ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Thursday, November 11, 2010
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Saturn is on a cosmic dimmer switch, Cassini reveals (November 11, 2010) -- Like a cosmic light bulb on a dimmer switch, Saturn emitted gradually less energy each year from 2005 to 2009, according to observations by NASA's Cassini spacecraft. But unlike an ordinary bulb, Saturn's southern hemisphere consistently emitted more energy than its northern one. On top of that, energy levels changed with the seasons and differed from the last time a spacecraft visited in the early 1980s. ... > full story
High cholesterol in middle age women not a risk factor for Alzheimer's and other dementias, study finds (November 11, 2010) -- High cholesterol levels in middle age do not appear to increase women's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia later in life, new research finds, despite a body of scientific evidence long suggesting a link between the two. ... > full story
Mutations in single gene predict poor outcomes in adult leukemia; Discovery may guide treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (November 11, 2010) -- Decoding the DNA of a woman who died of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has led researchers to a gene that they found to be commonly altered in many patients who died quickly of the disease. The findings, if confirmed in larger studies, suggest that a diagnostic test for mutations in the gene could identify AML patients who need more aggressive treatment right from the start. ... > full story
‘Magic bullet’ could eradicate side effects of drug used to treat rare genetic disease (November 11, 2010) -- A 'magic bullet' designed by pharmaceutical scientists could eradicate the side effects of a drug used to treat a rare genetic disease. Researchers have chemically modified a drug used to treat cystinosis -- a disease which occurs when the body's mechanism to remove excess cystine (an amino acid) breaks down, leading to kidney problems and eventually affecting other organs -- to remove unpleasant side effects such as nausea, vomiting, severe halitosis, body odor and a noxious taste. ... > full story
New dietary supplement reference materials could be 'berry' useful (November 11, 2010) -- Researchers have developed new certified reference materials for measuring amounts of organic acids in dietary supplements formulated with Vaccinium berries -- cranberries, blueberries and bilberries. Manufacturers and researchers can use this new suite of standard reference materials as quality assurance tools. ... > full story
New neuronal circuits which control fear have been identified (November 11, 2010) -- Fear is a behavioral adaptation which may be innate but can also be a consequence of conditioning. However, until now, the underlying neuronal circuits have remained largely unknown. Now, scientists have been able to identify, for the first time, distinct neuronal circuits within the central nucleus of the amygdala which are specifically involved in acquisition and control of behavioral fear responses. ... > full story
Novel metamaterial vastly improves quality of ultrasound imaging (November 11, 2010) -- A new copper "metamaterial" can overcome some of the limitations of acoustic microscopes and imagers, including ultrasound imagers. Researchers have designed and built a metamaterial that improves the picture quality of sonography by a factor of 50. The material, composed of copper tubes, resonantly channels evanescent acoustic waves to a detector, capturing more detail than is carried by propagating sound waves. ... > full story
Inhibitory neurons key to understanding neuropsychiatric disorders (November 11, 2010) -- In 1999, researchers identified mutations in a gene called MECP2 as the culprit in a devastating neurological disorder called Rett syndrome. In new research the same scientists demonstrate that the loss of the protein MeCP2 in a special group of inhibitory nerve cells in the brain reproduces nearly all Rett syndrome features. ... > full story
Infant foods should be screened for mycotoxins, scientists say (November 11, 2010) -- Scientists call for protecting complementary food for infants in developing countries -- especially those where corn is a staple food -- against fumonisin, a toxin produced by fungi. Until now, physicians thought the growth retardation of children in those regions was to be blamed on the poor nutritional value of the complementary maize porridge they receive when breast milk is no longer sufficient. But toxins indeed are involved, scientists report. ... > full story
New insights into the development of epithelial cells (November 11, 2010) -- Scientists have gained new insights into the development of epithelial cells and their molecular repertoire. Researchers have identified a transcription factor (grainyhead-like 2, Grhl2), which regulates the composition of the molecular "bridges" that link adjacent epithelial cells. They demonstrate that Grhl2, via DNA-binding, directly regulates the expression of two such cell junctional molecules, E-cadherin and claudin 4. ... > full story
Improving soil for better lawns and gardens (November 11, 2010) -- US Department of Agriculture scientists in West Virginia are finding ways to improve soil on degraded land so it can be used for sports fields and other uses. ... > full story
Attacking the drinking culture on college campuses from different directions (November 11, 2010) -- A multi-tiered effort designed to stem binge drinking at a large university and to change the campus drinking culture has produced notable results during a 2.5-year Indiana University study. Freshmen living on campus showed significant drops in the average number of drinks consumed in a week; in the percentage who drank at least once a week in the last year; and in the proportion of students who engaged in binge drinking in the previous week. ... > full story
Sharks and wolves: Predator, prey interactions similar on land and in oceans (November 10, 2010) -- There may be many similarities between the importance of large predators in marine and terrestrial environments, researchers concluded in a recent study, which examined the interactions between wolves and elk in the United States, as well as sharks and dugongs in Australia. ... > full story
Circuit regulating anti-diabetic actions of serotonin uncovered (November 10, 2010) -- New findings suggest that serotonin -- a brain chemical known to help regulate emotion, mood and sleep -- might also have anti-diabetic properties. ... > full story
DNA repair protein caught in act of molecular theft (November 10, 2010) -- Scientists have observed, for the first time, an intermediate stage in the chemical process that repairs DNA methylation damage and regulates many important biological functions that impact health conditions such as obesity, cancer and diabetes. ... > full story
Predicting heart transplant patient's health earlier (November 10, 2010) -- A pathology researcher has found a new way to analyze biopsies from heart transplant patients by looking at their genes. This allows him to make an early prediction whether the transplant is working. ... > full story
New transportable technology detects bacteria in water (November 10, 2010) -- To keep soldiers in the battlefield healthy, the US Army is exploring new ways to detect harmful bacteria in water. ... > full story
Cancer news articles may contribute to confusion about cancer (November 10, 2010) -- New research shows that most online news stories about cancer contain language that likely contributes to public uncertainty about the disease -- a significant finding, given that at least one-third of Americans seek health information online. ... > full story
Cambrian Explosion: New timeline for appearances of skeletal animals in fossil record (November 10, 2010) -- Beginning around 542 million years ago, a profusion of animals with shells and skeletons began to appear in the fossil record. So many life forms appeared during this time that it is often referred to as the "Cambrian Explosion." Geologists have now proposed a rethinking of the timeline of these early animal appearances. ... > full story
Fructose-rich beverages associated with increased risk of gout in women (November 10, 2010) -- Consumption of fructose-rich beverages, such as sugar-sweetened sodas and orange juice is associated with an increased risk of gout among women, although their contribution to the risk of gout in the population is likely modest because of the low incidence rate among women, according to a new study. ... > full story
New class of 'dancing' dendritic cells derived from blood monocytes (November 10, 2010) -- The discovery of a new class of dendritic cells that stem from blood monocytes in mice promises to accelerate research into clinical therapies that use these cells, known to be the sentinels of the immune system. ... > full story
Computer-automated monitoring system may help identify medical devices with potential safety risks (November 10, 2010) -- Implementation in Massachusetts of a computer-automated safety surveillance system of clinical outcomes registries for cardiovascular devices resulted in the identification of a drug-releasing stent that had significantly higher rates of major adverse cardiac events than similar stents, according to a new study. ... > full story
Nanopore array allows simultaneous tests in search for new drugs (November 10, 2010) -- A novel nanopore array structure can be used to monitor the transport kinetics of membrane proteins by fluorescence microscopy. Due to the parallel design of the nanopore chip, a large number of samples can be analyzed simultaneously. ... > full story
College days -- more sedentary days (November 10, 2010) -- A new study finds that college students become significantly more sedentary as they move toward their senior year. ... > full story
Astronomers find 'snooker' star system (November 10, 2010) -- Astronomers have discovered an unusual star system which looks like, and may even once have behaved like, a game of snooker. ... > full story
New cancer drug target: Shutting down enzyme that controls DNA repair could boost effects of traditional chemo drugs (November 10, 2010) -- Suppressing cancer cells' ability to replicate damaged DNA could dramatically enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin, according to new research. ... > full story
New method for control of malaria applied in Africa (November 10, 2010) -- Research carried out in Mali, West Africa, has demonstrated that a new, safe and uncomplicated insect control method, developed by researchers in Israel, can bring about a serious decline in malaria-bearing mosquitoes in afflicted regions in the world. ... > full story
Chemoprevention biomarker for breast cancer identified (November 10, 2010) -- Researchers have identified a possible biomarker for measuring progress in breast cancer chemoprevention trials, according to new research. ... > full story
Special skin keeps fish species alive on land (November 10, 2010) -- A new study shows how an amphibious fish stays alive for up to two months on land. It's all in the skin. ... > full story
Couple's numeracy skills linked to greater family wealth, study finds (November 10, 2010) -- Couples who score well on a simple test of numeracy ability accumulate more wealth by middle age than couples who score poorly on such a test, according to a new study of married couples in the United States. ... > full story
Oil will run dry 90 years before substitutes roll out, study predicts (November 10, 2010) -- At the current pace of research and development, global oil will run out 90 years before replacement technologies are ready, says a new study based on stock market expectations. ... > full story
Children with high blood pressure more likely to have learning disabilities, study finds (November 10, 2010) -- Children who have hypertension are much more likely to have learning disabilities than children with normal blood pressure, according to a new study. In fact, when variables such as socioeconomic levels are evened out, children with hypertension were four times more likely to have cognitive problems. ... > full story
How the dragon got its 'snap': Computer modeling and experimental genetics combined to work out complex shapes of organs (November 10, 2010) -- Scientists are pioneering a powerful combination of computer modelling and experimental genetics to work out how the complex shapes of organs found in nature are produced by the interacting actions of genes. Their findings will influence our thinking about how these complex shapes have evolved. ... > full story
Growth defects in cystic fibrosis may start before birth (November 10, 2010) -- A new study using a pig model of cystic fibrosis (CF) suggests that low levels of a growth promoting hormone at or before birth may contribute to growth defects in patients with CF. The study could help predict the severity of the disease in patients and may lead to new therapies for growth defects in people with CF. ... > full story
Portable microwave sensors for measuring vital signs (November 10, 2010) -- Current medical techniques for monitoring the heart rate and other vital signs use electrodes attached to the body, which are impractical for patients who want to move around. Researchers in Japan have developed a new technique to disconnect people from their electrodes by using microwaves. ... > full story
Sick at work and surfing the net? You're not alone -- or are you? (November 10, 2010) -- Some scholars estimate that presenteeism, a relatively recent buzzword that applies to people who are less productive at work because of health issues, costs employers as much as three times the dollar amount as absenteeism in terms of lost productivity. ... > full story
Researchers aim to harvest solar energy from pavement to melt ice, power streetlights (November 10, 2010) -- The heat radiating off roadways has long been a factor in explaining why city temperatures are often considerably warmer than nearby suburban or rural areas. Now a team of engineering researchers is examining methods of harvesting that solar energy to melt ice, power streetlights, illuminate signs, heat buildings and potentially use it for many other purposes. ... > full story
Rogue gene hijacks stem cells to jumpstart human cancer (November 10, 2010) -- A gene thought to be responsible for initiating human cancer has been identified by researchers in the UK. The study paves the way for developing early cancer diagnostic tests, and finding new treatments that prevent or stop the spread of cancer cells at an early stage. ... > full story
Skeletons from the 18th century reveal typhus epidemic from Spain (November 10, 2010) -- By studying the dental pulp of skeletons buried in Douai (northern France), researchers have identified the pathogenic agents responsible for trench fever and typhus. This work reveals for the first time the presence of typhus in Europe at the start of the 18th century and lends weight to the hypothesis that this disease could have been imported into Europe by Spanish conquistadors returning from the Americas. ... > full story
Why risk for sudden infant death syndrome is greater in babies of mothers who smoke (November 10, 2010) -- The link between maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) may relate to the negative effects of nicotine on the development of brain centers that regulate breathing, according to new research. ... > full story
Global warming reduces available wind energy, new research finds (November 10, 2010) -- A switch to wind energy will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions -- and reduce the global warming they cause. But there's a catch, according to a new study: rising temperatures decrease wind speeds, making for less power bang for the wind turbine buck. ... > full story
Psychoprophylaxis helps men with tocophobic -- fear of childbirth (November 10, 2010) -- New research from Sweden shows that psychoprophylaxis can help men with tocophobia (fear of childbirth). The research also shows that although psychoprophylaxis generally has no effect on the experience of childbirth for women or men, its actual use during delivery seems to reduce the risk of emergency C-section. ... > full story
DNA reveals origins of first European farmers (November 10, 2010) -- A team of international researchers has resolved the longstanding issue of the origins of the people who introduced farming to Europe some 8,000 years ago. A detailed genetic study of one of the first farming communities in Europe, from central Germany, reveals marked similarities with populations living in the Ancient Near East (modern-day Turkey, Iraq and other countries) rather than those from Europe. ... > full story
Probiotics shorten diarrhea episodes, review suggests (November 10, 2010) -- Probiotic bacteria given as therapies for diarrhea reduce the length of time sufferers are affected and lessen the chance of episodes continuing for more than four days. ... > full story
MicroRNA controls mammary gland development in mice: Novel mechanism for vertebrate organ development (November 10, 2010) -- Hormones, growth factors and several proteins ensure that development occurs in the right way, at the right time. The components that cause breast development in mammals, for example, were thought to be largely known. However, as scientists in Germany have now discovered, in the case of breast development, hormones and proteins do not account for the full story. The scientists have shown that tiny ribonucleic acid molecules play a key role in this process. The mammary glands of mice lacking the gene for the microRNAs 212 and 132 failed to grow at puberty. ... > full story
New findings on chromosome changes in tumor cells (November 10, 2010) -- New progress has been made on the road to understanding the origins of genetic changes in tumor cells. The prevalent theory has been that genetic changes in tumor cells come about in multiple stages over a long time. However, a recent study by researchers in Sweden shows that this does not have to be the case at all, but that the cancer cells instead can be subject to several major chromosomal changes at the same time. ... > full story
New method for simple fabrication of microperforated membranes (November 10, 2010) -- Microscopically porous polymer membranes have numerous applications in microfluidics, where they can act as filters, masks for surface patterning, and even as components in 3-D devices. A simple new method allows chemists to fabricate free-standing polymer membranes with neatly patterned holes as small as 10 microns. ... > full story
Overcoming the IVF baby blues: Hormones and stress are major contributors to depression, research finds (November 10, 2010) -- New research finds that pre-existing stress, depression, and anxiety are more likely than hormones to cause increased levels of depression during IVF treatment. The research offers a new way to diagnose potential states of stress and depression, making for happier moms and a higher IVF success rate. ... > full story
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