ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Friday, October 22, 2010
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Younger brains are easier to rewire -- brain regions can switch functions (October 22, 2010) -- Neuroscientists offer evidence that it is easier to rewire the brain early in life. The researchers found that a small part of the brain's visual cortex that processes motion became reorganized only in the brains of subjects who had been born blind, not those who became blind later in life. ... > full story
Key difference in how TB bacteria degrade doomed proteins (October 22, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered a key difference in the way human cells and Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, which cause TB, deliver unwanted proteins to their respective cellular recycling factories. This critical difference may help scientists design new anti TB drugs. ... > full story
Taking a closer look at plaque (October 22, 2010) -- Scientists are using the technique of Raman spectroscopy to study two common dental plaque bacteria, Streptococcus sanguis and mutans. The relative balance of the two may be an indicator of a patient's oral health and risk for tooth decay -- Streptococcus sanguis is associated with "healthy" plaque, while mutans is associated with tooth decay. ... > full story
World's smallest on-chip low-pass filter developed (October 22, 2010) -- A research team from Singapore has successfully designed the world's smallest on-chip low-pass filter which is 1,000 times smaller than existing off-chip filters. ... > full story
Teaching kids to work through trauma (October 22, 2010) -- A child who grows up in the midst of political conflict, such as war or terrorism, can exhibit severe emotional scars. But certain qualities, which psychologists call "resilience factors," can help overcome this adversity. Psychologists have developed a program to help children develop these resilience factors and avoid the psychological disabilities that may arise from stress. ... > full story
Light on silicon better than copper? (October 22, 2010) -- As good as copper has been in zipping information from one circuit to another on silicon inside computers and other electronic devices, optical signals can carry much more, according to electrical engineers. So the engineers have designed and demonstrated microscopically small lasers integrated with thin film-light guides on silicon that could replace the copper in a host of electronic products. ... > full story
Cataract surgery saves lives, dollars by reducing auto crashes, research finds (October 22, 2010) -- Cataract surgery not only improves vision and quality of life for older people, but is also apparently a way to reduce the number of car crashes, according to new research. ... > full story
Old logging practices linked to high erosion rates (October 22, 2010) -- Clear-cut logging and related road-building in the 1950s and 1960s in southern Oregon's Siskiyou Mountains disrupted soil stability and led to unprecedented soil erosion made worse during heavy rainstorms, researchers report. ... > full story
Real-time imaging of stroke models (October 22, 2010) -- One of the major impediments to understanding how brain cells die during a stroke and identifying new ways to protect them has been the long-standing inability to image strokes, or "ischemic events" in living tissue. Now researchers have developed methods to induce strokes in animal models and image the events as they unfold. ... > full story
Using PEAT to capture, share and analyze protein experimental data (October 22, 2010) -- Researchers in Ireland have created a novel application that not only facilitates the analysis of experimental data generated in the course of a research project but also ensures that this valuable data is available for future use. ... > full story
Scientists promote soy by currying favor with Indian taste buds (October 22, 2010) -- Scientists think they have solved an interesting problem: how to get protein-deficient Indian schoolchildren to consume soy, an inexpensive and complete vegetable protein. What's more, they've joined forces with an Indian foundation that can get the high-protein soy snack they've developed into the hands of 1.2 million hungry kids who need it. ... > full story
NASA-engineered collision spills new Moon secrets (October 21, 2010) -- Scientists have produced the first detailed description of what lies below the surface at the Moon's poles. The soil and subsurface harbors water and an assortment of other compounds, including carbon dioxide, ammonia, free sodium, and, in a surprise, silver. The finding stems from a NASA mission that slammed a rocket into the Moon's south pole last fall. The collision threw debris into sunlight more than a half mile above the surface. ... > full story
Cholesterol-lowering drug shrinks enlarged prostates in hamster model (October 21, 2010) -- A cholesterol-lowering drug reduced the enlarged prostates of hamsters to the same extent as a drug commonly used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), report researchers. Together, the drugs worked even better. ... > full story
Poor start in life need not spell doom in adulthood (October 21, 2010) -- A biology graduate student reports that how individuals fare as adults is not simply a passive consequence of the limits that early conditions may impose on them. Studying how adult Trinidadian guppies responded to their early food conditions, researchers found that the guppies had compensated for a poor start to life in unexpected, and potentially adaptive, ways by being flexible in their growth and reproductive strategies. ... > full story
Molecular structure of major cell signaling pathway detailed (October 21, 2010) -- Scientists have reported the exact molecular structure and mechanisms of a major cell signaling pathway that serves a broad range of functions in humans. ... > full story
The coldest chemistry (October 21, 2010) -- Chemical reactions tend to slow down as temperature is lowered, but this isn't always true. Researchers have shown that chemical reactions can continue even at temperatures just a fraction of a degree above absolute zero. In recent experiments, they took diatomic potassium and rubidium molecules, each in their ground states (lowest-possible energy), and found that when mixed, the molecules dissociated and combined into KRb -- molecules with one potassium and one rubidium atom. ... > full story
Malarial mosquitoes are evolving into new species, say researchers (October 21, 2010) -- Two strains of the type of mosquito responsible for the majority of malaria transmission in Africa have evolved such substantial genetic differences that they are becoming different species, according to researchers behind two new studies published today in the journal Science. This means that efforts to control mosquito populations may be effective against one strain of mosquito but not the other. ... > full story
Promising new 'antigene' therapy uses light energy to silence gene activity (October 21, 2010) -- Antigene therapy is a promising new treatment strategy that uses a DNA-based drug to pinpoint light energy to a target gene shutting down its activity. ... > full story
Proton mechanism used by flu virus to infect cells discovered (October 21, 2010) -- Chemists have discovered the shuttle mechanism that relays protons from a healthy cell into a flu virus. The proton movement is an important part of the flu virus life cycle. ... > full story
Twelve new epilepsy drugs usher in 'era of abundance' (October 21, 2010) -- A dozen new epilepsy drugs are giving doctors and patients more options, but making treatment decisions more complex, a epilepsy specialist reports. ... > full story
Direct laser cooling of molecules (October 21, 2010) -- Cooling molecules with lasers is harder than cooling individual atoms with lasers. The very process of laser cooling, in which atoms are buffeted by thousands of photons, was thought by many to be impossible for molecules since photons, instead of slowing and cooling the molecules, could actually excite internal motions such as rotations and vibrations. Consequently, to get cold molecules one method is to first cool atoms and then combine them into molecules. Now physicists have developed a way to cool molecules directly with laser light using three lasers instead of the two typically needed for atoms. ... > full story
Future offenses cause more intense feelings than past actions, study finds (October 21, 2010) -- People feel worse about a transgression that will take place in the future than an identical one that occurred in the past, according to new research. ... > full story
Energy revolution key to complex life: Depends on mitochondria, cells' tiny power stations (October 21, 2010) -- The evolution of complex life is strictly dependent on mitochondria, the tiny power stations found in all complex cells, according to a new study. ... > full story
Low testosterone linked to heightened risk of early death (October 21, 2010) -- Low testosterone levels seem to be linked to a heightened risk of premature death from heart disease and all causes, new research suggests. ... > full story
Sea levels rising around South Atlantic's Falkland Islands, 19th-century benchmarks reveal (October 21, 2010) -- Sea levels around the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic have risen since the mid-nineteenth century and the rate of sea-level rise has accelerated over recent decades, according to newly published research. The findings are as expected under global warming and consistent with observations elsewhere around the globe. ... > full story
Neurogenetics research sheds light on the causes of neurological disease (October 21, 2010) -- The last two decades have seen tremendous progress in understanding the genetic basis of human brain disorders. Research developments in this area have revealed fundamental insights into the genes and molecular pathways that underlie neurological and psychiatric diseases. In a new series of review articles published in the journal Neuron, experts in the field discuss exciting recent advances in neurogenetics research and the potential implications for the treatment of these devastating disorders. ... > full story
New equation could advance research in solar cell materials (October 21, 2010) -- A groundbreaking new equation could do for organic semiconductors what the Shockley ideal diode equation did for inorganic semiconductors: help to enable their wider adoption. ... > full story
Dopamine model could play role in treating schizophrenia and drug addiction (October 21, 2010) -- Researchers in Denmark have succeeded in creating a model of the way the brain releases dopamine, an important chemical involved in transmitting signals between nerve cells. The model will be an important tool in helping scientists understand how we learn and how the brain perceives reward and punishment. It is hoped that the model can be used to understand drug addiction and in the treatment of schizophrenia. ... > full story
Space weather mystery solved: Link found between electrons trapped in space and upper atmosphere's diffuse aurora (October 21, 2010) -- New research has settled decades of scientific debate about a puzzling aspect of space weather. Researchers have found the final link between electrons trapped in space and the glow of light from the upper atmosphere known as the diffuse aurora. The research promises to further understanding of space weather, with benefits for the satellite, power grid and aviation industries. ... > full story
Gene therapy may be powerful new treatment for major depression (October 21, 2010) -- Researchers say animal and human data suggest gene therapy to the brain may be able to treat patients with major depression who do not respond to traditional drug treatment. ... > full story
The world is not flat: Exploring cells and tissues in three dimensions (October 21, 2010) -- Researchers have developed an innovative approach for studying cells in 3-D. They are examining the potential of such research to greatly expand science's understanding of disease onset and progression, particularly the responses of host cells to infectious pathogens. Such work provides fresh insight into the mechanisms of infectious disease and holds the potential for the design of novel or improved therapeutics, more accurate drug screening and improved evaluation of potential vaccine candidates. ... > full story
Burn injuries rapidly deplete vitamin E, study finds (October 21, 2010) -- Severe burn injuries in children have been shown to rapidly deplete the levels of vitamin E in their body's adipose, or fat tissues, a new clinical study has found. Stored levels of this important antioxidant were reduced more in a few weeks than might normally be possible in years. ... > full story
How batteries grow old: Researchers build facility to put hybrid car batteries to the test (October 21, 2010) -- In a laboratory in Ohio, an ongoing experiment is looking at why batteries lose their ability to hold a charge as they age -- specifically lithium-ion batteries, which have generated a lot of buzz for their potential to power the electric cars of the future. ... > full story
Magic tricks reveal surprising results about autism (October 21, 2010) -- Magicians rely on misdirection -- drawing attention to one place while they're carrying out their tricky business somewhere else. It seems like people with autism should be less susceptible to such social manipulation. But a new study finds that people with autism spectrum disorder are actually more likely to be taken in by the vanishing ball trick, where a magician pretends to throw a ball in the air but actually hides it in his hand. ... > full story
Microbes may consume far more oil-spill waste than earlier thought (October 21, 2010) -- Microbes living at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico may consume far more of the gaseous waste from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill than previously thought, according to research carried out within 100 miles of the spill site. ... > full story
New tumor proteins may identify a range of cancers early (October 21, 2010) -- A new study describes a novel cancer-specific protein that is present in a broad range of cancer types and at all stages of tumor development, from premalignant cells to metastatic tumor cells. If verified, the antigen could serve as a marker for the early detection and treatment of primary and metastatic tumors and provide a target for the development of anticancer therapies, including a cancer vaccine. ... > full story
New search method tracks down influential ideas: Computer scientists have developed a new way of tracing the origins and spread of ideas (October 21, 2010) -- Princeton computer scientists have developed a new way of tracing the origins and spread of ideas, a technique that could make it easier to gauge the influence of notable scholarly papers, buzz-generating news stories and other information sources. ... > full story
How parasites react to the mouse immune system may help to shape their control (October 21, 2010) -- How parasites use different life-history strategies to beat our immune systems may also provide insight into the control of diseases, such as elephantiasis and river blindness, which afflict some of the world's poorest communities in tropical Southeast Asia, Africa and Central America. ... > full story
Black rice bran may help fight disease-related inflammation (October 21, 2010) -- Scientists are reporting evidence that black rice -- a little-known variety of the grain that is the staple food for one-third of the world population -- may help soothe the inflammation involved in allergies, asthma, and other diseases. ... > full story
Professional athletes should drink more water, Spanish research finds (October 21, 2010) -- Top athletes must always perform to their maximum capacity, making them the most vulnerable to the effects of dehydration. Now, a new study conducted by researchers in Spain reveals that 91 percent of professional basketball, volleyball, handball and football players are dehydrated when they begin their training sessions. ... > full story
Star, not so bright: Model explains evolution of unusual black hole binary system (October 21, 2010) -- Astronomers have puzzled over the oddities of the X-ray binary system M33 X-7, but no one could explain all of its features. Now researchers have. They have produced a model of the system's evolutionary history that explains all of the system's observational characteristics: the tight orbit, the large masses of the star and black hole, the X-ray luminosity of the black hole and why its companion star is less luminous than one would expect. ... > full story
Potential therapeutic target across a range of cancer types discovered (October 21, 2010) -- Researchers have found a common link among several malignant tumor types in all grades of cancer. This breakthrough may ultimately provide a new diagnostic or therapeutic target to detect cancer early or stop tumor growth. ... > full story
Philippines may have more unique bird species than thought, biologist says (October 21, 2010) -- Recent research suggests that the Philippines, considered by biologists to be a "biodiversity hotspot," could have more unique species of birds than previously thought. If that proves to be the case, it could have important ramifications for conservation practices there. ... > full story
Elusive protein may lead the fight against inflammatory disease (October 21, 2010) -- Researchers have identified a protein that may be a key therapy for many inflammatory diseases, including those affecting premature babies. In a new study, they describe how a protein, interleukin 37, reacts when an inflammatory response is detected in the body. ... > full story
A forest of nanorods: Amazing nanostructures created by glancing-angle deposition (October 21, 2010) -- Just as landscape photographs shot in low-angle light dramatically accentuate subtle swales and mounds, depositing metal vapors at glancing angles turns a rough surface into amazing nanostructures with a vast range of potential properties. ... > full story
Attention processing and perception may be involved in fetal alcohol-related learning difficulties (October 21, 2010) -- Exposure to alcohol as a fetus has been shown to cause difficulties in memory and information processing in children. New findings indicate that visual perception, control of attention and demand processing may be involved in fetal alcohol-related learning problems. This information could potentially be used to help children affected with such difficulties. ... > full story
Worst coral death strikes at Southeast Asia (October 21, 2010) -- International marine scientists say that a huge coral death which has struck Southeast Asian and Indian Ocean reefs over recent months has highlighted the urgency of controlling global carbon emissions. Many reefs are dead or dying across the Indian Ocean and into the Coral Triangle following a bleaching event that extends from the Seychelles in the west to Sulawesi and the Philippines in the east. ... > full story
Mechanism that controls expression of protein involved in numerous cancers discovered (October 21, 2010) -- Researchers have identified a new mechanism controlling the transmission of an abnormal signal at the origin of several cancers. In a new study, the team explains the recent discovery of a protein complex that controls the RAS/MAPK signalling pathway, responsible for some of the deadliest cancers, including pancreatic, colon and lung cancers, and melanomas. ... > full story
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