Monday, May 25, 2009

ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Virus Tamed To Destroy Cancer Cells But Leave Healthy Cells Unharmed

Posted: 25 May 2009 08:00 AM PDT

Scientists have tamed a virus so that it attacks and destroys cancer cells but does not harm healthy cells. They have determined how to produce replication-competent viruses with key toxicities removed, providing a new platform for development of improved cancer treatments and better vaccines for a broad range of viral diseases.

'Happy Hour' Gene Discovery Suggests Cancer Drugs Might Treat Alcoholism

Posted: 25 May 2009 08:00 AM PDT

A class of drugs already approved as cancer treatments might also help to beat alcohol addiction. That's the conclusion of a discovery in flies of a gene, dubbed "happy hour," that has an important and previously unknown role in controlling the insects' response to alcohol.

Immunomagnetic Beads Can Attract Plague Bacteria

Posted: 25 May 2009 08:00 AM PDT

Scientists have used antibody-coated immunomagnetic beads (IMBs) to detect the bacterium that causes bubonic plague.

Diabetics' Heart Attack Risk Can Be Reduced, Research Finds

Posted: 25 May 2009 08:00 AM PDT

People with diabetes who maintain intensive, low blood sugar levels are significantly less likely to suffer heart attacks and coronary heart disease, new research has shown.

New Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Seal Could Help Bring Efficient Energy Technology To Market

Posted: 25 May 2009 08:00 AM PDT

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have great potential for stationary and mobile applications. Stationary use ranges from residential applications to power plants. Mobile applications include power for ships at sea and in space, as well as for autos. In addition to electricity, when SOFCs are operated in reverse mode as solid oxide electrolyzer cells, pure hydrogen can be generated by splitting water.

People By Nature Are Universally Optimistic, Study Shows

Posted: 25 May 2009 08:00 AM PDT

Despite calamities from economic recessions, wars and famine to a flu epidemic afflicting the Earth, a new study indicates that humans are by nature optimistic.

Ocean Life Of Ages Past Boggle Modern Imagination With Incredible Sizes, Abundance And Distribution

Posted: 25 May 2009 05:00 AM PDT

Using such diverse sources as old ship logs, literary texts, tax accounts, newly translated legal documents and even mounted trophies, researchers are piecing together images -- some flickering, others in high definition -- of fish of such sizes, abundance and distribution in ages past that they stagger modern imaginations. They are also documenting the timelines over which those giant marine life populations declined.

'Eating For Two' Has Consequences For Mom And Baby

Posted: 25 May 2009 05:00 AM PDT

There is more medical evidence that pregnant women should steer clear of advice to "eat for two." Gaining too much weight is linked with complications at birth, such as pre-eclampsia or requiring a C-section, as well as higher odds that both mom and child will be obese later in life.

Compound In Turmeric Spice May Stall Spread Of Fat Tissue

Posted: 25 May 2009 05:00 AM PDT

There may be a new way to spice up your weight loss routine, according to results from a new animal model study. Researchers theorized that dietary curcumin could stall the spread of fat-tissue by inhibiting new blood vessel growth, called angiogenesis, which is necessary to build fat tissue.

Novel Mechanism Of Action Of Corticosteroids In Allergic Diseases

Posted: 25 May 2009 05:00 AM PDT

New research may explain the effectiveness of common treatments for allergic inflammation and may point the way to targets for new treatments for allergic diseases.

Ultraviolet LEDs Create Darker, Redder Lettuce Richer In Antioxidants

Posted: 25 May 2009 05:00 AM PDT

Salad dressing aside, a pile of spinach has more nutritional value than a wedge of iceberg lettuce. That's because darker colors in leafy vegetables are often signs of antioxidants that are thought to have a variety of health benefits. Now plant physiologists have developed a way to make lettuce darker and redder -- and therefore healthier -- using ultraviolet light-emitting diodes.

Abusive Relationships Increase Women’s Risk Of HIV Infection

Posted: 25 May 2009 05:00 AM PDT

A new study of nearly 14,000 U.S. women reveals that those who are in physically abusive relationships are at higher risk for HIV infection.

Salmonella's Sweet Tooth Predicts Its Downfall

Posted: 25 May 2009 02:00 AM PDT

For the first time scientists have shown what the food poisoning bug Salmonella feeds on to survive as it causes infection: glucose. Their discovery of Salmonella's weakness for sugar could provide a new way to vaccinate against it. The discovery could also lead to vaccine strains to protect against other disease-causing bacteria, including superbugs.

Breast MRI Detects Additional 'Unsuspected' Cancers Not Seen On Mammography Or Ultrasound

Posted: 25 May 2009 02:00 AM PDT

Nearly 20 percent of patients with recently diagnosed breast cancer had additional malignant tumors found only by MRI, according to a new study.

Hydrogen Powered Municipal Vehicle Being Tested In Everyday Use

Posted: 25 May 2009 02:00 AM PDT

Scientists have developed a hydrogen powered municipal street cleaning vehicle. The vehicle is named the "Bucher CityCat H2" and is the first municipal utility vehicle in the world powered by fuel cell technology. For the next 18 months it will be tested in everyday usage.

Novel Herbal Therapy For Men At High Risk Of Prostate Cancer Well-Tolerated In Phase I Trial

Posted: 25 May 2009 02:00 AM PDT

Results of a phase I clinical trial of a novel herb-based therapeutic called Zyflamend have demonstrated that the therapy is associated with minimal toxicity and no serious adverse events in men at high-risk for developing prostate cancer.

New 3-D Structural Model Of Critical H1N1 Protein Developed

Posted: 25 May 2009 02:00 AM PDT

Scientists report an evolutionary analysis of a critical protein produced by the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus strain.

'Extreme' College Drinking And A Sensation-seeking Disposition Lead To Injury

Posted: 25 May 2009 02:00 AM PDT

Drinking on college campuses in the United States is a pervasive problem, leading to numerous problems. One study estimated that more than 500,000 college students suffered alcohol-related injuries in 2001. This study examined the "dose-response" effect of quantities and frequencies, finding that heavy drinkers with a sensation-seeking disposition had the greatest risk of alcohol-related injuries.

Buckyball Computer Simulations Help Team Find Molecular Key To Combating HIV

Posted: 24 May 2009 11:00 PM PDT

Researchers have identified specific molecules that could block the means by which HIV -- the deadly virus that causes AIDS -- spreads by taking away its ability to bind with other proteins. Computer simulations were used to test more than 100 carbon fullerene, or "buckyball," derivatives initially developed for other purposes to see if they could be used to inhibit a strain of the virus, HIV-1 PR, by attaching themselves to its binding pocket.

Strong Immune Response To New SiRNA Drugs In Development May Cause Toxic Side Effects

Posted: 24 May 2009 11:00 PM PDT

Small synthetic fragments of genetic material called small interfering RNA (siRNA) can block production of abnormal proteins; however, these exciting new drug candidates can also induce a strong immune response, causing toxic side effects.

Identification Of Protein Domain Contributes To Safer Food

Posted: 24 May 2009 11:00 PM PDT

Researchers have identified the protein component responsible for regulating innate immunity in humans and animals. They furthermore discovered that comparable changes in this regulating mechanism lead to comparable disruptions in human and plant immune systems. Their findings will contribute to the development of foods less vulnerable to disease and, moreover, to a better understanding of human autoimmune disorders.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Retinopathy Linked In Diabetes

Posted: 24 May 2009 11:00 PM PDT

The eyes may be the window into the soul, but they may also contain important medical information. According to new research, patients with diabetes who have retinopathy should also be screened for obstructive sleep apnea.

Knowledge Of Epigenetics Helps Scientists Develop Tool To Study Deadly Parasite’s Histone Code

Posted: 24 May 2009 11:00 PM PDT

In the Japanese art of paper folding, a series of folds can make the same sheet of paper into a ballerina or baby elephant. But try unfolding the baby elephant and making it into a ballerina. It's like trying to make a neuron from a kidney cell. Epigenetics, it turns out, isn't much different from this old Japanese art: Each fold, or epigenetic crease, both limits and permits further potential folds in a way that mirrors how epigenetic changes seal a cell's fate.

A Person's High Or Low Response To Alcohol Says Much About Their Risk For Alcoholism

Posted: 24 May 2009 11:00 PM PDT

Someone who has a low level of response (LR) to alcohol, meaning relatively little reaction to alcohol, has a higher risk for developing alcohol-use disorders (AUDs). A study that examined the influence of LR in conjunction with other characteristics -- like family history of AUDs and age of drinking onset -- has found that LR is a unique risk factor for AUDs across adulthood and is not simply a reflection of a broader range of risk factors.

How Superbugs Control Their Lethal Weapons

Posted: 23 May 2009 09:00 PM PDT

It appears some superbugs have evolved to develop the ability to manipulate the immune system to everyone's advantage. Scientists have discovered some processes that reduce the lethal effects of toxins from superbugs, allowing humans and microbes to co-evolve. This discovery may lead to novel alternatives to antibiotics.

Precise Measurement: Laser Ranging System Pinpoints Multiple Objects With Nanometer Precision 100 Km Away

Posted: 23 May 2009 09:00 PM PDT

By combining the best of two different distance measurement approaches with a super-accurate technology called an optical frequency comb, researchers have built a laser ranging system that can pinpoint multiple objects with nanometer precision over distances up to 100 km.

Yeast Missing Sex Genes Undergo Unexpected Sexual Reproduction

Posted: 23 May 2009 09:00 PM PDT

An emerging form of the pathogenic yeast Candida is able to complete a full sexual cycle in a test tube, even though it's missing the genes for reproduction. And it may also do so while infecting us, according to researchers.

Fruit Fly Gene Clone 'Library': P[acman] As New Research Tool

Posted: 23 May 2009 09:00 PM PDT

Using a specially adapted tool called P[acman], scientists have established a library of clones that cover most of the genome of Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) and should speed the pace of genetic research.
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