ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Thursday, November 4, 2010
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Current global warming may reverse circulation in Atlantic Ocean, as it did 20,000 years ago (November 4, 2010) -- Earth's climate change 20,000 years ago reversed the circulation of the Atlantic Ocean. Global warming today could have similar effects on ocean currents and could accelerate climate change, suggests a new study by researchers in Spain and colleagues. ... > full story
Sweet discovery raises hope for treating Ebola, Lassa, Marburg and other fast-acting viruses (November 4, 2010) -- When a team of European researchers sought to discover how a class of antiviral drugs worked, they looked in an unlikely place: the sugar dish. A new research report suggests that a purified and modified form of a simple sugar chain may stop fast-acting and deadly viruses, such as Ebola, Lassa, or Marburg viruses, in their tracks. ... > full story
E. coli thrives near plant roots, can contaminate young produce crops (November 4, 2010) -- E. coli can live for weeks around the roots of produce plants and transfer to the edible portions, but the threat can be minimized if growers don't harvest too soon, a new study shows. ... > full story
Juvenile arthritis: Etanercept helps restore normal growth in children with, study finds (November 4, 2010) -- Researchers observed a statistically significant increase in mean height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) percentiles in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) who were treated with etanercept or etanercept plus methotrexate (MTX). JIA patients treated with MTX alone did not display an increase in growth percentiles. ... > full story
Levels of coumarin in cassia cinnamon vary greatly even in bark from the same tree (November 4, 2010) -- A "huge" variation exists in the amounts of coumarin in bark samples of cassia cinnamon from trees growing in Indonesia, scientists are reporting in a new study. That natural ingredient in the spice may carry a theoretical risk of causing liver damage in a small number of sensitive people who consume large amounts of cinnamon. ... > full story
Does adolescent stress lead to mood disorders in adulthood? (November 4, 2010) -- Stress may be more hazardous to our mental health than previously believed, according to new research. A series of studies have found there may be a link between the recent rise in depression rates and the increase of daily stress. ... > full story
Positive well-being to higher telomerase: Psychological changes from meditation training linked to cellular health (November 4, 2010) -- Positive psychological changes that occur during meditation training are associated with greater telomerase activity, according to researchers. The study is the first to link positive well-being to higher telomerase, an enzyme important for the long-term health of cells in the body. ... > full story
Lactobacillus reuteri good for health, Swedish study finds (November 4, 2010) -- There is a great deal of interest in the impact of lactic acid bacteria on our health. Now a new study from Sweden shows that the occurrence of Lactobacillus reuteri in the body promotes health. ... > full story
Chromosome imbalances lead to predictable plant defects (November 4, 2010) -- Physical defects in plants can be predicted based on chromosome imbalances, a finding that may shed light on how the addition or deletion of genes and the organization of the genome affects organisms, according to a new study. ... > full story
Prognostic markers for prostate cancer patients who receive radiation after surgery (November 4, 2010) -- Removal of the prostate gland often eradicates early-stage cancer. But patients whose cancer has spread may need to follow up with what is known as salvage radiation therapy. Researchers have now determined a better way to monitor outcomes after this procedure. ... > full story
Last 'tango' in space: Satellite duo to generate 3-D models of glaciers and low-lying coastal areas (November 4, 2010) -- Adding to their unique information from previous tandem missions, the European Space Agency's ERS-2 and Envisat satellites have been paired up again – for the last time. Data from this final duet are generating 3-D models of glaciers and low-lying coastal areas. ... > full story
Language intervention provides educational benefits for pre-school children (November 4, 2010) -- A preschool language intervention program can significantly improve the educational lives of children with poorly developed speech and language skills, according to new research by psychologists in the UK. ... > full story
Water flowing through ice sheets accelerates warming, could speed up ice flow (November 3, 2010) -- Melt water flowing through ice sheets via crevasses, fractures and large drains called moulins can carry warmth into ice sheet interiors, greatly accelerating the thermal response of an ice sheet to climate change, according to a new study. ... > full story
New lymphoma therapy may be more effective with fewer side effects (November 3, 2010) -- Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is a type of aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that accounts for approximately 40 percent of lymphomas among adults. If left untreated, it is fatal. The existing treatments have a cure rate that is slightly over 50 percent but destroy healthy cells along with the cancer cells. Researchers have now found a combination therapy that is more effective than traditional treatments and is able to kill the cancer cells without harm to surrounding tissues. ... > full story
'Bouncy' cell membranes behave like cornstarch and water, researchers find (November 3, 2010) -- Mix two parts cornstarch and one part water. Swirl your fingers in it slowly and the mixture is a smoothly flowing liquid. Punch it quickly with your fist and you meet a rubbery solid -- so solid you can jump up and down on a vat of it. It turns out that cell membranes behave the same way. ... > full story
Prostate cancer's multiple personalities revealed: Secondary mutations that make some variations of prostate cancers more lethal (November 3, 2010) -- Scientists have taken an important step toward a better understanding of prostate cancer by uncovering evidence that it is not one disease, as previously believed, but rather several factors which can be measured and, in the future, destroyed by targeted therapy. ... > full story
Broadband coming wirelessly to Australia's bush (November 3, 2010) -- A major breakthrough in wireless technology designed to bring broadband to people living beyond the optical fiber network has been unveiled in Australia. ... > full story
Half of those travelling internationally not aware of potential health risks, study finds (November 3, 2010) -- A recent study found that 46 percent of travelers to resource-limited countries -- where they may be exposed to diseases like malaria, typhoid, dengue fever and hepatitis -- did not seek health advice or vaccinations prior to departure. ... > full story
Moving holograms: From science fiction to reality (November 3, 2010) -- Scientists have developed a new type of holographic telepresence that allows the projection of a three-dimensional, moving image without the need for special eyewear such as 3-D glasses or other auxiliary devices. The technology is likely to take applications ranging from telemedicine, advertising, updatable 3-D maps and entertainment to a new level. ... > full story
Exposure of humans to cosmetic UV filters is widespread, study finds (November 3, 2010) -- An investigation by Swiss researchers and colleagues demonstrates for the first time that internal exposure of humans to cosmetic UV filters is widespread. ... > full story
Most river flows across the US are altered by land and water management (November 3, 2010) -- The amount of water flowing in streams and rivers has been significantly altered in nearly 90 percent of waters that were assessed in a new US nationwide study. Flow alterations are a primary contributor to degraded river ecosystems and loss of native species. ... > full story
81 percent of hospital patients at high risk for sleep apnea, study finds (November 3, 2010) -- Eighty-one percent of hospital patients are at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea, a new study has found. The findings suggest that hospitals should consider giving patients a five-minute screening test to identify those who are at high risk. ... > full story
How lead gets into urban vegetable gardens (November 3, 2010) -- If you're a vegetable gardener in a lot of older cities, there's a fair chance you have a significant amount of lead in your soil. One common mitigation approach is to build a raised bed and fill it with freshly composted, low-lead soil from elsewhere, right? Maybe not, according to researchers studying the mysterious case of the lead contamination found within raised beds in community gardens in the Boston communities of Roxbury and Dorchester. ... > full story
Falling birth-rate can bring prosperity, Austrian studies suggest (November 3, 2010) -- The population is aging -- and demographic change is also altering working life. However, according to studies by researchers in Austria, the effects could well be positive. ... > full story
New retinal implant enables blind people to see shapes and objects (November 3, 2010) -- Researchers in Germany have developed a retinal implant that has allowed three blind people to see shapes and objects within days of the implant being installed. One blind person was even able to identify and find objects placed on a table in front of him, as well as walking around a room independently and approaching people, reading a clock face and differentiating seven shades of gray. The device represents an unprecedented advance in electronic visual prostheses and could eventually revolutionize the lives of up 200,000 people worldwide who suffer from blindness as a result of retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease. ... > full story
Why brain has limited capacity for repair after stroke: New drug target identified (November 3, 2010) -- A new study offers insights into a major limitation in the brain's ability to recover function after a stroke and identifies a promising medical therapy to help overcome this limitation. ... > full story
Moving animals not a panacea for habitat loss (November 3, 2010) -- Moving threatened animals to protected habitats may not always be an effective conservation technique if the breeding patterns of the species are influenced by a social hierarchy. ... > full story
New protein critical for mitochondria discovered (November 3, 2010) -- Researchers in Spain have discovered a new protein in the fruit fly that is crucial for mitochondria. The removal of SLIMP in these flies leads to aberrant mitochondria and loss of metabolic capacity, thus causing death. ... > full story
Scientists uncover a genetic switch that turns immune responses on and off (November 3, 2010) -- A new finding explains what causes some genes to go out of control. Researchers have identified a "cellular switch" that controls the flow of information from chemical signals outside of the cell to genes in the cell nucleus. When the switch is turned off, the information pathway it controls hyper-activates, making it a possible drug target for many conditions such as cancer, severe immune deficiencies, autoimmune diseases and allergies. ... > full story
Plants and animals under stress may provide the key to better stock market predications (November 3, 2010) -- Stock markets react to crisis in a similar way to plants and the human body, according to a major new study that may help to predict future financial down-turns. An extensive analysis of biological and financial data suggests that systems under stress exhibit similar symptoms, whether they be polluted forests, cancer patients or the FTSE 100. ... > full story
How ancient plants and soil fungi turned Earth green (November 3, 2010) -- New research has shed light on how Earth's first plants began to colonize the land over 470 million years ago by forming a partnership with soil fungi. ... > full story
Novel needle technology paves way for simultaneous tissue sampling and cancer treatment (November 3, 2010) -- A novel technology promises to reduce the risk of tumor spread and bleeding associated with fine-needle biopsy in suspected cancer. The technology is called Anti-Seeding, and has been clinically tested in breast cancer on a small scale in Sweden during a one year period. The researchers will now move forward with larger studies in other cancers, and are also working to develop the technology to enable treatment of some cancers in parallel with the needle diagnostic procedure. ... > full story
New approaches needed to gauge safety of nanotech-based pesticides, researchers urge (November 3, 2010) -- Nanotechnology is about to emerge in the world of pesticides and pest control, and a range of new approaches are needed to understand the implications for public health, ensure that this is done safely, maximize the potential benefits and prevent possible risks, researchers say in a new report. ... > full story
Fly study uncovers molecular link between obesity and heart disease (November 3, 2010) -- Researchers show that obesity-induced heart disease can be prevented by reducing the activity of TOR, a nutrient-sensing protein that regulates molecular circuits involved in growth, metabolism and lifespan. ... > full story
Quantum simulator and supercomputer at the crossroads (November 3, 2010) -- Scientists in an international collaboration have measured for the first time a many-body phase diagram with ultracold atoms in optical lattices at finite temperatures. ... > full story
Volunteering can benefit those with functional limitations, study finds (November 3, 2010) -- Volunteering is known to provide health benefits to the person doing the volunteering. Now, a new study finds that older adults with functional limitations (trouble conducting daily tasks like cooking meals) in particular appear to reap the benefits from helping others. ... > full story
Fourth flavor of neutrino? Physics experiment suggests existence of new elementary particle (November 3, 2010) -- The results of a high-profile Fermilab physics experiment appear to confirm strange 20-year-old findings that poke holes in the standard model, suggesting the existence of a new elementary particle: a fourth flavor of neutrino. ... > full story
Gastric bypass alters sweet taste function; Finding could lead to safer treatments for morbid obesity (November 3, 2010) -- Gastric bypass surgery decreases the preference for sweet-tasting substances in obese rats, a study finding that could help in developing safer treatments for the morbidly obese, according to researchers. ... > full story
Zebrafish's neural circuit prevents it from biting off more than it can chew (November 3, 2010) -- With a new technology, have been able to follow entire populations of retinal and brain cells in their test animal: the zebrafish larva, and solve some of the mysteries of its neural circuit that underlies its vision. ... > full story
Macrophage protein has major role in inflammation (November 3, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered that a multi-tasking protein called FoxO1 has another important but previously unknown function: It directly interacts with macrophages, promoting an inflammatory response that can lead to insulin resistance and diabetes. ... > full story
Unique duality: 'Exotic' superconductor with metallic surface discovered (November 3, 2010) -- A new material with a split personality -- part superconductor, part metal -- has been observed by researchers. The discovery may have implications for the development of next-generation electronics that could transform the way information is stored and processed. ... > full story
Brain's ability to selectively focus, pay attention diminishes with age, study finds (November 3, 2010) -- A new study shows that the brain's ability to selectively filter unattended or unwanted information diminishes with age, leaving older adults less capable of filtering out distracting or irrelevant information. ... > full story
Bees reveal nature-nurture secrets: Extensive molecular differences in brains of workers and queen (November 3, 2010) -- The nature-nurture debate is a "giant step" closer to being resolved after scientists studying bees documented how environmental inputs can modify our genetic hardware. The researchers uncovered extensive molecular differences in the brains of worker bees and queen bees which develop along very different paths when put on different diets. ... > full story
Compound in daffodils targets brain cancer (November 3, 2010) -- When looking for new ways to treat aggressive brain cancers, an international team of scientists turned a new leaf and "discovered" the lowly daffodil. A new research study offers hope that a natural compound found in daffodil bulbs, called narciclasine, may be a powerful therapeutic against biologically aggressive forms of human brain cancers. ... > full story
Cancer drug linked to quantum dots increases drug uptake, reduces inflammation (November 3, 2010) -- Researchers have developed a novel technology using quantum dots that is expected to have major implications for research and treatment of tuberculosis, as well as other inflammatory lung diseases. ... > full story
Tamiflu is more effective at relieving flu symptoms than a combination of tamiflu and relenza, study finds (November 3, 2010) -- In adults with seasonal influenza A virus infection, the combination of the drugs oseltamivir (tamiflu) and zanamivir (relenza) is less effective than oseltamivir monotherapy and not significantly more effective than zanamivir monotherapy, according to a new study. ... > full story
Phenomenal fabric: How can a cloth clean up toxic waste? (November 3, 2010) -- Ordinary-looking fabric can be used to filter out and destroy incredibly toxic materials, even when they’re only present in tiny amounts, according to new research. ... > full story
Why are people with stroke more likely to die if hospitalized on a weekend? (November 3, 2010) -- People admitted to the hospital on a weekend after a stroke are more likely to die compared to people admitted on a weekday, regardless of the severity of the stroke they experience, according to new research. ... > full story
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