ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Thursday, June 3, 2010
Welcome to another edition of ScienceDaily's email newsletter. You can change your subscription options or unsubscribe at any time.
Coffee consumption unrelated to alertness: Stimulating effects may be illusion, study finds (June 3, 2010) -- The stimulatory effects of caffeine may be nothing more than an illusion, according to new research that shows there is no real benefit to be gained from the habitual morning cup of coffee. ... > full story
Why certain diseases affect specific organs: Neural tissue contains imbalanced levels of proteins, study finds (June 3, 2010) -- Why do some diseases affect only specific organs, leaving others invulnerable? Researchers have found neural tissue contains imbalanced levels of proteins, which may explain the brain's susceptibility to a debilitating childhood movement disorder. Compared to nonneuronal cells, neurons have dramatically lower levels of torsinB, a sister protein that can work similarly to torsinA. When the DYT1 gene mutation causes a defect in torsinA, torsinB can take over its role in all other cells except for neuronal cells. ... > full story
Using nature's design principles to create specialized nanofabrics (June 3, 2010) -- Bioengineers have developed a new technology based on nature's design principles for self assembly and self organization. The technology can be used to regenerate heart and other tissues and to make nanometer-thick fabrics that are strong and elastic. The key breakthrough came in the development of a matrix that can assemble itself through interaction with a thermosensitive surface. The protein composition of that matrix can be customized to generate specific properties. ... > full story
Prostate cancer patients' weight linked to tumor size, study finds (June 3, 2010) -- The size of tumors in prostate cancer patients is directly linked to their weight, according to a new six-year study. They found heavier patients, or those with the highest body mass index, also had the largest tumors. They discovered the connection after studying 3,327 patients who had undergone robotic removal of their cancerous prostate glands and surrounding tissue. ... > full story
Revised seismotectonic model for California Central Coast: More complex than previously thought (June 3, 2010) -- A new catalog of earthquake locations and focal mechanisms for the California Central Coast underscores the fault complexity of the region and identifies newly observed features offshore near San Luis Obispo. ... > full story
Tidy house, fitter body? (June 3, 2010) -- A study that examined the relationship between physical activity and a range of variables involving urban residents' homes and neighborhoods found that the inside of their homes had more to do with higher physical activity levels than sidewalks, lighting and other elements. ... > full story
First images of heavy electrons in action: Characteristics of 'hidden order' in unusual uranium compound (June 3, 2010) -- Using a microscope designed to image the arrangement and interactions of electrons in crystals, scientists have captured the first images of electrons that appear to take on extraordinary mass under certain extreme conditions. The technique reveals the origin of an unusual electronic phase transition in one particular material, and opens the door to further explorations of the properties and functions of so-called heavy fermions. ... > full story
Ablation proved as effective as traditional surgery in treating kidney cancer (June 3, 2010) -- A minimally invasive technique used to destroy kidney tumors with an electrically controlled heating probe showed similar effectiveness as surgical removal of tumors in curbing cancer recurrence rates for up to five years after treatment. ... > full story
Bacterioplankton responses to desert dust in the (sub)tropical northeast Atlantic (June 3, 2010) -- Inputs of dust from the Sahara desert could change the composition of microbial communities in the (sub)tropical eastern North Atlantic, say researchers. ... > full story
Testing methylphenidate for cancer-related fatigue (June 3, 2010) -- Cancer-related fatigue is often a major problem for cancer patients, beginning at diagnosis, during treatment and after completing therapy. ... > full story
Large earthquake triggering, clustering and the synchronization of faults (June 3, 2010) -- The "signature of synchronicity" of large earthquakes -- clusters of ruptures of several faults followed by periods of quiescence -- found in the paleoseismic record also reflects the common observation that large earthquakes can trigger other large earthquakes on nearby faults. Researchers are examining the mechanism by which the seismic cycles of nearby faults become synchronized. ... > full story
Apologies may fuel settlement of legal disputes, study says (June 3, 2010) -- Apologies can potentially help resolve legal disputes ranging from injury cases to wrongful firings, giving wounded parties a sense of justice and satisfaction that promotes settlements and trims demands for damages, a new study finds. ... > full story
Hubble catches stars on the move: Surprising signs of unrest in massive star cluster (June 2, 2010) -- By exploiting the exquisite image quality of the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and comparing two observations made 10 years apart astronomers have, for the first time, managed to measure the tiny motions of several hundred young stars within the central cluster of the star-forming region NGC 3603. The team was surprised to find that the stars are moving in ways that are at odds with the current understanding of how such clusters evolve. ... > full story
Stem cell researchers uncover previously unknown patterns in DNA methylation (June 2, 2010) -- A previously unknown pattern in DNA methylation -- an event that affects cell function by altering gene expression -- has been uncovered for the first time by stem cell researchers, a finding that could have implications in preventing some cancers and correcting defects in human stem cell lines. ... > full story
Enzyme detector: New technique reliably detects and quantifies enzyme implicated in cancer, atherosclerosis and other diseases (June 2, 2010) -- Researchers have developed a new technique that reliably detects and quantifies an enzyme implicated in osteoporosis, arthritis, atherosclerosis, cancer metastasis and other disease processes. ... > full story
Aspirin recommendations changed for many younger diabetic patients (June 2, 2010) -- Experts are now recommending that low-dose aspirin therapy to prevent heart attacks be used somewhat more conservatively -- that men younger than 50 and women younger than 60, who have diabetes but no other major risk factors, probably not use aspirin. ... > full story
Visual system interprets sign languages (June 2, 2010) -- Spanish sign language is used by over 100,000 people with hearing impairments and is made up of hundreds of signs. Researchers selected over 20 of these signs to develop a new visual interpretation system which allows deaf people to carry out consultations in the language they commonly use. ... > full story
Meditation reduces the emotional impact of pain, study finds (June 2, 2010) -- People who meditate regularly find pain less unpleasant because their brains anticipate the pain less, a new study has found. ... > full story
Squirrels show softer side by adopting orphans, study finds (June 2, 2010) -- Squirrels will take in orphaned pups if the babies are closely related to the adoptive mother, according to new research. Although adoptions occur among species that live in extended family groups, it's much less common among asocial animals, such as squirrels, who are territorial, live alone and rarely interact with one another. The study also shows squirrels are able to asses which pups they are related to before determining whether to adopt. ... > full story
Immune system helps transplanted stem cells navigate in central nervous system (June 2, 2010) -- By discovering how adult neural stem cells navigate to injury sites in the central nervous system, researchers have helped solve a puzzle in the creation of stem cell-based treatments: How do these cells know where to go? ... > full story
Count your chickens (and robins and pigeons ...), urge researchers working to protect birds (June 2, 2010) -- People could help to prevent species of birds from becoming extinct by recording sightings of all kinds of birds online, including common species, according to a new study. ... > full story
Immune cell's role in lupus nephritis: Discovery paves way for safety testing of potential new use for asthma drug (June 2, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered that the activation of immune cells called basophils causes kidney damage in a mouse model of lupus nephritis. These findings and the team's associated research in humans may lead to new treatments for this serious disease, a severe form of systemic lupus erythematosus that affects the kidneys and is difficult to treat. ... > full story
Study finds poker players using drugs to enhance performance (June 2, 2010) -- A new study found that 80 percent of poker players around the world reported using drugs and other substances to enhance their performance in poker. ... > full story
Who are we sharing the planet with? Millions less species than previously thought, new calculations suggest (June 2, 2010) -- New calculations reveal that the number of species on Earth is likely to be in the order of several million rather than tens of millions. The findings, from an Australian-led study, are based on a new method of estimating tropical insect species -- the largest and one of the most difficult groups on the planet to study -- having significant implications for conservation efforts. ... > full story
Visually guided laser may be viable treatment for abnormal heartbeat (June 2, 2010) -- A new treatment known as a visually guided balloon-laser catheter stopped abnormal electrical pulses in people and pigs with irregular heartbeats. The intervention prevented abnormal impulses for three months. Additional long-term studies are needed to assess ongoing safety and effectiveness. ... > full story
Cosmic Zoo in the Large Magellanic Cloud (June 2, 2010) -- Astronomers often turn their telescopes to the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), one of the closest galaxies to our own Milky Way, in their quest to understand the Universe. In a spectacular new image from the Wide Field Imager (WFI) at the European Southern Observatory’s La Silla Observatory in Chile, a celestial menagerie of different objects and phenomena in part of the LMC is on display, ranging from vast globular clusters to the remains left by brilliant supernovae explosions. This fascinating observation provides data for a wide variety of research projects unraveling the life and death of stars and the evolution of galaxies. ... > full story
Genetic differences may influence joint pain among women taking lifesaving breast cancer drugs (June 2, 2010) -- Aromatase inhibitor-associated arthralgia is a major side effect in breast cancer survivors, producing joint pain so severe that as many as ten percent of women discontinue their therapy prematurely while undergoing treatment with these lifesaving drugs. New research reveals a possible genetic basis for why these side effects occur. ... > full story
Uncovering the mystery of a major threat to wheat (June 2, 2010) -- Agricultural scientists have solved a longstanding mystery as to why a pathogen that threatens the world's wheat supply can be so adaptable, diverse and virulent. ... > full story
New medics in death spike? Study suggests inexperienced medical staff make fatal medication errors (June 2, 2010) -- Are new medical residents a threat to patients? According to a new study, fatal medication errors peak in July in teaching hospitals in particular, which coincides with the yearly influx of new medical residents who are given increased responsibility for patient care. ... > full story
Copper nanowires enable bendable displays and solar cells; Pin-like copper structures self-assemble in solution (June 2, 2010) -- A team of chemists has perfected a simple way to make tiny copper nanowires in quantity. The cheap conductors are small enough to be transparent, making them ideal for thin-film solar cells, flat-screen TVs and computers, and flexible displays. ... > full story
Synthetic peptide may regenerate brain tissue in stroke victims (June 2, 2010) -- A synthetic version of a naturally occurring peptide promoted the creation of new blood vessels and repaired damaged nerve cells in lab animals, according to researchers. ... > full story
Peaches, plums induce deliciously promising death of breast cancer cells (June 2, 2010) -- Breast cancer cells -- even the most aggressive type -- died after treatments with peach and plum extracts in lab tests in Texas recently, and scientists say the results are deliciously promising. Not only did the cancerous cells keel over, but the normal cells were not harmed in the process. ... > full story
Genetic causes of canine mammary tumors investigated (June 2, 2010) -- Various forms of cancer are one of the most common causes of death in dogs today. But both diagnosis and methods of treatment for cancer in dogs and cats have developed dramatically in recent years. ... > full story
New automated tool 'debugs' nuclear weapon simulations (June 2, 2010) -- Researchers have created an automated program to "debug" simulations used to more efficiently certify the nation's nuclear weapons. ... > full story
How does the human brain memorize a sound? (June 2, 2010) -- Sound repetition allows us to memorize complex sounds in a very quick, effective and durable way. According to new research, this form of auditory learning is believed to occur in daily life to help us identify and memorize sound patterns; it allows, for example, immediate recognition of sounds which become familiar through experience, such as the voice of relatives. The same mechanism is involved in the relearning of certain sounds, in particular when using hearing aids. ... > full story
Single-molecule manipulation for the masses: New technique offers dramatic improvements in throughput and cost (June 2, 2010) -- Scientists have developed a new massively-parallel approach for manipulating single DNA and protein molecules and studying their interactions under force. ... > full story
Common steroid medications hold promise for tissue repair (June 2, 2010) -- A class of drugs commonly used for asthma, inflammation and skin injury also may hold promise for tissue-repairing regenerative medicine, according to researchers. ... > full story
Details in structure of a distant quasar: First high-resolution image from LOFAR radio telescope array (June 2, 2010) -- By connecting stations of the international LOFAR radio telescope array, astronomers have now produced the first high-resolution image of a distant quasar at meter radio wavelengths. This wavelength range has not been accessible to such detailed observations before, as the telescopes have to be spaced far apart. The first image showing fine details of the quasar 3C 196 observed at wavelengths between 4 and 10 m was achieved by using just a small fraction of the final LOFAR array that will cover large parts of Europe. ... > full story
Flies offer insight into human metabolic disease (June 2, 2010) -- Galactosemia is a metabolic disease resulting from an inherited defect that prevents the proper metabolism of galactose, a sugar commonly found in dairy products, like milk. Exposure of affected people to galactose, can damage most of their organ systems and can be fatal. The ability to study the disease is limited by a lack of animal models. New information suggests that similarities between humans and flies may provide scientists with useful clues. ... > full story
New graphene-based electronics could take a page out of the silicon electronics book (June 2, 2010) -- A dopant common in building conventional electronics looks promising for making components out of carbon sheets only one atom thick. ... > full story
Lucky break: Quit smoking after fracture surgery for better healing (June 2, 2010) -- Smokers who refrain from using tobacco during the six-week period following emergency surgery for an acute fracture heal more quickly and experience fewer complications, according to a new study. ... > full story
Unique eclipsing binary star system discovered (June 2, 2010) -- Astrophysicists have identified two white dwarf stars in an eclipsing binary system, allowing for the first direct radius measurement of a rare white dwarf composed of pure helium. ... > full story
Blood-thinning copycat enters malaria fight (June 2, 2010) -- New treatments for malaria are possible after scientists found that molecules similar to the blood-thinning drug heparin can stop malaria from infecting red blood cells. ... > full story
520 days on a simulated flight to Mars (June 2, 2010) -- On June 3, 2010, six 'astronauts' will commence a virtual trip to Mars. Sealed into a cramped container at the Moscow Institute of Biomedical Problems for 520 days, they will experience the rigors and isolation of long-duration spaceflight. ... > full story
New blood thinners can cause dangerous drug interactions, study finds (June 2, 2010) -- Three new oral blood-thinning drugs nearing approval by the Food and Drug Administration are more convenient than the standard drug Coumadin because they do not require monthly visits to adjust doses. But the promising drugs also could be subject to dangerous interactions when taken alongside widely used prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin and even herbal supplements such as St. John's Wort, according to a new study. ... > full story
Unique computer model used to predict active 2010 hurricane season (June 2, 2010) -- Scientists who have developed a unique computer model with a knack for predicting hurricanes with unprecedented accuracy are forecasting an unusually active season this year. ... > full story
TV food advertisements promote imbalanced diets, study finds (June 2, 2010) -- Making food choices based on television advertising results in a very imbalanced diet, according to a new study comparing the nutritional content of food choices influenced by television to nutritional guidelines. ... > full story
'Little brown balls' tie malaria and algae to common ancestor, researchers find (June 2, 2010) -- Inconspicuous "little brown balls" in the ocean have helped settle a long-standing debate about the origin of malaria and the algae responsible for toxic red tides, according to a new study. ... > full story
Copyright 1995-2010 © ScienceDaily LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of use.
|
 To update/change your account click here  |
No comments:
Post a Comment