ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Biological Basis For The Eight-hour Workday? Posted: 27 Apr 2009 11:00 AM PDT Scientists already know that some genes are controlled by the circadian clock and are turned on only one time during each 24-hour cycle. Now, researchers have found that some genes are switched on once every 12 or 8 hours, indicating that shorter cycles of the circadian rhythm are also biologically encoded.

Kidney Removed Through The Belly Button Posted: 27 Apr 2009 11:00 AM PDT Surgeons have used new surgical technique that requires only one small incision to remove a diseased kidney.

Computational Biology Illuminates How Cells Change Gears Posted: 27 Apr 2009 11:00 AM PDT Bioinformatics researchers just moved closer to unlocking the mystery of how human cells switch from "proliferation mode" to "specialization mode." This computational biology work could lead to new ideas for curbing unwanted cell proliferation -- including some cancers. This research could also improve our understanding of how organs and other complex tissues develop.

Lice Can Be Nice To Us: Louse Infestation Calibrates Immune System Regulation Posted: 27 Apr 2009 11:00 AM PDT Parasite infestations might have a good side. Wild mice from a Nottinghamshire forest have given experts clues as to the importance of some parasites, such as lice, for the conditioning of a "natural" immune system.

Quantum Computers: Powerful Method Of Suppressing Errors Developed Posted: 27 Apr 2009 11:00 AM PDT Researchers have demonstrated a technique for efficiently suppressing errors in quantum computers, an advance that could eventually make it much easier to build useful versions of these potentially powerful machines that, in theory, could solve important problems that are intractable using today's computers.

Evolution Of Human Sex Roles More Complex Than Described By Universal Theory Posted: 27 Apr 2009 11:00 AM PDT A new study challenges long-standing expectations that men are promiscuous and women tend to be more particular when it comes to choosing a mate. The research suggests that human mating strategies are not likely to conform to a single universal pattern and provides important insights that may impact future investigations of human mating behaviors.

Scientists Give A Hand(edness) To The Search For Alien Life Posted: 27 Apr 2009 08:00 AM PDT Visiting aliens may be the stuff of legend, but if a scientific team working at NIST is right, we may be able to find extraterrestrial life even before it leaves its home planet -- by looking for left- (or right-) handed light.

Type Of Vitamin B1 Could Treat Common Cause Of Blindness Posted: 27 Apr 2009 08:00 AM PDT Researchers have discovered that a form of vitamin B1 could become a new and effective treatment for one of the world's leading causes of blindness, uveitis.

New Wireless Sensor First For Instant Monitoring Of Brain Oxygen Posted: 27 Apr 2009 08:00 AM PDT Scientists in Italy and Ireland are reporting development of the first wireless sensor that gives second-by-second readings of oxygen levels in the brain. The new microsensor -- smaller than a dime -- could become the basis for tiny devices to help test drugs and other treatments for patients with traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and other conditions.

Neuronal Growth Factor Receptor -- Long Implicated In Alzheimer's Disease -- May Actually Protect The Neuron Posted: 27 Apr 2009 08:00 AM PDT New research casts the role of a neuronal growth factor receptor -- long suspected to facilitate the toxic effects of beta amyloid in Alzheimer's disease -- in a new light, suggesting the molecule actually protects the neuron in the periphery from beta amyloid-induced damage.

Climate Change Increases Cholera Cases In Africa, Study Suggests Posted: 27 Apr 2009 08:00 AM PDT A study by researchers in Spain associates the increase of cholera cases in Zambia with climatic factors. For the first time, the results confirm that the increase in environmental temperature six weeks before the rain season increases the number of people affected by this sickness by 4.9%.

Increased Mortality Associated With Frequent Night-time Urination -- Nocturia Posted: 27 Apr 2009 08:00 AM PDT Patients suffering from nocturia, the need to urinate at least twice during the night, may have a significantly increased risk for mortality. Researchers have shown that there is a significantly increased mortality rate in elderly patients living in a Japanese assisted-living facility who suffered from nocturia relative to other residents.

The Season Of Ticks: Could Climate Change Worsen Lyme Disease? Posted: 27 Apr 2009 05:00 AM PDT In a finding that suggests how global warming could impact infectious disease, scientists have determined that climate impacts the severity of Lyme Disease by influencing the feeding patterns of deer ticks that carry and transmit it.

Statins May Exert Influence On Prostate Cancer Growth By Reducing Inflammation Posted: 27 Apr 2009 05:00 AM PDT Cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins may reduce inflammation in prostate tumors, possibly hindering cancer growth, according to a new study.

How Plants Protect Us From Disease Posted: 27 Apr 2009 05:00 AM PDT Everyday foods, beverages, and spices contain healthful compounds that help us fight harmful inflammation. And, in doing that, these phytochemicals—the resveratrol in red wine or the catechins in green, white and black teas, for instance—may also reduce our risk of diseases associated with chronic inflammation, including cancer and diabetes.

New Highly Sensitive Method May Offer Early Detection Of Dengue Virus Posted: 27 Apr 2009 05:00 AM PDT A new highly sensitive method may offer early diagnosis of dengue virus infection by detecting the viral components, such as RNA.

Chromosome Breakpoints Contribute To Genetic Variation Posted: 27 Apr 2009 05:00 AM PDT A new study reveals that -- contrary to decades of evolutionary thought -- chromosome regions that are prone to breakage when new species are formed are a rich source of genetic variation.

Autopilot Guides Proteins In Brain Posted: 27 Apr 2009 05:00 AM PDT Proteins go everywhere in the cell and do all sorts of work, but a fundamental question has eluded biologists: how do the proteins know where to go? A new study offers one answer.

Solar Wind Tans Young Asteroids Posted: 27 Apr 2009 02:00 AM PDT A new study reveals that asteroid surfaces age and redden much faster than previously thought -- in less than a million years, the blink of an eye for an asteroid. This study has finally confirmed that the solar wind is the most likely cause of very rapid space weathering in asteroids. This fundamental result will help astronomers relate the appearance of an asteroid to its actual history and identify any after effects of a catastrophic impact with another asteroid.

Huntington's Disease: Gene Therapy Offers New Hope For Treatment Of Neurodegenerative Disorder Posted: 27 Apr 2009 02:00 AM PDT Researchers have taken an important first step toward protecting against Huntington's disease using gene therapy. Huntington's Disease is an incurable neurological disorder characterized by uncontrolled movements, emotional instability and loss of intellectual faculties. It affects about 30,000 people in the United States, and children of parents with the disease have a 50 percent chance of inheriting it themselves.

Climate Change Means Shortfalls In Colorado River Water Deliveries Posted: 27 Apr 2009 02:00 AM PDT Researchers have found that currently scheduled water deliveries from the Colorado River are unlikely to be met if human-caused climate change reduces runoff in the region.

Factors Associated With Early Detection Of Melanoma In Older Men Identified Posted: 27 Apr 2009 02:00 AM PDT Older men whose melanoma is detected by a physician are more likely to have thinner and therefore more treatable tumors at diagnosis, according to a new article. A second analysis of the same survey data finds that physician detection of thin melanoma is more common in those who are 65 or older, have cancers on their backs or who have a history of atypical moles.

At The Limits Of The Photoelectric Effect Posted: 27 Apr 2009 02:00 AM PDT By way of the classical photo effect, Einstein proved in 1905 that light also has particle characteristics. However, with extremely high light intensities, remarkable things happen in the process. With extremely short wavelengths and very high intensities, light-matter interaction seems to be different than previously accepted.

Good Relationship With Parents May Prevent Teen Drinking Problems Posted: 27 Apr 2009 02:00 AM PDT Teenagers who have a strong relationship with their parents may start drinking at a later age -- which may, in turn, lessen their risk of developing alcohol problems, a new study suggests.

Now Where Did I Leave My Car? How The Brain Translates Memory Into Action Posted: 26 Apr 2009 11:00 PM PDT When we emerge from a supermarket laden down with bags and faced with a sea of vehicles, how do we remember where we've parked our car and translate the memory into the correct action to get back there? New research identifies the specific parts of the brain responsible for solving this everyday problem.

Lithium And The Brain: New Light On Bipolar Treatment Drugs Posted: 26 Apr 2009 11:00 PM PDT New research suggests a possible pathway for the operation of lithium in the treatment of bipolar disorder. It offers potential for new perspectives on the genetics of bipolar disorder and the development of new treatments for this disorder and other conditions.

Solar Flares: Solar Sigmoids Explained Posted: 26 Apr 2009 11:00 PM PDT 'Sigmoids' are S-shaped structures found in the outer atmosphere of the Sun (the corona), seen with X-ray telescopes and thought to be a crucial part of explosive events like solar flares. Now a group of astronomers have developed the first model to reproduce and explain the nature of the different stages of a sigmoid's life.

Outcomes Of Gastric Bypass Surgery In Morbidly Obese And Superobese Patients Posted: 26 Apr 2009 11:00 PM PDT Superobese gastric bypass patients appear to have improvements in quality of life and obesity-related co-existing conditions, and despite losing weight remain obese after surgery.

Polymer Solar Cell Plant Hooked Up To Grid In Denmark Posted: 26 Apr 2009 11:00 PM PDT Danish researchers have connected a polymer solar cell plant to an electrical grid in a successful world-first demonstration of how the promising renewable energy technology can be integrated into power systems.

Meditation Provides Hope For People With Depression Posted: 26 Apr 2009 11:00 PM PDT People with severe and recurrent depression could benefit from a new form of therapy that combines ancient forms of meditation with modern cognitive behavior therapy, early-stage research by psychologists suggests.

Two Causes For Bowel Disease In Infants Suggested By New Research Posted: 26 Apr 2009 09:00 PM PDT New research is helping physicians unravel the cause of a deadly and mysterious bowel disease that strikes medically fragile newborn babies. The findings could lead to a better understanding of the disease and its medical management, and also shed light on the causes of sepsis, a major killer of children and young adults.

Prostate Cancer Therapy Increases Risk Of Fractures And Cardiovascular-related Death Posted: 26 Apr 2009 09:00 PM PDT Prostate cancer patients who undergo therapy to decrease testosterone levels increase their risk of developing bone- and heart-related side effects compared to patients who do not take these medications, according to a new analysis.

Whiter Laundry And A Surprising New Treatment For Kids' Eczema Posted: 26 Apr 2009 09:00 PM PDT Household bleach has a surprising new role: an effective treatment for kids' chronic eczema. The skin disorder starts with red, itchy, inflamed skin that often becomes crusty and raw from scratching. Kids may break the skin from scratching and get chronic skin infections that are difficult to treat, especially from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Researchers have discovered diluted beach baths drastically improve the rash and reduce flare-ups of eczema, which affects 17 percent of school-age children.

New Blow For Dinosaur-killing Asteroid Theory Posted: 26 Apr 2009 09:00 PM PDT The enduringly popular theory that the Chicxulub crater holds the clue to the demise of the dinosaurs, along with some 65 percent of all species 65 million years ago, is challenged in a new article. A impact didn't lead to mass extinction 65 million years ago, geologists find.

Youngest Supernova Remnant: Researchers 'Clear Away The Dust' To Get Better Look Posted: 26 Apr 2009 08:00 PM PDT Researchers have used a mathematical model that allows them to get a clearer picture of the galaxy's youngest supernova remnant (dubbed G1.9+0.3) by correcting for the distortions caused by cosmic dust. Their new data provides evidence that this remnant is from a type Ia supernova -- the explosion of a white dwarf star -- and raises questions about the ways in which magnetic fields affect the generation of the remnant's cosmic ray particles.

Stem Cells From Fat Tissue Offer Hope For MS Treatment Posted: 26 Apr 2009 08:00 PM PDT A preliminary study on the use of stem cells obtained from a patient's own adipose tissue in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) has shown promising results. The three case studies support further clinical evaluation of stromal vascular fraction cells in MS and other autoimmune conditions.

Byproducts Of Biofuels Could Be Economically Viable For Growers Posted: 26 Apr 2009 08:00 PM PDT Scientists have found environmentally and economically sound uses for the byproducts of biofuel production.

Psoriasis Associated With Diabetes And High Blood Pressure In Women Posted: 26 Apr 2009 08:00 PM PDT Women with psoriasis appear to have an increased risk for developing diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure), according to a new article.

Early-stage Lung Cancer Identified Using Computer-aided System Posted: 26 Apr 2009 08:00 PM PDT A computer-aided detection method may help radiologists identify cancerous lung nodules at an early stage, according to a study performed at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, Md.

Living In History: How Some Historical Events Shape Our Memory Posted: 26 Apr 2009 08:00 PM PDT If you are resident of New Orleans, how would you describe personal events that occurred shortly before August 2005? Would you refer to them as happening "back in July of 2005" or would you describe them as happening "just before Hurricane Katrina"? If you live in Oregon, would you make reference to Hurricane Katrina?

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