ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Thursday, December 2, 2010
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Primates are more resilient than other animals to environmental ups and downs (December 2, 2010) -- What sets mankind's closest relatives -- monkeys, apes, and other primates -- apart from other animals? According to a new study, one answer is that primates are less susceptible to the seasonal ups and downs -- particularly rainfall -- that take their toll on other animals. The findings may also help explain the evolutionary success of early humans, scientists say. ... > full story
Fountain of youth in your muscles? Researchers uncover muscle-stem cell mechanism in aging (December 2, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered how endurance exercise, like jogging or spinning classes, increases the number of muscle stem cells, enhancing their ability to rejuvenate old muscles. The finding could lead to a new drug to heal muscles faster. ... > full story
Rain gardens are sprouting up everywhere (December 2, 2010) -- Rain gardens are increasingly popular with homeowners and municipalities and are mandatory for many communities nationally. US Department of Agriculture scientists are finding ways to improve rain gardens so they not only reduce runoff, but also keep toxic metals out of storm drains. ... > full story
Report sets new dietary intake levels for calcium and vitamin D to maintain health and avoid risks associated with excess (December 2, 2010) -- Most Americans and Canadians up to age 70 need no more than 600 international units (IUs) of vitamin D per day to maintain health, and those 71 and older may need as much as 800 IUs, says a new report from the U.S. Institute of Medicine. The amount of calcium needed ranges, based on age, from 700 to 1,300 milligrams per day, according to the report, which updates the nutritional reference values known as Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for these interrelated nutrients. ... > full story
Manufacturing 'made to measure' atomic-scale electrodes (December 2, 2010) -- It is possible to determine and control the number of atoms in contact between a molecule and a metal electrode of copper, at the same time as the electric current passing through the union being recorded. ... > full story
Suicide rate among young women veterans more than twice that of civilians (December 2, 2010) -- Young women veterans are nearly three times as likely as civilians to commit suicide, according to new research. ... > full story
New findings detail how a virus prepares to infect cells (December 2, 2010) -- Researchers have learned the atomic-scale arrangement of proteins in a structure that enables a virus to invade and fuse with host cells, showing precisely how the structure morphs with changing acidity to initiate infection. ... > full story
Insomnia after myocardial infarction: Heart and brain appear to be closely connected (December 2, 2010) -- The heart and the brain appear to be even more closely connected than previously imagined. The damaging effects of myocardial infarction are apparently not confined to the heart, but also affect the brain. In fact, infarction seems to cause neuron loss at the level of the brainstem, which leads to insomnia, notably paradoxical insomnia. ... > full story
Pits, flows, other scenes in new set of Mars images (December 2, 2010) -- Newly released images from 340 recent observations of Mars by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera aboard NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter show details of a wide assortment of Martian environments. ... > full story
Drug-like compound stops thyroid overstimulation in early studies (December 2, 2010) -- Researchers have identified a compound that prevents overproduction of thyroid hormone, a finding that brings scientists one step closer to improving treatment for Graves' disease. In Graves' disease, the thyroid gland never stops. Thyroid-stimulating antibodies bind to receptors, activating them to keep the thyroid hormone coming and coming -- like a broken traffic light stuck on green -- and causing the body problems in regulating energy, controlling other hormones and maintaining cells throughout the body. ... > full story
Researchers demystify glasses by studying crystals (December 2, 2010) -- Glass is something we all know about. It's what we sip our drinks from, what we look out of to see what the weather is like before going outside and it is the backbone to our high speed communications infrastructure. But what most people don't know is that "glass transitions," where changes in structure of a substance accompanying temperature change get "frozen in," can show up during cooling of most any material, liquids through metals. ... > full story
One third of LGBT youth suffer mental disorders, Chicago study finds (December 2, 2010) -- One-third of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth have attempted suicide in their lifetime -- a prevalence comparable to urban, minority youth -- but a majority do not experience mental illness, according a new Chicago study. ... > full story
Loss of species large and small threatens human health, study finds (December 1, 2010) -- The loss of biodiversity -- from beneficial bacteria to charismatic mammals -- threatens human health. That's the conclusion of a new study by scientists who study biodiversity and infectious diseases. ... > full story
New gene for childhood cancer neuroblastoma is discovered (December 1, 2010) -- Pediatric cancer researchers have identified variations in a gene as important contributors to neuroblastoma, the most common solid cancer of early childhood. The researchers found that common variants in the LMO1 gene increase the risk of developing an aggressive form of neuroblastoma, and also mark the gene for continuing to drive the cancer's progression once it forms. ... > full story
CT best at uncovering drug mule payload, study finds (December 1, 2010) -- According to a study, the best way to detect cocaine in the body of a human drug courier, known as a mule, is through computed tomography. ... > full story
Retinal nerve function may be key to early glaucoma detection (December 1, 2010) -- Catching glaucoma as early as possible-before it destroys the optic nerve-is vital to preventing vision loss. Now a research team has shown that a test that measures the functionality of the eye's retinal nerve cells may be a key to early detection. Eventually, the test may also help evaluate how well glaucoma treatments are working. ... > full story
Electron 'pairing': Triplet superconductivity proven experientially for first time (December 1, 2010) -- Researchers have made the first experimental breakthrough in quantum physics: Their studies on the 'pairing behavior' of electrons have proven for the first time the existence of electron pairs, so-called Cooper pairs, with parallel spin direction. Cooper pairs cause superconductivity -- this is a particular state of material, in which the electrical resistance disappears. Until now the existence of triplet Cooper pairs has only been predicted theoretically. ... > full story
Death certificates confirm non-HIV-attributable diseases cause increase in deaths of people living with HIV/AIDS in US (December 1, 2010) -- During the decade since the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy, or 1996-2006, mortality among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) sharply decreased in the United States. So, too, did the percentages of PLWHA deaths attributable to AIDS-defining illnesses, just as there was a marked increase in the percentage of deaths attributable to heart, kidney and liver disease. ... > full story
Super-Earth has an atmosphere, but is it steamy or gassy? (December 1, 2010) -- In December 2009, astronomers announced the discovery of a super-Earth known as GJ 1214b. At the time, they reported signs that the newfound world likely had a thick, gaseous atmosphere. Now astronomers have made the first measurements of GJ 1214b's atmosphere. However, the measurements raise as many questions about the planet's atmospheric composition as they answer. ... > full story
Bone marrow stromal stem cells may aid in stroke recovery (December 1, 2010) -- Scientists have determined that bone marrow stromal stem cells may aid in stroke recovery. The study examining the effects of a systematic administration of either rat (allogenic) or human (xenogenic) bone marrow stem cells (MSC) administered to laboratory rats one day after their simulated strokes found "significant recovery" of motor behavior on the first day. ... > full story
What to do if you are bitten by a snake (December 1, 2010) -- Should you be the victim of a snakebite, the best thing you can do is get to a hospital as quickly as possible, according to a new review article. ... > full story
Researchers show an oncolytic virus switches off cancer cell surival signal (December 1, 2010) -- Researchers have identified a mechanism by which specific viruses acting as oncolytic agents can enter and kill cancer cells. This finding could help lead to the development of more targeted treatments against many types of cancer. ... > full story
Engineers discover graphene's weakness (December 1, 2010) -- Using quantum theory and supercomputers, scientists have revealed the mechanisms of mechanical failure of pure graphene under tensile stress. They shows that, when graphene is subject to strain equal in all directions, it morphs into a new structure which is mechanically unstable. ... > full story
Pray tell: Americans stretching the truth about church attendance (December 1, 2010) -- A new study finds that Americans are much more likely to exaggerate their attendance at religious services than are people in many other countries. ... > full story
Dangerous levels of lead found in used consumer products (December 1, 2010) -- The problem of toxic lead in used consumer products is extremely widespread and present at levels that are far beyond safe limits, according to a new study. Researchers found that many other items available for purchase throughout the United States -- such as toys, home décor items, salvage, kitchen utensils and jewelry -- contain surface lead concentrations more than 700 times higher than the federal limit. ... > full story
Finger length points to prostate cancer risk (December 1, 2010) -- Men who have long index fingers are at lower risk of prostate cancer, a new study has found. Men whose index finger is longer than their ring finger were one third less likely to develop the disease than men with the opposite finger length pattern. ... > full story
Cassini finds warm cracks on Saturn's moon Enceladus (December 1, 2010) -- New images and data from NASA's Cassini spacecraft give scientists a unique Saturn-lit view of active fissures through the south polar region of Saturn's moon Enceladus. They reveal a more complicated web of warm fractures than previously thought. ... > full story
Tumors bring their own support cells when forming metastases; Noncancerous cells from primary site appear to facilitate tumor growth (December 1, 2010) -- The process of metastasis requires that cancer cells traveling from a primary tumor find a hospitable environment in which to implant themselves and grow. A new study finds that circulating tumor cells prepare this environment by bringing along from their original site noncancerous cells that support tumor growth. ... > full story
Rotating light provides indirect look into the nucleus (December 1, 2010) -- Nuclear magnetic resonance is one of the best tools for gaining insight into the structure and dynamics of molecules and how they behave in a variety of chemical environments. Now researchers have described an alternative way to get this information, by using light to observe nuclei indirectly via the orbiting electrons. ... > full story
Most low birth weight babies become productive adults, study finds (December 1, 2010) -- Most survivors of extremely low birth weight grow up to become productive adults, according to a new study. ... > full story
Discovery triples number of stars in universe (December 1, 2010) -- Astronomers have discovered that small, dim stars known as red dwarfs are much more prolific than previously thought -- so much so that the total number of stars in the universe is likely three times bigger than realized. ... > full story
Yo-yo dieting alters genes linked with stress (December 1, 2010) -- Stressed-out mice with a history of dieting ate more high-fat foods than similarly stressed mice not previously on diets, according to a new study. The findings suggest that moderate diets change how the brain responds to stress and may make crash dieters more susceptible to weight gain. ... > full story
World's fastest camera takes a new look at biosensing (December 1, 2010) -- Scientists have developed a Megaframe Imager -- an ultrafast camera capable of recording images at the incredible rate of one million frames. ... > full story
New evidence for eye-protective effects of omega-3-rich fish, shellfish (December 1, 2010) -- Researchers wanted to know how the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) would be affected in a population of older people who regularly ate fish and seafood, since some varieties are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. A diet rich in omega-3s probably protects against advanced AMD, the leading cause of blindness in whites in the United States, according to recent research. High concentrations of omega-3s have been found in the eye's retina, and evidence is mounting that the nutrient may be essential to eye health. ... > full story
Nano-diamond qubits and photonic crystals: Milestone reached on the path to integrated quantum technology (December 1, 2010) -- Researchers in Germany have successfully fabricated a rudimentary quantum computing hybrid system using electronic excitations in nano-diamonds as qubits and optical nanostructures, so-called photonic crystals with tailored optical properties. This architecture may allow integration of multi-qubit systems on a single micrometer-sized chip for future quantum computers. ... > full story
Perceived bad boys receive less pain medications in ER (December 1, 2010) -- If you should find yourself running from the police, watch your step. If you fall and break an ankle, chances are you'll receive less pain medication when they take you to the ER for treatment. That's one of the findings from a study who collected the data and is an emergency department doctor in California. ... > full story
Astronomers use moon in effort to corral elusive cosmic particles (December 1, 2010) -- Radio telescopes normally can't detect neutrinos, but astronomers aimed Very Large Array antennas at the Moon in an innovative effort to detect radio "flashes" caused by the interaction of cosmic neutrinos with lunar material. ... > full story
Diabetes may clamp down on cholesterol the brain needs (December 1, 2010) -- The brain contains more cholesterol than any other organ in the body, has to produce its own cholesterol and won't function normally if it doesn't churn out enough. Now researchers have discovered that diabetes can affect how much cholesterol the brain can make. ... > full story
Transgenic crops: How genes jump from crop to crop (December 1, 2010) -- A comprehensive, data-driven statistical model including the surrounding landscape, pollinating insects and human seed dispersal allowed researchers to assess the movement of an inserted gene between crop varieties more realistically than was possible with previously available methods. ... > full story
Surgeons test innovative device in patient with swallowing disorder (December 1, 2010) -- In what might be one of the world's first medicinal body piercings, surgeons announced that they have successfully implanted an experimental device in the throat of a man that will enable him to manually control his ability to swallow. ... > full story
Measuring the temperature of nanoparticles (December 1, 2010) -- Scientists have developed a new technique for probing the temperature rise in the vicinity of nanoparticles using fluorescent quantum dots as temperature sensors. The results may have implications for the medical use of nanoparticles. ... > full story
Guiltless gluttony: Misleading size labels lead to overeating (December 1, 2010) -- People are easily fooled when it comes to food labels, and will eat more of something if they believe it's a "small" portion, according to a new study. ... > full story
Couch potato effect: Missing protein leaves mice unable to exercise (December 1, 2010) -- Researchers have unveiled a surprising new model for studying muscle function: the couch potato mouse. While these mice maintain normal activity and body weight, they do not have the energy to exercise. ... > full story
Gene therapy success in an immune disorder (December 1, 2010) -- A pediatric immunologists and gene therapy researchers achieved marked clinical improvements in two young children with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, a very rare but often severe immunodeficiency disorder. ... > full story
Origin of cells associated with nerve repair discovered (December 1, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered the origin of a unique type of cell known for its ability to support regeneration in the central nervous system. Their findings raise the possibility of obtaining a more reliable source of these cells for use in cell transplantation therapy for spinal cord injuries. ... > full story
Drug-resistant HIV patients with unimpaired immune cells (December 1, 2010) -- Researchers have shown why, in a minority of HIV patients, immune function improves despite a lack of response to standard anti-retroviral treatment. ... > full story
How earthquakes can be predicted: Researchers reveal new means (December 1, 2010) -- Researchers in Israel who have been examining what happens in a "model earthquake" in their laboratory have discovered that basic assumptions about friction that have been accepted for hundreds of years are just wrong. Their findings provide a new means for replicating how earth ruptures develop and possibly enabling prediction of coming severe earthquakes. ... > full story
Trust hormone associated with happiness: Human study suggests new role for oxytocin (December 1, 2010) -- The hormone oxytocin, which is known to be important in trust, may also be involved in a sense of well-being. According to new research, women who show large increases in oxytocin when they are trusted also report being more satisfied with life and less depressed. ... > full story
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