ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Clockwork That Drives Powerful Virus Nanomotor Discovered Posted: 31 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST Peering at structures only atoms across, researchers have identified the clockwork that drives a powerful virus nanomotor. Because of the motor's strength -- to scale, twice that of an automobile -- the new findings could inspire engineers designing sophisticated nanomachines. In addition, because a number of virus types may possess a similar motor, including the virus that causes herpes, the results may also assist pharmaceutical companies developing methods to sabotage virus machinery.

Gene Therapy Reversed Heart Damage In Rats With Heart Failure Posted: 31 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST Long-term gene therapy resulted in improved cardiac function and reversed deterioration of the heart in rats with heart failure, according to a recent study.

Mouse Trap? Immunologist Calls For More Research On Humans, Not Mice Posted: 31 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST The fabled laboratory mouse -- from which we have learned so much about how the immune system works -- can teach us only so much about how we humans get sick and what to do about it, says a leading researcher.

Don't Scratch That Itch: Blocking The Protein IL-21R Helps Prevent A Form Of Eczema Posted: 31 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST Researchers have identified a role for the protein IL-21R in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis, a common allergic inflammatory skin disease often known as eczema.

Shade Coffee Benefits More Than Birds Posted: 31 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST Here's one more reason to say 'shade grown, please' when you order your morning cup of coffee. Shade coffee farms, which grow coffee under a canopy of multiple tree species, not only harbor native birds, bats and other beneficial creatures, but also maintain genetic diversity of native tree species and can act as focal points for tropical forest regeneration.

Family Rejection Of Lesbian, Gay And Bisexual Children Linked To Poor Health In Childhood Posted: 31 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST A predictive link has been established between negative family reactions to their child's sexual orientation and serious health problems. Negative parental behaviors toward LGB children dramatically compromises their health.

Songs From The Sea: Deciphering Dolphin Language With Picture Words Posted: 31 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST In an important breakthrough in deciphering dolphin language, researchers in Great Britain and the United States have imaged the first high definition imprints that dolphin sounds make in water.

Genes That Made 1918 Flu Lethal Isolated Posted: 31 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST By mixing and matching a contemporary flu virus with the "Spanish flu" -- a virus that killed between 20 and 50 million people 90 years ago in history's most devastating outbreak of infectious disease -- researchers have identified a set of three genes that helped underpin the extraordinary virulence of the 1918 virus.

Aphids Leave Old Exoskeletons Near Their Colonies, As Decoys Posted: 31 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST By leaving the remains of their old exoskeletons, called 'exuviae', in and around their colonies, aphids gain some measure of protection from parasites. Parasitoid wasps are likely to attack the empty shells, resulting in a lower attack rate on their previous occupants -- much like in the popular 'shell game' confidence trick.

Small Molecules, Large Effect: How Cancer Cells Ensure Their Survival Posted: 31 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST Scientists have identified a molecular mechanism used by cancer cells to "defend" themselves against chemotherapeutics in an attempt to ensure their own survival. Both the messenger substance nitrogen monoxide (NO) and the protein survivin play a role in this.

Cracking A Tough Nut For Semiconductor Industry Posted: 31 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST Researchers have developed a method to measure the toughness of the thin insulating films that play a critical role in high-performance integrated circuits, a technique that can help improve the reliability and manufacturability of ICs.

Risk Takers, Drug Abusers Driven By Decreased Ability To Process Dopamine Posted: 31 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST For risk-takers and impulsive people, New Year's resolutions often include being more careful, spending more frugally and cutting back on dangerous behavior, such as drug use. But new research finds that these individuals -- labeled as novelty seekers by psychologists -- face an uphill battle in keeping their New Year's resolutions due to the way their brains process dopamine.

Better Antifreezes To Preserve Donor Organs For Transplantation Posted: 31 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST Chemists in Canada have developed a new approach for producing more effective medical antifreeze fluids for preserving kidneys, hearts, and other organs donated for transplantation. These next-generation antifreezes can decrease damage to organs caused by ice crystals, and thus prolong the time a donated organ will remain viable prior to transplantation. This could increase the number of available organs for potential recipients.

Blood Sugar Linked To Normal Cognitive Aging Posted: 31 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST Maintaining blood sugar levels, even in the absence of disease, may be an important strategy for preserving cognitive health, suggests a new study. The findings suggest that exercising to improve blood sugar levels could be a way for some people to stave off the normal cognitive decline that comes with age.

Researchers Print Dense Lattice Of Transparent Nanotube Transistors On Flexible Base Posted: 31 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST It's a clear, colorless disk about 5 inches in diameter that bends and twists like a playing card, with a lattice of more than 20,000 nanotube transistors capable of high-performance electronics printed upon it using a potentially inexpensive low-temperature process.

MRI Scans Can Predict Effects Of Multiple Sclerosis Flare-ups On Optic Nerve Posted: 31 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST One of the most pernicious aspects of multiple sclerosis -- its sheer unpredictability -- may finally be starting to yield to advanced medical imaging techniques.

Human Hair Combined With Compost Is Good Fertilizer For Plants Posted: 31 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST Studies have shown that human hair, a readily available waste generated from barbershops and hair salons, combined with additional compost, is an additional nutrient source for crops.

Third-hand Smoke: Another Reason To Quit Smoking Posted: 31 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST Researchers have described how tobacco smoke contamination lingers even after a cigarette is extinguished -- a phenomenon they define as "third-hand" smoke. They examine, for the first time, adult attitudes about the health risks to children of third-hand smoke and how those beliefs may relate to rules about smoking in their homes.

Another Reason To Avoid High-fat Diet: It Can Disrupt Our Biological Clock, Say Researchers Posted: 30 Dec 2008 11:00 PM PST Indulgence in a high-fat diet can not only lead to overweight because of excessive calorie intake, but also can affect the balance of circadian rhythms -- everyone's 24-hour biological clock, researchers have shown.

Moderate Drinking Can Reduce Risks Of Alzheimer's Dementia And Cognitive Decline, Analysis Suggests Posted: 30 Dec 2008 11:00 PM PST Moderate drinkers often have lower risks of Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive loss, according to researchers who reviewed 44 studies. In more than half of the studies, published since the 1990s, moderate drinkers of wine, beer and liquor had lower dementia risks than nondrinkers.

Botany: Root System Architecture Arises From Coupling Cell Shape To Auxin Transport Posted: 30 Dec 2008 11:00 PM PST What determines the pattern of root growth has until now been a mystery, but a new paper in PLoS Biology shows that the shape of the existing root can determine how further roots branch from it because shape determines hormone concentration. The work also suggests that the root-patterning system shares a deep evolutionary relationship to the patterning system of plant shoots, something that had not been realized previously.

Women Double Fruit, Veggie Intake With Switch To Mediterranean Diet Plan Posted: 30 Dec 2008 11:00 PM PST Women more than doubled their fruit and vegetable intakes and dramatically increased their consumption of 'good' fats when they were counseled by registered dietitians and provided with a list of guidelines on the amount of certain foods they should eat each day.

Professor Helps Control Infectious Diseases With Models And Math Posted: 30 Dec 2008 11:00 PM PST Can an algebraic equation hold the secret to eradicating malaria or schistosomiasis? A mathematics professor is utilizing the combination of algorithms and models in an effort to assist his medical colleagues in the fight against infectious diseases.

Skipping Sleep May Signal Problems For Coronary Arteries Posted: 30 Dec 2008 11:00 PM PST One extra hour of sleep per night appears to decrease the risk of coronary artery calcification, an early step down the path to cardiovascular disease. Calcified arteries were found in 27 percent of those who slept less than five hours a night, 11 percent of those who slept five to seven hours and six percent of those who slept more than seven hours a night.

Mars Rovers Near Five Years Of Science And Discovery Posted: 30 Dec 2008 09:00 PM PST NASA rovers Spirit and Opportunity may still have big achievements ahead as they approach the fifth anniversaries of their memorable landings on Mars.

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Why Locusts Abandon A Solitary Life For The Swarm Posted: 30 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST By applying an old theory that has been used to explain water flow through soil and the spread of forest fires, researchers may have an answer to a perplexing ecological and evolutionary problem: why locusts switch from an innocuous, solitary lifestyle to form massive swarms that can devastate crops and strip fields bare.

Common Food Additive Found To Increase Risk And Speed Spread Of Lung Cancer Posted: 30 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST New research in an animal model suggests that a diet high in inorganic phosphates, which are found in a variety of processed foods including meats, cheeses, beverages and bakery products, might speed growth of lung cancer tumors and may even contribute to the development of those tumors in individuals predisposed to the disease.

Flowering Plants Speed Post-surgery Recovery Posted: 30 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST Contact with nature has long been suspected to increase positive feelings, reduce stress, and provide distraction from the pain associated with recovery from surgery. Now, research has confirmed the beneficial effects of plants and flowers for patients recovering from abdominal surgery.

Pre-existing Diabetes For Persons Diagnosed With Cancer Associated With Increased Risk Of Death Posted: 30 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST Patients with diabetes at the time of a cancer diagnosis have an increased risk of death compared to patients without diabetes, according to a meta-analysis of studies.

How Small Can Computers Get? Computing In A Molecule Posted: 30 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST Over the last 60 years, ever-smaller generations of transistors have driven exponential growth in computing power. Could molecules, each turned into miniscule computer components, trigger even greater growth in computing over the next 60?

Bizarre Reproductive Techniques Discovered For Deep-ocean Squid Posted: 30 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST Males that produce sperm packages that can penetrate deep into the skin. Females with bellies full of stored sperm. Males that seriously injure the females during mating. This is just a selection of the bizarre reproductive techniques that marine biologist Henk-Jan Hoving has discovered with different species of deep-ocean squid.

Competition, Not Climate Change, Led To Neanderthal Extinction, Study Shows Posted: 30 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST Neanderthal extinction was principally a result of competition with Cro-Magnon populations, rather than the consequences of climate change, according to a new study.

Both Major Theories About Human Cellular Aging Supported By New Research Posted: 30 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST Aging yeast cells accumulate damage over time, but they do so by following a pattern laid down earlier in their life by diet as well as the genes that control metabolism and the dynamics of cell structures such as mitochondria, the power plants of cells.

Pollen Grain Study Yields New Picture Of Ice Age Posted: 30 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST According to a new analysis of deposits of pollen grains, it is possible that all of Sweden was virtually free of ice for long periods during the latest ice age. The findings show that the glaciation might have started some 20,000 later than was previously assumed.

Area Of Brain Key To Choosing Words Identified Posted: 30 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST Psychologists have now clearly identified the parts of the brain involved in the process of choosing appropriate words during speech.

Facial Expressions Of Emotion Are Innate, Not Learned Posted: 30 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST Facial expressions of emotion are hardwired into our genes, according to a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. The research suggests that facial expressions of emotion are innate rather than a product of cultural learning.

Anti-fungal Drug Offers Great Benefits To Some With Severe Asthma, Study Suggests Posted: 30 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST Some patients with severe asthma who also have allergic sensitivity to certain fungi enjoy great improvements in their quality of life and on other measures after taking an anti-fungal drug, according to new research.

Berry Compound Reduces Aging Effect Posted: 30 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST Aged laboratory animals that ate a diet rich in the berry and grape compound pterostilbene performed better than those in a group that did not eat the enriched diet, scientists with the Agricultural Research Service have reported. Pterostilbene reversed measurable negative effects of aging on brain function and behavioral performance.

Breast Cancer: Diet High In Vegetables, Fruit And Fiber May Cut Risk Of Cancer Recurrence In Women Without Hot Flashes Posted: 30 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST A secondary analysis of a large, multicenter clinical trial has shown that a diet loaded with fruits, vegetables and fiber and somewhat lower in fat compared to standard federal dietary recommendations cuts the risk of recurrence in a subgroup of early-stage breast cancer survivors -- women who didn't have hot flashes -- by approximately 31 percent. These patients typically have higher recurrence and lower survival rates than breast cancer patients who have hot flashes.

Diverse Landscapes Are Better: Policymakers Urged To Think Broadly About Biofuel Crops Posted: 30 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST Scientists have found that growing more corn to produce ethanol, creating less diverse landscapes, reduces the ability of beneficial insects to control pests, a loss valued at about $58 million per year in the four states studied.

T'is The Season To Be Jolly? Posted: 30 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST As the party season approaches, a timely reminder of the issues surrounding the binge drinking culture are again highlighted by research into "young people and alcohol" a team lead by Professor Christine Griffin, at the University of Bath. The research suggests several considerations for future policy.

Nanotechnology May Be Used For Food Safety Posted: 29 Dec 2008 11:00 PM PST A microscopic biological sensor that detects Salmonella bacteria in lab tests has been developed. The sensor could be adapted to detect other foodborne pathogens as well.

Molecule That Targets Brain Tumors Identified Posted: 29 Dec 2008 11:00 PM PST Researchers have discovered a molecule that targets glioblastoma, a highly deadly form of cancer.

Climate Change Effects On Imperiled Sierra Frog Examined Posted: 29 Dec 2008 11:00 PM PST Climate change can have significant impacts on high-elevation lakes and imperiled Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged frogs that depend upon them.

Voriconazole: A Highly Potent Treatment For Fungal Infections Posted: 29 Dec 2008 11:00 PM PST The effectiveness of voriconazole in combating fungal infections has been confirmed by a new study to be featured in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents.

Multilingual Culture and Heritage Internet Search System Developed Posted: 29 Dec 2008 11:00 PM PST European researchers say they are pushing online culture and heritage research way beyond Google by using a smart search system that is multilingual, multimedia and optimized for cultural heritage. Better yet, this promising system has wide application in other fields.

Gardening Provides Recommended Physical Activity For Older Adults Posted: 29 Dec 2008 11:00 PM PST Gardening is a very popular leisure activity for adults aged 65 or older in the United States. A recent study set out to determine if gardening enables older adults to meet the physical activity recommendation set forth by the CDC and the ACSM.

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Potential Autoimmunity-inducing Cells Found In Healthy Adults Posted: 29 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST It's not just patients with autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis that have self-attacking immune cells; healthy people have them too, according to a new report in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. However, in healthy adults, these cells are maintained in an "off" state, perhaps explaining their innocuous nature.

Breakthrough In Production Of Double-walled Carbon Nanotubes Posted: 29 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST In recent years, the possible applications for double-walled carbon nanotubes have excited scientists and engineers, particularly those working on developing renewable energy technologies. These tiny tubes, just two carbon atoms thick, are thin enough to be transparent, yet can still conduct electricity. This combination makes them well-suited for advanced solar panels, sensors and a host of other applications

Vitamin D Deficiency In Infants And Nursing Mothers Carries Long-term Disease Risks Posted: 29 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST Once believed to be important only for bone health, vitamin D is now seen as having a critical function in maintaining the immune system throughout life. The newly recognized disease risks associated with vitamin D deficiency are clearly documented in a report in Breastfeeding Medicine.

New Label-free Method Tracks Molecules And Drugs In Live Cells Posted: 29 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST A new type of highly sensitive microscopy could greatly expand the limits of modern biomedical imaging, allowing scientists to track the location of minuscule metabolites and drugs in living cells and tissues without the use of any kind of fluorescent labeling.

Changing Drivers' Perceptions Of Law Enforcement May Deter Drunk Driving Posted: 29 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST In 2007, approximately 1,500 people nationwide were killed in crashes that involved a drunk driver from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day. Researchers found that the most important deterrence factors for high-risk drivers are their perceptions of the likelihood of being stopped or arrested and their support for deterrence laws.

How Helium Can Be Solid And Perfect Liquid At Same Time, Now Explained By Computer-assisted Physics Posted: 29 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST At very low temperatures, helium can be solid and a perfect liquid at the same time. Theoreticians, though, have incorrectly explained the phenomenon for a long time. Computer simulations have now shown that only impurities can make this effect possible.

Protein Sports Drinks Proven To Give Best Performance Posted: 29 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST Sports drinks containing protein are better at improving athletes' performance. Research published in the International Society of Sports Nutrition has shown that drinks containing a mix of carbohydrate and protein are superior to carbohydrate-only drinks in improving cyclists' recovery from exercise.

How Certain Vegetables Combat Cancer Posted: 29 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST Women should go for the broccoli when the relish tray comes around during holiday celebrations this season.

Diet For Diabetics: Low-glycemic Diet Shows Greater Improvement In Glycemic Control Than High-fiber Diet Posted: 29 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST Persons with type 2 diabetes who had a diet high in low-glycemic foods such as nuts, beans and lentils had greater improvement in glycemic control and risk factors for coronary heart disease than persons on a diet with an emphasis on high-cereal fiber, according to a new study.

Climate Change Could Dramatically Affect Water Supplies Posted: 29 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST It's no simple matter to figure out how regional changes in precipitation, expected to result from global climate change, may affect water supplies. Now, a new analysis has found that the changes in groundwater may actually be much greater than the precipitation changes themselves.

DNA Profiling For Tracing Parental Ancestry Becomes More Accurate And Reliable Posted: 29 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST A lesser known but rapidly growing application of DNA profiling is tracing paternal ancestry. NIST researchers recently published a paper with recommendations for genealogy testing that they hope will improve accuracy and reliability.

Sleep Disorders: Warning Sign For Neurodegenerative Disease? Posted: 29 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST People with a sleep disorder that causes them to kick or cry out during their sleep may be at greater risk of developing dementia or Parkinson's disease, according to a  new study.

Researchers Map New Path To Colon Cancer Therapy Posted: 29 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST Researchers have identified a promising new target in the battle against colorectal cancer -- a biochemical pathway critical to the spread of tumors to new locations in the body.

Microscale System To Study Frustration In Buckled Monolayers Of Microspheres Posted: 29 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST Physicists have demonstrated a simple system based on micron-sized spheres in water to study and control geometric frustration. Their research elucidates open questions about frustration and frustration relief and provides a new tool for scientists grappling with these issues in a variety of fields from magnetism to basic statistical mechanics.

Our Unconscious Brain Makes The Best Decisions Possible Posted: 29 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST Researchers have shown that the human brain -- once thought to be a seriously flawed decision maker -- is actually hard-wired to allow us to make the best decisions possible with the information we are given.

Circumcision Reduces The Risk Of HIV Infection In Heterosexual US Men Posted: 28 Dec 2008 11:00 PM PST A new US study has found that being circumcised significantly reduced the risk of HIV infection in heterosexual African-American men known to have been exposed to the virus. The findings of the new study, along with similar results from other studies, suggest that circumcision may protect other heterosexual males in the US.

Cost Of Hatchling Turtles' Dash For Freedom Posted: 28 Dec 2008 11:00 PM PST The first few hundred meters that a newly hatched turtle swims are the most dangerous of its life. Frantically swimming and surrounded by predators, as many as 30 percent die on their maiden voyage. Curious to know how much energy the youngsters need to reach safe deep water, scientists measured the hatchling's oxygen consumption and found that they have enough energy reserves to survive 14 days at sea without feeding.

Allergies Alone Not Associated With Increased Risk Of Nighttime Breathing Problems Posted: 28 Dec 2008 11:00 PM PST Allergic rhinitis does not appear to be associated with snoring or daytime sleepiness, but individuals with obstructed nasal passages are likely to experience both regardless of whether they have allergies, according to a new report.

How Healthy Are America's Coasts? Posted: 28 Dec 2008 11:00 PM PST The overall condition of the nation's coastal waters has improved slightly, based on a recently released environmental assessment. The overall condition of America's coasts is rated as "fair," based on five indicators.

Are Older Antidepressants Better For Depression In Parkinson's Disease? Posted: 28 Dec 2008 11:00 PM PST A new study shows that antidepressant drugs which only affect serotonin, often used as first choice treatments, may not be best for depression in people with Parkinson's disease. The new research is published in the journal Neurology. Depression affects up to 50 percent of people with Parkinson's disease.

Brain Birth Defects Successfully Reversed Through Stem Cell Therapy Posted: 27 Dec 2008 09:00 PM PST Scientists have succeeded in reversing brain birth defects in animal models, using stem cells to replace defective brain cells. The work involved using mouse embryonic neural stem cells, which migrate in the brain, search for the deficiency that caused the defect, and then differentiate into becoming the cells needed to repair the damage.

Hot Southern Summer Threatens Coral With Massive Bleaching Event Posted: 27 Dec 2008 09:00 PM PST A widespread and severe coral bleaching episode is predicted to cause immense damage to some of the world's most important marine environments over the next few months.

Space Technology To Soothe Roadster Ride Posted: 27 Dec 2008 09:00 PM PST Space missions are highly complex operations, not only because the satellites or space probes are unique pieces of top-notch intricate high-tech, but also because it is so challenging to get them to their assigned position in space without damage. The technology used is now being transferred to the car industry to increase comfort.

Defatted Soy Flour Eyed As Filler Substitute For Rubber Tires Posted: 27 Dec 2008 09:00 PM PST In 1941, Henry Ford unveiled a plastic-bodied car whose panels included soybean meal as component. The feat made headlines--and history--but the idea never took off commercially. However, researchers continue to toy with the idea and are now testing soy flour as a "green" filler for tires and other natural rubber products.

New Tool Fertilizes Fields And Reduces Runoff Nutrients Posted: 27 Dec 2008 09:00 PM PST A new field tool developed by Agricultural Research Service scientists applies poultry litter to fields in shallow bands, reducing runoff of excess nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen.

Military Uniforms Now Provide Reliable Protection From Mosquitoes Posted: 27 Dec 2008 09:00 PM PST Assuring that uniforms issued to U.S. military personnel are properly treated to repel mosquitoes is now possible, thanks to a new testing method.

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