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Cosmic Rays Detected Deep Underground Reveal Secrets Of Upper Atmosphere Posted: 24 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST Cosmic-rays detected half a mile underground in a disused U.S. iron-mine can be used to detect major weather events occurring 20 miles up in the Earth's upper atmosphere, a new study has revealed. Scientists were surprised to see intermittent and sudden increases in the levels of muons during the winter months. These jumps in the data occurred over just a few days. On investigation, they found these changes coincided with very sudden increases in the temperature of the stratosphere (by up to 40 deg C in places).

Potential New Antibody Treatment For Autoimmune Diseases Posted: 24 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST Scientists have discovered an abnormality in a patient's immune system that may lead to safer therapies for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and colitis, as well as potential new ways to treat transplant rejection.

Europe’s Aquatic Birds Will Seek New Nesting Sites In Face Of Global Warming Posted: 24 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST Scientists have produced a break-down of 152 aquatic bird species with a similar level of distribution throughout continental Europe. The study shows that environmental energy, in other words temperature, is the driving factor behind birds' mobility, above all in relation to global warming.

Hope For Rabies Eradication Strategy In Africa Posted: 24 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST Most of the rabies virus circulating in dogs in western and central Africa comes from a common ancestor introduced to the continent around 200 years ago, probably by European colonialists. Scientists report that within this common ancestry there are distinct subspecies at country level and that there is only limited movement of virus between localities. These factors mean that, if neighboring countries collaborate, a progressive strategy to eliminate rabies from this area of sub-Saharan Africa is possible.

Design Of Microlasers Could Be Improved, Based On New Theoretical Analysis Posted: 24 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST Tiny disk-shaped lasers as small as a speck of dust could one day beam information through optical computers. Unfortunately, a perfect disk will spray light out, not as a beam, but in all directions. New theoretical results explain how adding a small notch to the disk edge provides a single outlet for laser light to stream out.

The Un-favorite Child: Adults Who Perceived Parents As Being Lenient With Siblings Still Happy Later In Life Posted: 24 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST Adults who recall their parents being more lenient with siblings can still grow to be generally happy, thanks to personality type and life experience, says a new study.

Infidelity Produces Faster Sperm, Swedish Fish Study Finds Posted: 24 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST Until now, it has been difficult to prove that fast-swimming sperm have an advantage when it comes to fertilizing an egg. But now Swedish researchers can demonstrate that unfaithful females of the cichlid fish species influence the males' sperm.

Apple Juice Can Delay Onset Of Alzheimer's Disease, Study Suggests Posted: 24 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST A growing body of evidence demonstrates that we can take steps to delay age-related cognitive decline, including in some cases that which accompanies Alzheimer's disease, according to a study in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

New Test Speeds Triclosan Detection In Water Posted: 24 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST A new test for detecting triclosan should expedite environmental monitoring of the antibacterial agent in rivers, wells and other water sources, according to new studies.

Two Nonsurgical Treatments For Reflux Disease Compared Posted: 24 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST Two nonsurgical, nonpharmacological treatments for gastroesophageal reflux disease both appear effective in reducing medication use and improving voice and swallowing symptoms, according to a new report. One type of therapy also appears effective for reducing heartburn and cough, whereas the other may be associated with a reduction in regurgitation.

Prince Uses Date Stones To Decrease Air And Water Pollution Posted: 24 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST New research by a Saudia Arabian prince could see the millions of date stones disposed of in Saudi Arabia each year used to decrease air and water pollution.

Postmenopausal Women's Loss Of Sexual Desire Affects Health, Quality Of Life Posted: 24 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST Women with low levels of sexual desire, often as a result of menopause, are more likely to be depressed and to suffer physical symptoms such as back pain and memory problems than women who report higher levels of desire, according to a new study.

Native U.S. Lizards Are Evolving To Escape Attacks By Fire Ants Posted: 24 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST Native fence lizards in the southeastern United States are adapting to potentially fatal invasive fire-ant attacks by developing behaviors that enable them to escape from the ants, as well as by developing longer hind legs, which can increase the effectiveness of this behavior. This finding provides biologists with an example of evolution in action, and provides wildlife managers with knowledge that they can use to develop plans for managing invasive species.

Low Levels Of Vitamin D Link To Cognitive Problems In Older People Posted: 24 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST Medical researchers have for the first time identified a relationship between vitamin D and cognitive impairment. The study found that as levels of Vitamin D went down, levels of cognitive impairment went up. Compared to those with optimum levels of Vitamin D, those with the lowest levels were more than twice as likely to be cognitively impaired.

Food Choices And Location Influence California Sea Otter Exposure To Disease Posted: 24 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST Sea otters living along the central California coast risk higher exposure to disease-causing parasites as a consequence of the food they eat and where they feed.

Retinoid Cream Associated With Death In Clinical Trial, But Relationship Does Not Appear Causal Posted: 24 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST Patients using a cream containing tretinoin, a retinoid commonly used to treat acne and other conditions, appeared more likely to die than those using a placebo in a clinical trial that was halted early as a result, according to a new report. However, evidence does not suggest these excess deaths were caused by the therapy.

First Test Of New Bobsled On Ice Track Posted: 24 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST After wind tunnel tests it was now the turn of the ice track, a big moment for those taking part in developing and building the Citius bobsleigh. The initial results were more than a relief. It was two o'clock on Monday afternoon and the time had come: the Citius bobsleigh made its first run on the ice track.

Disabled And Other Vulnerable Groups More Susceptible To Terrorism Fears Posted: 24 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST Research has shown that certain marginalized groups -- including the mentally ill, the disabled and ethnic minorities such as African Americans and Latinos -- fare worse than others in the aftermath of natural disasters, suffering disproportionate impoverishment, injuries and fatalities. Now a new study has found that they also experience greater terrorism-related fears and make more behavioral changes based on those fears -- such as avoiding certain activities -- than others.

Immune System: Decoding The Language Of Memory Cells Posted: 23 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST When an infection attacks, the body's immune system sounds the alert, kills the invading germs and remembers the pathogen to protect against contracting the same type of infection again. Exactly how immunological memory develops is a mystery just beginning to be unveiled in an article in the journal Science.

Treeline Advances In Canada’s Arctic Posted: 23 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST With climate change is a global concern, it's timely to consider how trees are faring on the highest mountain slopes and at the northern treeline. In such extreme environments, oddly contorted forms of pine, spruce, birch and fir are created by blasting winds and inhospitable soils.

Inflammation Worsens Danger Due To Atherosclerosis Posted: 23 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST Current research suggests that inflammation increases the risk of plaque rupture in atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a disease of arterial blood vessels where fats, cholesterol, blood cells, and fibers form hardened plaques on the artery wall.

Quantum Technologies Move A Step Closer With Demonstration Of An 'Entanglement' Filter Posted: 23 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST A team of physicists and engineers has demonstrated an optical device that filters two particles of light (or photons) based on the correlations between their polarisation that are only allowed in the seemingly bizarre quantum world. This so called "entanglement filter" passes the pair of photons only if they inhabit the same quantum state, without the user (or anything else) ever knowing what that state is. This device will have many important applications to quantum technologies, including computers, communication and advanced measurement.

Popular Songs Can Cue Specific Memories, Psychology Research Shows Posted: 23 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST Whether the soundtrack of your youth was doo-wop or disco, new wave or Nirvana, psychology research shows that even just thinking about a particular song can evoke vivid memories of the past.

Scientists Unlock Possible Aging Secret In Genetically Altered Fruit Fly Posted: 23 Jan 2009 02:00 PM PST Biologists have identified a cellular mechanism in mutated "Indy" fruit flies that appears to reduce significantly the production of free radicals, which are blamed for contributing to the aging process.

Implants Mimic Infection To Rally Immune System Against Tumors Posted: 23 Jan 2009 02:00 PM PST Bioengineers have shown that small plastic disks impregnated with tumor-specific antigens and implanted under the skin can reprogram the mammalian immune system to attack tumors. The research -- which ridded 90 percent of mice of an aggressive form of melanoma that would usually kill the rodents within 25 days -- represents the most effective demonstration to date of a cancer vaccine.

Nano-tetherball Biosensor Precisely Detects Glucose Posted: 23 Jan 2009 02:00 PM PST Researchers have created a precise biosensor for detecting blood glucose and potentially many other biological molecules by using hollow structures called single-wall carbon nanotubes anchored to gold-coated "nanocubes."

Cell Transplantation And Diabetes: New Sites, New Devices Posted: 23 Jan 2009 02:00 PM PST Two review articles examining the best sites for islet cell transplantation, value of porcine islet cells, and engineering of a bioartificial pancreas demonstrate that problems of poor engraftment and immune recognition can be better prevented, making islet transplantation more feasible. Findings suggest the pancreas remains the best site for islet transplantation; porcine islet cells for transplant can be obtained in quantity and easily proliferate; and a newly fabricated prevascularized bioartificial pancreas can increase blood flow.

Scientists Test Blast-resistant Concrete Posted: 23 Jan 2009 02:00 PM PST Engineers have tested a new form of concrete designed to reduce the impact of bomb blasts in public areas.

Revisiting The Anthrax Attacks Of 2001 Posted: 23 Jan 2009 02:00 PM PST When anthrax was sent through the US Postal Service in 2001, an overwhelming majority of postal workers elected not to be inoculated with the available vaccine because of confusion and distrust, according to a new study. Although the FBI officially closed the case on the attacks this year, lingering suspicion and uncertainty remain, say study authors, which could influence the public's reactions to future emergencies.

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