ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Biologists Find Gene Network That Gave Rise To First Tooth Posted: 10 Feb 2009 08:00 AM PST Scientists report that a common gene regulatory circuit controls the development of all dentitions, from the first teeth in the throats of jawless fishes that lived half a billion years ago, to the incisors and molars of modern vertebrates, including you and me.

Multivitamins Have No Impact On Risk Of Cancer Or Heart Disease In Postmenopausal Women, Study Finds Posted: 10 Feb 2009 08:00 AM PST The largest study of its kind concludes that long-term multivitamin use has no impact on the risk of common cancers, cardiovascular disease or overall mortality in postmenopausal women.

New Technique Images Tumor Vessel Leakiness To Predict Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Outcome Posted: 10 Feb 2009 08:00 AM PST Researchers have developed a technique for determining the "leakiness" of tumor blood vessels using a simple digital mammography unit. The quantification of "leakiness" is closely correlated to the ability of a chemotherapy agent to enter the tumor, allowing the researchers to predict the agent's therapeutic efficacy.

Constant Compressions Critical To CPR Posted: 10 Feb 2009 08:00 AM PST Interrupting chest compressions during resuscitation reduces the chances of heartbeat return after defibrillation. New research shows that for every second of a pause in compressions there is a one percent reduction in the likelihood of success.

Nanotechnology Makes Supertelescopes Much More Sensitive Posted: 10 Feb 2009 08:00 AM PST Nanotechnologists have succeeded in significantly increasing the sensitivity of the new supertelescopes in Chile.

Road Traffic Noise In Residential Areas Can Increase Risk Of Heart Attack Posted: 10 Feb 2009 08:00 AM PST People living in environments with high levels of road traffic noise might be more likely to suffer myocardial infarction than people in quieter areas.

Dramatic Rise In Sea Level And Its Broad Ramifications Uncovered Posted: 10 Feb 2009 05:00 AM PST Scientists have found proof in Bermuda that the planet's sea level was once more than 70 feet higher about 400,000 years ago than it is now. This had grave ramifications for the biodiversity on the planets coastlines and small islands.

Genetic Change Prevents Cell Death In Mouse Model Of Parkinson's Disease Posted: 10 Feb 2009 05:00 AM PST By shifting a normal protective mechanism into overdrive, scientists have completely shielded mice from a toxic chemical that would otherwise cause Parkinson's disease.

Floating Iris Plants May Help Clean Fishery Wastewater Posted: 10 Feb 2009 05:00 AM PST The feasibility of using floating vegetation to remove nutrients from fishery wastewater is being tested by scientists.

Newer Medication May Offer Advantages Over Agents Often Used For Sedation In ICU Posted: 10 Feb 2009 05:00 AM PST Use of the sedative dexmedetomidine for critically ill patients resulted in less time on a ventilator and less delirium compared to patients administered a more commonly used drug, according to a new study.

Stemming Decay Of World's Art And Cultural Heritage Posted: 10 Feb 2009 05:00 AM PST Many of the world's cultural treasures are creations made of organic materials such as paper, canvas, wood and leather which, in prolonged warmth and dampness, attract mold, micro-organisms and insects, causing decay and disintegration. New biotechnology techniques to protect art include the use of micro-organisms to remove fungus and other problems on artwork, photos, documents, masonry and more.

Researchers Investigate Prenatal Smoking Link With Antisocial Behavior In Children Posted: 10 Feb 2009 05:00 AM PST Researchers have for the first time studied whether smoking during pregnancy can directly make children more likely to behave antisocially. The unique study examined the records of 779 children born by in-vitro fertilization whose prenatal environment was provided by either a related mother or an unrelated mother.

How Magnetic Forces Shape Cosmic Jets Of Matter Streaming Out Of Stars Posted: 10 Feb 2009 02:00 AM PST Some of the most breathtaking objects in the cosmos are the jets of matter streaming out of stars, but astrophysicists have long been at a loss to explain how these jets achieve their varied shapes. Now research shows how magnetic forces shape these stellar jets.

New Hope For Immunocompromised Individuals With Drug-resistant Fungal Infections Posted: 10 Feb 2009 02:00 AM PST Even the most drug-resistant fungi can be eradicated in multiple in vitro and in vivo models using a lethal combination of an antifungal agent and inhibition of a specific heat shock protein (Hsp90). Such findings could point to a novel approach for the development of future antifungal therapies for patients with compromised immune systems. Immunocompromised individuals -- including HIV, chemotherapy, and organ transfer patients -- with drug-resistant fungal infections suffer mortality rates ranging from 50 to 90 percent.

Canopy Cover Provides Practical Clue To Plants' Thirst Posted: 10 Feb 2009 02:00 AM PST When plants in your garden burst forth with lush new growth this spring, they may begin to shade and cover patches that just a few months earlier were simply bare ground. When scientists describe the amount of space that plants shade or actually cover, they use the term "canopy cover." The term applies to all kinds of plants, from a ground-hugging tomato plant to a tall cornstalk.

Exercise Improves Leg Pain Caused By Arterial Disease Posted: 10 Feb 2009 02:00 AM PST Patients with leg pain caused by arterial disease may be able to forgo treatment of the affected artery by participating in hospital-supervised exercise, according to a new study.

Cementless Cup Device Developed For Hip Replacements Shows Durability After More Than 20 Years Posted: 10 Feb 2009 02:00 AM PST When a first hip replacement fails, patients may be concerned that their options for a durable hip replacement are limited and that the prognosis is poor. However, a research study in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery suggests that this may not be the case.

Neurobiological Mechanisms In Major Depressive Disorder Posted: 10 Feb 2009 02:00 AM PST Genes, psychological adversity in childhood, and recent or ongoing psychological stress may combine to cause major depression, write Dr. Sanjay Mathew and colleagues from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York in a review published in CMAJ.

How An Antarctic Worm Makes Antifreeze And What That Has To Do With Climate Change Posted: 09 Feb 2009 11:00 PM PST A new study reports a hardy Antarctic worm that withstands its cold climate by cranking out antifreeze and going into suspended animation when it dries out. Researchers are using it to establish a baseline for predictions about how ecosystems respond to climate change.

Inflammation Directly Linked To Colon Cancer; Potential New Drug Targets Revealed Posted: 09 Feb 2009 11:00 PM PST While chronic inflammation is believed to be a predisposing factor for colon cancer, exact mechanisms linking these conditions remain elusive. Scientists have now discovered a new piece of this puzzle by demonstrating how the Stat3 protein links inflammation to tumor development, a discovery that may well lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets for colon cancer.

Drug Combinations Key In Treating Neurodegenerative Diseases Posted: 09 Feb 2009 11:00 PM PST Combining the benefits of multiple drugs in a single pill may hold the key to treating neurodegenerative diseases, researchers say.

Even With Medication, Asthma Patients Show Chronic Airflow Changes In Lungs Posted: 09 Feb 2009 11:00 PM PST Using a special MRI technique, researchers have determined that the location and degree of airway narrowing in the lungs of asthma sufferers can be markedly persistent over time.

Big Year For Darwin, But What Would He Make Of The Climate Change Ahead? Posted: 09 Feb 2009 11:00 PM PST Charles Darwin may have been born 200 years ago come Feb. 12, but his theory of evolution remains an everyday touchstone for modern biologists. And while the Origin of Species author might not have known the term "global warming," he wouldn't have been surprised that the environment is changing. He would, however, be astonished by the speed at which it's happening today, researchers believe.

SSRIs May Reduce Suicide In Adults Posted: 09 Feb 2009 11:00 PM PST Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may reduce the risk of suicide in depressed adults, according to a new study.

Long-sought Protein Structure May Help Reveal How 'Gene Switch' Works Posted: 09 Feb 2009 08:00 PM PST The bacterium behind one of mankind's deadliest scourges, tuberculosis, is helping researchers at move closer to answering the decades-old question of what controls the switching on and off of genes that carry out all of life's functions.

New Treatment Hope For Prostate Cancer Posted: 09 Feb 2009 08:00 PM PST Scientists have developed a potential new treatment for patients with prostate cancer. They have produced a monoclonal antibody to a unique tumor marker for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Mother Whales Teach Babies Where To Eat: Can Southern Right Whales Adapt If Food Becomes Scarce? Posted: 09 Feb 2009 08:00 PM PST Biologists have discovered that young right whales learn from their mothers where to eat, raising concern about their ability to find new places to feed if Earth's changing climate disrupts their traditional dining areas.

Fertility Drugs Do Not Increase Risk Of Ovarian Cancer, Study Shows Posted: 09 Feb 2009 08:00 PM PST The use of fertility drugs does not increase a woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer, finds a large study.

Laser-sculpted Optical Devices For Future Giant Telescopes Posted: 09 Feb 2009 08:00 PM PST Th emerging field of astrophotonics shows promise in analyzing light from the night sky. Future telescopes, with mirrors half the size of a football field, will need special components to deal with the light they collect. Astronomers are turning to photonic devices that guide and manipulate light inside specially-designed materials. The greatest potential may lie in a laser-based technique that carves out micron-sized light pathways in three dimensions.

Impact Of Narcotics Is Greater On Mentally Ill Posted: 09 Feb 2009 08:00 PM PST Narcotics have an irreversible effect on the brains of people already suffering from mental illness, according to new research. According to this research, some 33 to 50 percent of psychiatric patients also suffer from drug addiction.

How Many Dimensions In The Holographic Universe? Posted: 09 Feb 2009 05:00 PM PST Scientists are trying to understand the mysteries of the holographic principle: How many dimensions are there in our universe? Some of the world's brightest minds are carrying out research in this area -- and still have not succeeded so far in creating a unified theory of quantum gravitation is often considered to be the "Holy Grail" of modern science.

Personalized Nano-Medicine? Scientists Can Predict Nano Drug Outcome Posted: 09 Feb 2009 05:00 PM PST Scientists have successfully predicted the outcome of a nano drug on breast tumors in a pre-clinical study. Their research could help with personalize medicine by determining which patients will respond best to cancer-fighting nano drugs.

Predicting Diversity Within Hotspots To Enhance Conservation Posted: 09 Feb 2009 05:00 PM PST Hotspots of threatened biodiversity comprise a huge chunk of the Earth, presenting a daunting challenge to governments and scientists who want to study them, let alone protect them from development. A new strategy can help identify the hotspots within hotspots critical for study and conservation. The strategy employs climate models to assess past species distribution to identify climatically stable regions likely to harbor undocumented endemism.

Strategies To Overcome Blood-brain Barrier Posted: 09 Feb 2009 05:00 PM PST The blood-brain barrier remains a major obstacle to the successful delivery of drugs to treat central nervous system disorders, reports Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.

Inbreeding Insects Cast Light On Longer Female Lifespans Posted: 09 Feb 2009 05:00 PM PST Inbreeding can unexpectedly extend male lifespan. Insect experiments have shown that, in seed beetles, inbreeding causes males to live longer, while shortening female lifespan.

Young Teens Really Are Shortsighted, But Don't Blame Impulsivity Posted: 09 Feb 2009 05:00 PM PST A study of 900 ethnically and socially diverse people ages 10-30 uses a questionnaire and experimental task called delay discounting to show that teens are shortsighted more due to immaturity in the brain systems that govern sensation seeking than to immaturity in the brain systems responsible for self-control. This research on adolescent decision-making may impact the way legal policies are shaped concerning teenagers' rights and responsibilities.

Global Warming Threatens Antarctic Sea Life Posted: 09 Feb 2009 02:00 PM PST Climate change is about to cause a major upheaval in the shallow marine waters of Antarctica. Predatory crabs are poised to return to warming Antarctic waters and disrupt the primeval marine communities.

Cognitive Training Can Alter Biochemistry Of The Brain Posted: 09 Feb 2009 02:00 PM PST Researchers have shown for the first time that the active training of the working memory brings about visible changes in the number of dopamine receptors in the human brain. The study, published in Science, was conducted with the help of PET scanning and provides deeper insight into the complex interplay between cognition and the brain's biological structure.

Source Of Cancer Stem Cells' Resistance To Radiation Discovered Posted: 09 Feb 2009 02:00 PM PST Much to the dismay of patients and physicians, cancer stem cells -- tiny powerhouses that generate and maintain tumor growth in many types of cancers -- are relatively resistant to the ionizing radiation often used as therapy for these conditions.

Accidental Discovery Has Potential To Keep Food And Drugs Safer And Fresher Longer Posted: 09 Feb 2009 02:00 PM PST A recent discovery may help keep food and drugs safer and fresher longer and electronic equipment dryer and more secure than ever before -- all at a lower cost.

Poor People Suffer Disproportionately From Chronic Infections Posted: 09 Feb 2009 02:00 PM PST Kids from low-income families are much more likely to suffer from serious infections such as herpes or hepatitis A than their counterparts in wealthier households.

New Species Of Prehistoric Creatures Discovered In Isle Of Wight Mud Posted: 09 Feb 2009 11:00 AM PST In just four years one palaeontologist has discovered 48 new species from the age of the dinosaurs using a systematic search method. The new discoveries, found hidden in mud on the Isle of Wight, are around 130 million years old and shed valuable light on the poorly understood world in which well known dinosaurs roamed.

Effects Of Smoking Linked To Accelerated Aging Protein Posted: 09 Feb 2009 11:00 AM PST A new study is apparently the first to make a connection between a rare, hereditary premature aging disease and cell damage that comes from smoking. The study results point to possible therapeutic targets for smoking-related diseases. The investigation found that a key protein that is lost in Werner's syndrome is decreased in smokers with emphysema, and this decrease harms lung cells that normally heal wounds.

What's Killing The Coral Reefs? Posted: 09 Feb 2009 11:00 AM PST A DNA microarray may help scientists learn how to preserve coral, one of the ocean's most important denizens. The technology tracks changes in microbial populations that indicate coral disease.

Hepatitis C Is Killing Liver Cells Posted: 09 Feb 2009 11:00 AM PST It has long been thought that liver disease in hepatitis C patients is caused by the patient's immune system attacking the infected liver, ultimately killing the cells. Researchers have now discovered something different though.

Chaotic Households Contribute To Mothers' Obesity Posted: 09 Feb 2009 11:00 AM PST Putting food on the table, struggling with unemployment and meeting the relentless needs of young children all contribute to household stress. Now, a new study finds that these pressures also increase the possibility that a mother will be obese.

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