ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Monday, September 13, 2010
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Glasperlenspiel: Scientists propose new test for gravity (September 13, 2010) -- A new experiment proposed by physicists may allow researchers to test the effects of gravity with unprecedented precision at very short distances -- a scale at which exotic new details of gravity's behavior may be detectable. ... > full story
Long-standing mystery of protein 'quality control' mechanism solved (September 13, 2010) -- Scientists have solved a long-standing mystery of how cells conduct "quality control" to eliminate the toxic effects of a certain kind of error in protein production. The findings may lead to a better understanding of a host of neurodegenerative diseases. ... > full story
Structural defects precede functional decline in heart muscle (September 13, 2010) -- The disruption of a structural component in heart muscle cells, which is associated with heart failure, appears to occur even before heart function starts to decline, according to a new study. The new findings may point to new ways to diagnose or treat heart failure. ... > full story
Lung cancer survival rates improved through use of individualized chemotherapy (September 13, 2010) -- Chemotherapy is the best broad defense against cancer recurrence after surgical resection. However, it is difficult to predict which patients will benefit from which regimen of anticancer drugs, if at all. Building on existing knowledge, a new study has analyzed the usefulness of adjuvant chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer based on the histoculture drug response assay. ... > full story
Dry lake bed salts promote cloud formation (September 13, 2010) -- One of the major uncertainties in climate modeling is the effect of aerosol particles on cloud formation. Sea salt in the air has been known to be important in cloud formation over oceans. A new study now provides the first direct measurements of clouds showing that wind-blown dust from dry lake beds (playas) can also act as cloud condensation nuclei, encouraging the formation of clouds over continents and thereby affecting climate. ... > full story
People want to be asked before sharing genetic data, study finds (September 13, 2010) -- People want to be informed and asked for consent before deciding whether to let researchers share their genetic information in a federal database, according to new research. The study was the first to ask research participants' opinions about the need for informed consent for sharing their own information. ... > full story
Deadly tides mean early exit for hot Jupiters (September 13, 2010) -- Bad news for planet hunters: most of the "hot Jupiters" that astronomers have been searching for in star clusters were likely destroyed long ago by their stars. In a new study, researchers offer this new explanation for why no transiting planets (planets that pass in front of their stars and temporarily block some of the light) have been found yet in star clusters. The researchers also predict that the planet hunting being done by the Kepler mission is more likely to succeed in younger star clusters than older ones. ... > full story
Our lungs are 'innately prone' to silicosis and related diseases, new study suggests (September 13, 2010) -- For the nearly 2 million US workers exposed to silica dust each year, a new discovery may help prevent or treat the development of chronic lung diseases related to this exposure. Scientists have now shown that the part of our immune system responsible for keeping airways clean and free of contaminants (innate immunity) can cause inflammation and symptoms of disease. ... > full story
Superwind Galaxy NGC 4666 (September 13, 2010) -- The galaxy NGC 4666 takes pride of place at the centre of this new image, made in visible light with the Wide Field Imager on the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at the La Silla Observatory in Chile. NGC 4666 is a remarkable galaxy with very vigorous star formation and an unusual "superwind" of out-flowing gas. It had previously been observed in X-rays by the ESA XMM-Newton space telescope, and the image presented here was taken to allow further study of other objects detected in the earlier X-ray observations. ... > full story
Risk of surgery for Crohn's disease lower than reported in recent studies, new research suggests (September 13, 2010) -- A multi-center study of 854 children with Crohn's disease shows the 5-year cumulative risk of bowel surgery is significantly lower than reported in recent studies. The study also found that children diagnosed between ages 13 and 16 had increased risk of bowel surgery, and a common treatment started at diagnosis did not alter the risk of surgery. ... > full story
Understanding volcanism and tectonic activity in Yellowstone and the Pacific Northwest (September 13, 2010) -- During the past 65 million years, the Pacific Northwest has experienced significant tectonic and volcanic activity, including volcanism in the Yellowstone region. The origins of volcanism in the area have been debated. ... > full story
Ten minutes could prevent one-third of road deaths, Spanish study finds (September 13, 2010) -- Spanish researchers have calculated the probability of dying in road accidents on the basis of the time taken for the emergency services to arrive. Their conclusions are clear: reducing the time between an accident taking place and the arrival of the emergency services from 25 to 15 minutes would cut the risk of death by one-third. ... > full story
Child's 'mental number line' affects memory for numbers (September 12, 2010) -- As children in Western cultures grow, they learn to place numbers on a mental number line, with smaller numbers to the left and spaced further apart than the larger numbers on the right. Then the number line changes to become more linear, with small and large numbers the same distance apart. Children whose number line has made this change are better at remembering numbers, according to a new study. ... > full story
Blood signatures to diagnose infection (September 12, 2010) -- Coughing and wheezing patients could someday benefit from quicker, more accurate diagnosis and treatment for respiratory infections such as flu, through a simple blood test, according to scientists. ... > full story
Fruit fly gene study leads to new method for understanding brain function (September 12, 2010) -- A team of researchers studying neurobiology in fruit flies has developed a new method for understanding brain function with potential applications in studies of human neurological diseases. ... > full story
Mapping new paths for a stressed-out Internet: Collaboration aims to create first accurate geometric map of the Internet (September 12, 2010) -- Researchers have created the first geometric "atlas" of the Internet as part of a project to prevent our most ubiquitous form of communication from collapsing within the next decade or so. ... > full story
People learn new information more effectively when brain activity is consistent, research shows (September 12, 2010) -- People are more likely to remember specific information such as faces or words if the pattern of activity in their brain is similar each time they study that information, according to new research. The finding challenges psychologists' long-held belief that people retain information more effectively when they study it several times under different contexts and, thus, give their brains multiple cues to remember it. ... > full story
Single gene regulates motor neurons in spinal cord (September 12, 2010) -- In a surprising and unexpected discovery, scientists have found that a single type of gene acts as a master organizer of motor neurons in the spinal cord. The finding could help scientists develop new treatments for diseases such as Lou Gehrig's disease or spinal cord injury. ... > full story
Interrupting death messages to treat bone disease (September 12, 2010) -- A surface molecule on bacteria that instructs bone cells to die could be the target for new treatments for bone disease, says a scientist. Blocking the death signal from bacteria could be a way of treating painful bone infections that are resistant to antibiotics, such as those caused by meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. ... > full story
Astronomer unveils the mysteries of 'Green Pea' galaxies (September 12, 2010) -- First discovered in 2007 by amateur stargazers, the strange so-called Green Pea galaxies have now been shown to be extraordinary and extremely compact star cities that have low amounts of complex elements after being diluted by streams of gas and strong supernova winds. ... > full story
Mexican-Americans with heart rhythm disorder have increased risk for second stroke (September 12, 2010) -- Mexican-American stroke survivors with atrial fibrillation had more than double the risk for a second stroke compared to non-Hispanic white survivors with the disorder, according to a new study. Strokes were more severe among these Mexican-Americans than among non-Hispanic whites; however, researchers found no major differences in death rates between the two groups. Researchers said the findings could help physicians develop strategies to prevent recurrent stroke in Mexican-Americans. ... > full story
Discovery offers hope of saving sub-Saharan crops from devastating parasites (September 12, 2010) -- Each year, thousands of acres of crops are planted throughout Africa, Asia and Australia only to be laid to waste by a parasitic plant called Striga, also known as witchweed. It is one of the largest challenges to food security in Africa, and a team of scientists has discovered chemicals and genes that may break Striga's stranglehold. ... > full story
Public looks at synthetic biology -- cautiously (September 12, 2010) -- A new poll finds that two-thirds of Americans think that synthetic biology should move forward, but with more research to study its possible effects on humans and the environment, while one-third support a ban until we better understand its implications and risks. More than half of Americans believe the federal government should be involved in regulating synthetic biology. ... > full story
Carbon mapping breakthrough (September 12, 2010) -- By integrating satellite mapping, airborne-laser technology, and ground-based plot surveys, scientists have revealed the first high-resolution maps of carbon locked up in tropical forest vegetation and emitted by land-use practices. ... > full story
Inflammation is associated with lower intelligence and premature death (September 12, 2010) -- Inflammation is associated with lower intelligence and premature death, according to scientists. “Those with low-grade inflammation performed more poorly on standardized intelligence tests, even after excluding those with signs of current illness. Inflammation also predicted an increased risk of premature death,” said the lead researcher. ... > full story
Harmful amyloid interferes with trash pickup for cells in Alzheimer's disease (September 12, 2010) -- Scientists have identified a way that amyloid beta, the protein that accumulates in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease, interferes with the ability of cells to get rid of debris and have also identified a way that amyloid itself may be discarded, a new study has found. ... > full story
IV drips can be left in place, study shows (September 12, 2010) -- Small intravenous devices (IVDs) commonly used in the hand or arm do not need to be moved routinely every 3 days. A randomized controlled trial comparing regular relocation with relocation on clinical indication found that rates of complications were the same for both regimens. ... > full story
Land-use expert brings satellite data down to Earth (September 12, 2010) -- By integrating remote satellite imagery with revelations from door-to-door interviews, geographers are exploring the complex conditions that give rise to a broad range of land-use challenges -- from the reforestation of Vietnam to the spread of Lyme disease in Belgium. ... > full story
Aging drug users are increasing and facing chronic physical and mental health problems (September 12, 2010) -- Health and social services are facing a new challenge, as many illicit drug users get older and face chronic health problems and a reduced quality of life. UK researchers interviewed people aged 49 to 61 in contact with voluntary sector drug treatment services. The study, plus wider research, suggest that older people who continue to use problematic or illegal drugs are emerging as an important, but relatively under-researched, international population. The problem is international, with US and European figures suggesting the number of people with addiction problems will at least double by 2020. ... > full story
Cancer deaths fall in European Union, but prevention still lags behind (September 12, 2010) -- Although overall mortality from cancer is decreasing in the European Union, its incidence increased by almost 20 percent, from 2.1 million new cases in 2002 to 2.5 million in 2008, says a special issue of the European Journal of Cancer on cancer prevention. The current economic crisis threatens to affect cancer incidence in a number of areas, researchers say. ... > full story
New model provides more effective basis for biodiversity conservation (September 12, 2010) -- A new mathematical model has been developed that provides a more effective basis for biodiversity conservation than existing frameworks. ... > full story
Flying fish glide as well as birds, researchers find (September 11, 2010) -- How well do flying fish fly? This is the question that puzzled researchers in South Korea. Measuring aerodynamic forces on dried darkedged-wing flying fish in a wind tunnel, they discovered that flying fish glide better than insects and as well as birds. The fish also derive an aerodynamic advantage from gliding close to the water's surface to cover distances as great as 400 meters. ... > full story
Misfolded neural proteins linked to autism disorders (September 11, 2010) -- Scientists have identified misfolding and other molecular anomalies in a key brain protein associated with autism spectrum disorders. ... > full story
E. coli engineered to produce biodiesel (September 11, 2010) -- New research is shedding light on how to alter the genetic makeup of E. coli to produce biodiesel fuel derived from fatty acids. ... > full story
New study singles out factors linked to cognitive deficits in type 2 diabetes (September 11, 2010) -- Older adults with diabetes who have high blood pressure, walk slowly or lose their balance, or believe they're in bad health, are significantly more likely to have weaker memory and slower, more rigid cognitive processing than those without these problems, according to a new study. ... > full story
Yikes! Sensor measures yoctonewton forces fast (September 11, 2010) -- Physicists have used a small crystal of ions (electrically charged atoms) to detect forces at the scale of yoctonewtons. Measurements of slight forces -- one yoctonewton is equivalent to the weight of a single copper atom on Earth -- can be useful in force microscopy, nanoscale science, and tests of fundamental physics theories. ... > full story
Energy drinks may give young sports teams an edge, study says (September 11, 2010) -- Consuming energy drinks during team sports could help young people perform better, a new study suggests. ... > full story
Moonstruck primates: Owl monkeys need moonlight as much as a biological clock for nocturnal activity (September 11, 2010) -- Anthropologists have shown that environmental factors, like temperature and light, play as much of a role in the activity of traditionally nocturnal monkeys as the circadian rhythm that regulates periods of sleep and wakefulness. ... > full story
Appetite hormones may predict weight regain after dieting (September 11, 2010) -- Many people have experienced the frustration that comes with regaining weight that was lost from dieting. According to a new study, the levels of appetite hormones in the body prior to dieting may serve as a predictor of weight regain after dieting. ... > full story
Research shows continued decline of Oregon's largest glacier (September 11, 2010) -- Researchers have returned to Collier Glacier for the first time in almost 20 years and found that the glacier has decreased more than 20 percent from its size in the late 1980s. The findings are consistent with glacial retreat all over the world and provide some of the critical data needed to help quantify the effects of global change on glacier retreat and associated sea level rise. ... > full story
Computer models suggest treatments for fractures that won't heal (September 11, 2010) -- New models, reinforced by in vivo experimentation, show why 5-10 percent of bone fractures don't heal properly, and how these cases may be treated to restart the healing process. Results of the model may benefit the aging population in which the occurrence of bone fractures is expected to rise substantially in the near future. ... > full story
Micro rheometer is latest 'lab on a chip' device (September 11, 2010) -- Researchers have demonstrated a micro-miniaturized device that can make complex viscosity measurements -- critical data for a wide variety of fields dealing with things that have to flow -- on sample sizes as small as a few nanoliters. ... > full story
New CCTV technology to help prevent terror attacks (September 11, 2010) -- Numerous CCTV systems are in use in public places which have the capacity to gather large amounts of image material. For the time being, however, there are no effective ways to analyze the mass of video data automatically and recognize potential risk situations in advance. A new European research project is aimed at developing IT solutions to this end. ... > full story
Mental maturity scan tracks brain development (September 11, 2010) -- Five minutes in a scanner can reveal how far a child's brain has come along the path from childhood to maturity and potentially shed light on a range of psychological and developmental disorders, scientists have shown. ... > full story
Drug holds promise to halt debilitating condition of diabetes (September 11, 2010) -- A recently developed drug has the potential to stop a debilitating condition of diabetes that often leads to pain in the extremities and even amputations, researchers have found. ... > full story
A Nearby Galactic Exemplar (September 11, 2010) -- ESO has released a spectacular new image of NGC 300, a spiral galaxy similar to the Milky Way, and located in the nearby Sculptor Group of galaxies. Taken with the Wide Field Imager (WFI) at ESO's La Silla Observatory in Chile, this 50-hour exposure reveals the structure of the galaxy in exquisite detail. NGC 300 lies about six million light-years away and appears to be about two thirds the size of the full Moon on the sky. ... > full story
New model may simplify high-dose radiosurgery planning (September 11, 2010) -- There is yet no straightforward way to determine the optimal dose level and treatment schedules for high-dose radiation therapies such as stereotactic radiation therapy, which is used to treat brain and lung cancer, or for high-dose brachytherapy for prostate and other cancers. Radiation oncology researchers may have solved the problem with a new mathematical model called the Generalized LQ (gLQ) Model that encompasses all dose levels and schedules. ... > full story
Hip dysplasia susceptibility in dogs may be underreported (September 11, 2010) -- A study comparing a new method for evaluating a dog's susceptibility to hip dysplasia to the traditional American method has shown that 80 percent of dogs judged to be normal by the traditional method are actually at risk for developing osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia, according to the new method. ... > full story
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