ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Friday, September 24, 2010
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Insight into the impacts of too much communication (September 24, 2010) -- Individuals within a networked system coordinate their activities by communicating to each other information such as their position, speed, or intention. At first glance, it seems that more of this communication will increase the harmony and efficiency of the network. However, scientists have found that this is only true if the communication and its subsequent action are immediate. ... > full story
Faster, less-intrusive way found to identify transplant recipients' organ rejection (September 24, 2010) -- A simple, inexpensive blood test could soon help doctors halt organ rejection before it impairs transplanted hearts and kidneys. ... > full story
Computer simulations of real earthquakes made available to worldwide network (September 24, 2010) -- A research team has developed the capability to produce realistic movies of earthquakes based on complex computer simulations that can be made available worldwide within hours of a disastrous upheaval. ... > full story
Does race plays a factor in accident survival? Black motorcyclists -- even in helmets -- more likely to die in crashes, study finds (September 24, 2010) -- African-American victims of motorcycle crashes were 1.5 times more likely to die from their injuries than similarly injured whites, even though many more of the African-American victims were wearing helmets at the time of injury, according to a new study. ... > full story
Magnetic power offers energy-saving alternative (September 24, 2010) -- Researchers have designed a new system called the "Magnetic Energy Recovery Switch" that controls electrical flow for lighting, a highly efficient platform that may spark a new era of power savings. ... > full story
Teasing about weight can affect pre-teens profoundly, study suggests (September 24, 2010) -- Schoolyard taunts of any type can potentially damage a child's sense of self-confidence. But a new study suggests that a particular kind of teasing -- about weight -- can have distinctive and significant effects on how pre-teens perceive their own bodies. ... > full story
City living helped humans evolve immunity to tuberculosis and leprosy, new research suggests (September 24, 2010) -- New research has found that a genetic variant which reduces the chance of contracting diseases such as tuberculosis and leprosy is more prevalent in populations with long histories of urban living. ... > full story
Drug against AIDS could be effective against herpesvirus (September 24, 2010) -- Scientists have shown that raltegravir, the drug approved in 2007 for the treatment of AIDS that is sold by Merck under the name Isentress, cancels the function of an essential protein for the replication of one kind of herpes virus. This study is the first step towards the development of a drug against the entire herpesvirus family. ... > full story
Successful sludge-to-power research developed (September 24, 2010) -- An experiment to transform wastewater sludge to electrical power, dwarfed by the million-gallon tanks, pipes and pumps at the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility, has successfully demonstrated a continuous feed low-cost system to dry sludge for conversion to fuel, which could ultimately supply the plant's electrical power on-site. ... > full story
Shorter biological marker length in aplastic anemia patients linked to higher relapse, death rates (September 24, 2010) -- Among patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy for severe aplastic anemia (a condition in which the bone marrow is unable to produce blood cells), the length of telomeres (chromosome markers of biological aging) was not related to the response to treatment but was associated with a higher rate of relapse (return to low blood cell counts) and lower overall survival, according to a new study. ... > full story
Fuel treatments reduce wildfire severity, tree mortality in Washington forests (September 24, 2010) -- Scientists have found that fuel treatments -- even of only a few acres -- can reduce fire severity and protect older trees desirable for their timber, wildlife, and carbon-storage value. ... > full story
Psychotropic medication and youth in foster care report (September 24, 2010) -- A landmark report from a multi-state study calls for a national approach and resources for psychotropic medication oversight for youth in foster care. ... > full story
Groundwater depletion rate accelerating worldwide (September 23, 2010) -- In recent decades, the rate at which humans worldwide are pumping dry the vast underground stores of water that billions depend on has more than doubled, say scientists who have conducted an unusual, global assessment of groundwater use. ... > full story
Scientists uncover process enabling toxoplasmosis parasite to survive homelessness (September 23, 2010) -- The parasite responsible for toxoplasmosis requires a stress response system that helps it survive the move to infect new cells, scientists have reported -- a discovery that could lead to new treatments to control the disease. ... > full story
Getting off tract: Polyglutamine disease involves other regions of protein (September 23, 2010) -- Many genes code for proteins that have a "polyglutamine tract," several glutamine amino acid residues in a row. Nine inherited neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington's disease and spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), are associated with mutations that cause abnormally long polyglutamine tracts. One theory suggests that accumulation of proteins with extra glutamines damages and kills neurons. However, there is evidence that glutamine tract expansion alone is not sufficient to cause disease. ... > full story
New light on nonlinearity: Peregrine’s soliton observed at last (September 23, 2010) -- Despite its central place as a defining object of nonlinear science for over 25 years, the unique characteristics of the Peregrine soliton have never been directly observed in a continuous physical system -- until now. ... > full story
Anger amplifies clinical pain in women with and without fibromyalgia; Sensitizing effect of anger and sadness not limited to fibromyalgia patients (September 23, 2010) -- Researchers who studied the effect of negative emotions on pain perception in women with and without fibromyalgia found that anger and sadness amplified pain equally in both groups. ... > full story
Extreme conditions deep in Earth's interior recreated (September 23, 2010) -- Scientists have recreated the tremendous pressures and high temperatures deep in the Earth to resolve a long-standing puzzle: why some seismic waves travel faster than others through the boundary between the solid mantle and fluid outer core. At the pressure near the core-mantle boundary -- more than a million times atmospheric pressure -- perovskite's crystals are deformed in just the right way to explain velocity differences of polarized seismic waves. ... > full story
Manganese in drinking water: Study suggests adverse effects on children's intellectual abilities (September 23, 2010) -- A team of researchers recently completed a study showing that children exposed to high concentrations of manganese in drinking water performed worse on tests of intellectual functioning than children with lower exposures. ... > full story
New technique uncovers hidden insecticide resistance in mosquitoes (September 23, 2010) -- A new technique is improving the detection and monitoring of insecticide resistance in field populations of an important malaria-carrying mosquito. ... > full story
Stress resilience returns with feeling for rhythm (September 23, 2010) -- If your body releases cortisol with fixed regularity then you can cope with stress better, according to new Dutch research into the rhythm of corticosterone production in rats. This rat hormone is comparable to the human stress hormone cortisol. Rats deal considerably less well with stress if the pattern of corticosterone release changes. An irregular release pattern is a characteristic of chronic stress and stress-related diseases. It might therefore be possible to treat these by restoring the rhythm. ... > full story
Improved tool developed for cycling fitness (September 23, 2010) -- For competitive bicyclists with goals -- whether competing in the Tour de France or aiming for the podium at a local race -- faster cycling comes from training regimens based on various zones of exercise intensity. New research from exercise scientists has found that effective training regimens, which generally are created after expensive, time-consuming laboratory tests, can be developed from a relatively simple, do-it-yourself test. ... > full story
Current decisions shape your future preferences (September 23, 2010) -- Psychologists have known for a long time that after you make a choice, you adjust your opinion to think better of the thing you chose. Now a new study has found that this is true even if you don't know the options that you're choosing between. ... > full story
Gulf oil spill's vastness confirmed: Largest marine oil accident ever (September 23, 2010) -- In the first independent paper on the volume of the Gulf oil spill, scientists have affirmed heightened estimates of what is now seen as the largest marine oil accident ever. Using a new technique to analyze underwater video of the well riser, they say it leaked 56,000-68,000 barrels daily -- maybe more -- until it was capped. Their estimate of total oil escaped into the ocean is 4.4 million barrels -- close to the most recent consensus of government advisers. ... > full story
Smoking during pregnancy may harm the child’s motor control and coordination (September 23, 2010) -- Women who smoke during pregnancy run the risk of adversely affecting their children's coordination and physical control according to a new study. Boys' abilities may be affected to a greater extent than those of girls, according to the research. ... > full story
Secret of oysters' ability to stick together cracked open (September 23, 2010) -- A research team has uncovered the chemical components of the adhesive produced by oysters, providing information that could be useful for fisheries, boating and medicine. A better understanding of oysters' ability to stick together to form complex reefs would help those trying to boost the dwindling oyster population, aid in the creation of materials to keep boat hulls clean without harming the environment, and bring researchers one step closer to creating wet-setting adhesives. ... > full story
Normal function of protein, not its build up inside cells, linked to death of neurons (September 23, 2010) -- A new study links the muscle weakness and other symptoms of a rare neurodegenerative disease to a misstep in functioning of a normal protein, rather than its build-up inside cells. ... > full story
Ingredient in soap points toward new drugs for infection that affects two billion (September 23, 2010) -- The antibacterial ingredient in some soaps, toothpastes, odor-fighting socks, and even computer keyboards is pointing scientists toward a long-sought new treatment for a parasitic disease that affects almost two billion people. ... > full story
Talking while walking puts Parkinson's patients at risk for falls (September 23, 2010) -- Walking and talking at the same time can put older adults, especially those with Parkinson's disease, at risk for injurious falls. ... > full story
Clues to common food poisoning: Salmonella creates environment in human intestines to foster its own growth (September 23, 2010) -- The bacteria Salmonella enterica -- a common cause of food poisoning -- exploits immune response in the human gut to enhance its own reproductive and transmission success, according to new research. The strategy gives Salmonella a growth advantage over the beneficial bacteria that are normally present in the intestinal tract and promotes the severe diarrhea that spreads the bacteria to other people. ... > full story
New target for Alzheimer's disease identified (September 23, 2010) -- Neurological researchers have found a new therapeutic target that can potentially lead to a new way to prevent the progression of Alzheimer's disease. The target called neutral sphingomyelinase (N-SMase) is a protein that when activated, can cause a chain of reactions in the cell leading to neuronal death and memory loss. ... > full story
Mercury’s comet-like appearance spotted by satellites looking at the Sun (September 23, 2010) -- Scientists report that NASA satellites designed to view the escaping atmosphere of the Sun have also recorded evidence of escaping gas from the planet Mercury. The STEREO mission has two satellites placed in the same orbit around the Sun that the Earth has, but at locations ahead and behind it. This configuration offers multi-directional views of the electrons and ions that make up the escaping solar wind. On occasion, the planet Mercury appears in the field of view of one or both satellites. In addition to its appearance as a bright disk of reflected sunlight, a "tail" of emission can be seen in some of the images. ... > full story
Putting on the pounds after weight loss? Hit the gym to maintain health gains (September 23, 2010) -- Although obesity is a major risk factor for disease, much of the threat may be associated with the metabolic (or cardiometabolic) syndrome, a cluster of risk factors related to diabetes and heart disease. Losing weight can improve health and reduce many of these risk factors. However, many people struggle to keep the weight off long-term. Now, researchers have found that people who perform resistance training while regaining weight can help maintain strides in reducing their risks for chronic disease. ... > full story
Smartphone app for genes on Earth is tool for scientists and entertaining for all (September 23, 2010) -- The scientists who put an innovative tree of life online last year now have made that same resource available -- free -- for smartphones. The new "TimeTree" application lets anyone with an Apple iPhone harness a vast Internet storehouse of data about the diversity of life, from bacteria to humans. The new iPhone app can be fun for people who want to learn how long ago their cat and dog began evolving down different evolutionary paths, and it also is a useful scientific tool. ... > full story
Less pain for learning gain: Research offers a strategy to increase learning with less effort (September 23, 2010) -- Scientists have long agreed that perceptual skills related to language learning and reading can be enhanced through practice. As a result, therapies for poor readers and language learning impaired children often are long and tedious. In what may be metaplasticity's first behavioral demonstration, this study finds a way to make training easier but equally effective. It also could lead to easier training techniques for musicians, foreign language learners and others. ... > full story
Ocean cooling contributed to mid-20th century global warming hiatus (September 23, 2010) -- The hiatus of global warming in the Northern Hemisphere during the mid-20th century may have been due to an abrupt cooling event centered over the North Atlantic around 1970, rather than the cooling effects of tropospheric pollution. ... > full story
Toward the first nose drops to treat brain cancer (September 23, 2010) -- Scientists are reporting the development and successful initial testing of a new form of methotrexate -- the mainstay anticancer drug -- designed to be given as nose drops rather than injected. It shows promise as a more effective treatment for brain cancer, they say. ... > full story
New species of sea slug discovered (September 23, 2010) -- Sometimes, treasures can be found in your own backyard -- especially if you know what to look for. A researcher was working in the tide pools at Carpinteria Reef in California when he found a new species of nudibranch -- a group of sea slugs noted for their bright colors and delicate forms. Recognizing it as new, he carefully documented the living specimen before preserving it. ... > full story
New bioprosthetic-tissue heart valve for severe aortic stenosis shown to save lives, researchers say (September 23, 2010) -- Implantation of a new bioprosthetic-tissue valve into the hearts of patients who have severe aortic stenosis and are too sick or too old for open-heart surgery has been found to both save lives and improve the quality of those lives, according to a new multicenter study. ... > full story
Building language skills more critical for boys than girls, research suggests (September 23, 2010) -- Developing language skills appears to be more important for boys than girls in helping them to develop self-control and, ultimately, succeed in school, according to a new study. ... > full story
Earth and Venus Lightning: Similar mechanisms on the two planets (September 23, 2010) -- Despite the great differences between the atmospheres of Venus and Earth, scientists have discovered that very similar mechanisms produce lightning on the two planets. The rates of discharge, the intensity and the spatial distribution of lightning are comparable, thus scientists hope to be able to better understand the chemistry, dynamics and evolution of the atmospheres of the two planets. ... > full story
Preventing infections in the womb: Discovery may pave way for new approaches (September 23, 2010) -- Researchers have established in mice the mechanism that detects and responds to the presence of bacteria in the womb -- a discovery that opens up the possibility of new preventative treatments for diseases like pelvic inflammatory disease and Chlamydia. ... > full story
Mice engrafted with human immune cells may provide clues to better prevention and treatment of typhoid fever (September 23, 2010) -- Better treatments and prevention of typhoid fever may emerge from a laboratory model that has just been developed for the disease. The model is based on transplanting human immune stem cells from umbilical cord blood into mice that are susceptible to infections. Because typhoid fever affects only humans, progress in creating effective vaccines and medications has been limited. The "humanized" mouse allows scientists to study innovative approaches against human infections. ... > full story
Doctors often overprescribe antibiotics for respiratory infections, Pennsylvania study finds (September 23, 2010) -- Doctors frequently misuse antibiotics when treating patients hospitalized with respiratory tract infections, according to a new study that tracked patients in two Pennsylvania hospitals. ... > full story
Fruit flies help scientists sniff out new insect repellents (September 23, 2010) -- By following the "nose" of fruit flies, scientists are on the trail of new insect repellents that may reduce the spread of infectious disease and damage to agricultural crops. That's because they've learned for the first time how a group of genes used to differentiate smells is turned on and off, opening new possibilities for insect control. ... > full story
Just two drinks slow reactions in older people, research shows (September 23, 2010) -- Blood alcohol levels below the current legal limit for driving have a significant negative effect on a person's dexterity. Researchers found that just two single vodka and orange drinks were enough to make senior volunteers struggle at an obstacle avoidance test while walking. ... > full story
Genomic 'haircut' makes world's tiniest genome even smaller (September 23, 2010) -- The world's tiniest nuclear genome appears to have "snipped off the ends" of its chromosomes and evolved into a lean, mean, genome machine that infects human cells, according to new research. ... > full story
Acetylation may contribute to dementia and Alzheimer's disease; May lead to new treatments (September 23, 2010) -- A new study uncovers a protein modification that may contribute to the formation of neuron-damaging neurofibrillary tangles in the human brain. The research may lead to new strategies for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases that result from pathological aggregation of tau protein. ... > full story
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