ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Thursday, June 10, 2010
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World's largest DNA scan reveals rare variants that disrupt gene activity in autistic children (June 10, 2010) -- The largest DNA scan for familial autism found rare genetic changes occurring nearly 20 percent more in autistic children than healthy children. Not always found in autistic children's parents, these variants suggest that tiny genetic errors occur during formation of the parents' eggs and sperm, which are copied during creation of the child's DNA. The findings may reveal clues to where genes go awry and increase autism risk, offering hope for common treatments. ... > full story
Drug that restricts blood supply to prostate tumors delays disease progression (June 10, 2010) -- A blood vessel-blocking drug called tasquinimod slowed the rate of disease progression in a clinical trial of 200 prostate cancer patients, according to researchers. ... > full story
Tracking coral larvae to understand Hawai'i reef health (June 10, 2010) -- Scientists will use satellite-tracked drifters to track the coral larvae's dispersal along O'ahu's south shore in an effort to better understand why certain reefs in Maunalua Bay are doing well and others are doing poorly. ... > full story
Reducing the toxicity of lithium (June 10, 2010) -- Lithium is the most effective treatment for bipolar disorder. However, its use is limited because of neurological side effects and a risk for overdose-induced toxicity. Researchers have now delineated a molecular pathway by which chronic administration of therapeutic doses of lithium has negative effects in mice and hope that these data might provide new ideas for combination therapies that diminish the toxicities of lithium. ... > full story
New software to measure emotional reactions to Web (June 10, 2010) -- A group of Canadian scientists is developing software that can actually measure emotional responses to the Web. ... > full story
Sleep may help you become a 'Guitar Hero' (June 10, 2010) -- The improvement in performance accuracy on "Guitar Hero III" was greater after a night of sleep than after a similar length of daytime wakefulness. At acquisition participants played about 61 percent of the notes correctly. Performance accuracy improved to 63 percent in the wake condition and 68 percent in the sleep condition. The study involved 15 college students -- 13 women and two men -- with a mean age of 20 years. ... > full story
Genetic 'parts' list now available for hypothalamus -- key part of the mammalian brain (June 10, 2010) -- Researchers in the U.S. and Japan have generated the first comprehensive genetic "parts" list of a mouse hypothalamus, an enigmatic region of the brain -- roughly cherry-sized, in humans -- that controls hunger, thirst, fatigue, body temperature, wake-sleep cycles and links the central nervous system to control of hormone levels. ... > full story
Allowing body checking in youth hockey may increase risk of injury, including severe concussions (June 10, 2010) -- A comparison of hockey leagues in Canada for 11-12 year old players finds that compared with leagues that do not allow body checking, those that do have an associated three-fold increased risk of game-related injuries, including severe injuries and severe concussions, according to a study in the June 9 issue of JAMA. ... > full story
In India, one in 25 people have gene that causes heart failure (June 10, 2010) -- One in 25 people from India and other south Asian countries carries a mutated gene that causes heart failure. Studying this gene, and the protein it encodes, could lead to new treatments for heart failure. ... > full story
Molecular imaging prototype looks deep into soft tissues of the brain and other organs (June 10, 2010) -- Research points to the possibility of a new hybrid molecular imaging system that uses single photon emission tomography (SPECT) and magnetic resonance technology (MR). The new technology could provide a greater depth of information about an array of biological processes and anatomical information including soft-tissue contrast, which is important for many diagnoses. ... > full story
Poor health? Easier for some to blame bad genes than change lifestyle (June 10, 2010) -- Does knowing that genes are partly responsible for your health condition mean you are less likely to be motivated to find out about the benefits of behavioral changes? Those with the greatest need to change their behaviors are more likely to favor genetic explanations for diseases and the more behavioral risk factors they have, the less likely they are to be interested in behavior change information. ... > full story
Individual brain cells can ID objects as dissimilar as cars and dogs (June 9, 2010) -- Researchers have found that single brain cells, if confronted with a difficult task, can identify objects as dissimilar as sports cars and dogs. ... > full story
Mutation causes intense pain (June 9, 2010) -- A mutation that enhances the function of a specific ion channel has been identified as the cause of a rare inherited pain disorder. The research proposes a potential treatment for the disorder and may lead to a better understanding of chronic pain in humans. ... > full story
Subsurface oil from Deepwater Horizon spill in Gulf of Mexico, say researchers (June 9, 2010) -- Researchers in Florida have confirmed the presence of distinct layers of degraded oil in the deep waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico many miles from the Deepwater Horizon explosion site. ... > full story
Stem cells for first time used to create abnormal heart cells for study of cardiomyopathy (June 9, 2010) -- Researchers have for the first time differentiated human stem cells to become heart cells with cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart muscle cells are abnormal. The discovery will allow scientists to learn how those heart cells become diseased and from there, they can begin developing drug therapies to stop the disease from occurring or progressing. ... > full story
Walls falling faster for solid-state memory (June 9, 2010) -- Researchers have found that flaws in the structure of magnetic nanoscale wires play an important role in determining the operating speed of novel devices using such nanowires to store and process information. ... > full story
Do creative work activities create stress? (June 9, 2010) -- The demands associated with creative work activities pose key challenges for workers, according to new research that describes the stress associated with some aspects of work and its impact on the boundaries between work and family life. ... > full story
Dolphins use diplomacy in their communication, biologists find (June 9, 2010) -- Marine biologists are studying the repertoire of sounds used by bottlenose dolphins to communicate. The study reveals stunning complexity in dolphin communication and our lack of understanding about the communication of these marine mammals. ... > full story
Short people are more likely to develop heart disease than tall people, review finds (June 9, 2010) -- Short people are at greater risk of developing heart disease than tall people, according to the first systematic review and meta-analysis of all the available evidence. ... > full story
TRAPPIST telescope to scout the sky and uncover exoplanets and comets (June 9, 2010) -- A new robotic telescope has had first light at the European Southern Observatory’s La Silla Observatory, in Chile. TRAPPIST (TRAnsiting Planets and PlanetesImals Small Telescope) is devoted to the study of planetary systems through two approaches: the detection and characterization of planets located outside the Solar System (exoplanets) and the study of comets orbiting around the Sun. ... > full story
Early consumption of soda indicator of unhealthy diet, study finds (June 9, 2010) -- Young girls who drink soda have less healthy diets through adolescence than their peers who do not drink soda, according to a new study. ... > full story
Understanding the mechanisms of liver regeneration through computer simulation (June 9, 2010) -- How does the liver manage to regenerate itself even after severe damage? Seeking to find an answer to this significant medical question, scientists in Germany have gained new insights into the underlying processes involved in the regeneration of liver lobules using computer simulation and laboratory experiments. ... > full story
Gestational age at delivery has relationship with the risk of special educational needs, study finds (June 9, 2010) -- There is an association between gestation of a baby at delivery and the risk of special educational needs in later life, according to new research. ... > full story
X-ray diffraction microscope reveals 3-D internal structure of whole cell (June 9, 2010) -- Three-dimensional imaging is dramatically expanding our ability to examine biological specimens enabling a peek into internal structures. Recent advance in X-ray diffraction method has greatly extended the limit of this approach. Method can be applied to organelles, viruses and cells and could impact treatment of human diseases. ... > full story
CPAP therapy restores brain tissue in adults with sleep apnea, study finds (June 9, 2010) -- Obstructive sleep apnea patients had reductions of grey-matter volume at baseline but showed significant grey-matter volume increase after three months of CPAP therapy, according to new research. ... > full story
Scientists uncover protein that thwarts tumor invasion (June 9, 2010) -- Researchers have determined that cancer cells lacking a key protein are more invasive and more likely to metastasize, providing a possible drug target to combat certain tumor types. ... > full story
Neuroscientists identify synaptic defect in brain area involved in Fragile X syndrome (June 9, 2010) -- Researchers have identified novel synaptic defects in an area of the brain that is involved in the debilitating emotional symptoms of Fragile X syndrome. ... > full story
Detecting tumors faster (June 9, 2010) -- To diagnose cancer reliably, doctors usually conduct a biopsy including tissue analysis, which is a time-consuming process. A microscopic image sensor, fitted in an endoscope, is being developed for in vivo cancer diagnosis, to speed up the detection of tumors. ... > full story
Alcohol use and smoking are associated with headaches in high schoolers (June 9, 2010) -- Alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking were associated with increased migraines and tension-type headaches in high school students, according to new research. Coffee drinking and physical inactivity were associated specifically with migraines. ... > full story
Artificial aurora created to help predict space weather (June 9, 2010) -- For more than 25 years, our understanding of terrestrial space weather has been partly based on incorrect assumptions about how nitrogen, the most abundant gas in our atmosphere, reacts when it collides with electrons produced by energetic ultraviolet sunlight and solar wind. Now scientists have fired electrons of differing energies through a cloud of nitrogen gas to measure the ultraviolet light emitted by this collision. ... > full story
Prismatic eyeglasses for headaches and dizziness caused by traumatic brain injury appears promising, study finds (June 9, 2010) -- A recent retrospective study shows strong evidence that symptoms of headache, dizziness and anxiety in some patients with traumatic brain injury potentially could be alleviated or even eliminated with specialized eyeglass lenses containing prisms. These lenses resulted in 71.8 percent reduction of symptoms. ... > full story
First images of sub-nano pore structures captured (June 9, 2010) -- Moore's law marches on: In the quest for faster and cheaper computers, scientists have imaged pore structures in insulation material at sub-nanometer scale for the first time. Understanding these structures could substantially enhance computer performance and power usage of integrated circuits, say scientists. ... > full story
New myeloma drug shows promise in early testing (June 9, 2010) -- A drug designed to target cancerous plasma cells appears promising in treating multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. ... > full story
Self-healing air mattresses based on plant wound healing? (June 9, 2010) -- No living organism is better at healing wounds than plants. Researchers have now succeeded in using the healing process of the woody climbing plant liana as a model to create self-healing membranes. ... > full story
Sleep problems are common in US soldiers returning from wartime deployment (June 9, 2010) -- Study shows that 86 percent of participants had sleep disturbances upon return from deployment and 45 days later even though the majority of them had no signs of post-traumatic stress disorder or depression. Soldiers were more likely to have sleep disturbances if they had a personal history of sleep problems, symptoms of physical illness or mild traumatic brain injury. The study involved 58 US soldiers between the ages of 23 and 58 years. ... > full story
Computational model sheds light on how the brain recognizes objects (June 9, 2010) -- Researchers have developed a new mathematical model to describe how the human brain visually identifies objects. The model accurately predicts human performance on certain visual-perception tasks, which suggests that it's a good indication of what actually happens in the brain, and it could also help improve computer object-recognition systems. ... > full story
Antibody therapy lengthens survival of metastatic melanoma patients in large clinical trial (June 9, 2010) -- A therapy that multiplies the effect of a natural disease-fighting antibody has extended the lives of patients with metastatic melanoma in a large, international clinical trial. ... > full story
Genetic secrets that allow Tibetans to thrive in thin air discovered (June 9, 2010) -- Scientists have identified a gene that enables Tibetans to thrive at altitudes where others get sick. A previous study published May 13 in Science reported that Tibetans are genetically adapted to high altitude. Now, a second study by a different team pinpoints a particular site within the human genome -- a genetic variant linked to hemoglobin -- that helps explain how Tibetans cope with low-oxygen conditions. ... > full story
Acute toxicity predicts overall survival in high-grade gliomas (June 9, 2010) -- Patients with high-grade gliomas who experience acute (early) neurological toxicity during their treatment were more likely to experience chronic (late) neurological toxicity and shortened overall survival, according to researchers in a new study. ... > full story
'Nanocoax' solves solar cell 'thick and thin' dilemma (June 9, 2010) -- Researchers report developing a "nanocoax" technology that can support a highly efficient thin film solar cells. The nanocoax structures prove to be thick enough to absorb a sufficient amount of light, yet thin enough to extract current with increased efficiency. ... > full story
Getting extra sleep improves the athletic performance of collegiate football players (June 9, 2010) -- Football players' sprint times improved significantly after seven to eight weeks of sleep extension. Average sprint time in the 20-yard shuttle improved from 4.71 seconds to 4.61 seconds, and average 40-yard dash time decreased from 4.99 seconds to 4.89 seconds. Daytime sleepiness and fatigue also decreased significantly, while vigor scores significantly improved. Participants were seven healthy students on the Stanford football team. Results support previous research involving students who compete in other sports. ... > full story
Molecular link between diabetes and schizophrenia connects food and mood (June 9, 2010) -- Defects in insulin function -- which occur in diabetes and obesity -- could directly contribute to psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia. Researchers have discovered a molecular link between impaired insulin signaling in the brain and schizophrenia-like behaviors in mice. The findings offer a new perspective on the psychiatric and cognitive disorders that affect patients with diabetes and suggest new strategies for treating these conditions. ... > full story
Side effects explained: Why common drugs can lead to broken bones (June 9, 2010) -- New research helps to explain why some commonly used drugs come with a serious downside: They up your odds of breaking a bone. The drugs in question, glucocorticoids (e.g. cortisone and prednisone) and the insulin sensitizer rosiglitazone work through entirely different mechanisms as therapies for inflammatory diseases and diabetes respectively, and two new studies now show that they lead to bone loss in different ways too. ... > full story
Follow the money: Wealth, population are key drivers of invasive species (June 9, 2010) -- A new study of biological invasions in Europe found they were linked not so much to changes in climate or land cover, but to two dominant factors -- more money and more people. ... > full story
Blood-sugar lowering medications may increase risk for false positive results in cancer screenings (June 9, 2010) -- A study suggests that medication ingested to control blood-sugar levels can skew the results of cancer screenings using positron emission tomography (PET), a molecular imaging technique, by increasing absorption in the gut of the PET imaging agent called fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG), which mimics sugar inside the body. ... > full story
'Baby Bubbler': Student invention helps infants with respiratory ailments (June 9, 2010) -- Undergraduates have developed a device that could save babies' lives. The Baby Bubbler -- or in its more technical guise, the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure device -- helps children with acute respiratory infections breathe naturally as they recover. ... > full story
More adults report excessive sleepiness in the US than in Europe (June 9, 2010) -- Results indicate that 19.5 percent of US adults reported having moderate to excessive sleepiness, which was comparable between men and women. Furthermore, 11 percent of participants reported severe sleepiness, which was more prevalent in women (13 percent) than in men (8.6 percent). The cross-sectional study involved a representative sample of 8,937 adults. In a previous study the author reported that the prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness in five European countries was 15 percent. ... > full story
Climate change linked to major vegetation shifts worldwide (June 9, 2010) -- Vegetation around the world is on the move, and climate change is the culprit, according to a new analysis of global vegetation shifts. ... > full story
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