Saturday, July 26, 2008

ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Young Galaxies Have Surprisingly Strong Magnetic Fields: Contradicts Popular Theories

Posted: 26 Jul 2008 07:00 PM CDT

The origin of magnetic fields in galaxies is still a mystery to astronomers. Popular theories suggest continual strengthening over billions of years. New research, however, contradicts this assumption and reveals that young galaxies also have strong magnetic fields.

New Method Enabling Routine Targeted Gene Modification Developed

Posted: 26 Jul 2008 07:00 PM CDT

Scientists have developed a powerful new tool for genomic research and medicine -- a robust method for generating synthetic enzymes that can target particular DNA sequences for inactivation or repair.

Target-seeking Antibodies For Cancer Therapy

Posted: 26 Jul 2008 07:00 PM CDT

A chemist has discovered a new marker together with three associated monoclonal antibodies which are promising candidates for cancer therapy. Up to now, monoclonal antibodies have only aided the chemotherapeutic fight against cancer to a limited extent.

Novel Structure Proteins Could Play A Role In Programmed Cell Death -- Apoptosis

Posted: 26 Jul 2008 07:00 PM CDT

Isoforms from a new family of genes called novel structure proteins could be involved in apoptosis or programmed cell death.

Patient Privacy Assured By Electronic Censor

Posted: 26 Jul 2008 07:00 PM CDT

Newly developed software will help to allay patients' fears about who has access to their confidential data. A new computer program is capable of deleting details from medical records which may identify patients, while leaving important medical information intact.

Diversity In Primary Schools Promotes Harmony, Study Finds

Posted: 26 Jul 2008 07:00 PM CDT

For the first time, children as young as 5 have been shown to understand issues regarding integration and separation. The research confirms that the ethnic composition of primary schools has a direct impact on children's attitudes towards those in other ethnic groups and on their ability to get on with their peers.

Northern Wildfire Smoke May Cast Shadow On Arctic Warming

Posted: 26 Jul 2008 01:00 PM CDT

The Arctic may get some temporary relief from global warming if the annual North American wildfire season intensifies, according to a new study. Smoke transported to the Arctic from northern forest fires may cool the surface for several weeks to months at a time, according to the most detailed analysis yet of how smoke influences the Arctic climate relative to the amount of snow and ice cover.

Key Mechanism Of Cellular Damage In Aging And Disease Discovered

Posted: 26 Jul 2008 01:00 PM CDT

Researchers have taken a first snapshot of how a class of highly reactive molecules inflicts cellular damage as part of aging, heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease and Alzheimer's disease to name a few. Researchers have discovered a tool that can monitor related damage and determine the degree to which antioxidant drugs effectively combat disease.

Shimmering Ferroelectric Domains

Posted: 26 Jul 2008 01:00 PM CDT

Ferroelectric materials are named after ferromagnetic ones because they behave in a similar way. The main difference: these materials are not magnetic, but permanently electrically polarized. They have great importance for data storage technology and novel piezoelectric devices. Scientists have now produced microscopic images of ferroelectric domains - tiny regions of a ferroelectric material -, where the electric polarization points into different directions.

Kidneys Donated After Cardiac Death Could Reduce Disparities For Black Kidney Transplant Recipients

Posted: 26 Jul 2008 01:00 PM CDT

Kidneys donated after individuals die from cardiovascular causes may be one of the best options for black patients in need of transplants, according to a new study. The research reveals that utilization of these organs should be expanded in order to reduce racial disparities that exist in renal transplantation.

Moblie Peer-to-peer Applications: Keeping Up With Your Peers, Securely

Posted: 26 Jul 2008 01:00 PM CDT

Mobile peer-to-peer (P2P) applications allow a team or group to create new levels of ad hoc co-operation and collaboration around a specific, real-time goal. But developing compelling and secure applications is a challenge. Now a new platform rises to that challenge.

Who's More Likely To Do Sports? White, Middle Class, And Middle-aged

Posted: 26 Jul 2008 01:00 PM CDT

The comfortably off, white, and middle-aged are the most likely to participate in sporting activities, reveals a 10 year study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Promising Results In Deep Brain Stimulation For Patients With Treatment-resistant Depression

Posted: 26 Jul 2008 07:00 AM CDT

New data from a study of patients with treatment-resistant depression who underwent deep brain stimulation in the subcallosal cingulate region of the brain shows that this intervention is generally safe and provides significant improvement in patients as early as one month after treatment. The patients also experienced continued and sustained improvement over time.

New Roadside Beautification Concept Studied

Posted: 26 Jul 2008 07:00 AM CDT

Travel America's highways or drive down any city street this summer and you'll probably see them. From small, manicured beds of flowers to extensive landscaping projects, roadside gardens are taking root. Aside from the obvious aesthetic benefits, studies indicate that roadside beautification, including landscaping and gardens, can help drivers reduce stress, frustration and aggression, while helping maintain safe highways.

Heart Disease Is Linked To Worse Mental Processes That, In Turn, Predict The Onset Of Dementia

Posted: 26 Jul 2008 07:00 AM CDT

Coronary heart disease is associated with a worse performance in mental processes such as reasoning, vocabulary and verbal fluency, according to a study of 5,837 middle-aged Whitehall civil servants published in the European Heart Journal. The study also found that the longer ago the heart disease had been diagnosed, the worse was the person's cognitive performance and this effect was particularly marked in men.

Machine Vision Lab Has Smoother Approach To Tile Quality

Posted: 26 Jul 2008 07:00 AM CDT

Surface defects in ceramic tiles, invisible to the naked eye, could be automatically detected by a new system being developed at the University of the West of England. The system would detect imperfections such as pinholes, crazing, rough or dull glazes, even on tiles with a texture or relief pattern, saving the industry time and money and reducing wastage.

Giving Electronic Learning A Personal Touch

Posted: 26 Jul 2008 07:00 AM CDT

A learning system that adapts to the abilities and needs of students opens the way to a more personalized approach in delivering education electronically.

Why Cigarette Smoke Makes Flu, Other Viral Infections Worse

Posted: 25 Jul 2008 07:00 PM CDT

A new study could explain why the cold and flu virus symptoms that are often mild and transient in non-smokers can seriously sicken smokers. The study also identified the mechanism by which viruses and cigarette smoke interact to increase lung inflammation and damage.

Gene Responsible For Rare Childhood Disease Identified

Posted: 25 Jul 2008 07:00 PM CDT

The chromosomal abnormality that causes a rare, but often fatal, disorder that affects infants has been identified by researchers who happened to treat two young children with the disease in San Diego -- two of perhaps a dozen children in the entire country diagnosed with the disorder.

Various Species' Genes Evolve To Minimize Protein Production Errors

Posted: 25 Jul 2008 07:00 PM CDT

Genetic evolution is strongly shaped by genes' efforts to prevent or tolerate errors in protein production. Previously unexplained patterns of evolution may aim to prevent or tolerate mistranslation.

Energy Drinks Linked To Risk-taking Behaviors Among College Students

Posted: 25 Jul 2008 07:00 PM CDT

Over the last decade, energy drinks -- such as Red Bull, Monster and Rockstar -- have become nearly ubiquitous on college campuses. Now new research validates and expands upon existing concerns about energy drink consumption.

Exoplanet Orbiting Sun-like Star Discovered

Posted: 25 Jul 2008 04:00 PM CDT

Astronomers have discovered an exoplanet orbiting a star slightly more massive than the Sun. After just 555 days in orbit, the COROT mission has now observed more than 50 000 stars and is adding significantly to our knowledge of the fundamental workings of stars.

New Material May Help Autos Turn Heat Into Electricity

Posted: 25 Jul 2008 01:00 PM CDT

Researchers have invented a new material that will make cars even more efficient, by converting heat wasted through engine exhaust into electricity. In the journal Science, they describe a material with twice the efficiency of anything currently on the market.

EPA Acts To Reduce Toxic Pesticide -- Carbofuran -- Residue In Food

Posted: 25 Jul 2008 01:00 PM CDT

Due to considerable risks associated with the pesticide carbofuran in food and drinking water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is revoking the regulations that allow carbofuran residues in food. EPA is proceeding on the path toward cancellation of the pesticide registration, which will address the risks to pesticide applicators and birds in treated fields.

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