ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

How A Brain Chemical Changes Locusts From Harmless Grasshoppers To Swarming Pests

Posted: 01 Feb 2009 05:00 PM PST

Scientists have uncovered the underlying biological reason why locusts form migrating swarms. Their findings, reported in Science, could be used in the future to prevent the plagues which devastate crops (notably in developing countries), affecting the livelihood of one in ten people across the globe.

Vaccines And Autism: Many Hypotheses, But No Correlation Found

Posted: 01 Feb 2009 05:00 PM PST

An extensive new review summarizes the many studies refuting the claim of a link between vaccines and autism. The review looks at the three main hypotheses and shows how epidemiological and biological studies refute these claims.

'Hot Spot' For Toxic Harmful Algal Blooms Discovered Off Washington Coast

Posted: 01 Feb 2009 05:00 PM PST

A part of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, which separates Washington state from Canada's British Columbia, is a potential "hot spot" for toxic harmful algal blooms affecting the Washington and British Columbia coasts.

New Laser For Neurosurgery Allows Greater Precision And Efficiency For Removal Of Complex Tumors

Posted: 01 Feb 2009 05:00 PM PST

Surgeons have started using a new micro-laser, which uses light energy in place of a cutting tool to remove complicated brain and spine tumors. The technique offers greater precision and efficiency during surgery, reducing the incision size, surgery time and patient recovery period following surgery.

Drill Here! Locating Drinking Water Under Challenging Conditions

Posted: 01 Feb 2009 05:00 PM PST

Volcanic ground is a challenging place to drill water wells. In central Nicaragua, situated on volcanic bedrock, only 3 of every 10 wells drilled produce sufficient water for even one household.

Too Much TV Linked To Future Fast-food Intake

Posted: 01 Feb 2009 05:00 PM PST

High-school kids who watch too much TV are likely to have bad eating habits five years in the future. A new study followed almost 2000 high- and middle-school children and found that TV viewing times predict a poor diet in the future.

Many New Species Discovered In Hidden Mozambique Oasis With Help Of Google Earth

Posted: 01 Feb 2009 11:00 AM PST

Space may be the final frontier, but scientists who recently discovered a hidden forest in Mozambique show the uncharted can still be under our noses. Scientists used Google Earth to identify a remote patch of pristine forest. An expedition to the site discovered new species of butterfly and snake, along with seven Globally Threatened birds.

Stress May Hasten The Growth Of Melanoma Tumors

Posted: 01 Feb 2009 11:00 AM PST

For patients with a particularly aggressive form of skin cancer -- malignant melanoma -- stress, including that which comes from simply hearing that diagnosis, might amplify the progression of their disease. But the same new research that infers this also suggests that the use of commonly prescribed blood pressure medicines might slow the development of those tumors and therefore improve these patients' quality of life.

Alternative Jet Fuels Put To The Test

Posted: 01 Feb 2009 11:00 AM PST

NASA and 11 other research groups are testing two non-petroleum-based jet fuels in the pursuit of alternative fuels that can power commercial jets and address rising oil costs.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Ease Depressive Symptoms Related To Menopause

Posted: 01 Feb 2009 11:00 AM PST

Omega-3 fatty acids ease psychological distress and depressive symptoms often suffered by menopausal and perimenopausal women, according to new research. The study presents the first evidence that omega-3 supplements are effective for treating common menopause-related mental health problems.

New Way To Monitor And Improve Clean-up Of Contaminated Groundwater

Posted: 01 Feb 2009 11:00 AM PST

Cleaning up the dangerous contaminants -- dry-cleaning fluids, solvents and petroleum hydrocarbons -- found in underground water presents one of the most urgent challenges facing environmental science. A report issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency sheds light on a new way to monitor and improve the success of clean-up efforts using a new technique.

You Can't Always Get What You Want: Young Infants Understand Goals, Even If Unsuccessful

Posted: 01 Feb 2009 11:00 AM PST

As adults, we are able to tell the difference between people's internal goals and the behaviors they influence. When do we gain this ability? Are infants able to "see" the hidden reasons behind certain actions? New findings indicate that by 10 months of age, infants, just like adults, are able to understand goals and intentions, even when those goals are not obvious based on the resulting behavior (that is, if the goal is unsuccessful).

Bone Growth Accelerated With Nanotubes And Stem Cells

Posted: 01 Feb 2009 05:00 AM PST

Engineers have come up with a way to help accelerate bone growth through the use of nanotubes and stem cells.

Potential New Target For Hypertension Treatment Discovered

Posted: 01 Feb 2009 05:00 AM PST

Pharmacology researchers found that a recently identified enzyme in the brain plays a critically important role in the central regulation of blood pressure. The researchers showed that Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 helps preserve the function of a key spontaneous reflex involved in blood pressure regulation and confirms its potential as a target for the prevention or treatment of high blood pressure.

Test In Development Of NASA's New Crew Rocket Is Successful

Posted: 01 Feb 2009 05:00 AM PST

The development of NASA's next-generation crew launch vehicle, the Ares I rocket, took another step forward recently as Alliant Techsystems, or ATK, successfully tested a critical piece. ATK conducted a full-scale separation test of the forward skirt extension for the Ares I-X flight test at its facility in Promontory, Utah.

Predicting Which Cesarean Births Could Cause Uterine Rupture

Posted: 01 Feb 2009 05:00 AM PST

A new study shows that by using a sonogram to measure the lower uterine segment thickness, doctors can predict uterine scar defects in women who had previous cesarean deliveries and anticipate which patients are at risk for subsequent uterine rupture if they have a trial of labor.

Physics, Math Provide Clues To Unraveling Cancer

Posted: 01 Feb 2009 05:00 AM PST

Biology exists in a physical world. That's a fact cancer researchers are beginning to recognize as they look to include concepts of physics and mathematics in their efforts to understand how cancer develops -- and how to stop it.

College Freshmen In US And China: Chinese Students Know More Science Facts But Neither Group Especially Skilled In Reasoning

Posted: 01 Feb 2009 05:00 AM PST

A study of college freshmen in the United States and in China found that Chinese students know more science facts than their American counterparts -- but both groups are nearly identical when it comes to their ability to do scientific reasoning. Neither group is especially skilled at reasoning, however, and the study suggests that educators must go beyond teaching science facts if they hope to boost students' reasoning ability.

Neutralizing Acidosis And Bone Loss Among Mature Adults