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Mars Life? Computer Analysis Hints At Water – And Life – Under Olympus Mons Posted: 05 Mar 2009 08:00 AM PST The Martian volcano Olympus Mons is about three times the height of Mount Everest, but it's the small details that astronomers are looking at in thinking about whether the Red Planet ever had -- or still supports -- life.

Depression Increases Risk For Heart Disease More Than Genetics Or Environment Posted: 05 Mar 2009 08:00 AM PST A history of major depression increases the risk of heart disease over and above any genetic risks common to depression and heart disease, according to researchers at the School of Medicine and the VA. The findings are reported this week at the annual meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society this week in Chicago.

Two Food Additives Have Previously Unrecognized Estrogen-like Effects Posted: 05 Mar 2009 08:00 AM PST Scientists in Italy are reporting development and successful use of a fast new method to identify food additives that act as so-called "xenoestrogens" -- substances with estrogen-like effects that are stirring international health concerns. They used the method in a large-scale screening of additives that discovered two additives with previously unrecognized xenoestrogen effects.

New Technique For Cancer Screening Posted: 05 Mar 2009 08:00 AM PST Current research suggests that a new technique to determine tumor methylation status can be used in archived tissue samples.

With Genomes, Bigger May Really Be Better Posted: 05 Mar 2009 08:00 AM PST Biologists analyzing DNA in search of the molecular underpinnings of life have consistently favored species with small genomes, which are cheaper to sequence and lack the repetitive "junk" that clutters bigger genomes. But a new study suggests that when it comes to figuring out how genes are controlled, bigger genomes are much more useful.

Brain Differences Found Between Believers In God And Non-believers Posted: 05 Mar 2009 08:00 AM PST Believing in God can help block anxiety and minimize stress, according to new research that shows distinct brain differences between believers and non-believers.

Tropical Lizards Can't Take The Heat Of Climate Warming Posted: 05 Mar 2009 05:00 AM PST Lizards living in tropical forests in Central and South America and the Caribbean could be in serious peril from rising temperatures associated with climate change. In fact, those forest lizards appear to tolerate a much narrower range of survivable temperatures than do their relatives at higher latitudes and are actually less tolerant of high temperatures, according to biologists.

Two Or More Drinks A Day May Increase Pancreatic Cancer Risk Posted: 05 Mar 2009 05:00 AM PST Men and women who consume two or more alcoholic drinks a day could increase their risk of developing pancreatic cancer, according to a new study.

Medical Radiation Exposure Of The U.S. Population Greatly Increased Since The Early 1980s Posted: 05 Mar 2009 05:00 AM PST In 2006, Americans were exposed to more than seven times as much ionizing radiation from medical procedures as was the case in the early 1980s, according to a new report. In 2006, medical exposure constituted nearly half of the total radiation exposure of the U.S. population from all sources.

Enhanced Skin Cancer Risk Linked To Defects In Cellular Aging Controls Posted: 05 Mar 2009 05:00 AM PST Dysfunction of genetic "end caps," or telomeres, can lead to increased skin cancer risk and pigmentation.

Radiation Exposure Of U.S. Population: American Association of Physicists in Medicine Comments On Controversial Report Posted: 05 Mar 2009 05:00 AM PST Scientists at the American Association of Physicists in Medicine are offering additional background information to help the public avoid misinterpreting the findings contained in a report issued today by the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP), a non-profit body chartered by the US Congress to make recommendations on radiation protection and measurements. The report is not without scientific controversy and requires careful interpretation.

People Are Consistently Overly Optimistic When Asked To Predict Their Own Future Behavior Posted: 05 Mar 2009 05:00 AM PST The next time a contractor tells you the kitchen remodeling will be done in six weeks, you might ask him to get real and reconsider his estimate.

Is The Dead Sea Dying? Levels Dropping At Alarming Rate Posted: 05 Mar 2009 02:00 AM PST The water levels in the Dead Sea - the deepest point on Earth - are dropping at an alarming rate with serious environmental consequences, according to new research. The projected Dead Sea-Red Sea or Mediterranean-Dead Sea Channels therefore need a significant carrying capacity to re-fill the Dead Sea to its former level, in order to sustainably generate electricity and produce freshwater by desalinization.

Cancer Drugs: Study Sheds Light On Angiogenesis Inhibitors, Points To Limitations, Solutions Posted: 05 Mar 2009 02:00 AM PST A new generation of cancer drugs designed to starve tumors of their blood supply -- called "angiogenesis inhibitors" -- succeeds at first, but then promotes more invasive cancer growth -- sometimes with a higher incidence of metastases, according to a new study in animals.

Birds Move North With Climate Change Posted: 05 Mar 2009 02:00 AM PST For the first time, researchers have documented a shift in breeding ranges for northerly species in North America. The study parallels findings in Europe.

Safe, Well-tolerated, And Effective Treatment For Metastatic Esophageal Cancer Posted: 05 Mar 2009 02:00 AM PST Patients with metastatic esophageal squamous cell cancer face a dismal prognosis, as no effective standard chemotherapy exists. A research group in China investigated the efficacy, toxic reaction and survival period of Oxaliplatin combined with capecitabine in treatment of patients with in patients with metastatic esophageal squamous cell cancer, and assessed the efficacy, toxicity and survival of the combination therapy.

Nutrient Pollution Chokes Marine And Freshwater Ecosystems Posted: 05 Mar 2009 02:00 AM PST Protecting drinking water and preventing harmful coastal "dead zones," as well as eutrophication in many lakes, will require reducing both nitrogen and phosphorus pollution.

Alcohol On TV Makes People Drink More Posted: 05 Mar 2009 02:00 AM PST New research has shown for the first time that portrayals of alcohol in films and TV advertisements have an immediate effect on the amount of alcohol that people drink. The research found that people who watched films and commercials in which alcohol drinking featured prominently immediately reached for a bottle of beer or wine and drank an average of 1.5 bottles more than people who watched films and commercials in which alcohol played a less prominent role.

Lemurs: Secret Social Drama Among Humanity's Distant Cousins Posted: 04 Mar 2009 11:00 PM PST Terror in the treetops: by measuring the presence of a stress hormone in the feces of male sifaka and correlating hormonal peaks with seasonal breeding events, primatologists have found hard evidence to support a far more complex social life for the cryptic lemurs than was previously theorized. Males invading a troop routinely kill male infants to improve mating prospects for their future offspring, showing that legacy matters for primates, even among primitive prosimians.

Biomechanics May Be Key To Successful IVF Implantation Posted: 04 Mar 2009 11:00 PM PST Biomechanics may be the key to a successful IVF implantation, according to new research.

Future Of Sports Injuries Will Be In 3D Posted: 04 Mar 2009 11:00 PM PST A study shows that new three-dimensional technologies applied to the traditional ultrasound scan significantly improve the quality of imaging. The applications, already used in the gynaecological field, are particularly useful for carrying out an increasingly reliable diagnosis and more effective treatment of musculoskeletal system injuries.

Stenting Not Necessary In Late Treatment Of Heart Attacks Posted: 04 Mar 2009 11:00 PM PST Two years ago, a major study found that many patients who receive delayed treatment for a heart attack do just as well with drugs alone as they do with drugs plus stents to prop open their blocked arteries. Now, further analysis shows that the drug option is cheaper and that there is no meaningful long-term difference in quality of life between the two options.

Tiny Pests Foul Seacage Netting On Fish Farms In Norway Posted: 04 Mar 2009 11:00 PM PST Tiny creatures - growing rapidly on seacage netting - cause serious problems for fish farmers.

High Novelty-seeking And Low Avoidance Of Harm Contribute To Alcohol Dependence Posted: 04 Mar 2009 11:00 PM PST Individuals with the inactive form of aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 normally don't drink alcohol because it causes flushing, nausea, and headaches. A new study asks why some people with the inactive form of ALDH2 become alcohol dependent. Results show these individuals have significantly higher novelty-seeking and lower harm-avoidance traits.

Into The Eye Of The Helix Posted: 04 Mar 2009 08:00 PM PST A deep new image of the magnificent Helix planetary nebula has been obtained using the Wide Field Imager at ESO's La Silla Observatory. The image shows a rich background of distant galaxies, usually not seen in other images of this object.

Genetic Evidence Points To Potential Therapeutic Bypass For Autoimmune Process Posted: 04 Mar 2009 08:00 PM PST Bypassing a molecular breakdown that helps trigger autoimmunity could lead to new treatments for autoimmune disorders and chronic infections that sicken or kill thousands of children annually, according to researchers. Scientists have discovered genetic evidence that two distinct molecular pathways control the formation of regulatory T cells, a vitally important cell type in limiting undesirable immune responses.

Select Roses Survive With Minimal Care Posted: 04 Mar 2009 08:00 PM PST Roses have long been a favorite of gardeners, but they often require a lot of work to thrive. And the emphasis on organics has more home gardeners concerned about the environment and reluctant to use pesticides. Researchers comparing several varieties of roses to determine which grow best with minimal care under certain conditions.

Second Motor Neuron Disease Gene Mutation In One Year Signifies Rapid Research Progress Posted: 04 Mar 2009 08:00 PM PST Scientists have revealed that mutations in a gene called fused in sarcoma cause familial motor neuron disease. This is the second gene to be discovered from MND in the Shaw laboratory in just one year and is an important step towards understanding disease mechanisms.

Lighting Up The Lives Of The Elderly -- Adaptively Posted: 04 Mar 2009 08:00 PM PST Artificial light affects us in subtle ways. At its best, ambient lighting can relax, soothe or excite, but used poorly it can drain us of energy and disrupt sleep. What if lighting could adapt automatically to meet our individual needs? A new system uses information from biosensors worn by the occupants of a room or building to determine what users are doing and then changes the lighting accordingly.

What The Romans Learned From Greek Mathematics Posted: 04 Mar 2009 08:00 PM PST Greek mathematics is considered one of the great intellectual achievements of antiquity. It has been decisive to the academic and cultural development of Western civilization. The three Roman authors Varro, Cicero and Vitruvius were all, in their own way, influenced by Greek knowledge and transferred it to Roman literature.

First Virtual Reality Technology To Let You See, Hear, Smell, Taste And Touch Posted: 04 Mar 2009 05:00 PM PST To date, though, Virtual Reality devices have not been able to stimulate simultaneously all five senses with a high degree of realism. Scientists believe they have now been able to pinpoint the necessary expertise to make this possible, in a project called "Towards Real Virtuality."

Spikes In Nitrite Can Have Lasting Protective Impact On The Heart Posted: 04 Mar 2009 05:00 PM PST A new study provides insight into how a short burst in nitrite can exert lasting beneficial effects on the heart, protecting it from stress and assaults such as heart attacks. Researchers have demonstrated for the first time that short elevations in circulating levels of this simple anion are sufficient to have a lasting impact on the heart by modulating its oxidation status and its protein machinery. Interestingly, only low and high doses of nitrite, but not those in-between, were found to be protective.

Life-saving Trend Discovered Among Seagulls Posted: 04 Mar 2009 05:00 PM PST Following trends is a lifesaving instinct, at least for birds, and provides clues that can be applied across the animal kingdom. New research published in Biology Letters, shows that Herring and Ring-billed gulls not only watch their neighbors -- they mimic their behavior to assure their survival. Contrary to previous beliefs, this study suggests that animals don't necessarily act independently and that they cue on reactions from other members of their group.

PSA Levels Accurately Predict Prostate Cancer Risk In African-American Men, Study Finds Posted: 04 Mar 2009 05:00 PM PST PSA levels appear to be more predictive of three year prostate cancer risk in African-American men compared with Caucasian men with a family history of prostate cancer, according to new research.

Green, Black Tea Can Reduce Stroke Risk, Research Suggests Posted: 04 Mar 2009 05:00 PM PST Drinking at least three cups of green or black tea a day can significantly reduce the risk of stroke, and the more you drink, the better your odds of staving off a stroke, according to new research.

More Than 20 Percent Of Sexual Assaults Drug-facilitated Posted: 04 Mar 2009 05:00 PM PST More than 20 percent of sexual assaults in a sample of 882 victims were drug-facilitated sexual assaults, according to a new study. Victims of drug-facilitated sexual assault were more likely than others to present to a large urban center, to be employed and to have consumed over-the-counter medications, street drugs and alcohol before the assault.

'Undesirable' Evolution Can Be Reversed In Fish, By Letting The Big Ones Go Posted: 04 Mar 2009 02:00 PM PST "Undesirable" evolution in fish -- which makes their bodies grow smaller and fishery catches dwindle -- can actually be reversed in a few decades' time by changing our "take-the-biggest-fish" approach to commercial fishing, according to groundbreaking new research.

Cell Microenvironments Hold Key To Future Stem Cell Therapies Posted: 04 Mar 2009 02:00 PM PST The ultimate fate of a stem or progenitor cell in a woman's breast -- whether the cell develops normally or whether it turns cancerous -- may depend upon signals from multiple microenvironments. New results suggest that modulations of microenvironmental signals are a promising pathway for future cancer and regenerative medicine therapies.

New Clues About Mitochondrial 'Growth Spurts' Posted: 04 Mar 2009 02:00 PM PST Mitochondria are restless, continually merging and splitting. But contrary to conventional wisdom, the size of these organelles depends on more than fusion and fission. Mitochondrial growth and degradation are also part of the equation.

Protein Complex Linked To Parkinson Disease Posted: 04 Mar 2009 02:00 PM PST Mutations in the genes PINK1, PARKIN, and DJ-1 have each been linked to early-onset inherited forms of Parkinson disease. However, the functional relationship between the proteins generated by these genes and how the mutations lead to Parkinson disease are not well understood.

Atomic Nucleus With Halo: Scientists Measure Size Of One-Neutron Halo With Lasers For First Time Posted: 04 Mar 2009 02:00 PM PST Atomic nuclei are normally compact structures defined by a sharp border. About twenty-five years ago, it was discovered that there are exceptions to this picture: Certain exotic atomic nuclei contain particles that shear off from the central core and create a cloud, which surrounds the central core like a 'heiligenschein' or halo. Now, for the first time, scientists have succeeded in precisely measuring this one-neutron halo by means of a laser, and in evaluating the dimensions of the cloud.

The Truth Behind 'Where's Waldo?' Posted: 04 Mar 2009 02:00 PM PST With assistance from the classic book character Where's Waldo?, researchers at have recently made a major advance in understanding how the brain searches for objects of interest.

'Spooky Action At A Distance' Of Quantum Mechanics Directly Observed Posted: 04 Mar 2009 11:00 AM PST In quantum mechanics, a vanguard of physics where science often merges into philosophy, much of our understanding is based on conjecture and probabilities, but a group of researchers in Japan has moved one of the fundamental paradoxes in quantum mechanics into the lab for experimentation and observed some of the spooky action at a distance' of quantum mechanics directly.

New Type Of Vaccination Provides Instant Immunity To Two Types Of Cancer In Animal Model Posted: 04 Mar 2009 11:00 AM PST Scientists have found a way to use specially programmed chemicals to elicit an immediate immune response in laboratory animals against two types of cancer.

Future Helicopters Get SMART Posted: 04 Mar 2009 11:00 AM PST Helicopters today are considered a loud, bumpy and inefficient mode for day-to-day domestic travel--best reserved for medical emergencies, traffic reporting and hovering over celebrity weddings. But NASA research into rotor blades made with shape-changing materials could change that view. Twenty years from now, large rotorcraft could be making short hops between cities such as New York and Washington, carrying as many as 100 passengers at a time in comfort and safety.

Why Do Women Store Fat Differently From Men? Posted: 04 Mar 2009 11:00 AM PST It's a paradox that has flummoxed women for generations -- their apparent ability to store fat more efficiently than men, despite eating proportionally fewer calories. While it has long been suspected that female sex hormones are responsible, a new research review has for the first time drawn a link between one hormone -- estrogen -- and its impact on fat storage for childbearing.

Futuristic Seafood: Raising Delicious Cobia And Pompano Fish -- Inland Posted: 04 Mar 2009 11:00 AM PST Two saltwater superstars -- cobia and Florida pompano -- are regarded by connoisseurs as being some of the world's best seafood. Both cobia (pronounced COE-bee-uh) and pompano (POM-puh-no) have firm, mostly white flesh that's perfect for grilling, pan-frying or baking.

Power And The Illusion Of Control Posted: 04 Mar 2009 11:00 AM PST A new study, reported in Psychological Science, shows that power can literally "go to one's head," causing individuals to think they have more personal control over outcomes than they, in fact, do. The authors note that positive illusions can be adaptive, helping power holders make the seemingly impossible possible. But the relationship between power and illusory control might also contribute directly to losses in power, by causing leaders to make poor choices.

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