ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Tuesday, October 19, 2010
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When vertebrae cross dress: How sloths got their long neck (October 19, 2010) -- By examining the development of bones in the vertebral column, limbs and ribcage, scientists have discovered how sloths evolved their unique neck skeleton. ... > full story
Western diet exacerbates sepsis, mouse study suggests (October 19, 2010) -- High-fat diets cause a dramatic immune system overreaction to sepsis, a condition of systemic bacterial infection. An experimental study in mice has shown that a diet high in saturated fat, sugars and cholesterol greatly exaggerates the inflammatory response to sepsis. ... > full story
Underwater robot to explore ice-covered ocean and Antarctic ice shelf (October 19, 2010) -- Researchers in Canada are deploying an underwater robot to survey ice-covered ocean in Antarctica. The mission will study the effect of ice shelves on the mixing of sea water. ... > full story
Four new psoriasis 'hotspots' identified: Discovery may aid in developing new therapies (October 19, 2010) -- Four newly discovered DNA "hotspots" may one day help guide new treatments for psoriasis, one of the most common autoimmune diseases in the country, say geneticists. ... > full story
Planted, unplanted artificial wetlands are similar at year 15, and function as effective carbon sinks (October 19, 2010) -- A 15-year experiment in an outdoor "laboratory" shows that naturally colonizing wetlands can offer just as many, if not more, ecological services as will wetlands planted by humans. Researchers have been comparing the behavior of two experimental marshes on the campus, one that was planted in 1994 with wetland vegetation and another that was left to colonize plant and animal life on its own. ... > full story
Climbing obesity rates threaten U.S. national security by hampering military recruitment (October 19, 2010) -- At a time when American military forces are stretched thin overseas, a growing number of potential recruits are too fat to enlist, according to a new analysis. ... > full story
Watching violent TV or video games desensitizes teenagers and may promote more aggressive behavior, new study finds (October 19, 2010) -- Watching violent films, TV programs or video games desensitizes teenagers, blunts their emotional responses to aggression and potentially promotes aggressive attitudes and behavior, according to new research. ... > full story
Surgery in infants and young children heightens neurodevelopmental risk, study finds (October 19, 2010) -- When children undergo anesthesia during surgery, the long-term effects that anesthetics have on the developing brain is relatively unknown. A new study assesses the association between exposure to anesthesia in children 3 years old and younger and their risk for developmental and behavioral disorders. ... > full story
More than a century after the Gold Rush, mining an historical park’s lichen diversity (October 19, 2010) -- Alaska may be staking out yet another claim to a natural treasure, but one which does not immediately meet the eye. Now, a team of researchers from Austria, Norway, Spain and the United States reports the highest diversity of lichens found anywhere on the North American continent from the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. ... > full story
With a chaperone, copper breaks through: Research identifies features of copper transfer that may improve chemotherapy treatments (October 19, 2010) -- Researchers have investigated how a type of membrane protein transfers essential copper ions throughout the body. This mechanism could also be responsible for how the body absorbs Cisplatin, a common chemotherapy drug used to fight cancer. In the future, this new knowledge may allow scientists to improve the way the drug is transferred throughout the body, the researcher says. ... > full story
Plastics and nanoparticles -- the perfect combination (October 19, 2010) -- These days, plastic components are vital to many fields of industry – lightweight construction, automobile manufacturing and electrical engineering, to name but a few. Now researchers have found ingenious ways to combine plastics with nanoparticles and endow them with new properties. Thanks to these innovative materials, aircraft could in future be better protected against lightning strikes. ... > full story
Celebrity journalism may contribute positively to consumer health behaviors (October 19, 2010) -- Some readers of celebrity health stories report that the stories have an impact on their own behavior and how they discuss health issues. ... > full story
Tropics in decline as natural resources exhausted at alarming rate (October 18, 2010) -- New analysis shows populations of tropical species are plummeting and humanity's demands on natural resources are sky-rocketing to 50 per cent more than the earth can sustain. ... > full story
Type 2 diabetes and insulin use associated with colorectal cancer in men, study finds (October 18, 2010) -- There is an association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and colorectal cancer (CRC) among men, but not women, according to a new study. ... > full story
NASA technology could aid in interpretation of mammograms, ultrasound, other medical imagery (October 18, 2010) -- NASA software used to enhance Earth Science Imagery could one day aid in the interpretation of mammograms, ultrasounds and other medical imagery. ... > full story
Egg allergy: Not a reason to avoid flu vaccine after all, experts say (October 18, 2010) -- Having an egg allergy is not a reason to avoid getting the 2010-2011 flu vaccination. According to new recommendations by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology website, anyone with a history of suspected egg allergy should first be evaluated by an allergist or immunologist for appropriate testing and diagnosis but can probably receive the vaccination. ... > full story
From handwritten CAPTCHAs to 'smart rooms,' tech solutions start with pattern recognition (October 18, 2010) -- Buy something online, enter your credit card number and mailing address. Simple. Then you come to the box with the CAPTCHA, the "completely automated public Turing test to tell computers and humans apart." Here, the website attempts to confirm that you're a human, not some robot about to commit a cybercrime. Biometrics that researchers are studying for "smart room" applications, beyond CAPTCHAS and handwritten words include hand gestures as well as the more common biometrics of facial, voice and gait recognition. ... > full story
Perspectives on improving patient care: Genetics, personalized medicine, and behavioral intervention (October 18, 2010) -- Personalized medicine has become a major focus of behavioral research. Genetic studies have suggested that an individual's genetic makeup renders him either more or less sensitive to stressful social environments -- but can an individual's unique genotype also determine the effectiveness of preventative or therapeutic behavioral interventions? The current issue of Perspectives on Psychological Science combines nine stimulating articles in the first systematic effort to survey the possibilities of genetics research, personalized medicine, and behavioral intervention. ... > full story
Unexpected magnetic order among titanium atoms discovered (October 18, 2010) -- Theoretical work has provided a key to understanding an unexpected magnetism between two dissimilar materials. The results have special significance for the design of future electronic devices for computations and telecommunications. ... > full story
Intestinal enzyme helps maintain population of beneficial bacteria (October 18, 2010) -- An enzyme that keeps intestinal bacteria out of the bloodstream may also play an important role in maintaining the normal microbial population of the gastrointestinal system. Since the loss of beneficial bacteria that usually results from antibiotic therapy can sometimes lead to serious health problems, a treatment that maintains microbial levels could have significant benefits. ... > full story
The many infrared 'personalities' of the Sculptor galaxy (October 18, 2010) -- The Sculptor galaxy is shown in different infrared hues, in a new mosaic from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE. The main picture is a composite of infrared light captured with all four of the space telescope's infrared detectors. ... > full story
Lessons learned from the H1N1 pandemic (October 18, 2010) -- The H1N1 pandemic influenza provided several important lessons that may help in preparing for future influenza outbreaks, according to experts. ... > full story
SpamBot wants to be your friend (October 18, 2010) -- Social network sites such as Facebook, mySpace or Twitter are gaining popularity. But the web 2.0 faces us with new dangers. Researchers in Austria, who have been detecting and studying security hazards of social network sites, now provide advice on how to increase your safety on the web. ... > full story
What comes next for the Chilean miners? (October 18, 2010) -- Now that the 33 Chilean miners have been returned to the Earth's surface safe and sound, what challenges await them? Experts say that a main issue will be re-establishing their relationships and roles in their families. ... > full story
Mystery of Italy's Mount Etna explained? (October 18, 2010) -- Geophysicists have developed the first dynamic model to explain the mystery of the largest and most fascinating volcano in Europe, Mount Etna. ... > full story
Genes linked to psoriasis identified (October 18, 2010) -- Genetic variants associated with increased susceptibility to psoriasis are reported in five new articles. Psoriasis is a chronic and recurrent skin disease, and one of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases, with a global prevalence of 2-3 percent. ... > full story
Gut microbes promote cell turnover by a well-known pathway (October 18, 2010) -- Microbes matter -- perhaps more than anyone realizes -- in basic biological development and, maybe, they could be a target for reducing cancer risks, according to researchers. ... > full story
Diagnostic techniques help inflammatory bowel disease patients avoid ionizing radiation exposure (October 18, 2010) -- Several studies of the effectiveness of non-X-ray techniques to evaluate Crohn's disease revealed that diagnostic strategies such as capsule endoscopy and magnetic resonance enteroscopy are useful in managing patients with inflammatory bowel disease and avoiding ionizing radiation. ... > full story
Lastest graphene research could lead to improvements in bluetooth headsets and other devices (October 18, 2010) -- Researchers have built and successfully tested an amplifier made from graphene that could lead to more efficient circuits in electronic chips, such as those used in Bluetooth headsets and toll collection devices in cars. ... > full story
Why cocaine is so addictive: Activation of specific neurons linked to alterations in cocaine reward (October 18, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered how cocaine corrupts the brain and becomes addictive. The findings -- the first to connect activation of specific neurons to alterations in cocaine reward -- may help researchers in developing new ways of treating those addicted to the drug. ... > full story
Moving monopoles caught on camera: Researchers make visible movement of monopoles in assembly of nanomagnets (October 18, 2010) -- For decades, researchers have been searching for magnetic monopoles -- isolated magnetic charges, which can move around freely in the same way as electrical charges. Magnetic poles normally only occur in pairs. Now a team of researchers has managed to create monopoles in the form of quasiparticles in an assembly of nanoscale magnets and to observe how they move using a microscope at the Swiss Light Source to make the magnetic structures visible. ... > full story
Mystery solved: How genes are selectively silenced (October 18, 2010) -- Cells read only those genes which are needed at a given moment, while the others are chemically labeled and, thus, selectively turned off. Scientists have now discovered how these labels are placed at exactly the right spot in the genetic material. Important players are regulatory RNA molecules. They form a plait-like triple helix with the DNA serving as a signpost for the labels. ... > full story
Unlike us, honeybees naturally make 'quick switch' in their biological clocks, researcher finds (October 18, 2010) -- Unlike humans, honeybees, when thrown into highly time-altered new societal roles, are able to alter their biological rhythms with alacrity, enabling them to make a successful "quick switch" in their daily routines, according to new research. ... > full story
Removing 2mm around breast cancer tumors prevents residual disease in 98 percent of patients, study finds (October 18, 2010) -- Removing an extra two millimeters around an area of invasive breast cancer is sufficient to minimize any residual disease in 98 percent of patients, according a study of 303 women. ... > full story
Alternative fish feeds use less fishmeal and fish oils (October 18, 2010) -- As consumers eat more fish as part of a healthy diet, agriculture scientists are helping producers meet this demand by developing new feeds that support sustainable aquaculture production. ... > full story
Why are men more susceptible to alcoholism? It may be in their dopamine (October 18, 2010) -- Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused substances, and men are up to twice as likely to develop alcoholism as women. Until now, the underlying biology contributing to this difference in vulnerability has remained unclear. A new study reveals that dopamine may be an important factor. ... > full story
Mice that 'smell' light could help scientist better understand olfaction (October 18, 2010) -- Neurobiologists have created mice that can "smell" light, providing a potent new tool that could help researchers better understand the neural basis of olfaction. The work has implications for the future study of smell and of complex perception systems that do not lend themselves to easy study with traditional methods. ... > full story
Genetic test to predict early menopause (October 18, 2010) -- New research could lead to a test to predict a woman's reproductive lifespan. The findings could have considerable impact on women in western countries, where many start having children at a later age. ... > full story
Scientists find signals that make cell nucleus blow up like a balloon (October 18, 2010) -- The size of a cell's nucleus varies from one species to another, in different cell types and at different stages of development, and even with disease: many cancer cells develop larger nuclei as they become more malignant. Working with the African clawed frog, researchers have discovered two proteins that control the size of the nucleus. One imports lamin to shore up the nuclear envelope; the other controls importation. ... > full story
Newly identified virus may cause pediatric diarrhea (October 18, 2010) -- Klassevirus, a new member of the picornavirus family, has recently been discovered in human stool and more specifically linked with pediatric diarrhea. ... > full story
From biomass to ethanol and methane: New enzyme may lead to cheaper biofuel (October 18, 2010) -- Logging residue, branch clippings and even prawn shells may serve as raw materials for cheaper biofuels -- thanks to a new enzyme that breaks down biomass more quickly. What's more, this could help to curtail the current practice of using valuable food plants for fuel production. ... > full story
I win, you lose: Brain imaging reveals how we learn from our competitors (October 18, 2010) -- A new study has used brain imaging to reveal how people and animals learn from failure and success. ... > full story
Ammonites at ancient methane seeps: New light shed on mollusks that went extinct 65 million years ago (October 18, 2010) -- Although ammonites have been extinct for 65 million years, newly published data based on 35 years of field work and analysis is providing invaluable insights into their paleobiology. Ammonites, shelled mollusks closely related to modern day nautilus and squids, inhabited the oceans for nearly 350 million years. Specimens found in the rock record of the ancient seaway that covered North America during the Cretaceous Period demonstrate that these animals thrived at cold methane seeps at the bottom of the sea, consumed small prey, and often survived predation attempts. ... > full story
Chest compression-only CPR improves survival in cardiac arrest patients, study finds (October 18, 2010) -- Heart attack patients whose hearts have stopped beating and who receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation from bystanders fare better if their resuscitators skip the rescue breaths and do only chest compression, according to a new study. ... > full story
Compound in celery, peppers reduces age-related memory deficits (October 18, 2010) -- A diet rich in the plant compound luteolin reduces age-related inflammation in the brain and related memory deficits by directly inhibiting the release of inflammatory molecules in the brain, researchers report. ... > full story
Prolonging first-line chemotherapy improves outcomes for patients with metastatic breast cancer, meta-analysis shows (October 18, 2010) -- Contrary to what many oncologists believe, patients with metastatic breast cancer live longer on average if their chemotherapy is continued after their cancer is brought under control, a new meta-analysis shows. ... > full story
For future chips, smaller must also be better (October 18, 2010) -- A group of researchers in China and France has fabricated and tested tiny high-frequency capacitors made from a complex manmade mineral: barium strontium titanate. The work paves the way toward future high-frequency microwave applications. ... > full story
First babies born from genetic screening study (October 18, 2010) -- Two women taking part in the world's first controlled study of a comprehensive genetic screening test before IVF have given birth to healthy babies. ... > full story
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