ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Welcome to another edition of ScienceDaily's email newsletter. You can change your subscription options or unsubscribe at any time.
Ice-free Arctic Ocean may not be of much use in soaking up carbon dioxide (August 3, 2010) -- The summer of 2010 has been agonizingly hot in much of the continental US, and the record-setting temperatures have refocused attention on global warming. Scientists have been looking at ways the Earth might benefit from natural processes to balance the rising heat, and one process had intrigued them, a premise that melting ice at the poles might allow more open water that could absorb carbon dioxide, one of the major compounds implicating in warming. ... > full story
Gene variant may increase severity of multiple sclerosis (August 3, 2010) -- A new study shows a gene variant may increase the severity of multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms. ... > full story
Eruptive characteristics of Oregon's Mount Hood analyzed (August 3, 2010) -- A new study has found that a mixing of two different types of magma is the key to the historic eruptions of Mount Hood, Oregon's tallest mountain, and that eruptions often happen in a relatively short time -- weeks or months -- after this mixing occurs. It will help scientists better understand the nature of Mount Hood's past and future eruptions, as well as other volcanoes that erupt by similar mechanisms. This includes a large number of the world's active volcanoes. ... > full story
Lung cancer survivors experience long-term effects of breathlessness (August 3, 2010) -- With the growing number of long-term lung cancer survivors, research is needed to identify and address cancer survivorship issues. One of the most common and debilitating symptoms among lung cancer patients is dyspnea, or shortness of breath. As most studies of dyspnea have reviewed patients with active lung cancer or immediately after treatment, the prevalence of dyspnea over the long-term once treatment has been completed is not well characterized. ... > full story
Universal law for material evolution found (August 3, 2010) -- Scientists found that when a material composed of more than one phase is heated, it breaks into smaller pieces and the shape of the interfaces during break-up is universal. ... > full story
What you say about others says a lot about you, research shows (August 3, 2010) -- How positively you see others is linked to how happy, kind-hearted and emotionally stable you are, according to new research. In contrast, negative perceptions of others are linked to higher levels of narcissism and antisocial behavior. ... > full story
Epileptic seizures may be linked to an ancient gene family (August 3, 2010) -- New research points to a genetic route to understanding and treating epilepsy. The research has identified an ancient gene family that plays a role in regulating the excitability of nerves within the brain. ... > full story
How neuroglobin protects against Alzheimer's (August 3, 2010) -- The researchers developed predictions from computational modeling and validated them with biological experiments. They found that neuroglobin binds to cytochrome c and prevents it from forming an apoptosome. In Alzheimer's disease, a toxic type of protein accumulates in brain neurons and leads to mitochondrial rupture and cell death. The finding suggests that high neuroglobin levels may buffer neurons against the effect of this protein by preventing apoptosomes from forming. ... > full story
Tongue piercing may cause gapped teeth; Could cost thousands of dollars in orthodontic repairs (August 3, 2010) -- Mark this one down as a parental nightmare. First, your child gets her tongue pierced. Then, as if you needed something else, she starts "playing" with the tiny barbell-shaped stud, pushing it against her upper front teeth. And before you know it, she forces a gap between those teeth -- a fraction-of-an-inch gap that may cost thousands of dollars in orthodontic bills to straighten. ... > full story
Just drop it: One-size-fits-all approach to blood sugar control, that is (August 3, 2010) -- Aggressive blood sugar control does not improve survival in diabetic patients with kidney failure, according to a new study. The results suggest that physicians should individualize blood sugar targets for these patients and not rely on recommendations based on studies in the general population. ... > full story
Crowd control and traffic problems: Mutually entangled social, economic, and technological systems under investigation (August 3, 2010) -- Just a few days ago, at the Love Parade dance and music festival in Duisburg, Germany, 21 people were trampled to death in a human stampede. Apparently, the responsible decision-makers did not see the problem looming before the event. But couldn’t we foresee at least some of the disasters before they strike? ... > full story
Expectations may affect placebo response in patients with Parkinson's disease (August 3, 2010) -- Individuals with Parkinson's disease were more likely to have a neurochemical response to a placebo medication if they were told they had higher odds of receiving an active drug, according to a new report. ... > full story
Blue whales align the pitch of their songs with extreme accuracy, study finds (August 2, 2010) -- Blue whales are able to synchronize the pitch of their calls with an extremely high level of accuracy, and a slim margin of error from call to call, according to a study of blue whales in the eastern North Pacific. The authors suggest that the blue whales' uniform pitch could allow individual whales to locate potential mates by swimming toward them or away from them. ... > full story
Adolescents with type 2 diabetes have diminished cognitive performance and brain abnormalities, study finds (August 2, 2010) -- Researchers have found that obese adolescents with type 2 diabetes have diminished cognitive performance and subtle abnormalities in the brain as detected by magnetic resonance imaging. Identification of cognitive impairments as a complication of type 2 diabetes emphasizes the importance of addressing issues of inactivity and obesity, two important risk factors for the development of the disease among the young. ... > full story
Cellular housekeeper, and potential target of obesity drugs, caught in action (August 2, 2010) -- New clues emerge about how a molecular machine breaks down unwanted proteins in cells, a critical housekeeping chore that helps prevent diseases such as cancer. The insights, thanks to the first molecular-scale description of a giant enzyme called tripeptidyl peptidase II, could also inform the development of obesity-fighting drugs. ... > full story
Boosting the efficacy of anticancer vaccines (August 2, 2010) -- Researchers have now developed a way to overcome some of the hurdles that limit the efficacy of therapeutic anticancer vaccines and found that their new approach is associated with longer overall patient survival. ... > full story
Hot town, summer in the city: Heat wave impact differs between countries (August 2, 2010) -- Heat waves may cause increased mortality but, until now, there has been no single scientific definition for the occasional bursts of hot weather that can strike during the summer months. Researchers have created a definition that they use to document, for the first time, how heat wave mortality impact differs between European cities. ... > full story
Sisters protect siblings from depression, study shows (August 2, 2010) -- Having a sister protects young teens from feeling lonely, unloved, guilty, self-conscious and fearful. Researchers studied 395 families from Seattle with two or more children. At least one child in each family was between ages 10-14. The research found that affectionate siblings have positive influences on each other no matter their age, gender, or how many years they are apart. ... > full story
Breeding is changing dog brains, scientists find (August 2, 2010) -- For the first time, scientists have shown that selective breeding of domestic dogs is not only dramatically changing the way the animals look but is also driving major changes in the canine brain. The brains of many short-snouted dog breeds have rotated forward as much as 15 degrees, while the brain region controlling smell has fundamentally relocated. ... > full story
Newly discovered fat cell may pose health threat (August 2, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered a new fat cell that may inhibit the ability to dispose of fat and cause inflammation. ... > full story
High heels may lead to joint degeneration and knee osteoarthritis, study finds (August 2, 2010) -- While women have been making a fashion statement in high heels for years, there's now reason for concern about what those heels may be doing to their knees and joints over time. A new study has found that prolonged wearing of and walking in heels can contribute to joint degeneration and knee osteoarthritis. ... > full story
Scientists target possible cause of one form of bowel disease (August 2, 2010) -- A possible cause of irritable bowel syndrome has been traced to a small piece of RNA that blocks a substance protecting the colon membrane, leading to hostile conditions that can produce diarrhea, bloating and chronic abdominal pain. New research shows that this RNA segment sends signals that stop the activity of the gene that produces glutamine, an amino acid. ... > full story
Everest tragedy: Did extreme weather cause Mallory and Irvine disappearance? (August 2, 2010) -- Their legend has inspired generations of mountaineers since their ill-fated attempt to climb Everest over 80 years ago, and now a team of scientists believe they have discovered another important part of the puzzle as to why George Mallory and Andrew Irvine never returned from their pioneering expedition. The research explores the unsolved mystery and uses newly uncovered historical data collected during their expedition to suggest that extreme weather may have contributed to their disappearance. ... > full story
The taste of quinine: It's in your bitter genes (August 2, 2010) -- Scientists report that individual differences in how people experience quinine's bitterness are related to underlying differences in their genes. ... > full story
New solar energy conversion process could double solar efficiency of solar cells (August 2, 2010) -- A new process that simultaneously combines the light and heat of solar radiation to generate electricity could offer more than double the efficiency of existing solar cell technology, say the engineers who discovered it and proved that it works. The process, called 'photon enhanced thermionic emission," or PETE, could reduce the costs of solar energy production enough for it to compete with oil as an energy source. ... > full story
Synthetic bone graft recruits stem cells for faster bone healing (August 2, 2010) -- Scientists have developed a material for bone grafts that could one day replace the 'gold standard' natural bone implants. A new study shows how particles of a ceramic called calcium phosphate have the ability to stimulate promising bone regrowth by attracting stem cells and "growth factors" to promote healing and the integration of the grafted tissue. ... > full story
Mining bacterial genomes reveals valuable 'hidden' drugs (August 2, 2010) -- A new tool to excavate bacterial genomes that potentially hide a rich array of pharmaceutical treasures has led to the discovery of a novel antibiotic. The study could lead to new treatments for serious diseases that are rapidly acquiring multi-drug resistance. ... > full story
Short and long sleep durations are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease, study suggests (August 2, 2010) -- A new study suggests that regularly sleeping for more or less than seven hours per day is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. ... > full story
Instruments selected for Mars (August 2, 2010) -- ESA and NASA have selected the scientific instruments for their first joint Mars mission. Scheduled for 2016, it will study the chemical makeup of the martian atmosphere, including methane. Discovered in 2003, methane could point to life on the Red Planet. ... > full story
Nutritional labeling and point-of-purchase signs influence healthy food choices (August 2, 2010) -- Poor diet and physical inactivity leading to obesity are poised to overtake tobacco use as the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. With over 30% of U.S. adults obese, the significant adverse health effects of obesity (including heart disease and diabetes) are widespread throughout the country. Two new studies shed light on behaviors regarding food choices and good nutrition and report on how nutritional labeling and point-of-purchase signs are influencing healthy food choices. ... > full story
Oxygen fuels the fires of time (August 2, 2010) -- Variations in the Earth's atmospheric oxygen levels are thought to be closely linked to the evolution of life, with strong feedbacks between uni- and multicellular life and oxygen. Over the past 400 million years, the level of oxygen has varied considerably from the 21% value we have today. Scientists have now revealed that the amount of charcoal preserved in ancient peat bogs, now coal, gives a measure of how much oxygen there was in the past. ... > full story
Certain meat components may increase bladder cancer risk, study suggests (August 2, 2010) -- A new study suggests that consuming specific compounds in meat related to processing methods may be associated with an increased risk of developing bladder cancer. ... > full story
Cancer-causing bacterium targets tumor-suppressor protein (August 2, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered a mechanism by which Helicobacter pylori, the only known cancer-causing bacterium, disables a tumor suppressor protein in host cells. Their study reports the discovery of a previously unknown mechanism linking H. pylori infection and stomach cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. ... > full story
Five new genetic variations linked to prostate cancer uncovered in study on Japanese men (August 2, 2010) -- A genome-wide study on Japanese subjects has identified 5 new genetic variations associated with prostate cancer and revealed differences and similarities between Europeans and Asians in susceptibility to the disease. The findings offer a first-ever glimpse of the genetic basis for prostate cancer susceptibility in a non-European population. ... > full story
'Ribbit Radio' shows frog population estimates are likely flawed (August 2, 2010) -- Scientists track amphibian populations because these animals are sensitive to changes in their environment and can serve as "canaries in the coal mine" to give researchers early warnings about pollution or other ecological problems. But new research shows that data from the largest amphibian monitoring program in the United States may have flaws that, if uncorrected, could result in overestimates of frog populations. ... > full story
Mind over matter? The psychology of healing (August 2, 2010) -- People suffering from diabetes-related foot ulcers show different rates of healing according to the way they cope and their psychological state of mind, according to new research by a health psychologist. ... > full story
Ancient reptiles 'make tracks': Discovery of fossilized footprints reveals when reptiles first conquered dry land (August 2, 2010) -- A discovery of fossilized footprints reveals when reptiles first conquered dry land. The 318-million-year-old reptile footprints were found in sea-cliffs on the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, Canada. They show that reptiles were the first vertebrates (animals with a backbone) to conquer dry continental interiors. ... > full story
Catching up is hard to do: Negative effects of sleep restriction may linger after one night of recovery sleep (August 2, 2010) -- A new study suggests that a dose of extra sleep on the weekend may be good medicine for adults who repeatedly stay up too late or wake up too early during the workweek. However, even a night of 10 hours in bed may not be enough to cure the negative effects of chronic sleep restriction. ... > full story
Nano 'pin art': Arrays are step toward mass production of nanowires (August 2, 2010) -- Researchers have cultivated many thousands of nanocrystals in what looks like a pinscreen or "pin art" on silicon, a step toward reliable mass production of semiconductor nanowires for millionths-of-a-meter-scale devices such as sensors and lasers. ... > full story
TNF blockers may increase the risk of malignancy in children, study finds (August 2, 2010) -- The Food and Drug Administration received reports of malignancies in children using tumor necrosis factor a (TNF) blockers, raising concerns of an associated risk and prompting an investigation. Researchers from the FDA set out to identify all reports of malignancy in children using infliximab, etanercept, and adalimumab. ... > full story
Unique light-activated membrane acts like a traffic signal for gas (August 2, 2010) -- A newly developed membrane blocks gas from flowing through it when one color of light is shined on its surface, and permits gas to flow through when another color of light is used. It is the first time that scientists have developed a membrane that can be controlled in this way by light. ... > full story
When screen time becomes a pain (August 2, 2010) -- The amount of time teenagers spend in front of TV screens and monitors has been associated with physical complaints. A large study of more than 30,000 Nordic teenagers has shown that TV viewing, computer use and computer gaming (screen time) were consistently associated with back pain and recurrent headaches. ... > full story
New insights into how stem cells determine what tissue to become (August 2, 2010) -- Within 24 hours of culturing adult human stem cells on a new type of matrix, researchers were able to make predictions about how the cells would differentiate, or what type of tissue they would become. ... > full story
Scientists find gas pedal -- and brake -- for uncontrolled cell growth (August 2, 2010) -- Researchers have identified a new way to regulate the uncontrolled growth of blood vessels, a major problem in a broad range of diseases and conditions. ... > full story
Martian dust devil whirls into Opportunity's view (August 2, 2010) -- In its six-and-a-half years on Mars, NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity had never seen a dust devil before this month, despite some systematic searches in past years and the fact that its twin rover, Spirit, has seen dozens of dust devils at its location halfway around the planet. ... > full story
Do soy isoflavones boost bone health? (August 2, 2010) -- Scientists already know much about the more than 200 bones that make up your body. But mysteries remain regarding the exact role that many natural compounds in foods might play in strengthening our skeletons. Those compounds include estrogen-like substances known as soybean isoflavones. ... > full story
Body of evidence: New fast, reliable method to detect gravesoil (August 2, 2010) -- Finding bodies buried by someone who wanted them to stay undiscovered can be difficult. However a new technique can reliably detect biochemical changes in a decomposing cadaver. ... > full story
SIDS surprise: Study finds that infant boys are more easily aroused from sleep than girls (August 2, 2010) -- A new study shows that at 2 to 4 weeks of age male infants are easier to arouse than females during quiet sleep, and by 2 to 3 months of age there are no significant gender differences in arousability. The results suggest that the increased rate of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in males may not reflect a pre-existing vulnerability involving arousal responses. ... > full story
Copyright 1995-2010 © ScienceDaily LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of use.
|
 To update/change your profile click here  |
No comments:
Post a Comment