ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Could Ice-like Cages Be Used To Trap Carbon Dioxide Underground? Posted: 15 Jan 2009 08:00 AM PST Ice-like "cages" of gas trapped underground may offer a safe and efficient way to reduce global warming. Researchers are investigating the potential for permanently storing carbon dioxide in geological reservoirs, by locking the global-warming gas within solid, cage-like structures called hydrates.

A Good Night's Sleep Protects Against Parasites Posted: 15 Jan 2009 08:00 AM PST Animal species that sleep for longer do not suffer as much from parasite infestation and have a greater concentration of immune cells in their blood according to a study published in the journal BMC Evolutionary Biology.

More Chip Cores Can Mean Slower Supercomputing, Simulation Shows Posted: 15 Jan 2009 08:00 AM PST The worldwide attempt to increase the speed of supercomputers merely by increasing the number of processor cores on individual chips unexpectedly worsens performance for many complex applications, new simulations have found.

Inherited Factors Play Important Role In Breast Cancer Progression, According To New Study In Mice Posted: 15 Jan 2009 08:00 AM PST New research in mice and five independent collections of human breast tumors has enabled scientists to confirm that genes for factors contributing to susceptibility for breast cancer metastasis can be inherited.

Smart Lighting: New LED Drops The 'Droop' Posted: 15 Jan 2009 08:00 AM PST Researchers have developed and demonstrated a new type of light emitting diode (LED) with significantly improved lighting performance and energy efficiency. The new polarization-matched LED exhibits an 18 percent increase in light output and a 22 percent increase in wall-plug efficiency.

Most Young Violent Offenders In Two NYC Neighborhoods Have Seen Someone Killed Posted: 15 Jan 2009 08:00 AM PST More than three-quarters of young, violent offenders interviewed in two poverty-stricken New York City neighborhoods had seen someone die in a violent incident, a new study reveals. About half of them (51 percent) had been shot themselves and 78 percent said they had a close friend who died in a violent attack.

Exoplanet Atmospheres Detected From Earth Posted: 15 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST Two independent groups have simultaneously made the first-ever ground-based detection of extrasolar planets thermal emissions. Until now, virtually everything known about atmospheres of planets orbiting other stars in the Milky Way has come from space-based observations. These two independent results are very interesting for astronomers and planetary scientists because they allow a direct probe of the temperature of these planetary atmospheres, and because they show that such measurements can be made from ground-based observatories, and not only when using space telescopes.

Surgical Safety Checklist Drops Deaths And Complications By More Than A Third Posted: 15 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST Hospitals in eight cities around the globe demonstrated that the use of a simple surgical checklist during major operations can lower the incidence of deaths and complications by more than one third. Inpatient deaths fell by more than 40 percent.

New Technology For Detecting Gene Fusions Opens Field In Cancer Research Posted: 15 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST Using new technologies that make it easier to sequence the human genome, researchers have identified a series of genes that become fused when their chromosomes trade places with each other. These recurrent gene fusions are thought to be the driving mechanism that causes certain cancers to develop.

Why Prostate Cancer Patients Fail Hormone Deprivation Therapy Posted: 15 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST The hormone deprivation therapy that prostate cancer patients often take gives them only a temporary fix, with tumors usually regaining their hold within a couple of years. Now, researchers have discovered critical differences in the hormone receptors on prostate cancer cells in patients who no longer respond to this therapy.

Questioning Safety Of Nanotechnology In Your Vitamins Posted: 15 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST The ability of the Food and Drug Administration to regulate the safety of dietary supplements using nanomaterials is severely limited by lack of information, lack of resources and the agency's lack of statutory authority in certain critical areas, according to a new expert report by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies.

Tips To Prevent Frostbite During These Sub-zero Temperatures Posted: 15 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST Severe temperatures are hitting most of the country this week, but cold weather is no excuse to sit inside over the long winter months. If you do go outside for some fresh air and exercise, make sure to guard yourself from frostbite. When body tissues are frostbitten, skin cells become damaged--sometimes permanently. Therefore, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has some suggestions to help keep your skin safe from the cold.

Archeologist Uncovers Evidence Of Ancient Chemical Warfare Posted: 15 Jan 2009 02:00 AM PST A researcher has identified what looks to be the oldest archeological evidence for chemical warfare -- from Roman times. Persians appear to have routed Romans with poison gas.

Glaucoma May Be Linked To Higher Rates Of Reading Impairment In Older Adults Posted: 15 Jan 2009 02:00 AM PST Glaucoma appears to be associated with slower spoken reading and increased reading impairment in older adults, according to a new report.

Super Sensitive Gas Detector Goes Down The Nanotubes Posted: 15 Jan 2009 02:00 AM PST Researchers have devised a new method to cast arrays of metal oxide nanotubes to create novel gas sensors that are 100 to 1,000 times more sensitive than current devices based on thin films.

Inflammation Contributes to Colon Cancer Posted: 15 Jan 2009 02:00 AM PST Researchers found that mice that lack the immune inhibitory molecule Smad3 are acutely sensitive to both bacterially-induced inflammation and cancer.

Heavy Pyridine Crystallizes Differently: Discovery May Aid Development of Pharmaceuticals Posted: 15 Jan 2009 02:00 AM PST When the hydrogen atoms of pyridine are replaced with deuterium, it adopts a crystalline form that can only be achieved under high pressure with "normal" pyridine. Perhaps the minimal differences responsible for this type of effect can be implemented to improve the spectrum of properties available to pharmaceutical agents.

Education Professor Dispels Myths About Gifted Children Posted: 15 Jan 2009 02:00 AM PST Though not often recognized as "special needs" students, gifted children require just as much attention and educational resources to thrive in school as do other students whose physical, behavioral, emotional or learning needs require special accommodations. So says a professor who has studied gifted students for years.

'Stellar Cannibalism' Is Key To Formation Of Overweight Stars Posted: 14 Jan 2009 11:00 PM PST Astronomical researchers have discovered evidence that blue stragglers in globular clusters, whose existence has long puzzled astronomers, are the result of 'stellar cannibalism' in binary stars.

Hormone Therapy Linked To Brain Shrinkage, But Not Lesions Posted: 14 Jan 2009 11:00 PM PST Two new studies show that commonly prescribed forms of post-menopausal hormone therapy may slightly accelerate the loss of brain tissue in women 65 and older beyond what normally occurs with aging.

New Research Lights Up Chronic Bacterial Infection Inside Bone Posted: 14 Jan 2009 11:00 PM PST A new study describes how live animal imaging allows researchers to visualize chronic bacterial infection in the bone marrow of mice.

Potential New Molecule To Prevent Inflammation Posted: 14 Jan 2009 11:00 PM PST Scientists have identified a potential new molecule that inhibits inflammation, receptor for formylated peptides-2 (FPR-2).

Harmful Substances Poorly Monitored In Baltic Sea Region Posted: 14 Jan 2009 11:00 PM PST In the Baltic Sea region, there are considerable deficiencies in the observation and monitoring of the biological effects of harmful substances in comparison to many other maritime regions. In particular, there is little use of so-called biomarkers, early warning signs at a molecular and cell level.

How Mental Health Care Affects Outcomes For Foster Children Posted: 14 Jan 2009 11:00 PM PST Of the approximately half-million children and adolescents in foster care in the US, experts estimate that 42 to 60 percent of them have emotional and behavioral problems. Despite the prevalence of mental health problems among foster children, little is known about how pre-existing mental health conditions affect their outcomes in foster care.

Presumed Consent For Organ Donation Urged By Experts Posted: 14 Jan 2009 09:00 PM PST Introducing presumed consent or opt-out system may increase organ donation rates, suggests a new systematic review.

Great Lakes Water Levels Sensitive To Climate Change Posted: 14 Jan 2009 08:00 PM PST The water level in the Great Lakes has varied by only about two meters during the last century, but new evidence indicates that the water level in the lake system is highly sensitive to climate changes.

New Protein That Triggers Breast Cancer Identified Posted: 14 Jan 2009 08:00 PM PST Canadian researchers have identified a new protein in the progression of breast cancer. According to a recent study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the protein ARF1 plays a critical role in cancer cell growth and the spread of tumors. Targeting this protein with drug therapy may provide hope to women with breast cancer.

Insights Into Polymer Film Instability Could Aid High Tech Industries Posted: 14 Jan 2009 08:00 PM PST While exploring the properties of polymer formation scientists made a fundamental discovery about these materials that could improve methods of creating the stable crystalline films that are widely used in electronics applications -- and also offer insight into a range of other phenomena.

Family History Of Prostate Cancer Does Not Affect Some Treatment Outcomes Posted: 14 Jan 2009 08:00 PM PST In a first of its kind study, a first-degree family history of prostate cancer has no impact on the treatment outcomes of prostate cancer patients treated with brachytherapy, also called seed implants, and patients with this type of family history have clinical and pathologic characteristics similar to men with no family history at all, according to a study in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics.

Low-cost Strategy Developed For Curbing Computer Worms Posted: 14 Jan 2009 08:00 PM PST A new, cost-effective strategy to limit the spread of worms through computer networks has been developed. The two-pronged plan compiles suspicious incoming activity from the network's computers to create an early-warning system for worm attacks. As the threat level rises and falls, an algorithm determines whether to toggle computers online or offline depending on whether the benefit of staying online outweighs the cost of worm infection, and vice versa.

Physical Activity Improves Mood For People Serious Mental Illness Posted: 14 Jan 2009 08:00 PM PST Researchers combined experience sampling during random signaling throughout the day with physical activity measures recorded on study participants' accelerometers. They found that even low levels of physical activity improved mood for people with serious mental illness, such as bipolar disorder, major depression and schizophrenia. A challenge, they say, is to find everyday activities to help this population, which typically has low levels of activity, become more active and engaged.

Genetic Variation Cues Social Anxiety In Monkeys And Humans Posted: 14 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST A genetic variation involving the brain chemical serotonin has been found to shape the social behavior of rhesus macaque monkeys, which could provide researchers with a new model for studying autism, social anxiety and schizophrenia.

Breakthrough In Treating Premature Babies: Omega 3 Fatty Acid Supplement Posted: 14 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST Researchers have made a breakthrough in treating premature babies at risk of developmental disorders. Researchers found that a major lipid in the brain - the omega-3 fatty acid known as Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) - is not developed sufficiently in babies born before 33 weeks' gestation, leading to possible impaired mental development.

Scientists Bring Painted Warrior 2,000 Years Old To Virtual Life Posted: 14 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST A 2000-year-old painted statue is being restored to her original glory by scientists with a conservation project.

Arousal Frequency In Heart Failure Found To Be Unique Sleep Problem Posted: 14 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST Frequent arousals from sleep that occur in heart failure patients with central sleep apnea (CSA) may reflect the presence of another underlying arousal disorder rather than being a defensive mechanism to terminate apneas. Findings show that factors other than central sleep apnea may contribute to poor sleep quality in heart-failure patients.

Guide To Protect People From Theft Of Personally Identifiable Information Posted: 14 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST A new draft guide on protecting personally identifiable information such as social-security and credit-card account numbers from unauthorized use and disclosure.

Little Or No Evidence That Herbal Remedies Relieve Menopausal Symptoms Posted: 14 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST There is no strong evidence either way for several herbal remedies commonly taken to relieve troublesome menopausal symptoms, concludes an article in the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin. And for some, there is hardly any evidence at all.

Stellar Zombie: XMM-Newton Measures Speedy Spin Of Rare Celestial Object Posted: 14 Jan 2009 02:00 PM PST XMM-Newton has caught the fading glow of a tiny celestial object, revealing its rotation rate for the first time. The new information confirms this particular object as one of an extremely rare class of stellar zombie -- each one the dead heart of a star that refuses to die.

New Tool To Improve Oral Hygiene Developed Posted: 14 Jan 2009 02:00 PM PST Scientists have developed a new dental product to identify plaque build-up in the mouth before it is visible to the human eye.

Bacteria In Ice May Record Climate Change Posted: 14 Jan 2009 02:00 PM PST Scientists in China report that small bugs deposited in ice and snow might tell how our climate has been changing.

Researchers Identify Another Potential Biomarker For Lung Cancer Posted: 14 Jan 2009 02:00 PM PST Researchers have demonstrated that a recently discovered class of molecule called microRNA (miRNAs), regulate the gene expression changes in airway cells that occur with smoking and lung cancer.

'Green' Gasoline On The Horizon Posted: 14 Jan 2009 02:00 PM PST Researchers believe newer, more environmentally friendly fuels produced from biomass could create alternative energy solutions and alleviate dependence on foreign oil without requiring changes to current fuel infrastructure systems. According to an expert on biological and materials engineering, the development of "green" fuels is an important part of the world's energy future.

Web Site Design Affects How Children Process Information Posted: 14 Jan 2009 02:00 PM PST A new study in the journal Psychology & Marketing investigates the influence of Web site design on children's information processing. Results show that the type of interface used can significantly affect how children process and retain information; age strongly affected this relationship.

High-tech Imaging Of Inner Ear Sheds Light On Hearing, Behavior Of Oldest Fossil Bird Posted: 14 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST The earliest known bird, the magpie-sized Archaeopteryx, had a similar hearing range to the modern emu, which suggests that the 145 million-year-old creature -- despite its reptilian teeth and long tail -- was more birdlike than reptilian.

Popular Cold And Cough Treatment May Create Respiratory Distress In Young Children Posted: 14 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST New research suggests that Vicks VapoRub, a popular menthol compound used to relieve symptoms of cough and congestion, may instead create respiratory distress in infants and small children. Vicks VapoRub may stimulate mucus production and airway inflammation, which can have severe effects on breathing in an infant or toddler.

From Outer Space To The Eye Clinic: New Cataract Early Detection Technique Posted: 14 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST A compact fiber-optic probe developed for the space program has now proven valuable for patients in the clinic as the first non-invasive early detection device for cataracts, the leading cause of vision loss worldwide.

Mobile Phone Use Not Associated With Melanoma Of The Eye Posted: 14 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST Mobile phone use is not associated with the risk of melanoma of the eye, researchers report.

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