ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Tuesday, June 1, 2010
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Scientists decipher structure of nature's 'light switch' (June 1, 2010) -- Opening a window into the process by which plants turn on the greenery and unleash a floral profusion of color, scientists have deciphered the structure of a molecular "switch" much like the one plants use to sense light. Their findings help explain how the switch works and could be used to design new ways to modify plant growth. ... > full story
Breakthrough in stem cell culturing (June 1, 2010) -- For the first time, human embryonic stem cells have been cultured under chemically controlled conditions without the use of animal substances, which is essential for future clinical uses. The method has been developed by researchers in Sweden. ... > full story
Better animal-free test for chemicals that can cause contact dermatitis (June 1, 2010) -- Scientists are reporting development of a fast, simple, inexpensive method for determining whether chemicals in consumer products and workplaces may cause skin allergies in people -- a method that does not involve use of animals. ... > full story
MicroRNA expression and turnover are regulated by neural activity in the retina and brain (June 1, 2010) -- Scientists in Switzerland have found that microRNAs, small RNA regulators of gene expression, are up- and down-regulated in the retina during light-dark adaptation and in response to synaptic stimulation in hippocampal and cortical neurons. This important discovery provides an unexpected function for microRNAs: it shows that they are able to regulate rapidly the expression of synaptic proteins, which are involved in synapse plasticity and memory formation. ... > full story
Classic grammar model can be used for computerized parsing (June 1, 2010) -- A classic Nordic grammar model can be used for computerized grammatical analyses and technical applications of modern Swedish text, new research reveals. One such application enables queries answered by a digital text to be generated when it is opened, and then used to search for specific information in the text. ... > full story
Chances of surviving cardiac arrest depends on your neighborhood (June 1, 2010) -- The odds of surviving cardiac arrest may depend on which part of town you call home and whether anyone in the neighborhood comes to your rescue by attempting to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), according to a new study. ... > full story
What happens when we get angry? (June 1, 2010) -- When we get angry, the heart rate, arterial tension and testosterone production increases, cortisol (the stress hormone) decreases, and the left hemisphere of the brain becomes more stimulated. This is indicated by a new investigation that analyzes the changes in the brain's cardiovascular, hormonal and asymmetric activation response when we get angry. ... > full story
Antidepressants in pregnancy increase risk of miscarriage, study finds (June 1, 2010) -- A new study found a 68 percent increase in the overall risk of miscarriage in pregnant women using antidepressants. ... > full story
Embryogenesis tool: Imaging probes attached to sugar molecules in the embryos of zebrafish (June 1, 2010) -- Researchers have successfully attached imaging probes to glycans -- the sugar molecules that are abundant on the surfaces of living cells -- in the embryos of zebrafish less than seven hours after fertilization. This new technique enables scientists to study the physiological changes cells undergo during embryogenesis without invading and doing damage to the embryos. ... > full story
Surgical procedure offers new option for pediatric patients with rare cancer in abdomen (June 1, 2010) -- A study by a pediatric surgical oncologist shows that an adult surgery adapted for use in young patients increased the survival of children with rare tumors in the abdomen. ... > full story
Warmer climate makes Baltic more salty, new research suggests (June 1, 2010) -- Scientists have long believed that a warmer climate will increase river runoff to the Baltic Sea, thus making the inland sea less salty. However, a new extensive study by researchers in Sweden reveals that the effect will probably be the opposite: climate change will reduce river runoff and increase salinity in the Baltic Sea. ... > full story
Home, preschool and school coordination boosts achievement (June 1, 2010) -- Children whose minds are stimulated in several early childhood settings -- home, preschool, and school -- have higher achievement in elementary school. Moreover, what matters is not whether children's learning is supported at home, or stimulated in preschool or in elementary school, but that all three of these occur. ... > full story
New skeletons from the age of dinosaurs answer century-old questions about prehistoric reptile Typothorax (May 31, 2010) -- More than 100 years ago, paleontologist E. D. Cope of "Dinosaur Wars" fame found a few fragmentary bones of a reptile in the deserts of New Mexico. He named the reptile Typothorax. A century later, Typothorax -- which belongs to a group of reptiles called aetosaurs -- remained something of a mystery, known mainly from pieces of armor, a few limb bones, and some sections of tail. Now, thanks to two remarkably complete skeletons, paleontologists are finally revealing what Typothorax really looked like. ... > full story
Natural self-repair mechanisms that kick in after spinal cord injury identified (May 31, 2010) -- University of Alberta researchers have identified one of the body's natural self-repair mechanisms that kick in after spinal cord injury which could lead to the development of more effective treatments. ... > full story
Air traffic poised to become a major factor in global warming, scientists predict (May 31, 2010) -- The first new projections of future aircraft emissions in 10 years predict that carbon dioxide and other gases from air traffic will become a significant source of global warming as they double or triple by 2050. ... > full story
Surgery outperforms drug therapy in treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, research finds (May 31, 2010) -- A 17-year-long community study looking at symptoms of enlarged prostate in over 2,000 men age 40 to 79 years suggests that surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia offers more relief from incontinence and obstruction symptoms than treatment from drug-based therapy, according to a new study. ... > full story
Reforestation may lower the climate change mitigation potential of forests (May 31, 2010) -- Scientists in the U.S. and China have found that reforestation and afforestation -- the creation of new forests -- may lower the potential of forests for climate change lessening. ... > full story
Genetic makeup of Hispanic/Latino Americans influenced by Native American, European and African-American ancestries (May 31, 2010) -- A new study finds that the imprint of European colonialism and imperialism is evident in the genetic makeup of today's Hispanic/Latino American populations. Scientists discovered that Europeans, Native Americans, as well as West Africans brought to the US and Latin America by the trans-Atlantic slave trade, have influenced the genes of the current Hispanic/Latino populations. However, a large variation in genes among individuals within each population were still found to exist. ... > full story
Acupuncture's molecular effects pinned down: New insights spur effort to boost treatment's impact significantly (May 31, 2010) -- Scientists have identified the molecule adenosine as a central player in parlaying some of the effects of acupuncture in the body. Building on that knowledge, scientists were able to triple the beneficial effects of acupuncture in mice by adding a medication approved to treat leukemia in people. ... > full story
Faulty gene stops cell 'antennae' from transmitting (May 31, 2010) -- Researchers have identified the genetic cause of an inherited condition that causes severe fetal abnormalities. The work should allow couples at risk of conceiving babies with the profoundly disabling Meckel-Gruber and Joubert syndromes to be identified beforehand through genetic screening. ... > full story
NASA's airborne infrared observatory sees 'first light' (May 31, 2010) -- The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a joint program by NASA and the German Aerospace Center, achieved a major milestone May 26, with its first in-flight night observations. ... > full story
Circulating tumor cells correlate with poorer survival in pancreatic cancer patients (May 31, 2010) -- Researchers have found that pancreatic cancer patients who have circulating tumor cells tend to have worse outcomes than patients without circulating tumor cells. Additionally, the team has uncovered evidence that not all circulating tumor cells are the same, and some may predict worse outcomes than others. ... > full story
NOAA expects busy Atlantic hurricane season (May 31, 2010) -- An "active to extremely active" hurricane season is expected for the Atlantic Basin this year according to the seasonal outlook issued by NOAA's Climate Prediction Center -- a division of the National Weather Service. As with every hurricane season, this outlook underscores the importance of having a hurricane preparedness plan in place. ... > full story
Community conditions related to malnutrition deaths among older adults (May 31, 2010) -- In a new study, researchers tackle a problem seldom acknowledged in the United States -- the incidence of malnutrition-related deaths among older adults. ... > full story
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
Lack of private insurance contributes to higher deaths among black heart transplant patients, study finds (May 31, 2010) -- Transplant surgeons at Johns Hopkins who have reviewed the medical records of more than 20,000 heart transplant patients say that it is not simply racial differences, but rather flaws in the health care system, along with type of insurance and education levels, in addition to biological factors, that are likely the causes of disproportionately worse outcomes after heart transplantation in African Americans. ... > full story
Community acceptance, social support, and educational access provide safety net for former child soldiers (May 31, 2010) -- The Child Soldiers Global Report 2008 estimates that more than 300,000 children are engaged as soldiers around the globe, and more children are recruited every year in ongoing and new conflicts. Although a number of multinational coalitions are aligned to stop the recruitment of child soldiers, some countries persist in not only the recruitment of children but also in exposing children to both the psychological and physical dangers associated with combat. ... > full story
Scientists design a more efficient democratic voting system (May 31, 2010) -- Researchers in Spain have developed a relatively simple democratic voting system which improves the efficiency of the usual common plurality voting system, and that protects minorities better and takes them more into consideration. ... > full story
Computational model being developed for estimating populations of large carnivores (May 31, 2010) -- Finnish researchers are developing a computational method for estimating populations of large carnivores. The new method will provide a quicker and more cost-effective way of keeping track of the number of large carnivores. ... > 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
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