ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Tuesday, August 10, 2010
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The salp: Nature's near-perfect little engine just got better (August 10, 2010) -- What if trains, planes, and automobiles all were powered simply by the air through which they move? Moreover, what if their exhaust and byproducts helped the environment? Well, such an energy-efficient, self-propelling mechanism already exists in nature. The salp, a smallish, barrel-shaped organism that resembles a kind of streamlined jellyfish, gets everything it needs from the ocean waters to feed and propel itself. ... > full story
Plasma beta-amyloid levels associated with cognitive decline (August 10, 2010) -- High plasma levels of beta-amyloid -- protein fragments associated with Alzheimer's disease when they accumulate in the brain -- appear to be associated with faster cognitive decline even in those who do not develop dementia, according to a new report. ... > full story
New study examines effects of drought in the Amazon (August 10, 2010) -- Recent research surrounding the impact of drought in the Amazon has provided contradictory findings as to how tropical forests react to a drier and warmer climate. A new study examines the response of Amazon forests to variations in climate conditions, specifically considering how those changes may influence forest productivity. These findings provide possible context for why previous studies have offered varying conclusions. ... > full story
Proton pump inhibitors are a risk factor for C. difficile reinfection, study finds (August 10, 2010) -- Clostridium-difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) is the most common cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea. Although initial response rates to specific antibiotic therapy exceed 90 percent, 10-30 percent of patients experience disease recurrence. Risk factors influence CDAD recurrence are not yet fully understood. A research group in Korea investigated the risk factors for CDAD recurrence. Advanced age, serum albumin levels less than 2.5g/dL and use of PPIs were found to be significant risk factors for CDAD recurrence. ... > full story
Help from the dark side: Using 'dark channel' fluorescence, scientists can explain how biochemical substances carry out their function (August 10, 2010) -- By using X-ray absorption spectroscopy, researchers in Germany have observed the moving of electric charges from solute to solvent (electron transfer). They can even make assertions on the temporal sequence of this process. As one example, they can find out how solute biochemical substances carry out their microscopic functions in their natural environment at room temperature and normal pressure. Until recently, studying such systems by soft X-ray radiation has not been possible. ... > full story
Demographic disparities found among children with frequent ear infections (August 10, 2010) -- Research has documented that ethnic and socioeconomic disparities exist among patients with conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Now, a new study has found disparities among children suffering from repeated ear infections. ... > full story
Higher temperatures to slow Asian rice production (August 10, 2010) -- Production of rice, the world's most important crop for ensuring food security, will be thwarted as temperatures increase in rice-growing areas with continued climate change, according to a new study. Researchers found evidence that the net impact of projected temperature increases will be to slow the growth of rice production in Asia. Rising temperatures during the past 25 years have already cut the yield growth rate by 10-20 percent in several locations. ... > full story
Respiratory symptoms more reliable indicator of H1N1, not fever alone (August 10, 2010) -- New research shows that individuals with mild H1N1 infection may go undetected using standard diagnostic criteria, according to a new study. The study concludes that coughing or other respiratory symptoms are more accurate in determining influenza infection than presence of a fever. ... > full story
New 'dentist' test to detect oral cancer will save lives (August 10, 2010) -- A new test for oral cancer, which a dentist could perform by simply using a brush to collect cells from a patient's mouth, is set to be developed by researchers. ... > full story
Factors associated with rate of visual field change in patients with glaucoma identified (August 10, 2010) -- Patients with glaucoma appear to have more rapid visual field change if they are older or if they have abnormal levels of anticardiolipin antibody (an antibody directed against a certain protein in the body), according to a new report. Reducing intraocular pressure -- the pressure within the eyeball -- modestly in these patients appears to ameliorate the rate at which they experience declines in visual field. ... > full story
London Guildhall: Cradle of English literature (August 10, 2010) -- Researchers have found evidence that the London Guildhall served as the cradle of English Literature in the late Middle Ages. It was the home to scribes who copied the first manuscripts of works by fourteenth-century authors Geoffrey Chaucer and John Gower, as well as early copies of other Middle English authors including William Langland and John Trevisa. ... > full story
Smaller hospitals can provide safe and high-quality surgical care comparable to larger counterparts, study finds (August 10, 2010) -- Smaller, rural hospitals may be quicker and more efficient at implementing surgical safety initiatives than their larger, urban counterparts, and are capable of providing a standard of surgical care that is at par with major hospitals that provide a comprehensive array of care services, according to an 18-month series of studies. ... > full story
Scientists map all mammalian gene interactions (August 9, 2010) -- In one of the first efforts of its kind, researchers have taken mammalian genome maps, including human maps, one step further by showing not just the order in which genes fall in the genome but which genes actually interact. The findings will help researchers better understand which genes work together and shed light on how they collaborate to help cells thrive or die. ... > full story
Brain pathways linking social stress and inflammation identified (August 9, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered that how your brain responds to social stressors can influence the body's immune system in ways that may negatively affect health. ... > full story
Electrical activity in developing brain influences choice of neurotransmitter (August 9, 2010) -- Cascades of genetic signals determine which neurotransmitter a brain cell will ultimately use to communicate with other cells. Now a pair of reports have shown for the first time that electrical activity in these developing neurons can alter their chemical fate -- and change an animal's behavior -- by tweaking this genetic program. ... > full story
Lubricating the knee cartilage after anterior cruciate ligament repair may prevent osteoarthritis (August 9, 2010) -- While anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries can often be corrected through surgery, they can lead to increased risk of developing degenerative joint diseases, including osteoarthritis. The fluid in the knee joint, which lubricates the cartilage, is impacted by the trauma of the injury and begins to deteriorate. A new study identifies options for restoring that lubrication to potentially prevent development of OA. ... > full story
Turning down the noise in graphene (August 9, 2010) -- Researchers have developed the first model of signal-to-noise-ratios for low frequency noises in graphene on silica. Their results show noise patterns that run just the opposite of noise patterns in other electronic materials. ... > full story
Corporal punishment of children remains common worldwide, studies find (August 9, 2010) -- Spanking and other forms of corporal punishment of children are still common in the US and worldwide, despite bans in 24 countries. ... > full story
Insects sense danger on mammals' breath (August 9, 2010) -- When plant-eating mammals such as goats chomp on a sprig of alfalfa, they could easily gobble up some extra protein in the form of insects that happen to get in their way. But a new report shows that plant-dwelling pea aphids have a strategy designed to help them avoid that dismal fate: The insects sense mammalian breath and simply drop to the ground. ... > full story
What makes a good egg and healthy embryo? Zinc discovery may help in future fertility treatments (August 9, 2010) -- Scientists and fertility doctors have long tried to figure out what makes a good egg that will produce a healthy embryo. It's a critical to know which eggs isolated from a woman will produce the best embryos and ultimately babies. New research reveals eggs need a tremendous dose of zinc to reach maturity and be ready for fertilization -- a finding that may ultimately help physicians assess the best eggs for fertility treatment. ... > full story
Fresh insight into the origins of Planet Earth (August 9, 2010) -- For the first time, an international team of researchers has incorporated extensive geochemical data on the formation of Earth into a model -- with surprising results: more models can be used for the process of Earth's accretion than previously assumed. ... > full story
New methods, new math speed detection of drug-resistant malaria (August 9, 2010) -- Researchers developed techniques to quickly identify evolution of drug resistance in strains of malaria. Their goal is to enable the medical community to react quickly to inevitable resistance and thereby save lives while increasing the lifespan of drugs used against the disease. ... > full story
Compact microscope a marvel: Matches performance of expensive lab gear in diagnosing TB (August 9, 2010) -- New research shows that a portable, battery-operated fluorescence microscope, which costs 0, stacks up nicely against devices that retail for as much as ,000 in diagnosing signs of tuberculosis. ... > full story
Essential ingredients of supportive sibling relationships (August 9, 2010) -- Many moms and dads say the toughest part of parenting is keeping the peace when their kids squabble and bicker. But making an end to conflict your primary focus is a mistake, according to experts. ... > full story
Prosthesis with information at its fingertips: Hand prosthesis that eases phantom pain (August 9, 2010) -- The pain of losing a body part is twofold, as patients not only suffer from wound pain. Often they are also affected by so called phantom pain. Unlike bodily wounds which will eventually heal, phantom pain often lasts for years and sometimes a lifetime. Now scientists in Germany have modified conventional hand prostheses in order to reduce phantom pain after an underarm amputation. ... > full story
Biochemist proposes worldwide policy change to step up daily vitamin D intake (August 9, 2010) -- An expert in vitamin D proposes worldwide policy changes regarding people's vitamin D daily intake amount in order to maximize the vitamin's contribution to reducing the frequency of many diseases, including childhood rickets, adult osteomalacia, cancer, autoimmune type-1 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity and muscle weakness. ... > full story
Engineers use rocket science to make wastewater treatment sustainable (August 9, 2010) -- Engineers are developing a new sewage treatment process that would increase the production of two greenhouse gases -- nitrous oxide and methane -- and use those gases to power the treatment plant. Applying rocket technology, they hope to make the process energy neutral and emissions free. ... > full story
How blocking the 'Programmed Death 1' protein may treat or prevent sepsis and severe infection (August 9, 2010) -- Scientists have made an important discovery that could lead to new drugs that reduce the severity of blood infections leading to sepsis. New research shows how interfering with the function of the cell membrane protein called "Programmed Death 1" improves survival in a clinically relevant model of severe infection. ... > full story
Forest fires help power the nitrogen cycle (August 9, 2010) -- Years after a forest fire, soil bacteria communities have changed and convert more ammonia to nitrates, increasing soil fertility. ... > full story
People think immoral behavior is funny -- but only if it also seems benign (August 9, 2010) -- What makes something funny? Philosophers have been tossing that question around since Plato. Now two psychological scientists think they've come up with the formula: humor comes from a violation or threat to the way the world ought to be that is, at the same time, benign. ... > full story
Robots created that develop emotions in interaction with humans (August 9, 2010) -- The first prototype robots capable of developing emotions as they interact with their human caregivers and expressing a whole range of emotions have been finalized by researchers. ... > full story
Inhibiting prostate cancer without disturbing regular body processes (August 9, 2010) -- A kinase is a type of enzyme the body uses to regulate the functions of the proteins required for cell growth and maintenance, and researchers have discovered that one in particular plays a key role in developing prostate cancer. ... > full story
Tiny fish evolved to tolerate colder temperature in three years, study finds (August 9, 2010) -- Researchers have observed one of the fastest evolutionary responses ever recorded in wild populations. In as little as three years, stickleback fish developed tolerance for water temperature 2.5 degrees Celsius lower than their ancestors. ... > full story
Familial link found in rare childhood leukemia (August 9, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered a direct link between an inherited genetic mutation, a set of developmental abnormalities and a rare form of childhood leukemia called juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, or JMML. The study demonstrates a new familial link in JMML and has significant implications, the researchers say, for improving the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. ... > full story
NASA images show continuing Mexico quake deformation (August 9, 2010) -- New NASA airborne radar images of Southern California near the U.S.-Mexico border show Earth's surface is continuing to deform following the April 4 magnitude, 7.2 temblor and its many aftershocks that have rocked Mexico's state of Baja California and parts of the American Southwest. ... > full story
Competing for a mate can shorten lifespan (August 9, 2010) -- Men who reach sexual maturity in a context where males outnumber females don't live as long as men whose numbers roughly equaled females' and faced less competition for a mate. ... > full story
In breakthrough, nerve connections are regenerated after spinal cord injury (August 9, 2010) -- Researchers for the first time have induced robust regeneration of nerve connections that control voluntary movement after spinal cord injury, showing the potential for new therapeutic approaches to paralysis and other motor function impairments. ... > full story
Bariatric surgery in diabetic adults improves insulin sensitivity better than diet, study finds (August 9, 2010) -- Gastric bypass surgery improves type 2 diabetes by other mechanisms in addition to weight loss and does so better than a low-calorie diet despite achieving equal weight loss, a new study finds. ... > full story
'Delicious' invader: More fishing, higher consumption might help reverse lionfish invasion (August 9, 2010) -- A new study looking at how to curb the rapid growth of lionfish, an invasive species not native to the Atlantic Ocean, suggests that approximately 27 percent of mature lionfish will have to be removed monthly for one year to reduce its population growth rate to zero. ... > full story
Genetic differences that make some people susceptible to meningitis revealed in major new study (August 9, 2010) -- Genetic differences that make some people susceptible to developing meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, and others naturally immune, are revealed in a new study of over 6,000 people. The research is the largest ever genetic study of meningitis and septicaemia caused by meningococcal bacteria. ... > full story
Kinked nanopores slow DNA passage for easier sequencing (August 9, 2010) -- In an innovation critical to improved DNA sequencing, a markedly slower transmission of DNA through nanopores has been achieved. ... > full story
Doctors not strongly encouraging HPV vaccine to girls of certain age; National guidelines not closely followed, survey finds (August 9, 2010) -- The vast majority of pediatricians and family physicians nationally are offering the human papillomavirus (also called HPV) vaccine, though fewer physicians are strongly encouraging it for 11- to 12-year-old girls as recommended by national guidelines, according to a survey. ... > full story
Highly directional terahertz laser rays created: Semiconductor laser suitable for security screening, chemical sensing and astronomy (August 9, 2010) -- Scientists have demonstrated a new terahertz (THz) semiconductor laser that emits beams with a much smaller divergence than conventional THz laser sources. The advance opens the door to a wide range of applications in terahertz science and technology. Harvard has filed a broad patent on the invention. ... > full story
New anti-viral drug shows promise for dramatic improvement in hepatitis C treatment (August 9, 2010) -- Adding a direct acting anti-viral drug to the standard treatment regimen for hepatitis C significantly increases the cure rate in the most difficult to treat patients, according to a new study. ... > full story
'Fearless' aphids ignore warnings, get eaten by ladybugs (August 9, 2010) -- 'Fearless' aphids -- which become accustomed to ignoring genetically engineered chemical alarms in plants and alarms sent by fellow aphids -- become easy prey for ladybugs. That's good news for farmers, according to researchers. ... > full story
Genome study identifies genetic variant linked to TB susceptibility in Africans (August 9, 2010) -- Scientists have identified a genetic variant which increases susceptibility to tuberculosis in African populations using a technique known as a genome-wide association study. This is the first novel disease variant to be identified using this technique in Africans and demonstrates that such studies are viable in African populations, which have a high degree of genetic diversity. ... > full story
As crops wither in Russia's severe drought, vital plant field bank faces demolition (August 9, 2010) -- As the fate of Europe's largest collection of fruit and berries hangs in the balance of a Russian court decision, the Global Crop Diversity Trust issued an urgent appeal for the Russian government to embrace its heroic tradition as protector of the world's crop diversity and halt the planned destruction of an incredibly valuable crop collection near St. Petersburg. ... > full story
Autism: Lack of evidence for antidepressants, study concludes (August 9, 2010) -- Antidepressants commonly prescribed to people with autistic spectrum disorders cannot be recommended based on current evidence, a new study concludes. Despite some evidence of benefits in adults diagnosed with autism, they say there is no evidence for any benefits associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in children, who may suffer serious adverse effects as a result of taking the drugs. ... > full story
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