ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Chimpanzees Develop 'Specialized Tool Kits' To Catch Army Ants
• Novel Anti-cancer Drug Yields Positive Response In People With Advanced Skin And Brain Cancer
• High School Football, Wrestling Athletes Suffer Highest Rate Of Severe Injuries
• Protein Modifier SUMO Helps Set Apart Females And Males
• Methane Gas Likely Spewing Into The Oceans Through Vents In Sea Floor
• Functional MRI Forecasts Which Soldiers Might Be Vulnerable To Suicide
• Injectable Biomaterial Regenerates Brain Tissue In Traumatic Injuries
• Avastin Dramatically Improves Response, Survival In Deadly Recurrrent Glioblastomas, Study Finds
• Fungal Map Of Mutations Key To Increasing Enzyme Production For Bioenergy Use
• Study Evaluates Use Of Corticosteroids And Antiviral Agents For Treatment Of Bell Palsy
• Super-fast Computers Of The Future
• Evidence That Priming Affiliation Increases Helping Behavior In Infants As Young As 18 Months
• First Genetic Link Between Reptile And Human Heart Evolution Found
• Discovery Holds Promise For New Effective Cancer Therapies
• Moths Cloaked In Color: Reexamining Parallel Evolution In Diurnal Neotropical Moths
• New Mouse Model Of Severe Kidney Disease Leads To Potential New Therapy
• Nano Data Storage: Researchers Study Ordering Mechanism In Metallofullerenes
• Rise In Weight-loss Drugs Prescribed To Combat Childhood Obesity
• Believing Is Seeing: Thoughts Color Perception -- Implications From Everyday Misunderstandings To Eyewitness Memory
• A New Molecule To Combat Diabetes And Obesity
• 'S' Stands For Surprise: Anticoagulant Plays Unexpected Role In Maintaining Circulatory Integrity
• Improved Blood Circulation In Coronary Heart Disease
• Shifting Baselines Confound River Restoration
• Research At Academic Medical Centers Is Active, Diverse, Study Finds
• Computational Process Zeroes In On Top Genetic Cancer Suspects
• A Breath Of Fresh Air Could Improve Drug Toxicity Screening
• Map Characterizes Active Lakes Below Antarctic Ice
• Early, Aggressive Treatment Recommended For Critically Ill Patients With Hematological Malignancy
• 'FEAsy' Analyzes Designs From Raw Sketches To Speed Parts Creation
• Some Discrepancies Exist Between Outcomes Indicated In Trial Registration And Later Publications
• Component Of Mothballs Is Present In Deep-space Clouds
• Are Intravenous Treatments Safe? New Research Raises Doubts
• Tiny Pump Means Pain Relief For Big Cats: Vets Modify Implant To Give Pain Relief After Surgery
• PET/CT Scans May Help Detect Recurring Prostate Cancer Earlier
• Bio-enabled, Surface-mediated Approach Produces Nanoparticle Composites
• Increasing Residential And Employment Density Could Mean Reductions In Vehicle Travel, Fuel Use And Carbon Dioxide Emissions
• Diesel Exhaust Is Linked To Cancer Development Via New Blood Vessel Growth
• Waist-hip Ratio Better Than BMI For Gauging Obesity In Elderly, Study Finds
• Invasive Green Mussel May Inspire New Forms Of Wet Adhesion
• Circulating Tumor Cells A Must Watch
• Changes In California's Bird Communities Due To Climate Change, Study Finds
• Preparing For The H1N1 Pandemic: A Formidable Foe

Chimpanzees Develop 'Specialized Tool Kits' To Catch Army Ants Posted: 03 Sep 2009 08:00 AM PDT Chimpanzees in the Congo have developed specialized "tool kits" to forage for army ants, providing some of the first recorded evidence of multiple tools.

Novel Anti-cancer Drug Yields Positive Response In People With Advanced Skin And Brain Cancer Posted: 03 Sep 2009 08:00 AM PDT The Hedgehog signaling pathway is involved in a preliminary study and case report describing positive responses to an experimental anticancer drug in a majority of people with advanced or metastatic basal cell skin cancers. One patient with the most common type of pediatric brain cancer, medulloblastoma, also showed tumor shrinkage.

High School Football, Wrestling Athletes Suffer Highest Rate Of Severe Injuries Posted: 03 Sep 2009 08:00 AM PDT High school football and wrestling athletes experienced the highest rate of severe injuries, according to the first study to examine severe injuries -- injuries that caused high school athletes to miss more than 21 days of sport participation among a nationally representative sample of high school athletes. Severe injuries accounted for 15 percent of all high school sport-related injuries.

Protein Modifier SUMO Helps Set Apart Females And Males Posted: 03 Sep 2009 08:00 AM PDT One way in which men and women differ is in their expression of liver proteins that control energy generation and lipid and steroid hormone production and turnover. Researchers have identified a new mechanism -- involving a process known as sumoylation -- underlying this differential expression of proteins in male and female mice. They also suggest drugs that may prevent estrogen-induced intrahepatic cholestasis, the most common liver disease during pregnancy.

Methane Gas Likely Spewing Into The Oceans Through Vents In Sea Floor Posted: 03 Sep 2009 08:00 AM PDT Scientists worry that rising global temperatures accompanied by melting permafrost in arctic regions will initiate the release of underground methane into the atmosphere. A new paper elucidates how this underground methane in frozen regions would escape and concludes that methane trapped under the ocean may already be escaping through vents in the sea floor a million times faster than previously believed.

Functional MRI Forecasts Which Soldiers Might Be Vulnerable To Suicide Posted: 03 Sep 2009 08:00 AM PDT A researcher in Israel demonstrates that functional magnetic resonance imaging can be used to forecast which soldiers might be vulnerable to stress psychopathology.

Injectable Biomaterial Regenerates Brain Tissue In Traumatic Injuries Posted: 03 Sep 2009 05:00 AM PDT An injectable biomaterial gel may help brain tissue grow at the site of a traumatic brain injury, according to new findings. Research shows that the biomaterial gel made up of both synthetic and natural sources has the potential to spur the growth of a patient's own neural stem cells in the body, structurally repairing the brain injury site.

Avastin Dramatically Improves Response, Survival In Deadly Recurrrent Glioblastomas, Study Finds Posted: 03 Sep 2009 05:00 AM PDT A study has found that targeted therapy Avastin, alone and in combination with the chemotherapy drug CPT-11, significantly increased response rates, progression-free survival times and survival rates in patients with a deadly form of brain cancer that had recurred.

Fungal Map Of Mutations Key To Increasing Enzyme Production For Bioenergy Use Posted: 03 Sep 2009 05:00 AM PDT New research provides the first genome-wide look at the mutations in strains of the fungus Trichoderma reesei in order to understand just how the production of enzymes that break down cellulose production was first improved, and how it can be boosted even further for industrial applications such as biofuel production.

Study Evaluates Use Of Corticosteroids And Antiviral Agents For Treatment Of Bell Palsy Posted: 03 Sep 2009 05:00 AM PDT Among patients with Bell Palsy, a facial paralysis with unknown cause, treatment with corticosteroids is associated with a reduced risk of an unsatisfactory recovery, and treatment with a combination of corticosteroids and antiviral agents may be associated with additional benefit, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis of previously published studies.

Super-fast Computers Of The Future Posted: 03 Sep 2009 05:00 AM PDT Computers which use light to process large amounts of data faster than ever before are just one of many groundbreaking potential applications of a new research program in the UK launches.

Evidence That Priming Affiliation Increases Helping Behavior In Infants As Young As 18 Months Posted: 03 Sep 2009 05:00 AM PDT In a new study, researchers found that priming infants with subtle cues to affiliation increases their tendency to be helpful.

First Genetic Link Between Reptile And Human Heart Evolution Found Posted: 03 Sep 2009 02:00 AM PDT Scientists have traced the evolution of the four-chambered human heart to a common genetic factor linked to the development of hearts in turtles and other reptiles. The research shows how a specific protein that turns on genes is involved in heart formation in turtles, lizards and humans.

Discovery Holds Promise For New Effective Cancer Therapies Posted: 03 Sep 2009 02:00 AM PDT Researchers in Canada have discovered a new target that may be instrumental in the development of new, more effective cancer therapies.

Moths Cloaked In Color: Reexamining Parallel Evolution In Diurnal Neotropical Moths Posted: 03 Sep 2009 02:00 AM PDT A new study revises the taxonomy of the Dioptinae, a subfamily of moths that have conquered the day in the tropical Americas. The roughly 500 described dioptines have a wide diversity of wing types -- from blue to yellow-stripes to clear -- and converge with another group of diurnal insects that probably evolved from a nocturnal, brown moth, the butterflies.

New Mouse Model Of Severe Kidney Disease Leads To Potential New Therapy Posted: 03 Sep 2009 02:00 AM PDT X-linked nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (XNDI) is a severe congenital kidney disease for which there is no specific, effective drug treatment, mainly because there are no good animal models of the disease. Researchers have now developed a viable mouse model of XNDI. Disease was associated with increased kidney expression of the protein EP4. Selective EP4 receptor agonists alleviated all the symptoms of disease and could be of benefit to individuals with XNDI.

Nano Data Storage: Researchers Study Ordering Mechanism In Metallofullerenes Posted: 03 Sep 2009 02:00 AM PDT Interest is growing in the use of metallofullerenes – carbon "cages" with embedded metallic compounds – as materials for miniature data storage devices. Researchers have discovered that metallofullerenes are capable of forming ordered supramolecular structures with different orientations. By specifically manipulating these orientations it might be possible to store and subsequently read out information.

Rise In Weight-loss Drugs Prescribed To Combat Childhood Obesity Posted: 03 Sep 2009 02:00 AM PDT Thousands of children and adolescents are using anti-obesity drugs that in the UK are only licensed for use by adults. The number of young people receiving prescriptions for these drugs has increased 15-fold since 1999, but most stop using them before they could expect to see any benefit, according to a new study.

Believing Is Seeing: Thoughts Color Perception -- Implications From Everyday Misunderstandings To Eyewitness Memory Posted: 02 Sep 2009 11:00 PM PDT Folk wisdom usually has it that "seeing is believing," but new research suggests that "believing is seeing," too -- at least when it comes to perceiving other people's emotions. Researchers have found that the way we initially think about the emotions of others biases our subsequent perception (and memory) of their facial expressions.

A New Molecule To Combat Diabetes And Obesity Posted: 02 Sep 2009 11:00 PM PDT Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes, is increasing at an alarming state with more than 180 million people affected worldwide. With the rising incidence of obesity, a major risk factor for the onset of type 2 diabetes, this metabolic disorder represents a major health concern. Scientists in France now show that there may exist new ways to fight these disorders.

'S' Stands For Surprise: Anticoagulant Plays Unexpected Role In Maintaining Circulatory Integrity Posted: 02 Sep 2009 11:00 PM PDT Protein S, a well-known anticoagulant protein, keeps the blood flowing in more than one way, discovered researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. The protein contributes to the formation and function of healthy blood vessels.

Improved Blood Circulation In Coronary Heart Disease Posted: 02 Sep 2009 11:00 PM PDT Chest pain is the major symptom of patients with coronary heart disease. Agents that release nitric oxide (NO) within the body can help to treat such angina pectoris attacks because NO dilates arteries thereby improving blood circulation. To date, NO release from nitrovasodilators like glyceryltrinitrate is not fully understood. Pharmacologists gained new insights into this process by analyzing the enzyme responsible for NO release.

Shifting Baselines Confound River Restoration Posted: 02 Sep 2009 11:00 PM PDT Historical records show that rivers worldwide once held many more fish and other fauna than they do today. Overharvesting seems to have been one principle cause of steep declines in recent centuries. Although it is hard to estimate historical numbers of freshwater wildlife with accuracy, efforts to determine earlier levels of abundance may help planners avoid using falsely low estimates as baseline assumptions. Restoration programs could investigate the effects of reintroducing extirpated species.

Research At Academic Medical Centers Is Active, Diverse, Study Finds Posted: 02 Sep 2009 11:00 PM PDT A survey indicates that research is active and diverse at US academic medical centers and that a substantial proportion of faculty conduct research and publish without sponsorship, according to a new study.

Computational Process Zeroes In On Top Genetic Cancer Suspects Posted: 02 Sep 2009 08:00 PM PDT Engineers have devised innovative computer software that can sift through hundreds of genetic mutations and highlight the DNA changes that are most likely to promote cancer.

A Breath Of Fresh Air Could Improve Drug Toxicity Screening Posted: 02 Sep 2009 08:00 PM PDT Researchers have developed an innovative way to culture liver cells for drug toxicity screening. In a new report, they describe how liver cells grown in a high-oxygen environment and in a culture medium free of animal-derived serum quickly begin to function as they do within the liver.

Map Characterizes Active Lakes Below Antarctic Ice Posted: 02 Sep 2009 08:00 PM PDT Lakes in Antarctica, concealed under miles of ice, require scientists to come up with creative ways to identify and analyze these hidden features. Now, researchers using space-based lasers on a NASA satellite have created the most comprehensive inventory of lakes that actively drain or fill under Antarctica's ice. They have revealed a continental plumbing system that is more dynamic than scientists thought.

Early, Aggressive Treatment Recommended For Critically Ill Patients With Hematological Malignancy Posted: 02 Sep 2009 08:00 PM PDT A study of 7,689 admissions from 178 adult intensive care units in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has revealed the factors associated with a higher mortality rate in hematological malignancy. Researchers found that certain factors have a significant impact on the risk of death.

'FEAsy' Analyzes Designs From Raw Sketches To Speed Parts Creation Posted: 02 Sep 2009 08:00 PM PDT Going back to the drawing board is much easier now that researchers have developed a new type of design program called FEAsy. The program allows the designer to sketch a rough concept of the part and then analyze the part's characteristics while it is still only a drawing.

Some Discrepancies Exist Between Outcomes Indicated In Trial Registration And Later Publications Posted: 02 Sep 2009 08:00 PM PDT Comparison of the primary outcomes of registered clinical trials with their subsequent publication appears to show some discrepancies, according to a new study.

Component Of Mothballs Is Present In Deep-space Clouds Posted: 02 Sep 2009 05:00 PM PDT Researchers have shown for the first time that one component of clouds emitting unusual infrared light know as the Unidentified Infrared Bands (UIRs) is a gaseous version of naphthalene, the chief component of mothballs back on Earth. The UIRs have been seen by astronomers for more than 30 years, but no one has ever identified what specific molecules cause these patterns.

Are Intravenous Treatments Safe? New Research Raises Doubts Posted: 02 Sep 2009 05:00 PM PDT German scientists identified serious and previously misunderstood contaminants that bring the safety and efficacy of intravenous treatments into question. In a new report, they show how a common intravenous treatment used to boost blood pressure in patients also contains substances called "advanced glycation end products," which trigger inflammation. This study directly challenges today's prevalent belief that advanced glycation end products are not contaminants.

Tiny Pump Means Pain Relief For Big Cats: Vets Modify Implant To Give Pain Relief After Surgery Posted: 02 Sep 2009 05:00 PM PDT Veterinarians have found a solution to the challenge of providing effective pain relief to some of their most difficult patients: big cats.

PET/CT Scans May Help Detect Recurring Prostate Cancer Earlier Posted: 02 Sep 2009 05:00 PM PDT A new study shows that positron emission tomography (PET)/computer tomography (CT) scans with the imaging agent choline could detect recurring prostate cancer sooner than conventional imaging technologies in some patients who have had their prostates surgically removed.

Bio-enabled, Surface-mediated Approach Produces Nanoparticle Composites Posted: 02 Sep 2009 05:00 PM PDT Using thin films of silk as templates, researchers have incorporated inorganic nanoparticles that join with the silk to form strong and flexible composite structures that have unusual optical and mechanical properties.

Increasing Residential And Employment Density Could Mean Reductions In Vehicle Travel, Fuel Use And Carbon Dioxide Emissions Posted: 02 Sep 2009 05:00 PM PDT Increasing population and employment density in metropolitan areas could reduce vehicle travel, energy use, and carbon dioxide emissions from less than 1 percent up to 11 percent by 2050.

Diesel Exhaust Is Linked To Cancer Development Via New Blood Vessel Growth Posted: 02 Sep 2009 02:00 PM PDT Scientists here have demonstrated that the link between diesel fume exposure and cancer lies in how diesel exhaust induces the growth of new blood vessels that supply solid tumors. The researchers found that in both healthy and diseased animals, more new blood vessels sprouted in mice exposed to diesel exhaust than did in mice exposed to clean, filtered air. This suggests that previous illness isn't required to make humans susceptible to the damaging effects of the diesel exhaust.

Waist-hip Ratio Better Than BMI For Gauging Obesity In Elderly, Study Finds Posted: 02 Sep 2009 02:00 PM PDT Body mass index readings may not be the best gauge of obesity in older adults, according to new research from endocrinologists and geriatricians. Instead, they say, the ratio of waist size to hip size may be a better indicator when it comes to those over 70. Obesity is often associated with premature mortality because it leads to an increased risk of diabetes, heart attack, stroke and other major health problems.

Invasive Green Mussel May Inspire New Forms Of Wet Adhesion Posted: 02 Sep 2009 02:00 PM PDT The green mussel is known for being a notoriously invasive fouling species, but scientists have just discovered that it also has a very powerful form of adhesion in its foot. The stickiness of the mussel's foot could possibly be copied to form new artificial adhesives.

Circulating Tumor Cells A Must Watch Posted: 02 Sep 2009 02:00 PM PDT The presence of tumor cells circulating in the blood is associated with shortened survival. Now, researchers in Japan have developed a simple imaging system to detect circulating tumor cells, which could help clinicians hoping to predict a patient's chances of survival and/or monitor a patient's response to treatment.

Changes In California's Bird Communities Due To Climate Change, Study Finds Posted: 02 Sep 2009 02:00 PM PDT As much as half of California could be occupied by new bird communities by 2070, according to a new study.

Preparing For The H1N1 Pandemic: A Formidable Foe Posted: 02 Sep 2009 02:00 PM PDT Prevention of H1N1 influenza virus through vaccination must be our top priority if disease patterns in the northern hemisphere follow those in the southern hemisphere this fall, according to experts.

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