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Climate Change And Atmospheric Circulation Will Make For Uneven Ozone Recovery Posted: 12 Apr 2009 02:00 PM PDT Earth's ozone layer should eventually recover from the unintended destruction brought on by the use of chlorofluorocarbons and similar ozone-depleting chemicals in the 20th century. But new research by NASA scientists suggests the ozone layer of the future is unlikely to look much like the past because greenhouse gases are changing the dynamics of the atmosphere.

New Therapeutic Strategy Could Target Toxic Protein In Most Patients With Huntington's Disease Posted: 12 Apr 2009 02:00 PM PDT Researchers have designed tiny RNA molecules that shut off the gene that causes Huntington's disease without damaging that gene's healthy counterpart, which maintains the health and vitality of neurons. Laboratory studies suggest that a single small interfering RNA could reduce production of the damaging Huntingtin protein in nearly half of people with the disease. Another 25 percent of patients might benefit from one of a set of four additional small interfering RNAs.

High-resolution Image Of The Brightest Orion Trapezium Star Posted: 12 Apr 2009 02:00 PM PDT Astronomers have captured the sharpest image of the young binary star Theta1 Orionis C in the Orion Trapezium cluster. In the new image, obtained using the ESO/VLT interferometer, one clearly distinguishes the two young, massive stars of the system. This binary system is the most massive star in the nearest region where high-mass stars are forming.

Some Radiation Therapy Treatments Can Decrease Fertility Posted: 12 Apr 2009 02:00 PM PDT In female cancer patients of reproductive age, radiation treatment directly to the ovaries should be avoided because there is a direct relationship between certain types of radiation therapy and fertility problems, according to a new review.

Climate Change Effects In California Posted: 12 Apr 2009 02:00 PM PDT A new report suggests that climate changes are poised to affect virtually every sector of the state of California's economy and most of its ecosystems. Loss of agricultural land and increased risk of wildfires are among the potential outcomes of global warming for California.

You Do The Math: Explaining Basic Concepts Behind Math Problems Improves Children's Learning Posted: 12 Apr 2009 02:00 PM PDT Students benefit more from being taught the concepts behind math problems rather than the exact procedures to solve the problems. The findings offer teachers new insights on how best to shape math instruction to have the greatest impact on student learning.

Evolution's Impact On Ecosystems Shown Directly For First Time Posted: 12 Apr 2009 08:00 AM PDT Scientists have come to agree that different environments impact the evolution of new species. Now experiments are showing for the first time that the reverse is also true.

Can Periodontal Disease Act As A Risk Factor For HIV-1? Posted: 12 Apr 2009 08:00 AM PDT New research from Japan suggests that periodontal disease could act as a risk factor for reactivating latent HIV-1 in affected individuals.

Invasive Species: Will Europe At Last Unite To Combat Thousands Of Alien Invaders? Posted: 12 Apr 2009 08:00 AM PDT Europe's borders have been breached by thousands of plants and animal species from other parts of the world: from the American mink to the New Zealand flatworm. The invaders feed on, hybridize with, parasitize and out-compete native species. They also introduce diseases, alter the balance within ecosystems, modify landscapes and impact upon agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

Girls Lacking The Protein ITK At Risk From Fatal Viral Infection Posted: 12 Apr 2009 08:00 AM PDT One of the most common viruses to infect humans is EBV. Although most people show no or few signs of infection, some develop glandular fever and boys with mutations in either one of two genes on the X-chromosome (SAP and XIAP) develop a fatal lymphoproliferative disease.

Carbon Dioxide In Atmosphere Can Now Be Measured From Space Posted: 12 Apr 2009 08:00 AM PDT New technology enables a more effective measurement of gases in the atmosphere comparatively to the currently used techniques. With this technology, it will be possible to measure gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone – the gases responsible for global warming and greenhouse effects. The system has a high potential of applicability in satellites due to its efficiency, compactness and reduced volume and mass.

Homebody Queen Ants Help Preserve Family Ties In Large Populations Posted: 12 Apr 2009 08:00 AM PDT To what extent, if any, can kinship ties account for the evolutionary maintenance of altruistic behavior in large unicolonial alpine wood ant populations in which nests contain hundreds of queens?

Food Security For Leaf-cutting Ants: Workers And Their Fungus Garden Reject Invaders Posted: 12 Apr 2009 02:00 AM PDT New diseases affect human survival and food security, especially as population density climbs. Leaf-cutting ants, one of a few groups of social insects to cultivate crops and live in dense colonies, harvest plant material to fertilize underground fungal gardens. New results show that both the ants and their fungal crop actively combat fungi coming into the nest inside leaves.

Is Malfunction Of Respiratory Epithelium A Cause Of Allergy? Posted: 12 Apr 2009 02:00 AM PDT According two recent Finnish studies, one reason for the development of allergy may be malfunction of the respiratory epithelium, which allows allergens to bind to, enter and travel through the epithelium.

Marker For Severity In Adult Brain Cancer Identified Posted: 12 Apr 2009 02:00 AM PDT Researchers have identified a new biological indicator that may help identify which brain-cancer patients have the most aggressive forms of the disease.

New Evidence Explains Poor Infant Immune Response To Certain Vaccines Posted: 12 Apr 2009 02:00 AM PDT For years, researchers and physicians have known that infants' immune systems do not respond well to certain vaccines. Now, one researcher has found an explanation for that poor response. The scientist found evidence that the immune systems of newborns might require some time after birth to mature to a point where the benefits of vaccines can be fully realized.

Does Aeration Reduces Compaction And Runoff On No-till Fields? Posted: 12 Apr 2009 02:00 AM PDT Much of Texas' wheat may be grazed as a part of a dual-use crop. But many fields are still prepared using conventional tillage, which may not efficiently capture rainfall -- a key to economic success in a semi-arid environment, said a Texas AgriLife Research scientist. Dr. Paul DeLaune, environmental soil scientist at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Vernon, said tillage operations can increase soil compaction, thereby increasing runoff.

Comprehensive Review Confirms High LASIK Patient Satisfaction Posted: 12 Apr 2009 02:00 AM PDT LASIK has been assessed and improved by more than a decade of clinical studies and technological innovation since the procedure was introduced. A new review found an overall patient satisfaction rate of 95.4 percent (2,097 of 2,198 subjects), with a range of 87.2 to 100 percent.

Sleep: Spring Cleaning For The Brain? Posted: 11 Apr 2009 08:00 PM PDT If you've ever been sleep-deprived, you know the feeling that your brain is full of wool. Scientists now have molecular and structural evidence of that woolly feeling -- proteins that build up in the brains of sleep-deprived fruit flies and drop to lower levels in the brains of the well-rested. The proteins are located in the synapses, those specialized parts of neurons that allow brain cells to communicate with other neurons.

Fireflies And Jellyfish Help Illuminate Quest For Cause Of Infertility Posted: 11 Apr 2009 08:00 PM PDT Genes taken from fireflies and jellyfish are literally shedding light on possible causes of infertility and autoimmune diseases in humans. Scientists are using the luminescent and fluorescent genes to illuminate cells that produce a hormone linked to conditions, which include rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Bone Deformities Linked To Inbreeding In Isle Royale Wolves Posted: 11 Apr 2009 08:00 PM PDT The wolves on Isle Royale in the state of Michigan are suffering from genetically deformed bones. Scientists blame the extreme inbreeding of the small isolated wolf population on the island National Park in northern Lake Superior.

Ovarian Cancer Screening Not Catching Early Disease Posted: 11 Apr 2009 08:00 PM PDT Screening regimens that combine ultrasound and a blood test for ovarian cancer fail to detect the disease early enough to make important progress, the authors of a new study reported. The combo screening also led to unnecessary surgery, which reinforces the need for a more sensitive and more specific test, said the lead researcher.

Ants Can Learn To Forage On One-way Trails Posted: 11 Apr 2009 08:00 PM PDT Ant trails fascinate children and scientists alike. With so many ants traveling in both directions, meeting and contacting one another, carrying their loads and giving the impression that they have a sense of urgency and duty, they pose the following question: how do they organize themselves? A new study may have some answers.

Activation Of The Prefrontal Cortex Improves Working Memory Posted: 11 Apr 2009 08:00 PM PDT Working memory or short-term memory is related to the ability to pass intelligence tests and is stored in the parietal cortex. However, the role of other areas activated during use of visual memory is poorly understood. Investigators have programmed a complex virtual system that simulates a network of neurons, according to which the prefrontal cortex reinforces the activation of the parietal cortex. This hypothesis is confirmed by functional magnetic resonance data.

Potential To Amass More Carbon In Eastern North American Forests Posted: 11 Apr 2009 02:00 PM PDT With climate change looming, the hunt for places that can soak up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is on. Obvious "sinks" for the greenhouse gas include the oceans and the enormous trees of tropical rainforests. But temperate forests also play a role, and new research now suggests they can store more carbon than previously thought.

Your Oral Health Is Connected To Your Overall Health Posted: 11 Apr 2009 02:00 PM PDT Scientists report new studies on the connection between oral disease and systemic disease. A recurring theme is the relationship between periodontal (gum) disease and infant prematurity, diabetes or stroke.

Soy May Aid In Treating Canine Cancers Posted: 11 Apr 2009 02:00 PM PDT Researchers are looking to soy as a way to make traditional canine cancer therapy more effective, less stressful for the dog and less costly for the owners.

Prune Juice Not Necessary: New Research Should Make Bowel Movements Easier Posted: 11 Apr 2009 02:00 PM PDT If you hate prune juice and chalky fiber supplements, just sit down and relax. Help is on the way. Researchers discovered a new way to make it a lot easier to go to the bathroom, especially when all other methods fail.

Was A 'Mistress Of The Lionesses' A King In Ancient Canaan? Posted: 11 Apr 2009 02:00 PM PDT The legend is that the great rulers of Canaan, the ancient land of Israel, were all men. But a recent dig by archaeologists at Tel Beth-Shemesh uncovered possible evidence of a mysterious female ruler.

Study Examines Power Of Exercise To Prevent Breast Cancer Posted: 11 Apr 2009 02:00 PM PDT A new study aims to learn whether women at high risk of breast cancer can use exercise to reduce their risk of getting the disease. Building on evidence that reducing estrogen in the body reduces cancer risk, and that elite female athletes experience a drop in estrogen levels that often cause them to stop ovulating and menstruating, the WISER Sister trial will investigate two different levels of regular exercise as a possible intervention for breast cancer risk reduction.

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