Friday, August 01, 2008

ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Exercise In A Pill: Researchers Identify Drugs That Enhance Exercise Endurance

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 10:00 AM CDT

Trying to reap the health benefits of exercise? Forget treadmills and spin classes, researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies may have found a way around the sweat and pain. They identified two signaling pathways that are activated in response to exercise and converge to dramatically increase endurance.

Discovery May Lead To Immunization Against Cardiovascular Disease

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 10:00 AM CDT

Low levels of naturally occurring antibodies may represent an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, particularly stroke in men. This discovery, published in the academic journal Atherosclerosis, has now led to attempts to develop an immunization against cardiovascular disease.

Mars Express Acquires Sharpest Images Of Martian Moon Phobos

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 10:00 AM CDT

Mars Express closed in on the intriguing martian moon Phobos at 6:49 CEST on July 23, flying past at 3 km/s, only 93 km from the moon. The ESA spacecraft's fly-bys of the moon have returned its most detailed full-disc images ever, also in 3-D, using the High Resolution Stereo Camera on board. Phobos is what scientists call a 'small irregular body'.

Compounds From Soy Affect Brain And Reproductive Development

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 10:00 AM CDT

Two hormone-like compounds linked to the consumption of soy-based foods can cause irreversible changes in the structure of the brain, resulting in early-onset puberty and symptoms of advanced menopause, according to a new study. The study is a breakthrough in determining how these compounds can cause reproductive health problems, as well as in providing a key building block for how to treat these problems.

Kiwi Fruit DNA Sequences Released

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 10:00 AM CDT

Scientists have released the world's most extensive collection of kiwi fruit DNA sequences. The release comprises over 130,000 kiwi fruit gene sequences from active genes in the plant; genes that govern such characteristics as flavor, color, shape, vitamin content and aspects of fruit development such as ripening and storage life.

Spanish Bank Notes Contain Highest Traces Of Cocaine Of Any European Currency

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 10:00 AM CDT

A study of randomly selected Spanish euro notes carried out by chemists at the University of Valencia (UV) has shown that they contained traces of cocaine at an average concentration of 155 microgrammes, which is the highest rate in Europe, according to an article published in the latest issue of the magazine Trends in Analytical Chemistry. The researchers also carried out a comparative study of the methods currently used in detecting the presence of cocaine on bank notes worldwide.

'Major Discovery' Primed To Unleash Solar Revolution: Scientists Mimic Essence Of Plants' Energy Storage System

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 07:00 AM CDT

Until now, solar power has been a daytime-only energy source, because storing extra solar energy for later use is prohibitively expensive and grossly inefficient. Researchers have now hit upon a simple, inexpensive, highly efficient process for storing solar energy.

Cartilage That Repairs Itself? New Research Reveals Important Clues

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 07:00 AM CDT

A strain of mice with the natural ability to repair damaged cartilage may one day lead to significant improvements in treatment of human knee, shoulder and hip injuries. Researchers have discovered males from a strain of mice called MRL/MpJ have the innate ability to repair their own knee cartilage.

Dual-use Sexual Attraction And Population-control Chemicals Found In Nematodes

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 07:00 AM CDT

Organisms ranging from humans to plants to the lowliest bacterium use molecules to communicate. Caltech researchers have now found a rare kind of signaling molecule in the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans that serves a dual purpose, working as both a population-control mechanism and a sexual attractant. The discovery could lead to new ways to control parasitic nematodes, which affect the health of more than a billion people and cause billions of dollars in crop damage.

New Treatment Therapy Helps Inhibit Hepatitis C

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 07:00 AM CDT

Two new studies examine the use of the nucleoside polymerase inhibitor, R1626, to the standard therapy for hepatitis C.

New Insight On Superconductors

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 07:00 AM CDT

An important advance in understanding how the electrons in some materials become superconducting has been made by researchers from UC Davis, the Los Alamos National Laboratory and UC Irvine.

Living With A Partner Reduces Risk Of Alzheimer’s

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 07:00 AM CDT

Living with a spouse or a partner decreases the risk of developing Alzheimer's and other dementia diseases. This according to a study by Krister Håkansson, researcher in psychology at Växjö University and Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. The results were presented for the first time yesterday at the world's largest dementia conference.

How The First Stars In The Universe Came Into Existence

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 04:00 AM CDT

How the first stars formed from dust and gas has been a burning question for years, but a state-of-the-art computer simulation now offers the most detailed picture yet of how these first stars in the universe came into existence, researchers say.

Commonly Used Test Could Identify Millions Of People With Undiagnosed Diabetes

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 04:00 AM CDT

A blood test currently used as the gold standard for monitoring people already under care for diabetes may have far wider use in identifying millions with undetected diabetes.

Killer Pulses Help Characterize Special Surfaces

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 04:00 AM CDT

Detecting deadly fumes in subways, toxic gases in chemical spills, and hidden explosives in baggage is becoming easier and more efficient with a measurement technique called surface-enhanced Raman scattering. Researchers have now devised a method to evaluate substrate surfaces by using a series of killer laser pulses.

Advances In The Field Of Schizophrenia Research: New Genetic Factors Identified

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 04:00 AM CDT

Scientists have successfully identified genetic factors associated with schizophrenia. These findings could represent a decisive step towards understanding the causes of this severe mental disorder as well as developing new potential treatments.

Potential Of Graphene Films As Next-generation Transistors Demonstrated

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 04:00 AM CDT

Physicists at the University of Pennsylvania have characterized an aspect of graphene film behavior by measuring the way it conducts electricity on a substrate. This milestone advances the potential application of graphene, the ultra-thin, single-atom thick carbon sheets that conduct electricity faster and more efficiently than silicon, the current material of choice for transistor fabrication.

Cocaine Addiction Linked To Voluntary Drug Use And Cellular Memory, Study Shows

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 04:00 AM CDT

New research has uncovered a fundamental cellular mechanism that may drive pathological drug-seeking behavior. Rats that voluntarily use cocaine show a persistent cellular memory in the brain's reward center even after several months of abstinence from the drug, while their involuntary counterparts had no such memory, according to a new study.

Stem Cell Technology: First Neurons Created From ALS Patient's Skin Cells

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 01:00 AM CDT

Harvard and Columbia scientists have for the first time used a new technique to transform an ALS patient's skin cells into motor neurons, a process that may be used in the future to create tailor-made cells to treat the debilitating disease.

Potential New Drug Target To Fight Tuberculosis Identified

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 01:00 AM CDT

With antibiotic resistance on the rise, tuberculosis is emerging as a bigger global health threat than ever before. But now, innovative research suggests that Mycobacterium tuberculosis has an as yet unsuspected weakness -- one that could be a prime target for drug development.

New Wireless Technology Responds To Emergencies Where GPS Doesn't Work

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 01:00 AM CDT

CSIRO is developing new wireless technologies for locating, tracking, sensing and communicating in areas where global positioning systems do not work.

Nephrologists Debate Uses Of Estimated Kidney Function

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 01:00 AM CDT

A routinely available laboratory result called the estimated glomerular filtration rate provides a simple indicator of kidney function and may increase early diagnoses of chronic kidney disease. However, widespread use of eGFR for this purpose may have inherent flaws and dangers -- including a risk that large numbers of elderly patients will be misclassified as having CKD.

The Amazing Quantum World Of Ultra Cold Matter

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 01:00 AM CDT

Scientists have been fascinated by the concept of absolute zero, the temperature at which everything comes to a complete stop. But physics tells us otherwise: absolute zero cannot be reached but only approached, and the closer you get, the more interesting phenomena you find.

Drug Use By Europe’s Young People Leads To Risky Sexual Behaviour

Posted: 01 Aug 2008 01:00 AM CDT

High levels of alcohol and drug consumption by young people in Europe is leading to an increase in unsafe sexual practices and a consequent rise in sexually-transmitted disease infections, according to a recently published study by the European Institute of Studies on Prevention (IREFREA).

How Amyloid Plaques May Damage Brain Cells In Alzheimer's Disease

Posted: 31 Jul 2008 10:00 PM CDT

A major question surrounding Alzheimer's disease -- whether and how amyloid plaques found in the brains of patients actually damage neurons -- may be closer to an answer. Using an advanced imaging technique, researchers from the MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease found that levels of intracellular calcium are significantly elevated in neurons close to Alzheimer's plaques in a mouse model and showed how excess calcium may interfere with neuronal signals and cause cell death.

Toward Designer Bourbon Whiskeys With Custom-tailored Aromas

Posted: 31 Jul 2008 10:00 PM CDT

In the latest chapter in a 40-year scientific quest to unravel the flavor and aroma secrets of the world's whiskeys, scientists in Germany are reporting discovery of key substances responsible for the distinctive bouquet of American bourbon whiskey.

Alcohol Is Associated With Risk Of Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

Posted: 31 Jul 2008 10:00 PM CDT

There is a link between alcohol consumption and increased risk of perennial allergic rhinitis, according to a recent Danish study of 5,870 young adult women. The study found that the risk increased 3 percent for every additional alcoholic drink per week. In contrast, the authors did not observe any increase in risk of seasonal allergic rhinitis according to alcohol intake.

A Counter To Counterfeit Drugs

Posted: 31 Jul 2008 10:00 PM CDT

The counterfeiting of medicines has been known of since around 1990 and is a growing problem. Counterfeit medicines are estimated as more than 10% of the global medicines market and in some developing countries it is thought to be as high as 50%. Now, researchers are developing a system using a portable near infrared (NIR) spectrometer to identify counterfeits in the field.

Respiratory Illnesses And Dog Bites A Concern For Travelers To China For 2008 Olympics

Posted: 31 Jul 2008 10:00 PM CDT

As 600,000 visitors and athletes gear up to travel to China for the 2008 Olympic Games, travelers should be most concerned about respiratory illnesses and dog bites, according to a report by an Emory University travelers' health expert, her colleagues at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and around the globe.

Improved Estrogen Reception May Sharpen Fuzzy Memory

Posted: 31 Jul 2008 07:00 PM CDT

Finding ways to boost the brain's estrogen receptors may be an alternative to adding estrogen to the body in efforts to improve cognition in postmenopausal women and younger women with low estrogen levels, according to neuroscientists at the University of Florida's McKnight Brain Institute.

Mud Pots Signal Possible Extension Of San Andreas Fault

Posted: 31 Jul 2008 07:00 PM CDT

A linear string of mud pots and mud volcanoes suggest surface evidence for a southern extension of the San Andreas Fault that runs through the Salton Sea, according to a paper published in the August issue of the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America.

Protein Made By Fat Cells May Increase Risk Of Heart Attack In Older Adults

Posted: 31 Jul 2008 07:00 PM CDT

Adiponectin, a protein produced by fat cells, may play a pivotal and counterintuitive role in cardiovascular health for older Americans according to a new study.

New Technique To Compress Light Could Open Doors For Optical Communications

Posted: 31 Jul 2008 07:00 PM CDT

Scientists have devised a way to squeeze light into tighter spaces than ever thought possible, potentially opening doors to new technology in the fields of optical communications, miniature lasers and optical computers.

Mothers From Affluent Neighborhoods Near Highways Increase Odds Of Low Weight Babies By 81 Percent

Posted: 31 Jul 2008 07:00 PM CDT

Living near city expressways is associated with adverse birth effects on expectant mothers and their newborns, according to a novel study with global implications. Researchers reveal that women living closest to expressways are more vulnerable to highway pollution -- especially affluent mothers.

Antikythera Mechanism: Scientists Crack Secrets Of 2,000-year-old Astronomical Computer

Posted: 31 Jul 2008 04:00 PM CDT

Researchers have unravelled the secrets of a 2,000-year-old computer which could transform the way we think about the ancient world. The Antikythera Mechanism is a clock-like astronomical calculator dating from the second century BC, several years ago. Now, scientists believe they have cracked the centuries-old mystery of how it actually works.

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