ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Return To The Moon: First Images Kick Off Mapping Mission
• Did Evolution Make Us Cancer Prone?
• Second Life Data Offers Window Into How Trends Spread
• First Evidence That Female Human Embryos Adjust The Balance Of X
• Pacific Northwest Forests Could Store More Carbon, Help Address Greenhouse Issues
• The Problem With Self-help Books: The Negative Side To Positive Self-statements
• New Type Of El Nino Could Mean More Hurricanes Make Landfall
• New Targeted Therapy Finds And Eliminates Deadly Leukemia Stem Cells
• Why H1N1 Flu Spreads Inefficiently
• Eye Damage In People With Type 1 Diabetes Significantly Slowed
• New Lab-on-a-chip Measures Mechanics Of Bacteria Colonies
• Perfect Pitch Study Offers Window Into Influences Of Nature And Nurture
• Mars More Like Earth Than Earth Than Thought? New Details About History Of Water On Red Planet
• Molecular Differences Found Between Embryonic Stem Cells And Reprogrammed Skin Cells
• New Actions Of Neurochemicals Discovered
• Lifespan Of HIV-infected Cells Might Be Shorter Than Previously Believed
• Computer Recognizes Archaeological Material And Fake Van Goghs
• Doubts Cast On Credibility Of Some Published Clinical Trials
• New Class Of Pulsars Solve Mystery Of Previously Unidentified Gamma-ray Sources
• Natural Compound Stops Retinopathy, Study Suggests
• Vegetarian Diets Can Help Prevent Chronic Diseases, American Dietetic Association Says
• History Of Periodontitis Linked To Cerebrovascular Disease In Men
• Greater Understanding Of Lyme Disease-causing Bacteria
• Both Good And Bad Movie Characters Who Smoke Influence Teens To Do The Same
• Small Heat-Shielded Habitats Could Help Threatened Species Survive Climate Change
• Prostate Cancer Screening Has Yet To Prove Its Worth, Researchers Say
• Largest Ever Survey Of Very Distant Galaxy Clusters Completed
• Risk Of Tuberculosis From Arthritis Medication Examined
• Quantum Encrypted Information Sent Over An Eight Node, Mesh Network
• Poor Sleep Is Independently Associated With Depression In Postpartum Women
• Giant Moa Rebuilt Using Ancient DNA From Prehistoric Feathers
• Acid-reducing Medicines May Lead To Dependency
• QuikScat Finds Tempests Brewing In 'Ordinary' Storms
• CPAP Treatment Linked To Lower Mortality In Stroke Patients With OSA
• Magmatic Plumbing Of A Large Permian Caldera Exposed To A Depth Of 25 Kilometers
• Brain Functions That Can Prevent Relapse Improve After A Year Of Methamphetamine Abstinence
• Astronomers Discover Pair Of Solar Systems In The Making
• Virus-gene Therapy Combination Against Melanoma Under Testing
• Keeping Fish in Home Aquariums: Two Is Not Company, As Far As Fish Are Concerned
• What Should A Teenage Girl Do If She Finds A Lump In Her Breast?
• Key To Evolutionary Fitness: Cut The Calories
• People Sometimes Seek The Truth, But Most Prefer Like-minded Views
• Sea Ice At Lowest Level In 800 Years Near Greenland
• Successful Initial Safety Tests For Genetically-modified Rice That Fights Allergy
• 'Stealth' Herpes Simplex Inflammation Impacts Corneal Transplants
• Stirred, Not Shaken: Bio-inspired Cilia Mix Medical Reagents At Small Scales
• Will IVF Work For A Particular Patient? The Answer May Be Found In Her Blood

Return To The Moon: First Images Kick Off Mapping Mission Posted: 03 Jul 2009 11:00 AM PDT NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera has taken and received its first images of the Moon, kicking off the year-long mapping mission of Earth's nearest celestial neighbor.

Did Evolution Make Us Cancer Prone? Posted: 03 Jul 2009 11:00 AM PDT Researchers have discovered that gene mutations that once helped humans survive may increase the possibility for diseases, including cancer.

Second Life Data Offers Window Into How Trends Spread Posted: 03 Jul 2009 11:00 AM PDT Do friends wear the same style of shoe or see the same movies because they have similar tastes, which is why they became friends in the first place? Or once a friendship is established, do individuals influence each other to adopt like behaviors?

First Evidence That Female Human Embryos Adjust The Balance Of X Posted: 03 Jul 2009 11:00 AM PDT Researchers have found the first evidence that a process of inactivating the X chromosome during embryo development and implantation, which was known to occur in mice but unknown in humans, does, in fact, take place in human female embryos prior to implantation in the womb.

Pacific Northwest Forests Could Store More Carbon, Help Address Greenhouse Issues Posted: 03 Jul 2009 11:00 AM PDT The forests of the Pacific Northwest hold significant potential to increase carbon storage and help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in coming years, a recent study concludes, if they are managed primarily for that purpose through timber harvest reductions and increased rotation ages.

The Problem With Self-help Books: The Negative Side To Positive Self-statements Posted: 03 Jul 2009 11:00 AM PDT In times of doubt and uncertainty, many Americans turn to self-help books in search of encouragement, guidance and self-affirmation. The positive self-statements suggested in these books, such as "I am a lovable person" or "I will succeed," are designed to lift a person's low self-esteem and push them into positive action. According to a recent study in Psychological Science, however, these statements can actually have the opposite effect.

New Type Of El Nino Could Mean More Hurricanes Make Landfall Posted: 03 Jul 2009 08:00 AM PDT A new study, in the journal Science, suggests that the form of El Nino may be changing potentially causing not only a greater number of hurricanes than in average years, but also a greater chance of hurricanes making landfall.

New Targeted Therapy Finds And Eliminates Deadly Leukemia Stem Cells Posted: 03 Jul 2009 08:00 AM PDT New research describes a molecular tool that shows great promise as a therapeutic for human acute myeloid leukemia, a notoriously treatment-resistant blood cancer. The study describes exciting preclinical studies in which a new therapeutic approach selectively attacks human cancer cells grown in the lab and in animal models of leukemia.

Why H1N1 Flu Spreads Inefficiently Posted: 03 Jul 2009 08:00 AM PDT Scientists have found a genetic explanation for why the new H1N1 "swine flu" virus has spread from person to person less effectively than other flu viruses. But researchers say the new strain bears watching as it could mutate.

Eye Damage In People With Type 1 Diabetes Significantly Slowed Posted: 03 Jul 2009 08:00 AM PDT Researchers have found a treatment that significantly slows the progression of eye injury in people with type 1 diabetes, a common complication caused by this disease. By administering an antihypertensive, medication commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure, they were able to slow progression of diabetic eye damage in more than 65 percent of participants involved in the study.

New Lab-on-a-chip Measures Mechanics Of Bacteria Colonies Posted: 03 Jul 2009 08:00 AM PDT Researchers have devised a microscale tool to help them understand the mechanical behavior of biofilms, slimy colonies of bacteria involved in most human infectious diseases.

Perfect Pitch Study Offers Window Into Influences Of Nature And Nurture Posted: 03 Jul 2009 08:00 AM PDT Practice, practice, practice might get you to Carnegie Hall, but for aspiring musicians, there's new evidence that genes may influence one's ability to get there, as well.

Mars More Like Earth Than Earth Than Thought? New Details About History Of Water On Red Planet Posted: 03 Jul 2009 05:00 AM PDT New details have emerged about the history of water on Mars, gleaned from the 2008 NASA Phoenix Mars Mission. Scientists found patterns in the ground near the lander, multi-sided shapes about three to ten meters in size. The shapes are created when the surface contracts and the ice cracks. Sand fills in the cracks before the ice expands and buckles the surface to make the distinctive patterns.

Molecular Differences Found Between Embryonic Stem Cells And Reprogrammed Skin Cells Posted: 03 Jul 2009 05:00 AM PDT Researchers have found that embryonic stem cells and skin cells reprogrammed into embryonic-like cells have inherent molecular differences, demonstrating for the first time that the two cell types are clearly distinguishable from one another.

New Actions Of Neurochemicals Discovered Posted: 03 Jul 2009 05:00 AM PDT Although the tiny roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans has only 302 neurons in its entire nervous system, studies of this simple animal have significantly advanced our understanding of human brain function because it shares many genes and neurochemical signaling molecules with humans. Now researchers have found novel C. elegans neurochemical receptors, the discovery of which could lead to new therapeutic targets for psychiatric disorders if similar receptors are found in humans.

Lifespan Of HIV-infected Cells Might Be Shorter Than Previously Believed Posted: 03 Jul 2009 05:00 AM PDT Researchers have used mathematical models to demonstrate that cells infected with HIV could die sooner than was thought until now. If infected cells have a shorter lifespan then this increases the chances of the virus escaping the attention of the immune system.

Computer Recognizes Archaeological Material And Fake Van Goghs Posted: 03 Jul 2009 05:00 AM PDT People find it very easy to recognize a face, even under very different circumstances. For a computer, on the other hand, it is extremely difficult. Researchers have developed a new analytical technique which enables the computer to better interpret the content of photos and images, but also of data.

Doubts Cast On Credibility Of Some Published Clinical Trials Posted: 03 Jul 2009 05:00 AM PDT Randomized controlled trials are considered the "gold standard" research method for assessing new medical treatments. But new research shows that the design of a remarkable 93 percent of 2235 so-called RCTs published in some Chinese medical journals during 1994 to 2005 was flawed, casting doubt on the reliability of research that is likely to influence medical decision-makers.

New Class Of Pulsars Solve Mystery Of Previously Unidentified Gamma-ray Sources Posted: 03 Jul 2009 02:00 AM PDT A new class of pulsars detected by NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope is solving the mystery of previously unidentified gamma-ray sources and helping scientists understand the mechanisms behind pulsar emissions.

Natural Compound Stops Retinopathy, Study Suggests Posted: 03 Jul 2009 02:00 AM PDT Researchers have found a way to use a natural compound to stop one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States.

Vegetarian Diets Can Help Prevent Chronic Diseases, American Dietetic Association Says Posted: 03 Jul 2009 02:00 AM PDT The American Dietetic Association has released an updated position paper on vegetarian diets that concludes such diets, if well-planned, are healthful and nutritious for adults, infants, children and adolescents and can help prevent and treat chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer, obesity and diabetes.

History Of Periodontitis Linked To Cerebrovascular Disease In Men Posted: 03 Jul 2009 02:00 AM PDT The potential role of periodontitis, an inflammatory disease of the gums, in the risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly ischemic stroke, has received growing attention during the last decade. A new study is the first prospective cohort study to use clinical measures of periodontitis to evaluate the association between this disease and the risk of cerebrovascular disease.

Greater Understanding Of Lyme Disease-causing Bacteria Posted: 03 Jul 2009 02:00 AM PDT Lyme disease in the US is caused by the tick-borne bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, and usually begins with a skin lesion, after which the bacteria spread throughout the body to the nervous system, heart or joints.

Both Good And Bad Movie Characters Who Smoke Influence Teens To Do The Same Posted: 03 Jul 2009 02:00 AM PDT Researchers have determined that movie characters who smoke, regardless of whether they are "good guys" or "bad guys," influence teens to try smoking.

Small Heat-Shielded Habitats Could Help Threatened Species Survive Climate Change Posted: 02 Jul 2009 11:00 PM PDT Intelligent countryside management could improve the survival chances of animal and plant species threatened by climate change. The creation of small heat-shielded habitats and better links between habitats would counteract a moderate temperature increase, and give threatened species more time to adapt better and/or to migrate to cooler regions.

Prostate Cancer Screening Has Yet To Prove Its Worth, Researchers Say Posted: 02 Jul 2009 11:00 PM PDT The recent release of two large randomized trials suggests that if there is a benefit of screening, it is, at best, small, says a new report.

Largest Ever Survey Of Very Distant Galaxy Clusters Completed Posted: 02 Jul 2009 11:00 PM PDT Astronomers have completed the largest ever survey designed to find very distant clusters of galaxies. Named the Spitzer Adaptation of the Red-sequence Cluster Survey, "SpARCS" detects galaxy clusters using deep ground-based optical observations. SpARCS is designed to find clusters, snapped as they appeared long ago in time, when the universe was 6 billion years old or younger.

Risk Of Tuberculosis From Arthritis Medication Examined Posted: 02 Jul 2009 11:00 PM PDT Treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor agents is recognized as a risk factor for tuberculosis in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease, psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis.

Quantum Encrypted Information Sent Over An Eight Node, Mesh Network Posted: 02 Jul 2009 11:00 PM PDT Researchers from across Europe have united to build the largest quantum key distribution network ever built. The efforts of 41 research and industrial organizations were realized as secure, quantum encrypted information was sent over an eight node, mesh network.

Poor Sleep Is Independently Associated With Depression In Postpartum Women Posted: 02 Jul 2009 11:00 PM PDT Postpartum depression may aggravate an already impaired sleep quality, as experiencing difficulties with sleep is a symptom of depression.

Giant Moa Rebuilt Using Ancient DNA From Prehistoric Feathers Posted: 02 Jul 2009 08:00 PM PDT Scientists have performed the first DNA-based reconstruction of the giant extinct moa bird, using prehistoric feathers recovered from caves and rock shelters in New Zealand.

Acid-reducing Medicines May Lead To Dependency Posted: 02 Jul 2009 08:00 PM PDT Treatment with proton pump inhibitors for eight weeks induces acid-related symptoms like heartburn, acid regurgitation and dyspepsia once treatment is withdrawn in healthy individuals. Data suggests proton pump inhibitors can induce acid-related symptoms in healthy adults.

QuikScat Finds Tempests Brewing In 'Ordinary' Storms Posted: 02 Jul 2009 08:00 PM PDT "June is busting out all over," as the song says, and with it, U.S. residents along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts begin to gaze warily toward the ocean, aware that the hurricane season is revving up. In the decade since NASA's QuikScat satellite and its SeaWinds scatterometer launched in June 1999, the satellite has measured the wind speed and wind direction of these powerful storms, providing data that are increasingly used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Hurricane Center and other world forecasting agencies. The data help scientists detect these storms, understand their wind fields, estimate their intensity and track their movement.

CPAP Treatment Linked To Lower Mortality In Stroke Patients With OSA Posted: 02 Jul 2009 08:00 PM PDT Stroke patients with obstructive sleep apnea who undergo treatment with continuous positive airway pressure following their stroke may substantially reduce their risk of death.

Magmatic Plumbing Of A Large Permian Caldera Exposed To A Depth Of 25 Kilometers Posted: 02 Jul 2009 08:00 PM PDT Large volcanic calderas, aka supervolcanoes, are enormous craters tens of kilometers in diameter produced by giant, explosive eruptions that rank among the most violent geologic events. Geophysical studies of recently active calderas and investigations of their eruption products suggest that their magmatic systems are driven by intrusion of mantle-derived basalt in the deep crust, a process commonly referred to as magmatic underplating.

Brain Functions That Can Prevent Relapse Improve After A Year Of Methamphetamine Abstinence Posted: 02 Jul 2009 08:00 PM PDT Researchers report that it takes at least a year for former methamphetamine users to regain impulse control. The results tell recovering substance abusers, their families and drug-treatment specialists that it can take an extended period of time for the brain functions critical to recovery to improve.

Astronomers Discover Pair Of Solar Systems In The Making Posted: 02 Jul 2009 05:00 PM PDT Astronomers have found a binary star-disk system in which each star is surrounded by the kind of dust disk that is frequently the precursor of a planetary system.

Virus-gene Therapy Combination Against Melanoma Under Testing Posted: 02 Jul 2009 05:00 PM PDT Researchers are injecting a modified herpes virus into melanoma tumors, hoping to kill the cancer cells while also bolstering the body's immune defenses against the disease.

Keeping Fish in Home Aquariums: Two Is Not Company, As Far As Fish Are Concerned Posted: 02 Jul 2009 05:00 PM PDT New research has shown that fish kept alone or in small groups are more aggressive and exhibit fewer natural behaviors such as shoaling.

What Should A Teenage Girl Do If She Finds A Lump In Her Breast? Posted: 02 Jul 2009 05:00 PM PDT If a lump is found in the breast of an adolescent girl, she often will undergo an excisional biopsy. However, breast cancer is rare in adolescents, and the vast majority of teenage breast lumps are benign. A recent study suggests that a breast ultrasound might eliminate the need for biopsy in many cases.

Key To Evolutionary Fitness: Cut The Calories Posted: 02 Jul 2009 05:00 PM PDT Charles Darwin postulated that animals eat as much as possible while food is plentiful, and produce as many offspring as this would allow. However, new research shows that, even when food is abundant, intake reaches a limit. One theory for this is that animals actively limit their energy turnover to maintain a higher level of reproductive success over their lifetime.

People Sometimes Seek The Truth, But Most Prefer Like-minded Views Posted: 02 Jul 2009 05:00 PM PDT We swim in a sea of information, but filter out most of what we see or hear. A new analysis of data from dozens of studies sheds new light on how we choose what we do and do not hear. The study found that while people tend to avoid information that contradicts what they already think or believe, certain factors can cause them to seek out, or at least consider, other points of view.

Sea Ice At Lowest Level In 800 Years Near Greenland Posted: 02 Jul 2009 02:00 PM PDT New research, which reconstructs the extent of ice in the sea between Greenland and Svalbard from the 13th century to the present indicates that there has never been so little sea ice as there is now.

Successful Initial Safety Tests For Genetically-modified Rice That Fights Allergy Posted: 02 Jul 2009 02:00 PM PDT In a first-of-its-kind advance toward the next generation of genetically modified foods — intended to improve consumers' health — researchers in Japan are reporting that a new transgenic rice designed to fight a common pollen allergy appears safe in animal studies.

'Stealth' Herpes Simplex Inflammation Impacts Corneal Transplants Posted: 02 Jul 2009 02:00 PM PDT The herpes simplex virus (HSV) can infect the eye and sometimes causes so much damage that the person's cornea must be replaced with a transplant. (The cornea is the clear covering of the front of the eye that helps focus light for vision.) Doctors knew transplants were more likely to fail in people with HSV than in patients with other disorders, such as keratoconus, an abnormal steepening of the cornea.

Stirred, Not Shaken: Bio-inspired Cilia Mix Medical Reagents At Small Scales Posted: 02 Jul 2009 02:00 PM PDT Engineers used a novel underwater manufacturing technique to successfully build biomimetic cilia. The hairlike appendages mix tiny volumes of liquid to speed up biomedical reactions.

Will IVF Work For A Particular Patient? The Answer May Be Found In Her Blood Posted: 02 Jul 2009 02:00 PM PDT For the first time, researchers have been able to identify genetic predictors of the potential success or failure of IVF treatment in blood. New research helps explain why IVF works for some patients but not for others.

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