Friday, December 26, 2008

ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Visual Areas Of Brain Respond More To Valuable Objects, Brain-imaging Shows

Posted: 26 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST

Dollar signs for eyes -- cartoonists have been drawing them for years, and the artists, while whimsical, may have been onto something. According to new research, areas of the brain responsible for vision respond more strongly to objects of value.

New Evidence That Humans Make Aspirin's Active Principle -- Salicylic Acid

Posted: 26 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST

Scientists are reporting evidence that humans can make their own salicylic acid -- the material formed when aspirin breaks down in the body. Salicylic acid, which is responsible for aspirin's renowned effects in relieving pain and inflammation, may be the first in a new class of bioregulators, according to a study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Quiet Bison Sire More Calves Than Louder Rivals

Posted: 26 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST

During bison mating season, the quietest bulls score the most mates and sire the most offspring while studs with the loudest bellows see the least action, according to a surprising new study. The researchers also found that the volume of a bull's bellow was not related to its weight or age.

Hormones Increase Frequency Of Inherited Form Of Migraine In Women

Posted: 26 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST

Familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) is an inherited form of severe migraine that is accompanied by visual disturbances known as aura. As with other types of migraine, it affects women more frequently than men. New research in mice has now provided insight into events in the brain that lead to FHM and demonstrated that hormones produced by the ovaries increase susceptibility to FHM.

Enhancing Solar Cells With Nanoparticles

Posted: 26 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST

Deriving plentiful electricity from sunlight at a modest cost is a challenge with immense implications for energy, technology and climate policy. A new article describes a relatively new approach to solar cells: lacing them with nanoscopic metal particles. The method helps solar cells harvest light more efficiently.

Published Reports Inaccurate Concerning Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy, Experts Warn

Posted: 26 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST

A national alcohol research group is concerned that the media's misinterpretation of a recent British research study could encourage pregnant women to be more at ease with temperate alcohol consumption.

Shape Changes In Aroma-producing Molecules Determine The Fragrances We Detect

Posted: 26 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST

Shakespeare wrote "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." But would it if the molecules that generate its fragrance were to change their shape?

Genetic Diseases More Complicated: Mechanism Underlying Alternative Splicing Of Premessenger RNA Into Messenger RNA Discovered

Posted: 26 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST

A professor of medicine and biochemistry has discovered an unexpected mechanism governing alternative splicing. The new mechanism suggests that curing the more than half of genetic diseases that are caused by mutations in the genetic code that in turn create mistakes in alternative splicing may be considerably more complicated than researchers have previously assumed.

Protein Shown To Be Major Component Of Synapse Construction

Posted: 26 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST

Nitric oxide gets neurons together. And it seems to do it backward. New research suggests that a protein called PSD-95 prompts nitric oxide release from postsynaptic dendritic spines, prompting nearby presynaptic axons to lock on, and develop new synapses.

Immune Cells Contribute To Development Of Parkinson's Disease

Posted: 26 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that impairs movement, balance, speech, and other functions. Although immune cells accumulate in the brain of individuals with Parkinson's disease, these cells were not thought to have a role in the development of disease. However, new research has now shown that immune cells known as CD4+ T cells make a significant contribution to the development of disease in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease.

Small Molecule Triggers Bacterial Community

Posted: 26 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST

Researchers identify mechanisms behind biofilm formations, with implications for developing new antibiotics.

Medical Myths For The Holiday Season: True, False Or Unproven?

Posted: 26 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST

In a new study, researchers applied rigorous search methodology to explore the science behind six medical myths commonly associated with the holidays yet relevant year-round.

Modified Plants May Yield More Biofuel

Posted: 26 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST

Plants, genetically modified to ease the breaking down of their woody material, could be the key to a cheaper and greener way of making ethanol, according to researchers who add that the approach could also help turn agricultural waste into food for livestock.

Recipe For Capturing Authentic Embryonic Stem Cells May Apply To Any Mammal, Study Suggests

Posted: 26 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST

Researchers have what they think may be a basic recipe for capturing and maintaining indefinitely the most fundamental of embryonic stem cells from essentially any mammal, including cows, pigs and even humans. Two new studies show that a cocktail first demonstrated to work in mice earlier this year, which includes inhibitory chemicals, also can be used to successfully isolate embryonic stem cells from rats.

Prostaglandin Receptor Key To Atherosclerosis Development

Posted: 26 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST

Atherosclerosis -- a disease that includes the buildup of fatty, cholesterol-laden lumps of cells inside the artery wall -- is the underlying cause of heart attacks and strokes. Researchers have now demonstrated that a receptor for prostaglandin-E2 plays a key role in the development of atherosclerosis. The findings point to this receptor and its signaling pathways as molecular targets for modulating atherosclerosis development.

Experts Detail The Three Rules For Technological Fixes

Posted: 26 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST

Technology can do great things, but it also can be over sold as panacea for a host of social ills. A better use of technology can be gained if those who guide technology policy are clear about how to apply it and know what to expect, according to experts.

Effect Of Parental Education On Heritability Of Children's Reading Disability

Posted: 26 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST

There is a significant interaction between parents' years of education and the heritability of reading disability. Researchers concluded that on average, poor instruction or lack of reading practice may often be the main influence on reading disabilities in families with low socioeconomic status, while genes may be the main influence on reading disability among children in families with high socioeconomic status and educational support.

White Christmas In Antarctica

Posted: 25 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST

The idea of a white Christmas may seem magical for many of us, but spare a thought for a team of scientists forgoing the festive season to take part in a novel campaign being carried out in one of the most inhospitable regions on Earth to support ESA's CryoSat mission.

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