ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Slight Changes In Climate May Trigger Abrupt Ecosystem Responses Posted: 18 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST Slight changes in climate may trigger major abrupt ecosystem responses that are not easily reversible. Some of these responses, including insect outbreaks, wildfire, and forest dieback, may adversely affect people and ecosystems and their plants and animals.

Novel Use For Old Compound In Cancer Treatment Found Posted: 18 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST Scientists have found a potentially beneficial use for a once-abandoned compound in the prevention and treatment of neuroblastoma, one of the most devastating cancers among young children.

Game Theory Explains Why You Can’t Hurry Love Posted: 18 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST Scientists have developed a mathematical model of the mating game to help explain why courtship is often protracted. The study shows that extended courtship enables a male to signal his suitability to a female and enables the female to screen out the male if he is unsuitable as a mate.

Intake Of Certain Fatty Acid Appears To Improve Neurodevelopment For Preterm Girls, But Not Boys Posted: 18 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST Preterm infant girls who received a high amount of dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid) had higher measures of neurodevelopment than preterm girls who received a standard amount of DHA, but this effect was not seen among preterm boys, according to a study in the Jan. 14 issue of JAMA.

Largest-to-date Genetic Snapshot Of Iceland 1,000 Years Ago Completed Posted: 18 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST Scientists at deCODE genetics have completed the largest study of ancient DNA from a single population ever undertaken. Analyzing mitochondrial DNA, which is passed from mother to offspring, from 68 skeletal remains, the study provides a detailed look at how a contemporary population differs from that of its ancestors.

How We Are Tricked Into Into Giving Away Our Personal Information Posted: 18 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST We human beings don't always do as we have been taught, and organizations are poorly prepared for IT security attacks that target human weaknesses. Since it is difficult to change people's behavior, it doesn't help to provide training about how to behave securely. Scientists are studying attacks that are considered social engineering in IT contexts.

Scientists Resolve Mystery Of How Massive Stars Form Posted: 18 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST New research has shown how a massive star can grow despite outward-flowing radiation pressure that exceeds the gravitational force pulling material inward.

Busted Spine-Discs? Researchers Are Growing New Ones, Bioengineering Intervertebral Discs Posted: 18 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST Each year, 40 to 60 percent of American adults suffer from chronic back pain. For patients diagnosed with severe degenerative disc disease, neurosurgeons must perform surgery called discectomy — removing the IVD — followed by a fusion of the vertebrate bones to stabilize the spine. Even after all that effort, the patient's back will likely not feel the same as before their injury.

Lack Of Thermoelectric Effect Is Cool Feature In Carbon Nanotubes Posted: 18 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST Metallic carbon nanotubes have been proposed as interconnects in future electronic devices packed with high-density nanoscale circuits. But can they stand up to the heat?

Abnormal DNA Repair Genes May Predict Pancreatic Cancer Risk Posted: 18 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST Abnormalities in genes that repair mistakes in DNA replication may help identify people who are at high risk of developing pancreatic cancer, scientists report in Clinical Cancer Research.

Energy-efficient Water Purification Made Possible Posted: 18 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST Water and energy are two resources on which modern society depends. As demands for these increase, researchers look to alternative technologies that promise both sustainability and reduced environmental impact. Engineered osmosis holds a key to addressing both the global need for affordable clean water and inexpensive sustainable energy according to researchers.

Moderate Alcohol Consumption May Help Seniors Keep Disabilities At Bay Posted: 18 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST It is well known that moderate drinking can have positive health benefits. For instance, a couple of glasses of red wine a day can be good for the heart. But if you're a senior in good health, light to moderate consumption of alcohol may also help prevent the development of physical disability.

Humans Are Reason For Why Domestic Animals Have Such Strange And Varied Coat Colors Posted: 18 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST A new study on pigs reveals that the prime explanation for the bewildering diversity in coat color among our pigs, dogs and other domestic animals, is that humans have actively changed the coat color of domestic animals by cherry-picking and actively selecting for rare mutations. This process that has been going on for thousands of years.

Scientists Discover Gene Responsible For Brain's Aging Posted: 18 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST Researchers have identified a gene that controls the normal and pathological aging of neurons in the central nervous system.

Researchers Identify Potential Cancer Target Posted: 18 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST Researchers have found two proteins that work in concert to ensure proper chromosome segregation during cell division. The finding is relevant for treating solid cancerous tumors that lose the ability to accurately segregate their chromosomes. Tumors that shuffle chromosomes, a process called chromosomal instability, are known to have a poor prognosis.

How Defective DNA Repair Triggers Two Neurological Diseases Posted: 18 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST Scientists have teased apart the biological details distinguishing two related neurological diseases -- ataxia telangiectasia-like disease and Nijmegen breakage syndrome.

Chemistry Discovery Brings Organic Solar Cells A Step Closer Posted: 18 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST Inexpensive solar cells, vastly improved medical imaging techniques and lighter more flexible television screens are among the potential applications envisioned for organic electronics. Recent experiments may bring these closer thanks to new insights into ways molecules absorb and move energy.

Key To A Healthy Lifestyle Is In The Mind Posted: 18 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST The main factors influencing the amount of physical exercise people carry out are their self-perceived ability and the extent of their desire to exercise. A study of 5167 Canadians has shown that psychological concerns are the most important barriers to an active lifestyle.

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