ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Monday, May 31, 2010
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From butterflies' wings to bank notes: How nature's colors could cut bank fraud (May 31, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered a way of mimicking the stunningly bright and beautiful colors found on the wings of tropical butterflies. The findings could have important applications in the security printing industry, helping to make bank notes and credit cards harder to forge. ... > full story
MRI research highlights high-risk atherosclerotic plaque hidden in the vessel wall (May 31, 2010) -- Researchers have shown that use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in an animal model can noninvasively identify dangerous plaques. The findings offer possible applications in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with atherosclerosis. ... > full story
Predicting severity of breast cancer (May 31, 2010) -- Researchers have identified a biomarker in patient blood which can predict the severity of breast cancer in patients and may enable clinicians to track patients throughout the course of their treatment. ... > full story
NOAA predicts below normal Eastern Pacific hurricane season (May 31, 2010) -- NOAA's National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center has announced that projected climate conditions point to a below normal hurricane season in the Eastern Pacific this year. The outlook calls for a 75 percent probability of a below normal season, a 20 percent probability of a near normal season and a five percent probability of an above normal season. ... > full story
New technology will make election voting more efficient (May 31, 2010) -- Did you stay up all night to hear your local result during the recent election? Time-consuming manual vote-counts and ballot boxes could soon be consigned to the history books, thanks to innovative new secure voting technology. ... > full story
How whales have changed over 35 million years (May 31, 2010) -- Evolutionary biologists have looked back 35 million years to provide the first test of why whales show such rich diversity. Species diversification and body size of whales were established early in their evolution. ... > full story
Genes associated with throat cancer found through study of over 10,000 subjects (May 31, 2010) -- Scientists from Singapore, China and USA have identified three new susceptibility genes in a genome-wide association study of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The study advances understanding of the important role of host genetic variation in influencing susceptibility to NPC. ... > full story
Spawning habitat of bluefin tuna in Gulf of Mexico: Critical area intersects Deepwater Horizon oil spill (May 31, 2010) -- Electronic tagging and fisheries catch data have revealed pronounced differences in preferred habitat of Atlantic bluefin tuna and yellowfin tuna in the Gulf of Mexico, despite their close ancestry, according to a new study. Bluefin tuna return to the same regions of the Gulf of Mexico during spring months to spawn. Yellowfin tuna are more widely distributed throughout the warm Gulf waters and occupy the region throughout the year. ... > full story
Comparison of overall survival for non-small cell lung cancer patients (May 31, 2010) -- Patients with early stages of NSCLC are typically treated with surgery, but those with stage IIIA present more of a challenge because they are such a diverse group. However, new research shows that patient's with stage IIIA NSCLC who receive surgery, lobectomy in particular, have increased overall survival compared to those who received chemoradiation alone -- those receiving lobectomy plus chemoradation had survival rates that were higher than previously reported as well. ... > full story
NOAA expands fishing closed area in Gulf of Mexico; approximately 75 percent of Gulf still open for fishing (May 31, 2010) -- NOAA has extended the closed fishing area in the Gulf of Mexico to include a large area of oil sheen patches crossing the eastern edge of the current boundary, as well as an area currently outside the southern boundary which a small portion of the sheen is moving toward. ... > full story
Consent forms for research: Have they improved in 25 years? (May 31, 2010) -- Consent forms that people sign before participating in research are widely considered difficult to understand and sometimes inaccurate. Lack of clarity was implicated in a high-profile legal settlement in April between Arizona State University and a Native American tribe, which claimed that blood samples that its members provided for genetic research were used for purposes not stated in the consent form. Efforts have been made to improve the forms, but how effective are they? ... > full story
New horned dinosaur: Two-ton plant-eater lived 78 million years ago in Montana (May 30, 2010) -- A new horned dinosaur, Medusaceratops lokii, has been discovered. Approximately 20 feet long and weighing more than 2 tons, the newly identified plant-eating dinosaur lived nearly 78 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period in what is now Montana. Its identification marks the discovery of a new genus of horned dinosaur. ... > full story
New source of stem cells form heart muscle cells, repair damage (May 30, 2010) -- A new and noncontroversial source of stem cells can form heart muscle cells and help repair heart damage, according to results of preliminary lab tests. ... > full story
Genetically modified rats produced using novel sperm stem-cell technique (May 30, 2010) -- For two decades, the laboratory mouse has been the workhorse of biomedical studies and the only mammal whose genes scientists could effectively and reliably manipulate to study human diseases and conditions. ... > full story
Understanding the relationship between bacteria and obesity (May 30, 2010) -- Research sheds new light on the role bacteria in the digestive tract may play in obesity. The studies paint a picture that may be more complex than originally thought. ... > full story
Clocks in the Americas and the Caribbean Islands now ticking in unison (May 30, 2010) -- Clocks in the Americas and the Caribbean Islands are now ticking in unison thanks to the work of the Sistema Interamericano de Metrologia (SIM), a regional metrology organization that works to promote accurate measurements throughout the Americas. ... > full story
Consumers: Why do you like what I like, but I don't like what you like? (May 30, 2010) -- When we like a product, do we think others will like it, too? And when we believe others like a product, do we like it as well? A new study says these two questions are fundamentally different. ... > full story
Coastal birds carry toxic ocean metals inland (May 30, 2010) -- Biologists has found that potent metals like mercury and lead, ingested by Arctic seabirds feeding in the ocean, end up in the sediment of polar ponds. ... > full story
Those with allergic asthma face double trouble during flu season, findings suggest (May 30, 2010) -- New research suggests that allergic reactions to pet dander, dust mites and mold may prevent people with allergic asthma from generating a healthy immune response to respiratory viruses such as influenza. ... > full story
New explaination of how certain cancers develop (May 30, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered a new interaction between a cell signaling system and a specific gene that may be the cause of B-cell lymphoma. The finding suggests a similar interaction could be occurring during the development of other types of cancer, leading to further understanding of how cancer works -- and how it might be stopped. ... > full story
How RNA viruses copy themselves: Hijack cellular enzyme to create viral replication factories on cell membranes (May 30, 2010) -- Researchers have made a significant new discovery about RNA (ribonucleic acid) viruses and how they replicate themselves. Certain RNA viruses -- poliovirus, hepatitis C virus and coxsackievirus -- and possibly many other families of viruses copy themselves by seizing an enzyme from their host cell to create replication factories enriched in a specific lipid. The scientists have uncovered that certain RNA viruses take control of a cellular enzyme to design a replication compartment on the cell's membrane filled with PI4P lipids. Those lipids, in turn, allow the RNA viruses to attract and stimulate the enzymes they need for replication. ... > full story
Underwater robot sent to study Deepwater Horizon spill (May 30, 2010) -- A high-tech robotic submersible has been sent to the oily waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The goal is to collect information about the oil plume from the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig accident for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. ... > full story
Buyer beware: Consumers in conflict may become victims to unwanted influence (May 30, 2010) -- When products don't easily fit into our goals, we experience conflict. According to a new study, conflicted consumers are easily swayed by unwanted influences. ... > full story
New species of invertebrates discovered in the Antarctic (May 30, 2010) -- On board the German oceanographic ship and through various expeditions carried out between 1996 and 2008, two scientists have discovered six new gorgonia (colonial marine invertebrates made up of tubular bodied polyps with eight tentacles) in the Antarctic region, in the Eastern Weddell Sea. These discoveries reveal the great diversity of the Antarctic that is still unknown. ... > full story
Antiretroviral therapy associated with decreased risk of HIV transmission (May 30, 2010) -- Researchers have found that treating HIV-infected persons with antiretroviral therapy reduces HIV transmission to their sexual partners by more than 90 percent. ... > full story
The great pond experiment: Pond communities bear a lasting imprint of random events in their past (May 30, 2010) -- A seven-year experiment shows that pond communities bear the imprint of random events in their past, such as the order in which species were introduced into the ponds. This finding locates one of the wellsprings of biodiversity but also suggests that it may not be possible to restore ecosystems whose history we cannot recreate. ... > full story
When helper cells aren't helpful (May 30, 2010) -- Current research suggests that T helper-type 1 cells, previously thought to mediate autoimmunity, may actual inhibit the development of experimental immune encephalomyelitis, a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, by suppressing Th17 cells. ... > full story
Precise trace gas analysis, without the noise (May 30, 2010) -- Analyzing trace atmospheric gases can now be considerably more precise with the help of a device that delivers stable and reliable power to the lasers used in gas sensors. ... > full story
Tobacco industry influence on health policy detailed (May 30, 2010) -- The wide reach of the tobacco industry and its influence on young people, military veterans and national health-care reform has been detailed in three new studies. ... > full story
First horned dinosaur from Mexico: Plant-eater had largest horns of any dinosaur (May 29, 2010) -- A new species of horned dinosaur unearthed in Mexico has larger horns that any other species -- up to 4 feet long -- and has given scientists fresh insights into the ancient history of western North America, according to paleontologists. ... > full story
Experimental treatment protects monkeys from lethal Ebola virus post-exposure (May 29, 2010) -- Scientists using tiny particles of genetic material to interfere in the replication process of the deadly Ebola virus have successfully prevented monkeys exposed to that virus from dying of hemorrhagic fever. The proof-of-concept study suggests that such protection also should be possible in humans. ... > full story
Snails on methamphetamine: Memories formed by snails under influence of meth are harder to forget (May 29, 2010) -- Crystal meth (methamphetamine) is a highly addictive drug, which improves memory, but once hooked, addicts find the habit hard to break. One researcher wondered whether she could learn more about the effects of meth by studying the effect it has pond snail's memories. She found that memories formed by snails under the influence of meth are harder to forget and could help us understand human addiction. ... > full story
Novel protein essential for successful pregnancy (May 29, 2010) -- Researchers have helped clarify the function of a unique protein called preimplantation factor, which is produced by healthy embryos to direct embryo attachment and help the mother adapt to pregnancy. ... > full story
Improved carbon sponges to strip carbon dioxide from power plant exhausts (May 29, 2010) -- A new class of materials with a record-shattering internal surface area may have the right stuff to efficiently strip carbon dioxide from a power plant's exhaust. ... > full story
Researcher decodes Rembrandt's 'magic' (May 29, 2010) -- A researcher using computer-rendering programs has uncovered what makes Rembrandt's masterful portraits so appealing. Rembrandt may have pioneered a technique that guides the viewer's gaze around a portrait, creating a special narrative and "calmer" viewing experience. ... > full story
Clue to origin of Milky Way gas clouds discovered (May 29, 2010) -- A study of hydrogen gas clouds in two different regions of the Milky Way shows that they are much more abundant above areas of intense star formation, indicating they are blown away from the Galaxy's plane by stellar winds and supernova explosions. ... > full story
Cold sore virus may contribute to cognitive and brain abnormalities in schizophrenia (May 29, 2010) -- Exposure to the common virus that causes cold sores may be partially responsible for shrinking regions of the brain and the loss of concentration skills, memory, coordinated movement and dexterity widely seen in patients with schizophrenia, according to research led by Johns Hopkins scientists. ... > full story
Deep subduction of the Indian continental crust beneath Asia (May 29, 2010) -- Geological investigations in the Himalayas have revealed evidence that when India and Asia collided some 90 million years ago, the continental crust of the Indian tectonic plate was forced down under the Asian plate, sinking down into the Earth's mantle to a depth of at least 200 km. ... > full story
Cut the salt and ditch the drugs: Controlling blood pressure in dialysis patients (May 29, 2010) -- For kidney patients trying to control their blood pressure, reducing fluid build-up in the blood is more effective than using antihypertensive medications, according to a new analysis. The research suggests that lowering salt intake may help reduce build-up. ... > full story
Zeroing in on quantum effects: New materials yield clues about high-temperature superconductors (May 29, 2010) -- US and Chinese physicists are zeroing in on critical effects at the heart of the newest high-temperature superconductors, the family of iron-based compounds called "pnictides." The scientists used similarly structured materials called "oxychalcogenides" to investigate the effect of expanding the distance between iron atoms in the crystal lattice. ... > full story
Empathy: College students don't have as much as they used to, study finds (May 29, 2010) -- Today's college students are not as empathetic as college students of the 1980s and '90s, a new study shows. ... > full story
How do bumblebees get predators to buzz off? (May 29, 2010) -- Toxic or venomous animals, like bumblebees, are often brightly colored to tell would-be predators to keep away. However scientists in the UK have found a bumblebee's defense could extend further than its distinctive color pattern and may indeed be linked to their characteristic shape, flight pattern or buzzing sound. ... > full story
Dieting alone may not help stave off type 2 diabetes; muscle mass, strength important (May 29, 2010) -- Sarcopenia -- low skeletal muscle mass and strength -- was associated with insulin resistance in both obese and non-obese individuals. It was also associated with high blood-sugar levels in obese people but not in thin people. These associations were stronger in people under age 60, in whom sarcopenia was associated with high levels of blood sugar in both obese and thin people, and with diabetes in obese individuals. ... > full story
Experts gather as volcanic dust settles (May 29, 2010) -- Following the eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajoekull volcano that spewed huge amounts of ash and grounded numerous flights, more than 50 experts from around the world gathered at a workshop organized by ESA and EUMETSAT to discuss what has been learned and identify future opportunities for volcanic ash monitoring. ... > full story
Genetic research shows degeneration in aging worm (May 29, 2010) -- Genetic research focusing on the soil nematode C. elegans has generated fundamental new insights into the way in which these tiny worms age. During the aging process, the activity of the worm's genes gradually becomes more turbulent and gene regulation declines. Because degenerative processes in worms and humans are similar, the research results offer clues for the prevention and medication of geriatric diseases. ... > full story
Genome comparison tools found to be susceptible to slip-ups (May 29, 2010) -- Tools used to align genomes from different species have serious quality-control issues, according to a new study. ... > full story
Many with HIV start care too late (May 29, 2010) -- Despite growing evidence that the earlier people are diagnosed with HIV and get access to care, the better their clinical outcomes, many HIV-infected people in the United States and Canada are not receiving the care they need early enough. ... > full story
'Law-like' mathematical patterns in human preference behavior discovered (May 28, 2010) -- Scientists have found mathematical patterns underlying the way individuals unconsciously distribute their preferences regarding approaching or avoiding objects in their environment. These patterns appear to meet the strict criteria used to determine whether something is a scientific law and, if confirmed in future studies, could potentially be used to guide diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders. ... > full story
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