ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Monday, September 20, 2010
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50-million-year-old snake gets a CT scan (September 20, 2010) -- Even some of the most advanced technology in medicine couldn't get Clarisse to give up all of her secrets. After all, she's protected them for more than 50 million years. Clarisse is a snake, found in the Fossil Butte region of Wyoming, perfectly fossilized in limestone and the only one of her kind known to be in existence. ... > full story
How HIV resists AZT: Virus hijacks a common molecule (September 20, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered the details of how HIV resists AZT. The scientists believe their discovery helps researchers understand how important anti-AIDS treatments can fail and could help AIDS researchers develop more effective treatment for the disease. ... > full story
Easily blocked signaling protein may help scientists stop parasites (September 20, 2010) -- Researchers have identified a parasite protein that has all the makings of a microbial glass jaw: it's essential, it's vulnerable and humans have nothing like it, meaning scientists can take pharmacological swings at it with minimal fear of collateral damage. ... > full story
New target in polycystic kidney disease: Experimental drug decreases size and number of cysts in animal model (September 20, 2010) -- In work suggesting a new approach to treating polycystic kidney disease, a leading cause of kidney failure, researchers were able to block the formation of fluid-filled cysts, the hallmark of the disease, in a mouse model. ... > full story
2010 tied with 1998 as warmest global temperature on record (September 20, 2010) -- The first eight months of 2010 tied the same period in 1998 for the warmest combined land and ocean surface temperature on record worldwide. Meanwhile, the June-August summer was the second warmest on record globally after 1998, and last month was the third warmest August on record. Separately, last month's global average land surface temperature was the second warmest on record for August, while the global ocean surface temperature tied with 1997 as the sixth warmest for August. ... > full story
For 4-year-olds, interactions with teacher key to gains (September 20, 2010) -- Preschoolers who spend much of their classroom day engaged in so-called "free-choice play" make smaller gains in language and math skills than children who receive input from teachers in a range of other activity settings. Researchers studied more than 2,700 children enrolled in public pre-kindergarten programs, more than half of whom were in poverty. They found that children engaged in free-choice play made smaller academic gains than children who spent less time in free-choice play. ... > full story
At the crossroads of chromosomes: Study reveals structure of cell division’s key molecule (September 20, 2010) -- On average, one hundred billion cells in the human body divide over the course of a day. Most of the time the body gets it right but sometimes, problems in cell replication can lead to abnormalities in chromosomes resulting in many types of disorders, from cancer to Down Syndrome. Now, researchers have defined the structure of a key molecule that plays a central role in how DNA is duplicated and then moved correctly and equally into two daughter cells to produce two exact copies of the mother cell. Without this molecule, entire chromosomes could be lost during cell division. ... > full story
Using chest compressions first just as successful as immediate defibrillation after cardiac arrest, study finds (September 20, 2010) -- In cardiac arrest, is it best to start pumping on the victim's chest or give an immediate shock to the heart? A new study has found that both rescue strategies are effective, yet chest compressions before defibrillation may be best in events where emergency response times are longer than five minutes. ... > full story
Chemists discover method to create high-value chemicals from biomass (September 20, 2010) -- Chemist Walter Trahanovsky was trying to produce sugar derivatives from biomass using high-temperature chemistry. He was surprised when his research also produced significant yields of high-value chemicals. ... > full story
Mechanism behind demethylation pinpointed in APC gene mutants (September 20, 2010) -- Researchers demonstrate in a study the mechanism by which mutation of the APC gene affects a cellular process known as DNA methylation. ... > full story
Environmental impact of organic solar cells assessed (September 20, 2010) -- To better understand the energy and environmental benefits and detriments of solar power, a research team has conducted one of the first life-cycle assessments of organic solar cells. The study found that the embodied energy -- or the total energy required to make a product -- is less for organic solar cells compared with conventional inorganic devices. ... > full story
Emotional robot pets (September 20, 2010) -- Designers of robot pets are fighting a never-ending battle with consumers to provide entertaining and realistic gadgets that respond to human interaction in ever more nuanced ways, mimicking the behavior of real pet animals or even people. Researchers in Taiwan are now looking at a new design paradigm that could see the development of a robot vision module that might one-day recognize human facial expressions and respond appropriately. ... > full story
Fossil of giant bony-toothed bird from chile sets wingspan record (September 19, 2010) -- A newly discovered skeleton of an ancient seabird from northern Chile provides evidence that giant birds were soaring the skies there 5-10 million years ago. The wing bones of the animal exceed those of all other birds in length; its wingspan would have been at least 5.2 m (17 ft.). This is the largest safely established wingspan for a bird. Other, larger estimates for fossil birds have been based on much less secure evidence. ... > full story
Imbalanced diet and inadequate exercise may underlie asthma in children (September 19, 2010) -- Even children of a healthy weight who have an imbalanced metabolism due to poor diet or exercise may be at increased risk of asthma, according to new research, which challenges the widespread assumption that obesity itself is a risk factor for asthma. ... > full story
Scientists decode genomes of precocious fruit flies (September 19, 2010) -- Researchers have deciphered how lowly fruit flies bred to rapidly develop and reproduce actually evolve over time. The findings contradict the long-held belief that sexual beings evolve the same way simpler organisms do and could fundamentally alter the direction of genetic research for new pharmaceuticals and other products. ... > full story
Adolescents with fibromyalgia who are physically active report lower levels of pain and disability (September 19, 2010) -- Adolescents with fibromyalgia who are physically active report lower levels of pain and disability, according to a new study ... > full story
Protein clamps tight to telomeres to help prevent aging and support cancer (September 19, 2010) -- Researchers have published the first detailed report on the structure and function of a crucial domain in the protein known as Cdc13, which sustains telomeres by clamping to DNA and recruiting telomere-lengthening enzymes to the area. The study was performed using the yeast gene, however, this essential life process has changed little through evolution, and evidence suggests that the human equivalent of this protein may make a good target for future anticancer drugs. ... > full story
House-sharing with microbes (September 19, 2010) -- Household dust contains up to 1000 different species of microbes, with tens of millions of individual bacterial cells in each gram. And these are just the ones that can be grown in the lab. New research looks at how we share our living and working spaces with millions of microbes, not all of whom are bad news. ... > full story
Gene limits learning and memory in mice (September 19, 2010) -- Deleting a certain gene in mice can make them smarter by unlocking a mysterious region of the brain considered to be relatively inflexible, scientists have found. Mice with a disabled RGS14 gene are able to remember objects they'd explored and learn to navigate mazes better than regular mice, suggesting that RGS14's presence limits some forms of learning and memory. ... > full story
Targeted therapy decreases progression rate in thyroid cancer (September 19, 2010) -- The drug pazopanib may help revolutionize the care of patients with metastatic, rapidly progressive differentiated thyroid cancers, say researchers who are publishing findings of a phase II clinical trial. ... > full story
Cosmic ice sculptures: Dust pillars in the Carina Nebula (September 19, 2010) -- Enjoying a frozen treat on a hot summer day can leave a sticky mess as it melts in the Sun and deforms. In the cold vacuum of space, there is no edible ice cream, but there is radiation from massive stars that is carving away at cold molecular clouds, creating bizarre, fantasy-like structures. ... > full story
Fast-track gene-ID method speeds rare disease search (September 19, 2010) -- Scientists have identified a gene responsible in some families for a devastating inherited kidney disorder, thanks to a new, faster method of genetic analysis not available even two years ago. The success offers hope that scientists can speed the painstaking search for the genes responsible for many rare diseases and test drugs to treat them. ... > full story
Tracking triclosan's field footprint (September 19, 2010) -- A study by agricultural scientists and cooperators provides new details about how fertilizing soils with biosolids also introduces triclosan -- an antibacterial agent in soaps and other cleaning supplies -- into the environment. ... > full story
Native Hawaiians: Vulnerability to early death at all ages, study finds (September 19, 2010) -- Throughout their lives, Native Hawaiians have higher risks of death than white Americans, according to a new study. The research is the first known study to assess mortality patterns among Native Hawaiians at the national level, including those living outside the state of Hawaii. ... > full story
AIDS virus lineage much older than previously thought (September 19, 2010) -- An ancestor of HIV that infects monkeys is thousands of years older than previously thought, suggesting that HIV, which causes AIDS, is not likely to stop killing humans anytime soon. ... > full story
Molecule 968 binds glutaminase and starves cancer cells (September 19, 2010) -- A molecule -- simply called 968 -- can starve cancer cells and the tumors they produce, says new research. The key to this research is the amino acid glutamine. Researchers have long believed that starving cancer cells of glutamine, which cancer cells require in larger quantities than normal cells, would help fight some cancers. Now, they have discovered a molecule that does the job: Dubbed 968 by investigators, this proof of concept molecule binds to the enzyme glutaminase to inhibit cancer growth by blocking the cancer cells' utilization of glutamine. ... > full story
'Nanosprings' offer improved performance in biomedicine, electronics (September 19, 2010) -- Researchers have reported the successful loading of biological molecules onto "nanosprings" -- a type of nanostructure that has gained significant interest in recent years for its ability to maximize surface area in microreactors. ... > full story
Lack of access to healthy food may contribute to health disparities in kidney disease (September 19, 2010) -- Processed and fast foods enriched with phosphorus additives may play a role in health disparities in chronic kidney disease, according to a new study. Previously, genetics was considered the leading reason blacks are four times more likely to progress to end stage renal disease than whites and have much higher rates of cardiovascular disease and mortality in early chronic kidney disease. ... > full story
Great Lakes water quality is focus of new research grant (September 19, 2010) -- How could climate change and our response to it affect the Great Lakes' water quality? That's the primary question a team of 27 scientists will answer in a new research project. ... > full story
Night light pollution affect songbirds' mating life, research suggests (September 18, 2010) -- In today's increasingly urbanized world, the lights in many places are always on, and according to a new study, that's having a real impact on the mating life of forest-breeding songbirds. ... > full story
Alzheimer's drug boosts perceptual learning in healthy adults (September 18, 2010) -- Scientists have found that healthy adults showed greater improvement from practice on a motion direction discrimination task when they took donepezil, a commonly prescribed Alzheimer's drug, compared with when they took a placebo. The research is helping neuroscientists better understand perceptual learning in healthy adults. ... > full story
Quantum tornado in the electron beam: Manipulating materials with rotating quantum particles (September 18, 2010) -- Researchers have succeeded in producing what are known as electron vortex beams: rotating electron beams, which make it possible to investigate the magnetic properties of materials. In the future, it may even be possible to manipulate the tiniest components in a targeted manner and set them in rotation. ... > full story
Tick tock: Rods help set internal clocks, biologist says (September 18, 2010) -- Rod cells -- one of three kinds of exquisitely photosensitive cells found in the retina of the eye -- are surprisingly found to be the only ones responsible for setting our internal "clocks" in low light. ... > full story
Synthetic fuels research aims to reduce oil dependence (September 18, 2010) -- Researchers have developed a facility aimed at learning precisely how coal and biomass are broken down in reactors called gasifiers as part of a project to strengthen the scientific foundations of the synthetic fuel economy. ... > full story
Overprotective parents may impact heart anxiety in adults with congenital heart conditions (September 18, 2010) -- Adults with congenital heart disease are more likely to suffer heart-focused anxiety -- a fear of heart-related symptoms and sensations -- if their parents were overprotective during their childhood and adolescence. ... > full story
Fish schools and krill swarms take on common shape (September 18, 2010) -- When fish or tiny, shrimp-like krill get together, it appears they follow the same set of "rules." According to a new study, shoals of fish and swarms of krill hang out in groups that take on the same overall shape; it's not a simple sphere, a cylinder, or ovoid, but something more akin to an irregular crystal, the researchers say. ... > full story
Promising techniques for extending the life of an organ transplant developed (September 18, 2010) -- Experts have revealed exciting new scientific developments for people with an organ transplant, intended to help prevent rejection of the new organ and extend its life. These advances in protein therapeutics and cell therapy could provide a future solution to some of the challenges surrounding organ transplantation. ... > full story
NASA uses new method to estimate Earth mass movements (September 18, 2010) -- NASA and European researchers have conducted a novel study to simultaneously measure, for the first time, trends in how water is transported across Earth's surface and how the solid Earth responds to the retreat of glaciers following the last major Ice Age, including the shifting of Earth's center of mass. ... > full story
Drug combination may treat traumatic brain injury (September 18, 2010) -- Currently, there are no drugs available to treat TBI: a variety of single drugs have failed clinical trials, suggesting a possible role for drug combinations. Testing this hypothesis in an animal model, researchers tested five drugs in various combinations. Their observations suggest a potentially valuable role for minocycline plus N-acetylcysteine to treat TBI. ... > full story
U.S. tsunami detection improves, but coastal areas still vulnerable, report finds (September 18, 2010) -- The nation's ability to detect and forecast tsunamis has improved since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, but current efforts are still not sufficient to meet challenges posed by tsunamis generated near land that leave little time for warning, says a new report. ... > full story
Proposal by WHO to eliminate AIDS in South Africa is flawed, model shows (September 18, 2010) -- The World Health Organization has proposed a new strategy for combating the AIDS epidemic in South Africa. It is a strategy that is seriously flawed, say researchers. ... > full story
Asian 'unicorn' photographed for first time in over 10 years (September 18, 2010) -- For the first time in more than ten years, there has been a confirmed sighting of one of the rarest and most mysterious animals in the world, the saola of Laos and Vietnam. The Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (also known as Laos) announced on September 15 that in late August villagers in the central province of Bolikhamxay captured a saola and brought it back to their village. The animal died several days later, but was photographed while still alive. ... > full story
How does Prozac act? By acting on the microRNA (September 18, 2010) -- The adaptation mechanisms of the neurons to antidepressants has, until now, remained enigmatic. Research now sheds new light on the mechanisms of action of these drugs which have been used for more than 30 years and are heavily consumed. ... > full story
Channeling efforts to fight cystic fibrosis: Crosstalk between ion channels points to new therapeutic strategy (September 18, 2010) -- Researchers have found a possible new target for fighting cystic fibrosis (CF) that could compensate for the lack of a functioning ion channel in affected CF-related cells. ... > full story
Research could improve detection of liver damage (September 18, 2010) -- New research could lead to faster and more accurate diagnoses of liver damage. Scientists in the UK used paracetamol as the basis for the study: research indicates that paracetamol can place temporary stress on the liver in around a third of people who take a normal dose (4g per day) but the liver returns to normal when the drug has left the system. ... > full story
Radiometric dating still reliable (again), research shows (September 18, 2010) -- Recent puzzling observations of tiny variations in nuclear decay rates have led some to question the science behind carbon-14 dating and similar techniques. However scientists tested the hypothesis that solar radiation might affect the rate at which radioactive elements decay and found no detectable effect. ... > full story
Standardized violence-prevention programs may not prevent teen fighting, findings suggest (September 18, 2010) -- Researchers have uncovered new insights on adolescent fighting: what triggers it, and how to stem it. ... > full story
Physicists cross hurdle in quantum manipulation of matter (September 17, 2010) -- Finding ways to control matter at the level of single atoms and electrons fascinates many scientists and engineers because the ability to manipulate single charges and single magnetic moments (spins) may help researchers penetrate deep into the mysteries of quantum mechanics and modern solid-state physics. It may also allow development of new, highly sensitive magnetometers with nanometer resolution, single-spin transistors for coherent spintronics, and solid-state devices for quantum information processing. ... > full story
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