ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Thursday, October 28, 2010
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Blind people perceive touch faster than those with sight (October 28, 2010) -- People who are blind from birth are able to detect tactile information faster than people with normal vision, according to a new study. ... > full story
'Smart drug' targets new mutation, dramatically shrinks aggressive sarcoma and lung cancer; Patient's response was predicted by test for mutant protein in tumor cells (October 28, 2010) -- A new oral drug caused dramatic shrinkage of a patient's rare, aggressive form of soft-tissue cancer that was driven by an abnormally activated protein, researchers report. ... > full story
Deadly monkeypox virus might cause disease by breaking down lung tissue (October 28, 2010) -- A new study of an exotic, infectious virus that has caused three recent outbreaks in the United States reveals clues to how the virus might damage lungs during infection. The findings also suggest possible new ways to treat lung diseases in humans. Not only does the infection from monkeypox virus increase production of proteins involved in inflammation, but it decreases production of proteins that keep lung tissue intact and lubricated. ... > full story
Radiation before surgery keeps colorectal cancer from returning, study finds (October 28, 2010) -- Patients with cancer found at the end of the large intestine called the rectum who receive one week of radiation therapy before surgery have a 50 percent reduction in chance that their cancer will return after 10 years, according to a large, randomized study. ... > full story
Scientists helping keep in-demand smoked salmon safe to eat, thanks to new mathematical model (October 28, 2010) -- Scientists with the US Department of Agriculture are helping ensure that the smoked salmon that's always a hit at festive gatherings also is always safe to eat, including among their achievements the development of a first-of-its-kind mathematical model that food processors and others can use to select the optimal combination of temperature and concentrations of salt and smoke compounds to reduce or eliminate microbial contamination of the product. ... > full story
Heavy drinkers consume less over time, but not at 'normal' levels, study finds (October 28, 2010) -- Problem drinkers in the general population may reduce the amount of alcohol they consume over a period of years but not to the level of the average adult, according to a new study. ... > full story
Making bone in the laboratory (October 28, 2010) -- Researchers in the Netherlands have succeeded in mimicking the process of bone formation in the laboratory, and in visualizing the process in great detail. ... > full story
Highly targeted radiation technique minimizes side effects of prostate cancer treatment, study finds (October 28, 2010) -- Men with prostate cancer treated with a specialized type of radiation called intensity modulated radiation therapy have fewer gastrointestinal complications compared to patients treated with conventional three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, according to a new study. ... > full story
Structural genomics accelerates protein structure determination (October 28, 2010) -- Membrane proteins are of immense biological and pharmaceutical importance. But so far there are only a handful of cases in which the exact structure could be successfully determined. Scientists have now succeeded in working out the structure of an important ion channel via the analysis of related proteins. ... > full story
High erythropoietin levels indicate increased risk of death (October 28, 2010) -- High erythropoietin levels in people over age 85 indicate a higher risk of death, according to a new study. ... > full story
Current loss tracked down by magnetic fingerprint; Researchers solve the case of lost current in organic solar cells (October 28, 2010) -- Conventional solar cells made from crystalline silicon are difficult and energy-intensive to manufacture. Organic solar cells are cheaper, but have always produced less electricity. Why this is so has never been fully explained. Now, a method developed by researchers in Germany reveals that current flow inside a solar cell can be affected by the spin of the charge-carrying particles. ... > full story
Two people can learn to cooperate intuitively, but larger groups need to communicate, research shows (October 28, 2010) -- Two people can learn to cooperate with each other intuitively – without communication or any conscious intention to cooperate. But this process breaks down in groups of three or more, according to a new study. ... > full story
New evidence supports 'Snowball Earth' as trigger for early animal evolution (October 27, 2010) -- A team of scientists has found new evidence linking "Snowball Earth" glacial events to the rise of early animals: marine phosphorus. The researchers tracked phosphorus concentrations through Earth's history and found a pronounced spike in marine phosphorus levels in the mid-Neoproterozoic. They say phosphorus, which is essential for life, led to a spike in oxygen production via photosynthesis, facilitating the emergence of complex life on Earth. ... > full story
Too much SP2 protein turns stem cells into 'evil twin' cancer cells (October 27, 2010) -- Researchers have found that the overproduction of a key protein in stem cells causes those stem cells to form cancerous tumors. Their work may lead to new treatments for a variety of cancers. ... > full story
Out of THEMIS, ARTEMIS: Earth's loss is moon's gain (October 27, 2010) -- Two micro-satellites originally launched into Earth's orbit in 2007 by NASA have been redirected by scientists toward new orbits around the moon, extending study of the Earth and moon's interaction with the solar wind. ... > full story
Active ingredient levels vary among red yeast rice supplements (October 27, 2010) -- Different formulations of red yeast rice, a supplement marketed as a way to improve cholesterol levels, appear widely inconsistent in the amounts of active ingredients they contain, according to a new study. In addition, one in three of 12 products studied had detectable levels of a potentially toxic compound. ... > full story
Variable summer rainfall in U.S. southeast linked to climate change (October 27, 2010) -- A doubling of abnormally wet or dry summer weather in the southeastern United States in recent decades has come from an intensification of the summertime North Atlantic subtropical high (NASH), or "Bermuda High." And that intensification appears to be coming from global warming, according to a new analysis. ... > full story
Tendency to obesity starts with pre-schoolers, Canadian study finds (October 27, 2010) -- The results of a two-year study of pre-schoolers in Canada has revealed significant differences between the children in different weight status groups for food responsiveness, emotional over-eating, enjoyment of food, satiety responsiveness, slowness in eating, and food fussiness. A longitudinal study now follows to determine if there are associations between the environment and weight status, and the impact of those environmental influences. ... > full story
Habit formation appears to be an innate ability, fine-tuned by experience (October 27, 2010) -- Most people have habits that guide them through daily life -- for example, their path to work in the morning, or their bedtime routine. The brain patterns that drive this behavior are not well-understood, but a new study shows that habit formation appears to be an innate ability that is fine-tuned by experience -- specifically, the costs and rewards of certain choices. ... > full story
Plugged up: Doctors see signs of worsening constipation in children (October 27, 2010) -- Mild constipation in children is fairly common, but gastroenterologists have been seeing what they believe is the start of a troubling trend: more children with more serious and chronic bouts of the condition. Experts attribute the problem to lack of physical activity, inadequate water intake and fiber-poor diets. ... > full story
Spiral galaxies stripped bare (October 27, 2010) -- Six spectacular spiral galaxies are seen in a clear new light in images from ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) at the Paranal Observatory in Chile. The pictures were taken in infrared light, using the impressive power of the HAWK-I camera, and will help astronomers understand how the remarkable spiral patterns in galaxies form and evolve. ... > full story
Forces for cancer spread: Genomic instability and evolutionary selection (October 27, 2010) -- New research into pancreatic cancer shows that, not only is cancer genetically different between different patients, but each new focus of cancer spread within a patient has its own distinct mutations. The researchers suggest that doctors treating patients with the disease may be treating tens of genetically distinct tumors and that identifying the mutations common to many early-stage pancreatic cancers may be key to the discovery of new drug targets. ... > full story
Tobacco and nicotine: They're good -- as a pesticide (October 27, 2010) -- Tobacco, used on a small scale as a natural organic pesticide for hundreds of years, is getting new scientific attention as a potential mass-produced alternative to traditional commercial pesticides. ... > full story
Not so fast -- sex differences in the brain are overblown, expert says (October 27, 2010) -- People love to speculate about differences between the sexes, and many brain imaging studies have reported sex differences in brain structure or activity. But we should be skeptical about such reports, writes psychological scientist Cordelia Fine. The results from these studies may not withstand the tests of improved analyses -- and it's too soon to know what such results might mean for differences in male and female minds. ... > full story
Controlling individual cortical nerve cells by human thought (October 27, 2010) -- Five years ago, neuroscientists and neurosurgeons discovered that a single neuron can function much like a sophisticated computer and recognize people, landmarks, and objects. Now the same researchers have found that individuals can exert conscious control over these single neurons -- despite the neurons' location in an area of the brain previously thought inaccessible to conscious control -- and manipulate the behavior of an image on a computer screen. ... > full story
Pancreatic cancers progress to lethal stage slowly, surprise finding shows (October 27, 2010) -- Pancreatic cancer develops and spreads much more slowly than scientists have thought, according to new research. The finding indicates that there is a potentially broad window for diagnosis and prevention of the disease. ... > full story
1000 Genomes Project publishes analysis of completed pilot phase: Produces tool for research into genetic contributors to human disease (October 27, 2010) -- The 1000 Genomes Project, an international public-private consortium, has published the most comprehensive map of human genetic differences, estimated to contain approximately 95 percent of the genetic variation of any person on Earth. ... > full story
Newer type of radiation for prostate cancer recommended, experts say (October 27, 2010) -- A review of existing research suggests that while a newer type of radiation for the treatment of prostate cancer does not help patients live longer compared to an older type -- at least when similar doses are given it does appear to reduce gastrointestinal side effects. ... > full story
Small particles show big promise in beating unpleasant odors (October 27, 2010) -- Scientists are reporting development of a new approach for dealing with offensive household and other odors -- one that doesn't simply mask odors like today's room fresheners, but eliminates them at the source. Their research found that a deodorant made from nanoparticles -- hundreds of times smaller than peach fuzz -- eliminates odors up to twice as effectively as today's gold standard. ... > full story
Emotional intelligence predicts job performance (October 27, 2010) -- Emotional intelligence is a strong predictor of job performance, according to a new study that helps settle the ongoing debate in a much-disputed area of research. ... > full story
Astronomers discover most massive neutron star yet known; Discovery has broad implications for astrophysics, nuclear physics (October 27, 2010) -- Precise measurement of a neutron star's mass yields a surprisingly large figure that rules out several models for the star's composition and also strongly affects other fields of physics. ... > full story
Breakthrough in understanding life-threatening childhood liver disease: Link to infection found in biliary atresia (October 27, 2010) -- Researchers have taken a big step toward understanding what causes one of the most serious liver diseases in infants. The disease is called biliary atresia. It blocks the bile ducts in young infants. Until now, doctors weren't sure what caused biliary atresia. The researchers propose that an infection late in the third trimester of pregnancy or soon after birth initiates the bile duct injury. ... > full story
Portable breast scanner allows cancer detection in the blink of an eye (October 27, 2010) -- Women could have a fast test for breast cancer and instantly identify the presence of a tumor in the comfort of their own home, thanks to groundbreaking research. ... > full story
Too much glucosamine can cause the death of pancreatic cells, increase diabetes risk, researchers find (October 27, 2010) -- High doses or prolonged use of glucosamine causes the death of pancreatic cells and could increase the risk of developing diabetes, according to a team of researchers in Canada. ... > full story
'Sí' on the new SI: Proposal for a revamped system of measurement units (October 27, 2010) -- Taking the first steps of what would be a major historical advance in the science of measurement, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology is participating in a worldwide effort to recommend major revisions to the International System of Units (SI), the modern metric system that is the basis of global measurements in commerce, science and other aspects of everyday life. ... > full story
Knowledge of genetic cancer risks often dies with patients (October 27, 2010) -- If you were dying from cancer, would you consider genetic testing? A recent study showed that most terminally ill cancer patients who were eligible for genetic testing never received it despite that it could potentially save a relative's life. ... > full story
Tale of the headless dragonfly: Ancient struggle, preserved in amber (October 27, 2010) -- In a short, violent battle that could have happened somewhere this afternoon, the lizard made a fast lunge at the dragonfly, bit its head off and turned to run away. Lunch was served. But the battle didn't happen today, it happened about 100 million years ago, probably with dinosaurs strolling nearby. And the lizard didn't get away, it was trapped in the same oozing, sticky tree sap that also entombed the now-headless dragonfly for perpetuity. ... > full story
New insight into links between obesity and activity in the brain (October 27, 2010) -- Scientists have revealed that an anti-obesity drug changes the way the brain responds to appetizing, high-calorie foods in obese individuals. This insight may aid the development of new anti-obesity drugs which reduce the activity in the regions of the brain stimulated by the sight of tasty foods. ... > full story
Uranium in groundwater? 'Fracking' mobilizes uranium in marcellus shale (October 27, 2010) -- Researchers have found that hydraulic fracturing or "fracking" -- causes uranium that is naturally trapped inside Marcellus shale to be released, raising additional environmental concerns. ... > full story
Among older patients, severe sepsis associated with development of cognitive and functional disability (October 27, 2010) -- Older adults who survived severe sepsis were more likely to develop substantial cognitive impairment and functional disability, according to a new study. ... > full story
Quakes don't completely shake China's environmental gains, thanks to conservation programs (October 27, 2010) -- The impact of China's devastating 2008 earthquake was substantially lessened by environmental conservation programs for some of the country's most fragile habitats. Analysis of satellite imagery and field data by scientists show the quake -- and the resulting landslides -- affected 10 percent of the forests covering the mountains that are home to endangered species, including the beloved giant panda. But it could have been worse. ... > full story
Bicarbonate adds fizz to players' tennis performance (October 27, 2010) -- Dietary supplementation with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) on the morning of a tennis match allows athletes to maintain their edge. A randomized, controlled trial found that those players who received the supplement showed no decline in skilled tennis performance after a simulated match. ... > full story
Kepler spacecraft takes pulse of distant stars: 'Starquakes' yield new insights about the size, age and evolution of stars (October 27, 2010) -- An international cadre of scientists that used data from NASA's Kepler spacecraft announced the detection of stellar oscillations, or "starquakes," that yield new insights about the size, age and evolution of stars. ... > full story
Researchers crack genetic code of a sudden death cardiac killer (October 27, 2010) -- Researchers in Canada have cracked the genetic code of a sudden death cardiac killer. As a result, they have developed a unique prevention program in which people with no symptoms, but with a suspect gene and a family history, are being implanted with internal cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) which can restart their hearts if they stop. ... > full story
'Gender-bending' chemicals affect reproduction in fish, research shows (October 27, 2010) -- New research has provided the first evidence that "gender-bending" chemicals which find their way from human products into rivers and oceans can have a significant impact on the ability of fish to breed in UK rivers. This raises concerns about potential impacts on other species, including humans. ... > full story
Colorectal cancer patients with gene mutation show better response to cancer agent (October 27, 2010) -- Even though the cancer-treatment agent cetuximab is not considered effective treatment for KRAS (a gene)-mutated metastatic colorectal tumors, new research indicates that patients with colorectal cancer not responding to chemotherapy and a certain variation of this gene who were treated with cetuximab had longer overall and progression-free survival than patients with other KRAS-mutations, according to a new study. ... > full story
Trapping charged particles with laser light (October 27, 2010) -- Scientists have demonstrated the feasibility of optical trapping for ions, which may lead to a new kind of hybrid quantum systems. ... > full story
Poor school grades linked to increased suicide risk, Swedish study reveals (October 27, 2010) -- School leaving grades can be an indicator of an increased risk of suicide at a young age. A new study from Sweden shows that young people leaving the Swedish elementary school (year nine at age 16) with the lowest average grades, run approximately three times the risk of committing suicide compared with those who graduate with top or very high grades. ... > full story
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