The EDGE: ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Wednesday, June 20, 2012

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Wednesday, June 20, 2012

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Study: No-fat, low-fat dressings don't get most nutrients out of salads (June 19, 2012) -- The vegetables in salads are chock-full of important vitamins and nutrients, but you won't get much benefit without the right type and amount of salad dressing, a new study shows. ... > full story

Paddle vs. propeller: Which competitive swimming stroke is superior? (June 19, 2012) -- In time for the US Olympic Trials, engineers settle the argument over which swim stroke technique -- deep catch or sculling -- is faster. ... > full story

Specific bacteria linked to indoor water-damage and mold identified (June 19, 2012) -- Bacterial contamination in water-damaged buildings has been identified as a potential cause of health problems, including infection and respiratory conditions like asthma. An environmental health research team found evidence linking two specific strains of bacteria -- Stenotrophomonas and Mycobacterium -- to indoor mold from water damage. ... > full story

Hulk smash? Maybe not anymore: Scientists block excess aggression in mice (June 19, 2012) -- Pathological rage can be blocked in mice, researchers have found, suggesting potential new treatments for severe aggression, a widespread trait characterized by sudden violence, explosive outbursts and hostile overreactions to stress. ... > full story

Should consumers trust their feelings as information? (June 19, 2012) -- Consumers who trust their feelings are more likely to make choices based on what "feels right" even when feelings are irrelevant to their decision, according to a new study. ... > full story

Most quasars live on snacks, not large meals (June 19, 2012) -- A census of 30 quasar host galaxies, conducted with the Hubble Space Telescope and Spitzer Space Telescope, has found that black holes in the early universe may have only needed a few snacks, such as a batch of gas or the occasional small satellite galaxy, rather than one giant meal to fuel their quasars and help them grow. ... > full story

Adaptable decision making in the brain (June 19, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered how a part of the brain helps predict future events from past experiences. The work sheds light on the function of the front-most part of the frontal lobe, known as the frontopolar cortex, an area of the cortex uniquely well developed in humans in comparison with apes and other primates. ... > full story

Giving makes young children happy (June 19, 2012) -- If it is indeed nobler to give than to receive, it may also make you happier – even if you're a toddler, according to a new study. ... > full story

Infants can't distinguish between large and small groups (June 19, 2012) -- Human brains process large and small numbers of objects using two different mechanisms, but infants have not yet developed the ability to make those two processes work together, according to new research. ... > full story

Mars weather report: Size of particles in Martian clouds of carbon dioxide snow calculated (June 19, 2012) -- New research shows that, much like Earth, the polar caps of Mars change with the seasons. In the dead of a Martian winter, clouds of snow blanket the Red Planet's poles -- but unlike our water-based snow, the particles on Mars are frozen crystals of carbon dioxide. Most of the Martian atmosphere is composed of carbon dioxide, and in the winter, the poles get so cold -- cold enough to freeze alcohol -- that the gas condenses, forming tiny particles of snow. ... > full story

Inhibitors of shuttle molecule show promise in acute leukemia (June 19, 2012) -- A novel family of experimental agents that blocks a molecule from shuttling proteins out of the cell nucleus might offer a new treatment for people with acute leukemia. The agents, called KPT-SINEs (selective inhibitors of nuclear export), target a transport protein called CRM1. The study shows that these agents inhibit leukemia-cell proliferation, arrest cell division, and induce cell death and differentiation. In an animal model, KPT-SINEs extended survival by 46 percent. ... > full story

Blogging relieves stress on new mothers (June 19, 2012) -- New mothers who read and write blogs may feel less alone than mothers who do not participate in a blogging community, according to family studies researchers. ... > full story

Night work may put women's health at risk (June 19, 2012) -- The risk of developing breast cancer is higher among women who have worked at night, according to new research. The study compared the careers of 1,200 women who had developed breast cancer between 2005 and 2008 with the careers of 1,300 other women. ... > full story

Detector of DNA damage: Structure of a repair factor revealed (June 19, 2012) -- Double-stranded breaks in cellular DNA can trigger tumorigenesis. Researchers have now determined the structure of a protein involved in the repair and signaling of DNA double-strand breaks. The work throws new light on the origins of neurodegenerative diseases and certain tumor types. ... > full story

New gravitational biology lab allows for testing in artificial gravity (June 19, 2012) -- NASA is expanding its existing capabilities for doing plant and animal tissue investigations on the International Space Station with the delivery of a new centrifuge scheduled for this summer. The centrifuge is a NASA and commercial industry collaboration, and will be housed in the NanoRacks facility. ... > full story

Compact blue dwarf can’t hide from Hubble (June 19, 2012) -- The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has captured a new view of the dwarf galaxy UGC 5497, which looks a bit like salt sprinkled on black velvet in the image. ... > full story

From pomegranate peel to nanoparticles (June 19, 2012) -- Food waste is a growing problem in many parts of the world, but discarded fruit peel, in the case of pomegranates, could be put to good use in the burgeoning field of nanotechnology according to new research. ... > full story

Where to put nuclear waste: My backyard? (June 19, 2012) -- Researchers in Finland have found that acceptance of the site of a spent nuclear fuel repository can depend on gender and economic background. Affluent men more often have a positive opinion on the location of such facilities than women or disadvantaged people. ... > full story

Schooling fish: Wild zebrafish assess risk through social learning (June 19, 2012) -- Scientists have investigated whether zebrafish use social learning to assess risk. They found that wild zebrafish, which are more timid than their domesticated counterparts, became emboldened after interacting with domesticated zebrafish. The opposite did not occur, however. ... > full story

Sun exposure and sun-sensitive skin type decreased risk for pancreatic cancer (June 19, 2012) -- High levels of ultraviolet radiation at an individual's birth location, sun-sensitive skin type and a history of skin cancer each decreased risk for pancreatic cancer, according to new study results. ... > full story

Power of playtime: Single mothers can reduce stress by playing, engaging with children (June 19, 2012) -- A group of researchers is studying ways to help single mothers improve their relationship with their children. ... > full story

Fishing for answers to autism puzzle (June 19, 2012) -- Fish cannot display symptoms of autism, schizophrenia, or other human brain disorders. However, scientists have shown that zebrafish can be a useful tool for studying the genes that contribute to such disorders. ... > full story

Scientists discover how key enzyme involved in aging, cancer assembles (June 19, 2012) -- Biochemists have mapped the structure of a key protein-RNA complex that is required for the assembly of telomerase, an enzyme important for both cancer and aging. ... > full story

Belief in hell, according to international data, is associated with reduced crime (June 19, 2012) -- Religions are thought to serve as bulwarks against unethical behaviors. However, when it comes to predicting criminal behavior, the specific religious beliefs one holds is the determining factor, says a psychologist. ... > full story

New method generates cardiac muscle patches from stem cells (June 19, 2012) -- A cutting-edge method uses stems cells to create heart cells that display activity similar to most people's resting heart rate. ... > full story

Oxygen 'sensor' may shut down DNA transcription (June 19, 2012) -- A key component found in an ancient anaerobic microorganism may serve as a sensor to detect potentially fatal oxygen, researchers have found. This helps researchers learn more about the function of these components, called iron-sulfur clusters, which occur in different parts of cells in all living creatures. ... > full story

Antibacterials in personal-care products linked to allergy risk in children (June 19, 2012) -- Exposure to common antibacterial chemicals and preservatives found in soap, toothpaste, mouthwash and other personal-care products may make children more prone to a wide range of food and environmental allergies, according to new research. ... > full story

Is TV becoming a regular babysitter for busy parents? (June 19, 2012) -- A new survey indicates that parents believe TV and other screen media hold educational value. But are they using it for that purpose? ... > full story

Get the most from your skin care products: Sequence in which you apply skin care products influences their effectiveness (June 19, 2012) -- Consumers often spend hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars a year on skin care products in an effort to improve the look of their skin. From anti-aging serums to acne medications, many adults and teens regularly apply medications or treatments to their skin. But does the sequence in which skin care products are applied influence how well the products work? Dermatologists say yes. ... > full story

Robots get a feel for the world: Touch more sensitve than a human's (June 18, 2012) -- What does a robot feel when it touches something? Little or nothing until now. Specially designed robots can now be equipped with a sense of touch even more sensitive than that of humans. ... > full story

Landsat sets the standard for maps of world's forests (June 18, 2012) -- Countries like Brazil are using data from NASA satellites to track and measure their forests in advance of a United Nations effort to reduce climate change by providing "carbon credits" for protected land. The concept is known as REDD+, which stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. It includes monitoring forest degradation and efforts in conservation and sustainable management. ... > full story

Link between vitamin C and twin seedlings can increase seed production in crops (June 18, 2012) -- Biochemists have found that increasing the level of dehydroascorbate reductase, a naturally occurring enzyme that recycles vitamin C in plants and animals, increases the vitamin's level and results in the production of twin and triplet seedlings in a single seed. The discovery's value lies in the potential to produce genetically identical seedlings and increase production of high-value crops. The extra seedlings per seed may also enhance per-seed survival chances for some species. ... > full story

Study indicates promise in Huntington's treatment (June 18, 2012) -- A new study shows that the compound Coenzyme Q10 reduces oxidative damage, a key finding that hints at its potential to slow the progression of Huntington disease. The discovery also points to a new biomarker that could be used to screen experimental treatments for this and other neurological disorders. ... > full story

Chicago woman cured of sickle cell disease (June 18, 2012) -- A Chicago woman is the first Midwest patient to receive a successful stem cell transplant to cure her sickle cell disease without chemotherapy in preparation for the transplant. ... > full story

Crucial immune fighter role of STING protein revealed (June 18, 2012) -- Researchers have unlocked the structure of a key protein that, when sensing certain viruses and bacteria, triggers the body's immediate immune response. ... > full story

Buying life experiences to impress others removes happiness boost (June 18, 2012) -- Spending money on activities and events, such as concert tickets or exotic vacations, won't make you happier if you're doing it to impress others, according to new findings. Research has shown that consumers gain greater happiness from buying life experiences rather than material possessions, but only if they choose experiences for the right reasons says the new study. ... > full story

Olympic broadcasting inequality: Olympics commentary differs based on gender, race and nationality (June 18, 2012) -- Studies show Olympic Games' commentary differs based on gender, race and nationality. Athletes who are white, male and/or American receive more favorable coverage than females, non-Americans and minorities. ... > full story

Psoriasis increases risk of diabetes, study shows (June 18, 2012) -- Psoriasis is an independent risk for Type 2 Diabetes, according to a new study, with the greatest risk seen in patients with severe psoriasis. Researchers estimate that an additional 115,500 people will develop diabetes each year due to the risk posed by psoriasis above and beyond conventional risk factors. ... > full story

Living alone associated with higher risk of mortality, cardiovascular death (June 18, 2012) -- Living alone was associated with an increased risk of death and cardiovascular death in an international study of stable outpatients at risk of or with arterial vascular disease (such as coronary disease or peripheral vascular disease). ... > full story

Loneliness in older individuals linked to functional decline, death (June 18, 2012) -- Loneliness in individuals over 60 years of age appears associated with increased risk of functional decline and death, according to a new report. ... > full story

Too much salt may damage blood vessels and lead to high blood pressure (June 18, 2012) -- Eating a high-salt diet for several years is associated with markers of blood vessel damage. People who have markers of blood vessel damage and eat a high-salt diet are more likely to develop high blood pressure; Therefore, the impact of a high-salt diet is greater on this group of people. ... > full story

Clues to nervous system evolution found in nerve-less sponge (June 18, 2012) -- Scientists have turned to the simple sponge to find clues about the evolution of the complex nervous system and found that, but for a mechanism that coordinates the expression of genes that lead to the formation of neural synapses, sponges and the rest of the animal world may not be so distant after all. ... > full story

On the origin of music by means of natural selection (June 18, 2012) -- Do away with the DJ and scrap the composer. A computer program powered by Darwinian natural selection and the musical tastes of 7,000 website users may be on the way to creating a perfect pop tune, according to new research. ... > full story

Brothers in arms: Commensal bacteria help fight viruses (June 18, 2012) -- Healthy humans harbor an enormous and diverse group of bacteria and other bugs that live within their intestines. These microbial partners provide beneficial aid in multiple ways -- from helping digest food to the development of a healthy immune system. New research shows that commensal bacteria are essential to fight off viral infections. ... > full story

Discovery helps mice beat urinary tract infections (June 18, 2012) -- The bacteria that cause urinary tract infections may take advantage of a cellular waste disposal system that normally helps fight invaders, according to researchers. ... > full story

Highways of the brain: High-cost and high-capacity (June 18, 2012) -- A new study characterizes an influential network within the brain as the "backbone" for global brain communication. A costly network in terms of energy and space consumed, but one with a big pay-off. ... > full story

Chemists use nanopores to detect DNA damage (June 18, 2012) -- Scientists are racing to sequence DNA faster and cheaper than ever by passing strands of the genetic material through molecule-sized pores. Now, scientists have adapted this “nanopore” method to find DNA damage that can lead to mutations and disease. ... > full story

NOAA predicts a near-normal 2012 Atlantic hurricane season (June 18, 2012) -- Conditions in the atmosphere and the ocean favor a near-normal hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin this season. ... > full story