ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Tuesday, September 7, 2010
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Melting rate of icecaps in Greenland and Western Antarctica lower than expected (September 7, 2010) -- The Greenland and West Antarctic ice caps are melting at half the speed previously predicted, according to analysis of recent satellite data. ... > full story
What are babies made of? Research shows for some it is sugar, salt and not all things nice (September 7, 2010) -- Children as young as four weeks old are being fed a poor diet of biscuits, ice-cream and soft drinks, according to new research. A new study found some month-old babies had been introduced to high fat, salt and sugar foods, despite health authorities recommending exclusive breastfeeding to six months of age. ... > full story
Cells can eat parts of themselves, with help from one protein (September 7, 2010) -- Like some people, cells eat when they are under pressure -- but they consume parts of themselves. A multi-function protein helps control this form of cannibalism, according to a new article. ... > full story
What's causing life-threatening blood clots in brain surgery patients? (September 7, 2010) -- One of the most severe complications of brain surgery is a pulmonary embolism. But a new study suggests that screening methods used to access the risk of pulmonary embolisms may fall short. ... > full story
Synthetic eye prosthesis: Plastic artificial cornea implants may offer hope for blind patients (September 7, 2010) -- Donor corneas are a rarity, but a newly developed implant made of plastic may soon offer patients the chance to see again. ... > full story
Study examines association between urban living and psychotic disorders (September 7, 2010) -- The association between psychotic disorders and living in urban areas appears to be a reflection of increased social fragmentation present within cities, according to a new article. ... > full story
Fears of a decline in bee pollination confirmed (September 7, 2010) -- Widespread reports of a decline in the population of bees and other flower-visiting animals have aroused fear and speculation that pollination is also likely on the decline. A recent study provides the first long-term evidence of a downward trend in pollination, while also pointing to climate change as a possible contributor. ... > full story
Scientists begin to unravel causes of mysterious skin disease (September 7, 2010) -- Vitiligo -- a complex disease that typically causes patches of white skin on the face, neck and extremities, which pop star Michael Jackson may have experienced -- is associated with slight variations in genes that play a role in the body's natural defenses. Multiple cellular pathways may contribute to the onset and progression of vitiligo, which makes fully understanding the disease complicated, but it also gives scientists a variety of starting points to begin developing therapies. ... > full story
Blue breed: Rare hibiscus color is achieved thanks to flower breeding project (September 7, 2010) -- Scientists working on a winter-hardy hibiscus breeding project have achieved a rare color for the plant: blue. ... > full story
Chronic Lyme disease: How often is it diagnosed and treated? (September 7, 2010) -- The existence of chronic Lyme disease is an issue of sharp debate within the medical community. Many doctors are concerned with the potential dangers associated with the prolonged and intensive use of oral and intravenous antibiotics (the recommended treatment for chronic Lyme disease), such as blood clots and life threatening infections. A new study attempts to determine how often chronic Lyme disease is actually being diagnosed and treated. ... > full story
Fashion student designs edible clothes (September 7, 2010) -- Emily Crane's research into growing edible materials has enabled her to bring a touch of haute cuisine to her haute couture. ... > full story
Role of key genetic catalyst for human diversity discovered (September 6, 2010) -- One of the key drivers of human evolution and diversity, accounting for changes that occur between different generations of people, is explained by new research. ... > full story
Talented bacteria make food poisoning unpredictable (September 6, 2010) -- While we are often exposed to bacteria in our food which could cause food poisoning, we don't always become ill -- why should this be so? New research sheds light on how bacteria use different tricks to aid their survival inside the body, helping to explain why food poisoning can be so unpredictable. ... > full story
Increase in Cambodia's vultures gives hope to imperiled scavengers (September 6, 2010) -- While vultures across Asia teeter on the brink of extinction, the vultures of Cambodia are increasing in number, providing a beacon of hope for these threatened scavengers, according wildlife conservation experts. ... > full story
Satellite data reveals why migrating birds have a small window to spread bird flu (September 6, 2010) -- In 2005 an outbreak of the H5N1 'bird flu' virus in South East Asia led to widespread fear with predictions that the intercontinental migration of wild birds could lead to global pandemic. Such fears were never realised, and now new research reveals why the global spread of bird flu by direct migration of wildfowl is unlikely, while also providing a new framework for quantifying the risk of avian-borne diseases. ... > full story
Breaking up phosphorus with ultraviolet light may offer a safer, simpler way to build many industrial and household chemicals (September 6, 2010) -- Phosphorus, a mineral element found in rocks and bone, is a critical ingredient in fertilizers, pesticides, detergents and other industrial and household chemicals. Now chemists have developed a new way to attach phosphorus to organic compounds by first splitting the phosphorus with ultraviolet light. Their method eliminates the need for chlorine, which is usually required for such reactions and poses health risks to workers handling the chemicals. ... > full story
Non-invasive therapy significantly improves depression, researchers say (September 6, 2010) -- A unique new therapy that applies electrical stimulation to a major nerve emanating from the brain is showing promise for major depression. In a recently completed clinical trial, trigeminal nerve stimulation achieved an average of a 70 percent reduction in symptom severity over an 8-week study. ... > full story
New self-assembling photovoltaic technology repairs itself (September 6, 2010) -- Scientists have created a novel set of self-assembling molecules that can turn sunlight into electricity; the molecules can be repeatedly broken down and then reassembled quickly, just by adding or removing an additional solution. ... > full story
Backstabbing bacteria: A new treatment for infection? (September 6, 2010) -- Selfish bacterial cells that act in their own interests and do not cooperate with their infection-causing colleagues can actually reduce the severity of infection. The selfish behaviour of these uncooperative bacteria could be exploited to treat antibiotic-resistant infections, according to new research. ... > full story
Lake Michigan ecosystem may crash: 'Doughnut' of phytoplankton disappearing (September 6, 2010) -- In 1998, Charlie Kerfoot discovered a "doughnut" of phytoplankton circulating in Lake Michigan, helping to feed the lake's famous fishery. Just 12 later, the doughnut is disappearing, and Kerfoot fears that the lake's ecosystem will crash, taking with it much of the fish biomass. ... > full story
Induced pluripotent stem cell retain an inactivated X chromosome, study finds (September 6, 2010) -- Female induced pluripotent stem cells, reprogrammed from human skin cells into cells that have the embryonic-like potential to become any cell in the body, retain an inactive X chromosome, stem cell researchers have found. ... > full story
Listening to ancient colors: New technique may help restorers identify decades-old pigments (September 6, 2010) -- A team of chemists has discovered that a technique known as photoacoustic infrared spectroscopy could be used to identify the composition of pigments used in art work that is decades or even centuries old. Pigments give artist's materials color, and they emit sounds when light is shone on them. ... > full story
Cognitive effects of Parkinson's disease: Automated tasks easier, but task switching difficult (September 6, 2010) -- Researchers have found that people with Parkinson's disease can perform automated tasks better than people without the disease, but have significant difficulty switching from easy to hard tasks. ... > full story
Transition metal catalysts could be key to origin of life, scientists report (September 6, 2010) -- Scientists propose that an overlooked type of biological catalyst -- metal-ligand complexes -- could have jump-started metabolism and life itself, deep in hydrothermal ocean vents. ... > full story
'Jailbreak' bacteria can trigger heart disease (September 6, 2010) -- Plaque-causing bacteria can jailbreak from the mouth into the bloodstream and increase your risk of heart attack, according to new research. ... > full story
New mission to skim the Sun: NASA selects science investigations for Solar Probe Plus (September 6, 2010) -- NASA has begun development of a mission to visit and study the sun closer than ever before. The unprecedented project, named Solar Probe Plus, is slated to launch no later than 2018. The small car-sized spacecraft will plunge directly into the sun's atmosphere approximately four million miles from our star's surface. It will explore a region no other spacecraft ever has encountered. ... > full story
'Basal-like' breast cancer does not originate from basal stem cells (September 6, 2010) -- New research uncovers a case of mistaken identity that may have a significant impact on future breast cancer prevention and treatment strategies. The study suggests that despite their "stem cell-like" characteristics, most aggressive breast tumors are not derived from normal mammary gland stem cells. ... > full story
In a changing climate, erratic rainfall poses growing threat to rural poor, new report says (September 6, 2010) -- Against a backdrop of extreme weather wreaking havoc around the world, a new report warns that increasingly erratic rainfall related to climate change will pose a major threat to food security and economic growth, especially in Africa and Asia, requiring increased investment in diverse forms of water storage as an effective remedy. ... > full story
Acting selfish? Blame your mother! (September 6, 2010) -- The fact that our female ancestors dispersed more than our male ancestors can lead to conflicts within the brain that influence our social behavior, new research reveals. ... > full story
Mothers matter! High social status and maternal support play an important role in mating success of male bonobos (September 5, 2010) -- The higher up a male bonobo is placed in the social hierarchy, the greater his mating success is with female bonobos, researchers have found. But even males who are not so highly placed still have a chance of impressing females. A new study finds evidence of direct support from mothers to their sons in agonistic conflicts over access to estrous females. ... > full story
New pump created for microneedle drug-delivery patch (September 5, 2010) -- Researchers have developed a new type of pump for drug-delivery patches that might use arrays of "microneedles" to deliver a wider range of medications than now possible with conventional patches. ... > full story
Did Viking Mars landers find life's building blocks? Missing piece inspires new look at puzzle (September 5, 2010) -- Experiments prompted by a 2008 surprise from NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander suggest that soil examined by NASA's Viking Mars landers in 1976 may have contained carbon-based chemical building blocks of life. ... > full story
Vitamin D is a prognostic marker in heart failure, study finds (September 5, 2010) -- Survival rates in heart failure patients with reduced levels of vitamin D are lower than in patients with normal levels. This is the finding of a major study carried out in the Netherlands. ... > full story
New bee species discovered in downtown Toronto (September 5, 2010) -- A doctoral student who discovered a new species of bee in Toronto has completed a study of 84 species of sweat bees in Canada. Nineteen of these species are new to science -- never before identified -- including the new Toronto bee, which is actually quite common in eastern Canada and the US. The new research will help scientists track bee diversity, and understand pollination biology and insect social behavior. ... > full story
Race, insurance status cited in uneven death rates among pedestrians hit by cars (September 5, 2010) -- Uninsured minority pedestrians hit by cars are at a significantly higher risk of death than their insured white counterparts, even if the injuries sustained are similar, new research suggests. ... > full story
Mosquitoes: Genetic structure of first animal to show evolutionary response to climate change determined (September 5, 2010) -- Scientists have determined the fine-scale genetic structure of the first animal to show an evolutionary response to rapid climate change. ... > full story
Starvation keeps sleep-deprived fly brain sharp (September 5, 2010) -- As anyone who has ever struggled to keep his or her eyes open after a big meal knows, eating can induce sleepiness. New research in fruit flies suggests that, conversely, being hungry may provide a way to stay awake without feeling groggy or mentally challenged. ... > full story
Global warming's silver lining? Northern countries will thrive and grow, researcher predicts (September 5, 2010) -- Move over, Sunbelt. The New North is coming through, a geographer predicts in a new book. As worldwide population increases by 40 percent over the next 40 years, sparsely populated Canada, Scandinavia, Russia and the northern United States will become formidable economic powers and migration magnets, Laurence C. Smith writes. ... > full story
Iron deficiency in heart failure (September 5, 2010) -- Iron deficiency is a relatively common nutritional disorder that affects more than one third of the general population, and is often associated with chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid diseases and renal failure. New research has demonstrated that iron deficiency also affects at least one-third of non-anaemic chronic heart failure patients. ... > full story
NASA and ATK successfully test five-segment solid rocket motor (September 5, 2010) -- With a loud roar and mighty column of flame, NASA and ATK Aerospace Systems successfully completed a two-minute, full-scale test of the largest and most powerful solid rocket motor designed for flight. The motor is potentially transferable to future heavy-lift launch vehicle designs. ... > full story
Americans struggle with long-term weight loss (September 5, 2010) -- Only about one in every six Americans who have ever been overweight or obese loses weight and maintains that loss, according to researchers. ... > full story
Magnetism's subatomic roots: Study of high-tech materials helps explain everyday phenomenon (September 4, 2010) -- Theoretical physicists have created a new model that helps define the subatomic origins of ferromagnetism -- the everyday "magnetism" of compass needles and refrigerator magnets. The model was created to explore the inner workings of ferromagnetic compounds that are related to high-temperature superconductors. ... > full story
Hair provides proof of the link between chronic stress and heart attack (September 4, 2010) -- Researchers have provided the first direct evidence using a biological marker, to show chronic stress plays an important role in heart attacks. The scientists developed a method to measure cortisol levels in hair providing an accurate assessment of stress levels in the months prior to an acute event such as a heart attack. ... > full story
Novel nanotechnology collaboration leads to breakthrough in cancer research (September 4, 2010) -- A multidisciplinary group of researchers has produced a 3.6-angstrom resolution structure of the human adenovirus. Scientists are working with adenovirus as a vector for gene therapy, but have needed better structural information. ... > full story
Functional motor neuron subtypes generated from embryonic stem cells (September 4, 2010) -- Scientists have devised a method for coaxing mouse embryonic stem cells into forming a highly specific motor neuron subtype. The research provides new insight into motor neuron differentiation and may prove useful for devising and testing future therapies for motor neuron diseases. ... > full story
Helping corn-based plastics take more heat (September 4, 2010) -- A team of agricultural scientists are working to make corn-derived plastics more heat tolerant -- research that may broaden the range of applications for which these plastics could be used as an alternative to petroleum-based plastics. ... > full story
Next step in evolution? A technical life form that passes on knowledge and experience (September 4, 2010) -- Dutch biologist Gerard Jagers op Akkerhuis has developed the ‘operator hierarchy’ -- a system based on the complexity of particles and of organisms, which can predict the next step in evolution: a technical life form, that can pass on its knowledge and experience to the next generation. ... > full story
Most new farmland in tropics comes from slashing forests, research shows (September 4, 2010) -- A new study shows that more than 80 percent of the new farmland created in the tropics between 1980 and 2000 came from felling forests, which sends carbon into the atmosphere and drives global warming. But the research team also noted that big agribusiness has largely replaced small farmers in doing most of the tree cutting in Brazil and Indonesia, which may make it easier to rein in the trend. ... > full story
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