ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Greenland Ice Cap Melting Faster Than Ever
• To Make Memories, New Neurons Must Erase Older Ones
• Futuristic Communications Systems Could Help Protect Frontline Troops
• H1N1: Mechanical Ventilation For Patients With Lung Damage Don't Always Work As Planned
• Nanotech In Space: New Experiment To Weather The Trials Of Orbit
• Teens Less Likely To Wash Hands When Cooking, More Likely To Cross-contaminate Raw Food Than Adults
• Two Earth-sized Bodies With Oxygen Rich Atmospheres Found, But They're Stars Not Planets
• Shape Of Things To Come: Structure Of HIV Coat Could Lead To New Drugs
• Device Enables World's First Voluntary Gorilla Blood Pressure Reading
• Researchers Have Immune Cells Running In Circles
• Professor To Predict Weather On Mars
• People Entering Their 60s May Have More Disabilities Today Than In Prior Generations
• Invisibility Visualized: New Software For Rendering Cloaked Objects
• Weak Link In Cancer Cell Armor Identified
• Airborne Nitrogen Shifts Aquatic Nutrient Limitation In Pristine Lakes
• High Blood Pressure And Markers Of Inflammation In Blood More Common In Offspring Of Parents With Alzheimer's Disease
• New Nanowires May Contribute To Highly Efficient Solar Cells
• Faulty Body Clock May Make Kids Bipolar
• Record High Temperatures Far Outpace Record Lows Across US
• Low Birth Weight And Diabetes Have A Common Genetic Background
• Researcher Discovers Key To Vital DNA, Protein Interaction
• Preventative Brain Radiation For Lung Cancer Patients: Benefits And Risks
• Video Fingerprinting Offers Search Solution
• Athletes On Performance Enhancers More Likely To Abuse Alcohol, Other Drugs, Study Suggests
• ESA Spacecraft May Help Unravel Cosmic Mystery
• Exercising To End Of Pregnancy Is Healthy For Baby And Mother, New Study Suggests
• Cellular Source Of Most Common Type Of Abnormal Heart Beat Described
• Lack Of VEGF Can Cause Defects Similar To Dry Macular Degeneration
• Chemists Declare War On 'Ice-plugs' In Oil Pipelines
• Should EBay Sellers Be Trusted?
• Rapid Star Formation Spotted In 'Stellar Nurseries' Of Infant Galaxies
• Large People Prone To Enlarged Hearts: Obesity Leading Risk Factor Of Left Atrial Enlargement During Aging
• Mouse Study Sheds Light On Hearing Loss In Older Adults
• Population Movement Can Be Critical Factor In Dengue's Spread
• Sweet Solution To Energy Production
• Back Pain Permanently Sidelines Soldiers At War
• Can A Plant Be Altruistic?
• NSAIDs Prevent Early Sign Of Alzheimer Disease In Mice
• Exploration By Explosion: Studying The Inner Realm Of Living Cells
• Laser Surgery Does Not Appear To Have Long-term Effects On Corneal Cells
• Butterfly Payload To Launch Nov. 16 On Space Shuttle
• Mood Improves On Low-fat, But Not Low-carb, Diet Plan
• Bizarre Lives Of Bone-eating Worms
• Exposure To Several Common Infections Over Time May Be Associated With Risk Of Stroke
• New Evidence That Dark Chocolate Helps Ease Emotional Stress
• Risk Of Hip Fracture In Postmenopausal Women Rises Steeply With Age
• Darwin Meets Facebook: Social Networking Tool Lets Natural Historians Share Data
• Theory About Long And Short-term Memory Challenged By New Research

Greenland Ice Cap Melting Faster Than Ever Posted: 13 Nov 2009 11:00 AM PST Satellite observations and a state-of-the art regional atmospheric model have independently confirmed that the Greenland ice sheet is losing mass at an accelerating rate, according to a new study. This mass loss is equally distributed between increased iceberg production, driven by acceleration of Greenland's fast-flowing outlet glaciers, and increased meltwater production at the ice sheet surface.

To Make Memories, New Neurons Must Erase Older Ones Posted: 13 Nov 2009 11:00 AM PST Short-term memory may depend in a surprising way on the ability of newly formed neurons to erase older connections. A new article provides some of the first evidence in mice and rats that new neurons sprouted in the hippocampus cause the decay of short-term fear memories in that brain region, without an overall memory loss.

Futuristic Communications Systems Could Help Protect Frontline Troops Posted: 13 Nov 2009 11:00 AM PST Researchers are working to develop futuristic communications systems that could help protect frontline troops. Building on work completed recently for the UK Ministry of Defence, the project is aimed at investigating the use of arrays of highly specialized antennas that could be worn by combat troops to provide covert short-range person-to-person battleground communications.

H1N1: Mechanical Ventilation For Patients With Lung Damage Don't Always Work As Planned Posted: 13 Nov 2009 11:00 AM PST As more people are diagnosed with H1N1 influenza infection, some will be admitted to hospital. The most severely affected may be treated in the intensive care unit and placed on a mechanical ventilator to help them breathe while they recover from the infection.

Nanotech In Space: New Experiment To Weather The Trials Of Orbit Posted: 13 Nov 2009 11:00 AM PST Novel nanomaterials are scheduled to blast off into orbit on November 16 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis. The project seeks to test the performance of the new nanocomposites in orbit. The materials will be mounted to the International Space Station's outer hull and exposed to the rigors of space.

Teens Less Likely To Wash Hands When Cooking, More Likely To Cross-contaminate Raw Food Than Adults Posted: 13 Nov 2009 11:00 AM PST A new study has shown that when preparing frozen foods, adolescents are less likely than adults to wash their hands and are more susceptible to cross-contaminating raw foods while cooking.

Two Earth-sized Bodies With Oxygen Rich Atmospheres Found, But They're Stars Not Planets Posted: 13 Nov 2009 08:00 AM PST Astrophysicists have discovered two earth sized bodies with oxygen rich atmospheres; however, there is a bit of a disappointing snag for anyone looking for a potential home for alien life, or even a future home for ourselves, as they are not planets but are actually two unusual white dwarf stars.

Shape Of Things To Come: Structure Of HIV Coat Could Lead To New Drugs Posted: 13 Nov 2009 08:00 AM PST Structural biologists have described the architecture of the complex of protein units that make up the coat surrounding the HIV genome and identified in it a "seam" of functional importance that previously went unrecognized. Those findings could point the way to new treatments for blocking HIV infection.

Device Enables World's First Voluntary Gorilla Blood Pressure Reading Posted: 13 Nov 2009 08:00 AM PST Zoo Atlanta recently became the first zoological institution in the world to obtain voluntary blood pressure readings from a gorilla. This was made possible by the Gorilla Tough Cuff developed by Georgia Tech students.

Researchers Have Immune Cells Running In Circles Posted: 13 Nov 2009 08:00 AM PST Researchers have identified the important role a protein plays in the body's first line of defense in directing immune cells called neutrophils toward the site of infection or injury.

Professor To Predict Weather On Mars Posted: 13 Nov 2009 08:00 AM PST Is there such a thing as "weather" on Mars? There are some doubts, considering the planet's atmosphere is only 1 percent as dense as that of the Earth. Mars, however, definitely has clouds, drastically low temperatures and out-of-this-world dust storms. A professor of atmospheric sciences now hopes to analyze and forecast Martian weather.

People Entering Their 60s May Have More Disabilities Today Than In Prior Generations Posted: 13 Nov 2009 08:00 AM PST A new study suggests that people now beginning to enter their 60s -- the Baby Boomer generation -- have more disabilities than their counterparts did in prior generations. The researchers analyzed two sets of data from surveys 10 years apart and found that disabilities among 60- to 69-year-olds had increased between 40 and 70 percent over that period.

Invisibility Visualized: New Software For Rendering Cloaked Objects Posted: 13 Nov 2009 05:00 AM PST Scientists and curiosity seekers who want to know what a partially or completely cloaked object would look like in real life can now get their wish -- virtually. Scientists have created a new visualization tool that can render a room containing such an object, showing the visual effects of such a cloaking mechanism and its imperfections.

Weak Link In Cancer Cell Armor Identified Posted: 13 Nov 2009 05:00 AM PST The seeming invincibility of cancerous tumors may be crumbling, thanks to a promising new gene therapy that eliminates the ability of certain cells to repair themselves. Researchers have discovered that inactivation of a DNA repair gene called Hus1 efficiently kills cells lacking p53 -- a gene mutated in the majority of human cancers.

Airborne Nitrogen Shifts Aquatic Nutrient Limitation In Pristine Lakes Posted: 13 Nov 2009 05:00 AM PST The impact of airborne nitrogen released from the burning of fossil fuels and wide-spread use of fertilizers in agriculture is much greater that previously recognized and even extends to remote alpine lakes.

High Blood Pressure And Markers Of Inflammation In Blood More Common In Offspring Of Parents With Alzheimer's Disease Posted: 13 Nov 2009 05:00 AM PST High blood pressure, evidence of arterial disease and markers of inflammation in the blood in middle age appear more common in individuals whose parents have Alzheimer's disease than in individuals without a parental history of the condition, according to a new report.

New Nanowires May Contribute To Highly Efficient Solar Cells Posted: 13 Nov 2009 05:00 AM PST Nanophysicists have developed a new method for manufacturing the cornerstone of nanotechnology research – nanowires. The discovery has great potential for the development of nanoelectronics and highly efficient solar cells.

Faulty Body Clock May Make Kids Bipolar Posted: 13 Nov 2009 05:00 AM PST Malfunctioning circadian clock genes may be responsible for bipolar disorder in children. Researchers found four versions of the regulatory gene RORB that were associated with pediatric bipolar disorder.

Record High Temperatures Far Outpace Record Lows Across US Posted: 13 Nov 2009 02:00 AM PST Spurred by a warming climate, daily record high temperatures occurred twice as often as record lows over the last decade across the continental United States, new research shows. The ratio of record highs to lows is likely to increase dramatically if emissions of greenhouse gases continue to climb.

Low Birth Weight And Diabetes Have A Common Genetic Background Posted: 13 Nov 2009 02:00 AM PST Low birth weight increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Until recently scientists had attributed this to maternal malnutrition during pregnancy. However, now it seems that genetic background may also play a major role. Scientists have now demonstrated, that gene variants which influence insulin metabolism can also affect birth weight.

Researcher Discovers Key To Vital DNA, Protein Interaction Posted: 13 Nov 2009 02:00 AM PST A plant pathology scientist was researching the molecular basis of bacterial diseases of rice when he discovered how a group of proteins from plant pathogenic bacteria interact with DNA in the plant cell, opening up the possibility for what the scientist calls a "cascade of advances."

Preventative Brain Radiation For Lung Cancer Patients: Benefits And Risks Posted: 13 Nov 2009 02:00 AM PST A new study is taking a closer look at the benefits vs. risks for lung cancer patients to undergo preventative brain radiation therapy as a means to stop cancer from spreading to the brain. Study results show that while preventative brain radiation for patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer -- the most common form of lung cancer -- does reduce the chance of developing brain metastases, it impacts some short-term and long-term memory.

Video Fingerprinting Offers Search Solution Posted: 13 Nov 2009 02:00 AM PST The explosive growth of video on the internet calls for new ways of sorting and searching audiovisual content. Researchers have developed a groundbreaking solution that is finding commercial applications.

Athletes On Performance Enhancers More Likely To Abuse Alcohol, Other Drugs, Study Suggests Posted: 13 Nov 2009 02:00 AM PST College athletes who use performance-enhancing substances may be at heightened risk of misusing alcohol and using recreational drugs as well, according to new research.

ESA Spacecraft May Help Unravel Cosmic Mystery Posted: 12 Nov 2009 11:00 PM PST When Europe's comet chaser Rosetta swings by Earth on Nov. 13 for a critical gravity assist, tracking data will be collected to precisely measure the satellite's change in orbital energy. The results could help unravel a cosmic mystery that has stumped scientists for two decades.

Exercising To End Of Pregnancy Is Healthy For Baby And Mother, New Study Suggests Posted: 12 Nov 2009 11:00 PM PST Contrary to more conservative customs, exercising up to the end of pregnancy has no harmful effect on the weight or size of the fetus, according to a new study. This study also shows a positive relationship between the weight of sedentary mothers before pregnancy and the size of their babies.

Cellular Source Of Most Common Type Of Abnormal Heart Beat Described Posted: 12 Nov 2009 11:00 PM PST While studying how the heart is formed, scientists serendipitously found a novel cellular source of atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common type of abnormal heart beat. They identified a population of cells in the atria of the heart and pulmonary veins of humans and mice that appear to be the seat of AF. The finding may lead to a more precise way to treat AF, with reduced side effects.

Lack Of VEGF Can Cause Defects Similar To Dry Macular Degeneration Posted: 12 Nov 2009 11:00 PM PST Scientists have found that when the eye is missing a diffusible form of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), i.e. one that when secreted can reach other cells at a distance, the retina shows defects similar to "dry" macular degeneration.

Chemists Declare War On 'Ice-plugs' In Oil Pipelines Posted: 12 Nov 2009 11:00 PM PST Operators of subsea fields on the continental shelf spend vast amounts of money on keeping harmful ice-like crystals under control. Scientists are now looking for a cheaper solution to the problem.

Should EBay Sellers Be Trusted? Posted: 12 Nov 2009 11:00 PM PST A new study suggests that unscrupulous vendors on the online marketplace eBay can easily buy a good reputation and so circumvent recent efforts by the company to prevent feedback fraud.

Rapid Star Formation Spotted In 'Stellar Nurseries' Of Infant Galaxies Posted: 12 Nov 2009 08:00 PM PST The Universe's infant galaxies enjoyed rapid growth spurts forming stars like our sun at a rate of up to 50 stars a year, according to scientists at Durham University.

Large People Prone To Enlarged Hearts: Obesity Leading Risk Factor Of Left Atrial Enlargement During Aging Posted: 12 Nov 2009 08:00 PM PST Aside from aging itself, obesity appears to be the most powerful predictor of left atrial enlargement, upping one's risk of atrial fibrillation (the most common type of arrhythmia), stroke and death, according to a new article.

Mouse Study Sheds Light On Hearing Loss In Older Adults Posted: 12 Nov 2009 08:00 PM PST Becoming "hard of hearing" is a standard but unfortunate part of aging: A syndrome called age-related hearing loss affects about 40 percent of people over 65 in the United States, and will afflict an estimated 28 million Americans by 2030.

Population Movement Can Be Critical Factor In Dengue's Spread Posted: 12 Nov 2009 08:00 PM PST Human movement is a key factor of dengue virus inflow in Rio de Janeiro, according to results from researchers in Brazil. The results, based on data from a severe epidemic in 2007-2008, contribute to new understanding on the dynamics of dengue fever in the second largest city in Brazil.

Sweet Solution To Energy Production Posted: 12 Nov 2009 08:00 PM PST Sugarcane biomass, a significant waste product from sugar production, could be a renewable energy source for electricity production, according to researchers.

Back Pain Permanently Sidelines Soldiers At War Posted: 12 Nov 2009 08:00 PM PST Military personnel evacuated out of Iraq and Afghanistan because of back pain are unlikely to return to the line of duty regardless of the treatment they receive, according to new research.

Can A Plant Be Altruistic? Posted: 12 Nov 2009 05:00 PM PST Although plants have the ability to sense and respond to other plants, their ability to recognize kin and act altruistically has been the subject of few studies. A new study explored kin recognition in Impatiens pallida (yellow jewelweed). By moving their resources into leaves, these plants not only positively affected their own growth, but also negatively affected their competitors' growth. This is the first instance where researchers demonstrated that a plant's response to an aboveground cue is dependent upon the presence of a belowground cue.

NSAIDs Prevent Early Sign Of Alzheimer Disease In Mice Posted: 12 Nov 2009 05:00 PM PST If taking nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen is to protect you from developing Alzheimer disease then you will have to start taking them at a very early age according to new research in a mouse model of the disease.

Exploration By Explosion: Studying The Inner Realm Of Living Cells Posted: 12 Nov 2009 05:00 PM PST Scientists in Washington, DC, are reporting development and successful tests of a new way for exploring the insides of living cells, the microscopic building blocks of all known plants and animals. They explode the cell while it is still living inside a plant or animal, vaporize its contents, and sniff.

Laser Surgery Does Not Appear To Have Long-term Effects On Corneal Cells Posted: 12 Nov 2009 05:00 PM PST Laser eye surgery to correct vision problems does not appear to be associated with lasting changes to cells lining the inside of the cornea at nine years after the procedure, according to a new report.

Butterfly Payload To Launch Nov. 16 On Space Shuttle Posted: 12 Nov 2009 05:00 PM PST When NASA's space shuttle Atlantis launches for the International Space Station on Nov. 16 it will carry a butterfly experiment that will be monitored by thousands of K-12 students across the nation.

Mood Improves On Low-fat, But Not Low-carb, Diet Plan Posted: 12 Nov 2009 05:00 PM PST After one year, a low-calorie, low-fat diet appears more beneficial to dieters' mood than a low-carbohydrate plan with the same number of calories, according to a new report.

Bizarre Lives Of Bone-eating Worms Posted: 12 Nov 2009 02:00 PM PST It sounds like a classic horror story -- eyeless, mouthless worms lurk in the dark, settling onto dead animals and sending out green "roots" to devour their bones. In fact, such worms do exist in the deep sea. They were first discovered in 2002 by researchers at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, who were using a robot submarine to explore Monterey Canyon. But that wasn't the end of the story. After "planting" several dead whales on the seafloor, a team of biologists recently announced that as many as 15 different species of boneworms may live in Monterey Bay alone.

Exposure To Several Common Infections Over Time May Be Associated With Risk Of Stroke Posted: 12 Nov 2009 02:00 PM PST Cumulative exposure to five common infection-causing pathogens may be associated with an increased risk of stroke, according to a new report.

New Evidence That Dark Chocolate Helps Ease Emotional Stress Posted: 12 Nov 2009 02:00 PM PST The "chocolate cure" for emotional stress is getting new support from a clinical trial. It found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people feeling highly stressed.

Risk Of Hip Fracture In Postmenopausal Women Rises Steeply With Age Posted: 12 Nov 2009 02:00 PM PST Among postmenopausal women, the risk of hip fractures increases steeply with age and is seven times higher in 70-year-olds than in 50-year-olds, according to a new study.

Darwin Meets Facebook: Social Networking Tool Lets Natural Historians Share Data Posted: 12 Nov 2009 02:00 PM PST Natural history plans to chart life on earth, yet the discipline risks being buried under a landslide of painstakingly collected data that isn't always used. Now researchers at London's Natural History Museum have created a social networking tool called "Scratchpads" where natural historians can get together and share their data.

Theory About Long And Short-term Memory Challenged By New Research Posted: 12 Nov 2009 02:00 PM PST The long-held theory that our brains use different mechanisms for forming long-term and short-term memories has been challenged by new research.

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