ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Tuesday, December 14, 2010
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Hot with decades of drought: Expectations for southwestern United States (December 14, 2010) -- A 60-year drought like that of the 12th Century could be in our future. An unprecedented combination of heat plus decades of drought could be in store for the Southwest sometime this century, suggests new research. By figuring out when and for how long drought and warm temperatures coincided in the past, the team identified plausible worst-case scenarios for the future. Such scenarios can help water and other resource managers plan for the future, the team wrote. ... > full story
Ubiquitous sugar molecule could be key to repairing deep wound without scarring (December 14, 2010) -- Blocking fragments of the sugar molecule hyaluronan that triggers inflammation could be the key to robust healing and less scarring in deep wounds. ... > full story
More details of plant cell-wall construction revealed (December 14, 2010) -- Scientists are unraveling details of how plant cells' structural supports - their cell walls -- are made, with the hope of finding ways to change their composition for more efficient biofuel production. ... > full story
2009 H1N1 vaccine safe and induces robust immune response in people with asthma (December 14, 2010) -- Results from a government-sponsored clinical trial of inactivated 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine in people with asthma indicate that a single dose of vaccine was safe and induced a strong immune response predictive of protection. The findings also suggest that individuals over the age of 60 who have severe asthma may require a larger dose of vaccine. ... > full story
Smartphone technology improves prosthetic limbs (December 14, 2010) -- By combining smartphone technology with artificial limbs, researchers are paving the way for a new generation of prostheses. The technology, called an accelerometer, gives users a better sense of the orientation of their artificial limb – thus making the limb easier to operate. ... > full story
Strength training for seniors provides cognitive function, economic benefits (December 14, 2010) -- A one-year follow-up study on seniors who participated in a strength training exercise program shows sustained cognitive benefits as well as savings for the health-care system. ... > full story
Bioengineers discover how particles self-assemble in flowing fluids (December 14, 2010) -- Bioengineers have been exploring a unique phenomenon whereby randomly dispersed microparticles will self-assemble into a highly organized structure during flow through micro-scale channels. ... > full story
Ovarian cancer advances when genes are silenced (December 14, 2010) -- Researchers have found evidence of epigenetics at work on a genome-wide scale in cases of ovarian cancer. One major biological signaling pathway in particular was found to contain many genes influenced by DNA methylation -- a mechanism for turning off genes -- in tumor cells. ... > full story
Tracking down particulates (December 14, 2010) -- Wood-burning stoves are enjoying a surge in popularity. But burning biomass releases fine dust particles that are hazardous to health. Consequently, new legal limits for particulate emissions from such stoves were introduced in some areas last March. Researchers have now developed a measuring device that determines precise levels of dust emissions. ... > full story
Leukemia: Leukemic stem cells reversed to pre-leukemic stage by suppressing a protein (December 14, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered that leukemic stem cells can be reversed to a pre-leukemic stage by suppressing a protein called beta-catenin found in the blood. ... > full story
Oldest fossils found in Cordillera Bética mountain range (December 14, 2010) -- Researchers have found fossils of Ordovician conodonts dating to between 446 and 444 million years ago for the first time in the western Mediterranean. The discovery of these very primitive marine vertebrates has helped scientists to reconstruct the palaeogeography of the Cordillera Bética mountain range. Their study shows that the mountain system in the south of the Iberian Peninsula was located alongside the Alps at that time. ... > full story
Unlawful killing of newborns soon after birth five times higher than thought, French court study suggests (December 14, 2010) -- Although rare, the true incidence of neonaticides -- the unlawful killing of a baby within the first 24 hours of its life -- is more than five times as common as official estimates suggest, suggests new research looking at cases in three regions of France. ... > full story
Bering Sea was ice-free and full of life during last warm period, study finds (December 13, 2010) -- Deep sediment cores retrieved from the Bering Sea floor indicate that the region was ice-free all year and biological productivity was high during the last major warm period in Earth's climate history. ... > full story
Scientist shows link between diet and onset of mental illness (December 13, 2010) -- Changes in diet have been linked to a reduction of abnormal behaviors in mentally ill people or animals, but a Purdue University study shows that diet might also trigger the onset of mental illness in the first place. ... > full story
Highly unidirectional 'whispering gallery' microlasers created (December 13, 2010) -- Utilizing a century-old phenomenon discovered in St. Paul's Cathedral, London, scientists have demonstrated, for the first time, highly collimated unidirectional microlasers. The breakthrough elliptical cavity enables a wide range of applications in photonics. ... > full story
Three-quarters of hip fracture patients are vitamin D deficient, Indian study reveals (December 13, 2010) -- A study from New Delhi India has revealed high rates of vitamin D deficiency among hip fracture patients, confirming the conclusions of similar international studies which point to vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for hip fracture. ... > full story
Scientists take molecule's temperature (December 13, 2010) -- A new article details a technique that measures the temperature of molecules set between two gold nanowires and heated either by current applied to the wires or laser light. ... > full story
When it comes to selecting a mate, the eyes have it (December 13, 2010) -- For the first time ever, scientists have found a difference in the way males and females of the same species of vertebrate see things -- and that sexes likely use that difference to select their mates. The research team also discovered that the fish have five different photoreceptor cones in their eyes, the most ever found in a vertebrate. ... > full story
How Saturn's moon Iapetus got its ridge (December 13, 2010) -- Two scientists propose an explanation for the bizarre ridge belting Saturn's moon Iapetus at the equator. At one time Iapetus itself may have had a satellite, created by a giant impact with another body. The satellite's orbit, would have decayed because of tidal interactions with Iapetus, and at some point it would have been ripped apart, forming a ring of debris around Iapetus that would eventually slam into the moon near its equator. ... > full story
Researchers discover way to block neurodegeneration in an adult form of Fragile X syndrome (December 13, 2010) -- Expression of a toxic RNA that leads to Fragile X Tremor Ataxia Syndrome is modifiable by genetic or pharmacologic means, according to new research. ... > full story
Right or left handling at birth: What impact does it have on development? (December 13, 2010) -- Certain events experienced at the moment of birth have consequences on the emotional reactions of animals at an adult age. Researchers have tested the effects of unilateral tactile stimulation on newborn foals. Their results show that animals handled on their right side at birth avoid contact with humans more often than those stimulated on their left side or not at all. This work raises questions on the organization of neonatal care in animals and humans. ... > full story
Osteoporosis drug reduces bone loss, tumor size in oral cancer (December 13, 2010) -- A drug currently approved for osteoporosis treatment has been shown to reduce bone loss in a study of mice with oral cancer, suggesting it could serve as an important supplemental therapy in patients with head and neck cancers that erode bone. In this study, the drug treatment also was associated with smaller tumors -- an unexpected result. ... > full story
Large uncertainty in carbon footprint calculating (December 13, 2010) -- The calculation of carbon footprints for products if often riddled with large uncertainties, particularly related to electronic goods. ... > full story
Children who don’t like fruit and vegetables are 13 times more likely to be constipated (December 13, 2010) -- Primary school children who don’t like eating fruit and vegetables are 13 times more likely to develop functional constipation than children who do. Drinking less than 400ml of fluid a day also significantly increases the risk. ... > full story
More fruits and vegetables unlikely to protect against cancer, study suggests (December 13, 2010) -- There is no convincing evidence that eating more fruit and vegetables can reduce chances of developing cancer, although they are important for maintaining a healthy diet, according to a new study that looked at a decade of research in this area. ... > full story
On, off, on, off: The circuitry of insulin-releasing cells (December 13, 2010) -- A myriad of inputs can indicate a body's health bombard pancreatic beta cells continuously, and these cells must consider all signals and "decide" when and how much insulin to release to maintain balance in blood sugar, for example. Researchers have now teased out how these cells interpret incoming signals and find that three proteins relay signals similar to an electrical circuit. ... > full story
Webb telescope's actuators: Curving mirrors in space (December 13, 2010) -- NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is a wonder of modern engineering. As the planned successor to the Hubble Space telescope, even the smallest of parts on this giant observatory will play a critical role in its performance. A new video takes viewers behind the Webb's mirrors to investigate "actuators," one component that will help Webb focus on some of the earliest objects in the universe. ... > full story
Stem cell treatment is effective for certain cases of acute leukemia (December 13, 2010) -- Some adults and children with acute leukemia could benefit from certain transplants of blood stem cells, but the benefits are not equal across all cases of leukemia, according to a new review of 15 studies. ... > full story
Assessing the seismic hazard of the central eastern United States (December 13, 2010) -- As the US policymakers renew emphasis on the use of nuclear energy in their efforts to reduce the country's oil dependence, other factors come into play. One concern of paramount importance is the seismic hazard at the site where nuclear reactors are located. ... > full story
Apartment-dwelling children in nonsmoking units still exposed (December 13, 2010) -- Children living in apartments are exposed to secondhand smoke even when no one smokes inside their own unit. This study strongly suggests that housing type contributes to children's exposure to tobacco smoke, despite the best intentions of parents. ... > full story
Stem cells turned into complex, functioning intestinal tissue in lab (December 13, 2010) -- For the first time, scientists have created functioning human intestinal tissue in the laboratory from pluripotent stem cells. Scientists have demonstrated that human pluripotent stem cells in a petri dish can be instructed to efficiently form human tissue with three-dimensional architecture and cellular composition remarkably similar to intestinal tissue. ... > full story
Seizure generation in brain is isolated from surrounding brain regions (December 13, 2010) -- Researchers have found that the part of the brain generating seizures in individuals with epilepsy is functionally isolated from surrounding brain regions. The researchers hope this finding could be a clinical biomarker to help identify individuals with abnormal brain function. ... > full story
Contorting batteries: Charging makes nano-sized electrodes swell, elongate and spiral (December 13, 2010) -- New high-resolution images of electrode wires made from materials used in rechargeable lithium ion batteries shows them contorting as they become charged with electricity. The thin, nano-sized wires writhe and fatten as lithium ions flow in during charging. The work suggests how rechargeable batteries eventually give out and might offer insights for building better batteries. ... > full story
Dangers of exertional heat-related injuries highlighted (December 13, 2010) -- A new study examined exertional heat-related injuries that were treated in emergency departments between 1997 and 2006. The study found that an estimated 54,983 exertional heat-related injuries, an average of 5,500 cases each year, were treated in emergency departments during the 10-year study period. ... > full story
Physicists make atoms and dark matter add up (December 13, 2010) -- Physicists have proposed a unified explanation for dark matter and the so-called baryon asymmetry -- the apparent imbalance of matter with positive baryon charge and antimatter with negative baryon charge in the universe. ... > full story
Digital video recorders do not change shopping behavior, study suggests (December 13, 2010) -- Research finds that owning a DVR does not influence the demand for advertised products despite its ad-skipping feature. In fact, only a small percentage of ads were fast-forwarded by DVR users who participated in the study, and even that did not have an adverse effect on sales. ... > full story
Brain's inherent ability to focus learning discovered (December 13, 2010) -- Medical researchers have found a missing link that explains the interaction between brain state and the neural triggers responsible for learning, potentially opening up new ways of boosting cognitive function in the face of diseases such as Alzheimer's as well as enhancing memory in healthy people. ... > full story
Whey supplements lower blood pressure: Low-cost protein gets big results in people with elevated blood pressure (December 13, 2010) -- Beverages supplemented by whey-based protein can significantly reduce elevated blood pressure, reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease, a new study has found. ... > full story
Pomegranate juice components could stop cancer from spreading, research suggests (December 13, 2010) -- Researchers have identified components in pomegranate juice that both inhibit the movement of cancer cells and weaken their attraction to a chemical signal that promotes the metastasis of prostate cancer to the bone. The research could lead to new therapies for preventing cancer metastasis. ... > full story
Moderate drinking benefits kidney transplant recipients, study suggests (December 13, 2010) -- Moderate alcohol consumption reduces one's risk for diabetes and premature death in the general population. To find if the same were true for stable kidney transplant recipients, researchers studied 600 renal transplant recipients who had their transplant more than one prior and followed them for several years post-transplant. During an average follow-up of seven years, moderate alcohol drinkers were 44% less likely to die than other types of drinkers/nondrinkers. ... > full story
Carbon fluxes in the oceans: The strange behavior of small particles at density interfaces (December 13, 2010) -- Researchers have found a remarkable effect while studying how marine particles sink, which could affect the way scientists assess global carbon fluxes. Their question: How fast does organic material and debris clumped together forming porous particles settle to the sea floor? Microbes colonizing these particles degrade the organic matter and release carbon dioxide back to the water. The downward velocity of the particles determines the amount of carbon exported to the deep sea. ... > full story
New study raises questions about genetic testing of newborns (December 13, 2010) -- Mandatory genetic testing of infants for rare diseases is creating unexpected upheaval for families whose babies don't get a clean bill of health but who don't show immediate signs of the diseases either, warns a new study. ... > full story
Type 1 diabetes: Grow your own transplant? Human testes cells turned into insulin-producing islet cells (December 13, 2010) -- Men with type 1 diabetes may be able to grow their own insulin-producing cells from their testicular tissue, say researchers. Their laboratory and animal study is a proof of principle that human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) extracted from testicular tissue can morph into insulin-secreting beta islet cells normally found in the pancreas. And the researchers say they accomplished this feat without use of any of the extra genes now employed in most labs to turn adult stem cells into a tissue of choice. ... > full story
New mechanism links cellular stress and brain damage (December 13, 2010) -- A new study uncovers a mechanism linking a specific type of cellular stress with brain damage similar to that associated with neurodegenerative disease. The research is the first to highlight the significance of the reduction of a specific calcium signal that is directly tied to cell fate. ... > full story
Shoo, fly! Catnip oil repels bloodsucking flies (December 13, 2010) -- Catnip, the plant that attracts domestic cats like an irresistible force, has proven 99 percent effective in repelling the blood-sucking flies that attack horses and cows, causing billion in annual loses to the cattle industry. ... > full story
Genetic variants linked to increased risk of common gynecological disease (December 13, 2010) -- Two genetic variants increase the risk of developing endometriosis, a common gynecological disease. The study provides clues to the origin of this often very painful condition, which has a significant impact on the quality of life of sufferers. ... > full story
Shrubby crops can help fuel Africa's green revolution (December 13, 2010) -- Crop diversification with shrubby legumes mixed with soybean and peanuts could be the key to sustaining the green revolution in Africa, according to a new study. The study states that diversifying crops would boost production of nutrient-enriched grain by 12 percent to 23 percent. ... > full story
Improving children's diets using behavior change video games shows promise (December 13, 2010) -- Obesity in youngsters has risen dramatically in recent decades. Fruit and vegetable consumption and increased water intake can lower the risk of obesity, as can increased physical activity, but it is not always easy to convince children to eat better and exercise more. In a new study, researchers found that video games designed to encourage these behaviors were effective. ... > full story
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