, according to a new study.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
First step toward electronic DNA sequencing: Translocation through graphene nanopores
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/W0jNQ1bfGYc/100726124418.htm
Researchers have developed a new, carbon-based nanoscale platform to electrically detect single DNA molecules. Using electric fields, the tiny DNA strands are pushed through nanoscale-sized thin pores in a graphene nanopore platform that ultimately may be important for fast electronic sequencing of the four chemical bases of DNA based on their unique electrical signature.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Background music can impair performance, cites new study
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/O8o-UgBQiak/100727112521.htm
For decades research has shown that listening to music alleviates anxiety and depression, enhances mood, and can increase cognitive functioning, such as spatial awareness. However, until now, research has not addressed how we listen to music. For instance, is the cognitive benefit still the same if we listen to music whilst performing a task, rather than before it? Further, how does our preference for a particular type of music affect performance? A new study shows that listening to music that one likes whilst performing a serial recall task does not help performance any more than listening to music one does not enjoy.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Unexplained pattern of cosmic rays discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Grz8xLVizmA/100728111723.htm
Researchers saw an unusual pattern when they looked at a "skymap" of the relative intensity of cosmic rays directed toward the Earth's Southern Hemisphere, with an excess of cosmic rays detected in one part of the sky and a deficit in another. A similar lopsidedness, called "anisotropy," has been seen from the Northern Hemisphere by previous experiments, but its source is still a mystery.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Leap forward in efforts to develop treatments for Huntington's disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fM0xj1aa10Y/100728121323.htm
Research reveals that an enzyme linked with multiple disorders -- including stroke, cancer and rheumatoid arthritis -- is also involved in the generation of toxic protein fragments in Huntington's disease.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Fly eye paves the way for manufacturing biomimetic surfaces
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KmkXkBhKlgQ/100727201517.htm
Rows of tiny raised blowfly corneas may be the key to easy manufacturing of biomimetic surfaces, surfaces that mimic the properties of biological tissues, according to researchers.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Where do the drugs go?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/M-drDBP1vYk/100727174913.htm
Drug delivery inside the body is a complicated process. Compounds travel through a maze of aqueous solutions, lipid membranes, and barriers between the blood and tissues like the brain. New research presents a theoretical model that accurately predicts the hydration free energy (HFE) of a wide variety of organic compounds.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
Two catalysts made to work together: May lead to pharmaceuticals with less chemical waste
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HV0NDDOHozo/100728092627.htm
Much like two children in the back seat of a car, it can be challenging to get two catalysts to cooperate for the greater good. Now chemists have gotten two catalysts to work together -- something easily done by nature but a difficult thing to do in the laboratory. The findings will allow medicinal chemists to invent new reactions and produce valuable bioactive compounds faster with less impact on the environment.
Thu, 29 Jul 10
People confront prejudice only when they believe others' personalities can change, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8xMJ5PTfojw/100728121335.htm
Confronting someone who makes a prejudiced remark can be a good thing -- but not everyone does it. Researchers studied how and when targets of bias will speak up, and found that they're more likely to do so if they hold a particular belief: that people's personalities can change.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Scientists tap into Antarctic octopus venom
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/N0thw0o9c48/100726094907.htm
Researchers have collected venom from octopuses in Antarctica for the first time, significantly advancing our understanding of the properties of venom as a potential resource for drug development. They also revealed the existence of four new species of octopus.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Alcohol reduces the severity of rheumatoid arthritis, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0UTCO9XUdMs/100727201511.htm
Drinking alcohol may reduce the severity of rheumatoid arthritis, according to new research. It is the first time that this effect has been shown in humans. The study also finds that alcohol consumption reduces the risk of developing the disease, confirming the results of previous studies.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Engineers prove space pioneer's 25-year-old theory
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1u0TNoYd_f0/100726094749.htm
When American space pioneer, Dr. Robert L. Forward, proposed in 1984 a way of greatly improving satellite telecommunications using a new family of orbits, some claimed it was impossible. But now engineers in Scotland have proved that Forward was right.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Getting a step ahead of pathogens
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wfnuFm9AA2U/100727201520.htm
A recent article examines the possibility of using epistasis to predict the outcome of the evolutionary processes, especially when the evolving units are pathogens such as viruses.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Waste fat from frying fuels hydrogen economy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UcJq3aiii5s/100727094820.htm
Don't pour that dirty fat from the fryer down the sink -- it could be used to make the fuel of the future.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Relationships improve your odds of survival by 50 percent, research finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/x1BTLs3JD8M/100727174909.htm
In a new study, researchers report that social connections -- friends, family, neighbors or colleagues -- improve our odds of survival by 50 percent.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
New drug delivery technique: Nanoblasts from laser-activated nanoparticles move molecules, proteins and DNA into cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lVfS-K_S35k/100727201526.htm
Using chemical "nanoblasts" that punch tiny holes in the protective membranes of cells, researchers have demonstrated a new technique for getting therapeutic small molecules, proteins and DNA directly into living cells.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Genetic risk score associated with breast cancer risk; predictive of type of disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cn1kkR9FFJc/100727162902.htm
Women with higher risk scores that consisted of having certain genetic variants most strongly linked to breast cancer had an associated higher risk of breast cancer, with these scores also highly predictive of estrogen receptor-positive disease, according to a new study.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Latest 'green' packing material? Mushrooms; Packing foam engineered from mushrooms and agricultural waste
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/17Y272Hc8yg/100727121933.htm
A new packing material that grows itself is now appearing in shipped products across the country. The composite of inedible agricultural waste and mushroom roots is called Mycobond, and its manufacture requires just one eighth the energy and one tenth the carbon dioxide of traditional foam packing material.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Many knee and hip replacement patients experience weight decrease after surgery
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yMKT9eiLmW0/100726151607.htm
Patients often exhibit a significant decrease in weight and body mass index (BMI) after undergoing knee or hip replacement surgery (arthroplasty).
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Urine: Waste product or future power source?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lyqXVkcpaB8/100727082658.htm
Researchers in the UK are looking into the use of urine as the ‘fuel’ for microbial fuel cells (MFCs), which use bacterial cultures to break down ‘food’ to create power. MFCs are a developing technology used to power autonomous robots.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Delirium in older patients associated with greater risk of death, dementia and institutionalization
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6z4Vr4DYz80/100727162906.htm
A review and analysis of previous research indicates that delirium in elderly patients is associated with an increased risk of death, dementia, and institutionalization, independent of age, co-existing illnesses or illness severity, according to a new study.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Can you ask a pig if his glass is half full?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2Kqw0i7gcSA/100727201515.htm
Experts in the UK have shown for the first time that a pig's mood mirrors how content he is, highlighting that pigs are capable of complex emotions which are directly influenced by their living conditions.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Late preterm births associated with increased risk of respiratory illnesses
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XiX3VMGi0AU/100727162900.htm
An analysis of more than 200,000 deliveries finds that compared to infants born at full term, those born between 34 weeks and 37 weeks are more likely to have severe respiratory illness, and this risk decreases with each added week of gestational age during the late preterm period, according to a new study.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Protein identified that can result in fragile bones
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BFrYfjdfu3Q/100727094824.htm
Too little of a protein called neogenin results in a smaller skeleton during development and sets the stage for a more fragile bone framework lifelong, researchers report.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Obesity rise linked to disability increase among elderly in Latin America and the Caribbean
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BAWMhrPQsrs/100727091430.htm
According to a new study, rising obesity rates in Latin America and the Caribbean are making elderly people there more likely to suffer from disabilities.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Researchers' 'Posseidon' adventure could save shipping industry millions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JXNK5rKw3kY/100727112519.htm
Researchers could save the world’s shipping industry millions of pounds in repairs to broken down vessels after developing a computerized warning system which keeps the ‘lifeblood’ of a ship flowing. The Posseidon system, a new sensor-based processing unit, can continuously monitor the ship’s lubricated system, allowing crews on board to predict any deterioration or contamination in the oil, anticipate problems, allowing them to take action before damage and failure occurs.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Not as Web savvy as you think? Young people give Google, other top brand search results too much credibility, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/75zn-2QYj4s/100726162121.htm
College students trust Google so much that a study has found many students only click on websites that turn up at the top of Google searches to complete assigned tasks. If they don't use Google, researchers found that students trust other brand-name search engines and brand-name websites to lead them to information.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Multifunctional nanoparticle enables new type of biological imaging
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jb7NdEpbnZ8/100727112831.htm
By combining a nanoparticle's magnetic and thermal properties, researchers have created a new technique that virtually eliminates the background noise from non-radioactive medical imaging.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Biomarkers found for postmenopausal cardiovascular disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/x8Ro_2HfYNk/100727201509.htm
Analysis of blood protein data from the Women's Health Initiative cohorts has revealed new biomarkers for stroke and coronary heart disease. Research found that beta-2 microglobulin levels were significantly elevated in postmenopausal women with CHD, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 4 was strongly associated with stroke.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Researchers investigate effects of lightning strikes on aircraft
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GPGAUT9nph0/100726085424.htm
Scientists in the UK are researching the potential for damage posed by lightning for carbon fibre composites (CFCs), which are increasingly being used in aircraft manufacture, with a view to reducing damage and minimizing repair costs.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Adherence to recommended exercise improves physical function, reduces pain for osteoarthritis patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qkZfn4_7BWY/100727082654.htm
Patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee or hip who adhere to the recommended home physical therapy exercises and physically active lifestyle experience more improvement in pain, physical function, and self-perceived effect according to a study from researchers in The Netherlands. Research also shows that maintenance of exercise behavior and physically active lifestyle after discharge of physical therapy improves the long-term effectiveness of exercise therapy in patients with knee or hip OA.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
The more frequently you log on, the more weight you can keep off, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/v-42ntN4b6g/100727082604.htm
The more people used an interactive weight management website, the more weight loss they maintained, according to a new study.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Many people can and do lead because they want to help others, research suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hWSpcD_ri-k/100727065649.htm
In an era when the motives and ambitions of leaders such as Barack Obama, Nicolas Sarkozy and David Cameron are under constant public and media scrutiny, new research conducted in the UK has suggested that many people can and do lead because they want to help others.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Remembering to forget: The amnesic effect of daydreaming
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0gAEB9isdG4/100726124424.htm
When your mind drifts, it's hard to remember what was going on before you stopped paying attention. Now a new study has found that the effect is stronger when your mind drifts farther -- to memories of an overseas vacation instead of a domestic trip, for example, or a memory in the more distant past.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Key milestone towards the development of a new clinically useful antibiotic
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IFnM8gYnvHI/100712154426.htm
Scientists have identified the genes necessary for making a highly potent and clinically unexploited antibiotic in the fight against multi-resistant pathogens.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Data sorting world record falls: Computer scientists break terabyte sort barrier in 60 seconds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/G0IU2RPY45A/100727144946.htm
Computer scientists from the University of California, San Diego broke "the terabyte barrier" -- and a world record -- when they sorted more than one terabyte of data (1,000 gigabytes or 1 million megabytes) in just 60 seconds. During this 2010 "Sort Benchmark" competition -- the "World Cup of data sorting" -- the computer scientists from the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering also tied a world record for fastest data sorting rate.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Body mass index at age 17 within the normal range can predict future risk for hypertension in later life
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2o_vXly6zO8/100727094826.htm
How might teenage boys and girls with normal blood pressure might progress into becoming young adults with hypertension? Boys are three to four times more likely to develop hypertension as young adults and the higher the blood pressure value, even within the normal range, the higher is the risk for becoming hypertensive adults, according to new research.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Who gives a tweet? Nuanced feedback for microbloggers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_uPlkDSFuoU/100727065639.htm
Researchers are launching a study to understand what aspects of Twitter content are considered valuable, and how that impacts presentation and perception of online identity.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
ADHD, conduct disorder and smoking most strongly related to dropping out of high school
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/x4jAzACOM4M/100727142413.htm
Teens with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) -- the most common childhood psychiatric condition in the United States -- are less likely to finish high school on time than students with other mental-health disorders that often are considered more serious, a large national study has found.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Invention enables people with disabilities communicate and steer a wheelchair by sniffing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2ppVTuB99VU/100726151600.htm
Neurobiologists and electrical engineers have invented a new technology that lets the severely disabled communicate or steer a wheelchair by sniffing. Sniffing is a precise motor skill that is controlled, in part, by the soft palate -- the flexible divider that moves to direct air in or out through the mouth or nose.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Early predictors of metabolic syndrome in healthy 7-9 year-olds identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ufJebz2KdrE/100712103453.htm
New research finds evidence supporting relationships seen in adolescents between insulin sensitivity and fatty liver, belly fat, and total body fat and identifies additional potential early markers of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in healthy 7-9 year-olds, including fat in muscle cells, blood pressure, physical activity, and birth weight.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Promise for nuclear fusion test reactors, findings show
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pEfGQrHqvEY/100727142415.htm
Researchers have discovered mechanisms critical to interactions between hot plasma and surfaces facing the plasma inside a thermonuclear fusion reactor, part of work aimed at developing coatings capable of withstanding the grueling conditions inside the reactors.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Many HIV-exposed infants in African countries not receiving medication to help prevent HIV
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PeX4tpL6K-c/100718204753.htm
Only about half of infants born to HIV-infected mothers in some African countries receive a minimum preventive dose of the drug nevirapine to help reduce the risk of mother-to-child HIV transmission, according to a new study.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Calcium connections: Basic pathway for maintaining cell's fuel stores
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nEhCS7bmuz8/100727121938.htm
Investigators have described a previously unknown biological mechanism in cells that prevents them from cannibalizing themselves for fuel. The mechanism involves the fuel used by cells under normal conditions and relies on an ongoing transfer of calcium between two cell components via an ion channel. Without this transfer, cells start consuming themselves as a way of to get enough energy.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Abusive mothers improve parenting after in-home training, emotional support of therapists
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/58OdyDYIJfM/100727121936.htm
Each year, US child welfare agencies log more than 3 million reports of child abuse and neglect. Many services aim to address child abuse but there's very little scientific data about whether the services actually work, say psychologists. A new study finds that women in families reported previously for child abuse improved their parenting after intensive, weekly, in-home, hands-on training by mental health service providers.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Native-like spider silk produced in metabolically engineered bacteria
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KITkv7W1i8Q/100727121940.htm
Biomolecular engineers have developed technology to artificially create spider dragline silk proteins that can be used to make ultra-strong synthetic fibers and bulletproof vests.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Experimental obesity drug avoids brain effects that troubled predecessors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zbKKVyT7uM8/100712103447.htm
A second-generation experimental anti-obesity and diabetes drug has shown promise in reducing body weight in rodents just as effectively as the predecessor rimonabant while avoiding the risk of psychiatric side effects that led to the withdrawal of rimonabant from the market and stopped further development of other brain-penetrating drugs of its type.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Engineered coral pigment helps scientists to observe protein movement
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/StJaRmtra5c/100727112835.htm
Scientists have shown that a variant form of a fluorescent protein originally isolated from a reef coral has excellent properties as a marker protein for super-resolution microscopy in live cells.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
New HIV treatment guidelines indicate importance of early, individualized antiretroviral treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Eu_Q1ZI3xow/100718204739.htm
Advances in antiretroviral treatment have shown that the progressive immune system destruction caused by HIV infection, including AIDS, can be prevented, indicating the importance of beginning ART early, when a person with HIV infection is without symptoms, according to the 2010 recommendations of the International AIDS Society-USA Panel.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
More accurate than Heisenberg allows? Uncertainty in the presence of a quantum memory
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GOy812TKWls/100727082652.htm
Quantum cryptography is the safest way to encrypt data. It utilizes the fact that transmitted information can only be measured with a strictly limited degree of precision. Scientists have now discovered how the use of a quantum memory affects this uncertainty.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Few people are doing it, so why should I? Motivating men to seek cancer screening
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ghUWH7RPr7A/100727112837.htm
In Germany, several national health campaigns promote cancer screening by announcing that only one in five German men gets screened. This is supposed to motivate men to have an examination. But a new study finds that this well-meaning message has the exact opposite effect: it makes men less likely to choose to get screened.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Radical new computer memory? Emergent resistance network suggests mechanism for colossal magnetoresistance
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Pc0XOG38a8o/100727065645.htm
Research has revealed new clues on the microscopic processes by which resistance in certain materials is dramatically altered by the presence of magnetic fields. The discovery provides fundamental insights toward the development of radically new memory and switching devices.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
New proteins that regulate blood pressure, flow discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/M8y9OFLabvc/100707065034.htm
Researchers have identified key players in a little-known biochemical pathway that appears to regulate blood pressure. The findings could lead to a better understanding of who will get high blood pressure and why, as well as allow us to develop better drugs to treat these patients.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Ötzi’s secrets about to be revealed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cNipLEuxr6g/100727065647.htm
Using the latest technologies, scientists in Europe have reached a new milestone in their study of the iceman known as Ötzi. For the first time since his discovery almost 20 years ago, scientists now have access to the complete genetic profile of this world-famous mummy.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Extended use of anti-clotting drug helps some bedridden patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3isW1fDG-7o/100706161753.htm
A treatment plan used to prevent potentially dangerous blood clots in recovering surgical patients can also benefit some patients immobilized by acute medical illness, doctors have found in a multi-institutional study.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
NASA tests launch abort system at supersonic speeds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KVMZgxX2z08/100726141603.htm
Aerospace engineers at NASA's Ames Research Center are conducting a series of wind tunnel tests to develop technology for future human space exploration. Using a six percent scale Orion model, featuring complex moving parts, engineers are simulating various launch abort conditions the spacecraft might encounter during ascent to characterize the effects of launch abort and control motor plumes on the aerodynamics of the Orion spacecraft.
Wed, 28 Jul 10
Even in good communities, roaming teens a recipe for violence
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/F4dmtCSAVtQ/100726124412.htm
Even in better neighborhoods, parents should be wary about letting teens gather with nothing to do and with no adult supervision, a new study suggests. In a long-term study of Chicago neighborhoods, researchers found that informal teen gatherings significantly increased the likelihood of violent behavior by the adolescents.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Segmentation is the secret behind the extraordinary diversification of animals
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3UtFl3OQljI/100726222316.htm
Segmentation, the repetition of identical anatomical units, seems to be the secret behind the diversity and longevity of the largest and most common animal groups on Earth. Researchers have shown that this characteristic was inherited from a common segmented ancestor thought to have lived 600 million years ago and whose presence "changed the face of the world."
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Excessive intake of omega 6 and deficiencies in omega 3 induce obesity down the generations
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/p2ciWBs1lQ4/100726221737.htm
Chronic excess of linoleic acid (omega 6), coupled with a deficiency in alpha-linoleic acid (omega 3), can increase obesity down the generations. Researchers exposed several generations of male and female adult and young mice to a "Western-like" diet of this type, and then assessed the consequences of such a lipid environment in the human diet.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Bird flu: Preening spreads viruses in nature
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Kb1cE8OzSck/100625185416.htm
Scientists discovered that the preen oil gland secretions, by which all aquatic birds make their feathers waterproof, support a natural mechanism that concentrates AIVs from water onto birds' bodies. Since waterbirds use to spread preen oil over their own (self-preening) or other birds' (allo-preening) plumage, it is easily understandable how these preening activities could facilitate the diffusion of the viruses in nature.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Weight loss may be associated with improvements in hot flushes in overweight and obese women
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Td5dTIkGrxA/100712162552.htm
Among overweight and obese women with bothersome hot flushes during menopause, an intensive weight loss intervention program may lead to improvements in flushing, according to a new study.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Oceanographic linkages indicate an alternative route for eel larval drift to Europe
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vQd_E12HcDc/100705102848.htm
European eel larvae are generally believed to initially follow a westerly drift route into the Gulf Stream, but new research results on bio-physical linkages in the Sargasso Sea point to a shorter route towards Europe.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Negative stereotypes shown to affect learning, not just performance, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4EaMlQzDEKE/100726151602.htm
While the effect of negative performance stereotypes on test-taking and in other domains is well documented, a new study shows that the effects might also be seen further upstream than once thought, when the skills are learned, not just performed.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Infectious prions can arise spontaneously in normal brain tissue, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JAA_V7E4-nk/100726162125.htm
In a startling new discovery, scientists have shown for the first time that abnormal prions, bits of infectious protein devoid of DNA or RNA that can cause fatal neurodegenerative disease, can suddenly erupt from healthy brain tissue.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Biological rationale for why intensive lupus treatment works
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NBD4ewZzwho/100726151605.htm
Researchers have uncovered the biological rationale for why large doses of corticosteroids given repeatedly over several weeks may help individuals with lupus, a chronic inflammatory disease that affects more than one million people in the US.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
For platinum catalysts, smaller may be better
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JR1YGM9AVYM/100628124705.htm
Researchers have studied platinum catalysts at the atomic scale under actual industrial reaction conditions and discovered why nanoparticle clusters of platinum potentially can out-perform the single crystals of platinum now used in fuel cells and catalytic converters.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Seeing the forest and the trees reveals heart problems
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ywGxU2VOkMA/100726094747.htm
A statistical analysis of publicly available heart rate data using three classification tools -- Random Forests, Logistic Model Tree and Neural Network -- could lead to a rapid and precise way to diagnose heart problems, according to new research.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
NASA satellite improves pollution monitoring
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3Usn8Jl8j-o/100726084743.htm
NASA scientists use satellite precipitation data to improve water pollution monitoring models.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Plentiful maternal affection in early infancy boosts adult coping skills, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/q0aOdY4GUvQ/100726201000.htm
Moms who shower their infants with affection equip them to cope well with life stressors as adults, new research finds.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Indonesia's puzzling Banda arc: New findings explain mystery behind geological development
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/THvz3rWbBG8/100726144011.htm
The Banda arc -- a gigantic 1,000km long, 180-degree curve in eastern Indonesia -- has puzzled geologists for many years, with much debate and controversy surrounding its complex origin and evolution. A solution to this enigma, resolving many of the previous problems, has finally been found.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
SIRT1 gene important for memory
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UnYZ5qTlgO0/100722145156.htm
A protein implicated in many biological processes also may play a role in memory, according to a new study.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Delayed time zero in photoemission: New record in time measurement accuracy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/eKnUT3kwzSM/100624144109.htm
Physicists have discovered a time delay when using light pulses to emit electrons from atoms. Until now, it has been assumed that the electrons start moving out of the atom immediately after the impact of the photons. This delay is the shortest time interval measured to date.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Preventing heart problems while keeping a cool head: Cause of flushing effect arising from cholesterol treatment with nicotinic acid
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hf5s8-r_d2U/100726101159.htm
Cholesterol influences the health of our hearts and blood vessels. Conventional treatment attempts to reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, in the blood plasma. The opposite approach, which involves increasing the concentration of "good" HDL cholesterol using nicotinic acid, has proven unpopular among patients up to now. The reason for this is that treatment with nicotinic acid has an unpleasant but harmless side-effect: the drug makes patients turn quite red in the face. Scientists have now discovered the mechanism behind this effect, which is known as flushing. This will enable the development of flush inhibitors and thereby the more effective prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Keeping trains on track: Early-warning hazard system for the world's railways
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CIMcgWGNdxI/100726144248.htm
Researchers are collecting high-tech sensing data from satellites, airplanes, magnetic and soil sensors, and unmanned aircraft to devise a solution that will provide a reliable early-warning system for train operators.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Elder Care Puts Strain on Adult Parent-Child Relationship
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Oz2SaWZ0cyQ/100726144009.htm
Relationships between elder and younger members of a family can be strained and positive and negative in nature, even when affection is shared. A new study finds that long-term caretaking duties puts further strain on adult parent-child relationships.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Converging weather patterns caused last winter's huge snows in U.S.
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hMjMbhSyvn0/100726124408.htm
The memory of last winter's blizzards may be fading in this summer's searing heat, but scientists studying them have detected a perfect storm of converging weather patterns that had little relation to climate change. The extraordinarily cold, snowy weather that hit parts of the US East Coast and Europe was the result of a collision of two periodic weather patterns in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, a new study finds.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Childhood cancer survivors may have abnormal long-term cardiac function
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_NRFZQRzhDg/100726162117.htm
Childhood cancer survival is associated with increased risk of long-term abnormalities in cardiac function, according to a new study.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Experiments narrow allowed mass range for Higgs boson
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HdC96R0ZeoQ/100726123934.htm
New constraints on the elusive Higgs particle are more stringent than ever before. Scientists of the CDF and DZero collider experiments at the US Department of Energy's Fermilab have revealed their latest Higgs search results, which rule out a significant fraction of the allowed mass range established by earlier experiments.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Predicting drug responsiveness in cancer patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/s1tlTVHUPJk/100726123924.htm
Drugs that target the protein mTOR are used to treat several forms of cancer, but not all patients respond to the treatment. Now, a team of researchers has identified a way to help predict which patients will respond to such drugs.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Arctic voyage illuminating ocean optics
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0WPCJjQQVwo/100726142027.htm
During NASA's ICESCAPE voyage to the Arctic, scientists have been looking at the phytoplankton in the Arctic's Chukchi Sea -- how many, how big and at what depths they are found. But there are other ways of looking at these small life forms.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Our children aren't sleeping and we're medicating them, survey finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/11pOCG6vKjM/100726123928.htm
A new survey of child psychiatrists indicates that insomnia is a major problem among children in mental health treatment and at least a quarter of these patients are given sleep medication. The results of the survey suggests that management of insomnia in this population is a common practice, although the clinical approach varies widely.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
How monarch butterflies fly away home
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FurVwnqYGEg/100726124410.htm
Some North American monarchs born in the Midwest and Great Lakes fly directly west over the Appalachians and settle along the eastern seaboard. This finding is the first proof of longitudinal migration and solves the long-standing mystery of why monarchs always show up later on the east coast compared to the interior. The study also suggests conservation efforts must target the Great Lakes region.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
New compound improves obesity-related health complications
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Z5Spr2-0o10/100726145121.htm
An experimental compound appears to improve metabolic abnormalities associated with obesity, according to a preliminary study.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
What does your avatar say about you?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Q8Uq5UhED1k/100726094905.htm
Old or young, beautiful or sinister - the choices are endless when designing an avatar or a virtual alter ego. In the end, do people choose one that is really different from themselves? Usually not, according to new research that shows in most cases, avatars reflect the personality of their creators. The study has implications for real-life companies who would like to reach both the virtual and real-world markets.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Noninvasive MR imaging of blood vessel growth in tumors using nanosized contrast agents
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DRLuVM9rxY8/100723123938.htm
Scientists have incorporated nanotechnology, material science, and the clinical imaging modality MRI, to create a nanosized probe capable of noninvasively visualizing and quantifying the blood vessel growth in tumors in a preclinical model. Studies in cell and preclinical animal models showed increase uptake of vascular targeted-nanoprobes over non-targeted nanoprobes.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Position-based quantum cryptography: New method for securing location-sensitive data
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iAPdXHYnu70/100726162123.htm
Computer scientists have proved that cryptography, the practice and study of hiding information, based solely on location is possible by using quantum mechanics. This allows one to encrypt and decrypt data without pre-sharing any cryptographic keys that can be used to lock and unlock sensitive information. The idea behind location-based cryptography is that only a recipient at a precise geographic location can receive an encrypted message.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Certain epilepsy drugs may increase risk of suicide, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9b7wnOoeV0w/100726162109.htm
While the Food and Drug Administration requires a warning of an increased risk of suicide for all epilepsy drugs, a new study shows that only certain drugs may increase the risk.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Archaeologists discover biggest rat that ever lived: Weight of about 6 kilograms (over 13 lb)
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-aY8mFi1vOE/100726094909.htm
Archaeological research in East Timor has unearthed the bones of the biggest rat that ever lived, with a body weight around six kilograms. Today's biggest rats weigh around two kilograms and live in rainforests in the Philippines and New Guinea.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Missing link in cell mitosis discovered: The role of protein in controlling cell division unveiled
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CiFEA38jFmI/100722142626.htm
A major discovery promises to revolutionize the way scientists think about key aspects of cellular lifecycle and offers a new avenue for cancer researchers to explore in their quest to one day slow down the progression of cancer.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Once bitten, twice shy: Temperature switch triggers aversive memory
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vwtMIeKNFE0/100726101201.htm
Neurobiologists can now activate specific nerve cells to study the association between sensations and negative experiences.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Meals as medicine: Anti-obesity effects of soy in rat model of menopause
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/h_vdLUZxofQ/100713011041.htm
A diet rich in soy prevents weight gain in post-menopausal female rats, according to new research.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
An alchemist’s dream: Lead-free electronics
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7kkPUVz5fK8/100610095047.htm
It’s been said that the typical mobile phone contains roughly half of all elements found on the Periodic Table. One of the most problematic substances used in phones and other electronics is lead. But making lead-free electronics has proved problematic – until now. Researchers have now developed a method that enables the industrial production of a substance that can be used to replace lead in many electronic applications.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
New links between cholesterol and depression in the elderly
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kz1FXZ26Aa8/100721085448.htm
Most people know that high cholesterol levels place them at increased risk for heart disease and stroke. Prior research has shown that particular types of strokes contribute to one’s risk for depression, and that abnormal blood lipid levels can increase the risk of depression in the elderly. However, new findings by French researchers suggest the link between increased cholesterol and depression may be complicated.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Largest particle accelerator 'rediscovers' fundamental subatomic particles
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wL8JeWa7l_w/100726085422.htm
The world's largest particle accelerator -- Europe's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) -- has yielded its first measurements of fundamental subatomic particles, so far confirming physicists' Standard Model but also paving the way to future discoveries that may offer new insights into the forces that govern the universe.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Non-human sugar in biotech drugs causes inflammation, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YHOXR-s-LWc/100725142607.htm
Researchers have discovered that a kind of sugar molecule common to chimpanzees, gorillas and other mammals but not found in humans provokes a strong immune response in some people, likely worsening conditions in which chronic inflammation is a major issue.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Exposure to early evening sunlight in spring creates teenage night owls
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/90SSoxTRFFw/100726124420.htm
In the spring, later sunset and extended daylight exposure delay bedtimes in teenagers, according to new research.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Dangers of untreated erectile dysfunction
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/a5HqdvSHzEc/100720083302.htm
New research has found that up to six million European men fail to seek help for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) which could result in underlying cardiovascular disease going undetected.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Storm elves and sprites recorded on video
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ic1WkSkjl7I/100610093511.htm
A team of Spanish researchers has made a high-speed recording of elves and sprites in storms, fleeting and luminous electric phenomena produced in the upper layers of the atmosphere.
Tue, 27 Jul 10
Children born after assisted reproduction at greater risk of congenital malformations, experts say
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wIyPyCrT9v0/100613212728.htm
Couples considering undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment should be informed about the increased risk of congenital malformation posed by the use of ART, experts say.
Mon, 26 Jul 10
New antibacterial material for bandages, food packaging, shoes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HyMz4P70uIM/100721133219.htm
A new form of paper with the built-in ability to fight disease-causing bacteria could have applications that range from antibacterial bandages to food packaging that keeps food fresher longer to shoes that ward off foot odor. The new material consists of the thinnest possible sheets of carbon.
Mon, 26 Jul 10
Why more education lowers dementia risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DFlasOFvDaM/100725203914.htm
A team of researchers from the UK and Finland has discovered why people who stay in education longer have a lower risk of developing dementia -- a question that has puzzled scientists for the past decade.
Mon, 26 Jul 10
The healing effects of forests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/C6m8Qx43T3E/100723161221.htm
Forests -- and other natural, green settings -- can reduce stress, improve moods, reduce anger and aggressiveness and increase overall happiness. Forest visits may also strengthen our immune system by increasing the activity and number of natural killer cells that destroy cancer cells.
Mon, 26 Jul 10
Irradiating stem cell niche doubles survival in brain cancer patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Gj2IcGA-Vm0/100723095434.htm
Patients with deadly glioblastomas who received high doses of radiation that hit a portion of the brain that harbors neural stem cells had double the progression-free survival time as patients who had lower doses or no radiation targeting the area, a study has found.
Mon, 26 Jul 10
Unaccounted feedbacks from climate-induced ecosystem changes may increase future climate warming
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/avMwkjglVhc/100725142610.htm
In addition to the carbon cycle-climate interactions that have been a major focus of modeling work in recent years, other biogeochemistry feedbacks could be at least equally important for future climate change. Experts argue that it is important to include these feedbacks in the next generation of Earth system models.
Mon, 26 Jul 10
Open golfers should putt with a 'Quiet Eye'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kb_Wykxc37A/100712115056.htm
Studies by researchers in the UK have shown how using a technique called the "Quiet Eye" can significantly improve a golfers' putting performance, particularly when under pressure.
Mon, 26 Jul 10
A plane that lands like a bird
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/79pzJGAk3Mk/100725170454.htm
Everyone knows what it's like for an airplane to land: the slow maneuvering into an approach pattern, the long descent, and the brakes slamming on as soon as the plane touches down, which seems to just barely bring it to a rest a mile later. Birds, however, can switch from barreling forward at full speed to lightly touching down on a target as narrow as a telephone wire. Why can't an airplane be more like a bird?
Mon, 26 Jul 10
How key enzyme repairs sun-damaged DNA
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Y7PH1j454-c/100725142614.htm
Researchers have long known that humans lack a key enzyme -- one possessed by most of the animal kingdom and even plants -- that reverses severe sun damage. For the first time, researchers have witnessed how this enzyme works at the atomic level to repair sun-damaged DNA. The discovery holds promise for future sunburn remedies and skin cancer prevention.
Mon, 26 Jul 10
Organic nanoelectronics a step closer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/29tLJABEDLE/100615112221.htm
Scientists have effectively discovered a way to order the molecules in the PEDOT, the single most industrially important conducting polymer.
Mon, 26 Jul 10
The hormone IGF-1: A trigger of puberty
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nDLB9lA0zOE/100712121826.htm
Puberty is triggered by pulsatile release of GnRH from specific nerve cells in the the brain. What signals tell these nerve cells to release GnRH in this manner has not been determined, although it has been suggested that hormones associated with good nutritional status (such as IGF-1) have a role. New research has now confirmed that in mice IGF-1 does indeed have a key role in coordinating the timing of puberty onset.
Mon, 26 Jul 10
Simpler method for building varieties of nanocrystal superlattices
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1x4s12ZFeqc/100722092229.htm
Researchers have created a simple and inexpensive method to rapidly grow centimeter-scale membranes of binary nanocrystal superlattices, or BNSLs, by crystallizing a mixture of nanocrystals on a liquid surface.
Mon, 26 Jul 10
Stop or speed through a yellow light? That is the question
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1FyDm4Hq8s4/100608162244.htm
Are you, as a driver, more likely to stop or to speed through a yellow light?
Mon, 26 Jul 10
Giant pandas: Landscape has big effect on movement of genes within population
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JDG9Or8vfMs/100722205624.htm
Genetic analysis of giant pandas has shown that features of their landscape have a profound effect on the movement of genes within their population. Researchers found that physical barriers, such as areas lacking bamboo plants and other forest foliage, can separate giant pandas into isolated genetic groups.
Mon, 26 Jul 10
Rare and common genetic variations responsible for high triglyceride levels in blood
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LDNt6X7OZRA/100725142612.htm
Scientists have shown that it's a combination of both common and rare variants or "misprints" in several genes that add up, and put a patient at risk of developing high levels of triglycerides in the blood, a disease called hypertriglyceridemia (HTG). HTG affects one in 20 people in North America.
Mon, 26 Jul 10
Hijacked supplies for pathogens: Legionnaire’s disease bacteria tap into the material transport in immune cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wXrK2LiGoA8/100723075955.htm
When it infects the lungs, the Legionnaire’s bacterium Legionella pneumophila causes acute pneumonia. The pathogen’s modus operandi is particularly ingenious: it infiltrates deliberately into cells of the human immune system and injects a host of proteins which then interfere in the normal cellular processes. Scientists have now discovered how Legionella reprogrammes the cells to ensure its own survival and to propagate. They examined a protein used by the pathogen to divert the material transport within the cells for its own purposes.
Mon, 26 Jul 10
Parkinson's: New clues to alleviating gait disorders and falls
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sWb5mXGjYFE/100712121828.htm
Drugs that target the mediator of nerve cell communication dopamine alleviate many of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease but not the gait disorders and falls that affect those with severe disease. New research indicates that drugs targeting nerve cells that communicate using the molecule acetylcholine in the PPN region of the brain might provide a way to alleviate these otherwise untreatable symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Mon, 26 Jul 10
Concealed patterns beneath life's variety: Synthesis of studies of how biodiversity changes reveals trends over space and time
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GcnhoDsNDCY/100601072518.htm
Although it is well known that there are more species in the tropics than in higher latitudes, it is hard to study how the species in a sampling change in time and across large distances. A synthesis based on multiple studies reveals some surprising trends that suggest ways to more effectively explore how ecosystems develop.
Mon, 26 Jul 10
Power outage: A loss of social power distorts how money is represented
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xhlVIVAF86c/100607151320.htm
Retail therapy can soothe the defeat of losing a major client, the rejection of not getting a promotion or even the embarrassment a high-powered executive might feel after receiving a speeding ticket. Spending money to uplift a damaged ego provides more than comfort; it restores the equilibrium of what lies at the foundation of Western culture -- power and social hierarchy.
Mon, 26 Jul 10
Amount of dust, pollen matters for cloud precipitation, climate change
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ttY_NwitqDA/100607165744.htm
Atmospheric scientists have discovered that an abundance of aerosol particles are needed to help form ice crystals in clouds, which can influence precipitation and climate change.
Mon, 26 Jul 10
New epigenetic player implicated in mental retardation and facial birth defects
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JyNN3UTMkRM/100712115054.htm
A subtle mutation affecting the epigenome --- a set of dynamic factors that influence gene activity -- may lead to an inherited form of mental retardation that affects boys, researchers have found The disorder, which also involves cleft lip or cleft palate, appears to hinge on an enzyme working in a biological pathway that may offer several potential drug targets.
Mon, 26 Jul 10
How cells keep their guards in check
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/StZP3zErfUA/100715142252.htm
When cells are attacked by bacteria they use all means at their disposal to defend themselves. But cellular defense systems can damage the cells themselves and so need to be kept tightly in check. Recent results help us to understand how this is done and give pointers to new ways of combating disease.
Mon, 26 Jul 10
Important clue to understanding the pathogenesis of ciliary disorders
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bzNHCzmKC5o/100722075221.htm
A research team has pinpointed a gene that is essential for the physiologically correct disassembly of cilia. Errors in the regulation of cilia assembly are implicated in a variety of human syndromes. Until now, however, the consequences of faulty cilia disassembly have not yet been elucidated.
Mon, 26 Jul 10
Straw residue helps keep nitrogen on the farm
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-8pvXskmGks/100524072908.htm
A research study evaluated the potential for straw residue to retain legume-derived nitrogen in a corn cropping system.
Mon, 26 Jul 10
Confident teachers help preschoolers more with language and literacy skills
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GHLCogcHgj4/100607151327.htm
New research suggests that pre-school students may gain more language and literacy skills if they have teachers with higher levels of confidence in their abilities. However, in some cases students only saw gains when their teachers also had classrooms that emphasized emotional support for the children.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Toward a new generation of superplastics
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JQ9KuUF-jjQ/100721133221.htm
Scientists are reporting an in-depth validation of the discovery of the world's first mass producible, low-cost, organoclays for plastics. The powdered material, made from natural clay, would be a safer, more environmentally friendly replacement for the compound widely used to make plastics nanocomposites.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Light and moderate physical activity reduces the risk of early death, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7CqZKYIcSnI/100723112713.htm
A new study has found that even light or moderate intensity physical activity, such as walking or cycling, can substantially reduced the risk of early death.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
3-D gesture-based interaction system unveiled
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Yv7KGx7KRuM/100721085354.htm
Touch screens such as those found on the iPhone or iPad are the latest form of technology allowing interaction with smart phones, computers and other devices. However, scientists in Germany have developed the next generation non-contact gesture and finger recognition system. The novel system detects hand and finger positions in real-time and translates these into appropriate interaction commands. Furthermore, the system does not require special gloves or markers and is capable of supporting multiple users.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Morning test helps doctors save kidneys
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kXSc2xT0DQM/100715172004.htm
A morning urine test is superior to all other tests for detecting declining kidney performance in patients with diabetic kidney disease, according to a new study. The results suggest that clinicians should monitor kidney function by measuring the albumin:creatinine ratio from a first morning urine sample.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Researchers calculate the cost of CO2 emissions, call for carbon tax
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OsZ47htvX6k/100707102549.htm
Researchers are calling on policymakers to encourage the transition from coal-based electricity production to a system based on natural gas through a carbon tax.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Mental health woes grow while spending declines, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DKkMSHe2WUA/100715172010.htm
As the current global economic crisis drives up the demand for mental health-care services, cash-strapped agencies are slashing mental health budgets, according to a new study.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Sea lamprey research sheds light on how stress hormones evolved
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/V3B71pvKspM/100719162957.htm
Researchers are have identified a stress hormone in the sea lamprey, using the 500 million-year-old species as a model to understand the evolution of the endocrine system.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Starve a cancer: Calorie restriction as an anti-invasive therapy for malignant brain cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Pu7aIg1736c/100723112715.htm
Researchers have found that reducing calorie intake can restrict the growth and spread of brain cancer.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Graphene oxide gets green: Environmentally friendly ways to make it in bulk, break it down
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xqXW5Ughohw/100722181319.htm
Scientists have found a way to synthesize graphene oxide in bulk in an environmentally friendly way, eliminating toxic and explosive chemicals from the process. They have also found a class of common bacteria breaks down graphene oxide into environmentally benign graphene.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Test could predict which children with T-cell ALL are best candidates for clinical trials
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zFWhCGtfGcY/100719162635.htm
A genetic clue uncovered by scientists enables doctors to predict, for the first time, which children with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) are unlikely to benefit from standard chemotherapy for the disease and should therefore be among the first to receive new treatments in future clinical trials.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Predicting nanoparticle structures: Standard chemical reactions show the way
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iGVphW-dFAE/100712141853.htm
Scientists have discovered a way to predict the organization of nanoparticles in larger forms by treating them much the same as ensembles of molecules formed from standard chemical reactions.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Disease genes that followed the Silk Road identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CAF2g6Sx0J8/100713091325.htm
Researchers have found susceptibility to Behcet's disease, a painful, inflammatory condition, to be associated with genes involved in the body's immune response.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Nanowick at heart of new system to cool 'power electronics'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nXtZ0jrYGu0/100722153634.htm
Researchers have shown that an advanced cooling technology being developed for high-power electronics in military and automotive systems is capable of handling roughly 10 times the heat generated by conventional computer chips.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Gene may hold key to reducing spread of oral cancers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/u3fb_tHUvc0/100723123934.htm
The spread of cancer cells in the tongue may be reduced if a gene that regulates cancer cell migration can be controlled, according to new research.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Nanoparticles in English ivy may hold the key to making sunscreen safer and more effective
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kKtOxsUBqCk/100719162955.htm
Researchers have found that nanoparticles in ivy may protect skin from UV radiation at least four times better than the metal-based sunblocks found on store shelves today.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Eye study finds two therapies slow diabetic eye disease progression
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/faLENzC75vs/100723112805.htm
In high-risk adults with Type 2 diabetes, researchers have found that two therapies may slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease that is the leading cause of vision loss in working-age Americans.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
'Super socks' help stem pollution runoff
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1vDTruFlwcU/100723112801.htm
Agricultural scientists have improved on an existing method for removing contaminants from storm water runoff. These findings could provide surface waters additional protection against runoff containing pollutants from point sources such as construction sites, storm waters and other urban landscapes.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Hormonal contraceptives have mixed success among overweight women
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hZmSORD2j18/100713214224.htm
As obesity continues to be a worldwide health risk, one of its "side effects" could include less effective birth control for overweight and obese women who use hormonal contraceptives.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Graphene organic photovoltaics: Flexible material only a few atoms thick may offer cheap solar power
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/u3i8zYzwS2Y/100723095430.htm
A research team has produced flexible transparent carbon atom films that the researchers say have great potential for a new breed of solar cells.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Microbicide containing engineered bacteria may inhibit HIV-1
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lPB8BKK1tIk/100721153305.htm
Researchers from the U.S. and abroad used bacteria inherent to the human vaginal tract to develop a live, topical microbicide that may induce production of HIV-1 protein inhibitors and ultimately prevent transmission of the virus.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Virtual reality gives insight on protein structures
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zbI8aB8wox8/100722160114.htm
To understand a protein, it helps to get inside of it, and a professor has now figured out a way to do so. A new computer software program and projection system lets a person look at larger-than-life, 3-D structures of proteins in virtual reality. This allows scientists to walk inside, through or around the protein of interest for investigating its structure and function.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Chokeberry extract found to regulate weight gain, blood glucose, and inflammation in rats
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7c4YdWAMBeE/100426072123.htm
A new study finds that chokeberry extract inhibits weight gain in insulin-resistant animals and modulates multiple genes associated with adipose tissue growth, blood glucose regulation, and inflammatory pathways.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Asia's most devastating droughts reconstructed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Sq4VHExihBY/100422153929.htm
Asia's monsoon rains feed nearly half the world's population. A new study of tree rings provides a detailed record of at least four epic failures of the monsoon that have shaken Asia over the last thousand years. The study is expected not only to help historians understand how environment has affected the past, but to aid scientists trying to understand the potential for large-scale disruptions in the face of changing climate.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Cold-blooded mothers: Magpie parents seem to induce mortality of 'unwanted' chicks
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yMWp-MUfXoM/100503111429.htm
A new pattern of nestling mortality was found in magpies' nests. Sons died more in the nests with more daughters and daughters died more in the nests with more sons. Researchers think that this pattern, that reinforces the original bias in brood sex composition, implies parental strategies being set as a "package," where specific initial sex composition of a brood is correlated with a specific parental "attitude" towards sons and daughters.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
NASA spacecraft camera yields most accurate Mars map
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PsBwjjRsNik/100723112310.htm
A camera aboard NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft has helped develop the most accurate global Martian map ever. Researchers and the public can access the map via several websites and explore and survey the entire surface of the Red Planet.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Stem cells from surgery leftovers could repair damaged hearts
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/erXaCmfszp0/100426092759.htm
Scientists have for the first time succeeded in extracting vital stem cells from sections of vein removed for heart bypass surgery.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Charging up electric car batteries in environmentally-friendly way
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XBXbZ8IvyYw/100421111353.htm
Electromobility makes sense only if car batteries are charged using electricity from renewable energy sources. But the supply of green electricity is not always adequate. An intelligent charging station can help, by adapting the recharging times to suit energy supply and network capacity.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Diabetes monitoring device benefits not just people but dogs and other animals, too
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3NwNMOyVAKk/100723123936.htm
A researcher is using a continuous glucose monitoring device -- commonly used in humans with diabetes -- to help treat dogs and other animals. The device, which provides a detailed glucose picture of an animal over several days, will help pet owners manage their pets' diabetes.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Hops helps reduce ammonia produced by cattle
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rYgXGUGzmEI/100420152837.htm
An agricultural scientist may have found a way to cut the amount of ammonia produced by cattle, using a key ingredient of the brewer's art: hops.
Sun, 25 Jul 10
Academic language impedes students' ability to learn science, expert argues
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uDvVr5sOj9Y/100422153758.htm
Middle and high school students who read fluently in English class and on the Web may find that they cannot understand their science texts. And their science teachers may be ill-prepared to guide them in reading the academic language in which science information is presented. A professor of education and expert on language and literacy development makes the case that students need to be taught academic language to learn science and other subjects.
Sat, 24 Jul 10
Cancer-metabolism link runs deep in humans, novel network algorithm suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/64ZbG8u9tl8/100721154238.htm
Eighty years ago, the medical establishment believed cancer was caused by a dysfunction of metabolism, but the idea went out of vogue. Now, scientists are again looking at metabolism and its role in cancer and other common diseases.
Sat, 24 Jul 10
Supercomputer reproduces a cyclone's birth, may boost forecasting
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ke1RouQYaVk/100721121701.htm
Scientists have employed NASA's Pleiades supercomputer and atmospheric data to simulate tropical cyclone Nargis -- with the first model to replicate the formation of the tropical cyclone five days in advance.
Sat, 24 Jul 10
Medicine from moss: Bioreactor technique may offer hope to people with age-related blindness
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Bg7O3S_1CHM/100721101031.htm
Biologists in Germany have used a moss bioreactor to produce a human protein, the absence of which leads to age-related blindness in 50 million people.
Sat, 24 Jul 10
White eyes, foot-wide flowers, maroon plants: Researcher creating unique winter-hardy hibiscuses
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tY3QQYQzsUU/100723095428.htm
With a little cross-breeding and some determination, plant physiologist and forage agronomist Dr. Dariusz Malinowski is trying to add more colors to the world of hibiscuses. Malinowski is working on breeding winter-hardy hibiscus in what started as a hobby about four years ago, but in the last year has been added to the strategic plan of the Vernon research program.
Sat, 24 Jul 10
Can I buy you a drink? Genetics may determine sensitivity to other people's drinking behavior
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mn6M8ntakLQ/100722132431.htm
Your friend walks into a bar to meet you for happy hour. He sidles up to the bar and orders a drink -- does that make you more likely to get a drink yourself? According to new findings, genetics may determine the extent to which you are influenced by social drinking cues -- signals such as advertisements, drinks placed on a bar, and seeing other people around you drinking.
Sat, 24 Jul 10
How do cells die? Biophotonic tools reveal real-time dynamics in living color
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/J-zojRckdMo/100722132439.htm
Apoptosis, programmed cell death, is essential to normal development, healthy immune system function, and cancer prevention. The process dramatically transforms cellular structures but the limitations of conventional microscopy methods have kept much about this structural reorganization a mystery.
Sat, 24 Jul 10
Nanoparticles as destructive beacons to zap tumors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/L8p5slCKU_o/100721172952.htm
A group of researchers is developing a way to treat cancer by using lasers to light up tiny nanoparticles and destroy tumors with the ensuing heat.
Sat, 24 Jul 10
New technique for studying dark energy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qBd9Z3lMH5Q/100721132627.htm
A new but technically challenging observational "shortcut" will help make large-scale cosmic maps that can yield clues to to the nature of the mysterious "dark energy" that pervades the universe.
Sat, 24 Jul 10
Simple screening test reduces invasive examinations for suspected bowel disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YIQxBLGeDz0/100715194415.htm
A simple screening test identifies patients who are most likely to have inflammatory bowel disease and reduces the need for expensive, invasive and time consuming endoscopies, finds a new study.
Sat, 24 Jul 10
New quantum state of matter discovered in Heusler compounds: Applications in spintronics, quantum computing and new physical effects
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Amb0TluYwAU/100720083300.htm
Scientists have been researching Heusler compounds, which are an important material class for the use in spintronic applications. Over the past few years, new application areas have emerged in the field of renewable energy, such as solar energy and thermoelectrics. And now Heusler compounds are also being considered for future technologies such as quantum computers.
Sat, 24 Jul 10
Transparency through open notes: Risks and rewards of inviting patients to review their medical records
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/m06lERffV-A/100719174901.htm
Technology has placed vast amounts of medical information literally a mouse click away. Yet what often may be central -- a doctor's notes about a patient visit -- has traditionally not been part of the discussion. In effect, such records have long been out of bounds. In a new article, researchers speculate about the risks and rewards of making clinicians' notes transparent to patients.
Sat, 24 Jul 10
Can chaos theory help predict heart attacks?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sJZoeCX1_Kc/100721145105.htm
Chaos models may someday help model cardiac arrhythmias -- abnormal electrical rhythms of the heart, say researchers.
Sat, 24 Jul 10
Autism has unique vocal signature, new technology reveals
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NBlxXFWOHZw/100719162645.htm
New technology could fundamentally change the study of language development as well as the screening for autism spectrum disorders and language delay.
Sat, 24 Jul 10
High-resolution imaging expands vision research of live birds of prey
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jmp8nnpObEU/100721133229.htm
Bird observatories all over the world may benefit from a newly designed high-resolution imaging system used to study the retinal structure of live birds of prey. Researchers now reveal unprecedented 3-D information about the retina of four species of raptors -- two hawks and two owls -- using the noninvasive, powerful imaging tool.
Sat, 24 Jul 10
Identification of a gene essential to newborn babies' first breath
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uzu0OVGTQZs/100721085350.htm
How do mammals prepare themselves in utero for a radical modification to their respiration at the time of birth, when they move abruptly from an aquatic medium to air? Researchers have identified a gene in the mouse that is essential to respiration and consequently to survival at birth. This work opens the way to better understanding respiratory disorders in humans, which can range from sleep apnea to sudden infant death syndrome.
Sat, 24 Jul 10
European Space Agency develops radar to watch for space hazards
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NAswwJ-guac/100723093842.htm
As part of the European Space Agency's Space Situational Awareness activities, a new radar system will be developed to help safeguard space missions. The radar will detect hazardous objects in Earth orbit and trigger warnings that enable satellite operators to avoid collisions, making spaceflight safer for all.
Sat, 24 Jul 10
A blood test for depression?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IKBu8mjP5Zs/100722092330.htm
Blood tests have been extremely important tools aiding doctors in making medical diagnoses and in guiding the treatment of many diseases. However, psychiatry is one area of medicine where there are few diagnostic blood tests. Dutch researchers evaluated blood gene expression profiles in healthy individuals and patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder, or MDD. They identified a set of seven genes in whole blood that was able to distinguish un-medicated MDD patients from healthy controls.
Sat, 24 Jul 10
NASA telescope finds elusive buckyballs in space for first time
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LjmdAU7Hq6o/100723080336.htm
Astronomers using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope have discovered carbon molecules, known as "buckyballs," in space for the first time. Buckyballs are soccer-ball-shaped molecules that were first observed in a laboratory 25 years ago.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Out of the gait: Robot ranger sets untethered 'walking' record at 14.3 miles
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SY7hQ9M6Wjg/100722143905.htm
The loneliness of the long-distance robot: A robot named Ranger walked 14.3 miles in about 11 hours, setting an unofficial world record. A human -- armed with nothing more than a standard remote control for toys -- steered the untethered robot.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
More time spent sitting linked to higher risk of death; Risk found to be independent of physical activity level
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yeMYP4ghLKA/100722102039.htm
A new study finds it's not just how much physical activity you get, but how much time you spend sitting that can affect your risk of death.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Scientists discover how deadly fungal microbes enter host cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XSnsC73Wrg0/100722132338.htm
A research team has discovered a fundamental entry mechanism that allows dangerous fungal microbes to infect plants and cause disease. The discovery paves the way for the development of new intervention strategies to protect plant, and even some animal cells, from deadly fungal infections.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Misuse of anesthesia could cause hepatitis virus transmission
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WlYsY_4pos0/100722132435.htm
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be transmitted during intravenous (IV) administration of anesthesia, according to a new study.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Not enough hours in the day for endangered apes: Warming climate may change ape behaviour, resulting in loss of habitat
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2SbjKZkUFz8/100722075228.htm
A study on the effect of global warming on African ape survival suggests that a warming climate may cause apes to run ‘out of time’. The research reveals that rising temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns have strong effects on ape behavior, distribution and survival, pushing them even further to the brink of extinction.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Adults recall negative events less accurately than children, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1dPXw31Rl2A/100722215052.htm
Emotions -- particularly those provoked by negative events -- can cause distorted, inaccurate memories, but less often in children than in adults, according to a new study.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Scientists confirm role for mysterious cell component -- the nucleolinus
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NV17EeA94Cw/100722132323.htm
Scientists have confirmed the role in cell division of a long-neglected cellular component, the nucleolinus. The nucleolinus is a structure observed in the nucleus of many cells, including invertebrate egg cells and some mammalian cells. While it was discovered more than 150 years ago, and other scientists have proposed that is involved in cell division, difficulties in visualizing the nucleolinus inside most cells have kept that hypothesis dormant.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Abnormal cells in blood tied to lung cancer: Circulating aberrant cells increase as non-small cell lung cancer progresses
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SPK9D8T27_8/100722132325.htm
A novel approach detects genetically abnormal cells in the blood of non-small cell lung cancer patients that match abnormalities found in tumor cells and increase in number with the severity of the disease, a research team reports.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Structural brain alterations in patients with irritable bowel syndrome discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hEzoZ5lgA3E/100722132433.htm
A large academic study has demonstrated structural changes in specific brain regions in female patients with irritable bowel syndrome, a condition that causes pain and discomfort in the abdomen, along with diarrhea, constipation or both. According to researchers, the finding removes the idea once and for all that IBS symptoms are not real and are "only psychological."
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Math model of colon inflammation singles out dangerous immune cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TOJjcv6Zhmk/100722181313.htm
Scientists have constructed a mathematical and computational model of inflammatory bowel disease that allows researchers to simulate the cellular and molecular changes underlying chronic inflammation in humans. The model allows scientists to explore different interactions of cells in the immune system, check how these cells are linked to inflammation in the colon, and identify intervention points to perhaps stop the disease in its tracks.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Pounding particles to create Neptune's water in the lab
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/J6kns2TzVcY/100722075009.htm
An international group of physicists has drawn up plans to use the new Facility for Antiprotons and Ion Research in Germany to expose water molecules to heavy ion beams and generate the same level of pressure on the water molecules that they experience within the very inhospitable core of Neptune.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Link between childhood physical abuse and heart disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Iy319UpKOzQ/100722102043.htm
Childhood physical abuse is associated with significantly elevated rates of heart disease in adulthood, according to new findings.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Quantum mechanics not in jeopardy: Physicists confirm a decades-old key principle experimentally
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nvWgvNiP9Sk/100722142640.htm
When waves -- regardless of whether light or sound -- collide, they overlap creating interferences. Austrian and Canadian quantum physicists have now been able to rule out the existence of higher-order interferences experimentally and thereby confirmed an axiom in quantum physics: Born's rule.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Salmonella contaminated pork may pose health risk for humans
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SFJmNvNajlk/100721153331.htm
German researchers have isolated a strain of Salmonella in pork that is closely related to the bacteria commonly found in chickens and linked to human food-borne illness.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Biologists help save endangered pallid sturgeon
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ro_66oy58ug/100722144423.htm
Fisheries researchers found one piece of a scientific puzzle that just may help save an endangered species from extinction.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Protein important in diabetes may also play a key role in heart disease, other disorders
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zmXKj22Czb4/100721112238.htm
Studying a protein already known to play an important role in Type 2 diabetes and cancer, genomics researchers have discovered that it may have an even broader role in disease, particularly in other metabolic disorders and heart disease. In finding unsuspected links to other disease-related genes, the scientists may have identified future targets for drug treatments.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Better control of reproduction in trout and salmon may be in aquaculture's future
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PnVYA-wW0vY/100721112147.htm
Fast-growing farm-raised salmon and trout that are sterile can now be produced using a method developed by agricultural scientists. Blocking reproduction can enhance growth, and is important for fish being reared in situations where reproduction is undesirable.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Malicious use of pharmaceuticals: An under-recognized form of child abuse
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/O3DE08WF94w/100722075007.htm
Child abuse is a serious problem that affects nearly one million children a year in the US. The American Academy of Pediatrics and US Department of Health and Human Services classify child abuse into four categories: neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse and emotional abuse. None of these categories clearly includes the abusive use of drugs on children. A new study investigates the malicious use of pharmaceuticals and attempts to shed light on this under-recognized problem.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Warmer climate could increase release of carbon dioxide by inland lakes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4kJdl1qWOuw/100721132625.htm
Much organically bound carbon is deposited on inland lake bottoms. A portion remains in the sediment, sometimes for thousands of years, while the rest is largely broken down to carbon dioxide and methane, which are released into the atmosphere. Swedish researchers have shown that carbon retention by sediment is highly temperature-sensitive and that a warmer climate would result in increased carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Cannibinoids offer novel treatment for pain in sickle cell disease, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/U5M54_kfOzk/100722121225.htm
Researchers have discovered that cannibinoids offer a novel approach to ease the chronic and acute pain caused by sickle cell disease.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Highest X-ray energy used to probe materials
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oCMTTM3Pv4M/100722145154.htm
Scientists for the first time have dived into the effect that an intense X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) has on materials. Using the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) facility at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, scientists probed nitrogen gas at X-ray energies of up to 8 keV (kiloelectronvolts), the highest X-ray energy ever used at an XFEL, to see how it behaved when the laser hit it.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
More than half of all ACL reconstructions could be avoided, Swedish study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vubtyegXJu8/100722075224.htm
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common injuries to the knee, primarily affecting young people who practise sport and often treated with surgical reconstruction. A research group from Sweden has now shown that 60 per cent of these operations could be avoided, without negatively affecting treatment outcomes.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Bio-based compound provides substitute for important raw material in plastic products
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_F9TOiHkKt8/100722092328.htm
Soft drink bottles and fleece blankets are set to become more environmentally friendly. A Dutch researcher has made a bio-based compound that can act as a substitute for one of the most important raw materials for plastic products. The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded the new material a place in the top 12 of the most promising biological materials for the chemical industry.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Inequalities in mortality in Britain today greater than those during 1930s economic depression, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Itg-nS8_lSI/100722210000.htm
The level of inequalities in premature mortality between different areas of Britain has almost surpassed those seen shortly before the economic crash of 1929 and the economic depression of the 1930s, according to a new study.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Could diabetes be in your bones? Link between metabolic disease, bone mass; Breakdown of bone keeps blood sugar in check
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DO2fB8s4Psg/100722132334.htm
Our bones have much greater influence on the rest of our bodies than they are often given credit for, according to two new studies. Both studies offer new insights into the interplay between bone and blood sugar, based on signals sent via insulin and a bone-derived hormone known as osteocalcin.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Smog might trigger cell death in the heart, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rDeZlD36Ywk/100721205553.htm
An early study in rats provides the first direct indication that a major component of smog might trigger cell death in the heart, researchers report.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Key compound of ozone destruction detected; Scientists disprove doubts in ozone hole chemistry
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/11zUZfPWpWo/100722092227.htm
For the first time, scientists in Germany have successfully measured in the ozone layer the chlorine compound ClOOCl, which plays an important role in stratospheric ozone depletion. Doubts in the established models of polar ozone chemistry expressed by American researchers based on laboratory measurements are disproved by these new atmospheric observations.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Early HAART during TB treatment boosts survival rate in people co-infected with HIV and TB, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Cn1qwLsB5Iw/100722092225.htm
A clinical trial in Cambodia has found it possible to prolong the survival of untreated HIV-infected adults with very weak immune systems and newly diagnosed tuberculosis by starting anti-HIV therapy two weeks after beginning TB treatment, rather than waiting eight weeks, as has been standard.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Data mining made faster: New method eases analysis of 'multidimensional' information
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2SJslYlJW48/100722075013.htm
To many big companies, you aren't just a customer, but are described by multiple "dimensions" of information within a computer database. Now, a computer scientist has devised a new method for simpler, faster "data mining," or extracting and analyzing massive amounts of such data.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Once a delinquent, always a delinquent? Not necessarily
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/joVzN17mHQA/100722075230.htm
Children who come in conflict with the law early on in life do not necessarily become long-term criminals thereafter, according to a child delinquency study by researchers in Germany.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Hyperfast star was booted from Milky Way
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fdw97nM9q9c/100722141544.htm
A hundred million years ago, a triple-star system was traveling through the bustling center of our Milky Way galaxy when it made a life-changing misstep. The trio wandered too close to the galaxy's giant black hole, which captured one of the stars and hurled the other two out of the Milky Way. Adding to the stellar game of musical chairs, the two outbound stars merged to form a super-hot, blue star.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Cutting fat and calories can lower cancer risk in dogs and people
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5UgIU4ipyMI/100722143439.htm
As many as 1 out of 3 cancer deaths in both humans and dogs could be prevented by reducing Omega-6 fatty acids and cutting calories, according to new research.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Extreme archaeology: Divers plumb the mysteries of sacred Maya pools
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EmZMaKLqH8A/100722102041.htm
Steering clear of crocodiles and navigating around massive submerged trees, a team of divers began mapping some of the 25 freshwater pools of Cara Blanca, Belize, which were important to the ancient Maya. In three weeks this May, the divers found fossilized animal remains, bits of pottery and -- in the largest pool explored -- an enormous underwater cave. The dives will continue later this summer.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
African ancestry linked to high-risk breast cancer, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BA2Gj7-I_FA/100722132441.htm
A new study finds that African ancestry is linked to triple-negative breast cancer, a more aggressive type of cancer that has fewer treatment options.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Climate uncertainties tied to economies of US states: California, Pacific Northwest and Colorado achieve positive net impacts; other states languish
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/krykEHp1sBQ/100722132429.htm
A climate-change study that models the near-term effects of declining rainfall in each of the 48 US continental states makes clear the economic toll that could occur unless an appropriate amount of initial investment -- a kind of upfront insurance payment -- is made to forestall much larger economic problems down the road.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Customers less tolerant of employee rudeness than incompetence
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PouUAUaWwpY/100722161150.htm
Rude behavior among employees can negatively affect consumer perceptions -- even when the incivility isn't directed at the customer.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Caterpillars crawl like none other: Unique means of animal locomotion has implications for robotics, human biomechanics
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gRJnLrJANHg/100722132332.htm
Biologists studying caterpillars have reported a unique "two-body" system of locomotion that has not previously been reported in any animal. The gut of the crawling caterpillar moves forward independently and in advance of the surrounding body wall and legs, not with them. This novel system may contribute to the caterpillars' extraordinary freedom of movement and provide insight for the design of soft-bodied robots.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Gene linked to aging also linked to Alzheimer's
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rFb0_AWHq8c/100722132342.htm
Biologists report that they have discovered the first link between the amyloid plaques that form in the brains of Alzheimer's patients and a gene previously implicated in the aging process, SIRT1.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Wacky weather could squeeze Florida's citrus season
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ErG-rWUwSzk/100721172705.htm
Citrus growers, beware. Florida winters are getting more extreme, causing plants to flower later and potentially shrinking the growing seasons for some of the state's most vital crops.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Vitamins needed to help celiacs stave off bone disease, researchers find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WmWDLFJ0Awc/100722132443.htm
Children with celiac disease need to include certain must-have vitamins in their diets to stave off weak bones and osteoporosis, say researchers.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Oil devastation found at major Gulf breeding site
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XjRpVCzG-8k/100722160455.htm
Scientists working in the Gulf have documented what may be the worst oil spill devastation of a major bird colony so far.
Fri, 23 Jul 10
Genetic link to children’s emotional problems precipitated by bullying
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/46k4hDWapQk/100722153616.htm
Bullying victimization is common among children of school age, although its consequences are often anything but benign. The recent death of a Massachusetts teen by suicide prompted state lawmakers to pass one of the most far-reaching anti-bullying laws within the U.S. Whether such legislative actions result in measurable decreases in physical or emotional distress among school peers remains to be seen, but a team of researchers have discovered a genetic variation that moderates whether victims of bullying will go on to develop emotional problems.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Now you see it, now you don't: An infrared invisibility cloak made of glass
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/10nEA-9GzpE/100721164007.htm
From Star Trek's Romulans, who could cloak their spaceships, to Harry Potter's magical garment, the power to turn someone or something invisible has intrigued mankind. Now one researcher is doing it for real. She has found ways to use magnetic resonance to capture rays of visible light and route them around objects, rendering those objects invisible to the human eye.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Toxic trio identified as the basis of celiac disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2cF2LG6bB6I/100721141840.htm
Scientists have identified the three protein fragments that make gluten -- the main protein in wheat, rye and barley -- toxic to people with celiac disease.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Gulf oil dispersants unlikely to be endocrine disruptors and have relatively low cell toxicity, tests find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vBx1yCFF2BI/100721133217.htm
Government scientists are reporting that eight of the most commonly used oil dispersants used to fight oil spills, such as the massive episode in the Gulf of Mexico, appear unlikely to act as endocrine disruptors -- hormone-like substances that can interfere with reproduction, development, and other biological processes. The tested dispersants also had a relatively low potential for cytotoxicity (cell death), with JD-2000 and SAF-RON GOLD showing the least potential.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Genetic mismatch keeps yeast species distinct
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zRbK9KPEZso/100720212923.htm
How species form and what keeps them distinct from each other, even though they can interbreed, is a key question in evolution. Researchers have recently identified genes in three closely related yeast species that cause sterility, increasing our understanding of how species can remain distinct.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Engineering researchers simplify process to make world's tiniest wires
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mZaK9ME9J6g/100721112242.htm
Surface tension isn't a very powerful force, but it matters for small things -- water bugs, paint, and, it turns out, nanowires.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
'Runaway' development implicated in loss of function of the aging brain
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jlz9_FHL2k0/100719174903.htm
The brain undergoes rapid growth and development in the early years of life and then degenerates as we progress into old age, yet little is known about the biological processes that distinguish brain development and aging. In a new study, researchers have identified a gene regulatory link between changes in the young and aging brain, describing "runaway" development as a potentially significant factor in age-related loss of function.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Evidence of water in lunar rocks: Water on moon may be widespread, similar to Earth's
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LNH5LpI-vbM/100721132631.htm
That dry, dusty moon overhead? Seems it isn't quite as dry as it's long been thought to be. Although you won't find oceans, lakes, or even a shallow puddle on its surface, a team of geologists has found structurally bound hydroxyl groups (i.e., water) in a mineral in a lunar rock returned to Earth by the Apollo program.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Novel anti-diabetes mechanism uncovered: Findings could lead to next generation of improved therapies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wa5uBG_kmdM/100721132637.htm
Scientists have uncovered a novel mechanism that dramatically increases insulin sensitivity and reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Recreational pool disinfectants linked to health problems
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yguPfxnptx0/100721133213.htm
Splashing around in a swimming pool on a hot summer day may not be as safe as you think. A recent study links the application of disinfectants in recreational pools to previously published adverse health outcomes such as asthma and bladder cancer.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Quitting smoking may minimize harmful bacteria and replenish healthy bacteria
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VEjzl4bPtt4/100721153242.htm
Patients with chronic gum disease who quit smoking in addition to undergoing nonsurgical therapy not only demonstrated a lower abundance of harmful oral pathogens, but also an increase in health-associated bacteria.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Nanotech coatings produce 20 times more electricity from sewage
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UnKhSSHYwZ8/100721145101.htm
Engineers have made a significant advance toward producing electricity from sewage, by the use of new coatings on the anodes of microbial electrochemical cells that increased the electricity production about 20 times. The findings bring the researchers one step closer to technology that could clean biowaste at the same time it produces useful levels of electricity -- a promising new innovation in wastewater treatment and renewable energy.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Brain scans may help guide career choice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/S21m3cA_iQ8/100721194801.htm
General aptitude tests and specific mental ability tests are important tools for vocational guidance. Researchers are now asking whether performance on such tests is based on differences in brain structure, and if so, can brain scans be helpful in choosing a career? In a first step, researchers have investigated how well eight tests used in vocational guidance correlate to gray matter in areas throughout the brain.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Black hole jerked around twice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Tx1yuNslNAQ/100721145103.htm
Scientists have found evidence that a giant black hole has been jerked around twice, causing its spin axis to point in a different direction from before. This discovery, made with new data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, might explain several mysterious-looking objects found throughout the Universe.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Stem cells for eating and sex pinpointed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_bEwH6W2FiE/100721132643.htm
New research has identified the stem cells that generate three critical classes of nerve cells -- olfactory receptors, vomeronasal and gonadotropin releasing hormone neurons -- that are responsible for enabling animals and humans, to eat, interact socially and reproduce.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Quantum entanglement in photosynthesis and evolution
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/c_P5bLd0drY/100721154236.htm
Recently, academic debate has been swirling around the existence of unusual quantum mechanical effects in the most ubiquitous of phenomena, including photosynthesis, the process by which organisms convert light into chemical energy. In a new paper, these ideas are put to the test.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Subtle thyroid problem triples the risk of placental separation in birth, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fplFe1kxzQ0/100721172707.htm
Pregnant women with antibodies that can indicate early thyroid disease are three times as likely to have placental separation during labor, researchers have found in a study of more than 17,000 women.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Temperature constancy appears key to tropical biodiversity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3q8wXAQ7kVE/100720162314.htm
The tropics owe their stunning biodiversity to consistent year-round temperatures, not higher temperatures or more sunlight, according to a novel survey of insect diversity at different latitudes and at different points in the planet's history. The finding may finally answer a question that has dogged scientists for centuries.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Summer reading is key to maintaining or improving students' reading skills
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/S6xe4V3iy0c/100721112234.htm
Researchers have completed a three-year study showing a significantly higher level of reading achievement in students who received books for summer reading at home.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Climate change causes larger, more plentiful marmots, study shows; Implications for many creatures that hibernate
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pQ5wUoI0OXc/100721132641.htm
Researchers have discovered that changes in seasonal timing can increase body weight and population size simultaneously in a species -- findings likely to have implications for a host of other creatures, especially those that hibernate.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Muscular heart failure patients may have a better chance at survival, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kF8rY4OqSAY/100721133215.htm
Heart failure patients with more muscle have the potential to increase their length of life, new research has found.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Students design early labor detector aimed to prevent premature births
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9QxupAWU8O0/100721112149.htm
A team of graduate students and their faculty adviser have invented a system to pick up very early signs that a woman is going into labor too soon.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
HIV vaccines may induce HIV antibodies in trial participants, can cause false-positive test result
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9wI_ThWMZtA/100718204741.htm
During trials of preventive HIV vaccines, trial participants may develop HIV-related antibody responses that could lead to a positive HIV test by routine antibody detection methods (called vaccine-induced seropositivity/reactivity [VISP]), and the potential for false-positive test results and an incorrect HIV diagnosis, according to a new study.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Video game processors help lower CT scan radiation
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sTfq-BiaIR0/100721161958.htm
A new approach to processing X-ray data could lower by a factor of ten or more the amount of radiation patients receive during cone beam CT scans, researchers report.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Marriage patterns drive fertility decline
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hgR9sjbM3Ak/100721112135.htm
Researchers have applied an evolutionary "use it or lose it" principle when studying past marriage patterns, to show that marriage can influence the evolution of age-patterns of fertility.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
What causes hybrid vigor? Researchers find genetic 'noise' caused by surprising variation in gene activity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pbnNcG470-g/100720212921.htm
Plant scientists have provided a new solution to an old debate on why species hybrids can be more vigorous than their parents. The researchers found a type of genetic "noise" caused by a surprising degree of variation in gene activity even for highly similar traits in closely related species. They found that when species hybridize, some of the variation in gene activity may be canceled out, leading to greater vigor.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Valproic acid shown to halt vision loss in patients with retinitis pigmentosa
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-kIwMwGVM_Q/100721151256.htm
Researchers have discovered a potential new therapeutic link between valproic acid and retinitis pigmentosa, which could have tremendous benefits for patients suffering from the disease.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Nanoribbons for graphene transistors: Materials for tomorrow's nanoelectronics
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/o_nDDPLahM4/100721132639.htm
Scientists have managed for the first time to grow graphene ribbons that are just a few nanometers wide using a simple surface-based chemical method. Graphene ribbons are considered to be "hot candidates" for future electronics applications as their properties can be adjusted through width and edge shape.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Studies gauge techniques for measuring breast density -- a predictor of cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KfzyCMJbEN0/100718204731.htm
Two new studies have tested three different methods for accurately measuring breast density -- the relative portion of tissue to fat in a woman's breasts and a strong indicator of breast cancer risk.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Military greenhouse gas emissions: EPA should recognize environmental impact of protecting foreign oil, researchers urge
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AJtS1fgfYww/100721121657.htm
US military operations to protect oil imports coming from the Middle East are creating larger amounts of greenhouse gas emissions than once thought, new research from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln shows.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
New code of conduct for researchers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lGqgrOn08k8/100721194803.htm
A new European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity has been presented by the European Science Foundation at the World Conference on Research Integrity. The code addresses good practice and bad conduct in science, offering a basis for trust and integrity across national borders.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Cometary impact on Neptune: Herschel data point to collision about two centuries ago
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/osxBRbk_Xm4/100720220905.htm
A comet may have hit the planet Neptune about two centuries ago. This is indicated by the distribution of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere of the gas giant that researchers have now studied. The scientists analyzed data taken by the research satellite Herschel, that has been orbiting the Sun in a distance of approximately 1.5 million kilometers since May 2009.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
First stages of tissue production in human embryonic stem cells isolated
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wfHnsDeszWc/100721094227.htm
Scientists have described a population of cells that mark the very first stage of differentiation of human embryonic stem cells as they enter a developmental pathway that leads to production of blood, heart muscle, blood vessels and bone.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Need for protection against ticks that carry Lyme disease confirmed by new research
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TgLKseDYoSI/100720165518.htm
Research on the population of black-legged ticks, which can transmit Lyme disease from host animals to humans, reinforces that it is important to take preventative measures when spending time outdoors.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
New genomics-based approach to understand origin of cancer subgroups
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/f9bXTSjpIaA/100718204809.htm
Scientists have long recognized that cancers may look the same under the microscope, but carry different mutations, respond differently to treatment and result in vastly different outcomes for patients. Now researchers have developed a new approach that uses genomic information from different species to understand the biology that drives the formation of these different cancer subtypes.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Stormwater model to inform regulators on future development projects
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AG9Ck57II84/100719091005.htm
Researchers have developed a computer model that will accurately predict stormwater pollution impacts from proposed real-estate developments -- allowing regulators to make informed decisions about which development projects can be approved without endangering water quality. The model could serve as a blueprint for similar efforts across the United States.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Children of older women appear vulnerable to the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jwUn3FVLvbQ/100720162258.htm
The presence and severity of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are influenced by factors beyond alcohol consumption, such as maternal age. New findings have shown that the damaging effects of maternal binge drinking during pregnancy on attention are greater among children born to older drinking mothers.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Finding frugal aliens: 'Benford beacons' concept could refocus search for signs of intelligent extraterrestrial life
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zORd_2w0oes/100721094231.htm
By looking at the point-of-view of ET civilizations sending beacons, an astrophysicist and microwave-expert brother advocate new approach for SETI to find signals of intelligent alien life.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Engineered stem cells may limit heart attack damage, improve function
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kpet_yzpczQ/100721085223.htm
Implanting tiny plastic scaffolds seeded with genetically engineered stem cells reduced organ damage and led to better cardiac function after a heart attack, according to new research.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
CSI at the service of cellulose synthesis: Plant researchers identify protein involved in formation of cellulose
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rg23hNmD9R0/100720083254.htm
Grains, vegetables and fruit taste delicious and are important sources of energy. However, humans cannot digest the main component of plants - the cellulose in the cell wall. Even in ruminants, animals that can metabolize cellulose, the digestibility of the cell wall plays a crucial role in feed utilization. Scientists are therefore looking for ways of increasing the digestibility of animal feed, and of utilizing plant cell walls to generate energy. To do this they must first understand how plant cells develop their cell walls from cellulose and identify the genes and proteins involved. Scientists have now discovered a hitherto unknown protein required for cellulose production.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Sepsis and septic shock more common than heart attacks or pulmonary blood clots after general surgery, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5uVV5URtYBQ/100719163950.htm
Sepsis and septic shock appear to be more common than heart attacks or pulmonary blood clots among patients having general surgery, and the death rate for patients with septic shock is approximately 34 percent within 30 days of operation, according to a new study.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
International law failing to protect coral reefs and tropical fish, experts argue
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5kbLPJ2FH5k/100628092746.htm
International law has failed to protect coral reefs and tropical fish from being decimated by a growing collectors market, but US reforms can lead the way towards making the trade more responsible, ecologically sustainable and humane, according to a group of 18 experts.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Afraid of a broken heart? Feeling insecure in relationships may predispose people to later cardiovascular problems, says research
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/H6qe5c4SEV4/100720123641.htm
People who feel insecure about their attachments to others might be at higher risk for cardiovascular problems than those who feel secure in their relationships, according to a new study.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Primitive frogs do a belly flop: Study shows that frogs evolved jumping before they refined landing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tyda_xRjFMs/100721085450.htm
Sometimes divers, to their own painful dismay, do belly flops. But did you ever see a frog belly flop? That's just what primitive living frogs do, according to a new study looking at the evolution of frog jumping and landing. They found that frogs became proficient at jumping before they perfected landing. This evolutionary split, characterized by an inability to rapidly rotate the limbs forward during flight in order to land front legs first, might also explain why primitive frogs' back legs are out-of-phase with one another when they swim.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Do cleaning products cause breast cancer?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nO1UmpMD34c/100719205630.htm
Women who report greater use of cleaning products may be at higher breast cancer risk than those who say they use them sparingly. Researchers asked more than 1500 women about their cleaning product usage and found that women who reported using more air fresheners and products for mold and mildew control had a higher incidence of breast cancer.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
New methodology improves winter climate forecasting
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7m2-Ey2JOsk/100720101343.htm
It's hot out right now, but new research will help us know what to expect when the weather turns cold. Researchers have developed a new methodology that improves the accuracy of winter precipitation and temperature forecasts. The tool should be valuable for government and utility officials, since it provides key information for use in predicting energy consumption and water availability.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Trauma patients undergoing emergency operations may receive transfusions of their own blood
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1nCjII8mQ5U/100719163948.htm
Transfusion with a trauma patient's own blood may offer a cost-effective alternative to transfusion with blood from another individual as a resuscitation method during surgery, according to a new study.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Poplar tree protein can be used to shrink memory elements and increase computer memory density
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cWLFlr4Sdcs/100721085356.htm
Scientists in Israel have succeeded in showing how it is possible to greatly expand the memory capacity of future computers through the use of memory units based on silica nanoparticles combined with protein molecules obtained from the poplar tree.
Thu, 22 Jul 10
Nasal zinc gels may be associated with loss of sense of smell, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/y_u8_0Q8Tb0/100719163956.htm
An evaluation of 25 patients and a review of reports of clinical, biological and experimental data suggest that over-the-counter, homeopathic nasal zinc therapies may be associated with a reduced sense of smell, according to a new study.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Cassini sees moon building giant snowballs in Saturn ring
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1zdQfZ2RKqg/100720215220.htm
While orbiting Saturn for the last six years, NASA's Cassini spacecraft has kept a close eye on the collisions and disturbances in the gas giant's rings. They provide the only nearby natural laboratory for scientists to see the processes that must have occurred in our early solar system, as planets and moons coalesced out of disks of debris.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Bone cells' branches sense stimulation, when to make new bone
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1bi_GySIlpQ/100720123637.htm
Research of bone cells shows, for the first time, the part of the cells that sense mechanical stimulation and signal the release of bone-growth factors.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
By 'putting a ring on it,' microparticles can be captured
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/v9yonAlHmIE/100720101345.htm
To trap and hold tiny microparticles, engineers have "put a ring on it," using a silicon-based circular resonator to confine particles stably for up to several minutes. The advance could one day lead to the ability to direct, deliver, and store nanoparticles and biomolecules on all-optical chips.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Children have a negative impact on physical activity among individuals with heart disease, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kb5aqJEHOzc/100720111211.htm
A study conducted at the Montreal Heart Institute has shown unexpectedly that living with children is linked to a reduction in physical activity. Carried out with 756 participants, the study assessed the impact of social networks on exercise, revealing that people with heart disease who live with children exercise less than those people who do not live with children.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Nanotechnology: Scientists construct molecular 'knots'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UxfCI2qMnJE/100720093136.htm
Scientists have constructed molecular "knots" with dimensions of around two nanometers -- around 30,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Getting angry can help negotiations in some cultures, hurt it in others
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iqXRP5G3PJ4/100720123631.htm
Getting angry might help you get your way if you're negotiating with European-Americans, but watch out -- in negotiations with East Asians, getting angry may actually hurt your cause. That's the conclusion of a new study on how people from different cultures react to anger in negotiations.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Drilling down to the nanometer depths of leaves for biofuels
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bGwP570PpEQ/100719162951.htm
By imaging the cell walls of a zinnia leaf down to the nanometer scale, energy researchers have a better idea about how to turn plants into biofuels. A team has used four different imaging techniques to systematically drill down deep into the cells of Zinnia elegans.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
New way to target viruses could make antiviral drugs more effective
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/I9pKVr3uDBs/100719162649.htm
Scientists have developed a new way to target viruses which could increase the effectiveness of antiviral drugs. Instead of attacking the virus itself, the method developed at the University of Edinburgh alters the conditions which viruses need to survive and multiply.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Expedition to Mid-Cayman Rise identifies unusual variety of deep sea vents
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/p5z89eOBg6c/100720165520.htm
The first expedition to search for deep-sea hydrothermal vents along the Mid-Cayman Rise has turned up three distinct types of hydrothermal venting, report marine biologists. The work was conducted to search extreme environments for geologic, biologic, and chemical clues to the origins and evolution of life.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
New genetic marker of ovarian cancer risk discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3PNwzlqwZbE/100720152248.htm
Researchers have identified a genetic marker that can help predict the risk of developing ovarian cancer, a hard to detect and often deadly form of cancer.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Video camera will show Mars rover's touchdown
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ugqk9fL97hI/100720220046.htm
A downward-pointing camera on the front-left side of NASA's Curiosity rover will give adventure fans worldwide an unprecedented sense of riding a spacecraft to a landing on Mars.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Practice makes perfect? Consumers overestimate their ability to learn prior to purchase
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GRnv0aZ5SmI/100720123643.htm
Consumers give up on using products because they underestimate their learning abilities, according to a new study.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
First-of-its-kind map details the height of the globe's forests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qBb8MSn91LM/100720162306.htm
Using satellite data, scientists have produced a first-of-its kind map that details the height of the world's forests. Although there are other local- and regional-scale forest canopy maps, the new map is the first that spans the entire globe based on one uniform method.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
HPV vaccine gives prolonged protection against genital warts and low-grade pre-cancerous growths
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZJyPPaeX7ng/100720212927.htm
Vaccination against certain types of human papillomavirus gives strong and sustained protection against genital warts and pre-cancerous growths of the cervix, according to a new study.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Computer program predicts MRSA bacteria's next move
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UZr-YnpbxBE/100719162641.htm
Researchers are using computers to identify how one strain of dangerous bacteria might mutate in the same way a champion chess player tries to anticipate an opponent's strategies. The predictive software could result in better drug design to beat antibiotic-resistant mutations.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Key pathway in end-stage prostate cancer tumor progression blocked
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DcvdOkwm-YQ/100720162308.htm
Researchers have found that blocking one of the enzymatic steps that allow a prostate tumor to produce androgens could be the key in halting a tumor's growth.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Rapid losses of Africa's native livestock threaten continent's food supply, experts warn
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7HNPp69i1po/100720123633.htm
Urgent action is needed to stop the rapid and alarming loss of genetic diversity of African livestock that provide food and income to 70 percent of rural Africans and include a treasure-trove of drought- and disease-resistant animals, according to a new analysis presented at a major gathering of African scientists and development experts.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
No pain, no gain? Concrete thinking increases consumer confidence
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bIRBmZP2HX0/100720123712.htm
The confidence you feel when making a choice might depend on whether you're thinking concretely or abstractly, according to a new study.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Rapid growth in adolescence leads to fewer offspring, biologists find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/s8GQvqWSyWg/100720152300.htm
Biologists working on guppies report that rapid growth responses to increased food availability after a period of growth restriction early in life have repercussions in adulthood. Based on their experiments, the biologists found that female guppies that grew rapidly as juveniles produced fewer offspring than usual. The research sheds light on how organisms, including humans, respond to changes in their environment, such as food availability.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Probiotics use in mothers limits eczema in their babies, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VlX7A1glvAQ/100720101351.htm
Women who drank milk with a probiotic supplement during and after their pregnancy cut the incidence of eczema in their children by almost half compared to mothers who drank a placebo, researchers have shown.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Cells' grouping tactic points to new cancer treatments
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-WQ-nazBnZQ/100719124410.htm
The mechanism that cells use to group together and move around the body has been discovered by scientists at in the UK -- a finding that has implications for the development of new cancer treatments.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Scientists identify key molecular regulator of cardiac hypertrophy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_TDXvPTUKhc/100718204735.htm
Scientists have identified a key molecular regulator of cardiac hypertrophy (enlargement of the heart) that may provide a therapeutic target for a major risk factor of heart failure and early death. The researchers report in an upcoming edition of Nature Medicine that over-expression of the protein CIB1 (also called calmyrin) triggers biochemical processes that lead to cardiac hypertrophy. The study was posted online July 18 in advance of publication.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
NOAA ship Fairweather maps aid shipping through Bering Straits
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/V5_bzCRtCnM/100720152254.htm
As Arctic ice recedes, countries are looking forward to faster, safer and more efficient sea routes across the top of the world. Responding to a request from the US Navy, US Coast Guard, Alaska Maritime Pilots and the commercial shipping industry, NOAA sent one of its premier surveying vessels, NOAA Ship Fairweather, to detect navigational dangers in critical Arctic waters that have not been charted for more than 50 years.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Consumers love underdogs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rIlQ0dNW7lQ/100720123710.htm
Consumers strongly relate to brands that they perceive as underdogs, according to a new study.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Why some plants flower in spring, autumn and some in summer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dRIWYOkAx6Q/100629193127.htm
Scientists have uncovered a new piece in the puzzle about why some plants flower in spring/autumn and some in summer. They have isolated a gene responsible for regulating the expression of CONSTANS, an important inducer of flowering, in Arabidopsis. This knowledge will enable more predictable flowering, better scheduling and reduced wastage of crops.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Prolonged mobile phone use may be linked to tinnitus
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/X65bY88Zkw8/100719205636.htm
Regularly using a mobile phone for at least four years seems to be associated with a doubling in the risk of developing chronic tinnitus (persistent ringing/roaring/hissing in the ear), indicates a small study.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Engineers work on rocket demonstrator for Mars missions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/t7_YZwhR8XU/100720083256.htm
Engineers in the UK are working on a dual fuel rocket which could provide technology suitable for a rocket for Mars and will have a negative carbon footprint.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Preterm births higher among overweight and obese mothers, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FrlQZlZq8Cg/100720212929.htm
Overweight and obese women are at greater risk of giving birth to a preterm baby compared with normal weight women, a new study finds.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Data presentation and consumer confidence
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-DAyYSIfVWU/100720123645.htm
Is it better to present data in percentages (80% of 70) or as a frequency (56 out of 70 times)? According to a new study, data presented in the frequency format leads to more accurate judgments.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Healthy families, religious involvement buffer youth against risk factors related to drug abuse
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zKFbR8CphMU/100720131900.htm
American-Indian adolescents continue to have the highest rates of illicit drug use among all ethnic groups. Recent findings reveal that positive family relationships and religious affiliation can counteract risk factors -- including addicted family members, exposure to violence and deviant peers -- associated with drug use.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
How music training primes nervous system and boosts learning
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/clmGDomxtPI/100720152252.htm
A data-driven review pulls together converging research from the scientific literature linking musical training to learning that spills over to skills including language, speech, memory, attention and even vocal emotion. The science covered comes from labs all over the world, from scientists of varying scientific philosophies, using a wide range of research methods.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Asthma and eczema sufferers have a lower risk of developing a cancer, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6pG-p8pXrDo/100720152256.htm
Men who had a history of asthma or eczema generally had a lower risk of developing cancer, according to a new study.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Next generation surgical robots: Where's the doctor?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ej-5M1PxUxY/100720131856.htm
Feasibility studies conducted by bioengineers have demonstrated that a robot -- without any human assistance -- can locate a man-made, or phantom, lesion in simulated human organs, guide a device to the lesion and take multiple samples during a single session.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Obesity in early adulthood associated with increased risk of psoriatic arthritis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pnqX1kbmFV8/100719163954.htm
Among persons with psoriasis, those who reported being obese at age 18 had an increased risk of developing psoriatic arthritis, according to a report in the July 19 issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
New method developed for synchronizing clocks
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0s779MHO7rU/100720162312.htm
Researchers report on a new way to accurately synchronize clocks. The new method uses both GPS and the Internet to set clocks within 10 nanoseconds of a reference clock located anywhere on Earth.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Children's school performance tied to family 'type'
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vM-YiFmr-h8/100720162317.htm
The way a family interacts can have more of an impact on a child's predicted school success than reading, writing or arithmetic, according to a new study.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Animal connection: New hypothesis for human evolution and human nature
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GvAucLyBHXQ/100720123639.htm
It's no secret to any dog-lover or cat-lover that humans have a special connection with animals. But in new research, a paleoanthropologist argues that this human-animal connection goes well beyond simple affection. He proposes that the interdependency of ancestral humans with other animal species -- "the animal connection" -- played a crucial and beneficial role in human evolution over the last 2.6 million years.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Widely used chemicals linked to ADHD in children
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/axx5vErj9fE/100720131902.htm
Researchers suggests a link between polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFCs), industrial compounds which are widely used in many consumer products, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. PFCs are highly stable compounds used in industrial and commercial products like stain-resistance coatings, food packaging, and fire-fighting foams.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Underwater sponges and worms may hold key to cure for malaria
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0Qa-J4B9JJY/100628124601.htm
Healing powers for one of the world's deadliest diseases may lie within sponges, sea worms and other underwater creatures. A scientist is analyzing more than 2,500 samples from marine organisms collected off deep sea near Florida's coast. Some of them could hold the key to developing drugs to fight malaria, a mosquito-borne illness that kills more than 1 million people worldwide annually.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Image-processing algorithm reduces CT radiation dose by as much as 95 percent
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/l2TC6tugYXM/100720083158.htm
In the wake of recent radiation overdoses, researchers excited by CT perfusion's promise for diagnosing stroke, cancer, and possibly heart disease have developed a way to reduce the amount of radiation involved in the procedure -- which, when done properly, already involves very little risk.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Uncovering behavior of long-dead insects
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HgyBeRtrYxY/100719205628.htm
What can you learn from the 120-year-old body of a parasitoid wasp? Using material from museum collections, researchers report that they can tell how males wasps court their females, based on dead specimens.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
‘The friend of my enemy is my enemy’: Virtual universe study proves 80-year-old theory on how humans interact
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Q_cvibFK22k/100719162510.htm
A new study analyzing interactions between players in a virtual universe game has for the first time provided large-scale evidence to prove an 80-year-old psychological theory called Structural Balance Theory. The research shows that individuals tend to avoid stress-causing relationships when they develop a society, resulting in more stable social networks.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Fourth property of electrons? Electric dipole moment would explain creation of universe
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QB7biVgPa7k/100720101349.htm
Do electrons have a fourth property in addition to mass, charge and spin, as popular physics theories such as supersymmetry predict? Researchers from Germany, the Czech Republic and the United States want to find the answer to this fundamental question of physics. In order to improve the precision of previous measurements, they have created a new material with the aid of the Juelich supercomputer JUROPA.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Brain training reverses age-related cognitive decline
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RwA0TI_0U2E/100720091153.htm
Specialized brain training targeted at the regions of a rat's brain that process sound reversed many aspects of normal, age-related cognitive decline and improved the health of the brain cells, according to a new study.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Beach umbrellas do not block out all solar radiation, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/A_jHKfHt194/100720083252.htm
A team of researchers from Spain has found that 34% of ultraviolet radiation filters through under beach umbrellas. According to the study, umbrellas intercept the full direct flow that comes from the Sun, but not the diffused radiation that penetrates through from the sides.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Air travel no 'significant threat' to cardiovascular health, says new guidance
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rmtctb8SYdY/100719205632.htm
Air travel poses no "significant threat" to cardiovascular health, with few conditions likely to warrant restrictions, concludes new guidance.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Health impacts of Deepwater Horizon disaster on coastal Louisiana residents surveyed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Pd97bk5daLE/100719174907.htm
Researchers have conducted a survey to gain an understanding of the health impacts the ongoing Deepwater Horizon disaster is having on people living in Louisiana's coastal communities.
Wed, 21 Jul 10
Foreign accents make speakers seem less truthful to listeners, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/14AH61M5Lpk/100719164002.htm
A foreign accent undermines a person's credibility in ways that the speaker and the listener don't consciously realize, new research shows. Because an accent makes a person harder to understand, listeners are less likely to find what the person says as truthful, researchers found. The problem of credibility increases with the severity of the accent.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Artificial cells communicate and cooperate like biological cells, ants
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NRKAc0bDwyM/100719142452.htm
Researchers have designed "biologically inspired" artificial cells capable of self-organizing into independent groups that can communicate and cooperate, behaving like complex natural organisms.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Reprogrammed cells 'remember,' retain characteristics of their cells of origin
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8c1xFksMlTA/100719134139.htm
Investigators at the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Regenerative Medicine have confirmed that induced pluripotent stem cells retain some characteristics of the cells from which they were derived, something that could both assist and impede potential clinical and research uses, and find that these cellular "memories" fade and disappear as cell lines are cultured through successive generations.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Adaptation in mole blood aids tunnelling
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ger8-5uBIhs/100719083050.htm
'Super hemoglobin' allows moles to thrive underground. Researchers have made the first identification of an adaptation in the blood of Eastern moles which allows more efficient transport of carbon dioxide, facilitating the moles' burrowing behavior.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Bridging the gender gap: Combined technologies offer promise for detecting colon cancer in women
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bhDPoRgTbIM/100719163241.htm
Researchers have found that combining novel optical technologies with a common colon cancer screening test may allow doctors to more accurately detect the presence of colon cancer, particularly in women. The study combined a polarization-gating optical probe alongside traditional flexible sigmoidoscopy to measure the early increase in blood supply in rectal tissue as a marker for colon cancer.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Bioinformatics used to detect rogue use of synthetic biology
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Eq4hdredYVQ/100719112010.htm
A team of students is using bioinformatics to implement federal guidance on synthetic genomics. The students' work will help gene synthesis companies and their customers better detect the possible use of manufactured DNA as harmful agents for bioterrorism.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Soldiers with brain injuries at higher risk of epilepsy decades later, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mmCmbmXWBo4/100719162633.htm
Soldiers who receive traumatic brain injuries during war may be at a higher risk of epilepsy even decades after the brain injury occurred, according to new research.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Cool roofs can offset carbon dioxide emissions and mitigate global warming, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BFi8O3Q4ttk/100719162945.htm
A new study has found that implementing cool roofs and cool pavements in cities around the world can not only help cities stay cooler, they can also cool the world, with the potential of canceling the heating effect of up to two years of worldwide carbon dioxide emissions.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
New test to predict success of IVF treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LWETdQt9mkY/100719162637.htm
Women who fail to become pregnant after undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment often grapple with the decision of whether to try IVF again. It's a difficult one to make: The procedure carries hefty financial, physical and emotional costs, and there are no guarantees it will work.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Microbial world's use of metals mostly unmapped
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fvJyGLseanI/100719142446.htm
Microbes boast a broader and more diverse array of metal-driven chemical processes than scientists imagined. In fact, most have yet to be discovered, according to a first-of-its-kind technique that catalogs all of the metals in a microbe. The method could lead to innovative clean energy and bioremediation technologies.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Increased waistline and high triglyceride levels indicate risk of coronary heart disease, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ySREr-j8p1A/100719124358.htm
People with a larger waistline and high triglyceride levels are at increased risk of coronary heart disease, according to a new study.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Advance made toward communication, computing at 'terahertz' speeds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gP47OapKHVQ/100719162949.htm
Physicists in the United States and Germany have discovered a way to use a gallium arsenide nanodevice as a signal processor at "terahertz" speeds, the first time it's been used for this purpose and an important step forward in the new world of optical communication and computing.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
MDMA (Ecstasy)-assisted psychotherapy relieves treatment-resistant PTSD, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Bt8xgivBh8c/100719082927.htm
MDMA (also known as Ecstasy), may one day offer hope for individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), even people for whom other treatments have failed. Clinical trial suggests that MDMA can be administered to subjects with PTSD without evidence of harm and could offer sufferers a vital window with reduced fear responses where psychotherapy can take effect.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Of bugs and brains: Gut bacteria affect multiple sclerosis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bH087pUekXo/100719162643.htm
Biologists have demonstrated a connection between multiple sclerosis -- an autoimmune disorder that affects the brain and spinal cord -- and gut bacteria.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Microbicide gel: Reduced risk of HIV and herpes infections in women, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BY1wtjU2aig/100719142444.htm
Researchers have achieved an important scientific breakthrough in the fight against HIV and genital herpes with a vaginal gel that significantly reduces a woman's risk of being infected with these viruses, according to a ground-breaking safety and effectiveness study of an antiretroviral microbicide gel study.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Unearthing King Tet: Key protein influences stem cell fate
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kJgfsPNiYQ8/100718204803.htm
Researchers have discovered that a protein called Tet 1 helps stem cells renew themselves and stay pluripotent -- able to become any type of cell in the body.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Tuning cocaine addiction
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QMOkt64nmSI/100719124400.htm
Reducing the abundance of a set of microRNAs -- small bits of genetic material that influence gene expression -- reduces the urge for a cocaine fix in mice, according to a new study.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Breakthrough in thin-film solar cells: New insights into the indium/gallium puzzle
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KHojILKVgxM/100719083044.htm
Scientists have made a major breakthrough in their search for more efficient thin-film solar cells. Computer simulations designed to investigate the so-called indium/gallium puzzle have highlighted a new way of increasing the efficiency of CIGS thin-film solar cells.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
When climate change becomes a health issue, are people more likely to listen?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5MYQDqZMnnU/100719111957.htm
Framing climate change as a public health problem seems to make the issue more relevant, significant and understandable to members of the public -- even some who don't generally believe climate change is happening, according to new research.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Frog killer caught in the act: DNA barcoding reveals five undiscovered frog species among 30 wiped out by fungal epidemic
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LtCPtGG4ebE/100719162647.htm
The first before-and-after view of an amphibian die-off has just been published. Using DNA barcodes, they showed that the fungal disease that wipes out frogs -- chytridiomycosis -- has killed an estimated 30 species of amphibians in Panama, including five species previously unidentified by scientists.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Stem cells made by reprogramming hold onto their past
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KzThyoNYPh8/100719134137.htm
Adult cells that have been reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) do not completely let go of their past, perhaps limiting their ability to function as a less controversial alternative to embryonic stem cells for basic research and cell replacement therapies, according to researchers at Children's Hospital Boston, John Hopkins University and their colleagues.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Cerebral bioelectricity analysis detects epilepsy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XKd6qvK3rg4/100719083052.htm
Researchers in Spain have developed a new method to analyze the information obtained from electroencephalograms to detect neurodegenerative diseases, such as epilepsy, using the bioelectric signals of the brain.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Breast cancer cells regulate multiple genes in response to estrogen-like compounds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tJrhYuwYrF0/100719162947.htm
Cancer researchers have discovered a previously unknown type of gene regulation and DNA behavior in breast cancer cells that may lead to better insight about environmental exposure to estrogen-like compounds. The study provides the first evidence that cells can regulate many genes at once by looping their DNA, and that this can contribute to cancer when it goes awry.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Mermaid opens prospect of cleaner seas with pollution early warning system
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/z8Rr_pjaB6A/100709101920.htm
Alarm at the massive oil plume in the Gulf of Mexico emphasizes the problem of marine pollution and how difficult it is to evaluate. Thanks to a EUREKA project, another heavily polluted maritime ecosystem, the European North Sea, has been for more than 20 years a test-bed for a highly advanced early-warning system for all types of pollution. This development is now aiding marine authorities around the world to keep seas clean.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Cash rewards with counseling could help prevent STIs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/a-fvkiEcN3U/100718204805.htm
Giving out cash can be an effective tool in combating sexually transmitted infections in rural Africa, according to a new study.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Flower power makes tropics cooler, wetter
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/t2pqEm8PENo/100616133327.htm
The world is a cooler, wetter place because of flowering plants, according to new climate simulation. The effect is especially pronounced in the Amazon basin, where replacing flowering plants with non-flowering varieties would result in an 80 percent decrease in the area covered by ever-wet rainforest.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Discovery suggests possible treatment strategy for aggressive leukemias
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1YIujVFCIFo/100718204801.htm
Researchers have identified a mechanism that could explain how patients move into the worst phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Their findings implicate a protein called Mushashi that prevents cells from maturing, creating a large population of immature cells, which is one of the hallmarks of CML.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
'Violin fungus' genetically decoded
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3Kk_LuNwyG8/100719124414.htm
An international team has sequenced the genome of the common split gill mushroom, Schizophyllum commune, a widely distributed fungus which grows on and decomposes wood. It is this ability which scientists have exploited to improve the tonal qualities of wood used to make violins.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Prostate cancer risk variant found to be in a functional DNA sequence linked with disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jUn-BXxN-FI/100712171703.htm
Recent genetic association studies have uncovered a number of DNA variants associated with prostate cancer. However, some of these risk variants lie outside of genes, posing a challenge to researchers working to understand the biology of cancer. In a new study, researchers have characterized a functional DNA element associated with prostate cancer, lending new insight into the molecular mechanisms of the disease.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Pear pest's chemical 'come hither' identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WfEUO95I5NY/100702152417.htm
Pear psylla is a cicada-like pest with a vexing tendency to develop resistance to insecticides. But now, a new weapon could be in the works. Scientists have jointly identified a key component of the female psylla's chemical sex attractant, or pheromone, which could set the stage for luring amorous males to their doom.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Point-of-sale advertising major cause of teen smoking, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_izoXppJvHI/100718204729.htm
Researchers report that teens' exposure to cigarette advertising at retail outlets substantially increases the odds they will start smoking. According to the findings, students who visited these stores on a regular basis were at least twice as likely to try smoking as those who visited infrequently.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Cultured brain cells taught to keep time
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OHDGDYTSKFg/100615093246.htm
Scientists have tested whether networks of brain cells kept alive in culture could be "trained" to keep time. The findings suggest that networks of brain cells can learn to generate simple timed intervals.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
How technology may improve treatment for children with brain cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JZZZ2WYYQEs/100718204727.htm
A new study shows that children with brain tumors who undergo radiation therapy (the application of X-rays to kill cancerous cells and shrink tumors) may benefit from a technique known as "intensity modulated arc therapy" or IMAT.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Small fish exploits forbidding environment, turns jellyfish into dinner
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kVxwVuzVvkY/100715152853.htm
Jellyfish moved into the oceans off the coast of southwest Africa when the sardine population crashed. Now another small fish is living in the oxygen-depleted zone part-time and turning the once ecologically dead-end jellyfish into dinner, according to an international team of scientists.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
New findings on troubling side effects of Parkinson’s medication
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xyqfqeRrMzo/100719083048.htm
One in every 100 elderly people suffers from Parkinson’s disease, a disease of the nervous system with symptoms including stiffness and shaking. The standard medication used to treat Parkinson’s is Levodopa, a drug that initially has major benefits but can later also produce serious side effects in the form of involuntary, jerky movements. A research group has now found a way to study what it is in the brain that causes these side effects.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
June was the fourth consecutive month that was warmest on record
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Rx8Z3tFVYYQ/100718233311.htm
June was the fourth consecutive month that was the warmest on record for the combined global land and surface temperatures (March, April, and May were also the warmest). This was the 304th consecutive month with a combined global land and surface temperature above the 20th century average. The last month with below average temperatures was February 1985.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Battlefield psychologists investigate stress in combat and after
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gUs1QAq8pE0/100719112006.htm
People confronted with acute stress -- daily rocket attacks -- tend to dissociate from threats instead of becoming more vigilant, according to a new study. This research overturns accepted convention and may lead to better understanding of the mechanisms underlying acute stress reactions.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Getting mosquitoes under control: Gene-silencing nanoparticles may put end to pesky summer pest
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gOJN7T_UmBM/100719112008.htm
Summer just wouldn't be complete without mosquitoes nipping at exposed skin. Or would it? New research may help solve a problem that scientists and pest controllers have been itching to for years. Scientists have developed a way to use nanoparticles to deliver double-stranded ribonucleic acid to silence genes in mosquito larvae.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Melting DNA into a barcode
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SgV7PxwE7F0/100719083046.htm
A completely new method for producing an image of individual DNA molecules’ genetic make-up has been developed. According to the researchers, the technique could be used to find out more easily whether someone is carrying a genetic predisposition to certain diseases.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
High-speed study of zebrafish larvae: New technique can analyze larvae in seconds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kpEyT8eolU8/100718204737.htm
With the aim of speeding up the process of studying zebrafish larvae and enabling large-scale studies, engineers have developed a new technique that can analyze the larvae in seconds.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
What protects farm children from hay fever? Protective substance may slumber in cowshed dust
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/q6P0X4pBmxE/100719090936.htm
Researchers in Germany have isolated the substance in cowshed dust that possibly protects farm children from developing allergies and allergic asthma -- namely the plant sugar molecule arabinogalactan. If high concentrations are inhaled during the first year of life, it inhibits the immune system from excessive defense reactions. There are large quantities of this molecule in forage crops such as the Meadow Foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis). Researchers have now demonstrated experimentally that the molecule affects immune system cells.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
Rising carbon dioxide and 'acidified' waters found in Puget Sound, off Seattle US
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vwybf79W2GI/100718234139.htm
Scientists have discovered that the water chemistry in the Hood Canal and the Puget Sound main basin is becoming more "acidified," or corrosive, as the ocean absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. These changes could have considerable impacts on the region's shellfish industry over the next several decades.
Tue, 20 Jul 10
First concrete evidence that women are better multitaskers than men
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/l4Rju4u2w8I/100719083042.htm
Researchers have now shown that women can multitask more effectively than men.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
Vaccine-delivery patch with dissolving microneedles eliminates 'sharps,' boosts protection
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/n2ebySlgMbE/100718204733.htm
A new vaccine-delivery patch based on hundreds of microscopic needles that dissolve into the skin could allow persons without medical training to painlessly administer vaccines -- while providing improved immunization against diseases such as influenza.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
New principle discovered for how muscle pain is signaled
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JnsauiMghSU/100624091755.htm
Chronic muscular pain may be linked to a previously unknown principle for how pain signals are transmitted in the human body, according to new research from Sweden.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
Old males rule the roost even as sex drive fades
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1EntnH0-p7c/100713151315.htm
Old roosters can still dominate the sexual pecking order even when their ability to fertilize eggs drastically declines, new research has shown.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
Obesity is associated with reduced sensitivity to fat
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gDo8F9HLIvk/100713011045.htm
New research found marked differences between obese and lean men in how they respond to the taste of fat. Fat also is less effective in obese men in stimulating certain gut hormones that are released into the bloodstream and normally suppress appetite.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
'Business as usual' crop development won't satisfy future demand, research finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MBom_gB-Z6w/100707180930.htm
Although global grain production must double by 2050 to address rising population and demand, new data suggests crop yields will suffer unless new approaches to adapt crop plants to climate change are adopted. Improved agronomic traits responsible for the remarkable increases in yield accomplished during the past 50 years have reached their ceiling for some of the world's most important crops.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
Major league pitchers 34 percent more likely to be injured than fielders, new study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/molmnhr6f6I/100718204725.htm
Watch out if you are a Major League Baseball pitcher prior to the All-Star break. Pitchers are 34 percent more likely to be injured than fielders, according to new research. The study looked into the epidemiology of MLB players' injuries from 2002-2008. It also found that 77 percent of all injuries to pitchers happen before the All-Star game.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
Unusual electrons go with the flow
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/08A-n41FvBI/100714162141.htm
On a quest to discover new states of matter, a team of scientists has found that electrons on the surface of specific materials act like miniature superheroes, relentlessly dodging the cliff-like obstacles of imperfect microsurfaces, sometimes moving straight through barriers.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
Greater obesity in offspring of nursing mothers consuming a high-fat diet
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/D9AYq5ZIAC8/100713011047.htm
The future health of offspring is more negatively impacted when their mothers consume a high fat diet while nursing compared with high-fat diet consumption during pregnancy, according to animal research.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
How cranberry juice fights bacteria at the molecular level
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AE3Wg9xZoks/100715152907.htm
Revealing the science behind the homespun advice, researchers have identified and measured the molecular forces that enable cranberry juice to fight off urinary tract infections. The research illuminates the basic mechanics of E. coli infections, which has implications for developing new antibiotic drugs and infection-resistant materials for invasive medical devices.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
HIV/AIDS treatment curbs spread of HIV among drug users, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0PpG7e13jkk/100718204811.htm
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), currently known for its therapeutic benefits against HIV, also reduced the spread of the virus among people with a history of injection drug use, according to new research.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
Refining a cosmic clock: Particle accelerator research helps narrow down the age of our galaxy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tPG3OJydk3A/100715172008.htm
A study of processes that affect the abundance of osmium will reduce the uncertainty that has plagued measurements of the age of the Milky Way.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
Nectar reduction in Petunia: it doesn't pay to cheat
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lBNJcWW1rvI/100713091439.htm
A researcher in Switzerland has bred a new line of petunia that produces significantly more seeds and less nectar than normal petunia. The downside of these positive changes is that pollinators spend less time visiting petunias that offer less nectar, which results in a lower seed production. The work shows that the cost-benefit ratio for the plant remains neutral.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
Part of the brain that tracks limbs in space discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5eJ5-lka7RY/100715123406.htm
Scientists have discovered the part of the brain that tracks the position of our limbs as we move through space. When a mosquito lands on your hand, you can rapidly and effortlessly make a movement of the other hand to brush it away, even in darkness. But performing this seemingly simple action involves a surprisingly complex coordination of different types of sensory information in order for your brain to construct a constantly updated 'map' of the body in space.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
A high-fat diet alters crucial aspects of brain dopamine signaling
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2nxAYZ1bS2A/100713011053.htm
Prolonged exposure to a high fat diet is correlated with changes in the brain chemical dopamine within the striatum, a critical component of the brain's reward system according to new research.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
NASA's WISE mission completes extensive sky survey
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ecsU95tVRQc/100718214951.htm
NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, completed its first survey of the entire sky on July 17, 2010. The mission has generated more than one million images so far, of everything from asteroids to distant galaxies.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
No heart benefit from Omega-3 in women with type 1 diabetes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EmYa6yCrLt4/100627093603.htm
Consuming higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acids does not appear to lower heart disease risk for women with type 1 diabetes, according to new research.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
Role of RNA polymerase in gene transcription demonstrated
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XwUccfY7noE/100715111559.htm
Biophysicists have provided new insight into the mechanisms of gene transcription. They developed a computer model to simulate how the transcription of RNA from DNA is initiated and demonstrate the active role that RNA polymerase plays. Understanding the mechanisms of gene transcription is an important step in deciphering the role of genetics in disease.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
Peer drug use may increase a genetically susceptible individual's tendency to use drugs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZmGTwsFkfLQ/100621121354.htm
The nature-nurture debate is usually about how much of something is due to our genes and how much is caused by our environment. New research shows that the case is more complicated for young women who smoke, drink, or use drugs, for two related reasons.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
Bright stars of the brain regulate breathing
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uG3pFaeKT3o/100715152857.htm
Astrocytes -- brain cells named after their characteristic star-shape and previously thought to act only as the 'glue' between neurons -- have a central role in the regulation of breathing, according to scientists. The finding provides a new dimension for research into fundamental principles of brain organization and function and may be relevant for understanding causes of devastating conditions associated with respiratory failure such as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
More than half the world's population gets insufficient vitamin D, says biochemist
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Hvzin5hsnTQ/100715172042.htm
Vitamin D surfaces as a news topic every few months. How much daily vitamin D should a person get? According to an international expert on vitamin D, half the people in North America and Western Europe get insufficient amounts of the vitamin. Elsewhere, the situation is worse.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
See beautiful Ontario Lacus: Cassini's guided tour
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MG1zq17GA98/100718215301.htm
Ontario Lacus, the largest lake in the southern hemisphere of Saturn's moon Titan, turns out to be a perfect exotic vacation spot, provided you can handle the frosty, subzero temperatures and enjoy soaking in liquid hydrocarbon.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
Gene responsible for population disparity in kidney failure, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QmbFx02cg_E/100715091658.htm
Chronic kidney disease affects millions in North America, with persons of African heritage being at a four-fold higher risk and those of Hispanic heritage having a two-fold higher risk compared to the rest of the population. An international study points to the APOL1 gene as involved in the increased risk of kidney disease in this high-risk population.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
Knowledge gaps for 20 suspected carcinogens outlined
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JIHI9ajyplE/100715111430.htm
A new report identifies gaps in research for 20 suspected carcinogens whose potential to cause cancer is as yet unresolved. The report is designed to prioritize agents for additional research, and to lead to well-planned epidemiologic or mechanistic studies leading to more definitive classification of these agents.
Mon, 19 Jul 10
Media coverage responsible for growth in vaccination rates
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PDrsJBZ2BIM/100623190728.htm
Mass media coverage of flu-related topics such as vaccine shortages and delays appears to boost overall vaccination rates and prompt people to get their shots earlier in the flu season. On average, national news reports involving the flu are estimated to increase annual vaccination rates by as many an 8 percentage points.
Sun, 18 Jul 10
Remarkable fossil cave shows how ancient marsupials grew
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YTME8eo57zI/100715105951.htm
The discovery of a remarkable 15-million-year-old Australian fossil limestone cave packed with even older animal bones has revealed almost the entire life cycle of a large prehistoric marsupial, from suckling young in the pouch still cutting their milk teeth to elderly adults.
Sun, 18 Jul 10
Researchers find way to make cancer cells more mortal
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LmZzmuhvTak/100716125637.htm
Researchers have discovered a way to help cancer cells age and die, creating a promising avenue for slowing and even stopping the growth of tumors.
Sun, 18 Jul 10
Novel microfluidic HIV test is quick and cheap
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0sd9oZwNF5s/100716154419.htm
Biomedical engineers have developed a "lab on a chip" device for HIV testing. The test integrates an antibody microarray with a lensfree holographic imaging device that takes only seconds to count the number of captured T-cells and amount of secreted cytokine molecules. The test returns results six to 12 times faster than traditional approaches and tests six parameters simultaneously, based on a small blood sample.
Sun, 18 Jul 10
Anti-cancer effects of broccoli ingredient explained
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Y421-cKZaBQ/100712191208.htm
Light has been cast on the interaction between broccoli consumption and reduced prostate cancer risk. Researchers have found that sulforaphane, a chemical found in broccoli, interacts with cells lacking a gene called PTEN to reduce the chances of prostate cancer developing.
Sun, 18 Jul 10
Fungi's role in the cycle of life discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/LHKnySOjybc/100715130159.htm
The nitrogen cycle is the natural process that makes nitrogen available to all organisms on earth. Scientists have discovered that one of the world's most common and ecologically important groups of fungi plays an unsuspected role in this key natural cycle.
Sun, 18 Jul 10
Making virtopsies a reality: New research project to develop reliable and cost-effective virtual autopsies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KONF5L2vruA/100628075742.htm
A new research project is set to play a vital role in continuing research into viable alternatives to invasive autopsies, which many families find to be unpleasant.
Sun, 18 Jul 10
How memory is disrupted in those with disease linked to learning disabilities
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oPkEU05R0DI/100716125843.htm
Imagine if your brain lost its working memory -- the ability to hold and manipulate information in your mind's eye. That's the plight faced by millions of people with neurofibromatosis type 1, or NF1. Now a UCLA research team has uncovered new clues about how NF1 disrupts working memory. Their findings suggest a potential drug target for correcting NF1-related learning disabilities.
Sun, 18 Jul 10
Are teen binge drinkers risking future osteoporosis?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/04WeN6QCIjI/100713011057.htm
Binge-drinking teenagers may be putting themselves at risk for future osteoporosis and bone fractures, according to new research.
Sun, 18 Jul 10
Concentration, timing and interactions are key when it comes to dietary compounds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QZKCbOIHR8k/100716125647.htm
Chemists who specializes in cancer prevention research have reported evidence that for some dietary compounds, length of exposure over time may be key to whether or not ingestion leads to a beneficial, or detrimental, effect.
Sun, 18 Jul 10
New recommendations issued for use of cetuximab in colon cancer therapy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wKQWBE7MSOw/100716140915.htm
New recommendations on the use of the drug cetuximab have been issued after officials halted enrollment in a phase III clinical trial in patients with spread of colon cancer into regional lymph nodes whose tumors had been surgically removed. ongoing analysis during the clinical trial found that patients receiving the combination therapy had no significant improvement in survival compared to standard therapy.
Sun, 18 Jul 10
Cell signaling classification system gives researchers new tool
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Uh4sHQD6oqg/100702152413.htm
Using ever-growing genome data, scientists are tracing the evolution of the bacterial regulatory system that controls cellular motility, potentially giving researchers a method for predicting important cellular functions that will impact both medical and biotechnology research.
Sun, 18 Jul 10
Secret to sniffing out a safe supper
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uH5oHoWYRik/100715123404.htm
When mice smell the scent of food on the breath of their fellow mice, they use that experience to decide what's safe to eat in the future. Key in that learning process is the pairing of a particular odor with a chemical ingredient found in mouse breath, scientists knew. What they didn't know was how mice manage to sniff that connection out. According to new study, now they do.
Sun, 18 Jul 10
Universal flu vaccine moving closer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4meY9-79-w8/100716125837.htm
A universal influenza vaccine -- so-called because it could potentially provide protection from all flu strains for decades -- may become a reality.
Sun, 18 Jul 10
Scientists identify molecular predictor of prognosis for pancreatic cancer patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-rYfxCXy-JE/100713171601.htm
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging tumors to treat. Identifying patients who have more aggressive disease could better inform treatment decisions and predict survival prognosis. A new finding may help.
Sun, 18 Jul 10
Scientists Mount a 'Sting Operation' in Thailand to Tackle a Devastating Pest Outbreak
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/f_r0eUV55zE/100716125416.htm
In the start of a carefully crafted emergency campaign to thwart a pest outbreak that is wreaking havoc on Thailand's vital cassava production, agricultural researchers will release a quarter of a million parasitic wasps in the northeastern part of the country.
Sun, 18 Jul 10
Does the existing standard of care supply energy sources to brain tumor cells?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1e9pJYlBIr8/100714112834.htm
Examining a decade's worth of research, biochemists report that the medical standard of care for the most common form of brain cancer may actually feed tumor cells the energy sources they need to survive or recur.
Sun, 18 Jul 10
New potential biocontrol for skunk vine identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Z6oIaSAkpZg/100713111736.htm
A new beetle that could be used to control the invasive weed skunk vine has been identified.
Sun, 18 Jul 10
Researchers envision better disease surveillance to improve public health
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KWRo1uFpSxk/100713101410.htm
With current public health threats ranging from swine flu to bioterrorism to environmental contamination, innovations that better predict disease outbreaks have vast potential to protect the public. Researchers describe their vision for the future of disease surveillance, detailing innovations on the horizon that may facilitate earlier detection and improved public health preparedness.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Mayan king's tomb discovered in Guatemala
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RnAZmTZdrfE/100716222231.htm
A well-preserved tomb of an ancient Mayan king has been discovered in Guatemala. The tomb is packed with carvings, ceramics, textiles, and the bones of six children, who may have been sacrificed at the time of the king's death.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Redundant genetic instructions in 'junk DNA' support healthy development
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wdHobry7Xy4/100716125835.htm
Seemingly redundant portions of the fruit fly genome may not be so redundant after all. Repeated instructional regions in the flies' DNA may contribute to normal development under less-than-ideal growth conditions by making sure that genes are turned on and off at the appropriate times, according to new research. If similar regions are found in humans, they may hold important clues to understanding developmental disorders.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Chemists grow crystals with a twist -- and untwist
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fAXQUDdnj40/100716125641.htm
Chemists have created crystals that can twist and untwist, pointing to a much more varied process of crystal growth than previously thought. Their work may explain some of the properties of high-polymers, which are used in clothing and liquid crystal displays, among other consumer products.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Model predicts individual's vitamin D needs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jk9Sg0r3hq0/100618112133.htm
Your skin tone and the amount of sunshine you receive -- in addition to what foods you eat -- all can influence the amount of vitamin D that your body has on hand for optimum health. Scientists have now developed a preliminary model that predicts an individual's vitamin D requirements.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Quantum simulations uncover hydrogen's phase transitions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PQlFsKV2EZ0/100623165125.htm
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and is a major component of giant planets such as Jupiter and Saturn. But not much is known about what happens to this abundant element under high-pressure conditions when it transforms from one state to another.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
The image in the mirror and the number on the scale both count
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/r3yT9rPHCsQ/100628124607.htm
Adolescent girls who think they are overweight, but are not, are at more risk for depression than girls who are overweight and know it, according to sociologists.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Breakthrough achieved in explaining why tectonic plates move the way they do
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/k7D1_7aueRU/100716125841.htm
Geophysicists have developed a new theory to explain the global motions of tectonic plates on the earth's surface. The new theory extends the theory of plate tectonics -- a kinematic description of plate motion without reference to the forces behind it -- with a dynamical theory that provides a physical explanation for both the motions of tectonic plates as well as motion of plate boundaries.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
New toxin may be key to MRSA severity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/f-TX7B6Jmno/100716222228.htm
A research project to identify all the surface proteins of USA300 -- the most common community-associated strain of the methicillin-resistant form of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus -- has resulted in the identification and isolation of a plentiful new toxin that laboratory studies indicate is a potent killer of human immune cells. Scientists say the toxin could be a key factor in the severity of MRSA infections in otherwise healthy people.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Nature's insect repellents discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ClafhxS35mA/100716125645.htm
Two compounds emitted by mosquito predators that make the mosquitoes less inclined to lay eggs in pools of water may provide new environmentally friendly tactics for repelling and controlling disease-carrying insects.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Investigators perfect new version of blood-regulator thrombin
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pU0KvQfIS0Q/100618112137.htm
Molecular biologists have discovered a way to harness the enzyme thrombin's anti-blood clotting properties.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Sound creates light: Researchers transfer ultra-stable frequency across 480-km optical fiber link
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Z_ysBJWBD8M/100623104438.htm
Researchers in Germany have found an elegant solution to transmit an optical frequency with extreme precision: they employ fiber Brillouin amplification. The new method simplifies the comparison of newly developed optical clocks and it is likely to have applications in other areas where precise synchronization is needed, for example in radio astronomy. Experts in geodesy have already approached the researchers with suggestions for joint projects.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Abnormal brain activity in migraineurs is not restricted to attacks
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EYDFaQVH_zY/100623085526.htm
Typically, migraine is considered to be an episodic disorder with discrete attacks of headache. But new research has found increased network activity -- stronger functional connectivity -- bilaterally in the visual, auditory and sensorimotor network in migraineurs.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Astronomers discover an unusual cosmic lens
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/z6yE2TEj9q4/100716085631.htm
Astronomers have discovered the first known case of a distant galaxy being magnified by a quasar acting as a gravitational lens.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Improving clinical use of stem cells to repair heart damage
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CHe9ziStZoY/100713101408.htm
Researchers have presented a new approach to treating heart attack and cardiomyopathy using stem cells. The team has discovered a way to identify heart stem cells so as to purify them for transplant.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Cancer drugs may help stop major parasite
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IDRKkNQ7HUc/100716125839.htm
A parasite estimated to afflict as many as 12 million people worldwide relies on a family of genes that should make it vulnerable to compounds developed to treat cancer and other disorders, researchers have found.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
New method of tissue banking makes gene analysis more practical for lung cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TI6d9HS9UJg/100715123416.htm
Analyzing the genes expressed by cancer cells allows for a better understanding of that patient's specific disease and in turn, a more personalized approach to treatment. But obtaining the RNA from a tumor in the lungs in order to conduct the genetic analysis is a challenging prospect. Currently, lung cancer researchers are limited to using RNA extracted from early-stage tumors removed during surgery.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Fungi's genetic sabotage in wheat discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6_xaYjEMEkk/100713101414.htm
Using molecular techniques, scientists have shown how the subversion of a single gene in wheat by two fungal foes triggers a kind of cellular suicide in the grain crop's leaves.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Studies explore effects of war on former child soldiers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EzJwZPM96OA/100715090640.htm
Two studies found that how child soldiers adapt upon returning home depends on the communities they return to. The first study, of 150 former child soldiers in Sierra Leone, found that children who lived in communities where they felt accepted were less depressed and more confident. The second study, of 330 former Ugandan child soldiers, found that the most resilient children were those who returned to less violent communities and better family socioeconomic situations.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Mice cages can alter rodents’ brains and skew research results, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0MccyBz2a5w/100716140919.htm
Researchers have found that the type of cage lab mice are kept in can physically change their brains and dramatically alter test data.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
New discovery brings hope to treatment of incurable blood cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WkmzUHXML2A/100716125639.htm
Multiple myeloma is one of the most common blood cancers, and at present considered to be incurable. Researchers now present a conceptually new model for the development and progression of multiple myeloma.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Old theory of phytoplankton growth overturned, raise concerns for ocean productivity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xnhxXnoMvDU/100716140917.htm
A new study concludes that an old, fundamental and widely accepted theory of how and why phytoplankton bloom in the oceans is incorrect. The findings challenge more than 50 years of conventional wisdom about the growth of phytoplankton, which are the ultimate basis for almost all ocean life and major fisheries. And they also raise concerns that global warming, rather than stimulating ocean productivity, may actually curtail it in some places.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Less salt for everybody
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rrgy-QaPuLI/100715091702.htm
Restricting the amount of sodium chloride in food can lower the risk of cardiovascular morbidities, according to a new study.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Small wires make big connections for microelectronics
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lLxQW7aPmFY/100715172012.htm
Engineers have developed a novel direct-writing method for manufacturing metal interconnects that could shrink integrated circuits and expand microelectronics. The technique produces tiny pure metal wires much smaller in diameter than traditional wires and requiring two orders of magnitude less bonding area. This could enable more complex integrated functions in microelectronics.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Apathy and depression predict progression from mild cognitive impairment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/que8rTtHE7E/100712115100.htm
A new study found that apathy and depression significantly predict an individual's progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a disorder of the brain that affects nerve cells involved in thinking abilities, to dementia, including Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Record-breaking carbon dioxide storage capacity enhances ability to capture CO2
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ajayvq9Q8dQ/100715172044.htm
Chemists report the "ultimate porosity of a nano material" and records for carbon dioxide storage capacity and porosity in an important class of materials known as MOFs. Porosity in materials is essential for capturing carbon dioxide. This research could lead to cleaner energy and the ability to capture heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions before they reach the atmosphere, which contribute to global warming, rising sea levels and the increased acidity of oceans.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Genetic ancestry data improve diagnosis in asthma and lung disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SYSf_HVbmu8/100712103602.htm
Researchers have found that patients' precise genetic background told far more about their potential lung function -- and therefore any damage that has occurred -- than the self-identified racial profile commonly used in such tests. The results point to a more precise method of assessing patients' lung function, as well as the potential impact of using precise genetic benchmarks for assessing health overall.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Why walking flat-footed hurts habitual high-heels wearers: The effects of wearing high heals on women's legs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lBqE0EsO4Gw/100715194407.htm
Why does it hurt walking flat-footed after wearing high heels? Researchers looked at the calf muscles of habitual high heel wearers and found that the women's muscle fibers were shorter and their Achilles' tendons much thicker, so their tendons are stiffer and harder to stretch, which makes walking flat-footed uncomfortable after wearing high heels.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Arthroscopic treatment of common hip problem allows athletes to return to play, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Qg2R_QJsSBk/100715123408.htm
Patients who undergo arthroscopic surgery for a mechanical disorder of the hip have a good chance of being able to return to their sport at a high level of competition, according to a new study.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
New radiation mechanism may ward off cancer, oil spills and terrorism
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9r28TiMU8Uk/100715105953.htm
Radiation similar to that used to treat cancer may someday help clean up environmental disasters such as the Gulf oil spill and detect explosive powder hidden underneath clothing.
Sat, 17 Jul 10
Young children especially vulnerable to effects of 9/11
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/aRFRoPPKcr4/100715090645.htm
Two longitudinal studies examine the relationship of maternal PTSD and depression to the mental health and behavior of children who were affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The first study found that preschoolers of mothers who experienced PTSD and depression symptoms exhibited more clinically significant behavior problems. The second study found that direct exposure to 9/11 played a small but significant role in explaining the prevalence of the mothers' and adolescents' PTSD and depression rates.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Human sperm gene is 600 million years old, scientists discover
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/K5_301MnqZo/100715172000.htm
There is one sex-specific gene so vital, its function has remained unaltered throughout evolution and is found in almost all animals, according to new research. The gene, called Boule, is responsible for sperm production and appears to be the only gene exclusively required for sperm production from an insect to a mammal. All animal sperm production likely comes from a common prototype.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Stroke risk temporarily increases for an hour after drinking alcohol, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/W3WvZp0d-VA/100715162910.htm
The risk for stroke doubles in the hour after drinking beer, wine or liquor, according to a small study. Researchers note, however, that moderate alcohol consumption (less than two drinks a day) appears to be protective over the long-term which may outweigh this temporary rise in immediate risk.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Reinventing the wheel -- naturally
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rEQS7B37RMA/100614074832.htm
Humans did not invent the wheel. Nature did. While the evolution from the Neolithic solid stone wheel with a single hole for an axle to the sleek wheels of today's racing bikes can be seen as the result of human ingenuity, it also represents how animals, including humans, have come to move more efficiently and quicker over millions of years on Earth, according to an expert.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Hungry cells, on a binge, know their own limits
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZCz8lWGv8Nk/100714104237.htm
Cells that consume parts of themselves can stop this process autonomously as well, according to new research. The self-cannibalism is part of the normal digestive process of the cell, but also a survival mechanism in times of famine. This is what makes it difficult for doctors to 'starve out' cancer cells, for instance.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Researchers cut years from drug development with nanoscopic bead technology
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/X0Vqanw5CkY/100715123412.htm
New research confirms that a revolutionary technology will slash years off the time it takes to develop drugs -- bringing vital new treatments to patients much more quickly. Lab-on-Bead uses tiny beads studded with "pins" that match a drug to a disease marker in a single step, so researchers can test an infinite number of possibilities for treatments all at once. When Lab-on-Bead makes a match, it has found a viable treatment for a specific disease -- speeding up drug discovery by as much as 10,000 times and cutting out years of testing and re-testing in the laboratory.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Meditation helps increase attention span
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/W01y8JwbsvQ/100714121737.htm
It's nearly impossible to pay attention to one thing for a long time. A new study looks at whether Buddhist meditation can improve a person's ability to be attentive and finds that meditation training helps people do better at focusing for a long time on a task that requires them to distinguish small differences between things they see.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Global warming slows coral growth in Red Sea
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4IQQJQJUPZ4/100715152909.htm
In a pioneering use of computed tomography (CT) scans, scientists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) have discovered that carbon dioxide (CO2)-induced global warming is in the process of killing off a major coral species in the Red Sea.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Skin cells could help discover cause of Parkinson's disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rWLdzOM3nqs/100713191221.htm
Researchers are applying new stem cell technology to use skin samples to grow the brain cells thought to be responsible for the onset of Parkinson's disease.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
DNA discovery opens new door to develop tools, therapies for hereditary cancers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wFnT9CJTE10/100708122613.htm
Researchers have revealed new avenues to develop assessment tools and alternative treatments for people living with hereditary colorectal cancers.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Toward making 'extended blood group typing' more widely available
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-9GeDTEMGYo/100714121739.htm
Scientists are reporting an advance toward enabling more blood banks to adopt so-called "extended blood group typing," which increases transfusion safety by better matching donors and recipients.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Nanotubes pass acid test
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jeOUG08_mvA/100714141538.htm
Scientists have unveiled a new method for dissolving half-millimeter-long carbon nanotubes in solution, a critical step toward the spinning of fibers from ultralong nanotubes. The breakthrough is a promising development on the road to scalable methods for making strong, ultralight, highly conductive materials like the "armchair quantum wire," a new type of cable that could revolutionize power distribution.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Using domestic spoons to give children medicine increases overdose risk, doctors warn
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_9n5f-LQyG4/100714084111.htm
Parents are being urged not to use domestic spoons to give children medicine after a study found significant differences in capacity. A parent using one of the biggest domestic teaspoons would be giving their child 192 per cent more medicine than a parent using the smallest teaspoon and the difference was 100 per cent for the tablespoons. This increases the chance of a child receiving an overdose or indeed too little medication.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Rescuing fruit flies from Alzheimer's disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HGoSeYu48MQ/100715172014.htm
Fruit fly males -- in which the activity of an Alzheimer's disease protein is reduced by 50 percent -- show impairments in learning and memory as they age, scientists have found. What's more, the researchers were able to prevent the age-related deficits by treating the flies with drugs such as lithium, or by genetic manipulations that reduced nerve-cell signaling.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Insight into why low calorie diet can extend lifespan -- even if adopted later in life
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ab4OYyrR8ks/100715193749.htm
Research is providing new insight into why a restricted diet can lead to a longer lifespan and reduced incidence of age-related diseases for a wide variety of animals. Scientists have known for some time that a restricted diet can extend the lifespan of certain animals but this work shows how it affects aging mechanisms - and significantly has also shown that the effects occur even if the restricted diet is adopted later in life.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Wood smoke exposure multiplies damage from smoking, increases risk of COPD
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5OEvyEBqrlo/100715090651.htm
Smokers who are exposed to wood smoke, either through home heating and cooking or through ambient neighborhood pollution, are not only at increased risk of COPD, but are also more likely to have epigenetic changes in the DNA that further increase their risk of COPD and related pulmonary problems.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
New treatment for crippling diabetic Charcot foot
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/di5838P7DKI/100714083643.htm
The alarming increase of morbidly obese diabetics is causing more new cases of a debilitating foot deformity called Charcot foot. But a surgical technique that secures foot bones with an external frame has enabled more than 90 percent of patients to walk normally again.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
What plant genes tell us about crop domestication
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AVRt8hoqqsE/100707162043.htm
Archeobotanists argue that plant domestication involved much trial and error in many different geographic regions over a long period of time. A genetic technique that allows domesticated and wild strains of the same plant to be compared shows that domestication requires only simple genetic changes. Yet the findings don't contradict the archeobotanical data.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
How psychiatric risk gene disrupts brain development
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1rxvWW4rBpA/100714131236.htm
Scientists are making progress towards a better understanding of the neuropathology associated with debilitating psychiatric illnesses like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. New research reveals mechanisms that connect a known psychiatric risk gene to disruptions in brain cell proliferation and migration during development.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
New revelations about Mercury's volcanism, magnetic substorms and exosphere from MESSENGER
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iF4laNjMwT4/100715152855.htm
Analysis of data from MESSENGER's third and final flyby of Mercury in September 2009 has revealed evidence of younger volcanism on the innermost planet than previously recognized, new information about magnetic substorms, and the first observations of emission from an ionized species in Mercury's very thin atmosphere or exosphere.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Mechanism for link between high fat diet and risk of prostate cancer and disorders unveiled
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vWlo7_us4_E/100714151751.htm
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men, and diet is considered one of the most important controllable risk factors for inflammation and prostate diseases including benign prostatic hyperplsia (BPH), prostatitis, and prostate cancer. A new study sheds light on the mechanisms of the deleterious effects of a high fat diet on the prostate.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Luteolin stars in study of healthful plant compounds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nQ4Pviai00Y/100708141622.htm
New studies are providing some of the missing details about how natural compounds in plants may protect us against inflammation.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
New role for the JNK protein: Long known to help cells respond to stress, JNK also controls cell cycle
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TnwiNlef3_A/100714121741.htm
New findings show that JNK, a protein already well known for other duties, also regulates the cell cycle.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Bacterial diversity of Tablas de Daimiel National Park in Spain: 265 new phylum groups discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/h2ZkTv9po7E/100706082100.htm
A team of Spanish scientists has studied the bacteria - micro organisms that are "essential" for important processes such as nitrogen and carbon-fixing and decomposition of matter - in the Tablas de Daimiel National Park. The scientists discovered 265 new phylum groups by using DNA analysis.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
'Tough love' no good for obesity interventions, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VwqGTTvcXmU/100714192239.htm
Obese people support lifestyle-change interventions, rather than those that purely promote weight loss. Researchers interviewed 142 obese people about their opinions on interventions ranging from gastric bands to legal regulation, finding that non-commercial, non-stigmatizing techniques were preferred.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
First malaria-proof mosquito: Genetic manipulation renders them completely immune to the parasite
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Z9yC9Z8TPzs/100715172002.htm
For years, researchers worldwide have attempted to create genetically altered mosquitoes that cannot infect humans with malaria. Those efforts fell short because the mosquitoes still were capable of transmitting the disease-causing pathogen, only in lower numbers. Now for the first time, entomologists have succeeded in genetically altering mosquitoes in a way that renders them completely immune to the parasite.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
How human immune response to virus is triggered at the atomic level
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xp7OzhS1e1s/100715123410.htm
A team of biochemists has identified the molecular mechanism by which an immune response is triggered by the invading viruses, according to recent research.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Database for personalised cancer treatment: Largest study of genomes and cancer treatments releases first results
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Bpaju37mwdA/100715152901.htm
The largest study to correlate genetics with response to cancer drugs releases its first results. The researchers behind the study describe in this initial dataset the responses of 350 cancer samples to 18 anticancer therapeutics. These first results will help cancer researchers around the world to seek better understanding of cancer genetics and could help to improve treatment regimens.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Gene associated with kidney disease in African-American population identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dMN-zvWw0WI/100715152851.htm
A scientific team discovers a genetic explanation for the high incidence of kidney disease among African Americans.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Giant antenna propped up, ready for joint replacement
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xSINtmA-mSM/100715130028.htm
Workers at NASA's Deep Space Network complex in Goldstone, Calif., have been making precise, laser-assisted measurements to ensure a flat surface for pouring new grout as part of a major renovation on the 70-meter-wide (230-foot-wide) "Mars antenna." While officially dubbed Deep Space Station 14, the antenna picked up the Mars name from its first task: tracking NASA's Mariner 4 spacecraft, which had been lost by smaller antennas after its historic flyby of Mars.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Sri Lankan children affected by war, tsunami, daily stressors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3AWs5Fw6vPU/100715090647.htm
Two studies on Sri Lankan children affected by trauma found that both daily stressors and traumatic events contribute to children's psychological health. The first study, of 400 adolescents who survived the 2004 tsunami, found that poverty and family violence were major sources of continuing stress. The second study, of 1,400 children affected by both the tsunami and civil war, focused on the cumulative effect of multiple stressors on children's later functioning.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Tiny marine microbes exert influence on global climate: Microorganisms display a behavior characteristic of larger animals
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bhbyBe72Qgc/100715152903.htm
New research indicates that the interactions of microscopic organisms around a particular organic material may alter the chemical properties of the ocean and ultimately influence global climate by affecting cloud formation in the atmosphere.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
New clues to inflammatory disease discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BFBIGfvvL14/100715123420.htm
Scientists studying two inflammation-related diseases, HIV and rheumatoid arthritis, identified changes in specific proteins linked to the action of macrophages, white blood cells that are key to the body's natural defenses. The findings could lead to early diagnosis tools and targeted therapy for diseases that stem from abnormal or uncontrolled macrophage activation, including cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurological disorders.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Scientists develop new way to grow adult stem cells in culture
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1TW-n_dsTe8/100715152859.htm
Researchers have developed a technique they believe will help scientists overcome a major hurdle to the use of adult stem cells for treating muscular dystrophy and other muscle-wasting disorders that accompany aging or disease: They've found that growing muscle stem cells on a specially developed synthetic matrix that mimics the elasticity of real muscle allows them to maintain their self-renewing properties.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Inherited glycosylation disorder: Researchers find cause of metabolic disease -- and possible cure
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CeztDsRCDHU/100715142439.htm
An international team of scientists has discovered the gene mutation responsible for a condition in which eye and brain development is severely disrupted in affected infants.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Submarines could use new nanotube technology for sonar and stealth
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2INbdIV9Qn8/100714121743.htm
Speakers made from carbon nanotube sheets that are a fraction of the width of a human hair can both generate sound and cancel out noise -- properties ideal for submarine sonar to probe the ocean depths and make subs invisible to enemies. That's the topic of a report on these "nanotube speakers."
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Diabetes shouldn't deter young athletes, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/eHA4MMkawzQ/100715090649.htm
Young athletes with Type 1 diabetes may experience a marked decrease in performance as a result of their blood sugar levels, but can compete by learning to manage their condition, suggests a new study.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Brain size associated with longevity in mammals
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/asG1ZqSYZHA/100715110001.htm
Mammals with larger brains in relation to body size tend to live longer according to researchers who analyzed almost 500 mammal species and obtaining new data on the relation between brain size and lifespan.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
New arsenic nanoparticle blocks aggressive breast cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NkyAYiApbYo/100715111432.htm
You can teach an old drug new chemotherapy tricks. Researchers took a drug therapy proven for blood cancers but ineffective against solid tumors, packaged it with nanotechnology and got it to combat an aggressive type of breast cancer prevalent in young women, particularly young African-American women. The drug is arsenic and the cancer is triple negative breast cancer. It has a high risk of metastasizing and poor survival rates.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Team develops non-toxic oil recovery agent
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Kc-Ich_DZXU/100714151749.htm
A team of chemists has developed a non-toxic, recyclable agent that can solidify oil on salt water so that it can be scooped up like the fat that forms on the top of a pot of chilled chicken soup. The agent could potentially be used to recover oil lost in the British Petroleum (BP) spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Dementia in diabetics differs from dementia in nondiabetics, research finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZxyFPGIHWMU/100714192305.htm
Researchers say that dementia in some diabetics appears to be caused often by vascular disease in the brain, and the dementia that develops in people without diabetes is more likely associated with deposition of the plaque seen in people with Alzheimer's disease.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Scientists assess impact of Icelandic volcanic ash on ocean biology
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dZ0l1Gm8Nic/100714104229.htm
An international team of oceanographers investigating the role of iron on ocean productivity in the northerly latitudes of the Atlantic Ocean will assess the impact of ash from the recent Icelandic volcano eruption on ocean biology. The five-week expedition started out on July 4, 2010.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Conflicted meat-eaters may deny that meat-animals have the capacity to suffer, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/y3_M5eQ0at0/100715091654.htm
People who wish to escape the ‘meat paradox’ -- i.e., simultaneously disliking hurting animals and enjoying eating meat -- may do so by denying that the animal they ate had the capacity to suffer, researchers in the UK have found in a new study. Those participating in the study also reported a reduced range of animals to which they felt obligated to show moral concern. These ranged from dogs and chimps to snails and fish.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Super-hot planet with unique comet-like tail discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FWZlVegjjm4/100715123546.htm
Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have confirmed the existence of a baked object that could be called a "cometary planet." The gas giant planet, named HD 209458b, is orbiting so close to its star that its heated atmosphere is escaping into space. Observations taken with Hubble's Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) suggest powerful stellar winds are sweeping the cast-off atmospheric material behind the scorched planet and shaping it into a comet-like tail.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Retrovirus replication process different than thought
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XAfm7lR0C28/100715111436.htm
How a retrovirus, like HIV, reproduces and assembles new viruses is different than previously thought, according to new research. Understanding the steps a virus takes for assembly could allow development of a way to prevent the spread of retroviral diseases.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
New light on Leonardo Da Vinci’s faces
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/A3pRSXKixHA/100715090917.htm
How did Leonardo Da Vinci manage to paint such perfect faces? For the first time a quantitative chemical analysis has been done on seven paintings from the Louvre Museum (including the Mona Lisa) without extracting any samples. This shows the composition and thickness of each layer of material laid down by the painter.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Diabetes risk: Waist circumference gives better prediction than BMI
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HCUDj7CwzL0/100715091704.htm
Waist circumference gives a better prediction of diabetes risk than does BMI.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Physicists find clues to the origin and evolution of wrinkles in thin sheets
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Vfi-0Mg1t5M/100715111426.htm
New experiments offer insights into how defects influence the formation of wrinkles, and could prove helpful in understanding wrinkles in biological tissue.
Fri, 16 Jul 10
Behavior problems in school linked to two types of families
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Yh8eoDiDRiY/100715111557.htm
Contrary to Leo Tolstoy's famous observation that "happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way," a new psychology study confirms that unhappy families, in fact, are unhappy in two distinct ways. And these dual patterns of unhealthy family relationships lead to a host of specific difficulties for children during their early school years.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Fossil find puts a face on early primates
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Q6sAHdPBFKs/100714162143.htm
When paleontologist Iyad Zalmout went looking for fossil whales and dinosaurs in Saudi Arabia, he never expected to come face-to-face with a significant, early primate fossil.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Arsenic shows promise as cancer treatment, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/U42zORBjYnM/100712154428.htm
Miss Marple notwithstanding, arsenic might not be many people's favorite chemical. But the notorious poison does have some medical applications. Specifically, a form called arsenic trioxide has been used as a therapy for a particular type of leukemia for more than 10 years. Now researchers have shown that it may be useful in treating a variety of other cancers.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Footloose glaciers crack up: New detailed observations of what happens when glaciers float on ocean surface
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nLWrRRRUsu8/100714144159.htm
Glaciers that lose their footing on the seafloor and begin floating behave very erratically, according to a new study. Floating glaciers produce larger icebergs than their grounded cousins and do so at unpredictable intervals, researchers find.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Those who exercise when young have stronger bones when they grow old
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RYvi9ZTg3BQ/100503111744.htm
The positive effects of exercise while growing up seem to last longer than previously believed. New findings suggest that physical activity when young increases bone density and size, which may mean a reduced risk of osteoporosis later in life.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Supercharged proteins enter biology's forbidden zone
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xXDt8oMCMD4/100714131238.htm
Scientists are reporting discovery of a way to help proteins such as the new generation of protein-based drugs -- sometimes heralded as tomorrow's potential "miracle cures" -- get past the biochemical "Entrance Forbidden" barrier that keeps them from entering cells and doing their work. The new technique represents a new use for an engineered form of green fluorescent protein, the topic of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Fast food chains have significantly decreased trans fats in cooking oils, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QnzExUqWTJo/100714104103.htm
Five major fast food chains have significantly decreased trans fats in the oils they use to cook food, according to new research.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Blind mice can 'see' thanks to special retinal cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WtE85E9xPDo/100714151747.htm
A new study shows mice without rods and cones function can still see -- and not just light, but also patterns and images -- thanks to a third kind of photosensitive cell in the retina.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Major Alzheimer's risk gene causes alterations in shapes of brain protein deposits
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/blWRnDMwAqM/100714141544.htm
Researchers have used a newly discovered class of biomarkers to investigate the possibility that the shape of brain protein deposits is different in people with Alzheimer's who have the highest-risk gene type than in those with the condition who have a neutral risk gene type.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Toward room-temperature superconductors: Key advance in understanding 'pseudogap' phase in high-Tc superconductors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HrYnveo4JXc/100714141534.htm
Scientists have discovered a fundamental difference in how electrons behave at the two distinct oxygen-atom sites in a copper-oxide superconductor. Understanding this broken symmetry in the non-superconducting pseudogap phase may lead to new approaches to understanding the pseudogap, long hypothesized as a key hurdle to achieving room-temperature superconductivity.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Finding cancer 'cold spots' can help minimize radiotherapy side-effects
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/F1ZvT0I9Gi4/100430091600.htm
Fine-tuning radiotherapy to take into account which parts of a patient's tumor are growing fastest could improve control of cancer while subjecting patients to lower doses of radiation
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Noninvasive probing of geological core samples
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hmmzC_6HxTQ/100714094611.htm
Tools to measure a core sample's electrical anisotropy have been sadly lacking, according to a group of researchers. To solve this problem, they found inspiration in a type of logging technology currently used by the modern oil industry. They created a device capable of noninvasively measuring electrical conductivity.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
New analysis may help clarify the role of craving in addiction
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iJy0imIPyHc/100714112838.htm
Psychologists have shown that behavioral economic analysis may lead to an improved understanding of craving for alcohol and other drugs. This method of studying how craving alters the way a person values a drug is fairly new, but according to the study, it may well help assess cravings more accurately and contribute to identifying more effective ways to defeat addictions.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Carbon sequestration: Steam process could remove carbon dioxide to regenerate amine capture materials
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sezjcq3-Jig/100714151745.htm
Researchers have demonstrated a relatively simple regeneration technique that could utilize waste steam to remove carbon dioxide from solid amine materials used to capture the greenhouse gas from the flue gases of coal-burning facilities. This steam-stripping technique could produce concentrated carbon dioxide ready for sequestration -- while readying the amine materials for further use.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Obesity harms women's memory and brain function, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KUVU_qeUrrA/100714112832.htm
The more an older woman weighs, the worse her memory, according to new research. The effect is more pronounced in women who carry excess weight around their hips, known as pear shapes, than women who carry it around their waists, called apple shapes. The study of post-menopausal women is the first in the US to link obesity to poorer memory in women and to identify the body shape connection.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Finding diamonds: Scientists' work improves odds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pi_lSh7A4oU/100714141536.htm
While prospectors and geologists have been successful in finding diamonds through diligent searching, one professor and his team's work could help improve the odds by focusing future searches in particular areas.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Pigs provide clues on cystic fibrosis lung disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xeXGn2saXHM/100428142250.htm
Aided by a new experimental model, scientists are a step closer to understanding how cystic fibrosis (CF) causes lung disease in people with the condition. The findings could help improve treatments for lung disease, which causes most of the deaths and disability among people with CF.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Moving polymers through pores
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YQdmFS-_BoQ/100714094615.htm
The movement of long chain polymers through nanopores is a key part of many biological processes, including the transport of RNA, DNA, and proteins. New research offers an improved theoretical model for this type of motion.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Future HIV vaccines: If we build it, will they come?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3_pevXQvG6Y/100714141540.htm
On the eve of the world's biggest AIDS conference this month in Austria, a new research review shows many people wouldn't get inoculated against HIV even if a vaccine was developed.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Bringing molecules into view: Record-breaking high-resolution optical technique resolves objects as small as 0.5 nanometers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nn1yR6iVG-M/100714144157.htm
Researchers have developed a technique that enables the use of optical microscopy to image objects or the distance between them with resolutions as small as 0.5 nanometers -- one-half of one billionth of a meter, or an order of magnitude smaller than the previous best. This super-resolution technique has the potential to revolutionize biological imaging.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Early exposure to milk protein from cows increases allergy resistance later in life, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/c5LKjdHXNRQ/100714162145.htm
A researcher in Israel has found that babies who are fed cow milk protein early, in the form of infant formula, seem to be protected from developing an allergy to the same protein later in life.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Risks of banned drug mephedrone revealed in new research
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uVjAb_qZr44/100714104231.htm
Pharmaceutical scientists have discovered that the recently reclassified drug mephedrone varies in quality so much that users could be at risk of overdosing. Six samples were tested, and although impurities levels were low, three samples revealed various particle size and crystalline form, which means that the drug is more likely to vary in its affect and safety on the user.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Spanish gene expression data promise targeting of anti-angiogenesis treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/d-spuAB2C7c/100429111010.htm
Analyzing the expression of particular genes in lung cancers could soon allow researchers to identify groups of patients who are likely to benefit most from treatment with angiogenesis-inhibitor drugs.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
A simple quantum dynamics problem?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fQWQaM4nMks/100714094617.htm
New research provides the first real-time measurements of the time dependence of the individual steps of dissociation of a complex consisting of two rare gas atoms and a halogen molecule.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Waterborne diseases could cost over $500 million annually in US
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rbFU3tfaDzA/100714151743.htm
Hospitalizations for three common waterborne diseases cost the health care system as much as $539 million annually, according to new research.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Who's queen? Insulin signaling key to caste development in bees
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/taNdheUHl3I/100714164834.htm
What makes a bee grow up to be a queen? Scientists have long pondered this mystery. Now, researchers have fit a new piece into the puzzle of bee development -- a piece that also illuminates understanding about our own development and aging. The study shows that a key protein in the insulin signaling pathway plays a strong role in caste development among bees.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Severe vasculitis: After 40 years, researchers identify possible new treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2CS3p-BstJ4/100714190136.htm
Researchers have made a major advance in treating people with a severe form of vasculitis, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis, a rare but devastating disease of blood vessels. In a six-month study, a new treatment strategy provided the same benefits as the current standard of care used for more than 40 years but required less frequent treatments.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Tornado safety: What is the safest room in the house?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/UC84jg2NnMQ/100714144201.htm
For 18 horrific hours on April 3, 1974, a cataclysmic group of tornados spun through and sacked 13 states and one Canadian province, ravaging some 900 square miles and killing 148 people. An iconic photo snapped afterwards speaks a thousand words: amid devastation, one thing remained intact: an interior bathroom of a single house, whose walls had not been connected to the rest of the house.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Plavix may be treatment for dogs at risk of thromboembolic disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/u0BEU0fy6KM/100714164832.htm
Companion animals that have a long-term need for anticoagulant drug therapies may soon find help in a top-selling antiplatelet drug marketed to humans: clopidogrel, commonly known by the trade-name Plavix. Researchers have found that clopidogrel may be a safe and effective treatment for dogs that need long-term anticoagulant therapy.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Opening the gate to the cell's recycling center
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VfjUlWxBkRw/100714131246.htm
In cells, as in cities, disposing of garbage and recycling anything that can be reused is an essential service. In both city and cell, health problems can arise when the process breaks down.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Brain fitness program study reveals visual memory improvement in older adults
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hF8zrYjlGj8/100714190138.htm
A commercial brain fitness program has been shown to improve memory in older adults, at least in the period soon after training. The findings are the first to show that practicing simple visual tasks can improve the accuracy of short-term, or "working" visual memory. The research is also one of the first to measure both mental performance and changes in neural activity caused by a cognitive training program.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Unravelling the mystery of massive star birth: All stars are born the same way
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CH4Ckb6V8IU/100714131234.htm
Astronomers have obtained the first image of a dusty disc closely encircling a massive baby star, providing direct evidence that massive stars form in the same way as their smaller brethren.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
High-risk prostate cancer associated with significantly lower bone mineral content loss
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Bobyo6g45vE/100713091435.htm
Men with prostate cancer lose significantly less bone mineral content (BMC) as they age than men who are free of the disease. The findings are important because loss of BMC can play a key role in the development of fragile bones, fractures and osteoporosis.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Cashew seed extract an effective anti-diabetic, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8rr6PQRRB5Y/100714104101.htm
Cashew seed extract shows promise as an effective anti-diabetic, according to a new study. The investigation analyzed the reputed health benefits of cashew tree products on diabetes, notably whether cashew extracts could improve the body's response to its own insulin.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Depressed men with ED at risk for cardiovascular problems
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/P4HXLKu_S78/100713091313.htm
A new study finds that the presence of depressive symptoms in men with erectile dysfunction constitutes a risk factor for a major cardiovascular event.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Elusive ant queen pheromone tracked down
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SBs4zR0nQgA/100630101016.htm
Much like humans, social insects such as ants and bees behave differently when their mother is not around. Workers are thought to perceive the presence of their mother queen using her unique pheromones. New research in ants has tracked down the elusive queen pheromone for the first time and revealed that workers are capable of developing ovaries in preparation for laying eggs in absence of pheromones.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Brain responses of obese individuals are more weakly linked to feelings of hunger
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IYiKN1BRqx4/100713011049.htm
Feelings of hunger have less influence on how the brain responds to the smell and taste of food in overweight than healthy weight individuals,
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Triceratops and Torsaurus were same dinosaur at different stages
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3Lv8s4BJa1s/100714131244.htm
Triceratops and Torosaurus were the same dinosaur at different stages of growth, according to new research. Since the late 1800s, scientists have believed that Triceratops and Torosaurus were two different types of dinosaurs. Triceratops had a three-horned skull with a rather short frill, whereas Torosaurus had a much bigger frill with two large holes through it.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Water's unexpected role in blood pressure control
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jboupIiVu3c/100706150639.htm
Researchers have shown that ordinary water -- without any additives -- does more than just quench thirst. It has some other unexpected, physiological effects. It increases the activity of the sympathetic -- fight or flight -- nervous system, which raises alertness, blood pressure and energy expenditure.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Tea may contain more fluoride than once thought, research shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1ac3uIMyr9k/100714104059.htm
Black tea, a Southern staple and the world's most consumed beverage, may contain higher concentrations of fluoride than previously thought, which could pose problems for the heaviest tea drinkers, researchers say.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Medications found to cause long term cognitive impairment of aging brain, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QSviVlKI2yg/100713111724.htm
Drugs commonly taken for a variety of common medical conditions including insomnia, allergies, or incontinence negatively affect the brain causing long term cognitive impairment in older African-Americans, according to a new study which reported that taking one anticholinergic significantly increased an individual's risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and taking two of these drugs doubled this risk.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Rainbow trapping in light pulses
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ir8kL0NMTP0/100714094613.htm
Scientists in China have shown how a rather wide spectrum of light -- a rainbow of radiation -- can be trapped in a single structure. They propose to do this by sending the light rays into a self-similar-structured dielectric waveguide -- essentially a light pipe with a cladding of many layers.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Consumers under-predict learning curve following initial experience with product
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/d_yz9fd9Ha0/100714094619.htm
A new study found that consumers often quit using products that would be beneficial for them in the long run because they experience a short period of pessimism during their initial encounter with skill-based products as varied as knitting needles and mobile devices.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Record-breaking X-ray blast briefly blinds space observatory
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cFF1ZmfYgJI/100714121735.htm
A blast of the brightest X-rays ever detected from beyond our Milky Way galaxy's neighborhood temporarily blinded the X-ray eye on NASA's Swift space observatory earlier this summer, astronomers now report. The X-rays traveled through space for 5-billion years before slamming into and overwhelming Swift's X-ray Telescope. The blinding blast is by far the brightest light source ever seen in X-ray wavelengths at cosmological distances.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Problematic blood clotting contributes to Alzheimer’s disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/DOJAlx_38LA/100713152744.htm
Alzheimer's disease has long been studied primarily as a disease of neurons. But researchers have now shown how the disease may be damaging the brain by choking off blood flow. Scientists have revealed that amyloid-beta, which builds up around brain cells in Alzheimer's patients, interacts with a common blood clotting agent to increase clotting in the arteries that feed the brain. Such activity could cut off blood flow to neurons, suffocating them over time.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
'Cool' imagery lowers hot flashes through hypnotherapy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kj5Msf5R_J4/100713215202.htm
With an estimated 85 percent of women experiencing hot flashes as they approach menopause, researchers are concentrating on finding effective treatments that do not include hormonal or other pharmaceutical therapies. Now, a new study has shown that women who specifically pictured images associated with coolness during hypnotherapy had a dramatic decrease in hot flashes.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Lifelong doubling in death risk for men who are obese at age 20, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HBu7cQz_7u4/100713091321.htm
A study tracking more than 5,000 military conscripts from the age of 20 until up to the age of 80 found the chance of dying early increased by 10 percent for each BMI point above the threshold for a healthy weight and that this persisted throughout life, with the obese dying about eight years earlier than the non-obese.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
New generation of biological scaffolds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ji4fgcAKSE8/100713191219.htm
Scientists in the UK are conducting research into how biological scaffolding can pave the way for off- the-shelf tissue transplants.
Thu, 15 Jul 10
Lie detection: You can't hide your lyin' eyes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/k3pM_29MWCY/100713213050.htm
Shifty eyes long have been thought to signify a person's problem telling the truth. Now a group of researchers are taking that old adage to a new level. Educational psychologists are using eye-tracking technology to pioneer a promising alternative to the polygraph for lie detection.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Great apes 'play' tag to keep competitive advantage
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tFKRLi6kIVk/100713191223.htm
Gorillas hit-and-run in 'games' of tag in the same way humans do and for the same reason -- to keep their competitive advantage, a new study has found. It is the first study to show apes, like humans, will hit a playmate then run in order to try to get away with the upper hand.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Smoking influences gene function, scientists say
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lgoFAhx3Shk/100713165057.htm
In the largest study of its kind, researchers have found that exposure to cigarette smoke can alter gene expression -- the process by which a gene's information is converted into the structures and functions of a cell. These alterations in response to smoking appear to have a wide-ranging negative influence on the immune system, and a strong involvement in processes related to cancer, cell death and metabolism.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
New research on rapidly-disappearing ancient plant offers hope for species recovery
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ld9iv02ve7M/100713132258.htm
"Living fossil" cycads now number about 300 species, and many of these species are endangered, especially those on islands like Guam. New molecular research on a threatened species, Cycas micronesica, shows these plants are not relics and that there is hope in careful management of the remaining plants.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Researchers fighting bacterial infections zero in on microorganism's soft spots
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/J_qDoky_r7w/100713111726.htm
In any battle, sizing up one's opponent is a critical first step. For researchers fighting a bacterial infection, that means assessing every nook and cranny of the malicious microorganism and identifying which to attack. In Spain, scientists are devising maneuvers they hope will take out bacteria at their molecular knees, and they are optimistic a recent advance will yield therapies for a number of infections, including antibiotic-resistant strains delivering blow after blow across the globe.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Prolonged training at altitude could decrease athletes’ performance
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/K2JioPRm40A/100713151746.htm
New research suggests that athletes and footballers may want to limit the time they spend training at altitude to improve their performance. A new study has found that people with a rare condition that mimics being at high altitude for long periods show metabolic differences that actually reduce their endurance and physical performance.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Smoking mind over smoking matter: Surprising new study shows cigarette cravings result from habit, not addiction
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bENmOqZLY2k/100713144920.htm
The intensity of cravings for cigarettes has more to do with the psychosocial element of smoking than with the physiological effects of nicotine as an addictive chemical, according to a new study by an Israeli scientist. He hopes this research will help clinicians and health authorities develop more successful smoking cessation programs than those utilizing expensive nicotine patches or gum.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Ancient birds from North America colonized the South, thanks to Panama land bridge
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/__Ftqqg0BgY/100713091441.htm
Scientists studying ancient species migration believe northern birds had the ability to colonize continents that southern species lacked. The research reveals how the ancient 'land bridge' of Panama, which first connected North and South America, caused an uneven species migration, leading to a new understanding of species diversity today.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Divide and conquer: Genes decide who wins in the body's battle against cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Os7S1mmfPeI/100713171605.htm
A landmark study is the first to identify a life-or-death "cell competition" process in mammalian tissue that suppresses cancer by causing cancerous cells to kill themselves. Central to the discovery was the researchers' identification of "Mahjong" -- a gene that can determine the winners of the competition through its close relationship with another powerful protein player.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Juno spacecraft armored up to go to Jupiter
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TaYiFFCsIK8/100713122456.htm
NASA's Juno spacecraft will be forging ahead into a treacherous environment at Jupiter with more radiation than any other place NASA has ever sent a spacecraft, except the sun. In a specially filtered cleanroom in Denver, where Juno is being assembled, engineers recently added a unique protective shield around its sensitive electronics.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Dental researchers discover human beta defensin-3 ignites in oral cancer growth
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iHjnDlXmHrA/100713152421.htm
Detecting oral cancer in its earliest stages can save the lives of the nearly 40,500 people diagnosed annually. But early detection has been difficult. Researchers discovered a biomarker, called human beta defensin-3, which may serve as an early warning. The defensin is present in all oral cancers and associated with the early stages of oral cancer.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
NASA and Microsoft provide Mars 3-D close encounter
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8Pm-zHrPK00/100713122652.htm
NASA and Microsoft Research are bringing Mars to life with new features in the WorldWide Telescope software that provide viewers with a high-resolution 3-D map of the Red Planet.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Keep your fingers crossed: How superstition improves performance
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hd-NfhFHkig/100713122846.htm
Don't scoff at those lucky rabbit feet. New research shows that having some kind of lucky token can actually improve your performance -- by increasing your self-confidence.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Astronomers discover star-studded galaxy tail
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Grbfbuk97Dw/100621145317.htm
NASA's Galaxy Evolution Explorer has discovered a galaxy tail studded with bright knots of new stars. The tail, which was created as the galaxy IC 3418 plunged into the neighboring Virgo cluster of galaxies, offers new insight into how stars form.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Interferon might help asthma patients breathe easier, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KMg-9wSShPY/100713144922.htm
An immune-system protein already used to treat diseases like multiple sclerosis, hepatitis C and a variety of cancers might also aid asthma patients, researchers have found.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Could our minds be tricked into satisfying our stomachs?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FUQ-4bJSa00/100713011039.htm
New research suggests that the key to losing weight could lie in manipulating our beliefs about how filling we think food will be before we eat it, suggesting that portion control is all a matter of perception.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Nearly 5 percent exposed to dengue virus in Florida's Key West, report suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3StR0FwRqdA/100713171607.htm
An estimated 5 percent of the Key West, Fla., population -- over 1,000 people -- showed evidence of recent exposure to dengue virus in 2009, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Florida Department of Health.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
NASA's 3-D animation of Typhoon Conson's heavy rainfall and strong thunderstorms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RDjyZlEV37U/100713165053.htm
Imagine seeing a typhoon from space, and seeing it in three dimensions. That's what the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite can do with any typhoon, and just did with Typhoon Conson. TRMM's 3-D look at tropical cyclones provide scientists with information on the height of towering thunderstorms and the rate of rainfall in them, and Conson has high thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Many physicians do not accept responsibility to report incompetent, impaired colleagues
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5Ne90HpJGfU/100713165001.htm
More than one-third of US physicians responding to a survey did not agree that physicians should always report colleagues who are incompetent or impaired by conditions such as substance abuse or mental health disorders. The survey also found that substantial numbers of physicians feel unprepared to report or otherwise deal with impaired or incompetent colleagues.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Facial recognition at first glance: Humans and monkeys perceive faces of kin immediately
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nSQfaQ9l2vY/100701112602.htm
We meet a multitude of people on a daily basis: the nice waitress in the coffee shop around the corner, the bus driver or the colleagues at the office. Without the ability to recognize faces at first glance we would not be able to distinguish between people. Monkeys also possess the remarkable ability to differentiate faces of group members and to extract the relevant information about the individual directly from the face.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
No evidence that popular slimming supplements facilitate weight loss, new research finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iViHKJOJNeE/100712103445.htm
New research evaluating the effectiveness of a broad selection of popular slimming supplements sold in pharmacies and health food shops has found no evidence that any of them facilitate weight loss. Two studies have found they were no more effective than the fake supplements they were compared with.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
What secrets are stored in the roots of corn plants?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/4ukFTzge6Oc/100709091232.htm
With corn being a critical US crop expected to help feed livestock and people around the world and also be a source for the production of clean energy, plant breeders are continually seeking ways to make the plants more productive. To better understand the role corn roots play in this regard, an agricultural engineer and a crop scientist have teamed up to examine corn root complexity and how it impacts corn development.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Childhood cancer survivors face higher death risk 25 years later, from cancer, circulatory diseases
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/sQpO1IdHyBk/100713165003.htm
Follow-up of a group of British childhood cancer survivors indicates they have an increased risk of death from second primary cancers and cardiac and cerebrovascular causes more than 25 years after their initial cancer diagnosis, according to a new study.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
NASA releases GOES-13 satellite movie of the life and times of Hurricane Alex
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_-DGH8-q100/100713165019.htm
NASA's GOES Project has just released a "movie" of satellite imagery showing the life and times of 2010's only June hurricane. From birth to death, the GOES-13 satellite kept an eye on the life and times of Hurricane Alex for two weeks in June 2010.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Brooding Russians: Less distressed than Americans
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RARw1yvu6Og/100713122844.htm
Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy portrayed Russians as a brooding, complicated people, and ethnographers have confirmed that Russians tend to focus on dark feelings and memories more than Westerners do. But a new study finds that even though Russians tend to brood, they are less likely than Americans to feel as depressed as a result.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Sea levels rising in parts of Indian Ocean; Greenhouse gases play role, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/J_q_NotiqSg/100713101412.htm
Newly detected rising sea levels in parts of the Indian Ocean, including the coastlines of the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, Sri Lanka, Sumatra and Java, appear to be at least partly a result of human-induced increases of atmospheric greenhouse gases, according to a new study.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Finding may pave way for new treatments for muscle wasting diseases
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/K8CqCa2b6sc/100713091437.htm
Scientists have discovered a mechanism that muscles use to regulate the nerves which control them. They believe their finding could yield new ideas for treating symptoms of motor neuron disease - a progressive and incurable neurodegenerative condition that leads to muscle weakness and wasting - and other neuromuscular conditions.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Viscosity at the nanoscale: Intriguing 50-year-old puzzle solved
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gKV2H15N5Us/100627201529.htm
At a snail's pace – this is how proteins should move inside living cells where viscosity of environment exceeds the viscosity of water by a million times. However, proteins move not much slower than in water. While looking for a solution to this puzzle, scientists from Poland have discovered a new principle of physics.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Modulator of fetal hemoglobin switch may target sickle cell disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zJDSdXqzaNM/100712115102.htm
A retired but well-preserved mechanism for regulating viruses that has worked its way into the human genome appears to modulate a switch between adult and fetal hemoglobin production, researchers report. That switch could be the key to more targeted therapies for sickle cell patients whose misshaped adult hemoglobin hinders its ability to deliver oxygen throughout the body. Fetal hemoglobin, on the other hand, can't take on the dysfunctional sickle shape.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Report on controlling NASA mission costs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CaEAEPWqtXg/100713111734.htm
NASA should develop a broad, integrated strategy to contain costs and maintain schedules as earth and space science missions are planned and designed, says a new report by the National Research Council.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Telecommuters with flextime stay balanced up to 19 hours longer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/W1qwtA9H2h4/100602121214.htm
Compared to their office-bound peers, employees with a flexible schedule and the option to telecommute can work 19 hours more per week before experiencing conflict between work and personal life, according to a new study.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Gene therapy breakthrough heralds treatment for beta-thalassemia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gJqz7jH-1Mc/100713171559.htm
Italian scientists pioneering a new gene transfer treatment for the blood disorder beta-thalassemia have successfully completed preclinical trials, claiming they can correct the lack of beta-globin in patients' blood cells which causes the disease. The research reveals how gene therapy may represent a safe alternative to current cures that are limited to a minority of patients.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Hubble snaps sharp image of cosmic concoction
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lKAr0mt61dc/100713091315.htm
A colorful star-forming region is featured in a stunning new NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image of NGC 2467. Looking like a roiling cauldron of some exotic cosmic brew, huge clouds of gas and dust are sprinkled with bright blue hot young stars.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Radiation after mastectomy improves breast cancer survival, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_zAxdeViH1Q/100602141727.htm
Postmastectomy radiation therapy for some breast cancer patients can reduce their risk of recurrence by almost 30 percent and increase their five-year overall survival by almost 50 percent, according to a new study.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Stellar explosions provide the key to understanding the fate of the universe
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gQ6vpRhRrp4/100527101053.htm
The mysteries of the universe and how we came to be are set to be unlocked by a technique for modeling fluids, similar to one which is becoming increasingly popular within the film industry to improve the realism of special effects.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Why (smart) practice makes perfect
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2C0MG3MK7tM/100712141855.htm
A new study demonstrates neural basis for observation that practicing several skills in single session works better than narrow drills on one skill. Study also helps define time window for brain's learning of new skills.
Wed, 14 Jul 10
Whisker stimulation prevents strokes in rats; Stimulating fingers, lips and face may also work in humans
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YYriVNgq2eQ/100713152423.htm
Talk about surviving by a whisker. The most common type of stroke can be completely prevented in rats by stimulating a single whisker, according to a new study. In people, stimulating the fingers, lips or face in general could all have a similar effect, researchers suggest.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Why you should never arm wrestle a saber-toothed tiger
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/shp61mmcu-M/100702194143.htm
Saber-toothed cats may be best known for their supersized canines, but they also had exceptionally strong forelimbs for pinning prey before delivering the fatal bite, says a new study.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Larger head size may protect against Alzheimer's symptoms
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9aAbvjQRQkg/100712162545.htm
New research shows that people with Alzheimer's disease who have large heads have better memory and thinking skills than those with the disease who have smaller heads, even when they have the same amount of brain cell death due to the disease.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Magnets trump metallics: Magnetic fields can turn highly conductive nanotubes into semiconductors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/lTnPLEAWDlI/100708141545.htm
Physicists have been studying the Aharonov-Bohm effect -- the interaction between electrically charged particles and magnetic fields -- and how it relates to carbon nanotubes. While doing so, they came to the unexpected conclusion that magnetic fields can turn highly conductive nanotubes into semiconductors.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
New preimplantation genetic screening method can predict chromosomal abnormalities, study shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3YffQME2U8c/100706103606.htm
The efficacy of preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) has been one of the most hotly disputed subjects in assisted reproduction over the past few years. A new study has now shown, in its groundbreaking proof of principle study, that screening of polar bodies (small cells that are the by-product of egg development), is a reliable method to analyze the chromosomal status of an egg.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Salmon in hot water
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9M9Fre01u7U/100705191729.htm
Rearing juvenile salmon at the relatively high temperature of 16 C causes skeletal deformities in the fish. Researchers investigated both the magnitude and mechanisms of this effect, which occurs when salmon farmers use warmed water to increase fish growth rates.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Avatars as lifelike representations and effective marketing tools
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Gd7aVStOjQE/100712102808.htm
It is predicted that 80 percent of active Internet consumers and Fortune 500 companies will have an avatar or presence in a virtual community, including social networks, by the end of 2011. A new article investigates the role avatars play in the virtual and consumer environment, how well avatars reflect the personality of their creators, the psychology behind self-representation, and how these virtually made identities are perceived by other members of the virtual community.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Fly's brain -- a high-speed computer: Neurobiologists use state-of-the-art methods to decode the basics of motion detection
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gMiOaLDzIfc/100712102812.htm
The minute brains of flies process visual movements in only fractions of a second. Just how the brain of the fly manages to perceive motion with such speed and precision is predicted quite accurately by a mathematical model.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Mice essentially 'cured' of mild diabetes with enzyme
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QiL2m7wNEgk/100712141849.htm
Nutrition experts have essentially "cured" laboratory mice of mild, diet-induced diabetes by stimulating the production of a particular enzyme.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
New system to reduce heating costs in cold climates
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9jbV-S5pcnY/100707152219.htm
A new type of heat pump under development could allow residents in cold climates to cut their heating bills in half.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Gene mutation that causes rare form of deafness identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Oc2FPLrcAIw/100712154527.htm
Researchers have identified a gene mutation that causes a rare form of hearing loss known as auditory neuropathy.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
New 3-D imaging techniques for improved lung cancer drug development
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JmzhuwnvuWc/100707122038.htm
Advanced imaging technologies that promise to improve effective drug development to treat lung cancer are the focus of the current issue of Optics Express. Research outlines standardized approaches to measure and compare tumor size, as well as to validate the accuracy of such measurements. This validation is a critical new area of research as important new applications for these tools are being explored in drug development.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Person's language may influence how he or she thinks about other people
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/s5MZNiyIo-Y/100712115058.htm
The language a person speaks may influence his or her thoughts, according to a new study on Israeli Arabs who speak both Arabic and Hebrew fluently. The study found that Israeli Arabs' positive associations with their own people are weaker when they are tested in Hebrew than when they are tested in Arabic.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Engineering could give reconstructive surgery a facelift
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8JT_nYRJSN0/100712154432.htm
Facial reconstruction patients may soon have the option of custom-made bone replacements optimized for both form and function, thanks to researchers. A team of scientists applied an engineering design technique called topology optimization to model patient-specific, case-by-case designs for tissue-engineered bone replacements.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Low vitamin D levels associated with cognitive decline
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JmDmjhrMbkg/100712162554.htm
Older adults with low levels of vitamin D appear more likely to experience declines in thinking, learning and memory over a six-year period, according to a new study.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Africa's national parks hit by mammal declines
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/P0Z81pXvyOE/100712141851.htm
African national parks like Masai Mara and the Serengeti have seen populations of large mammals decline by up to 59 percent, according to a new study.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Mechanism that determines prostate cancer aggressiveness uncovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZRdoHZ0oBck/100712121836.htm
A team of investigators has identified a series of proteins that might make it easier for doctors to better diagnose the more metastatic forms of prostate cancer.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Biofuel quest: Genome signatures enable tracking of algal complexity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ixsuUvfIJ8o/100709143417.htm
Researchers have presented the 138-million-nucleotide genome of the multicellular alga Volvox carteri. Scientists are researching the complex mechanisms present in photosynthetic organisms to better understand how they convert sunlight to energy and how photosynthetic cells control their metabolic processes so that this information can inform the production of renewable biofuels.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Children and teens with Tourette syndrome find relief with self-hypnosis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BRbdfK3rUuY/100712162541.htm
A new study of children and adolescents with Tourette syndrome finds that self-hypnosis taught with the aid of videotape training reduced their symptoms and improved their quality of life. Seventy-nine percent of 33 research participants achieved enough improvement in tic control to report personal satisfaction with the technique.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Baby brain growth mirrors changes from apes to humans
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KoLa4wDsquw/100712154422.htm
A study undertaken to help scientists concerned with abnormal brain development in premature babies has serendipitously revealed evolution's imprint on the human brain. Scientists found that the human brain regions that grow the most during infancy and childhood are nearly identical to the brain regions with the most changes when human brains are compared to those of apes and monkeys.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Vitamin D levels associated with Parkinson's disease risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zn5XBteMBLo/100712162624.htm
Individuals with higher levels of vitamin D appear to have a reduced risk of developing Parkinson's disease, according to a new study.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Salsa and guacamole increasingly important causes of foodborne disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bd9wyt3vXB0/100712121834.htm
Nearly one out of every 25 restaurant-associated food-borne outbreaks with identified food sources between 1998 and 2008 can be traced back to contaminated salsa or guacamole, more than double the rate during the previous decade, according to new research.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Obstructive sleep apnea linked with later risk of heart disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IBfsugyH-lY/100712162539.htm
Severe obstructive sleep apnea may raise the risk of heart failure in middle-aged and older men. Obstructive sleep apnea significantly predicts the risk of coronary heart disease in men up to age 70. Researchers didn't find a link in women, but said further study is warranted.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Surgeons find new way to shield vision during radiation for eye cancer: Silicon oil
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZxVAycnPCLQ/100712162628.htm
Eye cancer patients must enter treatment knowing that their surgeon's strategy to kill the deadly tumor with radiation may also sacrifice their eyesight. Now, researchers have discovered that a commonly used substance called silicon oil shields the eye and appears to protect vision in patients undergoing radiation therapy for ocular melanoma.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
For speediest athletes, it's all in the center of gravity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HGt1Fy5N8bs/100712103349.htm
In the record books, the swiftest sprinters tend to be of West-African ancestry and the faster swimmers tend to be white. A study of the winning times by elite athletes over the past 100 years reveals two distinct trends: not only are these athletes getting faster over time, but there is a clear divide between racers in terms of body type and race. Researchers now argue that the answer lies in athletes' centers of gravity. That center tends to be located higher on the body of blacks than whites. The researchers believe that these differences are not racial, but rather biological.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Origin of key cosmic explosions still a mystery
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qEIPQa7qY2E/100712133131.htm
When a star explodes as a supernova, it shines so brightly that it can be seen from millions of light-years away. One particular supernova variety -- Type Ia -- brightens and dims so predictably that astronomers use them to measure the universe's expansion. The resulting discovery of dark energy and the accelerating universe rewrote our understanding of the cosmos. Yet the origin of these supernovae, which have proved so useful, remains unknown.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Scientists create army of tumor-fighting immune cells and watch as they attack cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9a9qsaichsE/100712154430.htm
Researchers created a large, well-armed battalion of tumor-seeking immune system cells and watched, in real time using positron emission tomography (PET), as the special forces traveled throughout the body to locate and attack dangerous melanomas.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Staggering tree loss from 2005 Amazon storm
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iO89eKWA6J0/100712115108.htm
A single, huge, violent storm that swept across the whole Amazon forest in 2005 killed half a billion trees, a new study shows.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Smoking-related colorectal cancer in older women is associated with molecularly defined DNA changes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/egA9FLgRa5U/100629162547.htm
Smoking, an established risk factor for colon cancer, may induce specific epigenetic changes and gene mutations that may be involved in the development of colon cancer, according to a new study.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Artificial intelligence for improving team sports
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XGi_zFqIPc4/100712103333.htm
Researchers in Spain are participating in a study to develop a system for evaluating sport performance through application of artificial intelligence techniques to automatically analyze the development of plays.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Ethical, scientific issues related to 'post-market' clinical trials
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oRYt_hmxbZ4/100712154436.htm
Amid growing concerns about clinical trials for drugs that have been approved by the FDA but are later linked to serious health risks, an independent committee at the Institute of Medicine has developed a conceptual framework to guide the agency through the tough decision of ordering such controversial "post-market" drug-safety trials.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Plant 'breathing' mechanism discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uGG_3Le5swo/100712154424.htm
A tiny, little-understood plant pore has enormous implications for weather forecasting, climate change, agriculture, hydrology, and more. Scientists have now overturned the conventional belief about how these important structures called stomata regulate water vapor loss from the leaf -- a process called transpiration. They found that radiation is the driving force of physical processes deep within the leaf.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Eating foods rich in vitamin E associated with lower dementia risk
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nqjaT919yNY/100712162556.htm
Consuming more vitamin E through the diet appears to be associated with a lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Researchers witness overnight breakup, retreat of Greenland glacier
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Y8CjORLZXaQ/100712154438.htm
NASA-funded researchers monitoring Greenland's Jakobshavn Isbrae glacier report that a 7 square kilometer (2.7 square mile) section of the glacier broke up on July 6 and 7, as shown in a new image.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
High potassium? Check your antibiotic
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/htWDvbitI40/100701183516.htm
Older adults taking the antibiotic combination trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) -- widely prescribed for urinary tract infections -- are at increased risk of elevated potassium levels, called hyperkalemia, according to a new study.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Radiation device allows for targeted breast radiation to control cancer, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BfCDXyoP4-g/100712162634.htm
A new study of breast cancer patients at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center and the Arizona Oncology Services shows that after almost two years, the radiation given with the Strut-Adjusted Volume Implant (SAVI™) controls the rate of cancer and may reduce the complications seen with alternate types of brachytherapy.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Nest incest targets males, finds study of rare New Zealand bird
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nEo5OK0xdWY/100701103411.htm
Fewer males than females are surviving the negative effects of inbreeding in a reintroduced population of a rare New Zealand bird, scientists report.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Antisense therapy for spinal muscular atrophy shows promise
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2qN22FQ17cM/100712103501.htm
Scientists have succeeded in reversing symptoms of type III SMA, a relatively mild form of spinal muscular atrophy, in mice by introducing chemically modified RNA pieces called ASOs into their spinal cords. The ASOs fix the molecular mistake underlying SMA by redirecting a cellular editing process called alternative splicing.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Oldest written document ever found in Jerusalem discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jzgYPtll5kk/100712102816.htm
A tiny clay fragment -- dating from the 14th century B.C.E. -- that was found in excavations outside Jerusalem's Old City walls contains the oldest written document ever found in Jerusalem, say researchers in Israel. The find, believed to be part of a tablet from a royal archives, further testifies to the importance of Jerusalem as a major city in the Late Bronze Age, long before its conquest by King David, they say.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Universal HIV testing and immediate treatment could reduce but not eliminate HIV/AIDS epidemic
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/gjwOuUwiBoU/100709155514.htm
Implementing a program of universal HIV testing and immediate antiretroviral treatment for infected individuals could have a major impact on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Washington, D.C., but a new study finds that it would not halt the epidemic, something that a previous report had projected.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
New research can spot cloud computing problems before they start
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7vVZxT-EG5s/100712102818.htm
Large-scale computer hosting infrastructures offer a variety of services to computer users, including cloud. But when these infrastructures run into problems -- like bottlenecks that slow their operating speed -- it can be costly for both the infrastructure provider and the user. New research will allow these infrastructure providers to more accurately predict such anomalies, and address them before they become a major problem.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Bars, restaurants see no significant employment change under smoking bans in two cities
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6qz1eYXFLEg/100629131320.htm
The passage of smoking bans in two large Minnesota cities was not associated with job losses at bars and may in fact have contributed to higher employment in restaurants, according to new research. The study is the first to examine the economic effects of clean indoor air policies on bars and restaurants as independent types of businesses, the researchers said.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Expecting the unexpected does not improve one's chances of seeing it, new study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VG8S9A11DzA/100712103341.htm
A new study finds that those who know that an unexpected event is likely to occur are no better at noticing other unexpected events -- and may be even worse -- than those who aren't expecting the unexpected.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
One in four not covering coughs, sneezes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fiTMQuvoGEo/100712121832.htm
Approximately one out of every four people observed in a public setting failed to cover their mouth when they coughed or sneezed according to new research. Even more concerning, less than 5 percent of people covered their mouth using methods recommended by public health officials.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
New way to expand donor pool for transplant organs?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RcV1XL8nySI/100709083749.htm
New research could have an “incredible” impact on the numbers of people being saved through the organ donor system, experts claim. As demand for organ transplants continues to outstrip supply, scientists from the UK are hopeful they may have found a way to expand the donor pool.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Stem cell transplantation successfully treats therapy-resistant chronic leukemia, German study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/tWo3aSTcFnU/100712103337.htm
The transplantation of stem cells from a healthy donor (allogeneic) offers the chance of cure for patients with an aggressive form of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), irrespective of genetic prognostic factors and the prior course of the disease.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Sewage overflow promotes spread of West Nile virus
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FCs9--wB8pI/100712103331.htm
Sewage that overflows into urban creeks and streams during periods of heavy rain can promote the spread of West Nile virus, a study finds. The analysis of six years of data showed that people living near creeks with sewage overflows in lower-income neighborhoods of Southeast Atlanta had a seven times higher risk for West Nile virus than the rest of the city.
Tue, 13 Jul 10
Simple two-question survey can better identify hungry children
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/spNlS6_ZaXk/100701112556.htm
Asking parents just two simple screening questions could help health care providers and social workers to easily identify families whose young children are suffering from hunger, enabling early interventions that could prevent serious health consequences, according to a new study.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Antidepressants make shrimps see the light
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wl0V8AuB8ZA/100706204430.htm
Rising levels of antidepressants in coastal waters could change sea-life behavior and potentially damage the food-chain, according to a new study.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Honey as an antibiotic: Scientists identify a secret ingredient in honey that kills bacteria
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5R_5ys6b8Sc/100630111037.htm
Sweet news for those looking for new antibiotics: new research explains for the first time how honey kills bacteria. Specifically, the research shows that bees make a protein that they add to the honey, called defensin-1, which could one day be used to treat burns and skin infections and to develop new drugs that could combat antibiotic-resistant infections.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
First preliminary profile of proteins in bed bugs' saliva
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HmSB9rN2QSE/100623124300.htm
With bed bugs reemerging as a nuisance in some parts of the country, scientists are reporting the first preliminary description of the bug's sialome -- the saliva proteins that are the secret to Cimex lectularius' ability to suck blood from its human victims and escape to bite again with risking a lethal slap. The findings could have medical applications in diagnosing bed bug bites and preventing the itch.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Wet breathing system filters transmit harmful bacteria and yeast, hospitals warned
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-68dyaI9hrM/100706082056.htm
UK doctors have highlighted potential problems with the breathing system filters used in anesthesia, including intensive care units, after demonstrating that they don’t provide protection from harmful bacteria and yeast when they become wet. A new study shows that when they were wet, six commonly available filters allowed substantial passage of Candida albicans (a yeast infection linked to a range of chronic illnesses) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (a common hospital-acquired bacterial infection).
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Breakthrough in terahertz remote sensing: Unique THz 'fingerprints' will identify hidden explosives from a distance
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/klnX1OYEOrA/100711155911.htm
A major breakthrough in remote wave sensing by a team of researchers opens the way for detecting hidden explosives, chemical, biological agents and illegal drugs from a distance of 20 meters.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Eye movements and sight distance reveal how drivers negotiate winding roads
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/f2B-OLupD68/100706171129.htm
New research finds that the further drivers can look ahead, generally in left-hand curves, wide curves and when leaving a curve, the less they have to look at the tangent point. The ultimate goal of the project is to build a device into cars that warns the driver if he is in danger of unintentionally departing from the lane.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Surprisingly regular patterns in hurricane energy discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WnsDbuxPTUQ/100711163358.htm
Researchers in Spain have discovered a mathematical relation between the number of hurricanes produced in certain parts of Earth and the energy they release.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Plasma protein appears to be associated with development and severity of Alzheimer's disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZiEe455yrKQ/100705190536.htm
Higher concentrations of clusterin, a protein in the blood plasma, appears to be associated with the development, severity and progression of Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Geo-neutrinos: Discovery of subatomic particles could answer deep questions in geology
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7qNx4i4j66s/100621122134.htm
An international team has detected subatomic particles -- geo-neutrinos -- deep within Earth's interior. The discovery could help geologists understand how reactions taking place in the planet's interior affect events on the surface such as earthquakes and volcanoes. Someday, scientists may know enough about the sources and flow of heat in Earth to predict events like the recent volcanic eruption in Iceland.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Protein identified which helps cancer cells to survive stressful conditions
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WCw9PvNhOXg/100706171117.htm
Researchers have made a discovery that could lead to the development of more effective treatments for a number of diseases. They have shown that a protein produced when cells are stressed interacts with a stress sensor allowing cells to survive conditions of intense stress. Understanding this interaction may help scientists interfere with cancer cells so the cells can no longer survive exposure to stressful conditions.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Red hot chili peppers arrive in sub-zero Arctic Seed Vault
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QliGo0h6s4Y/100711155913.htm
A new collection of some of North America's hottest foods -- an eclectic range of New World chili peppers -- were delivered to the cool Arctic Circle environs of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault this week, where their exotic tongue-scorching qualities can be kept safe for centuries.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Violence, not overdose, the likely method of suicide in veterans with substance use disorders
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vzmjHH83g4w/100621151125.htm
Veterans with substance use disorders who die by suicide are more likely to use violent means (such as a firearm) rather than nonviolent means (such as a drug overdose), new research suggests.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
What’s killing farmed salmon? New virus may also pose risk to wild salmon
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xQFOjjg4Hn4/100709210823.htm
Epidemics of infectious disease are threatening the farmed fish industry, including one of its most popular products: farmed Atlantic salmon. A team of scientists has found evidence that the disease may be caused by a previously unknown virus.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Fat cells play key role in development of type 2 diabetes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xrpRB8Odl3c/100706123013.htm
Cellular changes in fat tissue -- not the immune system -- lead to the "hyperinflammation" characteristic of obesity-related glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes, according to new research.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
To predict atherosclerosis, follow the disturbed blood flow
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/R6VQU6udttg/100623140922.htm
A new animal model of atherosclerosis shows that "disturbed flow" in an artery leads to inflammation followed by clogging of the artery. The model provides insight into how bad blood flow initiates atherosclerosis or good flow such as that improved by aerobic exercise protects against the disease and allows the identification of hundreds of genes turned on or off in atherosclerosis' initial stages.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Mathematical models for breast cancer detection with microwave tomography are cheaper and less risky, research finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NroTutR9g7g/100707091209.htm
The most popular method of breast cancer detection today is X-ray mammography, which takes images of a compressed breast by low-dose ionizing radiation. However, there are several disadvantages to using X-rays for breast cancer screening, chief among them being the invasiveness of radiation and the high costs. Microwave tomography can provide a cheaper and less risky alternative to X-ray mammography, according to new research.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Big picture: Lipid ordering visualized in a living vertebrate organism
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/PiDldYYn7Wc/100706123011.htm
Scientists have obtained the first visualization of the inherent arrangement of lipid molecules in different tissues of a whole, living vertebrate organism. The research validates earlier studies done with primary cells and may lead to a new understanding of the physiological significance of plasma membrane organization.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Should the results of individual genetic studies be disclosed to participants?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/06H2h4T8jtU/100613212730.htm
Individual results of genetic research studies should not be disclosed to participants without careful consideration, according to experts. The view held by many ethicists that individual genetic research findings should always be reported to participants involved in genetic research studies is perhaps misguided and can lead to misunderstanding, they say.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Computing power cracks egg shell problem
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/G2gfRjGARXY/100709083751.htm
Researchers in the UK have applied computing power to crack a problem in egg shell formation. The work may also give a partial answer to the age old question "what came first the chicken or the egg?"
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Length of biological marker associated with risk of cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1vrYJwhc0gU/100706161749.htm
A new study suggests that shorter length of leukocyte telomeres -- chromosome markers of biological aging -- are associated with an increased risk of cancer and death from cancer, according to a new study.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Source of essential nutrients for mid-ocean algae discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5wyYAyas1yA/100623132106.htm
For almost three decades, oceanographers have been puzzled by the ability of microscopic algae to grow in mid-ocean areas where there is very little nitrate, an essential algal nutrient. In a new study, researchers show that mid-ocean algae obtain nitrate from deep water, as much as 250 meters below the surface. This finding will help scientists predict how open-ocean ecosystems could respond to global warming.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Majority of fevers in African children are not caused by malaria, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dYP2M0DxE50/100706171123.htm
In 2007, an estimated 656 million fevers occurred in African children aged 0-4 years, with 78 million children of the 183 million attending a public health care facility likely to have been infected with P. falciparum (range 60-103 million), the parasite that causes the most dangerous form of malaria. These findings come from a modelling system devised by experts from the Malaria Atlas Project.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Archeologists explore rural Galilee and find ancient synagogue
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/31gwvpQ1okQ/100707080941.htm
Among various important discoveries, the 2010 Kinneret Regional Project discovered an ancient synagogue, in use at around 400 AD. This year’s archeological focus is the first systematic excavation on Horvat Kur, a village inhabited from the Early Roman through the Early Medieval periods located on a gentle hill two kilometers west of the Lake of Galilee. Thirty volunteers – mostly students of theology, religious studies, and archeology – and staff from the Netherlands, Finland, Switzerland, Romania, Belgium, Spain, Israel, and Germany explore the material remains of the village life in Galilee, a region that features very prominently in Early Christian and Rabbinic tradition.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Higher STD rates among users of erectile dysfunction drugs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RonrHMjlQq0/100705190525.htm
Physicians who prescribe erectile dysfunction drugs for their male patients should be sure to discuss the importance of safer sex practices, even with older patients.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Rosetta triumphs at asteroid Lutetia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nnFzHm2ynK0/100711175731.htm
Asteroid Lutetia has been revealed as a battered world of many craters. European Space Agency's Rosetta mission has returned the first close-up images of the asteroid showing it is most probably a primitive survivor from the violent birth of the Solar System.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Painkillers not linked with heart disease in elderly patients and may protect against death, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/YbNYWYLrjBY/100707065216.htm
Commonly used painkillers like ibuprofen do not increase the risk of heart attack in the elderly population, according to a new study.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Plant extract may be effective against inflammatory bowel disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/O08gCTeYPO0/100707223231.htm
New research shows an extract made from a food plant in the Brassica family was effective in alleviating signs of ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel condition, in mice.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Home care equivalent to hospital care for some patients with cystic fibrosis, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2L8IalMGs-o/100708071351.htm
Patients with cystic fibrosis recover from exacerbations equally well if they are treated at home or in a hospital, according to researchers. Furthermore, longer treatment with antibiotics does not appear to offer any additional benefit over shorter courses.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
New biofuels processing method for mobile facilities
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BYtYIkRYozE/100707152213.htm
Chemical engineers have developed a new method to process agricultural waste and other biomass into biofuels, and they are proposing the creation of mobile processing plants that would rove the Midwest to produce the fuels.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Farmers to get rice-growing advice via text messages
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-NM9nF2x4CM/100709102717.htm
Farmers in the "texting capital" of the world -- the Philippines -- will soon have nutrient management advice tailored specifically to their rice crops delivered to their mobile phones.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Nanoparticles shrink tumors in mice
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oxALGxcaILE/100709102723.htm
A new study demonstrates that nanoparticles can store and deliver chemotherapeutic drugs in vivo and effectively suppress tumors in mice. Strikingly, these nanoparticles accumulate in tumor after administration. Furthermore, the researchers showed that these nanoparticles are completely excreted from the body. The findings show promise for further uses of nanoparticles for delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs for cancer therapy.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Novel protein being tested as potential target in Alzheimer's treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QGVH4poHTE8/100707221744.htm
Scientists have discovered a previously unreported mitochondrial protein that interacts with a protein known to play a role in Alzheimer's disease.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
NASA to fly into hurricane research this summer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/uHEsOZT0ceI/100709110626.htm
Three NASA aircraft will begin flights to study tropical cyclones on Aug. 15 during the agency's first major U.S.-based hurricane field campaign since 2001. The Genesis and Rapid Intensification Processes mission, or GRIP, will study the creation and rapid intensification of hurricanes. Advanced instruments from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., will be aboard two of the aircraft.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Hereditary kidney disease linked to genetic location
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Soy4MYE85RM/100708171341.htm
An in-depth study of a family with multiple generations affected by kidney disease has identified a previously unknown location for a gene abnormality causing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, according to a new study.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
New retrieval method makes studying cancer proteins easier
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iwD86ejKk7Q/100707152223.htm
Researchers can now better retrieve specific proteins needed to study how cancer cells form by using a newly developed technique and synthetic nanopolymer.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Rituals that target customers not always good for business
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/xgKnHT0Dbzk/100707131407.htm
Businesses make an impression when they sing "Happy Birthday" to customers or cook up entrees right at diners' tables, but not always a good one, new research has found.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
New ultrabright source of entangled photon pairs
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JcQeb11OH88/100709083843.htm
At the very heart of applications such as quantum cryptography, computation and teleportation lies a fascinating phenomenon known as "entanglement". Two photons are entangled if the properties of one depend on those of the other, whatever the distance separating them. A new source of entangled photons twenty times brighter than all existing systems has been developed by a team in France. This novel device is capable of considerably boosting the rate of quantum communications and constitutes a key component in future quantum logic processes.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
A fateful pause: Genetic mechanism once thought rare may allow rapid cell production
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zuHqV0fI_fk/100708141547.htm
We take our blood for granted, but its creation requires a complicated series of steps, starting with the formation of blood stem cells during early embryonic development, followed by progressive differentiation into the progenitors of red cells, white cells and platelets, and ultimately the full set of blood cells. Now, researchers report a surprising twist in how mature red blood cells form.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Borne on the wing: Avian influenza risk in US wild songbirds mapped
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yF15GGjaKsY/100709104122.htm
Scientists have discovered that 22 species of passerines -- songbirds and perching birds -- in the contiguous U.S. are carriers of low-pathogenicity avian influenza. Pathogenicity is the ability of a germ to produce an infectious disease in an organism. The prevalence of influenza in waterfowl has long been known. But the researchers' analysis indicates that the number of songbird species with low-pathogenicity avian influenza is greater than the number in eight other avian orders, including waterfowl.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Higher-protein diets support weight loss, but may lower bone density in postmenopausal women
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/R1N2LR7yXP8/100707152221.htm
Overweight and moderately obese postmenopausal women using diets based on higher protein intake also need to be aware of potential bone loss, according to new research.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Chemical quality of rivers revealed by small freshwater shrimp
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Rt5iaOocfFw/100708122339.htm
Biological markers detect the presence of toxic substances in the environment. In implementing the European water framework directive, scientists use Gammarus, a small freshwater shrimp present in all rivers, as a marker. They observe the impact of contamination on the main vital functions of the animal, which thus serves as a sentinel for rivers.
Mon, 12 Jul 10
Simple massage relieves chronic tension headache, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/arVPbJugNFQ/100708081233.htm
Researchers in Spain have shown that the psychological and physiological state of patients with tension headache improves within 24 hours after receiving a 30-minute massage.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Saturn propellers reflect solar system origins
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yDwFfCo1-A4/100709110506.htm
Scientists using NASA's Cassini spacecraft at Saturn have stalked a new class of moons in the rings of Saturn that create distinctive propeller-shaped gaps in ring material. It marks the first time scientists have been able to track the orbits of individual objects in a debris disk. The research gives scientists an opportunity to time-travel back into the history of our solar system to reveal clues about disks around other stars in our universe that are too far away to observe directly.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Antibody may help treat and prevent influenza outbreaks
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7NKsPJBfDU8/100708171343.htm
Researchers have discovered a monoclonal antibody that is effective against "avian" H5N1, seasonal H1N1 and the 2009 "swine" H1N1 influenza. Scientists have shown that this antibody potently prevents and treats the swine H1N1 influenza in mouse models of the disease.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Better barriers can help levees withstand wave erosion
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mA-tgm82GMQ/100709111336.htm
A new barrier design could protect reservoir levees from the erosive forces of wind-driven waves, according new research. These findings could help lower the maintenance costs for constructed ponds in the lower Mississippi Delta where levee repairs can average $3 per foot -- and sometimes are needed just five years after a reservoir is built.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Protein that predicts prognosis of leukemia patients may also be a therapeutic target
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SU6kOWbHZmQ/100708152057.htm
Researchers at Whitehead Institute and Children's Hospital Boston have identified a protein, called Musashi 2, that is predictive of prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia patients. Diagnosed in an estimated 48,000 new patients annually, leukemia is blood cancer characterized by an overgrowth of certain blood cells. Musashi 2 and the cellular functions it affects could potentially represent therapeutic targets in certain types of leukemia.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Novel ion trap with optical fiber could link atoms and light in quantum networks
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Vzd0Zx09q68/100708111208.htm
Physicists have demonstrated an ion trap with a built-in optical fiber that collects light emitted by single ions, allowing quantum information stored in the ions to be measured. The advance could simplify quantum computer design and serve as a step toward swapping information between matter and light in future quantum networks.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Moms' favoritism tied to depression in adulthood
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VU0xjFKbwKE/100707220510.htm
Whether mom's golden child or her black sheep, siblings who sense that their mother consistently favors or rejects one child over others are more likely to show depressive symptoms as middle-aged adults, finds a new study.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Researchers use robot to determine how human strangers develop trust
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dmW1mIjwbBs/100707220933.htm
What can a wide-eyed, talking robot teach us about trust? A lot, according to psychology professors who are conducting innovative research to determine how humans decide to trust strangers -- and if those decisions are accurate.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Honey bee venom may help design new treatments to alleviate muscular dystrophy, depression and dementia
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/O43tYUtliwY/100709130831.htm
Scientists researching a toxin extracted from the venom of the honey bee have used this to inform the design of new treatments to alleviate the symptoms of conditions such as muscular dystrophy, depression and dementia.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
New spin on drug delivery: Chemical engineers discover an enhanced delivery method of DNA payloads into cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8AVR_gstJyk/100709111334.htm
Chemical engineers have discovered how to "greatly enhance" the delivery of DNA payloads into cells. Lu's ultimate goal is to apply this technique to create genetically modified cells for cancer immunotherapy, stem cell therapy and tissue regeneration.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Severe angina poses three times the coronary artery disease risk for women than men
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5sqPyS4x4jg/100708071511.htm
Women who have the most serious form of angina are three times as likely to develop severe coronary artery disease (CAD) as men with the same condition, according to a new study.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Rain of giant gas clouds create active galactic nuclei: New research explains how galaxy centers light up
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/u_ojQdq61rs/100708171351.htm
Galaxies like our own were built billions of years ago from a deluge of giant clouds of gas, some of which continue to rain down. Now new calculations tie the rain of giant clouds of gas to active galactic nuclei, the extremely bright centers of some galaxies.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Homicide and suicide rates among mentally ill on the decline, UK study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Pn6CP3aM-cw/100706204428.htm
People with mental health problems are committing fewer homicides while the number of suicides by mental health patients has also fallen, latest figures reveal; a previous rise in homicides by mentally ill people may have been the result of drug misuse, says the report.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Fireflies blink in synch to send a clear message
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/nbUPJlS6GLo/100708141539.htm
For decades, scientists have speculated about why some fireflies exhibit synchronous flashing, in which large groups produce rhythmic, repeated flashes in unison -- sometimes lighting up a whole forest at once. Now, the first experiments on the function of this phenomenon suggest that synchronous flashing preserves female fireflies' recognition of suitable mates.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Scientists use computer algorithms to develop seasonal flu vaccines
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/rpB4qanp-p8/100709111332.htm
Computer scientists have developed a rapid and effective approach to produce vaccines for new strains of influenza viruses. The researchers hope to develop the new technology and provide an efficient method to confront the threat of seasonal epidemics.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Heavy metal rock set to take the stage
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wb0DaZEGq3I/100709155936.htm
On its way to a 2014 rendezvous with comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, the European Space Agency's Rosetta spacecraft, with NASA instruments aboard, will fly past asteroid Lutetia this Saturday, July 10. The instruments aboard Rosetta will record the first close-up image of a metal asteroid. They will also make measurements to help scientists derive the mass of the object, understand the properties of the asteroid's surface crust, record the solar wind in the vicinity and look for evidence of an atmosphere.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Simple diagnostic tool predicts Type 2 diabetes in Southeast Asians
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/O1f0KnJjoQQ/100708094558.htm
Australian and Vietnamese researchers have estimated the current prevalence of Type 2 diabetes in Vietnam, and have developed a simple tool for identifying individuals at high risk. Often triggered by sedentary lifestyles and high-fat or high-sugar diets, diabetes is a condition where the body becomes less able to make and use insulin, a hormone that reduces sugar in the blood by moving it into cells for energy use.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
New system helps locate car park spaces
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ywbiN7woJkc/100707093740.htm
Researchers in Spain have developed a system to locate unoccupied car spaces on the street and guide users to the nearest available space. The system has been named XALOC and is based on new positioning technology offering more precision in urban areas than GPS technology.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Marijuana derivative could be useful for pain treatment
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5W5hDtOSs1Q/100707222548.htm
A new compound similar to the active component of marijuana (cannabis) might provide effective pain relief without the mental and physical side effects of cannabis, according to a new study.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Wild cat found mimicking monkey calls; Predatory trickery documented for the first time in wild felids in Americas
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-LfF3xPnRfI/100708141620.htm
In a fascinating example of vocal mimicry, researchers have documented a wild cat species imitating the call of its intended victim: a small, squirrel-sized monkey known as a pied tamarin. This is the first recorded instance of a wild cat species in the Americas mimicking the calls of its prey.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Neural stem cells attack glioblastoma cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/HJAzO9_Of0M/100706103410.htm
Scientists in Germany have demonstrated how the brain's own stem cells and precursor cells control the growth of glioblastomas. Of all brain tumors, glioblastomas are among the most common and most aggressive. They have now shown in cell culture and mouse model experiments just how the body's own protective mechanism they identified in an earlier study, actually works.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Mathematical formula predicts clear favorite for the FIFA World Cup
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MLTg-XkFb9k/100709102721.htm
A sophisticated new analysis of team tactics predicts a Spanish win in Sunday's FIFA World Cup final and also shows why England were beaten by Germany.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Study suggests link between scleroderma, cancer in certain patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/d3vpU6IVgrM/100708171404.htm
Patients with a certain type of scleroderma may get cancer and scleroderma simultaneously, researchers have found, suggesting that in some diseases, autoimmunity and cancer may be linked.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Tiny clays curb big earthquakes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1zFnwVg8gPI/100624131442.htm
California's San Andreas fault is notorious for repeatedly generating major earthquakes and for being on the brink of producing the next "big one" in a heavily populated area. But the famously violent fault also has quieter sections, where rocks easily slide against each other without giving rise to damaging quakes.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
What do you want to be when you grow up, Mr. Doctor?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dkRot5d4p4A/100709083747.htm
New research in Names: A Journal of Onomastics has found that people’s names can influence the type of career they take.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Origins of multicellularity: All in the family
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ww05Qo9-U4k/100708141541.htm
One of the most pivotal steps in evolution -- the transition from unicellular to multicellular organisms -- may not have required as much retooling as commonly believed, scientists have found. A comparison of the genomes of the multicellular algae Volvox carteri and its closest unicellular relative Chlamydomonas reinhardtii revealed that multicellular organisms may have been able to build their more complex molecular machinery largely from the same list of parts that was already available to their unicellular ancestors.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Early Alzheimer's identification method discovered
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jRCrtj69xb4/100709131310.htm
Abnormal brain images combined with examination of the composition of the fluid that surrounds the spine may offer the earliest signs identifying healthy older adults at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, well before cognitive problems emerge, a new study has found.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Miniature energy harvesting technology could power wireless electronics
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vVUi8Ez4uZM/100709131308.htm
Newly published research focuses on miniature energy harvesting technologies that could potentially power wireless electronics, portable devices, stretchable electronics, and implantable biosensors.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Extremely obese children have 40 percent higher risk of reflux disease of esophagus, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/d1n5yAgZBjM/100709083521.htm
A study of 690,000 children found extremely obese children have a 40 percent higher risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease and moderately obese children have a 30 percent higher risk of GERD compared to normal weight children. This large population-based study establishes an association between obesity and GERD in children, an association previously reported in adults. GERD leads to chronic respiratory conditions, and increased risk for esophageal cancer, the nation's fastest growing cancer.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Nematodes vanquish billion dollar pest
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/-aAHcvx_Hlo/100624214306.htm
Diabrotica virgifera virgifera beetle larvae (known as western corn rootworm) wreak havoc on maize, causing an estimated $1 billion of damage every year to US agriculture. Knowing that Heterorhabditis bacteriophora nematodes kill the pest, researchers in Switzerland have successfully improved the nematode's response to a chemical, (E)-beta-caryophyllene, released by damaged maize roots, to attract the nematodes directly to the pest in a bid to produce an environmentally safe pesticide.
Sat, 10 Jul 10
Executives who take the fewest risks have the most negative emotions, Spanish study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/oCMivvW1kaI/100709083745.htm
Researchers have studied the influence of emotional traits of the character in directors of Spanish banks and savings banks when making strategic decisions. The study concludes that executives who display the most negative emotions have less of a tendency to take risks.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Prospects for finding new Earths boosted by brand new planet-finding technique
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/K0Rtw4Cco8A/100708192842.htm
Astronomers from Germany, Bulgaria and Poland have used a completely new technique to find an exotic extrasolar planet. The same approach is sensitive enough to find planets as small as the Earth in orbit around other stars. The group used Transit Timing Variation to detect a planet with 15 times the mass of the Earth in the system WASP-3, 700 light years from the Sun in the constellation of Lyra.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Biologists find a way to lower tumor risk in stem cell therapies
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7tDoWXD6uXY/100708094605.htm
Biologists have discovered a way to limit the formation of teratomas. They have identified a new signaling pathway critical for unlimited self propagation of embryonic stem cells. Using small molecule compounds that inhibit this pathway, the scientists were able to dramatically reduce the potential of embryonic stem cells to form teratomas.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Redwood forest ecosystem of northern California depends on fog to stay hydrated during rainless summers
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KXicHVgcEpY/100708171345.htm
As the mercury rises outdoors, it's a fitting time to consider the effects of summertime droughts and global warming on ecosystems. Complex interactions among temperature, water cycling, and plant communities create a tangled web of questions that need to be answered as we face a rapidly changing climate. Researchers recently tackled one aspect of the challenging question of how climate change can impact plant communities that obtain water from fog.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Intoxicating fragrance: Jasmine as valium substitute
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CKhPF8fiYzI/100708104320.htm
Instead of a sleeping pill or a mood enhancer, a nose full of jasmine from Gardenia jasminoides could also help, according to researchers in Germany. They have discovered that the two fragrances Vertacetal-coeur (VC) and the chemical variation (PI24513) have the same molecular mechanism of action and are as strong as the commonly prescribed barbiturates or propofol.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Adding nutrients to oceans could enhance transfer of carbon dioxide from atmosphere to deep ocean
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2goLgPJJFEk/100630111049.htm
Adding nutrients to the sea could decrease viral infection rates among phytoplankton and enhance the efficiency of the biological pump, a means by which carbon is transferred from the atmosphere to the deep ocean, according to a new mathematical modeling study. The findings have implications for ocean geoengineering schemes proposed for tackling global warming.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Who is likely to become a bully, victim or both? New research shows poor problem-solving increases risk for all
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Hj7XpZgWkr0/100708160937.htm
Children and adolescents who lack social problem-solving skills are more at risk of becoming bullies, victims or both than those who don't have these difficulties, according to new research. But those who are also having academic troubles are even likelier to become bullies.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Alternative evolution: Why change your own genes when you can borrow someone else's?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dBinCJW5cnk/100708141533.htm
It has been a basic principle of evolution for more than a century that plants and animals can adapt genetically in ways that help them better survive and reproduce. Biologists now document a clear example of a new mechanism for evolution.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
HPV infection linked to increased risk of skin cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FqiuIw7ArbQ/100708193448.htm
HPV infection heightens the risk of developing certain skin cancers and is worsened if people are taking immunosuppression drugs, according to a new study.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Don't let your termites grow up to be mommies: Researchers find 'key ingredient' that regulates termite caste system
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/JbX-6QRUZ2Q/100708152103.htm
An entomologist has for the first time shown which specific chemicals are used by some termite queens to prevent other termites in the colony from becoming mommies like themselves.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
New way diseases can develop: Previously unknown mechanism directs gene expression in cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/6QSmbNJiGLc/100708152101.htm
Researchers have identified a previously unknown mechanism by which cells direct gene expression, the process by which information from a gene is used to direct the physical and behavioral development of individuals. The research may help scientists gain insight into how muscle and heart diseases develop.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
New parallel found between cold gases and 'hot' superconductors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/mwusvPWYGd8/100708111338.htm
Scientists have discovered another notable similarity between ultracold atomic gases and high-temperature superconductors, suggesting there may be a relatively simple shared explanation for equivalent behaviors of the two very different systems.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Teen moms more likely to have premature babies, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dQlUmV6iUVs/100708193446.htm
Pregnant women aged 14-17 years are at higher risk of preterm birth and of having a child with low birth weight, especially if they are having their second child. In a new study, researchers demonstrate this association and call for better health education and the promotion of contraception after a teenager has given birth for the first time.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Gene knockout makes female mice masculine
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VpLRNBaHKiQ/100708071619.htm
The mammalian fucose mutarotase enzyme is known to be involved in incorporating the sugar fucose into protein. Female mice that lack the fucose mutarotase (FucM) gene refuse to let males mount them, and will attempt copulation with other female mice. Researchers created the FucM mouse mutants in order to investigate the role of this enzyme in vivo.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Sweet way to detect prediabetes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/333jwHf5j4U/100708171349.htm
Having discovered a dramatic increase of an easy-to-detect enzyme in the red blood cells of people with diabetes and prediabetes, scientists say the discovery could lead to a simple, routine test for detecting the subtle onset of the disease, before symptoms or complications occur and in time to reverse its course.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Starburst cluster shows celestial fireworks
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BeQUa-IhuDY/100707221336.htm
Like a fireworks display, a young, glittering collection of stars looks like an aerial burst. The cluster is surrounded by clouds of interstellar gas and dust -- the raw material for new star formation. The nebula, located 20,000 light-years away in the constellation Carina, contains a central cluster of huge, hot stars, called NGC 3603.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Researchers identify factors behind blood-making stem cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VsoRqMEsyZI/100706150620.htm
Researchers have made significant progress in the understanding of blood-producing (hematopoietic) stem cells. The study identifies factors that control the production of hematopoietic stem cells and offers interesting insight critical to the development of novel regenerative therapies and treatments for leukemia.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
For lambs, a pasture a week keeps blood suckers away
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/pGI0tFyXTrk/100706150630.htm
Deworming lambs can be minimized with rotational grazing and checking the animals' eye color, according to new research.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Better-looking politicians get more media coverage
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/t_7CLiTVjd0/100708094601.htm
The better a politician's looks, the higher the frequency of television news coverage, according to a new study by researchers in Israel.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Heat waves could be commonplace in the US by 2039
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/c0752iHUWMw/100708122617.htm
Exceptionally long heat waves and other hot events could become commonplace in the United States in the next 30 years, according to a new study by climate scientists.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
New way to slow the growth of malignant melanoma
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QGN_2OL-Ygw/100708111332.htm
New research has shown that the growth of melanoma, one of the most deadly forms of skin cancer, can be slowed when a little known gene called microRNA 193b is added.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
First research trip across western Amazon yields surprising results
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/8qZKfcddNPM/100707112433.htm
During his unprecedented expedition into the heart of the Amazon, Michigan State University geographer Bob Walker discovered surprising evidence that many of the Brazilian government's efforts to protect the environment are working.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Researchers discover trigger to early, effective antibody response
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MlWQAHvNseY/100706130320.htm
Researchers have discovered a trigger that induces B cells to produce effective, long-lived antibodies early in the immune response. A molecule that binds toll-like receptors doubles the early antibody response, and shifts it to a more effective, IgG form. The findings support the emerging concept of "bridge immunity," which links the innate and adaptive arms of the immune response. They may also lead to the development of better vaccines.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
RFIDs: Smart little gizmos get even smarter
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MsyCwQyeOYI/100707065214.htm
With the help of smart RFID technology, things, animals, and people can be identified remotely, and the information can be sent and stored in databases. Now the method will be even smarter, thanks to a researcher in Sweden who is presenting solutions that make this technology more effective and more energy efficient. In fact, as much as 60 percent more efficient.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Teens drink more during summer before college, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zffl7V_LGTY/100707152209.htm
Summertime and the living is easy. But not too easy for parents whose children will head to college in the fall. An alcohol researcher says parents should be aware that this is a time when teens tend to increase their alcohol consumption.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Antibodies found that prevent most HIV strains from infecting human cells
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/w9N4iwgN470/100708141531.htm
Scientists have discovered two potent human antibodies that can stop more than 90 percent of known HIV strains from infecting human cells in the laboratory, and have demonstrated how one of these disease-fighting proteins accomplishes this. According to the scientists, these antibodies could be used to design improved HIV vaccines, or further developed to prevent or treat HIV infection. Moreover, the method used to find these antibodies could be applied to isolate therapeutic antibodies for other infectious diseases.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Heart beat may provide clues to kidney health
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hRvpMtwVvcU/100708171339.htm
Individuals with a high resting heart rate and a low beat-to-beat heart rate variability have an increased risk of developing kidney disease, according to a new study. The findings suggest that the behavior of the autonomic nervous system may be a sentinel marker for late development of certain cases of kidney disease.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Changing climate could alter meadows' ecosystems, says researcher
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RgBCQoglC04/100706113214.htm
A researcher who has been studying the meadows in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem of the Rocky Mountains since 1992 believes changing climate could affect the diversity of plants and animals in the region.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Protein inhibitor revives chemotherapy for ovarian patients
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/SZb7iad2ySs/100706081545.htm
Researchers have discovered a way that may help ovarian cancer patients who no longer respond to conventional chemotherapy. In a new study, they describe how the inhibition of a protein, CHEK1, may be an effective element to incorporate into therapies for women with ovarian cancer.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
New technology reduces storage needs and costs for genomic data
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/XYEV4lQmFCE/100706150614.htm
A new computer data compression technique called Genomic SQueeZ will allow genetic researchers and others to store, analyze and share massive volumes of data in less space and at lower cost.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Combining sex and drugs reduces rock and roll
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/yp7tv33o6VM/100706103604.htm
Sharing a bottle of red wine may seem like the best recipe for a romantic interlude. However, the evening may not turn out as planned, according to a new study, which evaluated the effect of a wide range of drugs, including alcohol, on sexual behavior. The findings definitively show that despite our preconceived notions, use of many recreational drugs can cause a loss in that lovin' feeling.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Geoscientists find clues to why first Sumatran earthquake was deadlier than second
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3bGVmlUgS8g/100708141535.htm
An international team of geoscientists has uncovered geological differences between two segments of an earthquake fault that may explain why the 2004 Sumatra Boxing Day Tsunami was so much more devastating than a second earthquake generated tsunami three months later.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Scientists reprogram triple-negative breast cancer cells to respond to tamoxifen
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/e4y4M5oP2wA/100708152105.htm
Using a small molecule decoy, scientists have induced epigenetic reprogramming in human and mouse breast cancer cells, reducing the growth of triple-negative breast cancer cells by 80 percent.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Rosetta lines up for spectacular asteroid flyby
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RhOMupPGyk0/100708071621.htm
On 10 July, ESA's Rosetta will fly past 21 Lutetia, the largest asteroid ever visited by a satellite. After weeks of manoeuvres and a challenging optical navigation campaign, Rosetta is perfectly lined up to skim by at 3162 km. Rosetta is expected to pass Lutetia at a relative speed of 54 000 km/hr, when both are located some 454 million km from Earth. As Lutetia is a major scientific target of Rosetta's mission, most of the orbiter and lander instruments will be on for flyby, studying the asteroid's surface, dust environment, exosphere, magnetic field, mass and density.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Surgery linked to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, according to Spanish study
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/I1FSqRCQZqk/100708071513.htm
A new study spearheaded by Spanish scientists demonstrates a causal relationship between the onset of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), caused by a protein called a prion, and general surgery.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Why some communities embrace environmental conservation and others don't
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CrIaMopMT-g/100708111336.htm
Continued support for off-shore oil drilling by Gulf Coast residents who are dealing with one of the most devastating environmental disasters in US history might seem surprising, but new research shows that local factors such as unemployment and population growth influence views about the value of environmental conservation and regulation.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
One in five preschool children in the U. S. demonstrates mental health issues when entering kindergarten
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/U_Wjj1oTVwc/100708104318.htm
Social competence and behavior problems that are evident at kindergarten and first grade are known to be strong predictors of a child's academic and social functioning. However, new findings suggest that psychosocial risk factors can be identified even earlier and can be observed during the transition from preschool to formal schooling.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Mojoceratops: New dinosaur species named for flamboyant frill
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ZZMywXkBO1A/100708160935.htm
When Nicholas Longrich discovered a new dinosaur species with a heart-shaped frill on its head, he wanted to come up with a name just as flamboyant as the dinosaur's appearance. Over a few beers with fellow paleontologists one night, he blurted out the first thing that came to mind: Mojoceratops. With the publication of Longrich's paper describing his find in the Journal of Paleontology, the name is now official.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Baseline PSA predicts risk of death from prostate cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/P8g1XIT7JM4/100708152059.htm
Men who have a baseline PSA value of 10 or higher the first time they are tested are up to 11 times more likely to die from prostate cancer than are men with lower initial values, according to researchers.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
How fast can microbes break down oil washed onto Gulf beaches?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EknLKtxeQHk/100707222312.htm
A new study is investigating how quickly the Deepwater Horizon oil carried into Gulf of Mexico beach sands is being degraded by the sands' natural microbial communities, and whether native oil-eating bacteria that wash ashore with the crude are helping or hindering that process.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Fish oil may reduce risk of breast cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/NnQHgcF1SUg/100708071349.htm
A recent report adds to the growing evidence that fish oil supplements may play a role in preventing chronic disease.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
'Magical thinking' about islands an illusion? Biologist refutes conventional thinking on evolution
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cYhdOzdRloA/100708122615.htm
Exotic island fauna is a product of evolution, but nothing more than one would expect to see by "chance," according to research that shows there's nothing extraordinary about evolutionary processes on islands. A biologist in Israel and colleagues have conducted a number of scientific studies comparing evolutionary patterns of island and mainland ecosystems, and the results refute the idea that islands operate under different, "magical" rules.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Musical skill reflects working memory capacity in addition to practice time
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/L7g_JWKcVUw/100708111324.htm
Practice will help you play piano better -- but it's not going to turn you into Liberace. A new study looks at the role that working memory capacity plays in piano players' ability to sight read a new piece of music, an important and complex skill for musicians.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Chemical makes brain cells grow, thwarts mental decline in aging rats
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1TnzDO7xJ7o/100708122609.htm
Scientists have discovered a compound that restores the capacity to form new memories in aging rats, likely by improving the survival of newborn neurons in the brain's memory hub. The research has turned up clues to a neuroprotective mechanism that could lead to a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The neuroprotective compound, called P7C3, holds promise because of its medication-friendly properties. It can be taken orally, has long-lasting effects, and is safely tolerated by mice.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Stress of an enriched environment might curb cancer growth; Effect linked to a brain-fat-hormone pathway
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/eQW2HuRmlRk/100708122611.htm
Living in an environment rich with social and physical challenges might curb cancer growth by itself, a new study shows. Researchers discovered that an enriched environment activates a nervous-system pathway used by the brain to tell fat cells to stop releasing a hormone called leptin into the bloodstream. This cancer-curbing effect occurred in models of melanoma and colon cancer. The findings suggest that some kinds of mild stress can benefit cancer survivors.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Two new species of pancake batfishes discovered from area engulfed by oil spill
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kCyCHkgqX40/100708111206.htm
Two new species of fish from the Gulf of Mexico that walk on their fins and sit-and-wait for prey are described in a new research paper. This highlights the undescribed biodiversity of the area effected by the Gulf oil spill.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
New surgery improves outcomes for severe flat foot deformity
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/1o0kGJ_a9Zs/100708081413.htm
A new type of surgery can improve patient outcomes in individuals with severe adult flat foot deformity, a problem that is increasingly being seen in hospitals across the country. Patients who undergo the new surgery have better long-term outcome and mobility than those who undergo traditional surgery.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
Drug delivery system uses nanoparticles triggered by electromagnetic field
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kWOhRoQN-qA/100708152107.htm
A new system for the controlled delivery of pharmaceutical drugs has been developed by a team of chemical engineers using nanoparticles embedded in a liposome that can be triggered by non-invasive electromagnetic fields.
Fri, 9 Jul 10
A healthy mind makes a healthy body in teens
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7iGbsxEMFRo/100708122619.htm
Happier youths are also healthier youths, according to new research. Adolescents' positive emotions and moods, as well as their satisfaction with life, could be more important than their anxiety or depression levels for predicting their physical health, they argue.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Black hole blows big bubble
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vMPuEUoZJ5c/100707131359.htm
Combining observations made with the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope and NASA's Chandra X-ray telescope, astronomers have uncovered the most powerful pair of jets ever seen from a stellar black hole. This object, also known as a microquasar, blows a huge bubble of hot gas, 1000 light-years across, twice as large and tens of times more powerful than other known microquasars.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Genetically reprogrammed HSV given systemically shrinks distant sarcomas
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/9KC5Uut_m2M/100707102447.htm
Scientists have used a genetically reprogrammed herpes virus and an anti-vascular drug to shrink spreading distant sarcomas designed to model metastatic disease in mice -- still an elusive goal when treating humans with cancer, according to new research. The study results are even more significant because the oncolytic herpes virus was given to the mice systemically to attack tumors via the blood stream instead of being injected directly into tumors
Thu, 8 Jul 10
No substantial quality difference between organically and conventionally produced eggs, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BR_109YfrZA/100707102445.htm
There's no substantial quality difference between organically and conventionally produced eggs. That's one of a number of findings in a new agricultural study examining various aspects of egg quality.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Amid the murk of 'gut flora,' vitamin D receptor emerges as a key player
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/vy0dVe4S0vw/100707141558.htm
Within the human digestive tract is a teeming mass of hundreds of types of bacteria, a potpourri of microbes numbering in the trillions that help us digest food and keep bad bacteria in check. Scientists have found that the vitamin D receptor is a key player amid the gut bacteria -- what scientists refer to as the "gut flora."
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Pinpoint precision: Delivering a biochemical payload to one cell
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fMQMvys_M6w/100707102441.htm
Researchers use precise electrical "tweezers" to place nanowires on predetermined spots on single cells. The technique eventually could produce new ways to deliver medication.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Delayed school start time associated with improvements in adolescent behaviors
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0tHCitXBqik/100705190532.htm
A short delay in school start time appears to be associated with significant improvements in adolescent alertness, mood and health, according to a new study.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Dig discovers ancient Britons were earliest North Europeans
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/5LchXF0ggks/100707193825.htm
Archeologists have unearthed the earliest evidence of human occupation in Britain. Their findings demonstrate that ancient humans occupied Britain over 800,000 years ago, marking the first known settlement in northern Europe -- far earlier than previously thought.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Biologists identify a new clue into cellular aging
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/D2wLo6fKExw/100707162051.htm
The ability to combat some age-related diseases may rest with scientists unlocking clues about the molecular and cellular processes governing aging. The underlying theory is that if the healthy portion of an individual's life span can be extended, it may delay the onset of certain age-related diseases. In the search to understand these molecular processes, researchers have uncovered an important new DAF-16 isoform that helps to regulate longevity.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Fouls go left: Soccer referees may be biased based on play's direction of motion
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QV52zO-jU-I/100707180928.htm
Soccer referees may have an unconscious bias towards calling fouls based on a play's direction of motion, according to a new study. Researchers found that soccer experts made more foul calls when action moved right-to-left, or leftward, compared to left-to-right or rightward action, suggesting that two referees watching the same play from different vantage points may be inclined to make a different call.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Cholesterol's other way out
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/laFQUt8P-w0/100707102443.htm
Many of us are simply overloaded with cholesterol, and now a report brings what might be good news: There is more than one way to get rid of that cholesterol, which can otherwise lead to atherosclerosis and heart disease.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
New computer program accurately simulates protein folding dramatically faster than previous methods
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/k8otEaMtCGQ/100707112421.htm
A new computer program accurately simulates protein folding dramatically faster than previous methods. It will allow scientists to peer deeper into the roots of diseases caused by proteins that fold incorrectly.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Therapist competence matters -- and more for some patients than others
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/WGad25HFWAI/100706161803.htm
While studies have shown that cognitive therapy is an effective treatment for depression, it has still not been clear the role therapists' training and expertise plays in making treatment successful. A new study finds that depressed patients show more symptom improvement when their therapists more competently follow the guidelines for delivering cognitive therapy.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Newborn stars discovered in dark cosmic cloud
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/eskJYOtS8E8/100707152207.htm
A wave of massive star formation appears to have begun within a mysterious dark cloud in the Milky Way. NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has revealed a secluded birthplace for stars within a wispy, dark cloud in a region of the galaxy named M17. The new research could shed light on the question of how and when massive stars form.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Previously unknown natural mechanism controls cocaine use
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/KphxnabPuKY/100707162045.htm
Scientists have found that a particular type of genetic material plays a key role in determining vulnerability to cocaine addiction and may offer an entirely new direction for the development of anti-addiction therapies.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Turning back the cellular clock: Method developed for tracking adult stem cells as they regress
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VV9NQSvbz10/100629122950.htm
For the first time, scientists have succeeded in tracking the progression of reprogrammed stem cells through live imaging to learn more about how they are reprogrammed, and how the new cells evolve over time. This will allow researchers to develop techniques and choose the right cells for replacement therapy and give invaluable insight into how these cells will eventually react in the human body.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Knee arthritis? Flexible options can help keep you active
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/Ia07Ld07ce4/100707141556.htm
Middle-aged men and women with osteoarthritis of the knee now have more options than ever before for treatments that may allow them to remain active in the sports they love, according to a new review.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Energy yield of ‘cheap’ solar panels raised from 7 to 9 percent
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/wBXmPBgBhts/100706082158.htm
Researchers have shown how the energy yield of relatively cheap solar panels, made of amorphous silicon, can be considerably raised: from around 7 percent to 9 percent.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Predicting relationship breakups with a word-association task
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/hCdp622UzU0/100707152205.htm
Here's a way to tell a romantic relationship is going to fall apart: find out what people really think about their partners. The researchers in a new study used a so-called implicit task, which shows how people automatically respond to words -- in this case, whether they find it easier to link words referring to their partner to words with pleasant or unpleasant meanings.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Revolutionary medical dressing uses nanotechnology to fight infection
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0ty-WZKyMsE/100707211621.htm
Researchers are using nanotechnology to develop a medical dressing which will detect and treat infection in wounds. Scientists in the UK are working together with teams across Europe and Australia to create an advanced wound dressing. The dressing will work by releasing antibiotics from nanocapsules triggered by the presence of disease-causing pathogenic bacteria, which will target treatment before the infection takes hold.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Genetic ancestry data improve diagnosis in asthma and lung disease
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bllsRYLLhV4/100707180926.htm
Americans with lung disease may face a far greater level of lung damage than either they or their doctor suspect, depending on their individual genetic heritage, according to a new study. The research implications range from diagnosing the severity of asthma, to disability decisions or eligibility for lung transplants, researchers say.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Robots preclude neck incision for thyroid surgery
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/AiVbHyr_Alk/100706112607.htm
Robots that revolutionized gynecologic and urologic surgery in the past decade now offer the option of removing at least a portion of their diseased thyroid gland without the hallmark neck incision, researchers said.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Women with gestational diabetes: Common glucose test also accurately predicts adult-onset diabetes, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/D4R030AllfE/100707141602.htm
New research shows that pregnant women who "fail" the common glucose challenge test, a series of four blood tests conducted over a single four-hour period, have a higher chance of developing adult onset diabetes later in life.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Transformation optics make a U-turn for the better
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/jHeQXxfujRQ/100706123029.htm
Researchers have combined the scientific fields of transformation optics and plasmonics to demonstrate that with only moderate modifications of the dielectric component of a metamaterial, the physical space through which light travels can be altered with promising results, such as the creation of a 180 degree bend that won't alter the energy or properties of a light beam as it makes the U-turn, or a plasmonic version of a Luneburg lens.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Muted emotions misleading in Alzheimer's disease, study suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/RO-7R_tY6Js/100707091207.htm
A new study suggests that when Alzheimer's patients are asked to place an emotional value on pictures, they measure the pleasant images as less pleasant and the negative scenes as less negative compared with a control group of normal elderly people. This emotional flatness could be incorrectly interpreted as a symptom of depression.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Inactivity 'no contributor' to childhood obesity epidemic, new report suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kIM_SVqWn2k/100707212127.htm
A new report from the EarlyBird Diabetes Study suggests that physical activity has little if any role to play in the obesity epidemic among children. Obesity is the key factor behind diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Hospital hyperglycemia may predict future diabetes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/OmZ8BVJE8b4/100707193104.htm
Hyperglycemia during critical illness may be used as a warning of future diabetes. Researchers have found a significant association between acute illness complicated with hyperglycemia and the future development of type II diabetes or glucose intolerance.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Map of herpes virus protein suggests a new drug therapy
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ViBnGx7N-UQ/100706112603.htm
New research reveals the unusual structure of a key protein complex that allows a herpes virus to invade cells. This close-up of the herpes virus's "cell-entry machinery" sheds light on how herpes viruses work and provides a promising new target for antiviral drugs.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
First transoral and transvaginal gallbladder removals performed as part of US multicenter human trial
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/GWBHkJfsRNk/100707131405.htm
The first transoral and transvaginal cholecystectomies (gallbladder removal) using Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) have been completed in a multicenter human trial in the United States. NOTES is performed by using the patient's natural openings for surgery. These human trials are the first in the world comparing oral and transvaginal NOTES to traditional laparoscopy.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Road surface purifies air by removing nitrogen oxides, researchers in the Netherlands find
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2QgamfbDWDs/100706082058.htm
Road surfaces can make a big contribution to local air purity. This conclusion can be drawn from the first test results on a road surface of air-purifying concrete. This material reduces the concentration of nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 25 to 45 per cent.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Ticking biological clock increases women's libido, new research shows
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/EZBoSnSzfwQ/100707152248.htm
As more women wait until their 30s and 40s to have children, they are more willing to engage in a variety of sexual activities to capitalize on their remaining childbearing years.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
How active immune tolerance makes pregnancy possible
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/VIrd_vm2-Gc/100701103437.htm
How a pregnant body tolerates a fetus that is biologically distinct from its mother has long been a mystery. Now, a pair of scientists have shown that females actively produce a particular type of immune cell in response to specific fetal antigens -- immune-stimulating proteins -- and that this response allows pregnancy to continue without the fetus being rejected by the mother's body.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Link between brain activity and Parkinson's disease symptoms: New strategy for treating movement disorders identified
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/QOvf7oyM2P8/100707131357.htm
Scientists have shown how key circuits in the brain control movement. The research not only establishes the function of these circuits, but offers promise for treating movement related disorders, such as Parkinson's disease.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Optical tweezers use holographic technology to manipulate 300 nanoparticles at a time
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/o-SCspp8Wt0/100706150622.htm
A new tool, holographic optical tweezers, use holographic technology to manipulate up to 300 nanoparticles at a time, such as beads of glass or polymer, that are too small and delicate to be handled with traditional laboratory instruments. The technology, also known as "optical tweezers," could form the basis for tomorrow's ultra-fast, light-powered communication devices and quantum computers.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
New method for identifying the causes of X-linked genetic disorders
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MHKX-bFyHCQ/100707065141.htm
Scientists have identified previously unknown potential disease genes in humans and mice. Genes on the X chromosome, which regulate embryonic development, are the focus of the current study. Men have only one X chromosome, and therefore mutations on this chromosome disproportionately affect males, frequently leading to serious diseases such as hemophilia, muscular dystrophy and mental retardation.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Reversible watermarking for digital images
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iPD0xZ69Bzs/100706112605.htm
Every picture tells a story, but how do you know that a digital photo has not been manipulated to change the tale being told? A new approach to adding an encrypted watermark to digital images allows the an image to be validated against a pass key, according to new research.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Suicide attempt method affects prognosis, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fqJ4GJaTiGM/100707065143.htm
The method used for a suicide attempt is highly significant for the risk of subsequent successful suicide, reveals a long-term study. The results may be of help in acute risk assessment following a suicide attempt.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
High blood levels of vitamin E reduces risk of Alzheimer's, Swedish study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/T2A3XU7GwgY/100707102439.htm
High levels of several vitamin E components in the blood are associated with a decreased risk for Alzheimer's disease in advanced age, suggesting that vitamin E may help prevent cognitive deterioration in elderly people, according to a new Swedish study.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Cell development: How do plants and animals end up with right number of cells in all the right places?
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/ozGx1RlNVdg/100630132758.htm
How do plants and animals end up with right number of cells in all the right places? For the first time, scientists have gained insight into how this process is coordinated in plants.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
New target for treatment of advanced prostate cancer
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/0U-BOEGsiu4/100706171125.htm
A recent study provides demonstrates that expression of one of a group of genes found only in humans and non-human primates can promote androgen receptor activity in concert with other proteins called coregulators.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Shocking results from diamond anvil cell experiments
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cVMTugrUd9U/100706150618.htm
Physicists are using an ultra-fast laser-based technique they dubbed "nanoshocks" for something entirely different. In fact, the "nanoshocks" have such a small spatial scale that scientists can use them to study shock behavior in tiny samples such as thin films or other systems with microscopic dimensions (a few tens of micrometers). In particular they have used the technique to shock materials under high static pressure in a diamond anvil cell.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Virtual food causes stress in patients affected by eating disorders
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iX0rjcLvAnU/100705073924.htm
Food presented in a virtual reality environment causes the same emotional responses as real food. Researchers compared the responses of people with anorexia and bulimia, and a control group, to the virtual and real-life snacks, suggesting that virtual food can be used for the evaluation and treatment of eating disorders.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Thousands of undiscovered plant species face extinction worldwide
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/3Y1-mXD9Ph8/100707065218.htm
Faced with threats such as habitat loss and climate change, thousands of rare flowering plant species worldwide may become extinct before scientists can even discover them, according to a paper published today by a trio of American and British researchers in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Cancer deaths continue to drop
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FwCxa6l7s1Y/100707112429.htm
The continued drop in overall cancer mortality rates over the last 20 years has averted more than 767,000 cancer deaths, according to a new report from the American Cancer Society.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Multicolor quantum dots aid in cancer biopsy diagnosis
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zAkBtg4ZJdE/100706150624.htm
The tunable fluorescent nanoparticles known as quantum dots make ideal tools for distinguishing and identifying rare cancer cells in tissue biopsies. Researchers have learned how multicolor quantum dots linked to antibodies can distinguish the Reed-Sternberg cells that are characteristic of Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Autism-related study discovers how drug interferes with neuronal cell function
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/csNly08x9kk/100707112425.htm
A new study has shown for the first time how the drug misoprostol, linked to neurodevelopmental defects associated with autism, interferes with neuronal cell function. It is an important finding because misoprostol is similar in structure to naturally occurring prostaglandins, the key signaling molecules produced by fatty acids in the brain. The study examined mouse neuronal cells to see how the drug interferes at a molecular level with prostaglandins.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Gender gap persists at highest levels of math and science testing, 30-year study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/kNrwWw0iQ3A/100706113210.htm
A study that examined 30 years of standardized test data from the very highest-scoring seventh graders has found that performance differences between boys and girls have narrowed considerably, but boys still outnumber girls by more than about 3-to-1 at extremely high levels of math ability and scientific reasoning.
Thu, 8 Jul 10
Bilingualism associated with brain reorganization involving better efficiency in executive functions, research finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/cvu2Qh_fC7E/100707065139.htm
Researchers in Spain report that bilinguals are faster and more efficient in certain tasks in which executive functions are used due to a different form of cerebral control.
Wed, 7 Jul 10
Brain's energy restored during sleep, suggests animal study
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/s3Fop9Mds8E/100629170924.htm
In the initial stages of sleep, energy levels increase dramatically in brain regions found to be active during waking hours, according to new research. These results suggest that a surge of cellular energy may replenish brain processes needed to function normally while awake.
Wed, 7 Jul 10
Want to slow aging? New research suggests it takes more than antioxidants
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/CSp_9zoDOLE/100706150616.htm
A new study casts doubt on the theory that oxidative stress shortens lifespan. Researchers have identified mutations in 10 different genes of worms (genes believed to have counterparts in humans) that extend their lifespan without reducing the level of oxidative stress the worms suffer. The results contradict the popular theory that production of toxic reactive oxygen species in tissues is responsible for aging.
Wed, 7 Jul 10
Deaths in the family cause bacteria to flee
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/_YXWHfBNbqw/100629162549.htm
The deaths of nearby relatives has a curious effect on the bacterium Caulobacter crescentus -- surviving cells lose their stickiness. Biologists report that exposure to the extracellular DNA released by dying neighbors stops the sticky holdfasts of living Caulobacter from adhering to surfaces, preventing cells from joining bacterial biofilms. Less sticky cells are more likely to escape established colonies, out to where conditions may be better.
Wed, 7 Jul 10
Brain chemical boosts body heat, aids in calorie burn, UT Southwestern research suggests
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/fx4yKdvlk04/100706123015.htm
New findings suggest that an enzyme in the brain known as PI3 kinase might control the increased generation of body heat that helps burn off excess calories after eating a high-fat meal.
Wed, 7 Jul 10
New adhesive for tape, label industry, developed
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/eCB_Oh5YH5Y/100706150628.htm
An incidental discovery in a wood products lab has produced a new pressure-sensitive adhesive that may revolutionize the tape industry -- an environmentally benign product that works very well and costs much less than existing adhesives based on petrochemicals.
Wed, 7 Jul 10
Rudeness at work causes mistakes
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/IToDoA--HD0/100706204709.htm
If someone is rude to you at work or if you witness rudeness you are more likely to make mistakes, according to one expert.
Wed, 7 Jul 10
TV viewing, video game play contribute to kids' attention problems, study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/dMyNkeUtMEU/100706161759.htm
A study of both elementary school-aged and college-aged subjects found that youths who exceeded the two hours per day of screen time recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics were 1.5 to 2 times more likely to be above average in attention problems.
Wed, 7 Jul 10
Fetal X-ray exposure interferes with memory in adulthood, monkey study finds
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/eKeRuhNdiHY/100705102850.htm
Learning and memory impairments are important contributors to the disability associated with schizophrenia. These functional impairments emerge long before the onset of other symptoms associated with schizophrenia, suggesting that they are a consequence of a disturbance in brain development. In order to investigate the impact of early life disturbances in brain development upon learning and memory, researchers exposed fetal monkeys to x-rays and then examined their behavior when they were adults, approximately 5 years later.
Wed, 7 Jul 10
Of moose and men: 50-year study into moose arthritis reveals link with early malnutrition
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/BFLgwwKDe6o/100706204703.htm
It's seen as a sign of getting old, but scientists have discovered that arthritis is not just a human problem as a study lasting 50 years reveals how moose suffer from an identical form of the condition. The research also casts new light on how malnutrition early in life can lead to the disorder in both moose and humans.
Wed, 7 Jul 10
New insights into link between anti-cholesterol statin drugs and depression
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/zd9tTjo2mng/100630121130.htm
Scientists are reporting a possible explanation for the symptoms of anxiety and depression that occur in some patients taking the popular statin family of anti-cholesterol drugs, and reported by some individuals on low-cholesterol diets. These symptoms could result from long-term, low levels of cholesterol in the brain, the report suggests.
Wed, 7 Jul 10
New type of light-matter interaction: Advance in quantum computing and energy conversion technology
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/bITFL3Bsphg/100702152409.htm
Using a unique hybrid nanostructure, researchers have shown a new type of light-matter interaction and also demonstrated the first full quantum control of qubit spin within very tiny colloidal nanostructures (a few nanometers), thus taking a key step forward in efforts to create a quantum computer.
Wed, 7 Jul 10
Suicide barriers may fail to cut suicide rates as people go elsewhere
http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/p9plxL_qof8/100706204707.htm
Suicide barriers on bridges might not reduce overall suicide rates by jumping from heights, as people may change location for their suicide