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for Monday, December 13, 2010
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Type 1 diabetes: Grow your own transplant? Human testes cells turned into insulin-producing islet cells (December 13, 2010) -- Men with type 1 diabetes may be able to grow their own insulin-producing cells from their testicular tissue, say researchers. Their laboratory and animal study is a proof of principle that human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) extracted from testicular tissue can morph into insulin-secreting beta islet cells normally found in the pancreas. And the researchers say they accomplished this feat without use of any of the extra genes now employed in most labs to turn adult stem cells into a tissue of choice. ... > full story
New mechanism links cellular stress and brain damage (December 13, 2010) -- A new study uncovers a mechanism linking a specific type of cellular stress with brain damage similar to that associated with neurodegenerative disease. The research is the first to highlight the significance of the reduction of a specific calcium signal that is directly tied to cell fate. ... > full story
Shoo, fly! Catnip oil repels bloodsucking flies (December 13, 2010) -- Catnip, the plant that attracts domestic cats like an irresistible force, has proven 99 percent effective in repelling the blood-sucking flies that attack horses and cows, causing billion in annual loses to the cattle industry. ... > full story
Genetic variants linked to increased risk of common gynecological disease (December 13, 2010) -- Two genetic variants increase the risk of developing endometriosis, a common gynecological disease. The study provides clues to the origin of this often very painful condition, which has a significant impact on the quality of life of sufferers. ... > full story
Shrubby crops can help fuel Africa's green revolution (December 13, 2010) -- Crop diversification with shrubby legumes mixed with soybean and peanuts could be the key to sustaining the green revolution in Africa, according to a new study. The study states that diversifying crops would boost production of nutrient-enriched grain by 12 percent to 23 percent. ... > full story
Improving children's diets using behavior change video games shows promise (December 13, 2010) -- Obesity in youngsters has risen dramatically in recent decades. Fruit and vegetable consumption and increased water intake can lower the risk of obesity, as can increased physical activity, but it is not always easy to convince children to eat better and exercise more. In a new study, researchers found that video games designed to encourage these behaviors were effective. ... > full story
Microbatteries with nanowire hearts (December 13, 2010) -- Researchers have moved a step closer to creating robust, three-dimensional microbatteries that would charge faster and hold other advantages over conventional lithium-ion batteries. They could power new generations of remote sensors, display screens, smart cards, flexible electronics and biomedical devices. ... > full story
Study on skin formation suggests strategies to fight skin cancer (December 13, 2010) -- Researchers discovered that a pair of enzymes called HDACs are critical to the proper formation of mammalian skin. The findings not only provide information about the molecular processes underlying skin development, they also suggest a potential anticancer strategy. Inhibition of these HDAC enzymes might be able to shut down the growth of tumors that contain cells resembling those in embryonic skin. ... > full story
Fire disaster in Israel is a typical example of expected climate change effects in the Mediterranean (December 13, 2010) -- The fire disaster in the Carmel Mountains near Haifa is a typical example of climate change effect and a taste of the future, says a researcher. Ten years ago he had warned of expected climatic fluctuations, heat events, decreased rainfall and delayed late winter rainfall, all of which would lead to increased risk of intense forest fires. ... > full story
Cellular protein hobbles HIV-1 (December 13, 2010) -- A cellular protein called BST-2 had already been known to interfere with the spread of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), by inhibiting the release of its progeny particles from infected cells. Now scientists show that in addition, each progeny virion's ability to cause infection is severely impaired. ... > full story
Practical, tunable, 3-D microdroplet laser developed (December 13, 2010) -- Scientists have developed a microdroplet 3-D laser system in which laser light shines forth in all directions from dye molecules lodged within spherical drops of helical molecules dispersed in a liquid solution. ... > full story
Women smokers shocked into giving up habit by seeing effect on their faces, study finds (December 13, 2010) -- Seeing the effect smoking will have on their faces shocks women into giving up the habit, research from the UK has revealed. ... > full story
A swarm of ancient stars (December 12, 2010) -- We know of about 150 of the rich collections of old stars called globular clusters that orbit our galaxy, the Milky Way. A sharp new image of Messier 107 displays the structure of one such globular cluster in exquisite detail. Studying these stellar swarms has revealed much about the history of our galaxy and how stars evolve. ... > full story
How natural drug, abscisic acid, fights inflammation (December 12, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered how abscisic acid, a natural plant hormone with known beneficial properties for the treatment of disease, helps fight inflammation. ... > full story
Tigers and polar bears are highly vulnerable to environmental change (December 12, 2010) -- Large predators are much more vulnerable than smaller species to environmental changes, such as over-hunting and habitat change, because they have to work so hard to find their next meal, according to a new study. ... > full story
Synchrotron study shows how nitric oxide kills (December 12, 2010) -- Nitric oxide is a toxic pollutant, but the human body also creates it and uses it to attack invading microbes and parasites. A new study by researchers in the U.S. and the Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute shows how nitric oxide, attacks an important group of proteins critical to cell survival. ... > full story
Tiny protozoa may hold key to world water safety (December 12, 2010) -- Biologists have developed a sensor that employs one-celled protozoa to detect toxins in water sources. The new technique works by introducing protozoa into small chambers with water samples taken from municipal, industrial, or military water sources and comparing them to control samples. Any alteration of the protozoa's swimming mechanics is a sign that water conditions have changed and chemical or biological contaminants -- pesticides, industrial chemicals, or biological warfare agents -- may be present. ... > full story
Lowering the drinking age is unlikely to curb college binge drinking, new study finds (December 12, 2010) -- Although presidents at some US colleges have argued that lowering the minimum legal drinking age could help curb binge drinking on campuses, a new study suggests such a measure would be ineffective. ... > full story
Blue whale-sized mouthfuls make foraging super efficient (December 12, 2010) -- How much can a blue whale eat in a single mouthful and how much energy do they burn while foraging? Researchers discovered that blue whales can swallow almost 2,000,000kJ (almost 480,000kcalories) in a single mouthful of krill, and eat 90 times as much energy as they burn during a dive. ... > full story
Drug-resistant HIV genes identified (December 12, 2010) -- New, groundbreaking research by a biomedical engineer significantly advances our understanding of HIV and how to treat it. They studied approximately 15,000 different versions of the virus -- something that has never been done before. This information has allowed them to locate the specific genes of the virus that were resistant to the drugs -- knowledge that could ultimately help researchers develop more effective treatments for HIV. ... > full story
New characteristics of premature aging protein discovered (December 12, 2010) -- Researchers have uncovered a disease-related protein outside of its known range. This new look into the workings of the body creates hope for future treatments and other advances in biology and medicine. ... > full story
Higher mobility while hospitalized linked to reduced stays: A few steps could lead to big gains for hospitalized seniors (December 12, 2010) -- A new study has shown that hospitalized elderly patients who take even short walks around a hospital unit tend to leave the hospital sooner than their more sedentary peers. ... > full story
'Green' water treatments may not kill bacteria in large building cooling systems (December 12, 2010) -- Non-chemical water treatment systems -- touted as environmentally conscious stand-ins for such chemicals as chlorine -- may allow dangerous bacteria to flourish in the cooling systems of hospitals, commercial offices and other water-cooled buildings. The study is the first to thoroughly investigate the ability of nonchemical treatment devices to control the growth of bacteria in water-based air-conditioning systems found in many large buildings. ... > full story
'White-noise' therapy alone not enough to curb tinnitus (December 12, 2010) -- Tinnitus -- what many think of as "ringing in the ears" -- is the perception of sound without any real acoustic stimulation. Sound masking therapy, a common component of tinnitus treatment, is of uncertain benefit when used on its own, a new evidence review finds. ... > full story
Thought for food: Imagining food consumption reduces actual consumption (December 11, 2010) -- A new study shows that when you imagine eating a certain food, it reduces your actual consumption of that food. This landmark discovery changes the decades-old assumption that thinking about something desirable increases cravings for it and its consumption. ... > full story
Drug combination shows promise for newly diagnosed blood cancer patients, study finds (December 11, 2010) -- A new three-drug combination used to treat the blood cancer multiple myeloma may be effective as a front-line therapy for newly diagnosed patients, according to a new study. ... > full story
Wind and water have shaped Schiaparelli impact basin on Mars (December 11, 2010) -- The small crater embedded in the northwestern rim of the Schiaparelli impact basin features prominently in this new image from the European Space Agency's Mars Express. All around is evidence for past water and the great martian winds that periodically blow. ... > full story
Personalized molecular therapy shows promising results for people with advanced lung cancer (December 11, 2010) -- A new study shows that a combination of epigenetic therapy and molecular targeted therapy has promising results at combating advanced lung cancer according to new research. ... > full story
Computer-based program may help relieve some ADHD symptoms in children (December 11, 2010) -- An intensive, five-week working memory training program shows promise in relieving some of the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, a new study suggests. Researchers found significant changes for students who completed the program in areas such as attention, ADHD symptoms, planning and organization, initiating tasks and working memory. ... > full story
When to end a run to avoid injury: Runners change form when running exhausted (December 11, 2010) -- Runners and scientists for years have pondered when runners should end a run in order to avoid injuries. A new study by a physical therapy professor sheds light on this with findings that runners unknowingly change their running form when they run while exhausted. The change in mechanics could be related to an increased risk for injuries. ... > full story
Neutron stars and string theory in a lab: Chilled atoms give clues to deep space and particle physics (December 11, 2010) -- Using lasers to contain some ultra-chilled atoms, a team of scientists has measured the viscosity or stickiness of a gas often considered to be the sixth state of matter. The measurements verify that this gas can be used as a "scale model" of exotic matter, such as super-high temperature superconductors, the nuclear matter of neutron stars, and even the state of matter created microseconds after the Big Bang. The results may also allow experimental tests of string theory in the future. ... > full story
Double block of blood vessels to starve cancerous tumors (December 11, 2010) -- A novel strategy of blocking the growth of blood vessels with antibodies should result in improved treatment of cancerous tumors, researchers in Finland report. ... > full story
Bering Sea chill yields fatter plankton, pollock diet changes (December 11, 2010) -- Despite a 30-year warming trend, the last three years in the Bering Sea have been the coldest on record. An Alaska scientist says that the cold temperatures have helped produce larger zooplankton in the Bering Sea, which may affect the way Walleye pollock feed. ... > full story
New risk factors for brain metastases in breast cancer patients uncovered (December 11, 2010) -- Nearly one-fifth of all metastatic breast cancer patients develop brain metastases and have significantly shorter overall survival than patients who do not have brain involvement. One way to improve the affected patients' survival might be to prevent the brain metastases from arising in the first place. ... > full story
Simulations aim to unlock nature's process of biomineralization (December 11, 2010) -- Researchers are leveraging advanced modeling and simulation resources to study the process of biomineralization, nature's ability to form complex structures, such as bones, teeth and mollusk shells. This natural phenomenon, if harnessed, could lead to the design of composite materials and devices for such applications as bone replacement, sensing systems, efficient energy generation and treatment of diseases. ... > full story
Buprenorphine treatment produces improved outcome for babies born addicted (December 11, 2010) -- Babies born into the world addicted to drugs because of their mother's dependence on pain medication, or opioids, may be weaned off the substance more comfortably, with a shorter hospital stay and at a reduced cost, if the mother receives a new treatment option during pregnancy. ... > full story
Bizarre reptile challenges notion of crocodiles as 'living fossils' (December 10, 2010) -- We all know that crocodiles are reptiles with long snouts, conical teeth, strong jaws and long tails. But, new discoveries show we don't know what we thought we knew. Rather, some crocodiles possessed a dazzling array of adaptations that resulted in unique and sometimes bizarre anatomy, including blunt, pug-nosed snouts, pudgy bodies and short tails. ... > full story
Trio of drugs may combat 'triple negative' breast cancer (December 10, 2010) -- Working with cell cultures and mouse models, researchers have tested a cocktail of three drugs that holds promise for treating so-called triple negative breast cancers. ... > full story
WISE sees an explosion of infrared light (December 10, 2010) -- A circular rainbow appears like a halo around an exploded star in a new view of the IC 443 nebula from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE. When massive stars die, they explode in tremendous blasts, called supernovae, which send out shock waves. The shock waves sweep up and heat surrounding gas and dust, creating supernova remnants like the one pictured in the new image. The supernova in IC 443 happened somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 years ago. ... > full story
Immune system changes linked to inflammatory bowel disease revealed (December 10, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered some of the key molecular events in the immune system that contribute to inflammatory bowel disease. ... > full story
Details of microbe's extraordinary maintenance and repair system revealed (December 10, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered how a network of repair proteins enables bacteria to prioritize the repair of the most heavily used regions of the DNA molecules that carry the instructions necessary for living cells to function. ... > full story
Boxing is risky business for the brain (December 10, 2010) -- Up to 20% of professional boxers develop neuropsychiatric sequelae. But which acute complications and which late sequelae can boxers expect throughout the course of their career? ... > full story
Unraveling Alzheimer's: Simple small molecules could untangle complex disease (December 10, 2010) -- New molecular tools show promise for "cleansing" the brain of amyloid plaques, implicated in Alzheimer's disease. ... > full story
There's a new 'officer' in the infection control army (December 10, 2010) -- Scientists have identified a previously unrecognized step in the activation of infection-fighting white blood cells, the main immunity troops in the body's war on bacteria, viruses and foreign proteins. ... > full story
Odyssey orbiter nears Martian longevity record (December 10, 2010) -- By the middle of next week, NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter will have worked longer at Mars than any other spacecraft in history. Odyssey made its most famous discovery -- evidence for copious water ice just below the dry surface of Mars -- during its first few months, and it finished its radiation-safety check for future astronauts before the end of its prime mission in 2004. The bonus years of extended missions since then have enabled many accomplishments that would not have been possible otherwise. ... > full story
Doctors don't need to fear red heads (December 10, 2010) -- A new study confirms that there is no need for doctors to fear red heads. The research concludes that, contrary to popular belief, people with red hair do not bleed any more than other patients. ... > full story
35,000 new species ‘sitting in cupboards’ (December 10, 2010) -- Of the estimated 70,000 species of flowering plants yet to be described by scientists, more than half may already have been collected but are lying unknown and unrecognized in collections around the world, a new study suggests. ... > full story
Twin study helps scientists link relationship among ADHD, reading, math (December 10, 2010) -- Children with ADHD can sometimes have more difficulties on math and reading tests compared to their peers. A new study used identical and fraternal twins to look at the genetic and environmental influences underlying ADHD behaviors, reading and math skills in children in an attempt to better understand the relationship among them. ... > full story
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