ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Friday, June 8, 2012
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Rubber wood, coconut shells and fabrics tested for use in hybrid composites (June 7, 2012) -- Opening a way to a new hybrid composite, researchers have tested hybrid composites made of rubberwood, coconut shell and textile fabrics (woven cotton and polyester fabrics). ... > full story
Optical materials: Holey gold (June 7, 2012) -- Imaging nanoporous metals with beams of electrons provides deep insights into the unusual optical properties of these materials. ... > full story
Microscopy: A glance from the nanoworld (June 7, 2012) -- A new patterning technique produces a faithful reproduction of grayscale images down to the micrometer level. ... > full story
U.S. experienced second warmest May, warmest spring on record, NOAA reports (June 7, 2012) -- According to NOAA scientists, the average temperature for the contiguous U.S. during May was 64.3°F, 3.3°F above the long-term average, making it the second warmest May on record. The month's high temperatures also contributed to the warmest spring, warmest year-to-date, and warmest 12-month period the nation has experienced since recordkeeping began in 1895. ... > full story
Australia has two distinct white shark populations (June 7, 2012) -- A new scientific study has identified two distinct populations of white shark at the east and west of Bass Strait in Australian waters, prompting researchers to suggest the huge fish may need regional conservation plans. ... > full story
Food-trade network vulnerable to fast spread of contaminants (June 7, 2012) -- Physicists and food science experts have recently published a rigorous analysis of the international food-trade network that shows the network's vulnerability to the fast spread of contaminants as well as the correlation between known food poisoning outbreaks and the centrality of countries on the network. ... > full story
What does it mean to be cool? It may not be what you think (June 7, 2012) -- Do rebelliousness, emotional control, toughness and thrill-seeking still make up the essence of coolness? Can performers James Dean and Miles Davis still be considered the models of cool? Psychologists have found the characteristics associated with coolness today are markedly different than those that generated the concept of cool. ... > full story
Floating dock from Japan carries potential invasive species (June 7, 2012) -- When debris from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan began making its way toward the West Coast of the United States, there were fears of possible radiation and chemical contamination as well as costly cleanup. But a floating dock that unexpectedly washed ashore in Newport this week and has been traced back to the Japanese disaster has brought with it a completely different threat -- invasive species. ... > full story
Researchers identify changes in cholesterol metabolic pathways (June 7, 2012) -- A new study has identified molecular changes responsible for abnormal cholesterol production and metabolism in the livers of patients with a common liver condition, and these changes may explain the severity of a patient’s liver disease and risks to their heart health. ... > full story
Groundbreaking new graphene-based MRI contrast agent (June 7, 2012) -- Scientists have developed a new, highly efficacious, potentially safer and more cost effective nanoparticle-based MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) contrast agent for improved disease diagnosis and detection. ... > full story
Mapping genes: New risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases found (June 7, 2012) -- Using a new and powerful approach to understand the origins of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, researchers are building the case that these diseases are primarily caused by genes that are too active or not active enough, rather than by harmful gene mutations. ... > full story
Immune system 'circuitry' that kills malaria in mosquitoes identified (June 7, 2012) -- For the first time, researchers have determined the function of a series proteins within the mosquito that transduce a signal that enables the mosquito to fight off infection from the parasite that causes malaria in humans. Together, these proteins are known as immune deficiency (Imd) pathway signal transducing factors, are analogous to an electrical circuit. As each factor is switched on or off it triggers or inhibits the next, finally leading to the launch of an immune response against the malaria parasite. ... > full story
Previously held beliefs about the role of genetic mutations in colon cancer development challenged (June 7, 2012) -- In exploring the genetics of mitochondria – the powerhouse of the cell – researchers have stumbled upon a finding that challenges previously held beliefs about the role of mutations in cancer development. For the first time, researchers have found that the number of new mutations are significantly lower in cancers than in normal cells. ... > full story
NASA's Spitzer finds first objects burned furiously (June 7, 2012) -- The faint, lumpy glow given off by the very first objects in the universe may have been detected with the best precision yet, using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. These faint objects might be wildly massive stars or voracious black holes. They are too far away to be seen individually, but Spitzer has captured new, convincing evidence of what appears to be the collective pattern of their infrared light. The observations help confirm the first objects were numerous in quantity and furiously burned cosmic fuel. ... > full story
A super tiny giraffe (June 7, 2012) -- An engineering graduate student wins first place in 'Science as Art' competition for magnified image of nickel, aluminum and carbon that resembles a super tiny giraffe. ... > full story
'Nanocable' could be big boon for energy storage (June 7, 2012) -- Researchers have created a coaxial nanocable capacitor that outperforms previously reported microcapacitors. The three-layer, 100-nanometer-wide cable was produced with techniques pioneered in the nascent graphene field and could be used to build next-generation energy-storage systems. ... > full story
Slashing energy needs for next-generation memory (June 7, 2012) -- Researchers have unveiled a new data-encoding scheme that slashes more than 30 percent of the energy needed to write data onto memory cards that use "phase-change memory" -- a competitor to flash memory that has big backing from industry heavyweights. ... > full story
Scientists discover huge phytoplankton bloom in ice-covered waters (June 7, 2012) -- Scientists have discovered a massive bloom of phytoplankton beneath ice-covered Arctic waters. Until now, sea ice was thought to block sunlight and limit the growth of microscopic marine plants living under the ice. ... > full story
Quantum computers move closer to reality, thanks to highly enriched and highly purified silicon (June 7, 2012) -- Scientists have made the next step towards making quantum computing a reality -- through the unique properties of highly enriched and highly purified silicon. ... > full story
Molecular mechanism associated with human immune disorder, XLP disease, explained (June 7, 2012) -- Scientists have made an important breakthrough in the field of immunology. They have explained a poorly understood molecular mechanism associated with a human immune disorder known as XLP disease or Duncan's syndrome. ... > full story
Second-hand smoke affects bladder function in children, study suggests (June 7, 2012) -- Children with mothers who smoke are at even higher-risk for developing health disorders.Medical researchers have shown that second-hand cigarette smoke was associated with moderate to severe irritative bladder symptoms in children. ... > full story
HIV superinfection rate comparable to initial HIV infection (June 7, 2012) -- A new study finds superinfection may be as common as initial HIV infection and is not limited to high risk-populations. ... > full story
Scientists identify first gene in programmed axon degeneration (June 7, 2012) -- Researchers have described a gene – dSarm/Sarm1 – responsible for actively promoting axon destruction after injury. The research provides evidence of an exciting new therapeutic target that could be used to delay or even stop axon decay. ... > full story
Highly contagious honey bee virus transmitted by mites (June 7, 2012) -- Researchers report that the parasitic 'Varroa' mite has caused the deformed wing virus to proliferate in honey bee colonies. This association is now thought to contribute to the world-wide spread and probable death of millions of honey bee colonies. The current monetary value of honey bees as commercial pollinators in the United States alone is estimated at about - billion annually. ... > full story
Armored caterpillar could inspire new body armor (June 7, 2012) -- Military body armor and vehicle and aircraft frames could be transformed by incorporating the unique structure of the club-like arm of a crustacean that looks like an armored caterpillar, according to new findings. ... > full story
Tabletop X-Ray to Image Nanoworld: All the colors of a high-energy rainbow, in a tightly focused beam (June 7, 2012) -- For the first time, researchers have produced a coherent, laser-like, directed beam of light that simultaneously streams ultraviolet light, X-rays, and all wavelengths in between. One of the few light sources to successfully produce a coherent beam that includes X-rays, this new technology is the first to do so using a setup that fits on a laboratory table. ... > full story
How black holes change gear (June 7, 2012) -- Black holes are extremely powerful and efficient engines that not only swallow up matter, but also return a lot of energy to the universe in exchange for the mass they eat. When black holes attract mass they also trigger the release of intense X-ray radiation and power strong jets. But not all black holes do this the same way. This has long baffled astronomers. By studying two active black holes researchers have now gathered evidence that suggests that each black hole can change between two different regimes, like changing the gears of an engine. ... > full story
A strong bond to an idea makes collaboration more challenging (June 7, 2012) -- Ideas are all around us — helping solve problems, develop new products, and make important decisions. Good ideas are rarely created in a vacuum, however. They often emerge when people refine their ideas in response to suggestions and comments received from colleagues. Having strong bonds to an idea can make that necessary collaboration challenging, finds new research. The study suggests that psychological ownership -— the extent to which people feel as though an object, or idea, is truly theirs —- may be at the root of this phenomenon. ... > full story
New twist on old chemical process could boost energy efficiency significantly (June 7, 2012) -- An unappreciated aspect of chemical reactions on the surface of metal oxides could be key in developing more efficient energy systems, including more productive solar cells or hydrogen fuel cells efficient enough for automobiles. ... > full story
Steel-strength plastics: Durable plastic may replace metals (June 7, 2012) -- Chemists have been working hard to develop a more biodegradable plastic to reduce pollution and protect the environment. Now a researcher has taken a different approach -- creating plastics as strong and durable as steel. ... > full story
Newly identified protein function protects cells during injury (June 7, 2012) -- Scientists have discovered a new function for a protein that protects cells during injury and could eventually translate into treatment for conditions ranging from cardiovascular disease to Alzheimer's. Researchers report that a type of protein called thrombospondin activates a protective pathway that prevents heart cell damage in mice undergoing simulated extreme hypertension, cardiac pressure overload and heart attack. ... > full story
Manipulating chromatin loops to regulate genes may offer future treatments for blood diseases (June 7, 2012) -- In exploring how proteins interact with crucial DNA sequences to regulate gene activity, researchers have shed light on chromatin looping, key biological events that may eventually be manipulated to provide new disease treatments. ... > full story
James Webb Space Telescope’s mirrors get 'shrouded' (June 7, 2012) -- Earlier this year, NASA completed deep-freeze tests on the James Webb Space Telescope mirrors in a "shroud" at the X-ray & Cryogenic Facility (XRCF) at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. ... > full story
Skin cells reprogrammed into brain cells (June 7, 2012) -- Scientists have for the first time transformed skin cells -- with a single genetic factor -- into cells that develop on their own into an interconnected, functional network of brain cells. The research offers new hope in the fight against many neurological conditions because scientists expect that such a transformation -- or reprogramming -- of cells may lead to better models for testing drugs for devastating neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. ... > full story
Multi-target approach to treating tumors (June 7, 2012) -- Researchers have developed a cancer model built in the fruit fly Drosophila, then used it to create a whole new approach to the discovery of cancer treatments. The result is an investigational compound AD80 that precisely targets multiple cancer genes. Tested in mouse models, the drug proved far more effective and less toxic than standard cancer drugs, which generally focus on a single target. This is the first time that whole-animal screening has been used in a rational, step-wise approach to polypharmacology. ... > full story
Driving without a blind spot may be closer than it appears (June 7, 2012) -- A side mirror that eliminates the dangerous “blind spot” for drivers has now received a U.S. patent. The subtly curved mirror, invented by a mathematics professor, dramatically increases the field of view with minimal distortion. designed his mirror using a mathematical algorithm that precisely controls the angle of light bouncing off of the curving mirror, similar to manipulating the direction of each tiny mirror face on a disco ball to make a smooth, nonuniform curve. ... > full story
New brain target for appetite control identified (June 7, 2012) -- Researchers have identified a brain receptor that appears to play a central role in regulating appetite. The findings could lead to new drugs for preventing or treating obesity. ... > full story
City kids more likely to have food allergies than rural ones: Population density is key factor, study finds (June 7, 2012) -- Children living in urban centers have a much higher prevalence of food allergies than those living in rural areas, according to a new study, which is the first to map children's food allergies by geographical location in the United States. In particular, kids in big cities are more than twice as likely to have peanut and shellfish allergies. ... > full story
Photovoltaic cells tap underwater solar energy (June 7, 2012) -- Scientists have developed solar cells capable of producing sufficient power to operate electronic sensor systems underwater at depths of nine meters. ... > full story
Breaking the limits of classical physics: Light's quantum mechanical properties demonstrated (June 7, 2012) -- With simple arguments, researchers show that nature is complicated! Researchers have made a simple experiment that demonstrates that nature violates common sense. The experiment illustrates that light does not behave according to the principles of classical physics, but that light has quantum mechanical properties. The new method could be used to study whether other systems behave quantum mechanically. ... > full story
How does dolomite form? (June 7, 2012) -- The formation of the mineral dolomite is still puzzling scientists. Researchers have now shown that bacteria can facilitate the formation of dolomite. The study has been published online in the international journal Geology. ... > full story
Caribbean wins the seaweed Olympics (June 7, 2012) -- Coral reefs might seem to be tranquil environments but in fact a battle is constantly waged between corals and seaweeds fighting over space. Scientists have known for some time that seaweeds can gain the upper hand if corals are damaged by hurricanes or excessively warm sea temperatures that cause coral bleaching. But a new study reveals that Caribbean seaweeds are the equivalent of Olympian athletes compared those found on coral reefs elsewhere. ... > full story
Wider letter spacing helps dyslexic children (June 7, 2012) -- Increasing the spacing between characters and words in a text improves the speed and quality of dyslexic children's reading, without prior training. They read 20% faster on average and make half as many errors. ... > full story
Mystery to the origin of long-lived, skin-deep immune cells uncovered (June 7, 2012) -- Scientists have uncovered the origin of a group of skin-deep immune cells called the Langerhans cells, that act as the first line of defense against harmful germs and skin infections. Identifying the source of these sentry cells of the skin may hold exciting possibilities to novel strategies for vaccination and treatment of autoimmune diseases and inflammatory skin disorders. ... > full story
Predicting the oceans of the future with a mini-lab (June 7, 2012) -- Scientists from the Stanford and elsewhere joined to create a mini-lab in Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The device can simulate predicted future ocean conditions – such as rising carbon dioxide levels – and their effects on ecosystems such as coral. ... > full story
New role for p53 genetic mutation -- initiation of prostate cancer (June 7, 2012) -- Researchers have found that a genetic mutation may play an important role in the development of prostate cancer. The mutation of the so-called p53 (or Tp53) gene was previously implicated in late disease progression, but until now has never been shown to act as an initiating factor. The findings may open new avenues for diagnosing and treating the disease. ... > full story
Pandemic preparedness (June 7, 2012) -- Researchers have developed the "Texas Pandemic Flu Toolkit" to assist public health officials in planning for and managing a disease outbreak. The toolkit is a web-based service that simulates the spread of pandemic flu through the state, forecasts times of peak demand, and determines where and when to place ventilators to minimize fatalities. ... > full story
Meditation practice may decrease risk for cardiovascular disease in teens (June 7, 2012) -- Regular meditation could decrease the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in teens who are most at risk, according to new research. ... > full story
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