The EDGE: ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Thursday, August 30, 2012

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Thursday, August 30, 2012

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Japanese spacecraft to search for clues of Earth's first life (August 29, 2012) -- In a Physics World special report on Japan, Dennis Normile reports on how the Japanese space agency JAXA plans to land a spacecraft onto an asteroid in 2018 to search for clues of how life began on Earth. ... > full story

MRI scanners affect concentration and visuospatial awareness (August 29, 2012) -- Standard head movements made while exposed to one of the three electromagnetic fields produced by a heavy duty MRI scanner seem to temporarily lower concentration and visuospatial awareness, an experimental study shows. ... > full story

Smokers more than double their risk of burst aneurysm (August 29, 2012) -- Smoking more than 20 cigarettes a day doubles the risk of a potentially fatal brain bleed as a result of a burst aneurysm, new research finds. ... > full story

Chronic stress linked to high risk of stroke (August 29, 2012) -- Chronic stress, prompted by major life stressors and type A personality traits, is linked to a high risk of stroke, new research finds. ... > full story

Bacterial cause found for skin condition rosacea (August 29, 2012) -- Scientists are closer to establishing a definitive bacterial cause for the skin condition rosacea. This will allow more targeted, effective treatments to be developed for sufferers. ... > full story

Living against the clock; Does loss of daily rhythms cause obesity? (August 29, 2012) -- When Thomas Edison tested the first light bulb in 1879, he could never have imagined that his invention could one day contribute to a global obesity epidemic. Electric light allows us to work, rest and play at all hours of the day, and a new article suggests that this might have serious consequences for our health and for our waistlines. ... > full story

Increased risk of prematurity and low birth weight in babies born after three or more abortions (August 29, 2012) -- One of the largest studies to look at the effect of induced abortions on a subsequent first birth has found that women who have had three or more abortions have a higher risk of some adverse birth outcomes, such as delivering a baby prematurely and with a low birth weight. ... > full story

Malaria nearly eliminated in Sri Lanka despite decades of conflict (August 29, 2012) -- Despite nearly three decades of conflict, Sri Lanka has succeeded in reducing malaria cases by 99.9 percent since 1999 and is on track to eliminate the disease entirely by 2014. ... > full story

Mayo Clinic marks its first births from time-lapse incubator use for in vitro fertilization (August 29, 2012) -- Mayo Clinic recently marked its first births resulting from in vitro fertilization using a new time-lapse incubator that minimizes disturbances from human handling as embryos develop and helps fertility specialists better identify the healthiest embryos. ... > full story

Benzene in California groundwater occurs infrequently and is mainly from natural sources, study finds (August 29, 2012) -- Benzene occurs infrequently in California public supply wells and comes predominantly from naturally occurring petroleum deposits deep in the ground, according to a study by the U.S. Geological Survey. Spills associated with underground fuel storage and above ground distribution systems have long been considered the main source of benzene in groundwater. This unique study finds that contamination most often occurs in older, brackish, groundwater located near naturally occurring deep underground oil and gas deposits. ... > full story

Mississippi River flows backwards due to Isaac (August 29, 2012) -- Strong winds and storm surge from Hurricane Isaac's landfall forced the Mississippi River to flow backwards for nearly 24 hours on Tuesday, Aug. 28. The USGS streamgage at Belle Chasse, Louisiana, showed the Mississippi River flowing upstream at 182,000 cubic feet per second, surging to 10 feet above than its previous height. Average flow for the Mississippi River at Belle Chase is about 125,000 cfs towards the Gulf of Mexico. ... > full story

Saturn and its largest moon reflect their true colors (August 29, 2012) -- Posing for portraits for NASA's Cassini spacecraft, Saturn and its largest moon, Titan, show spectacular colors in a quartet of images being released today. One image captures the changing hues of Saturn's northern and southern hemispheres as they pass from one season to the next. ... > full story

Scientist creates test, treatment for malaria-like sickness in horses (August 29, 2012) -- A therapy used in an outbreak of equine piroplasmosis at the storied King Ranch in Texas is now being evaluated as a standard US treatment protocol. ... > full story

New cancer drug is ten times more potent (August 29, 2012) -- Chemists have taken an existing drug that is being developed for use in fighting certain types of cancer, added a special structure to it, and created a more potent, efficient weapon against cancer. ... > full story

NASA sees Hurricane Isaac make double landfall in Louisiana (August 29, 2012) -- Hurricane Isaac made two landfalls in southeastern Louisiana. Isaac's first landfall occurred in southeastern Louisiana on Aug. 28 at 7:45 pm EDT, second landfall on Aug. 29 at 6 am EDT. NASA's TRMM satellite observed heavy rainfall in this slow moving storm, which leads to higher rainfall totals and flooding. ... > full story

When to worry about kids' temper tantrums (August 29, 2012) -- Temper tantrums in young children can be an early signal of mental health problems, but how does a parent or pediatrician know when disruptive behavior is typical or a sign of a serious problem? A researcher has now developed a new tool for parents and professionals to know when to worry. In a surprising finding, the study also debunks the common belief temper tantrums are rampant among young children. ... > full story

'Nano machine shop' shapes nanowires, ultrathin films (August 29, 2012) -- A new "nano machine shop" that shapes nanowires and ultrathin films could represent a future manufacturing method for tiny structures with potentially revolutionary properties. ... > full story

US performs worst on potentially preventable death rates compared to France, Germany, and UK (August 29, 2012) -- The United States lags three other industrialized nations -- France, Germany, and the United Kingdom -- in its potentially preventable death rate, and in the pace of improvement in preventing deaths that could have been avoided with timely and effective health care, according to new research. ... > full story

Rare find: Feathered dinosaur feasted on flying food (August 29, 2012) -- Researchers found evidence that a feathered, but flightless dinosaur was able to snag and consume small flying dinosaurs. ... > full story

Protein linked to increased risk of heart failure and death in older adults (August 29, 2012) -- A protein known as galectin-3 can identify people at higher risk of heart failure, according to new research. ... > full story

Young children share rewards based on merit (August 29, 2012) -- Young children take merit into account when sharing resources, according to new research. ... > full story

Aspirin-clopidogrel no better than aspirin alone for patients with lacunar stroke, study suggests (August 29, 2012) -- Aspirin combined with the antiplatelet drug clopidogrel is no better than aspirin alone for stroke prevention in people with a history of lacunar strokes, and the combination carries a greater risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, according to new results. Lacunar strokes occur due to chronic high blood pressure and typically produce small lesions deep within the brain. ... > full story

Chocolate: A sweet method for stroke prevention in men? (August 29, 2012) -- Eating a moderate amount of chocolate each week may be associated with a lower risk of stroke in men, according to a new study. ... > full story

Flu is transmitted before symptoms appear, study in ferrets suggests (August 29, 2012) -- New research examining influenza transmission in ferrets suggests that the virus can be passed on before the appearance of symptoms. If the finding applies to humans, it means that people pass on flu to others before they know they’re infected, making it very difficult to contain epidemics. ... > full story

NASA Curiosity rover begins eastbound trek on Martian surface (August 29, 2012) -- NASA's Mars rover Curiosity has set off from its landing vicinity on a trek to a science destination about a quarter mile (400 meters) away, where it may begin using its drill. ... > full story

California heatwaves to move toward coastal areas: Researchers reassess heatwaves against the backdrop of rising temperatures (August 29, 2012) -- A new study suggests that the nature of California heatwaves is changing due to global warming. Climate researchers have detected a trend toward more humid heatwaves that are expressed very strongly in elevated nighttime temperatures, a trend consistent with climate change projections. Moreover, relative to local warming, the mid-summer heatwaves are getting stronger in generally cooler coastal areas. ... > full story

Hope of greater global food output, less environmental impact of agriculture (August 29, 2012) -- Can we have enough to eat and a healthy environment, too? Yes -- if we're smart about it, suggests a new study. ... > full story

Eyeless Australian fish have closest relatives in Madagascar (August 29, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered that two groups of blind cave fishes on opposite sides of the Indian Ocean are each other's closest relatives. Through comprehensive DNA analysis, the researchers determined that these eyeless fishes, one group from Madagascar and the other from similar subterranean habitats in Australia, descended from a common ancestor before being separated by continental drift nearly 100 million years ago. ... > full story

Computer viruses could take a lesson from showy peacocks (August 29, 2012) -- Computer viruses are constantly replicating throughout computer networks and wreaking havoc. But what if they had to find mates in order to reproduce? Researchers have now created the digital equivalent of spring break to see how mate attraction played out through computer programs. ... > full story

Walls of lunar crater may hold patchy ice (August 29, 2012) -- Scientists have estimated the maximum amount of ice likely to be found inside a permanently shadowed lunar crater located near the moon's south pole. As much as 5 to 10 percent of material, by weight, could be patchy ice, according to astronomers. ... > full story

Collagen-seeking synthetic protein could lead doctors to tumor locations (August 29, 2012) -- A new synthetic protein can pinpoint cancer and other diseases in the body by finding nearby damaged collagen. ... > full story

ACE, workhorse of NASA's heliophysics fleet, is 15 (August 29, 2012) -- The Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) is Earth's vanguard. Orbiting around a point 900,000 miles away between Earth and our sun, this satellite is ever vigilant, recording the combination of radiation -- from the sun, from the solar system, from the galaxy -- that streams by. None of this radiation can harm humans on Earth, but the biggest bursts of particles from the sun can flow into near-Earth space causing a dynamic space weather system that can damage satellites and interfere with radio communication transmissions and navigation systems. ... > full story

Rover leaves tracks in Morse code (August 29, 2012) -- NASA's Curiosity rover took its first test stroll Wednesday Aug. 22, 2012, and beamed back pictures of its accomplishment in the form of track marks in the Martian soil. Careful inspection of the tracks reveals a unique, repeating pattern, which the rover can use as a visual reference to drive more accurately in barren terrain. The pattern is Morse code for JPL, the abbreviation for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., where the rover was designed and built, and the mission is managed. ... > full story

Boeing tests CST-100 parachute protector (August 29, 2012) -- The Boeing Company recently completed a jettison test of its forward heat shield, which will protect the parachutes of the company's CST-100 spacecraft during future missions to and from low Earth orbit. The forward heat shield jettison will start the parachute deployment sequence and provide a safe landing for the capsule and its crew members. The test was part of Boeing's work supporting its funded Space Act Agreement (SAA) with NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP) during Commercial Crew Development Round 2 (CCDev2). ... > full story

NASA's 'Mighty Eagle' robotic prototype lander takes 100-foot free flight (August 29, 2012) -- With a whistle and a roar, the "Mighty Eagle," a NASA robotic prototype lander, sailed to an altitude of 100 feet during another successful free flight Aug. 28 at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. ... > full story

Bonanza of black holes, hot DOGs: NASA's WISE survey uncovers millions of black holes (August 29, 2012) -- NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) mission has led to a bonanza of newfound supermassive black holes and extreme galaxies called hot DOGs, or dust-obscured galaxies. Images from the telescope have revealed millions of dusty black hole candidates across the universe and about 1,000 even dustier objects thought to be among the brightest galaxies ever found. These powerful galaxies, which burn brightly with infrared light, are nicknamed hot DOGs. ... > full story

For diabetics, a steady job is good for your health (August 29, 2012) -- If you're diabetic or prone to diabetes, having a steady job appears to be good for your health, and not just because of the insurance coverage. ... > full story

Malignant mesothelioma patients likely to benefit from drug pemetrexed identified, study suggests (August 29, 2012) -- Previous studies have hypothesized that low levels of the enzyme thymidylate synthase (TS) likely mark patients who will benefit from the drug pemetrexed – but results have been inconclusive at best and at times contradictory. A new study provides an explanation why: Only in combination with high levels of a second enzyme, FPGS, does low TS predict response to pemetrexed in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. ... > full story

Diabetes can be controlled in patients after pancreas removal (August 29, 2012) -- Removing the entire pancreas in patients with cancer or precancerous cysts in part of the organ does not result in unmanageable diabetes -- as many physicians previously believed, new research has found. ... > full story

Scientists map first steps in flu antibody development (August 29, 2012) -- Scientists have identified how a kind of immature immune cell responds to a part of influenza virus and have traced the path those cells take to generate antibodies that can neutralize a wide range of influenza virus strains. ... > full story

New antibacterial coating for sutures could reduce infections after surgery (August 29, 2012) -- Responding to an urgent need for better antibacterial coatings on surgical sutures, scientists are reporting the discovery of a new coating that is almost 1,000 times more effective than the most widely used commercial coating. ... > full story

Warning on deterioration of famous Swedish warship, Vasa (August 29, 2012) -- The famous warship, Vasa, displayed in a museum that gets 1.2 million visitors every year and ranks as one of Sweden's most popular tourist attractions, is deteriorating despite ongoing preservation efforts, scientists are reporting. ... > full story

Many trendy 'microgreens' are more nutritious than their mature counterparts (August 29, 2012) -- The first scientific analysis of nutrient levels in edible microgreens has found that many of those trendy seedlings of green vegetables and herbs have more vitamins and healthful nutrients than their fully grown counterparts. ... > full story

Making dye-sensitized solar panels more efficient (August 29, 2012) -- Engineers are making dye-sensitized solar panels more efficient. They are using mathematical modeling to test the use of nanotubes and a polymer substrate in the panels. ... > full story

New nanomaterial could help keep pilots and sensitive equipment safe from destructive lasers (August 29, 2012) -- Scientists have developed a new material using nanotechnology, which could help keep pilots and sensitive equipment safe from destructive lasers. ... > full story

Hot spots pinpointed as earthquake trigger points: Small droplets of friction-generated melts can lead to 'megaquakes' (August 29, 2012) -- Scientists have come a step closer to deciphering some of the basic mysteries and mechanisms behind earthquakes and how average-sized earthquakes may evolve into massive earthquakes. Scientists describe new information gleaned from laboratory experiments mimicking earthquake processes. The researchers discovered how fault zones weaken in select locations shortly after a fault reaches an earthquake tipping point. ... > full story

Synchronized lasers measure how light changes matter: Effects of light at atomic scale probed by mixing x-ray and optical light waves (August 29, 2012) -- How matter responds to light lies at the core of vision, photosynthesis, solar cells, and many other fields of scientific and practical import. But until now, it hasn't been possible to see just how light does it. Now, scientists have demonstrated for the first time that x-ray and optical wave mixing reveals both structure and evolving charge states on the atomic scale. ... > full story

Large methane reservoirs beneath Antarctic ice sheet, study suggests (August 29, 2012) -- The Antarctic Ice Sheet could be an overlooked but important source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, according to a new report. ... > full story