ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Monday, December 6, 2010
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Northern wildfires threaten runaway climate change, study reveals (December 6, 2010) -- A new study reveals that fires in the Alaskan interior have become more severe in the last decade, resulting in more carbon being released than is being stored. About half the world's soil carbon is locked in northern permafrost and peatland soils. The increased burning is shifting these ecosystems from a carbon sink to a carbon source. ... > full story
Earliest brain changes linked to Alzheimer's genetic risk point to possible prevention therapies (December 6, 2010) -- What are the earliest brain changes associated with the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease? A new study finds reduced activity of an energy-generating enzyme in deceased young adult brain donors who carry a common genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease -- before the protein changes or microscopic abnormalities commonly associated with the disease and almost five decades before the age at which they might have developed memory and thinking problems. ... > full story
Fitting a biological nanopore into an artificial one, new ways to analyze DNA (December 6, 2010) -- Researchers a have announced a new type of nanopore device that could help in developing fast and cheap genetic analysis. They report on a novel method that combines artificial and biological materials to result in a tiny hole on a chip, which is able to measure and analyze single DNA molecules. ... > full story
Age-related hearing loss and folate in the elderly (December 6, 2010) -- Age-related hearing loss, one of the four most prevalent chronic conditions in the elderly, is associated with low serum levels of folic acid, according to new research. ... > full story
Satellite tracking campaign tests European abilities (December 6, 2010) -- An experimental tracking campaign using European facilities is helping determine how well existing telescopes and radars can work together to observe objects in Earth orbit. The results will be used to help design the European Space Agency's future Space Situational Awareness system. ... > full story
Preventing physician medication mix-ups by reporting them (December 6, 2010) -- The most frequent contributors to medication errors and adverse drug events in busy primary care practice offices are communication problems and lack of knowledge, according to a study of a prototype web-based medication error and adverse drug event reporting system. The study has created the largest database of medication errors in primary care. ... > full story
'Clueless' housekeeping genes are activated randomly, study finds (December 6, 2010) -- Scientists have made an unexpected finding about the method by which certain genes are activated. Contrary to what researchers have traditionally assumed, genes that work with other genes to build protein structures do not act in a coordinated way but instead are turned on randomly. The surprising discovery may fundamentally change the way scientists think about the way cellular processes are synchronized. ... > full story
Link between folic acid supplementation in pregnancy, DNA methylation and birth weight in newborn babies (December 6, 2010) -- Groundbreaking work by a team of UK scientists has identified, for the first time, a link between changes in the DNA of newborn babies, folic acid supplementation during pregnancy, and birth weight. ... > full story
El Nino: Better understanding of long-term changes in climate system (December 6, 2010) -- Scientists have been studying long-term climate variability associated with El Nino. The researchers' goal is to help climatologists better understand this global climate phenomenon that happens every two to eight years, impacting much of the world. ... > full story
Surprising AIDS-treatment benefits, prevention strategy in epidemic regions of Africa; Anti-retroviral therapy yields 'Lazarus effect' (December 6, 2010) -- Researchers have documented significant spillover benefits of a drug therapy to combat AIDS symptoms and a novel prevention strategy that focuses on girls in sub-Saharan Africa, an area with two-thirds of the world's HIV infections. ... > full story
Sows ears and silk purses: Packing more flavor into modern pork (December 6, 2010) -- Perhaps you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, but scientists are reporting progress in pulling off the same trick with the notoriously bland flavor of pork. They are reporting new insights into the biochemical differences in the meat of an Italian swine renowned for its good flavor since the ancient Roman Empire and the modern "Large White" or Yorkshire hog, whose roots date back barely 125 years. ... > full story
Information technology could improve prevention, treatment of depression (December 6, 2010) -- Could information technology and data mining techniques be used to improve the diagnosis and treatment of depression? That's the question scientists hope to have answered. ... > full story
Heat helped hasten life's beginnings on Earth, research suggests (December 5, 2010) -- New research investigating the effect of temperature on extremely slow chemical reactions suggests that the time required for evolution on a warm earth is shorter than critics might expect. ... > full story
Widely used arthritis pill protects against skin cancer, study suggests (December 5, 2010) -- A widely used arthritis drug reduces the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers -- the most common cancers in humans -- according to a new study. The COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib (Celebrex), which is approved for the treatment of arthritis and acute pain, led to a 62 percent reduction in non-melanoma skin cancers. In the future, a combination of medications that include sunscreens and COX inhibitors or other protective therapies may be used to decrease the incidence of skin cancer. ... > full story
How infants compare quantities (December 5, 2010) -- Parents are often amazed at how fast their child grows and develops. New research has determined that the ability to quantify -- even things that are hard to quantify, such as liquid -- may develop much sooner than most parents realize. ... > full story
Cancer drugs offer new hope for Crohn's disease and sarcoidosis (December 5, 2010) -- A new study offers insight into a new treatment avenue for Crohn's Disease and sarcoidosis. While the loss of NOD2 increases the risk of developing Crohn's disease, increased activity of this gene is also thought to exacerbate symptoms. Scientists have identified two existing FDA-approved drugs that are able to inhibit the activity of NOD2's binding partner, the kinase RIP2, and therefore, also inhibit the activity of NOD2. ... > full story
Smashing fluids: The physics of flow (December 5, 2010) -- Hit it hard and it will fracture like a solid... but tilt it slowly and it will flow like a fluid. This is the intriguing property of a type of "complex fluid." ... > full story
Low-status leaders are ignored, researchers find; How a leader is picked impacts whether others will follow (December 5, 2010) -- People who are deemed social misfits or "losers" aren't effective leaders, even if they are crusading for a cause that would benefit a larger group, according to new research. ... > full story
Biologist tracks spiders' eyes to learn how tiny brains process information (December 5, 2010) -- Over the next year, spiders watching videos of their prey are going to help biologists understand how animals choose which visual elements to attend to in their environments. She believes we are on the verge of gaining important new knowledge about how brains and specialized sensory systems work together to process visual information. ... > full story
Early detection is possible for prion diseases, study suggests (December 5, 2010) -- A fast test to diagnose fatal brain conditions such as mad cow disease in cattle and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans could be on the horizon, according to a new study. Researchers have developed a highly sensitive and rapid new method to detect and measure infectious agents called prions that cause these diseases. ... > full story
Protein essential for cell division in blood-forming stem cells discovered (December 5, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered that a protein known to regulate cellular metabolism is also necessary for normal cell division in blood-forming stem cells. Loss of the protein results in an abnormal number of chromosomes and a high rate of cell death. ... > full story
Protein protects cancer cells from oxidative stress (December 5, 2010) -- High levels of a protein called thioredoxin-like 2 helps protect cancer cells from the oxidative stress that they generate as they grow and invade tissues throughout the body, researchers report. ... > full story
Gold and silver nano baubles (December 5, 2010) -- They might just be the smallest Christmas tree decorations ever. Tiny spherical particles of gold and silver that are more than 100 million times smaller than the gold and silver baubles used to decorate seasonal fir trees have been synthesized. ... > full story
People with a university degree fear death less than those at a lower literacy level, Spanish study finds (December 5, 2010) -- Research conducted in Spain reveals that fear of death is more common among women than men. Additionally, the study concludes that parents' fear of death affects their children's perception of death. ... > full story
'Brain maps' created for how humans reach (December 5, 2010) -- Scientists studied the brains of 18 individuals who made 400 distinct arm reaches as they lay in an MRI scanner. The researchers found clear differences in brain planning activity with regard to the two types of reaching behavior. ... > full story
New approach to blocking malaria transmission developed (December 5, 2010) -- Scientists have developed a new approach to blocking malaria transmission. The research focuses on potential targets to inhibit transmission of the parasite Plasmodium that causes malaria. ... > full story
Electronic cigarettes are unsafe and pose health risks, study finds (December 5, 2010) -- How safe are electronic cigarettes or "e-cigarettes"? To address this question, researchers evaluated five e-cigarette brands and found design flaws, lack of adequate labeling, and several concerns about quality control and health issues. They conclude that e-cigarettes are potentially harmful and urge regulators to consider removing e-cigarettes from the market until their safety is adequately evaluated. ... > full story
Lower occurrence of atopic dermatitis in children whose mothers were exposed to farm animals and cats during pregnancy (December 5, 2010) -- Children whose mothers are exposed to farm animals and cats are better protected against atopic dermatitis and are less likely to develop this painful inflammation of the skin in their first two years of life. ... > full story
Method developed to simultaneously desalinate water, produce hydrogen and treat wastewater (December 5, 2010) -- Fresh water and reusable energy. Humans are on a constant hunt for a sustainable supply of both. Water purification requires a lot of energy, while utility companies need large amounts of water for energy production. The goal is to find a low-energy-required treatment technology. Researchers may have discovered an answer. ... > full story
Beyond nature vs. nurture: Parental guidance boosts child's strengths, shapes development (December 5, 2010) -- Why does a young adult choose one career, hobby or path over another -- whether it's lawyer, politician, professional athlete, environmentalist or churchgoer? Some child psychologists say genes determine the outcome; others say the driving force is upbringing. But a new child-development theory bridges the nature vs. nurture models, saying parental guidance based on a child's strengths shapes how the child turns out, say psychologists. ... > full story
Global sea-level rise at the end of the last Ice Age interrupted by rapid 'jumps' (December 4, 2010) -- Researchers have estimated that sea-level rose by an average of about 1 meter per century at the end of the last Ice Age, interrupted by rapid "jumps" during which it rose by up to 2.5 meters per century. The findings will help unravel the responses of ocean circulation and climate to large inputs of ice-sheet meltwater to the world ocean. ... > full story
Blame the environment: Why vaccines may be ineffective for some people (December 4, 2010) -- A new discovery may explain why a tuberculosis vaccine is not as effective for some people as anticipated, and potentially explains why other vaccines do not work as well for some as they do for others. ... > full story
Color-changing 'blast badge' detects exposure to explosive shock waves (December 4, 2010) -- Mimicking the reflective iridescence of a butterfly's wing, investigators have developed a color-changing patch that could be worn on soldiers' helmets and uniforms to indicate the strength of exposure to blasts from explosives in the field. Future studies aim to calibrate the color change to the intensity of exposure to provide an immediate read on the potential harm to the brain and the subsequent need for medical intervention. ... > full story
Molecular 'switch' contributes to cellular aging process: Discovery suggests new treatments for metabolic diseases (December 4, 2010) -- Scientists report finding a molecular "switch" that can "turn off" some cellular processes that are protective against aging and metabolic diseases. ... > full story
Novel metal catalysts may be able to turn greenhouse gases into liquid fuels (December 4, 2010) -- It sounds a bit like spinning straw into gold, but novel metal catalysts may be able to turn greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide into liquid fuels without producing more carbon waste in the process. ... > full story
Molecular mechanism that causes teens to be less sensitive to alcohol than adults identified (December 4, 2010) -- Researchers have known for years that teens are less sensitive than adults to the motor-impairing effects of alcohol, but they do not know exactly what is happening in the brain that causes teens to be less sensitive than adults. But now, neuropsychologists have found the particular cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the age-dependent effect of alcohol in teens that may cause the reduced motor impairment. ... > full story
Interspecies electron transfer: Anaerobic bacteria found to cooperate (December 4, 2010) -- Microbiologists report that they have discovered a new cooperative behavior in anaerobic bacteria, known as interspecies electron transfer, that could have important implications for the global carbon cycle and bioenergy. ... > full story
New prion discovery reveals drug target for mad cow disease and related illnesses (December 4, 2010) -- In a new study, scientists have found that a protein our body uses to break up blood clots speeds up the progress of prion diseases. This substance, called plasminogen, is a new drug target for prion diseases in both humans and animals. ... > full story
Electrocution of birds and collision with power lines: Solutions to a global problem (December 4, 2010) -- Electrocution on power lines is a major threat to many bird species across the world, in particular endangered species such birds of prey, which show the greatest incidence of electrocution. A new study focuses on preventing bird electrocution through the identification and correction of high-risk pylons. ... > full story
Eye movement problems common cause of reading difficulties in stroke patients (December 4, 2010) -- Eye movement problems that result in difficulty reading are as common as vision loss in stroke patients, researchers at the University of Liverpool have found. ... > full story
Ozone hole affects upper-atmosphere temperature and circulation (December 4, 2010) -- Observations have shown differences in altitude and brightness between polar mesospheric clouds (clouds made of ice crystals in the upper mesosphere) in the Northern Hemisphere and those in the Southern Hemisphere. Various mechanisms have been suggested to explain the differences; a new study shows that the ozone hole in the stratosphere above Antarctica could be playing a key role in the temperature and circulation patterns in the mesosphere. ... > full story
A molecular switch for memory and addiction (December 4, 2010) -- Scientists from Germany, the UK and Italy identify a molecular switch that leads to a sustained increase of calcium in nerve cells and plays a crucial role in the formation of memory and addictive behaviors. ... > full story
Tooth decay to be a thing of the past? Enzyme responsible for dental plaque sticking to teeth deciphered (December 4, 2010) -- Scientists have deciphered the structure and functional mechanism of the glucansucrase enzyme that is responsible for dental plaque sticking to teeth. This knowledge will stimulate the identification of substances that inhibit the enzyme. Just add that substance to toothpaste, or even sweets, and caries could be a thing of the past. ... > full story
Researchers uncover culprits in life-threatening clotting disorder (December 4, 2010) -- Individuals with a potentially life-threatening condition predisposing them to blood clots, or thrombosis, might someday receive therapy to prevent the condition, thanks to new findings. ... > full story
More efficient polymer solar cells fabricated (December 4, 2010) -- Researchers have developed a process for fabricating more efficient polymer solar cells. They discovered a textured substrate pattern that allows deposition of a uniformly thin light-absorbing layer. The result is a polymer solar cell that captures more light and produces more power. ... > full story
Preterm infants may need a boost to protect against invasitve pneumococcal disease (December 4, 2010) -- A new study suggests that preterm infants may not be fully protected against invasive pneumococcal disease under the current United Kingdom immunization schedule. ... > full story
Vitamins identified as key nutrient which may promote harmful algal blooms in coastal waters (December 4, 2010) -- Harmful algal blooms, which negatively affect coastal ecosystems, public health, economies and fisheries around the world, may be promoted by vitamins B-1 and B-12 according to new research. ... > full story
Under suspicion: Painkiller ziconotide could increase suicidal ideation (December 4, 2010) -- The active agent ziconotide, the synthetic toxin of the cone snail, was acclaimed a safe alternative to morphine when it was introduced six years ago. Now it is increasingly suspected of causing patients to commit suicide. ... > full story
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