ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

---

• Antarctica Glacier Retreat Creates New Carbon Dioxide Store; Has Beneficial Impact On Climate Change
• Stem Cells Restore Cognitive Abilities Impaired By Brain Tumor Treatment
• Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Sees Channels From Hale Crater
• Radiation After Surgery Reduces Chance Of Melanoma Returning
• Flipping A Photonic Shock Wave
• Words, Gestures Are Translated By Same Brain Regions
• Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy Restores Walking Ability In Rats With Neck Injuries
• FDA-approved Drugs Eliminate, Prevent Cervical Cancer In Mice
• Ice Cream Researchers Making Sweet Strides With 'Functional Foods'
• New Light On The SARS Virus
• Antimicrobials: Silver (and Copper) Bullets To Kill Bacteria
• Handwriting Is Real Problem For Children With Autism
• Some Malignant Tumors Can Be Shut Down After All
• Diet Switching Can Activate Brain's Stress System, Lead To 'Withdrawal' Symptoms
• Colon Cancer Screening More Effective Earlier In Day, Study Finds
• Climate Models Don't Tell The Full Story
• Economists Forecast For 2010 Looks Better, Relative To This Year
• Organ Regeneration In Zebrafish: Unraveling The Mechanisms
• Amyloid Beta Protein Gets Bum Rap
• Leishmaniasis: New Strategy To Find Drugs To Treat Neglected Parasitic Infection
• Powerful Pumpkins, Super Squash
• Virtual Goods Offer An Alternative To Material Consumption As Social Lives Move To Online Networks
• 'Missing Link' In Immune Response To Disease: Sheer Mechanical Force
• New Strategies To Combat The Flu Virus
• Conserving Historic Apple Trees
• New Methods Found Useful For Diagnosing Myocarditis
• Researchers Reconstitute Enzyme That Synthesizes Cholesterol Drug Lovastatin
• Substance Abuse Diagnostic Test For Teens Can Also Predict High Risk Sexual Behavior
• Why Do Animals, Especially Males, Have So Many Different Colors?
• Unlocking Mysteries Of The Brain With PET
• Botox Takes A Shot At Pain
• Atlanta Floods Extremely Rare
• Weight Training Boosts Breast Cancer Survivors' Body Image And Intimate Relationship Satisfaction
• Harvesting Energy From Nature's Motions
• Widely Used Cholesterol-lowering Drug May Prevent Progression Of Parkinson's Disease
• Ants Are Friendly To Some Trees, But Not Others
• Heart Attacks Become More Common But Less Often Fatal In Women
• Computer Predicts Reactions Between Molecules And Surfaces, With 'Chemical Precision'
• Sneezing In Times Of A Flu Pandemic
• Scientists Create 'Golden Ear' Mouse With Great Hearing As It Ages
• Blood Test Identifies Women At Risk From Alzheimer's
• Past Climate Of Northern Antarctic Peninsular Informs Global Warming Debate
• Kidney Function Decline Increases Risk Of Heart Failure And Premature Death
• Computer Scientists Work To Strengthen Online Security
• Physician Bias Might Keep Life-saving Transplants From Black And Hispanic Patients

Antarctica Glacier Retreat Creates New Carbon Dioxide Store; Has Beneficial Impact On Climate Change Posted: 10 Nov 2009 11:00 AM PST Large blooms of tiny marine plants called phytoplankton are flourishing in areas of open water left exposed by the recent and rapid melting of ice shelves and glaciers around the Antarctic Peninsula. This remarkable colonization is having a beneficial impact on climate change. As the blooms die back phytoplankton sinks to the sea-bed where it can store carbon for thousands or millions of years.

Stem Cells Restore Cognitive Abilities Impaired By Brain Tumor Treatment Posted: 10 Nov 2009 11:00 AM PST Human embryonic stem cells could help people with learning and memory deficits after radiation treatment for brain tumors, suggests a new study.

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Sees Channels From Hale Crater Posted: 10 Nov 2009 11:00 AM PST A new image from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shows channels to the southeast of Hale crater on southern Mars. Taken by the orbiter's High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera, this view covers an area about 3 kilometers (2 miles) wide.

Radiation After Surgery Reduces Chance Of Melanoma Returning Posted: 10 Nov 2009 11:00 AM PST High-risk melanoma patients who are treated with radiation after surgery have a significantly lower risk of their cancer returning to the lymph nodes (19 percent), compared to those patients who do not have radiation therapy (31 percent), according to the first randomized study of its kind.

Flipping A Photonic Shock Wave Posted: 10 Nov 2009 11:00 AM PST Physicists have directly observed a reverse shock wave of light in a specially tailored structure known as a left-handed metamaterial. Although it was first predicted over forty years ago, this is the first unambiguous experimental demonstration of the effect.

Words, Gestures Are Translated By Same Brain Regions Posted: 10 Nov 2009 11:00 AM PST Researchers have shown that the brain regions that have long been recognized as a center in which spoken or written words are decoded are also important in interpreting wordless gestures. The findings suggest that these brain regions may play a much broader role in the interpretation of symbols than researchers have thought and, for this reason, could be the evolutionary starting point from which language originated.

Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy Restores Walking Ability In Rats With Neck Injuries Posted: 10 Nov 2009 08:00 AM PST The first human embryonic stem cell treatment approved by the FDA for human testing has been shown to restore limb function in rats with neck spinal cord injuries -- a finding that could expand the clinical trial to include people with cervical damage.

FDA-approved Drugs Eliminate, Prevent Cervical Cancer In Mice Posted: 10 Nov 2009 08:00 AM PST Researchers have eliminated cervical cancer in mice with two FDA-approved drugs currently used to treat breast cancer and osteoporosis.

Ice Cream Researchers Making Sweet Strides With 'Functional Foods' Posted: 10 Nov 2009 08:00 AM PST A comfort food, a tasty treat, an indulgence -- ice cream conjures feelings of happiness and satisfaction for millions. Ice cream researchers have discovered ways to make ice cream tastier and healthier, and have contributed to ice cream development and manufacturing for more than a century. Today, researchers are working to make ice cream into a functional food, adding nutrients such as fiber, antioxidants and probiotics to premium ice cream.

New Light On The SARS Virus Posted: 10 Nov 2009 08:00 AM PST Using novel techniques, a Dutch researcher has cast new light on the replication of coronaviruses, a family of viruses including the cause of SARS. He has shown, using luminescent viruses, how coronaviruses use host cells and how we can use the intracellular processes to attack the virus.

Antimicrobials: Silver (and Copper) Bullets To Kill Bacteria Posted: 10 Nov 2009 08:00 AM PST A researcher has developed thin films of silver and copper that can kill bacteria and may one day help to cut down on hospital infections.

Handwriting Is Real Problem For Children With Autism Posted: 10 Nov 2009 08:00 AM PST Handwriting skills are crucial for success in school, communication, and building children's self-esteem. The first study to examine handwriting quality in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has uncovered a relationship between fine motor control and poor quality of handwriting in children with ASD.

Some Malignant Tumors Can Be Shut Down After All Posted: 10 Nov 2009 05:00 AM PST More than half of all human cancers have mutations that disable a protein called p53. When cells lose p53, tumors grow aggressively and often cannot be treated. But a new study may offer a way to counteract the problem. The scientists have succeeded in shutting off the growth of p53-deficient tumors by turning up the production of TAp63 proteins, a class of proteins produced by the p63 gene.

Diet Switching Can Activate Brain's Stress System, Lead To 'Withdrawal' Symptoms Posted: 10 Nov 2009 05:00 AM PST Intermittent access to foods rich in fat and sugar induces changes in the brain which are comparable to those observed in drug dependence, according to new research. The findings may explain how abstinence from these foods contributes to relapse eating among dieters as well as related eating disorders.

Colon Cancer Screening More Effective Earlier In Day, Study Finds Posted: 10 Nov 2009 05:00 AM PST The effectiveness of a screening colonoscopy may depend on the time of day it is performed. According to a new study, early-morning colonoscopies yielded more polyps per patient than later screenings, and fewer polyps were found hour by hour as the day progressed. The findings point to the need for more research in this area to possibly improve outcomes for colonoscopy procedures.

Climate Models Don't Tell The Full Story Posted: 10 Nov 2009 05:00 AM PST Climate models that predict heavy rainfall don't give the whole picture, according to the results of a new study. Researchers examined climate changes that have taken place over the past 800,000 years, and discovered that the melting icebergs in the North Atlantic and changes in the El Niño Southern Oscillation have a great influence on the intensity of monsoon rains.

Economists Forecast For 2010 Looks Better, Relative To This Year Posted: 10 Nov 2009 05:00 AM PST Economists presenting their annual forecast are confident that 2010 is going to be better than this year. Unfortunately, 2009 was "really, really awful." Some have declared that the national recession is over. Others have said that any economic progress will continue to be weakened by the aftermath of a historically severe downturn.

Organ Regeneration In Zebrafish: Unraveling The Mechanisms Posted: 10 Nov 2009 02:00 AM PST The search for the holy grail of regenerative medicine -- the ability to "grow back" a perfect body part when one is lost to injury or disease -- has been under way for years, yet the steps involved in this seemingly magic process are still poorly understood. Now researchers have identified an essential cellular pathway in zebrafish that paves the way for limb regeneration by unlocking gene expression patterns last seen during embryonic development.

Amyloid Beta Protein Gets Bum Rap Posted: 10 Nov 2009 02:00 AM PST While too much amyloid beta protein in the brain is linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease, not enough of the protein in healthy brains can cause learning problems and forgetfulness, scientists have found.

Leishmaniasis: New Strategy To Find Drugs To Treat Neglected Parasitic Infection Posted: 10 Nov 2009 02:00 AM PST Using an unconventional approach that they designed, drug discoverers have identified compounds that hold promise for treating leishmaniasis, a parasitic infection that many consider one of the world's most overlooked diseases.

Powerful Pumpkins, Super Squash Posted: 10 Nov 2009 02:00 AM PST Carotenoids, the family of yellow to red pigments found in pumpkins and tomatoes, plays an important role in human health by acting as sources of provitamin A or as protective antioxidants but identifying and quantifying carotenoids hasn't been simple. Florida researchers investigated whether color analysis can be used to predict carotenoid content. Results indicate the new method "will be successful, easy to implement, and inexpensive."

Virtual Goods Offer An Alternative To Material Consumption As Social Lives Move To Online Networks Posted: 10 Nov 2009 02:00 AM PST Millions of people are spending real money on virtual clothes in online hangouts, digital items in multiplayer games and presents for their friends in social networking sites. This digitalisation of consumption is an inherent consequence of the increasing involvement of communication technology in everyday social activities, says one researcher.

'Missing Link' In Immune Response To Disease: Sheer Mechanical Force Posted: 09 Nov 2009 11:00 PM PST How do T cells shift so swiftly from being both jury and executioner when it comes to disease? Researchers report using an array of techniques -- including "optical tweezers" that exploit laser light to press molecules against surface structures found on T cells -- to find out what operates the switch that changes T cells from disease hunter to attacker. Their answer: sheer mechanical force.

New Strategies To Combat The Flu Virus Posted: 09 Nov 2009 11:00 PM PST New anti-flu drugs could become a reality as a result of a new study.

Conserving Historic Apple Trees Posted: 09 Nov 2009 11:00 PM PST Many apple varieties common in the United States a century ago can no longer be found in today's orchards and nurseries. But some historic apple trees still survive in abandoned farmsteads and historic orchards throughout the US. Now, scientists interested in conserving these horticultural treasures have set out to identify and catalogue them, working to discover if the last remnants of historical trees may still be alive in American landscapes.

New Methods Found Useful For Diagnosing Myocarditis Posted: 09 Nov 2009 11:00 PM PST Myocarditis is an important, and often unrecognized cause of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Several new diagnostic methods, such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are useful for diagnosing myocarditis, according to a new study.

Researchers Reconstitute Enzyme That Synthesizes Cholesterol Drug Lovastatin Posted: 09 Nov 2009 11:00 PM PST Researchers have for the first time, successfully reconstituted one of the most interesting but least understood enzymes in the highly reducing iterative polyketide synthases found in filamentous fungi. This enzyme is responsible for producing the cholesterol-lowering compound lovastatin. Lovastatin is a blockbuster drug used for lowering cholesterol in those with hypercholesterolemia, and thus helps to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Substance Abuse Diagnostic Test For Teens Can Also Predict High Risk Sexual Behavior Posted: 09 Nov 2009 11:00 PM PST Alcohol and drug use are known contributors to adolescents engaging in dangerous sexual activity. Yet, research suggests that fewer than half of pediatricians report screening patients for such at-risk behaviors. A new diagnostic test allows clinicians to quickly and accurately screen teens for high risk drug and alcohol use. Now, researchers have established that the same test can also identify teens who more likely to be engaging in high risk sexual behaviors.

Why Do Animals, Especially Males, Have So Many Different Colors? Posted: 09 Nov 2009 08:00 PM PST Why do so many animal species -- including fish, birds and insects -- display such rich diversity in coloration and other traits? New research offers an answer.

Unlocking Mysteries Of The Brain With PET Posted: 09 Nov 2009 08:00 PM PST Inflammatory response of brain cells -- as indicated by a molecular imaging technique -- could tell researchers more about why certain neurologic disorders, such as migraine headaches and psychosis in schizophrenic patients, occur and provide insight into how to best treat them, according to two new studies.

Botox Takes A Shot At Pain Posted: 09 Nov 2009 08:00 PM PST No longer just a wrinkle fighter, Botox may have indications as a pain medication to fight Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), according to a new study.

Atlanta Floods Extremely Rare Posted: 09 Nov 2009 08:00 PM PST The epic flooding that hit the Atlanta area in September of 2009 was so extremely rare that, six weeks later this event has defied attempts to describe it. Scientists have reviewed the numbers and they are stunning.

Weight Training Boosts Breast Cancer Survivors' Body Image And Intimate Relationship Satisfaction Posted: 09 Nov 2009 08:00 PM PST In addition to building muscle, weightlifting is also a prescription for self-esteem among breast cancer survivors, according to new research. Breast cancer survivors who lift weights regularly feel better about bodies and their appearance and are more satisfied with their intimate relationships compared with survivors who do not lift weights, according to a new study.

Harvesting Energy From Nature's Motions Posted: 09 Nov 2009 05:00 PM PST By taking advantage of the vagaries of the natural world, engineers have developed a novel approach that they believe can more efficiently harvest electricity from the motions of everyday life.

Widely Used Cholesterol-lowering Drug May Prevent Progression Of Parkinson's Disease Posted: 09 Nov 2009 05:00 PM PST Simvastatin, a commonly used, cholesterol-lowering drug, may prevent Parkinson's disease from progressing further. Neurological researchers conducted a study examining the use of the FDA-approved medication in mice with Parkinson's disease and found that the drug successfully reverses the biochemical, cellular and anatomical changes caused by the disease.

Ants Are Friendly To Some Trees, But Not Others Posted: 09 Nov 2009 05:00 PM PST Tree-dwelling ants generally live in harmony with their arboreal hosts. But new research suggests that when they run out of space in their trees of choice, the ants can get destructive to neighboring trees.

Heart Attacks Become More Common But Less Often Fatal In Women Posted: 09 Nov 2009 05:00 PM PST Heart attacks appear to have become more common in middle-aged women over the past two decades, but all women and especially those younger than 55 have recently experienced a greater increase than men in their chances of survival following such a heart event, according to two new reports.

Computer Predicts Reactions Between Molecules And Surfaces, With 'Chemical Precision' Posted: 09 Nov 2009 05:00 PM PST An international team of scientists has shown how the chemistry of surface reactions underpinning catalysis can be modeled accurately with computers.

Sneezing In Times Of A Flu Pandemic Posted: 09 Nov 2009 05:00 PM PST The swine flu (H1N1) pandemic has received extensive media coverage this year. In times of heightened health concerns, everyday behaviors like sneezing can serve as a reminder to wash our hands or take our vitamins. But, what if we overreact to everyday sneezes and coughs and sniffles? Can these signals transform healthy discretion into an unreasonable fearfulness about germs and more?

Scientists Create 'Golden Ear' Mouse With Great Hearing As It Ages Posted: 09 Nov 2009 02:00 PM PST What do you get when you cross a mouse with poor hearing and a mouse with even worse hearing? Ironically, a new strain of mice with "golden ears" -- mice that have outstanding hearing as they age. The new mouse hears much like people with "golden ears" -- people who are able to retain great hearing even as they grow older.

Blood Test Identifies Women At Risk From Alzheimer's Posted: 09 Nov 2009 02:00 PM PST Middle-aged women with high levels of a specific amino acid in their blood are twice as likely to suffer from Alzheimer's many years later, reveals new research from Sweden. This discovery this could lead to a new and simple way of determining who is at risk long before there are any signs of the illness.

Past Climate Of Northern Antarctic Peninsular Informs Global Warming Debate Posted: 09 Nov 2009 02:00 PM PST The seriousness of current global warming is underlined by a reconstruction of climate at Maxwell Bay in the South Shetland Islands of the Antarctic Peninsula over approximately the last 14,000 years, which appears to show that the current warming and widespread loss of glacial ice are unprecedented.

Kidney Function Decline Increases Risk Of Heart Failure And Premature Death Posted: 09 Nov 2009 02:00 PM PST Declining kidney function is linked to a higher risk of heart failure, heart attack, peripheral arterial disease, and early death in individuals with or without kidney disease, according to a pair of studies.

Computer Scientists Work To Strengthen Online Security Posted: 09 Nov 2009 02:00 PM PST If you forget your password when logging into an e-mail or online shopping website, the site will likely ask you a security question: What is your mother's maiden name? Where were you born? The trouble is that such questions are not very secure. But computer scientists are testing a new tactic that could be both easier and more secure.

Physician Bias Might Keep Life-saving Transplants From Black And Hispanic Patients Posted: 09 Nov 2009 02:00 PM PST Physician bias might be the reason why African Americans are not receiving kidney/pancreas transplants at the same rate as similar patients in other racial groups.

You are subscribed to email updates from ScienceDaily: Latest Science News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610