ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Mummified Dinosaur Skin Yields Up New Secrets
• Scientists Reprogram Clearly Defined Adult Cells Into Pluripotent Stem Cells -- Directly And Without Viruses
• Quadriplegics Can Operate Powered Wheelchair With Tongue Drive System
• Dogs, Humans, Put Heads Together To Find Cure For Brain Cancer
• Computerized Face Recognition Software Can Rapidly See Through Disguises
• Financial Crisis Increases Suicides And Homicides, Study Finds
• US-Mexico Border Wall Could Threaten Wildlife Species
• Single Gene Mutation Responsible For 'Catastrophic Epilepsy'
• Fathers Spend More Time With Children Who Resemble Them, Study Suggests
• New MRI Technique Could Mean Fewer Breast Biopsies In High-risk Women
• Device Makes Objects Invisible In Certain Light Conditions
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Psychological Treatments May Not Prevent PTSD
• Robo-bats With Metal Muscles May Be Next Generation Of Remote Control Flyers
• Cholesterol-regulating Genes Identified
• Protecting Polar Bears With New Tracking Methods
• Gene Expression Findings A Step Toward Better Classification And Treatment Of Juvenile Arthritis
• How Strain At Grain Boundaries Suppresses High-temperature Superconductivity
• Non-drug Interventions May Comfort Children Having An Anesthetic
• Scientists Closer To Developing Salt-tolerant Crops
• Targeting New Pancreatitis Treatments
• Massive Imbalances Found In Global Fertilizer Use, Resulting In Malnourishment In Some Areas And Serious Pollution Problems In Others
• Ovarian Transplantation: New Technique Gives Greatly Improved Results In This Delicate Operation
• Ozone Depletes Oil Seed Rape Productivity
• Different Clues To The Health Of Women And Men
• Amazon River Is 11 Million Years Old, Drilling Study Finds
• Colorectal Cancer Risk Increased By Single-base Change In The Human Genome
• People Think Bottled Water Is Healthy ... Sort Of
• Debate Continues On Administration Of Magnesium Sulfate To Pregnant Women To Prevent Cerebral Palsy In Pre-Term Infants
• Molecular Machinery Related To Stem Cell Fate Uncovered
• Why Are African-Americans Less Likely To Survive Certain Cancers?
• Mystery Of Bat With Extraordinary Nose Solved
• Component Of Vegetable Protein May Be Linked To Lower Blood Pressure
• Mangrove-dependent Animals Globally Threatened
• Newly Appreciated Membrane Estrogen Receptor Important Therapeutic Target For Breast Cancer
• Embedded Electronics: Cars Get Cooperative
• New Findings On Parkinson's Disease And Effect On Patient Behavior
• Physicists Find Way To Control Individual Bits In Quantum Computers
• Sugar Substitute Appears To Prevent Early-childhood Cavities
• Chemical In Common Consumer Products (Phthalates) May Play A Role In Pre-term Births
• Exercise Helps Patients With Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Study Shows
• Nitrogen Research Shows How Some Plants Invade, Take Over Others
• Regulation And Oversight Of Gun Sales Reduces Trafficking To Criminals, Study Finds
• New Monkey Discovered In Brazil -- Threatened By Proposed Dams And Other Development In Region
• Magnetic Brain Stimulation Improves Skill Learning, Study Finds
• Physics Research With Atomic Force Microscope Could Lead To Better Health Care
• Current Search For Heart Disease Treatment May Not Be Fruitful
• DIY Production In 'Second Life' Factory
• When It Comes To Brain Damage, Blankets Take The Place Of Drugs

Mummified Dinosaur Skin Yields Up New Secrets Posted: 08 Jul 2009 11:00 AM PDT Scientists have identified preserved organic molecules in the skin of a dinosaur that died around 66-million years ago.

Scientists Reprogram Clearly Defined Adult Cells Into Pluripotent Stem Cells -- Directly And Without Viruses Posted: 08 Jul 2009 11:00 AM PDT Researchers have succeeded for the first time in reprogramming clearly defined adult cells into pluripotent stem cells -- directly and without viruses.

Quadriplegics Can Operate Powered Wheelchair With Tongue Drive System Posted: 08 Jul 2009 11:00 AM PDT An assistive technology that enables individuals to maneuver a powered wheelchair or control a mouse cursor using simple tongue movements can be operated by individuals with high-level spinal cord injuries, according to the results of a recently completed clinical trial.

Dogs, Humans, Put Heads Together To Find Cure For Brain Cancer Posted: 08 Jul 2009 11:00 AM PDT Pinpointing the genes involved in human brain cancer can be like looking for a needle in a haystack, and sometimes the needle you find may not be the right one.

Computerized Face Recognition Software Can Rapidly See Through Disguises Posted: 08 Jul 2009 11:00 AM PDT A rapid but superior method for computerized face recognition could revolutionize security systems especially if it can see through disguises. New software solves the variation problems caused by different light levels and shadows, viewing direction, pose, and facial expressions. It can even see through certain types of disguises such as facial hair and glasses.

Financial Crisis Increases Suicides And Homicides, Study Finds Posted: 08 Jul 2009 11:00 AM PDT Market crashes could lead to rises in homicides and suicides, unless governments invest in labor market protections, according to a new study.

US-Mexico Border Wall Could Threaten Wildlife Species Posted: 08 Jul 2009 08:00 AM PDT A 700-mile security wall under construction along the United States' border with Mexico could significantly alter the movement and "connectivity" of wildlife, biologists say, and the animals' potential isolation is a threat to populations of some species.

Single Gene Mutation Responsible For 'Catastrophic Epilepsy' Posted: 08 Jul 2009 08:00 AM PDT Catastrophic epilepsy -- characterized by severe muscle spasms, persistent seizures, mental retardation and sometimes autism -- results from a mutation in a single gene, researchers report.

Fathers Spend More Time With Children Who Resemble Them, Study Suggests Posted: 08 Jul 2009 08:00 AM PDT Darwin's theory of evolution predicts that men will take more care of children that look like them. Scientists have now verified this prediction.

New MRI Technique Could Mean Fewer Breast Biopsies In High-risk Women Posted: 08 Jul 2009 08:00 AM PDT Biomedical engineers have developed a method that, applied in MRI scans of the breast, could spare some women with increased breast cancer risk the pain and stress of having to endure a biopsy of a questionable lump or lesion.

Device Makes Objects Invisible In Certain Light Conditions Posted: 08 Jul 2009 08:00 AM PDT Scientists have designed a device, called a dc metamaterial, which makes objects invisible under certain light – very low frequency electromagnetic waves - by making the inside of the magnetic field zero but not altering the exterior field. The device, which up to date has only been studied in theoretical works, thus acts as an invisibility cloak, making the object completely undetectable to these waves.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Psychological Treatments May Not Prevent PTSD Posted: 08 Jul 2009 08:00 AM PDT Psychological interventions intended to prevent the development of post-traumatic stress disorder in the early stages after a traumatic experience have not been shown to be effective, researchers have concluded.

Robo-bats With Metal Muscles May Be Next Generation Of Remote Control Flyers Posted: 08 Jul 2009 05:00 AM PDT Tiny flying machines can be used for everything from indoor surveillance to exploring collapsed buildings, but simply making smaller versions of planes and helicopters doesn't work very well. Instead, researchers are mimicking nature's small flyers -- and developing robotic bats that offer increased maneuverability and performance.

Cholesterol-regulating Genes Identified Posted: 08 Jul 2009 05:00 AM PDT Scientists have come a step closer to understanding how cholesterol levels are regulated. Researchers have identified 20 genes that are involved in this process. Besides giving scientists a better idea of where to look to uncover the mechanisms that ensure cholesterol balance is maintained, the discovery could lead to new treatments for cholesterol-related diseases.

Protecting Polar Bears With New Tracking Methods Posted: 08 Jul 2009 05:00 AM PDT A new approach to tracking polar bears will shed more light on the potentially endangered Arctic animal and help boost the economy of Canada's north.

Gene Expression Findings A Step Toward Better Classification And Treatment Of Juvenile Arthritis Posted: 08 Jul 2009 05:00 AM PDT Scientists have discovered gene expression differences that could lead to better ways to classify, predict outcome, and treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Eventually such findings could enable doctors to target more aggressive treatment to children at risk of more severe arthritis, while those likely to have milder disease could be spared the stronger treatments that carry a greater risk of side effects.

How Strain At Grain Boundaries Suppresses High-temperature Superconductivity Posted: 08 Jul 2009 05:00 AM PDT Researchers have discovered that a reduction in mechanical strain at the boundaries of crystal grains can significantly improve the performance of high-temperature superconductors.

Non-drug Interventions May Comfort Children Having An Anesthetic Posted: 08 Jul 2009 05:00 AM PDT Parental acupuncture, clown doctors, hypnotherapy, low sensory stimulation and hand-held video games are promising non-drug interventions that are likely to help reduce children's anxiety during the onset of their anesthetic.

Scientists Closer To Developing Salt-tolerant Crops Posted: 08 Jul 2009 02:00 AM PDT Scientists have developed salt-tolerant plants using a new type of genetic modification, bringing salt-tolerant cereal crops a step closer to reality.

Targeting New Pancreatitis Treatments Posted: 08 Jul 2009 02:00 AM PDT Scientists have identified a gene that could help in targeting new treatments for alcohol-related pancreatitis.

Massive Imbalances Found In Global Fertilizer Use, Resulting In Malnourishment In Some Areas And Serious Pollution Problems In Others Posted: 08 Jul 2009 02:00 AM PDT A scientific study of three corn-growing regions of the world documents massive imbalances in nitrogen fertilizer use, resulting in malnourishment in some areas and serious pollution problems in others.

Ovarian Transplantation: New Technique Gives Greatly Improved Results In This Delicate Operation Posted: 08 Jul 2009 02:00 AM PDT Ultra-fast freezing of ovarian tissue from women who have lost their fertility as a result of cancer treatment can lead to it being used in transplants with the same success rate as fresh tissue, according to new research. Scientists said that freezing tissue by the vitrification method, which avoids ice formation, meant that oocyte (egg) viability was almost identical with that seen in fresh oocytes.

Ozone Depletes Oil Seed Rape Productivity Posted: 08 Jul 2009 02:00 AM PDT With rising ozone levels scientists have found that high ozone conditions cause a 30 percent decrease in yield and an increase in the concentration of a group of compounds with toxic effects to livestock, but anticarcinogenic effects for humans, within oilseed rape plants.

Different Clues To The Health Of Women And Men Posted: 08 Jul 2009 02:00 AM PDT Meaning and balance in everyday life are predictors of health among women. However, the most important predictor of health among men is their ability to manage the demands of their working life.

Amazon River Is 11 Million Years Old, Drilling Study Finds Posted: 07 Jul 2009 11:00 PM PDT The Amazon River originated as a transcontinental river around 11 million years ago and took its present shape approximately 2.4 million years ago. These are the most significant results of a study on two boreholes drilled in proximity of the mouth of the Amazon River by Petrobras, the national oil company of Brazil. Scientists used this new oceanic record to reconstruct the history of the Amazon River.

Colorectal Cancer Risk Increased By Single-base Change In The Human Genome Posted: 07 Jul 2009 11:00 PM PDT A single-base change in the human genome increases the risk of colorectal cancer.

People Think Bottled Water Is Healthy ... Sort Of Posted: 07 Jul 2009 11:00 PM PDT A small study has shown that people tend to believe that bottled water is somehow healthier than water from the tap. However, the research also shows that people are unsure exactly what these benefits might be and that they are rarely the main reason for choosing bottled.

Debate Continues On Administration Of Magnesium Sulfate To Pregnant Women To Prevent Cerebral Palsy In Pre-Term Infants Posted: 07 Jul 2009 11:00 PM PDT Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most prevalent chronic childhood motor disability with an estimated lifetime cost of nearly $1 million per individual. There is evidence that magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) can reduce the incidence of CP for very early preterm infants. Many thousands of pregnant women and their fetuses are exposed to MgSO4 every year in the United States for a variety of indications, and most obstetricians are comfortable with its use. Yet, there is still some controversy over whether magnesium sulfate is truly protective against CP.

Molecular Machinery Related To Stem Cell Fate Uncovered Posted: 07 Jul 2009 11:00 PM PDT Scientists have revealed how the BAM protein affects germline stem cell differentiation and how it is involved in regulating the quality of stem cells through intercellular competition.

Why Are African-Americans Less Likely To Survive Certain Cancers? Posted: 07 Jul 2009 11:00 PM PDT African-Americans are more likely than other races to die from breast, prostate and ovarian cancers, but this disparity is not due to poverty or inferior health care, a first-of-its-kind study has found.

Mystery Of Bat With Extraordinary Nose Solved Posted: 07 Jul 2009 08:00 PM PDT New research explains a 60-year mystery behind a rare bat's nose that is unusually large for its species. Bourret's horseshoe bat uses its elongated nose to create a highly focused sonar beam.

Component Of Vegetable Protein May Be Linked To Lower Blood Pressure Posted: 07 Jul 2009 08:00 PM PDT Glutamic acid, an amino acid that is abundant in vegetable protein, as a regular part of the eating pattern may be associated with lower average blood pressure. Researchers found that the higher the intake of dietary glutamic acid as a percent of total daily protein intake, the lower the blood pressure. Sources of vegetable protein include beans, whole grains and tofu.

Mangrove-dependent Animals Globally Threatened Posted: 07 Jul 2009 08:00 PM PDT Extinction looms for amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds restricted to declining mangrove forests. Substantial numbers of terrestrial vertebrates are restricted to mangrove forests. Many of these specialized species are listed as threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Prospects for mangrove-restricted animals are bleak, because more than two percent of mangrove forests are lost each year.

Newly Appreciated Membrane Estrogen Receptor Important Therapeutic Target For Breast Cancer Posted: 07 Jul 2009 08:00 PM PDT New research has uncovered the biological effects of a novel membrane estrogen receptor, a finding that has potential implications for hormonal therapy for breast cancer.

Embedded Electronics: Cars Get Cooperative Posted: 07 Jul 2009 08:00 PM PDT Researchers have developed a groundbreaking middleware platform that could lead to thousands of new applications in a range of industries. Beginning with in-car electronics, the platform can access the functionality, but hide the underlying complexity, of embedded sensors, making development and deployment of new services a snap.

New Findings On Parkinson's Disease And Effect On Patient Behavior Posted: 07 Jul 2009 08:00 PM PDT A new neuropsychological memory test is helping to uncover how Parkinson's disease can alter people's ability to learn about the consequences of the choices they make.

Physicists Find Way To Control Individual Bits In Quantum Computers Posted: 07 Jul 2009 05:00 PM PDT Physicists have overcome a hurdle in quantum computer development, having devised a viable way to manipulate a single "bit" in a quantum processor without disturbing the information stored in its neighbors. The approach, which makes novel use of polarized light to create "effective" magnetic fields, could bring the long-sought computers a step closer to reality.

Sugar Substitute Appears To Prevent Early-childhood Cavities Posted: 07 Jul 2009 05:00 PM PDT Children given an oral syrup containing the naturally occurring sweetener xylitol may be less likely to develop decay in their baby teeth, according to a new article.

Chemical In Common Consumer Products (Phthalates) May Play A Role In Pre-term Births Posted: 07 Jul 2009 05:00 PM PDT A new study of expectant mothers suggests that a group of common environmental contaminants called phthalates, which are present in many industrial and consumer products including everyday personal care items, may contribute to the country's alarming rise in premature births.

Exercise Helps Patients With Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Study Shows Posted: 07 Jul 2009 05:00 PM PDT Counseling patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease on how to increase physical activity leads to health benefits that are independent of changes in weight.

Nitrogen Research Shows How Some Plants Invade, Take Over Others Posted: 07 Jul 2009 05:00 PM PDT New research shows how plants gain nitrogen and how this allows some species to invade and take over native plants.

Regulation And Oversight Of Gun Sales Reduces Trafficking To Criminals, Study Finds Posted: 07 Jul 2009 05:00 PM PDT Comprehensive regulation of gun sellers appears to reduce the trafficking of guns to criminals, according to a new study. The study is the first to incorporate measures of the enforcement of gun sale laws into a study of the effectiveness of those laws.

New Monkey Discovered In Brazil -- Threatened By Proposed Dams And Other Development In Region Posted: 07 Jul 2009 02:00 PM PDT Biologists have discovered a new monkey in a remote region of the Amazon in Brazil. The monkey is threatened by proposed dams and other development in the region.

Magnetic Brain Stimulation Improves Skill Learning, Study Finds Posted: 07 Jul 2009 02:00 PM PDT The use of magnetic pulses to stimulate the dorsal premotor cortex region of the brain results in an improved ability to learn a skilled motor task, a new study finds. Researchers show that skilled movements can be stored as memories in the PMd and that magnetic stimulation of this area can facilitate this learning process.

Physics Research With Atomic Force Microscope Could Lead To Better Health Care Posted: 07 Jul 2009 02:00 PM PDT Study of proteins as a single molecule shows promise to help scientists understand the causes of diseases like some cancers. Research on bunched molecules could lead to a more efficient way to identify antibodies in blood.

Current Search For Heart Disease Treatment May Not Be Fruitful Posted: 07 Jul 2009 02:00 PM PDT A protein used by doctors to indicate a patient's risk of coronary heart disease may have drug developers barking up the wrong treatment tree, according a new study. Their research suggests that C-reactive protein, an enticing target for scientists working on new treatments for coronary heart disease, may not have a role in causing the disease, even though it is a predictive marker.

DIY Production In 'Second Life' Factory Posted: 07 Jul 2009 02:00 PM PDT Anyone who wants to can now produce their own vehicle in a factory on the "Second Life" Internet platform. They can program the industrial robots, and transport and assemble the individual parts themselves. Learning platforms provide relevant background information.

When It Comes To Brain Damage, Blankets Take The Place Of Drugs Posted: 07 Jul 2009 02:00 PM PDT Have you ever covered yourself with a blanket to stave off the shivers? A new study shows that a blanket can also help alleviate shivering in patients who have been cooled to prevent brain damage.

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