ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Probing exoplanets from the ground: A little telescope goes a long way

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:00:00 EST

NASA astronomers have successfully demonstrated that a David of a telescope can tackle Goliath-size questions in the quest to study Earth-like planets around other stars. Their work provides a new tool for ground-based observatories, promising to accelerate by years the search for prebiotic, or life-related, molecules on planets orbiting stars beyond our solar system.

Poor hand-grip strength associated with poor survival

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:00:00 EST

Poor or declining hand-grip strength in the oldest old is associated with poor survival and may be used as a tool to assess mortality, found a new article. The fastest growing segment of the elderly population is the group older than 85 years, classified as the oldest old.

Detecting cancer early

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:00:00 EST

A new testing method is being developed to detect cancer soon after the tumor has formed. It will identify characteristic substances in the blood which accompany a certain type of tumor. The first steps in the development have already been completed.

Marijuana ineffective as an Alzheimer's treatment

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:00:00 EST

The benefits of marijuana in tempering or reversing the effects of Alzheimer's disease have been challenged in a new study.

Ultra-cold chemistry: First direct observation of exchange process in quantum gas

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:00:00 EST

Considerable progresses made in controlling quantum gases open up a new avenue to study chemical processes. An Austrian research team has now succeeded in directly observing chemical exchange processes in an ultra-cold sample of cesium atoms and Feshbach molecules.

Morality research sheds light on the origins of religion

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:00:00 EST

The details surrounding the emergence and evolution of religion have not been clearly established and remain a source of much debate among scholars. Now, a new article brings a new understanding to this long-standing discussion by exploring the fascinating link between morality and religion.

Brain location for fear of losing money pinpointed -- the amygdala

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST

Two patients with rare lesions to the brain have provided direct of evidence of how we make decisions -- and what makes us dislike the thought of losing money.

Mediterranean diet may lower risk of brain damage that causes thinking problems

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST

A Mediterranean diet may help people avoid the small areas of brain damage that can lead to problems with thinking and memory, according to a new study.

Beer is a rich source of silicon and may help prevent osteoporosis

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST

A new study suggests that beer is a significant source of dietary silicon, a key ingredient for increasing bone mineral density. Beers containing high levels of malted barley and hops are richest in silicon.

Blueberries counteract intestinal diseases

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST

It is already known that blueberries are rich in antioxidants and vitamins. New research shows that blueberry fiber is important and can alleviate and protect against intestinal inflammations, such as ulcerative colitis. The protective effect is even better if the blueberries are eaten together with probiotics.

Plant derivative could help refine cancer treatment

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST

Researchers are seeking to refine cancer treatment with an anti-inflammatory plant derivative long used in Chinese medicine.

Music, not gadgets, related to teenagers' headaches

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:00:00 EST

Use of most electronic media is not associated with headaches, at least not in adolescents. A study of 1,025 13- to 17-year-olds found no association between the use of computer games, mobile phones or television and the occurrence of headaches or migraines. However, listening to one or two hours of music every day was associated with a pounding head.

Carcinogens form from third-hand smoke

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Nicotine in third-hand smoke, the residue from tobacco smoke that clings to virtually all surfaces long after a cigarette has been extinguished, reacts with the common indoor air pollutant nitrous acid to produce dangerous carcinogens.

Drug shows promise for Huntington's disease

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

An early stage clinical trial of the experimental drug dimebon (latrepirdine) in people with Huntington's disease appears to be safe and may improve cognition.

Smart coating opens door to safer hip, knee and dental implants

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Researchers have developed a "smart coating" that helps surgical implants bond more closely with bone and ward off infection.

High-altitude climbs may cause corneal swelling, but do not appear to affect vision

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Swelling commonly occurs in the corneas of mountain climbers, but does not appear to affect vision at altitudes of up to 6,300 meters (about 20,670 feet), according to a new study.

Will earlier springs throw nature out of step?

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

The recent trend towards earlier UK springs and summers has been accelerating, according to a new study. The research is the most comprehensive and rigorous assessment so far of long-term changes in the seasonal timing of biological events across marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments in the UK.

Depressed people feel more gray than blue

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

People with anxiety and depression are most likely to use a shade of gray to represent their mental state. Researchers describe the development of a color chart, the Manchester Color Wheel, which can be used to study people's preferred pigment in relation to their state of mind.

Soft drink consumption may markedly increase risk of pancreatic cancer

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:00:00 EST

Consuming two or more soft drinks per week increased the risk of developing pancreatic cancer by nearly twofold compared to individuals who did not consume soft drinks, according to a new study.

Enhancing arrest of cell growth to treat cancer in mice

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:00:00 EST

New research has identified a new type of cellular senescence (i.e., irreversible arrest of cell growth) and determined a way to enhance it to suppress prostate tumor development and growth in mice. These data suggest that enhancing this process might provide a new approach for cancer prevention and therapy.

How respiratory tubes and capillaries form in flies

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:00:00 EST

Scientists in Spain report on the formation of the small-diameter respiratory tubes of the fly Drosophila -- a process that resembles the development of the finest blood vessels, the capillaries, in mammals.

Rab25: a suppressor of tumor formation in intestines?

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:00:00 EST

Colorectal adenocarcinoma accounts for the majority of cases of colorectal cancer. A series of genetic mutations in the cells lining the colon (intestinal epithelial cells) is thought to be the cause of colorectal adenocarcinoma. By studying mouse models of colon cancer and tissue from individuals with colorectal adenocarcinoma, researchers have now identified RAB25 as one gene that might be involved in the formation of colorectal adenocarcinomas.

New method for measuring fluid flow in algae could herald revolution for fluid mechanics

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:00:00 EST

Researchers in fluid dynamics have studied algae to illuminate fluid mechanics. One of the researchers said, "Nature has long inspired researchers in fluid mechanics to explore the mechanical strategies used by living creatures. Where better to look for innovative solutions to a technological challenge than to organisms that have had millions of years to devise strategies for related challenges?"

Nicotine replacement therapy is over-promoted since most ex-smokers quit unassisted, experts argue

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:00:00 EST

Health authorities should emphasize the positive message that the most successful method used by most ex-smokers is unassisted cessation, despite the promotion of cessation drugs by pharmaceutical companies and many tobacco control advocates, according to a new article.

Evolution impacts environment: Fundamental shift in how biologists perceive relationship between evolution and ecology

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:00:00 EST

The traditional view is that ecology shapes evolution. Some research has suggested, however, that evolutionary processes reciprocate by influencing ecology in turn. Now biologists present evidence that ecology and evolution are indeed reciprocally interacting processes, presenting a fundamental shift in our understanding of the relationship between evolution and ecology. The results represent a first significant step in showing that evolution cannot be ignored when studying ecological interactions.

Mice shed new light on causes of childhood deafness

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:00:00 EST

Mice with a genetic change that causes progressive hearing loss in children, also have hearing loss because sound waves are not processed properly. The ear's attempts to compensate for hearing loss may, ironically, cause further damage leading to complete hearing loss. These mice will allow detailed research into many forms of deafness, and bring closer the prospects of therapies to slow or halt hearing loss in both children and adults.

'Boutique' fish farms created for Ugandans to combat Lake Victoria's depleted fish supplies

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:00:00 EST

In a unique project to combat depleted fish supplies in Lake Victoria, researchers have established 'boutique' fish farms in small villages around the Lake's shore in Uganda.

Complete chemokine profile of a cell

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:00:00 EST

Chemokines are a large group of proteins whose predominant function is to direct cell migration. They regulate many physiological and pathophysiological processes, in particular in the immune system. Researchers have now developed a simple method to efficiently identify all the chemokines produced by a single cell type, something that has not been possible before.

Method of the future uses single-cell imaging to identify gene interactions

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:00:00 EST

Cellular imaging offers a wealth of data about how cells respond to stimuli, but harnessing this technique to study biological systems is a daunting challenge. Researchers have now developed a novel method of interpreting data from single-cell images to identify genetic interactions within biological networks, offering a glimpse into the future of high-throughput cell imaging analysis.

More smokers than non-smokers accept HPV vaccination for their daughters

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:00:00 EST

A parent's existing health habits or behaviors, like cigarette smoking, may influence the likelihood that they will have their daughters vaccinated against HPV.

Low forms of cyclin E reduce breast cancer drug's effectiveness

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

Overexpression of low-molecular-weight (LMW-E) forms of the protein cyclin E renders the aromatase inhibitor letrozole ineffective among women with estrogen-receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancers, researchers report.

Great tits: Birds with character

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

Gene variation is the reason that some great tit populations are more curious than others. In humans and animals alike, individuals differ in sets of traits that we usually refer to as personality. An important part of the individual difference in personality is due to variation in the underlying genes. One gene, the dopamine receptor D4 gene, however, is known to influence novelty seeking and exploration behavior in a range of species, including humans and birds. Researchers now show that the gene’s influence on birds’ behavior differs markedly between wild populations of great tits.

Butter leads to lower blood fats than olive oil

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

High blood fat levels normally raise the cholesterol values in the blood, which in turn elevates the risk of atherosclerosis and heart attack. Now a new study shows that butter leads to considerably less elevation of blood fats after a meal compared with olive oil and a new type of canola and flaxseed oil. The difference was stronger in men than in women.

'Counterfactual' thinkers are more motivated and analytical, study suggests

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

Counterfactual thinking -- considering a "turning point" moment in the past and alternate universes had it not occurred -- heightens one's perception of the moment as significant, and even fated, according to a new study. Armed with a sense that life may not be arbitrary, counterfactual thinkers are more motivated and analytical in organizational settings, the study suggests.

Auto exhaust linked to thickening of arteries, possible increased risk of heart attack

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

Swiss, California and Spanish researchers have found that particulates from auto exhaust can lead to the thickening of artery walls, possibly increasing chances of a heart attack and stroke.

Older investors prone to mental misfires while playing the market, study shows

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

Old age traditionally brings with it respect, experience and wisdom. But when it comes to making risky financial investments, an older mind is likely to make more mistakes than a younger one, psychologists say.

Childhood obesity: It's not the amount of TV, it's the number of junk food commercials

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

The association between television viewing and childhood obesity is directly related to children's exposure to commercials that advertise unhealthy foods, according to a new study.

Small insect with a big heart: 'Giving' aphids endangered by their selflessness

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:00:00 EST

One of the founding principles of Darwin's theory is that biological evolution has been shaped by the survival of the fittest. Things, however, are not always that simple as researchers have discovered while analyzing the social behavior of aphids. A few aphid species have "soldiers" who stop reproducing and instead contribute to the public good. Not only do they risk their lives to defend the nest from invaders, but they also mend and clean it.

Double agent: Glial cells can protect or kill neurons, vision

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:00:00 EST

Scientists have identified a double agent in the eye that, once triggered, can morph from neuron protector to neuron killer. The discovery has significant health implications since the neurons killed through this process results in vision loss and blindness.

Better sign of blood vessel narrowing and early coronary artery disease

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:00:00 EST

Cardiologists and heart imaging specialists at 15 medical centers in eight countries have enrolled the first dozen patients in a year-long investigation to learn whether the subtle squeezing of blood flow through the inner layers of the heart is better than traditional SPECT nuclear imaging tests and other diagnostic radiology procedures for accurately tracking the earliest signs of coronary artery clogs.

Genes that regulate maternal inflammatory response, bacterial vaginosis and preterm birth related

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:00:00 EST

Researchers have used haplotype tagging (hap-tag) single-nucleotide polymorphisms to study the relationship between genetic predispositions, an environmental factor -- bacterial vaginosis -- and preterm birth.

Conservation from space: Landscape diversity helps to conserve insects

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:00:00 EST

Rugged, hilly landscapes with a range of different habitat types can help maintain more stable butterfly populations and thus aid their conservation, according to new findings. This has implications for how we might design landscapes better to help conserve species.

People out and about make cities secure

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:00:00 EST

Young people who have experienced threats and violence feel more insecure than others in urban public spaces, especially when alone.

Like escape artists, rotifers elude enemies by drying up and -- poof! -- they are gone with the wind

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST

They haven't had sex in some 30 million years, but some very small invertebrates named bdelloid rotifers are still shocking biologists -- they should have gone extinct long ago. Researchers have discovered the secret to their evolutionary longevity: these rotifers are microscopic escape artists. When facing pathogens, they dry up and are promptly gone with the wind.

Link between advanced maternal age and autism confirmed

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST

Advanced maternal age is linked to a significantly elevated risk of having a child with autism, regardless of the father's age, according to an exhaustive study of all births in California during the 1990s.

The Stars behind the Curtain

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST

Astronomers have obtained a new image of the giant stellar nursery surrounding NGC 3603, in which stars are continuously being born. Embedded in this scenic nebula is one of the most luminous and most compact clusters of young, massive stars in our Milky Way, which therefore serves as an excellent “local” analogue of very active star-forming regions in other galaxies. The cluster also hosts the most massive star to be “weighed” so far.

Test could predict which idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients will become severely ill

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST

A simple blood test could predict which patients with the lung-scarring disease known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are soon to get far worse, an indicator that could one day influence their treatment, according to researchers. Their findings indicate that the body's immune cells attack healthy lung tissue, suggesting that IPF is in fact an immunologic disease.

Agricultural scientists turn to a wild oat to combat crown rust

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:00:00 EST

Scientists are tapping into the DNA of a wild oat, considered by some to be a noxious weed, to see if it can help combat crown rust, the most damaging fungal disease of oats worldwide.