ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Traditional Risk Assessment Tools Do Not Accurately Predict Coronary Heart Disease Posted: 15 Jan 2009 09:00 PM PST The Framingham and National Cholesterol Education Program tools do not accurately predict coronary heart disease, according to a new study.

Tiny Insect Develops Long-term Memory Posted: 13 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST If a specific butterfly anti-sex scent is coupled with a pleasant experience, then parasitic wasps are able to develop long-term memory and respond to this scent that they do not instinctively recognize. After successfully 'hitch-hiking' with a mated female cabbage white butterfly and parasitizing her eggs, the parasitic wasps are able to remember the route and navigate it again.

Toward A Long-sought Saliva Test For Autism Posted: 13 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST Researchers are reporting discovery of abnormal proteins in the saliva of autism patients that could eventually provide a clue for the molecular basis of this severe developmental disorder and could be used as a biomarker for a subgroup of patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Rats Say: Manhattan Rules! Posted: 13 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST If you leave it up to the rats, New York City beats New Orleans any day. Researchers have invented a novel way to test urban designers' city plans. Instead of using humans as guinea pigs, the scientists went to their nearby zoo and enlisted lab rats to determine the functionality of theoretical and existing plans.

Cell's Inactive State Is Critical For Effectiveness Of Cancer Treatment Posted: 13 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST A new study sheds light on a little understood biological process called quiescence, which enables blood-forming stem cells to exist in a dormant or inactive state in which they are not growing or dividing. According to the study's findings, researchers identified the genetic pathway used to maintain a cell's quiescence, a state that allows bone marrow cells to escape the lethal effects of standard cancer treatments.

Structure Of Key Ebola Protein Discovered Posted: 13 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST Scientists are a step closer to finding a way to counter the Ebola virus. They have recently solved the structure from a key part of the Ebola protein known as VP35.

Girls Twice As Likely As Boys To Remain Victims Of Bullying, Study Finds Posted: 13 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST Girls targeted by bullies at primary school are two and a half times more likely to remain victims than boys, according to new research.

Hair Of Tasmanian Tiger Yields Genes Of Extinct Species Posted: 13 Jan 2009 08:00 AM PST All the genes that the exotic Tasmanian Tiger inherited only from its mother will be revealed in a new article. The research marks the first successful sequencing of genes from this carnivorous marsupial, which looked like a large tiger-striped dog and became extinct in 1936. The research also opens the door to the widespread, nondestructive use of museum specimens to learn why mammals become extinct and how extinctions might be prevented.

Workers Exposed To Lead Show More Cognitive Problems Later In Life Posted: 13 Jan 2009 08:00 AM PST Both the developing brain and the aging brain can suffer from lead exposure. For older people, a buildup of lead from earlier exposure may be enough to result in greater cognitive problems after age 55, according to a follow-up study of adults exposed to lead at work.

Tiny Nanoparticle Capsules Deliver Medicines Posted: 13 Jan 2009 08:00 AM PST A tiny particle syringe composed of polymer layers and nanoparticles may provide drug delivery that targets diseased cells without harming the rest of the body, according to a team of chemical engineers. This delivery system could be robust and flexible enough to deliver a variety of substances.

Findings Turn Events In Early TB Infection On Their Head, May Lead To New Therapy Posted: 13 Jan 2009 08:00 AM PST Masses of immune cells that form as a hallmark of tuberculosis have long been thought to be the body's way of trying to protect itself by literally walling off the bacteria. But a new study in the journal Cell offers evidence that the TB bacteria actually sends signals that encourage the growth of those organized granuloma structures, and for good reason.

Organic Soils Continue To Acidify Despite Reduction In Acidic Deposition Posted: 13 Jan 2009 08:00 AM PST Scientist's understanding of how soils have responded to decreases in acidic deposition at the regional scale is limited, but a recent study confirms that the acidification of soils in watersheds slows the recovery of aquatic ecosystems, an effect that is threatening the health of forests in the northeastern United States.

New Clues To How We Locate Objects In Space Posted: 13 Jan 2009 08:00 AM PST In a new report in Current Directions in Psychological Science,researchers suggest that we can locate objects in space by accurately combining features from perception and visualization. The resulting spatial representation is called amodal, because it is independent of any particular sensory experience, like vision.

Wireless Microgrippers Grab Living Cells In 'Biopsy' Tests Posted: 13 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST Researchers have invented dust-particle-size devices that can be used to grab and remove living cells from hard-to-reach places without the need for electrical wires, tubes or batteries. Instead, the devices are actuated by thermal or biochemical signals.

Disabling Enzyme Allows Mice To Gorge Without Becoming Obese, New Study Finds Posted: 13 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST Researchers have discovered that a key enzyme in fat tissue plays a major role in regulating fat metabolism. Mice that have had this enzyme disabled remained lean despite eating a high-fat diet and losing a hormone that suppresses appetite.

New Power Line De-icing System Developed Posted: 13 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST Engineers have invented a way to cheaply and effectively keep ice off power lines. The new proprietary technology is called a variable resistance cable (VRC) de-icing system. With only minor cable modifications plus some off-the-shelf electronics, the system switches the electrical resistance of a standard power line from low to high. The high resistance automatically creates heat to melt ice build-up or keep it from forming in the first place.

Biologists Discover Link Between CGG Repeats In DNA And Neurological Disorders Posted: 13 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST CGG repeats not only stall the cell's replication process but also thwart the cell's capacity to repair and restart it. Researchers focused on this CGG repeat because it is associated with hereditary neurological disorders such as fragile X syndrome and FRAXE mental impairment.

Infrared Light Visualizes Nanoscale Strain Fields Posted: 13 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST Scientists report the non-invasive and nanoscale resolved infrared mapping of strain fields in semiconductors. The method, which is based on near-field microscopy, opens new avenues for analyzing mechanical properties of high-performance materials or for contact-free mapping of local conductivity in strain-engineered electronic devices

Making The Most Of It: Study Reveals Motivating Factor For Enjoying The Present Posted: 13 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST It is common knowledge that when something becomes scarce, its value goes up. This concept does not just apply to material goods -- time can be an extremely valuable commodity, especially when it is in short supply. According to a new study, thinking that we have a limited amount of time remaining to participate in an activity makes us appreciate the activity that much more and motivates us to make the most of it.

Active Galaxies Are Different Near And Far, Swift Spacecraft Shows Posted: 13 Jan 2009 02:00 AM PST An ongoing X-ray survey undertaken by NASA's Swift spacecraft is revealing differences between nearby active galaxies and those located about halfway across the universe. Understanding these differences will help clarify the relationship between a galaxy and its central black hole.

Variants In Gene On X Chromosome Associated With Increased Susceptibility To Alzheimer's Posted: 13 Jan 2009 02:00 AM PST Researchers at Mayo Clinic have discovered the first gender-linked susceptibility gene for late-onset Alzheimer's disease.

Mink Control Vital To Save Water Voles In Britain Posted: 13 Jan 2009 02:00 AM PST Keeping water vole and mink populations apart is vital if efforts to reintroduce water voles, one of Britain's most endangered mammals, are to be successful.

Genetic Determinants Of ADHD Examined Posted: 13 Jan 2009 02:00 AM PST A special issue of American Journal of Medical Genetics: Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics presents a comprehensive overview of the latest progress in genetic research of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Key To Future Medical Breakthroughs Is Systems Biology, Say Leading European Scientists Posted: 13 Jan 2009 02:00 AM PST Crucial breakthroughs in the treatment of many common diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson's could be achieved by harnessing a powerful scientific approach called systems biology, according to leading scientists from across Europe. In a Science Policy Briefing released by the European Science Foundation, the scientists provide a detailed strategy for the application of systems biology to medical research over the coming years.

While The Cat's Away: How Removing An Invasive Species Devastated A World Heritage Island Posted: 13 Jan 2009 02:00 AM PST Removing an invasive species from sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island, a World Heritage Site, has caused environmental devastation that will cost more than A$24 million to remedy, ecologists have revealed. Writing in the new issue of the British Ecological Society's Journal of Applied Ecology, they warn that conservation agencies worldwide must learn important lessons from what happened on Macquarie Island.

As Super-predators, Humans Reshape Their Prey At Super-natural Speeds Posted: 12 Jan 2009 11:00 PM PST Fishing and hunting are having broad, swift impacts on the body size and reproductive abilities of fish and other commercially harvested species, potentially jeopardizing the ability of entire populations to recover, according to the results of a new study.

Growth Of New Brain Cells Requires 'Epigenetic' Switch Posted: 12 Jan 2009 11:00 PM PST New cells are born every day in the brain's hippocampus, but what controls this birth has remained a mystery. Neuroscientists have now discovered that the birth of new cells, which depends on brain activity, also depends on a protein that is involved in changing epigenetic marks in the cell's genetic material.

Area Of El Bierzo Vineyards In Spain Calculated By Satellite Posted: 12 Jan 2009 11:00 PM PST Spanish researchers used a computer program able to distinguish grapevines from other crops in satellite images. The tool has been successfully used in the El Bierzo area of León, and can be used to calculate the potential wine production of an area under cultivation.

Newborn Screening Test Could Increase Early Detection Of Heart Disease And Save Lives Posted: 12 Jan 2009 11:00 PM PST Routine screening of blood oxygen levels before discharge from hospital improves the detection of life threatening congenital heart disease in newborns and may save lives, according to a new study.

Implantable Defibrillators Lower Risk Of Death In Older Heart Patients Posted: 12 Jan 2009 11:00 PM PST Implantable cardioverter defibrillators can improve survival in patients with heart damage -- even those in their 70s -- according to new research.

Growth In Research Comes At A Steep Price, Study Finds Posted: 12 Jan 2009 11:00 PM PST A study released this month confirms and quantifies what many medical school deans and financial administrators have long understood: Basic science research can be an expensive luxury. The study found that the school had to add 40 cents to every dollar of external grant support received by newly recruited scientists in order to achieve financial equilibrium.

Microscopic Morphology Adds To Scorpion Family Tree Posted: 12 Jan 2009 08:00 PM PST Scientists have examined the smallest features scorpion lungs. Tiny morphological features like the sculpting of the hair-like outgrowths on lamellae -- structures that fold like the leaves of a book and give the scorpion respiratory system its name, the book lung -- gives insight into the evolutionary relationships among scorpions.

Brain Disorder Suggests Common Mechanism May Underlie Many Neurodegenerative Diseases Posted: 12 Jan 2009 08:00 PM PST Scientists have found a mechanism that may help explain Parkinson's and other neurological disorders.

Re-introduction Of Plant In Danger Of Extinction Successfully Monitored Over 10 Years For First Time Ever Posted: 12 Jan 2009 08:00 PM PST An international team of researchers has carried out the first long-term study into the demographic dynamics of naturally-occurring and artificially-introduced plants of the same species. By using simultaneous monitoring, the scientists have identified biological and demographic features of the plants that could help to optimize conservation strategies.

Biomarkers Improve Ischemic Stroke Prediction Posted: 12 Jan 2009 08:00 PM PST Testing patient's blood for two proteins or biomarkers that occur when inflammation is present could help doctors identify which patients are more likely to have a stroke, according to a new article in the journal Stroke.

For Fats, Longer May Not Be Better Posted: 12 Jan 2009 08:00 PM PST Researchers have uncovered why some dietary fats, specifically long-chain fats, such as oleic acid (found in olive oil), are more prone to induce inflammation. Long-chain fats, it turns out, promote increased intestinal absorption of pro-inflammatory bacterial molecules called lipopolysaccharides.

Eating Habits And Exercise Behaviors In Children Can Deteriorate Early Posted: 12 Jan 2009 08:00 PM PST School-age children may develop eating habits and leisure-time patterns that may not meet current recommendations and contribute to childhood obesity. In a study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, researchers report that parents perceived that their pre-school children had relatively good eating habits and physical activity levels, but that parents of school-aged children (6 to 12 years) felt their children had less healthful diets and leisure-time activities.

Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope Unveils A Dozen New Pulsars Posted: 12 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has discovered 12 new gamma-ray-only pulsars and has detected gamma-ray pulses from 18 others. The finds are transforming our understanding of how these stellar cinders work.

New Clues To Mystery Childhood Illness: Kawasaki Disease Posted: 12 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST A study looking at the entire human genome has identified new genes that appear to be involved in making some children more susceptible to Kawasaki disease, a serious illness that often leads to coronary artery disease, according to a new international study published in PLoS Genetics. This is the first genetic study of an infectious disease to look at the whole of the genome, rather than just selected genes.

New Protein Function Discovered; Sheds Light On Intricate Mechanics Of Cell Division Posted: 12 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST Researchers have found a new function for one of the proteins involved with chromosome segregation during cell division.

Simple Model Predicts Those At Risk For Chronic Kidney Disease Posted: 12 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST Traditionally, doctors have had no clear way to predict which of their patients might be headed down the road to chronic kidney disease. Now, researchers have created a simple eight-point risk factor checklist to do just that.

How Do Cells Count? Scientists Take A Step Further In Unraveling Mystery Of How Cells Control Number Of Centrosomes Posted: 12 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST Researchers provide insight into an old mystery in cell biology, and offer up new clues to understanding cancer. Scientitists have unraveled the mystery of how cells count the number of centrosomes, the structure that regulates the cell's skeleton, controls the multiplication of cells, and is often transformed in cancer.

Why We Procrastinate And How To Stop Posted: 12 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST Psychologists wanted to see if there might be a link between how we think about a task and our tendency to postpone it. It turns out, the students who thought about the questions abstractly were much more likely to procrastinate. By contrast, those who were focused on the how, when and where of doing the task e-mailed their responses much sooner, suggesting that they started the assignment right away rather than procrastinating.

'Reverse Evolution' In Real Time Provides Key Insights Into Basic Mechanisms Of Evolution Posted: 12 Jan 2009 02:00 PM PST Evolutionary biology tells us that replaying life's tape will not not look at all like the original. The outcome of evolution is contingent on everything that came before. Now, scientists have turned back the clock on the evolution in the fruit fly to provide key insights into the basic mechanisms of evolution.

Protein That Regulates Hormones Critical To Women's Health Found In Pituitary Posted: 12 Jan 2009 02:00 PM PST Researchers have solved the mystery surrounding a "rogue protein" that plays a role in the release of neurotransmitters and hormones in the brain.

Why The Swamp Sparrow Is Hitting The High Notes Posted: 12 Jan 2009 02:00 PM PST Scientists have long thought that a bird's vocal performance is a static characteristic-set once a song is learned. Yet, biologists now explain that songbirds can modulate vocal performance, when it is important to do so.

Target That Could Ease Spinal Muscular Atrophy Symptoms Discovered Posted: 12 Jan 2009 02:00 PM PST There is no cure for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a genetic disorder that causes the weakening of muscles and is the leading genetic cause of infant death, but researchers have discovered a new therapeutic target that improves deteriorating skeletal muscle tissue caused by SMA. The new therapy enhanced muscle strength, improved gross motor skills and increased the lifespan in a SMA model.

Next NASA Moon Mission Completes Major Milestone Posted: 12 Jan 2009 02:00 PM PST NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO, has successfully completed thermal vacuum testing, which simulates the extreme hot, cold and airless conditions of space LRO will experience after launch. This milestone concludes the orbiter's environmental test program at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.

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