Sunday, January 25, 2009

ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Supermassive Black Holes Not Guilty Of Shutting Down Star Formation

Posted: 25 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST

Astronomers have discovered that galaxies stop forming stars long before their central supermassive black holes reach their most powerful stage, meaning the black holes can't be responsible for shutting down star formation.

How Chemotherapy Drugs Block Blood Vessel Growth, Slow Cancer Spread

Posted: 25 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST

Researchers have discovered how a whole class of commonly used chemotherapy drugs can block cancer growth. Their findings suggest that a subgroup of cancer patients might particularly benefit from these drugs.

Sources Of Climate- And Health-afflicting Soot Pollution Over South Asia Identified

Posted: 25 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST

A gigantic brownish haze from various burning and combustion processes is blanketing India and surrounding land and oceans during the winter season. This soot-laden Brown Cloud is affecting South Asian climate as much or more than carbon dioxide and cause premature deaths of 100 000s annually, yet its sources have been poorly understood. Now researchers have used a novel carbon-14 method to determine that two-thirds of the soot particles are from biomass combustion such as in household cooking and in slash-and-burn agriculture.

Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Have Surprisingly High Folate Levels, Study Finds

Posted: 25 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST

Children with newly diagnosed cases of inflammatory bowel disease have higher concentrations of folate in their blood than individuals without IBD, according to a new study. The findings bring into question the previously held theory that patients with IBD are prone to folate -- also known as folic acid -- deficiency.

Aeroacoustics Study Helps Control Noise From Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Posted: 25 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are playing increasingly important roles in many fields. Ranging in size from the huge Global Hawk aircraft to hand-held machines, these remotely controlled devices are growing ever more vital to the U.S. armed forces in roles that include surveillance and reconnaissance.

Makeover Shows Correspond With Increased Body Anxiety

Posted: 25 Jan 2009 05:00 PM PST

"The Swan." "I Want a Famous Face." "Dr. 90210." "Extreme Makeover." "Nip/Tuck." The list goes on. These are a few of the TV shows that have examined, and promoted, the benefits of plastic surgery in recent years. Some experts believe the shows are driving women to go under the knife to conform to a heightened definition of beauty, one that is increasingly difficult to attain.

Secrets Of Stradivarius' Unique Violin Sound Revealed, Professor Says

Posted: 25 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST

For centuries, violin makers have tried and failed to reproduce the pristine sound of Stradivarius and Guarneri violins, but after 33 years of work put into the project, one professor is confident the veil of mystery has now been lifted.

Slices Of Living Brain Tissue Are Helping Scientists Identify New Stroke Therapies

Posted: 25 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST

Slices of living human brain tissue are helping scientists learn which drugs can block the waves of death that engulf and engorge brain cells following a stroke.

C1XS Catches First Glimpse Of X-ray From The Moon

Posted: 25 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST

The C1XS X-ray camera has successfully detected its first X-ray signature from the Moon. This is the first step in its mission to reveal the origin and evolution of our Moon by mapping its surface composition.

Type Of Supporting Cells Resistant To Notch Signaling Discovered

Posted: 25 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST

Researchers have shown that by blocking a biochemical pathway called the Notch signaling pathway, most of the supporting cells in the inner ear of juvenile mice are induced to directly change into hair cells.

How Natural Oils Can Be Hydrogenated Without Making Unhealthy Trans Fats

Posted: 25 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST

To prolong the shelf life of foods, manufacturers often add hydrogen to natural oils, a process called hydrogenation. But hydrogenation also results in the production of trans fats, which have adverse health effects such as raising bad cholesterol and increasing the risk for coronary heart disorders. Now chemists have designed a catalyst that allows hydrogenated oils to be made while minimizing the production of trans fats.

Offspring Of Male Geezers: A New Wrinkle

Posted: 25 Jan 2009 11:00 AM PST

Although mammalian males can reproduce until late in life, evidence of hazards to offspring has emerged in human and animal models. Two new studies provide clear, well-controlled data of deleterious effects on the offspring of aged male mice mated to females of prime reproductive age.

Global Warming: Tree Deaths Have Doubled Across The Western U.S.

Posted: 25 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST

A new study led by the US Geological Survey and involving the University of Colorado at Boulder indicates tree deaths in the West's old-growth forests have more than doubled in recent decades, likely from regional warming and related drought conditions.

Cancer-causing Gene Discovery Suggests New Therapies

Posted: 25 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST

Scientists have discovered a novel way by which a much-studied cancer-promoting gene accelerates the disease. The finding suggests a new strategy to halt cancer's progress.

More Accurate FEMA Flood Maps Could Help Avoid Significant Damages And Losses

Posted: 25 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST

Significant loss of life, destroyed property and businesses, and repairs to infrastructure could be avoided by replacing Federal Emergency Management Agency flood maps with ones that contain high-accuracy and high-resolution land surface elevation data, says a new report from the National Research Council.

Protease Inhibitor May Aid In Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment

Posted: 25 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST

Researchers have demonstrated that a specific inhibitor of the protease plasma kallikrein, ASP-440 may provide a new therapeutic approach for treatment of diabetic retinopathy, the most common eye-related complication of diabetes.

NOAA Gives Navy Marine Mammal Protection Measures For Sonar Training Off The Atlantic Coast And Gulf Of Mexico

Posted: 25 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST

NOAA's Fisheries Service has issued regulations and a letter of authorization to the U.S. Navy that includes measures to protect marine mammals while conducting Atlantic fleet active sonar training off the Atlantic coast and in the Gulf of Mexico. The regulations require the Navy to implement measures designed to protect and minimize effects to marine mammals.

Video Games Linked To Poor Relationships With Friends, Family

Posted: 25 Jan 2009 05:00 AM PST

The study of young adults connected video games to poor relationships with peers and with parents -- measured by things like time, trust, support and affection.

Air Bags, Seat Belts Important In Preventing Spine Fractures

Posted: 23 Jan 2009 09:00 PM PST

In 2007, there were over 6 million motor vehicle accidents in the United States, and of those, 2.5 million were injured and more than 41,000 lost their lives. Spine fractures are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. New research provides evidence that the combination of air bags and seat belts affords the best protection against spinal fractures sustained in motor vehicle crashes.

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