Asymetric nanostructures for early and more accurate prediction of cancer (June 24, 2010) — Nanotechnology Researchers in Belgium have demonstrated biosensors based on novel nanostructure geometries that increase the sensitivity and allow to detect extremely low concentrations of specific disease markers. This paves the way to early diagnostics of for example cancer by detecting low densities of cancer markers in human blood samples. …
Early results from the world’s brightest X-ray source (June 23, 2010) — The first published research to emerge from the SLAC linear collider since it was reconfigured as an ultra-bright, high-energy free electron laser offers a high speed closeup of ionizing nitrogen gas. …
‘Quantum computer’ a stage closer with silicon breakthrough (June 23, 2010) — The remarkable ability of an electron to exist in two places at once has been controlled in the most common electronic material — silicon — for the first time. The research findings marks a significant step towards the making of an affordable «quantum computer.» …
Underwater gliders may change how scientists track fish (June 23, 2010) — Tracking fish across Alaska’s vast continental shelves can present a challenge to any scientist studying Alaska’s seas. Researchers have successfully tested a possible solution in the form of underwater gliders. …
Computer program detects depression in bloggers’ texts (June 23, 2010) — Researchers have developed a computer program capable of identifying language that can indicate a writer’s psychological state, which could serve as a screening tool. The software was used to scan more than 300,000 English language blogs that were posted to mental health Web sites. The program identified what it perceived to be the 100 «most depressed» and 100 «least depressed» bloggers. …
First superstorm on exoplanet detected (June 23, 2010) — Astronomers have measured a superstorm for the first time in the atmosphere of an exoplanet, the well-studied «hot Jupiter» HD209458b. The very high-precision observations of carbon monoxide gas show that it is streaming at enormous speed from the extremely hot day side to the cooler night side of the planet. The observations also allow another exciting «first» — measuring the orbital speed of the exoplanet itself, providing a direct determination of its mass. …
Separation between Neanderthal and Homo sapiens might have occurred 500,000 years earlier, DNA from teeth suggests (June 23, 2010) — The separation of Neanderthal and Homo sapiens might have occurred at least one million years ago, more than 500,000 years earlier than previously believed, according to recent research in Spain using DNA-based analyses of teeth and computer modeling. …
Supercomputer provides new insights into the vibrations of water (June 23, 2010) — Using Terahertz spectroscopy, chemists recently detected the surprisingly long-ranged influence of solvated biomolecules on the «dance» of surrounding water molecules. With extensive simulations on a supercomputer, they have now succeeded in describing this choreography in detail. …
Chemical element 114: One of heaviest elements created (June 23, 2010) — An international team of scientists in Germany has succeeded in the observation of the chemical element 114, one of the heaviest elements created until now. The production of element 114 is very difficult and requires dedicated particle accelerators. So far, this feat was achieved at only two other research centers, in the US and Russia. …
Researchers create self-assembling nanodevices that move and change shape on demand (June 23, 2010) — By emulating nature’s design principles, researchers have created nanodevices made of DNA that self-assemble and can be programmed to move and change shape on demand. Double helices fold up into larger, rigid linear struts that connect by intervening single-stranded DNA. These single strands of DNA pull the struts up into a 3D form. The resulting nanodevices are light, flexible and strong «tensegrities,» so-called because they balance tension and compression. …
Hubble captures bubbles and baby stars (June 23, 2010) — A spectacular new Hubble Space Telescope image — one of the largest ever released of a star-forming region — highlights N11, part of a complex network of gas clouds and star clusters within our neighboring galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud. This region of energetic star formation is one of the most active in the nearby universe. …
No link between early childhood cancers and living near mobile phone base station during pregnancy, says study (June 23, 2010) — A new study looking at the patterns of early childhood cancers across Great Britain has found no association between a mother living near to a mobile phone base station during her pregnancy and the risk of that child developing cancer before reaching the age of five. …
Quantum gas in free fall: Bose-Einstein condensate at zero gravity (June 23, 2010) — Physicists have produced a Bose-Einstein condensate at zero gravity — a step towards extremely sensitive quantum sensors for gravitation. …
Insight into cells could lead to new approach to medicines (June 22, 2010) — A surprising discovery about the complex make-up of our cells could lead to the development of new types of medicines, a study suggests. …
New design for motorcycle engines powered by compressed air (June 22, 2010) — Two scientists in India have conceptually designed a new, cleaner motorcycle engine that uses compressed air to turn a small air turbine, generating enough power to run a motorcycle for up to 40 minutes. Their design could be combined with a compressed air cylinder as a replacement for traditional internal combustion engines. …
Scientists discover heavenly solar music (June 22, 2010) — Musical sounds created by longitudinal vibrations within the Sun’s atmosphere, have been recorded and accurately studied for the first time by researchers, shedding light on the Sun’s magnetic atmosphere. …
Jumbo jellyfish or massive star? (June 22, 2010) — Some might see a blood-red jellyfish in a forest of seaweed, while others might see a big, red eye or a pair of lips. In fact, the red-colored object in this new infrared image from NASA’s Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) is a sphere of stellar innards, blown out from a humongous star. …
Bioengineers create simulator to test blood platelets in virtual heart attacks (June 22, 2010) — Bioengineers have trained a computer neural network model to accurately predict how blood platelets would respond to complex conditions found during a heart attack or stroke. …
Studying cells in 3-D could reveal new cancer targets (June 22, 2010) — Showing movies in 3-D has produced a box-office bonanza in recent months. Could viewing cell behavior in three dimensions lead to important advances in cancer research? A new study indicates it may happen. Looking at cells in 3-D, the research team concluded, yields more accurate information that could help develop drugs to prevent cancer’s spread. …
Bone replacement from laser melting (June 22, 2010) — In a medical emergency, a puncture of the cranium is commonly treated with an implant. While replacements made of titanium merely plug holes, a new kind of degradable implant stimulates the body to regenerate itself: It is custom-fit and disappears to the same extent that the bone regrows. …
New method for producing graphene paves way for mass production of nanomaterial (June 22, 2010) — Researchers have developed a simple new method for producing large quantities of the promising nanomaterial graphene. The new technique works at room temperature, needs little processing, and paves the way for cost-effective mass production of graphene. …
Six new planets discovered (June 22, 2010) — Scientists have discovered six diverse new planets, from ’shrunken-Saturns’ to ‘bloated hot Jupiters’, as well a rare brown dwarf with 60 times the mass of Jupiter. …
Gender-bending fish problem in Colorado creek mitigated by treatment plant upgrade (June 22, 2010) — Male fish are taking longer to be «feminized» by chemical contaminants that act as hormone disrupters in Colorado’s Boulder Creek following the upgrade of a wastewater treatment plant in Boulder in 2008, according to a new study. …
Ocean stirring and plankton patchiness revealed by computer simulation (June 22, 2010) — Computer simulations show how oceanic stirring and mixing influence the formation and dynamics of plankton patches in the upper ocean. Researchers applied the methods of synchronization theory — previously used to explain such phenomena as the coordinated flashing of fireflies along whole riverbanks. Initially they studied the balance between localized increases in phytoplankton populations and small-scale mixing, such as that due to breaking waves, in creating patches. Patchiness was found to persist despite the mixing which might be expected to smooth out the patches by blending them together. …
Electronic health records could give rise to more liability risk, experts argue (June 22, 2010) — Electronic health record systems likely will soon become a fixture in medical settings. Although benefits of bringing information technology to health records can be substantial, EHR systems also give rise to increased liability risks for health care providers due to possible software or hardware problems or user errors, experts say. …
New air conditioning system has potential to slash energy usage by up to 90 percent (June 22, 2010) — A soothing solution to hot, humid days may be on its way, thanks to a melding of technologies in filters, coolers and drying agents. The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory has invented a new air conditioning process with the potential of using 50 percent to 90 percent less energy than today’s top-of-the-line units. It uses membranes, evaporative cooling and liquid desiccants in a way that has never been done before in the centuries-old science of removing heat from the air. …
Toyota recall aftermath: Panel to study sudden car acceleration (June 22, 2010) — A 13-member panel organized by the National Research Council of the National Academies is being assembled to identify possible causes of unintended acceleration in vehicles in the aftermath of Toyota’s large recalls. …
Using carbon nanotubes in lithium batteries can dramatically improve energy capacity (June 21, 2010) — Batteries might gain a boost in power capacity as a result of a new finding. Researchers found that using carbon nanotubes for one of the battery’s electrodes produced a significant increase — up to tenfold — in the amount of power it could deliver from a given weight of material, compared to a conventional lithium-ion battery. Such electrodes might find applications in small portable devices, and with further research might also lead to improved batteries for larger, more power-hungry applications. …
Wearable sensors with diagnostic capabilities (June 21, 2010) — Researchers are developing intelligent medical sensors which can be worn by patients to monitor their symptoms and which will alert doctors if medical intervention is needed. …
Extreme gravity effects revealed by oxygen for the first time in neutron star that ‘eats’ white dwarf (June 21, 2010) — Astronomers have found blurred oxygen signatures in the X-rays from a neutron star that ‘eats’ a white dwarf. For the first time, the effects of extreme gravity are revealed by oxygen instead of iron atoms. …
Super-complex organic molecules found in interstellar space (June 21, 2010) — A team of scientists has succeeded in identifying one of the most complex organic molecules yet found in the material between the stars, the so-called interstellar medium. The discovery of anthracene could help resolve a decades-old astrophysical mystery concerning the production of organic molecules in space. …
Flame retardant linked to altered thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy (June 21, 2010) — A new study of pregnant women links higher blood levels of PBDEs, a common type of flame retardant, with altered thyroid hormone levels. Normal maternal thyroid levels are important for healthy fetal neurodevelopment. …
Gold nanoparticles create visible-light catalysis in nanowires (June 21, 2010) — Scientists have created visible-light catalysis, using silver chloride nanowires decorated with gold nanoparticles, that may decompose organic molecules in polluted water. …
Stroke recovery goes 3-D: Canadian video game takes rehab to the next level (June 21, 2010) — Montreal researchers’ innovative use of virtual reality to tap into the power of brain plasticity is emerging as a major technique in brain recovery for stroke patients. …
Secret life of water at very low temperatures (June 21, 2010) — The secret life of water just got weirder. For years water has been known to exist in 15 phases — not just the merry threesome of solid, liquid and gas from grade school science. Now, chemists have confirmed the coexistence of ice and liquid after water crystallizes at very low temperatures. …
VISTA views the Sculptor Galaxy (June 21, 2010) — A spectacular new image of the Sculptor Galaxy has been taken with the European Southern Observatory’s VISTA telescope at the Paranal Observatory in Chile as part of one of its first major observational campaigns. By observing in infrared light VISTA’s view is less affected by dust and reveals a myriad of cooler stars as well as a prominent bar of stars across the central region. The VISTA image provides much new information on the history and development of the galaxy. …
Physical model describes structures of viral capsids (June 21, 2010) — The genetic material of viruses is shielded by a protective protein covering called a capsid. Researchers in Spain have uncovered the strict selection rules that define capsid structure in spherical and bacilliform viruses. …
Ultra-simple method for creating nanoscale gold coatings developed (June 21, 2010) — Researchers have developed a new, ultra-simple method for making layers of gold that measure only billionths of a meter thick. The process, which requires no sophisticated equipment and works on nearly any surface including silicon wafers, could have important implications for nanoelectronics and semiconductor manufacturing. …
Canyon carved in just three days in Texas flood: Insight into ancient flood events on Earth and Mars (June 21, 2010) — In the summer of 2002, a week of heavy rains in Central Texas caused Canyon Lake — the reservoir of the Canyon Dam — to flood over its spillway and down the Guadalupe River Valley in a planned diversion to save the dam from catastrophic failure. The flood excavated a 2.2-kilometer-long, 7-meter-deep canyon in the bedrock. According to a new analysis, that canyon formed in just three days. …
Hubble scrutinizes site of mysterious flash and missing cloud belt on Jupiter (June 20, 2010) — New and detailed observations from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have provided insights into two recent events on Jupiter: the mysterious flash of light seen on June 3 and the recent disappearance of the planet’s dark Southern Equatorial Belt. …
Understanding robustness in organisms — a potential weapon against infectious diseases (June 20, 2010) — «Robust» is an adjective appreciatively applied to certain vintage wines, but when describing viruses and pathogens, robustness is a property that may be much less desirable. It evokes drug resistant microbes and other superbugs that can wreak havoc as researchers struggle to deal with new pandemics. How can we undercut this robustness? A new study examines the ability of organisms to survive in the face of various kinds of change. …
LCD television waste could help prevent bacterial infections (June 20, 2010) — The fastest growing waste in Europe could soon be helping to combat hospital infections, according to scientists in the UK. Researchers have discovered a way of transforming the chemical compound polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA), which is a key element of television sets with liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, into an anti-microbial substance that destroys infections such as Escherichia coli and some strains of Staphylococcus aureus. …
Physicists help biologists to understand protein folding (June 20, 2010) — Physicists have created a microscopic device to assist biologists in making very fast molecular measurements that aid the understanding of protein folding. This development may help elucidate biological processes associated with diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Since proteins in the body perform different functions according to their shape, the folding process is considered a key area of study. …
Children with home computers likely to have lower test scores, study finds (June 19, 2010) — Around the country and throughout the world, politicians and education activists have sought to eliminate the «digital divide» by guaranteeing universal access to home computers, and in some cases to high-speed Internet service. However, according to a new study, these efforts would actually widen the achievement gap in math and reading scores. …
Intelligent 3-D simulation robots to compete in the Robocup 2010 (June 19, 2010) — Researchers have developed a multiagent system and motion capture techniques for graphical animation of soccer playing robots. …
Converting Brownian motion into work: Classical thought experiment brought to life in granular gas (June 19, 2010) — Researchers have for the first time experimentally shown, almost a century later, an idea dating from 1912. In that year the physicist Smoluchowski devised a prototype for an engine at the molecular scale in which he thought he could ingeniously convert Brownian motion into work. The team of scientists have now successfully constructed this device at the much larger scale of a granular gas. …
Afghanistan’s rich mineral deposits: Aerogeophysical survey provides promising prospects of economic development (June 18, 2010) — Data gathered and compiled by NRL and USGS scientists during geophysical survey flights over Afghanistan reveal potentially rich natural resource sediment basins and mineral deposits and provide hydrologic and geospatial referenced imagery to support infrastructure and economic development. …
Heavy metal glass helps light go the distance (June 18, 2010) — The fiber optic cable networks linking the world are an essential part of modern life. To keep up with ever-increasing demands for more bandwidth, scientists are working to improve the optical amplifiers that boost fiber optic signals across long distances. Optical amplifier research is focused on glass fibers doped with rare earth elements. The elements, such as erbium and ytterbium, amplify light signals when excited by a laser. …
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Welcome to another edition of ScienceDaily’s email newsletter. You can change your subscription options or unsubscribe at any time. Fla. Smoker’s Widow Gets $17.5M In Lawsuit (CBS4) Studies reveal substantial increases in non-melanoma skin cancers (March 16, 2010) — Both new diagnoses and a history of non-melanoma skin cancer appear to have become increasingly common, and the disease affects more individuals than all other cancers combined, according to two new reports. Diabetes’ link to eating disorders explored (March 16, 2010) — Diabetics, under the gun to better manage their disease by controlling their food intake and weight, may find themselves in the sticky wicket of needing treatment that makes them hungry, researchers said. Palpable breast cancers are more common in women not undergoing annual mammography (March 16, 2010) — New research findings indicate that some breast cancers continue to be detected as a palpable lump rather than being found through mammographic screening. Patients who presented with palpable tumors — those detected as a result of breast complaint or during examination — had larger tumors and were at a more advanced stage at diagnosis. Trauma of war doubles asthma risk among civilians (March 16, 2010) — Living through the trauma of war seems to increase the risk of developing asthma, suggests new research. One gene lost = one limb regained? Scientists demonstrate mammalian regeneration through a single gene deletion (March 16, 2010) — The absence of a single gene, called p21, confers a healing potential in mice long thought to be reserved only for creatures like flatworms, sponges, and some species of salamander: regeneration. Researchers demonstrate that mice that lack the gene can regenerate lost or damaged tissue, suggesting that such an ability may be granted to mammals by blocking the effects of p21. Neuroimaging study describes Alzheimer’s disease-like changes in elderly people without the disease (March 16, 2010) — Researchers have related the findings that are emerging from PET-PIB imaging to changes in the function of brain circuits. Researchers uncover new data about protein function in Joubert syndrome (March 16, 2010) — Researchers in Ireland have gained new understanding of the role played by the cilial protein Arl13b in Joubert syndrome (JS), a rare disorder characterized by developmental delay, mental retardation, and low muscle tone, among other symptoms. Young Britons see significantly more smoking in movies than US peers (March 16, 2010) — Young Britons see significantly more on-screen smoking in movies than their US peers, finds new research. Freshwater polyp hydra genome sequenced: Survey finds genes linked to Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s (March 15, 2010) — An international team of scientists have sequenced the genome of Hydra, a freshwater polyp that’s been a staple of biological research for 300 years. Plaque on CT scan is strong predictor of heart disease, worse long-term outcomes (March 15, 2010) — The presence of plaque on an abdominal CT scan is a strong predictor of coronary artery disease and mortality, according to a new study. Researchers found that patients are nearly 60 percent at risk of having coronary artery disease when the CT scan showed very high levels of abdominal aortic calcium, commonly known as plaque. High levels of the abdominal aortic calcium also increased their risk of dying, researchers say Crowded houses: Why our peripheral vision may not be as random as we think (March 15, 2010) — As you read this, you may notice that the word directly in front of you is clear, but all the surrounding words are hard to make out. For most people, this effect is not a problem. However, for millions of people worldwide with eye disease, it can make everyday tasks such as reading or recognizing friends a challenge. Researchers have made new insights into this process. ‘Tommy John’ elbow reconstruction 95 percent successful with grown teen pitchers, study says (March 15, 2010) — A new study has found that 95 percent of skeletally mature high school pitchers were satisfied with their «Tommy John» elbow reconstruction surgery. Almost as many (94.7 percent) returned to competitive baseball. Researchers solve a molecular mystery in muscle (March 15, 2010) — Despite widespread interest in insulin-like growth factors, key details about how these potent molecules work on muscle cells have been lacking. Researchers have now cleared up a longstanding mystery about the workings of IGFs. The team’s findings could lead to new treatments for muscle-wasting diseases and new ways of preventing the muscle loss that accompanies aging. Oscillations at odds in the heart (March 15, 2010) — Researchers show that a classical biological oscillator, the glycolytic oscillator, may increase damage to the heart during acute loss of oxygen (anoxia), and as may occur during ischemia. Chinese medicine societies reject tiger bones ahead of CITES conference (March 15, 2010) — WWF and TRAFFIC welcome a World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies statement urging its members not to use tiger bone or any other parts from endangered wildlife. Wealth buys health — even in China (March 15, 2010) — A new study from North Carolina State University shows that rich people tend to be healthier than poor people in China – a trend also seen in the US. However, there is one key difference. In China, the overall health gap across generations is getting narrower — and it’s getting wider in the US. Better genetic test for autism? Chromosomal microarray analysis picks up more abnormalities than current tests (March 15, 2010) — A large study from Children’s Hospital Boston and the Boston-based Autism Consortium finds that a genetic test that samples the entire genome, known as chromosomal microarray analysis, has about three times the detection rate for genetic changes related to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) than standard tests. Gene discovered for newly recognized disease in Amish children (March 15, 2010) — The gene for a newly recognized disease has been identified thanks to the determination of an Amish father and physicians who specializes in disorders of the Amish. The identification of the new multisystem autoimmune disorder and the recessive gene that causes it have just been published Interventional radiology: Zapping uterine fibroids with heat from high-energy sound waves (March 15, 2010) — There’s a new interventional radiology tool showing promise in the treatment of uterine fibroids: magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS), a minimally invasive treatment that uses high-energy ultrasound waves to generate heat at a specific point to destroy uterine fibroid tissue and relieve symptoms. Confidence is key to gauging impressions we make (March 15, 2010) — The gift of «seeing ourselves as others see us» comes in handy when judging how we’ve made a first impression. Yet many come away with little or no clue about how that first impression was perceived. A new study suggests confidence is a key indicator of how well we’ve assessed impressions left behind. Unlocking the opium poppy’s biggest secret: Genes that make codeine, morphine (March 15, 2010) — Researchers have discovered the unique genes that allow the opium poppy to make codeine and morphine, opening the door to alternate methods of producing these effective painkillers either by manufacturing them in a lab or controlling the production of these compounds in the plant. Body’s anticipation of a meal can be a diabetes risk factor (March 15, 2010) — Alterations in our response to the taste or smell of food may be another culprit responsible for Type 2 diabetes, according to scientists who have identified the specific mechanism in human specimens and in mice. Minimally invasive sports hernia repair may get athletes ‘back in the game’ faster, study says (March 15, 2010) — A new minimally invasive sports hernia repair gets athletes back in the game 3 times faster than the traditional repair, according to a new study. Sports hernias were often difficult to diagnose and prior to this new repair had a lengthy rehabilitation time. New insight on how fast nicotine peaks in the brain (March 15, 2010) — Nicotine takes much longer than previously thought to reach peak levels in the brains of cigarette smokers, according to new research. Pancreatic cancer study reveals mechanism initiating disease, in mice (March 15, 2010) — Scientists have discovered how a mutated gene known as Kras is able to hijack mouse cells damaged by acute pancreatitis, putting them on the path to becoming pancreatic cancer cells. ‘Microtentacles’ on tumor cells appear to play role in how breast cancer spreads (March 15, 2010) — Researchers have discovered that «microtentacles,» or extensions of the plasma membrane of breast cancer cells, appear to play a key role in how cancers spread to distant locations in the body. Targeting these microtentacles, which are linked to a protein called «tau,» might prove to be a new way to prevent or slow the growth of these secondary cancers, the scientists say. Inner workings of the inflammatory response to Leishmaniasis (March 15, 2010) — The secret world of inflammation is slowly being revealed by the application of advanced techniques in microscopy, as shown in a new study. Researchers used 2-photon microscopy to identify how killer T lymphocytes behaved when they enter sites of inflammation caused by the parasite Leishmania donovani, and which infected cells they were able to recognize. Free hormonal contraception halved termination rate, Norwegian study finds (March 15, 2010) — Free hormonal contraception was offered for a year to young women in two Norwegian cities. The result was that the abortion rate in the trial cities was halved. Psychopaths’ brains wired to seek rewards, no matter the consequences (March 15, 2010) — The brains of psychopaths appear to be wired to keep seeking a reward at any cost, new research finds. The research uncovers the role of the brain’s reward system in psychopathy and opens a new area of study for understanding what drives these individuals. New cancer drug screening technique more closely mirrors reality (March 15, 2010) — Improving on traditional screening tests for potential anti-cancer drugs, scientists have developed a laboratory technique that more closely simulates the real-world conditions in which tumor cells mingle with the body’s normal cells. Vitamin D and calcium interplay explored (March 15, 2010) — Increasing calcium intake is a common — yet not always successful — strategy for reducing bone fractures. But a new study underscores the importance of vitamin D and its ability to help the body utilize calcium. The study also may explain why increasing calcium alone isn’t always successful in dealing with this problem. Hospices rarely deactivate defibrillators in patients, survey finds (March 15, 2010) — Researchers have found that patients admitted to hospice care who have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) are rarely having their ICDs deactivated and are receiving electrical shocks from these devices near the end of life. Caution urged in reducing blood pressure in patients with diabetes, coronary disease (March 15, 2010) — Systolic blood pressure levels between 130 and 140 appear to be the most healthful for patients with both diabetes and coronary artery disease, according to new findings. New risk score tool more accurately predicts patients’ risk for cardiac disease and death, study finds (March 15, 2010) — By combining patients’ Framingham Risk Score with new Intermountain Risk Score, researchers found that they were 30 percent more likely to correctly determine a woman’s risk, and 57 percent more likely to determine a man’s risk for a cardiovascular problem or death within 30 days of an angiography. Hutterite study: Vaccinating children for flu may help prevent transmission, protect those who are not vaccinated (March 15, 2010) — Immunizing children and adolescents with inactivated influenza vaccine resulted in reduced rates of influenza in their community compared to a similar community in which children did not receive the vaccine, suggesting that vaccinating children may help prevent transmission of the virus and offer protection for unimmunized community residents, according to a new study of Hutterite communities. Intensive blood pressure, combined lipid therapies do not help adults with diabetes, study finds (March 15, 2010) — Lowering blood pressure to normal levels — below currently recommended levels — did not significantly reduce the combined risk of fatal or nonfatal cardiovascular disease events in adults with type 2 diabetes who were at especially high risk for cardiovascular disease events, according to new results. Donating kidney does not appear to significantly increase long-term risk of death (March 15, 2010) — An analysis of outcomes for live kidney donors in the US over a 15 year period finds they have similar long-term survival rates compared to healthy individuals who were not kidney donors, according to a new study. One-page questionnaire is effective screening tool for common psychiatric disorders (March 15, 2010) — A one-page, 27-item questionnaire that is available free online is a valid and effective tool to help primary care doctors screen patients for four common psychiatric illnesses, a new study concludes. Curriculum on unhealthy substance use recommended for internal medicine residents (March 15, 2010) — Educational leaders believe teaching the subject of unhealthy substance use must be incorporated into internal medicine residency training and can be done within existing teaching venues. The findings represent a national model for addressing this issue for internal medicine residents. Why surprises temporarily blind us (March 14, 2010) — New research reveals for the first time how our brains coordinate two different types of attention and why we may be temporarily blinded by surprises. Stem cell research shows promise for tissue-engineered vascular grafts (March 14, 2010) — Researchers are the first to fully characterize a special type of stem cell, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) that exist in circulating blood, to see if they can behave as endothelial cells in the body when cultured on a bioengineered surface. The results show promise for a new generation of tissue-engineered vascular grafts which could improve the success rate of surgery for peripheral arterial disease. A sporting chance for active total knee replacement patients (March 14, 2010) — Total knee arthroplasty patients may be able to participate in high-impact sports without increasing risk of early implant failure, according to a new study. Different fat types can help or hinder obese girls’ bone health (March 14, 2010) — Obese teenage girls with a greater ratio of visceral fat (fat around internal organs) to subcutaneous fat (fat found just beneath the skin) are likely to have lower bone density than peers with a lower ratio of visceral to subcutaneous fat, according to a new study. Discovery of cellular ’switch’ may provide new means of triggering cell death, treating disease (March 14, 2010) — Scientists have discovered a previously unknown cellular «switch» that may provide researchers with a new means of triggering programmed cell death, findings with implications for treating cancer. Designer nano luggage to carry drugs to diseased cells (March 14, 2010) — Scientists have succeeded in growing empty particles derived from a plant virus and have made them carry useful chemicals. The external surface of these nano containers could be decorated with molecules that guide them to where they are needed in the body, before the chemical load is discharged to exert its effect on diseased cells. The containers are particles of the Cowpea mosaic virus, which is ideally suited for designing biomaterial at the nanoscale. Quantum dots spotlight DNA-repair proteins in motion (March 14, 2010) — Repair proteins appear to efficiently scan the genome for errors by jumping like fleas between DNA molecules, sliding along the strands, and perhaps pausing at suspicious spots, say researchers who tagged the proteins with quantum dots to watch the action unfold. New tool for operations on people with severe or profound auditory loss (March 14, 2010) — Engineers and doctors have designed a new tool for operating on the inner ear with maximum precision, reducing the possibility of damage to the auditory function during the surgery. This is the first micromanipulator specifically for operations involving cochlear and middle ear implants, of which about a hundred are carried out in this hospital annually. Scientists identify key protein from mitochondria in energy regulation (March 14, 2010) — Scientists have discovered a new mechanism that governs this pathway and in the process identified a novel potential therapeutic target for controlling fat metabolism. Scientists identify driving forces in human cell division (March 14, 2010) — Using a novel imaging system for quantifying aspects of cell division in three dimensions, scientists have discovered new interactions between sister kinetochores — the protein bundles at the contact point between the two identical strands of a chromosome — and the microtubule motors that help pull the strands apart. Effort aims to spike breast cancer with new approach (March 14, 2010) — Many women live with breast cancer that does not respond to standard medical treatment, a condition that researchers want to change by aggressively targeting specific genes. New clues about the basis of muscle wasting disease (March 14, 2010) — New findings shed light on how genetic damage to muscle cell proteins can lead to the development of the rare muscle-wasting disease, nemaline myopathy. Barrier in mosquito midgut protects invading pathogens (March 14, 2010) — Scientists studying the Anopheles gambiae mosquito have found that the act of feeding triggers two enzymes to form a protective barrier that prevents the mosquito’s immune defense system from clearing disease-causing agents that can be passed on to humans. Disrupting the protein barrier can trigger mosquito immune defenses to intervene and protect the insect from infection. This finding could inform new strategies for blocking malaria transmission. 12 year olds more likely to use potentially deadly inhalants than cigarettes or marijuana (March 14, 2010) — More 12 year olds have used potentially lethal inhalants than have used marijuana, cocaine and hallucinogens combined, according to new data. Human cells exhibit foraging behavior like amoebae and bacteria (March 13, 2010) — When cells move about in the body, they follow a complex pattern similar to that which amoebae and bacteria use when searching for food, researchers have found. New insight into brain’s decision-making process (March 13, 2010) — The hippocampus, a part of the brain essential for memory, has long been known to «replay» recently experienced events. Previously, replay was believed to be a simple process of reviewing recent experiences in order to help consolidate them into long-term memory. However, new research shows the phenomenon of memory replay is much more complex, cognitive process that may help an animal maintain its internal representation of the world, or its cognitive map. Effects of lifestyle and exposures are mirrored in blood gene expression (March 13, 2010) — A study by Norwegian and French researchers hopes to provide new understanding of how blood cells adjust gene expression in response to various clinical, biochemical and pathological conditions. The Norwegian Woman and Cancer postgenome study highlights numerous blood gene sets affected by one’s physical condition, lifestyle factors and exposure variables. Brain tumor’s ‘grow-or-go’ switch discovered (March 13, 2010) — High energy levels cause glioblastoma cells to proliferate; low levels cause them to grow less and to migrate. This study discovered that a molecule called miR-451 coordinates this grow-or-go behavior, which is closely linked to the cells’ ability to invade and spread. Thus, the molecule might be a biomarker for predicting survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme and may serve as a target to develop drugs to fight these tumors. Exploiting the architecture of cancers may lead to their destruction (March 13, 2010) — To grow larger, solid tumors require a network of blood vessels to nourish them. Chemotherapy exploits these vessels to deliver toxic drugs, but is inefficient if the drugs cannot pass quickly enough from the bloodstream into the tumor. A new study describes a way of transiently making the tumor blood vessels leakier, allowing more efficient drug uptake. This work may ultimately enhance delivery of chemotherapies into tumor tissue. Best treatment for childhood epilepsy suggested by new research (March 13, 2010) — One of the oldest available anti-seizure medications, ethosuximide, is the most effective treatment for childhood absence epilepsy, according to initial outcomes. Different signal paths for spontaneous and deliberate activation of memories (March 13, 2010) — Entirely different signal paths and parts of the brain are involved when you try to remember something and when you just happen to remember something, prompted by a smell, a picture, or a word, for instance. Caution urged in reducing blood pressure in patients with diabetes, coronary disease (March 15, 2010) — Systolic blood pressure levels between 130 and 140 appear to be the most healthful for patients with both diabetes and coronary artery disease, according to new findings. New risk score tool more accurately predicts patients’ risk for cardiac disease and death, study finds (March 15, 2010) — By combining patients’ Framingham Risk Score with new Intermountain Risk Score, researchers found that they were 30 percent more likely to correctly determine a woman’s risk, and 57 percent more likely to determine a man’s risk for a cardiovascular problem or death within 30 days of an angiography. Hutterite study: Vaccinating children for flu may help prevent transmission, protect those who are not vaccinated (March 15, 2010) — Immunizing children and adolescents with inactivated influenza vaccine resulted in reduced rates of influenza in their community compared to a similar community in which children did not receive the vaccine, suggesting that vaccinating children may help prevent transmission of the virus and offer protection for unimmunized community residents, according to a new study of Hutterite communities. Intensive blood pressure, combined lipid therapies do not help adults with diabetes, study finds (March 15, 2010) — Lowering blood pressure to normal levels — below currently recommended levels — did not significantly reduce the combined risk of fatal or nonfatal cardiovascular disease events in adults with type 2 diabetes who were at especially high risk for cardiovascular disease events, according to new results. Donating kidney does not appear to significantly increase long-term risk of death (March 15, 2010) — An analysis of outcomes for live kidney donors in the US over a 15 year period finds they have similar long-term survival rates compared to healthy individuals who were not kidney donors, according to a new study. One-page questionnaire is effective screening tool for common psychiatric disorders (March 15, 2010) — A one-page, 27-item questionnaire that is available free online is a valid and effective tool to help primary care doctors screen patients for four common psychiatric illnesses, a new study concludes. Why surprises temporarily blind us (March 14, 2010) — New research reveals for the first time how our brains coordinate two different types of attention and why we may be temporarily blinded by surprises. Stem cell research shows promise for tissue-engineered vascular grafts (March 14, 2010) — Researchers are the first to fully characterize a special type of stem cell, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) that exist in circulating blood, to see if they can behave as endothelial cells in the body when cultured on a bioengineered surface. The results show promise for a new generation of tissue-engineered vascular grafts which could improve the success rate of surgery for peripheral arterial disease. A sporting chance for active total knee replacement patients (March 14, 2010) — Total knee arthroplasty patients may be able to participate in high-impact sports without increasing risk of early implant failure, according to a new study. Different fat types can help or hinder obese girls’ bone health (March 14, 2010) — Obese teenage girls with a greater ratio of visceral fat (fat around internal organs) to subcutaneous fat (fat found just beneath the skin) are likely to have lower bone density than peers with a lower ratio of visceral to subcutaneous fat, according to a new study. Discovery of cellular ’switch’ may provide new means of triggering cell death, treating disease (March 14, 2010) — Scientists have discovered a previously unknown cellular «switch» that may provide researchers with a new means of triggering programmed cell death, findings with implications for treating cancer. Designer nano luggage to carry drugs to diseased cells (March 14, 2010) — Scientists have succeeded in growing empty particles derived from a plant virus and have made them carry useful chemicals. The external surface of these nano containers could be decorated with molecules that guide them to where they are needed in the body, before the chemical load is discharged to exert its effect on diseased cells. The containers are particles of the Cowpea mosaic virus, which is ideally suited for designing biomaterial at the nanoscale. Quantum dots spotlight DNA-repair proteins in motion (March 14, 2010) — Repair proteins appear to efficiently scan the genome for errors by jumping like fleas between DNA molecules, sliding along the strands, and perhaps pausing at suspicious spots, say researchers who tagged the proteins with quantum dots to watch the action unfold. New tool for operations on people with severe or profound auditory loss (March 14, 2010) — Engineers and doctors have designed a new tool for operating on the inner ear with maximum precision, reducing the possibility of damage to the auditory function during the surgery. This is the first micromanipulator specifically for operations involving cochlear and middle ear implants, of which about a hundred are carried out in this hospital annually. Scientists identify key protein from mitochondria in energy regulation (March 14, 2010) — Scientists have discovered a new mechanism that governs this pathway and in the process identified a novel potential therapeutic target for controlling fat metabolism. African-Americans have highest stroke rate, southerners more likely to die, study finds (March 14, 2010) — African-Americans age 65 and younger are more than twice as likely to have a stroke compared with Caucasians in any region, and people who have a stroke are more likely to die in the South than elsewhere, according to researchers. Scientists identify driving forces in human cell division (March 14, 2010) — Using a novel imaging system for quantifying aspects of cell division in three dimensions, scientists have discovered new interactions between sister kinetochores — the protein bundles at the contact point between the two identical strands of a chromosome — and the microtubule motors that help pull the strands apart. Effort aims to spike breast cancer with new approach (March 14, 2010) — Many women live with breast cancer that does not respond to standard medical treatment, a condition that researchers want to change by aggressively targeting specific genes. New clues about the basis of muscle wasting disease (March 14, 2010) — New findings shed light on how genetic damage to muscle cell proteins can lead to the development of the rare muscle-wasting disease, nemaline myopathy. Barrier in mosquito midgut protects invading pathogens (March 14, 2010) — Scientists studying the Anopheles gambiae mosquito have found that the act of feeding triggers two enzymes to form a protective barrier that prevents the mosquito’s immune defense system from clearing disease-causing agents that can be passed on to humans. Disrupting the protein barrier can trigger mosquito immune defenses to intervene and protect the insect from infection. This finding could inform new strategies for blocking malaria transmission. 12 year olds more likely to use potentially deadly inhalants than cigarettes or marijuana (March 14, 2010) — More 12 year olds have used potentially lethal inhalants than have used marijuana, cocaine and hallucinogens combined, according to new data. Human cells exhibit foraging behavior like amoebae and bacteria (March 13, 2010) — When cells move about in the body, they follow a complex pattern similar to that which amoebae and bacteria use when searching for food, researchers have found. New insight into brain’s decision-making process (March 13, 2010) — The hippocampus, a part of the brain essential for memory, has long been known to «replay» recently experienced events. Previously, replay was believed to be a simple process of reviewing recent experiences in order to help consolidate them into long-term memory. However, new research shows the phenomenon of memory replay is much more complex, cognitive process that may help an animal maintain its internal representation of the world, or its cognitive map. Effects of lifestyle and exposures are mirrored in blood gene expression (March 13, 2010) — A study by Norwegian and French researchers hopes to provide new understanding of how blood cells adjust gene expression in response to various clinical, biochemical and pathological conditions. The Norwegian Woman and Cancer postgenome study highlights numerous blood gene sets affected by one’s physical condition, lifestyle factors and exposure variables. Brain tumor’s ‘grow-or-go’ switch discovered (March 13, 2010) — High energy levels cause glioblastoma cells to proliferate; low levels cause them to grow less and to migrate. This study discovered that a molecule called miR-451 coordinates this grow-or-go behavior, which is closely linked to the cells’ ability to invade and spread. Thus, the molecule might be a biomarker for predicting survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme and may serve as a target to develop drugs to fight these tumors. Exploiting the architecture of cancers may lead to their destruction (March 13, 2010) — To grow larger, solid tumors require a network of blood vessels to nourish them. Chemotherapy exploits these vessels to deliver toxic drugs, but is inefficient if the drugs cannot pass quickly enough from the bloodstream into the tumor. A new study describes a way of transiently making the tumor blood vessels leakier, allowing more efficient drug uptake. This work may ultimately enhance delivery of chemotherapies into tumor tissue. Best treatment for childhood epilepsy suggested by new research (March 13, 2010) — One of the oldest available anti-seizure medications, ethosuximide, is the most effective treatment for childhood absence epilepsy, according to initial outcomes. Different signal paths for spontaneous and deliberate activation of memories (March 13, 2010) — Entirely different signal paths and parts of the brain are involved when you try to remember something and when you just happen to remember something, prompted by a smell, a picture, or a word, for instance. Breakthroughs in treatment of spine and back conditions (March 13, 2010) — Approximately 21 million visits were made to physicians’ offices due to back problems in 2006. While countless adults experience back pain and stiffness, many suffer from serious spine and back conditions — including injury, herniated discs and the deterioration of the vertebrae. Three new studies detail advances in back care and treatment options for specific back and spine conditions. Knee replacement in elderly patients shown to improve balance (March 13, 2010) — Total knee replacement (TKR) successfully relieves pain and improves function in patients with advanced knee arthritis, according to a new study. PEGylated dendrimers: A novel mechanism of drug delivery (March 13, 2010) — A research team has shown how PEGylated polylysine dendrimers, a new type of nano-sized drug delivery system, can be altered to target either the lymphatic system or the bloodstream, which may improve the treatment of particular types of diseases. Communication often fumbled during patient hand-offs in hospital (March 13, 2010) — As shifts change in a hospital, outgoing physicians must «hand off» important information to their replacements in a brief meeting. But a new study of this hand-off process finds that the most important information is not fully conveyed in a majority of cases, even as physicians rate their communication as successful. Tumors may respond to extreme and moderate heat (March 12, 2010) — Aided by ultrasound guidance, treating tumors with extreme heat or moderate heat may provide a possible therapeutic option, according to early research. New research aims to prevent ’sudden cardiac arrest’ (March 12, 2010) — Scientists are investigating the cause and effects of Sudden Cardiac Arrest syndrome. This team is hot on the trail of understanding how a multi-gene syndrome, one of the causes for SCA, operates inside the body. Once they figure out how the disorder operates and describe its molecular system in detail, they hope to develop a drug or therapy to stop this condition before it strikes. High-intensity interval training is time-efficient and effective, study suggests (March 12, 2010) — The usual excuse of «lack of time» for not doing enough exercise is blown away by new research. The study adds to the growing evidence for the benefits of short term high-intensity interval training (HIT) as a time-efficient but safe alternative to traditional types of moderate long term exercise. Astonishingly, it is possible to get more by doing less! Children with chronic respiratory illness are vulnerable to critical H1N1 (March 12, 2010) — As critical care professionals develop a better understanding of the progression of H1N1, they are becoming better prepared to treat children with severe cases. Additionally, with careful management, the pediatric critical care system is expected to be able to meet the increased demands of a flu pandemic. New way to get physical in fight against cancer (March 12, 2010) — Researchers have shown that the biochemical activity of a key player in cancer metastasis can be altered by the application of a direct physical force. This new way in which cells can sense and respond to physical forces presents a new road for future cancer therapies. Powerful molecule regulator in blood pressure control system (March 12, 2010) — Researchers have discovered that nitric oxide is a powerful regulator of a molecule that plays a critical role in the development and function of the nervous system. The finding could someday play a significant role in the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure, which affects about one in three adults in the United States. First direct evidence of neuroplastic changes following brainwave training (March 12, 2010) — Significant changes in brain plasticity have been observed following alpha brainwave training. Researchers have discovered the first evidence of neuroplastic changes occurring directly after natural brainwave training. They have demonstrated that half an hour of voluntary control of brain rhythms is sufficient to induce a lasting shift in cortical excitability and intracortical function. Scientists identify microRNA as possible cause of chemotherapy resistance (March 12, 2010) — Scientists may have uncovered a mechanism for resistance to paclitaxel in ovarian cancer, microRNA-31, suggesting a possible therapeutic target for overcoming chemotherapy resistance. Contraceptive pill not associated with increased long-term risk of death, study finds (March 12, 2010) — Women in the UK who have ever used the oral contraceptive pill are less likely to die from any cause, including all cancers and heart disease, compared with never users, according to new research. High-tech armrest: Computer-controlled hand and arm support devise developed for doctors, artists (March 12, 2010) — Engineers developed a computer-controlled, motorized hand and arm support that will let doctors, artists and others precisely control scalpels, brushes and tools over a wider area than otherwise possible, and with less fatigue. R-rated movies increase likelihood of underage children trying alcohol (March 12, 2010) — R-rated movies portray violence and other behaviors deemed inappropriate for children under 17 year of age. A new study finds one more reason why parents should not let their kids watch those movies: adolescents who watch R-rated movies are more likely to try alcohol at a young age. Seaweed extract may hold promise for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment (March 12, 2010) — Seaweed extract may eventually emerge as a lymphoma treatment, according to laboratory research. Seaweeds containing fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide similar to heparin in chemical structure, have been reported to have anti-tumor activity in mice and some cell lines. Research points to way to improve heart treatment (March 12, 2010) — Current drugs used to treat heart failure and irregular heartbeat have limited effectiveness and have side effects. New basic science findings suggest a way that treatments could potentially be refined so that they work better and target only key heart-related mechanisms. After a fight with a partner, brain activity predicts emotional resiliency (March 12, 2010) — Neural activity in the lateral prefrontal cortex can predict whether an individual will still be upset on the day after a conflict with his or her partner, according to new research. The findings point to the brain region’s role in emotion regulation, and suggest that greater activity in this area might lead to improvement in day-to-day mood. Scientists discover 600 million-year-old origins of vision (March 12, 2010) — By studying the hydra, a member of an ancient group of sea creatures that is still flourishing, scientists have made a discovery in understanding the origins of human vision. Immune cells that fight parasites may promote allergies and asthma (March 12, 2010) — Millions of people in both the developing and developed world may benefit from new immune-system research findings that identify a cell population that fights off parasitic infections but also causes allergies and asthma. Silk structure analysis explains paradox of super-strength; could lead to even stronger synthetic materials (March 15, 2010) — Spiders and silkworms are masters of materials science, but scientists are finally catching up. Silks are among the toughest materials known, stronger and less brittle, pound for pound, than steel. Now scientists have unraveled some of their deepest secrets in research that could lead the way to the creation of synthetic materials that duplicate, or even exceed, the extraordinary properties of natural silk. Forest tree species diversity depends on individual variation (March 15, 2010) — It’s a paradox that’s puzzled scientists for a half-century. Models clearly show that the coexistence of competing species depends on those species responding differently to the availability of resources. Then why do studies comparing competing tree species draw a blank? To Arctic animals, time of day really doesn’t matter (March 15, 2010) — In the far northern reaches of the Arctic, day versus night often doesn’t mean a whole lot. During parts of the year, the sun does not set; at other times, it’s just the opposite. A new study shows that Arctic reindeer have come up with a solution to living under those extreme conditions: They’ve abandoned use of the internal clock that drives the daily biological rhythms in other organisms. Can a single layer of cells control a leaf’s size? (March 15, 2010) — Little is known about the developmental control of leaf size and shape, and understanding the mechanisms behind this is a major issue in plant biology. New research concludes that communication between adjacent cell layers plays an important role in determining leaf size. Cells in one tissue layer can control the rate of division of cells in another tissue layer, which in turn influences overall leaf size. Fishery management practices for beluga sturgeon must change, experts urge (March 15, 2010) — A first-of-its-kind study of a Caspian Sea beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) fishery demonstrates current harvest rates are four to five times higher than those that would sustain population abundance. The study’s results suggest that conservation strategies for beluga sturgeon should focus on reducing the overfishing of adults rather than heavily relying upon hatchery supplementation. ‘World’s most useful tree’ provides new low-cost water purification method for developing world (March 14, 2010) — A low-cost water purification technique could help drastically reduce the incidence of waterborne disease in the developing world. The procedure, which uses seeds from the Moringa oleifera tree, can produce a 90.00% to 99.99% bacterial reduction in previously untreated water. Discovery of cellular ’switch’ may provide new means of triggering cell death, treating disease (March 14, 2010) — Scientists have discovered a previously unknown cellular «switch» that may provide researchers with a new means of triggering programmed cell death, findings with implications for treating cancer. Quantum dots spotlight DNA-repair proteins in motion (March 14, 2010) — Repair proteins appear to efficiently scan the genome for errors by jumping like fleas between DNA molecules, sliding along the strands, and perhaps pausing at suspicious spots, say researchers who tagged the proteins with quantum dots to watch the action unfold. Scientists identify key protein from mitochondria in energy regulation (March 14, 2010) — Scientists have discovered a new mechanism that governs this pathway and in the process identified a novel potential therapeutic target for controlling fat metabolism. Scientists identify driving forces in human cell division (March 14, 2010) — Using a novel imaging system for quantifying aspects of cell division in three dimensions, scientists have discovered new interactions between sister kinetochores — the protein bundles at the contact point between the two identical strands of a chromosome — and the microtubule motors that help pull the strands apart. Barrier in mosquito midgut protects invading pathogens (March 14, 2010) — Scientists studying the Anopheles gambiae mosquito have found that the act of feeding triggers two enzymes to form a protective barrier that prevents the mosquito’s immune defense system from clearing disease-causing agents that can be passed on to humans. Disrupting the protein barrier can trigger mosquito immune defenses to intervene and protect the insect from infection. This finding could inform new strategies for blocking malaria transmission. Human cells exhibit foraging behavior like amoebae and bacteria (March 13, 2010) — When cells move about in the body, they follow a complex pattern similar to that which amoebae and bacteria use when searching for food, researchers have found. Prehistoric response to global warming informs human planning today (March 13, 2010) — Since 2004, University at Buffalo anthropologist Ezra Zubrow has worked intensively with teams of scientists in the Arctic regions of St. James Bay, Quebec, northern Finland and Kamchatka to understand how humans living 4,000 to 6,000 years ago reacted to climate changes. Small dogs originated in the Middle East, genetic study finds (March 13, 2010) — A genetic study has found that small domestic dogs probably originated in the Middle East more than 12,000 years ago. Researchers have traced the evolutionary history of the IGF1 gene, finding that the version of the gene that is a major determinant of small size probably originated as a result of the domestication of the Middle Eastern gray wolf. Plants discover the benefits of good neighbors in strategy against herbivores (March 13, 2010) — Scandinavian scientists have discovered that a species of tree defends itself from herbivore attack by using chemicals emitted by neighboring plants. The study reveals how species of Birch tree absorb chemical compounds from neighboring Marsh tea plants, Rhondodendron tomentosum, in a unique «defense by neighbor strategy.» Genome analysis of marine microbe reveals a metabolic minimalist (March 13, 2010) — Flightless birds, blind cave shrimp, and other oddities suggest a «use it or lose it» tendency in evolution. In the microbial world, an unusual marine microorganism appears to have ditched several major metabolic pathways, leaving it with a remarkably reduced set of genes. Genetic mapping of algae biofuel species groundwork done (March 13, 2010) — Using green algae to produce hydrocarbon oil for biofuel production is nothing new; nature has been doing so for hundreds of millions of years, according a scientists. Fossil bird eggshell provides source of ancient DNA (March 12, 2010) — Scientists have successfully isolated ancient DNA from fossil eggshell remains of extinct birds for the first time. Conservationists urge treaty panel to reject ivory sale by Tanzania, Zambia (March 12, 2010) — An international team of conservationists says relaxing a current moratorium on ivory sales to allow one-time sales by Zambia and Tanzania could lead to increased slaughter of elephants for their ivory throughout Africa. Third seed shipment sent to Norway seed vault by USDA (March 12, 2010) — A shipment of seed sent by the Agricultural Research Service earlier this month to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway included a wild Russian strawberry that an expeditionary team braved bears and volcanoes to collect. Biologists find proof of first confirmed species of monogamous frog (March 12, 2010) — Amphibians may be a love ‘em and leave ‘em class, but one frog species defies the norm, scientists have found. Biologists have discovered in Peru the first confirmed species of monogamous amphibian, Ranitomeya imitator, better known as the mimic poison frog — a finding that provides groundbreaking insight into the ecological factors that influence mating behavior. Seaweed extract may hold promise for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma treatment (March 12, 2010) — Seaweed extract may eventually emerge as a lymphoma treatment, according to laboratory research. Seaweeds containing fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide similar to heparin in chemical structure, have been reported to have anti-tumor activity in mice and some cell lines. How electricity moves through cells: Finding has implications for improving energy efficiency (March 12, 2010) — Researchers have created a molecular image of a system that moves electrons between proteins in cells. The achievement is a breakthrough for biology and could provide insights to minimize energy loss in other systems, from nanoscale devices to moving electricity around the country. More maize ethanol may boost greenhouse gas emissions (March 12, 2010) — Mandated increases in the production of maize-derived ethanol will lead to land-use changes that boost carbon dioxide emissions enough to make the fuel a worse environmental option than burning gasoline, according to a new analysis. Scientists discover 600 million-year-old origins of vision (March 12, 2010) — By studying the hydra, a member of an ancient group of sea creatures that is still flourishing, scientists have made a discovery in understanding the origins of human vision. Immune cells that fight parasites may promote allergies and asthma (March 12, 2010) — Millions of people in both the developing and developed world may benefit from new immune-system research findings that identify a cell population that fights off parasitic infections but also causes allergies and asthma. Why female moths are big and beautiful (March 12, 2010) — In most animal species, males and females show obvious differences in body size. But how can this be, given that both sexes share the same genes governing their growth? Entomologists studied this conundrum in moths and found clues that had been overlooked by previous efforts to explain this mystery of nature. Aquatic ‘dead zones’ contributing to climate change (March 12, 2010) — The increased frequency and intensity of oxygen-deprived «dead zones» along the world’s coasts can negatively impact environmental conditions in far more than local waters. Scientists explain that the increased amount of nitrous oxide produced in hypoxic waters can elevate concentrations in the atmosphere, further exacerbating the impacts of global warming and contributing to ozone «holes» that increase our exposure to harmful UV radiation. End to lice? Effectiveness of new oral treatment demonstrated (March 12, 2010) — French medical researchers have recently demonstrated the effectiveness of a new molecule in the fight against lice. Faced with the emergence of increasing resistance to conventional treatments by these parasites, this new medication represents a real therapeutic alternative which is effective in 95 percent of cases. Khirbet Qeiyafa identified as biblical ‘Neta’im’ (March 12, 2010) — Has another mystery in the history of Israel been solved? Researchers have identified Khirbet Qeiyafa as «Neta’im», which is mentioned in the Bible’s book of Chronicles. New study debunks myths about vulnerability of Amazon rain forests to drought (March 12, 2010) — A new study has concluded that Amazon rain forests were remarkably unaffected in the face of once-in-a-century drought in 2005, neither dying nor thriving, contrary to a previously published report and claims by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Malaria in pregnant women: Step towards a new vaccine (March 12, 2010) — By managing to express the protein that enables red blood cells infected with the malaria agent Plasmodium falciparum to bind to the placenta and by deciphering its molecular mechanisms, a team of researchers has taken an important first step in the development of a vaccine against pregnancy-associated malaria. Production of chemicals from wood waste made more environmentally-friendly and cheaper (March 12, 2010) — Researchers have discovered that the bacterium Cupriavidus basilensis breaks down harmful by-products which are produced when sugars are released from wood. They also managed to incorporate the degradation process in bacteria which are in common industrial use. This breakthrough does away with the need to resort to costly and environmentally unfriendly methods for removing by-products, thereby boosting the appeal of waste wood as a sustainable resource for biochemicals and biofuels. If bonobo Kanzi can point as humans do, what other similarities can rearing reveal? (March 11, 2010) — You may have more in common with Kanzi, Panbanisha and Nyota, three language-competent bonobos living at Great Ape Trust, than you thought. And those similarities, right at your fingertip, might one day tell scientists more about the effect of culture on neurological disorders that limit human expression. A recently published pointing study supports the assertion that the success of language studies with bonobos is tied to rearing. Inventing new oat and barley breads (March 11, 2010) — Scientists are working on a delicious new all-oat or all-barley bread. Scientists solve puzzle of chickens that are half male and half female (March 11, 2010) — A puzzle that has baffled scientists for centuries — why some birds appear to be male on one side of the body and female on the other — has been solved by researchers. The research, which involved studying rare naturally occurring chickens with white (male) plumage on one side and brown (female) plumage on the other, sheds new light on the sexual development of birds. Movement disorder symptoms are lessened by an antibiotic: Treating worms with ampicillin helps restore normal movement (March 11, 2010) — Discovery of an antibiotic’s capacity to improve cell function in laboratory tests is providing movement disorder researchers with leads to more desirable molecules with potentially similar traits, according to scientists. World crude oil production may peak a decade earlier than some predict (March 11, 2010) — In a finding that may speed efforts to conserve oil and intensify the search for alternative fuel sources, scientists in Kuwait predict that world conventional crude oil production will peak in 2014 — almost a decade earlier than some other predictions. Atmospheric nanoparticles impact health, weather professor says (March 11, 2010) — Nanoparticles are atmospheric materials so small that they can’t be seen with the naked eye, but they can very visibly affect both weather patterns and human health all over the world — and not in a good way, according to a new study. Scientists make important discovery in gene regulation (March 11, 2010) — Scientists have a greater understanding of how our genes are controlled following a major research project. The findings of the study, which looked at how proteins work as teams to control genes in the cells, could also help to unravel the mechanisms of disease such as cancer. Can we detect quantum behavior in viruses? (March 11, 2010) — Scientists are using the principles of an iconic quantum mechanics thought experiment — Schrödinger’s superpositioned cat — to test for quantum properties in objects composed of as many as one billion atoms, possibly including the flu virus. Students’ perceptions of Earth’s age influence acceptance of human evolution (March 11, 2010) — High school and college students who understand the geological age of the Earth (4.5 billion years) are much more likely to understand and accept human evolution, according to a new study. A 2009 Gallup poll reported that 16 percent of biology teachers believe God created humans in their present form at some time during the last 10,000 years. Development of more muscular trout could boost commercial aquaculture (March 11, 2010) — A 10-year effort by a scientist to develop transgenic rainbow trout with enhanced muscle growth has yielded fish with what have been described as six-pack abs and muscular shoulders that could provide a boost to the commercial aquaculture industry. Mystery of symmetry in vertebrates revealed (March 11, 2010) — Some of our organs, such as the liver and the heart, are lateralized. As our bodies develop they mostly display bilateral symmetry across the vertebral column. A new molecular pathway, which plays a role in this symmetry in vertebrates, has recently been discovered. Plotting and treachery in ant royal families (March 11, 2010) — Social insects — ants in particular — are usually thought of as selfless entities willing to sacrifice everything for their comrades. However, new research suggests that ant queens are also prepared to compromise the welfare of the entire colony in order to retain the throne. Potential for using algae to produce human therapeutic proteins shown (March 11, 2010) — Pharmaceutical companies could substantially reduce the expense of costly treatments for cancer and other diseases produced from mammalian or bacterial cells by growing these human therapeutic proteins in algae — rapidly growing aquatic plant cells that have recently gained attention for their ability to produce biofuels. Mouse model reveals a cause of ADHD (March 11, 2010) — Although it’s typically considered an adolescent curse, ADHD actually affects about five percent of adults as well. New research in a mouse model of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder suggests that the root of the psychiatric disorder might be the over-activity of a protein that regulates dopaminergic pathways. The work suggests a path toward new treatments for symptoms including inattentiveness, over-activity and impulsivity. How sea turtle hatchlings use their flippers to move quickly on sand (March 11, 2010) — Researchers conducted the first field study showing how endangered loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings use their limbs to move quickly on a variety of terrains in order to reach the ocean. |
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