ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Electrical Circuit Runs Entirely Off Power In Trees
• Plants On Steroids: Key Missing Link Discovered Could Improve Understanding of Major Human Diseases
• Rats With Part of Brain Deactivated Move Toward Food But Do Not Eat
• Malignant Signature May Help Identify Patients Likely To Respond To Therapy
• Taking The Stress Off Yeast Produces Better Wine
• Parenthood Makes Moms More Liberal, Dads More Conservative
• Bacteria Used To Make Radioactive Metals Inert
• Overexpressed Protein Converts Noninvasive Breast Cancer Into Invasive Disease
• Disease-causing Escherichia Coli: 'I Will Survive'
• Autoimmune Response Can Induce Pancreatic Tumor Rejection
• Using Insects To Test For Drug Safety
• Face Processing Slows With Age
• Flips, Flops And Cartwheels: Gecko Tail Has A Mind Of Its Own, Scientists Discover
• New Role Of Vitamin C In Skin Protection; Relevance To The Cosmetics Industry
• Houseplants Cut Indoor Ozone
• Gene Predicts Post-surgical Survival From Brain Metastasis Of Breast Cancer Patients
• Essential Oils From Common Spices Are Possible Allies In Food Safety
• Hairstylists Can Help Identify Older Clients Who Need Health Services
• Early Life Nurturing Impacts Later Life Relationships, Prairie Vole Study Finds
• Researchers Seek Better Vaccine Procedure To Combat Flu
• Small Molecule Inhibits Pathology Associated With Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1
• Worldwide Isotope Shortage Continues To Pose Significant Challenges
• Overcoming Shame: Making Connections Is The Key, Says Researcher
• Bacteria Take On Completely New Flat Shape To Fit Through Nanoslits
• Cutting 'Hidden' Salt Could Lower Nation’s Blood Pressure
• New Genomic Model Defines Microbes By Diet; Provides Tool For Tracking Environmental Change
• Regular Continuous Glucose Monitor Use Increases Diabetes Control For All Age Groups, Studies Show
• Shrinking Bylot Island Glaciers Tell Story Of Climate Change
• Socio-cultural, Genetic Data Work Together To Reveal Health Disparities
• Spare Gene Is Fodder For Fishes' Evolution
• Pollution From California Wildfires Spreads Across The United States
• Novel Anti-inflammatory Molecules Of Microbial Origin
• The Right Honourable Computer, Barrister-at-law
• Drinkers More Physically Active Than Abstainers
• Could Salmonella Bacteria Kill Tumors?
• Building Better Bone Replacements With Bacteria
• NASA Approves X-ray Space Mission
• Mounting A Multi-layered Attack On Fungal Infections
• Mobile Cell Phones: Key To Learning Of The Future?
• Undergrad Academic Performance Linked To Neural Signals
• Monkeys Follow Economic Rules Of Supply And Demand
• Cell Discovery Opens New Chapter In Drug Development
• New Biosensor Can Detect Bacteria Instantaneously
• Breakthrough In Bubble Research At Bath
• U.S. Drivers Take Wheel After Binge Drinking In Bars, Clubs

Electrical Circuit Runs Entirely Off Power In Trees Posted: 09 Sep 2009 11:00 AM PDT For the first time researchers have run an electrical circuit entirely off power in trees. The findings suggest a new power source for wireless sensors -- and a way to monitor tree health.

Plants On Steroids: Key Missing Link Discovered Could Improve Understanding of Major Human Diseases Posted: 09 Sep 2009 11:00 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a key missing link in the so-called signaling pathway for plant steroid hormones. This discovery marks the first such pathway in plants for which all the steps have been identified. Since this pathway shares many similarities with pathways in humans, the discovery not only could lead to the genetic engineering of improved crops, but also could be a key to understanding major human diseases such as cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer's.

Rats With Part of Brain Deactivated Move Toward Food But Do Not Eat Posted: 09 Sep 2009 11:00 AM PDT Using an animal model of binge eating, researchers discovered that deactivating the basolateral amygdala, a brain region involved in regulating emotion, specifically blocked consumption of a fatty diet. Surprisingly, it had no effect on the rat wanting to look for the food repeatedly.

Malignant Signature May Help Identify Patients Likely To Respond To Therapy Posted: 09 Sep 2009 11:00 AM PDT A molecular signature that helps account for the aggressive behavior of a variety of cancers such as pancreatic, breast and melanoma may also predict the likelihood of successful treatment with a particular anti-cancer drug. The finding could lead to a personalized approach to treatment for a variety of solid tumors that are currently resistant to therapies.

Taking The Stress Off Yeast Produces Better Wine Posted: 09 Sep 2009 11:00 AM PDT Turning grape juice into wine is a stressful business for yeasts. A researcher in Spain has identified the genes in yeast that enable it to respond to stress and is investigating ways to improve yeast performance by modifying its stress response mechanism.

Parenthood Makes Moms More Liberal, Dads More Conservative Posted: 09 Sep 2009 11:00 AM PDT Parenthood is pushing mothers and fathers in opposite directions on political issues associated with social welfare, from health care to education, according to new research.

Bacteria Used To Make Radioactive Metals Inert Posted: 09 Sep 2009 08:00 AM PDT The Lost Orphan Mine below the Grand Canyon hasn't produced uranium since the 1960s, but radioactive residue still contaminates the area. Cleaning the region takes an expensive process that is only done in extreme cases, but a biochemistry professor is researching the use of sulfate-reducing bacteria to convert toxic radioactive metal to inert substances, a much more economical solution.

Overexpressed Protein Converts Noninvasive Breast Cancer Into Invasive Disease Posted: 09 Sep 2009 08:00 AM PDT Active, but non-invasive breast cancer is set free to roam as invasive breast cancer when an overexpressed protein converts it to a different cell type, scientists report.

Disease-causing Escherichia Coli: 'I Will Survive' Posted: 09 Sep 2009 08:00 AM PDT Strains of Escherichia coli bacteria that cause food poisoning have been shown to have marked differences in the numbers of genes they carry compared to laboratory strains of E. coli. Some of these genes may enable them to survive stresses such as those caused by modern food processing techniques or exploit food sources that laboratory E. coli strains cannot use.

Autoimmune Response Can Induce Pancreatic Tumor Rejection Posted: 09 Sep 2009 08:00 AM PDT Immune responses are capable of killing tumors before they can be directed toward normal body tissue, according to new scientific findings.

Using Insects To Test For Drug Safety Posted: 09 Sep 2009 08:00 AM PDT Insects, such as some moths and fruit flies, react to microbial infection in the same way as mammals and so can be used to test the efficiency of new drugs, thereby reducing the need for animal testing.

Face Processing Slows With Age Posted: 09 Sep 2009 08:00 AM PDT Identifying a face can be difficult when that face is shown for only a fraction of a second. However, young adults have a marked advantage over elderly people in these conditions. Researchers have found indications that elderly people have reduced perception speed.

Flips, Flops And Cartwheels: Gecko Tail Has A Mind Of Its Own, Scientists Discover Posted: 09 Sep 2009 05:00 AM PDT Geckos and other lizards have long been known for their incredible ability to shed their tails as a decoy for predators, but little is known about the movements and what controls the tail once it separates from the lizard's body. Researchers are closer to solving this mystery in a newly published study.

New Role Of Vitamin C In Skin Protection; Relevance To The Cosmetics Industry Posted: 09 Sep 2009 05:00 AM PDT Researchers have uncovered new protective properties of vitamin C in cells from the human skin, which could lead to better skin regeneration.

Houseplants Cut Indoor Ozone Posted: 09 Sep 2009 05:00 AM PDT Ozone, the main component of air pollution, or smog is most often associated with outdoor air but it also infiltrates indoor environments like homes and offices and with people in industrialized countries spending as much of 80 percent to 90 percent of their time indoors, eliminating ozone is a health priority. University researchers studied the effects of three common houseplants on reducing ozone concentrations in a simulated indoor environment and found positive results.

Gene Predicts Post-surgical Survival From Brain Metastasis Of Breast Cancer Patients Posted: 09 Sep 2009 05:00 AM PDT Researchers have identified a gene that may play a role in breast cancer metastasis to the brain.

Essential Oils From Common Spices Are Possible Allies In Food Safety Posted: 09 Sep 2009 05:00 AM PDT Oregano, allspice and garlic essential oils (EOs) can be effective, natural barriers against E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria. A new study revealed that oregano oil was found to be the most effective antimicrobial, followed by allspice and garlic.

Hairstylists Can Help Identify Older Clients Who Need Health Services Posted: 09 Sep 2009 05:00 AM PDT Hairstylists may have a unique opportunity to help steer their elderly clients to needed health services, according to a small, exploratory study. More than 80 percent of 40 Columbus-area stylists surveyed said that older clients often or always shared their problems during appointments.

Early Life Nurturing Impacts Later Life Relationships, Prairie Vole Study Finds Posted: 09 Sep 2009 02:00 AM PDT Prairie voles may be a useful model in understanding the neurochemistry of social behavior and how early life nurturing impacts later life relationships.

Researchers Seek Better Vaccine Procedure To Combat Flu Posted: 09 Sep 2009 02:00 AM PDT As manufacturers work furiously to make a vaccine to protect against 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus, a bioengineer is trying to improve the process for future flu seasons. The goal is to shorten the time it takes to identify targeted flu strains and manufacture the vaccines for them.

Small Molecule Inhibits Pathology Associated With Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 Posted: 09 Sep 2009 02:00 AM PDT Researchers have designed a small molecule that blocks an aberrant pathway associated with myotonic dystrophy type 1, the most common form of muscular dystrophy.

Worldwide Isotope Shortage Continues To Pose Significant Challenges Posted: 09 Sep 2009 02:00 AM PDT The Society of Nuclear Medicine recently conducted a survey of nuclear pharmacies -- pharmacies that supply the critical radioisotope Technetium-99m, which is used in more than 16 million nuclear medicine tests each year in the United States -- to assess, anecdotally, the impact of the worldwide medical isotope shortage.

Overcoming Shame: Making Connections Is The Key, Says Researcher Posted: 09 Sep 2009 02:00 AM PDT It would be difficult to find someone who has never felt shame in their life. But how does one overcome a prolonged feeling of being trapped in shame? New research indicates that, while it may seem difficult when one is stuck in shame, there is hope for moving beyond this painful emotion.

Bacteria Take On Completely New Flat Shape To Fit Through Nanoslits Posted: 08 Sep 2009 11:00 PM PDT It appears that bacteria can squeeze through practically anything. In extremely small nanoslits they take on a completely new flat shape. Even in this squashed form they continue to grow and divide at normal speeds.

Cutting 'Hidden' Salt Could Lower Nation’s Blood Pressure Posted: 08 Sep 2009 11:00 PM PDT Many people think twice before adding a dash of salt to their food, but don't realize that the majority of dietary sodium comes from packaged foods and eating out, according to a new study.

New Genomic Model Defines Microbes By Diet; Provides Tool For Tracking Environmental Change Posted: 08 Sep 2009 11:00 PM PDT Through a novel genomic approach, an international team of scientists demonstrates how the microbial diversity of the oceans can be analyzed without necessarily cultivating samples in the laboratory.

Regular Continuous Glucose Monitor Use Increases Diabetes Control For All Age Groups, Studies Show Posted: 08 Sep 2009 11:00 PM PDT The latest data from groundbreaking human clinical trials of the effectiveness of continuous glucose monitors show that the primary determinant of improvements in achieving better diabetes control is regular use of monitors -- six days per week or more -- rather than the age of patients, and that benefits continue well past the time when people with type 1 diabetes begin using the devices -- including experiencing fewer low blood sugar emergencies.

Shrinking Bylot Island Glaciers Tell Story Of Climate Change Posted: 08 Sep 2009 11:00 PM PDT University of Illinois geologist William Shilts has spent nearly two decades studying glaciers on Bylot Island, an uninhabited island about 300 miles southwest of Thule, Greenland. He, his students and other geologists who followed in his footsteps have chronicled the decline of several Bylot Island glaciers. Photos of the island from the 1940s to the present offer a vivid picture of the changing glaciers and the forces that shape their retreat.

Socio-cultural, Genetic Data Work Together To Reveal Health Disparities Posted: 08 Sep 2009 11:00 PM PDT How society sees people in terms of race might play a greater role than genetics when it comes to health disparities between different groups. A new study is the first to rigorously combine both socio-cultural and genetic data to simultaneously test the relative contributions of each to racial inequalities in health.

Spare Gene Is Fodder For Fishes' Evolution Posted: 08 Sep 2009 08:00 PM PDT Scientists have suspected that spare parts in the genome -- extra copies of functional genes that arise when genes or whole genomes get duplicated -- might sometimes provide the raw materials for the evolution of new traits. Now, researchers report that they have discovered a prime example of this in fish.

Pollution From California Wildfires Spreads Across The United States Posted: 08 Sep 2009 08:00 PM PDT Beginning August 26, 2009, and continuing into September 2009, a large wildfire in the Angeles National Forest north of Los Angeles known as the Station Fire burned more than 140,000 acres through September 3. Carbon monoxide in the smoke from this large fire was lofted as high as 8.3 kilometers (27,000 feet) into the atmosphere, where it was observed by JPL's Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument onboard NASA's Aqua satellite.

Novel Anti-inflammatory Molecules Of Microbial Origin Posted: 08 Sep 2009 08:00 PM PDT By studying the mycobacteria that cause tuberculosis, molecules with anti-inflammatory properties have been identified by researchers. These molecules, as well as several new analogs, have now been synthesized. In a new study, researchers report the anti-inflammatory activity of these molecules.

The Right Honourable Computer, Barrister-at-law Posted: 08 Sep 2009 08:00 PM PDT European researchers have created a legal analysis query engine that combines artificial intelligence, game theory and semantics to offer advice, conflict prevention and dispute settlement for European law, and it even supports policy.

Drinkers More Physically Active Than Abstainers Posted: 08 Sep 2009 08:00 PM PDT Drinkers aren't just bending their elbows: according to a new study, the more alcohol people drink, the more likely they might be to exercise.

Could Salmonella Bacteria Kill Tumors? Posted: 08 Sep 2009 05:00 PM PDT Salmonella is regarded as a bad guy. Hardly a summer passes without reports of severe salmonella infections via raw egg dishes or chicken. But salmonella may not only harm us -- in the future, it may even help protect us against cancer. Researchers may soon have a way to make the bacteria migrate into solid tumors in order to make it easier to destroy them. Furthermore, in laboratory mice, the bacteria independently find their way into metastases, where they can also aid clearance of cancer.

Building Better Bone Replacements With Bacteria Posted: 08 Sep 2009 05:00 PM PDT Bacteria that manufacture hydroxyapatite could be used to make stronger, more durable bone implants. Using Serratia bacteria, researchers show that the bacterial cells stuck tightly to surfaces such as titanium alloy, polypropylene, porous glass and polyurethane foam by forming a biofilm layer containing biopolymers that acted as a strong adhesive.

NASA Approves X-ray Space Mission Posted: 08 Sep 2009 05:00 PM PDT NASA recently confirmed that the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, mission will launch in August 2011. NuSTAR will carry the first high-energy X-ray focusing telescopes into orbit, providing a much deeper, clearer view of energetic phenomena such as black holes and supernova explosions than any previous instrument has provided in this region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Mounting A Multi-layered Attack On Fungal Infections Posted: 08 Sep 2009 05:00 PM PDT Although not as well known as bacterial infections, such as MRSA and E. coli, fungal infections such as that caused by the yeast Candida albicans can be more serious and lead to a higher death rate. Using mutant forms of the C. albicans yeast which lacked different parts of the yeast cell wall, researchers have uncovered a three-pronged mechanism by which the body's immune defenses attack the invading fungus.

Mobile Cell Phones: Key To Learning Of The Future? Posted: 08 Sep 2009 05:00 PM PDT In today's classroom, mobile phones are seen as a nuisance, but they can be the key to a new, personal way of learning, according to one Dutch researcher.

Undergrad Academic Performance Linked To Neural Signals Posted: 08 Sep 2009 05:00 PM PDT Students will have to use their brains to get good grades at school this year, according to new research that relates brain activity to undergraduate academic performance.

Monkeys Follow Economic Rules Of Supply And Demand Posted: 08 Sep 2009 02:00 PM PDT A monkey that has acquired the sole power to hand out apples is generously rewarded with grooming sessions by the other monkeys in its group. But as soon as another monkey can hand out apples as well, the market value of the first monkey is halved. The monkeys therefore unerringly obey the law of supply and demand.

Cell Discovery Opens New Chapter In Drug Development Posted: 08 Sep 2009 02:00 PM PDT British scientists have uncovered new details about how the cells in our bodies communicate with each other and their environment -- findings that are of fundamental importance to human biology.

New Biosensor Can Detect Bacteria Instantaneously Posted: 08 Sep 2009 02:00 PM PDT Researchers in Spain have developed a biosensor that can immediately detect very low levels of Salmonella typhi, the bacteria that causes typhoid fever. The technique uses carbon nanotubes and synthetic DNA fragments that activate an electric signal when they link up with the pathogen.

Breakthrough In Bubble Research At Bath Posted: 08 Sep 2009 02:00 PM PDT A researcher from the University of Bath has found a new approach to an old geometric problem of modeling the most efficient way of packing shapes to form a foam. The discovery is not only making waves in the mathematical world, but could also lead to medical advances in creating hip replacements and replacement bone tissue for bone cancer patients.

U.S. Drivers Take Wheel After Binge Drinking In Bars, Clubs Posted: 08 Sep 2009 02:00 PM PDT More than one in 10 people who binge drinks gets behind the wheel of a car during or just after their binge. Of those who binge and drive afterward, more than half had consumed their liquor in a bar, restaurant or club.

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