ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Suzaku X-ray observatory spies treasure trove of intergalactic metal
• Adult stem cells may help repair hearts damaged by heart attack, study suggests
• Waterpipe tobacco smokers inhale same toxicants as cigarette smokers
• Brain tumor cells made more responsive to radiation
• Hidden protein structures are essential for catalysis
• Young adults who exercise get higher IQ Scores
• Synthetic magnetic fields 'trick' neutral atoms into acting as if electrically charged
• Ecstasy use may lead to sleep apnea: Illegal 'club drug' poisons neurons involved in control of breathing during sleep
• Variable temperatures leave insects with a frosty reception
• Latest epidemic? High cholesterol, obesity in fruit flies
• Simulated car crashes involving pregnant women
• Obesity will snuff out health benefits gained by smoking declines
• Why humans outlive apes: Human genes have adapted to inflammation, but we are more susceptible to diseases of aging
• First genetic resistance factor against tuberculosis infection identified
• Nanowires key to future transistors, electronics
• Team approach results in dramatic improvement in timely heart attack care
• Stick and slide: Computer simulation advances understanding of molecular motors
• Male and female shopping strategies show evolution at work in the mall
• Music and speech based on human biology, new evidence shows
• Annual screening with breast ultrasound or MRI could benefit some women
• Smokeless tobacco called 'moist snuff' is contaminated with harmful substances, study finds
• Dentists can help to identify patients at risk of a heart attack
• Drought-related shrinking processes detected in living roots in the soil for the first time
• Alcohol companies target youths with magazine ads, new study shows
• Second pathway to feeling your heartbeat, study reveals
• Mammography may increase breast cancer risk in some high-risk women
• RNA on the move
• Careful diagnosis helps fracture patients put best foot forward
• Galician waves are best for producing energy
• Weight control strategies for adolescents identified
• Female canaries sing sexily with testosterone
• Special ultrasound accurately identifies skin cancer
• Biology of emergent Salmonella exposed: Deadly bug targets vulnerable children and adults in Africa
• Chicken capsules good for aching joints, arthritis study finds
• NASA assessing new roles for ailing QuikScat satellite
• Preterm births higher among deprived mothers, despite equal care
• Rhino poaching surges in Asia, Africa
• Brown fat cells make 'spare tires' shrink; promising new approach to combat obesity
• Scientists get up close to bacteria's toxic pumps
• Targeted breast ultrasound can reduce biopsies for women under 40
• Multiferroic compounds used to produce smaller and cheaper digital memories
• Fear of anxiety linked to depression in above-average worriers
• Long-term physical activity has an anti-aging effect at the cellular level
• Cancer cells tricked into responding to new treatments and undergoing cell suicide
• Good stress response enhances recovery from surgery, study shows
• CT imaging taken post avastin may predict survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer
• 100-watt-level mid-infrared lasers created
• Overweight children may develop back pain and spinal abnormalities

Suzaku X-ray observatory spies treasure trove of intergalactic metal Posted: 03 Dec 2009 11:00 AM PST Most of the universe is made up of hydrogen and helium. These cosmic lightweights fill the first two spots on the famous periodic table of the elements. Less abundant but more familiar to us are the heavier elements. Recently astronomers used the Suzaku orbiting X-ray observatory, operated jointly by NASA and the Japanese space agency, to discover the largest known reservoir of rare metals in the universe.

Adult stem cells may help repair hearts damaged by heart attack, study suggests Posted: 03 Dec 2009 11:00 AM PST Adult stem cells may help repair heart tissue damaged by heart attack according to the findings of a new study. Results from the Phase I study show stem cells from donor bone marrow appear to help heart attack patients recover better by growing new blood vessels to bring more oxygen to the heart.

Waterpipe tobacco smokers inhale same toxicants as cigarette smokers Posted: 03 Dec 2009 11:00 AM PST Smoking tobacco through a waterpipe exposes the user to the same toxicants -- carbon monoxide and nicotine -- as puffing on a cigarette, which could lead to nicotine addiction and heart disease, according to a new study.

Brain tumor cells made more responsive to radiation Posted: 03 Dec 2009 11:00 AM PST Researchers have figured out how stem cells in the malignant brain cancer glioma may be better able to resist radiation therapy. And using a drug to block a particular signaling pathway in these cancer stem cells, they were able to kill many more glioma cells with radiation in a laboratory experiment.

Hidden protein structures are essential for catalysis Posted: 03 Dec 2009 11:00 AM PST A new study raises the curtain on the hidden lives of proteins at the atomic level. The study reports that for the first time, researchers used x-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques to directly visualize protein structures essential for catalysis at the rare high-energy state. The study also showed how the motions of these rare, or hidden, structures collectively, directly contribute to enzyme catalysis.

Young adults who exercise get higher IQ Scores Posted: 03 Dec 2009 11:00 AM PST Young adults who are fit have a higher IQ and are more likely to go on to university, reveals a major new study.

Synthetic magnetic fields 'trick' neutral atoms into acting as if electrically charged Posted: 03 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST Achieving an important new capability in ultracold atomic gases, researchers have created "synthetic" magnetic fields for ultracold gas atoms, in effect "tricking" neutral atoms into acting as if they are electrically charged particles subjected to a real magnetic field.

Ecstasy use may lead to sleep apnea: Illegal 'club drug' poisons neurons involved in control of breathing during sleep Posted: 03 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST Repeated use of the drug popularly known as "ecstasy" significantly raises the risk of developing sleep apnea in otherwise healthy young adults with no other known risk factors for the sleep disturbance, a new study suggests. The finding is the latest highlighting the potential dangers of the amphetamine-style chemical, currently used illegally by millions of people in the United States.

Variable temperatures leave insects with a frosty reception Posted: 03 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST For the first time, scientists have shown that insects exposed to repeated periods of cold will trade reproduction for immediate survival.

Latest epidemic? High cholesterol, obesity in fruit flies Posted: 03 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST How do fruit flies get high cholesterol and become obese? The same way as people do -- by eating a diet that's too rich in fats.

Simulated car crashes involving pregnant women Posted: 03 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST Although states are not required to report fetal deaths in accident data, between 300 and 1,000 unborn babies die in car accidents each year. This accident fatality rate is about four times the rate for victims between infancy and four years old. In response to these numbers, Ford Motor Company has worked with researchers for the past three years to gather data in support of future development of a computer-aided model of a pregnant woman for virtual crash test simulations.

Obesity will snuff out health benefits gained by smoking declines Posted: 03 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST If obesity trends continue, the negative effect on the health of the US population will overtake benefits gained from declining smoking rates.

Why humans outlive apes: Human genes have adapted to inflammation, but we are more susceptible to diseases of aging Posted: 03 Dec 2009 05:00 AM PST In spite of their genetic similarity to humans, chimpanzees and great apes have maximum lifespans that rarely exceed 50 years. A new study argues that humans have evolved genes that enable us to better adjust to infection, inflammation and our meat rich diets.

First genetic resistance factor against tuberculosis infection identified Posted: 03 Dec 2009 05:00 AM PST Why do some people who are exposed to tuberculosis not become infected or develop the disease? New research sheds light on this question, showing that one or multiple genes might provide certain people with resistance to tuberculosis infection.

Nanowires key to future transistors, electronics Posted: 03 Dec 2009 05:00 AM PST A new generation of ultrasmall transistors and more powerful computer chips using tiny structures called semiconducting nanowires are closer to reality after a key discovery by researchers.

Team approach results in dramatic improvement in timely heart attack care Posted: 03 Dec 2009 05:00 AM PST Health care professionals using new time-saving strategies to coordinate care for patients having a heart attack saw dramatic improvement in "door-to-balloon" times -- the time from when a patient enters the hospital to the time blood flow is restored to the heart by opening a blockage with angioplasty. The faster patients are treated, the more likely they are to survive.

Stick and slide: Computer simulation advances understanding of molecular motors Posted: 03 Dec 2009 05:00 AM PST A new study reveals how molecular motors that power important subcellular movements can generate cyclical motion. The research opens a new door to understanding motor molecules by using a computer program that faithfully simulates movement of hair-like cellular projections.

Male and female shopping strategies show evolution at work in the mall Posted: 03 Dec 2009 05:00 AM PST Male and female shopping styles are in our genes -- and we can look to evolution for the reason.

Music and speech based on human biology, new evidence shows Posted: 03 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST A pair of studies by neuroscientists shows powerful new evidence of a deep biological link between human music and speech.

Annual screening with breast ultrasound or MRI could benefit some women Posted: 03 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST Results of a large-scale clinical trial provide the first strong evidence of the benefit of annual screening ultrasound for women with dense breasts who are at elevated risk for breast cancer. In addition, the study confirmed that MRI is highly sensitive in depicting early breast cancer.

Smokeless tobacco called 'moist snuff' is contaminated with harmful substances, study finds Posted: 03 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST A new study on the smokeless tobacco product called moist snuff -- placed between lip and gum -- has led scientists in Minnesota to urge the tobacco industry to change manufacturing practices to reduce snuff's content of carcinogens. Their study reports that this category of tobacco products contains surprisingly high levels of certain toxic and cancer-causing substances.

Dentists can help to identify patients at risk of a heart attack Posted: 03 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST Dentists can help to identify patients who are in danger of dying of a heart attack or stroke, reveals a new study. Thanks to the study, six men who thought they were completely healthy were able to start preventive treatment in time.

Drought-related shrinking processes detected in living roots in the soil for the first time Posted: 03 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST Plant roots can shrink as a result of water deficit and lose contact with the surrounding soil. This effect has been suspected for a long time, but has only now been demonstrated for a fact with the help of x-ray tomography. The formation of an air gap could initially help plants prevent impending water losses when the soil dries out, say scientists.

Alcohol companies target youths with magazine ads, new study shows Posted: 03 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST Alcoholic beverages popular among youths are more likely to be advertised in magazines with high youth readership than alcoholic drinks consumed mainly by adults, resulting in disproportionately high youth exposure to such targeted alcohol ads, according to a new study.

Second pathway to feeling your heartbeat, study reveals Posted: 02 Dec 2009 11:00 PM PST A new study suggests that the inner sense of our cardiovascular state, our "interoceptive awareness" of the heart pounding, relies on two independent pathways, contrary to what had been asserted by prominent researchers.

Mammography may increase breast cancer risk in some high-risk women Posted: 02 Dec 2009 11:00 PM PST Low-dose radiation from annual mammography screening may increase breast cancer risk in women with genetic or familial predisposition to breast cancer, according to a new study.

RNA on the move Posted: 02 Dec 2009 11:00 PM PST In the fruitfly Drosophila, oskar mRNA, which is involved in defining the animal's body axes, is produced in the nuclei of nurse cells neighboring the oocyte, and must be transported to the oocyte and along its entire length before being translated into protein. Scientists have now visualized the molecular mechanism that underlies this localization process.

Careful diagnosis helps fracture patients put best foot forward Posted: 02 Dec 2009 11:00 PM PST Located in areas of the foot that can be hard to visualize with X-rays and other imaging techniques, injuries to the ankle area of the foot are the most frequently misdiagnosed of all foot fractures.

Galician waves are best for producing energy Posted: 02 Dec 2009 11:00 PM PST The best coastal areas in the Iberian Peninsula in terms of harnessing wave energy are the Costa da Morte and Estaca de Bares, in La Coruña, Galicia, according to two pioneering studies.

Weight control strategies for adolescents identified Posted: 02 Dec 2009 11:00 PM PST Adolescent obesity is a major public health problem that impacts one out of every three children, resulting in 4-5 million overweight youth in the United States. Researchers have now evaluated differences in weight control behaviors, including dietary intake and physical activity, comparing overweight adolescents who lost weight and those who did not in order to better understand which strategies could be most effective.

Female canaries sing sexily with testosterone Posted: 02 Dec 2009 08:00 PM PST Testosterone gets female canaries singing. Dutch researchers know how you can make a female canary sing using testosterone and the protein BDNF. Normally, female canaries don't sing, but with a few tweaks, the females' brain structure can be altered in a way that lets them burst into song. Their singing can even be considered sexy.

Special ultrasound accurately identifies skin cancer Posted: 02 Dec 2009 08:00 PM PST High-frequency ultrasound with elastography can help differentiate between cancerous and benign skin conditions, according to a new study.

Biology of emergent Salmonella exposed: Deadly bug targets vulnerable children and adults in Africa Posted: 02 Dec 2009 08:00 PM PST Researchers have characterized a deadly new strain of Salmonella, which emerged over an 18-month period. This type of Salmonella normally causes diarrhea and is rarely fatal but, by becoming resistant to antibiotics, acquiring the ability to spread from person to person, the new strain has become a health care challenge in Africa, killing up to one in four patients. The team suggests that emerging infections can be effectively tracked in the future using DNA sequencing technologies.

Chicken capsules good for aching joints, arthritis study finds Posted: 02 Dec 2009 08:00 PM PST Chicken collagen can provide relief from rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. A randomized, controlled trial has found that Chicken type II collagen, a protein extracted from the cartilage of chicken breast, is a safe and effective treatment for RA.

NASA assessing new roles for ailing QuikScat satellite Posted: 02 Dec 2009 08:00 PM PST NASA mission managers are assessing options for future operations of the venerable QuikScat satellite following the age-related failure of a mechanism that spins the scatterometer antenna. This spinning antenna had been providing near-real-time ocean- surface wind speed and direction data over 90 percent of the global ocean every day.

Preterm births higher among deprived mothers, despite equal care Posted: 02 Dec 2009 08:00 PM PST Despite improvements in obstetric care services, women from deprived areas are still more likely to give birth to a very preterm baby compared with mothers from more affluent areas, finds a new study.

Rhino poaching surges in Asia, Africa Posted: 02 Dec 2009 05:00 PM PST Rhino poaching worldwide is on the rise, according to a new report by TRAFFIC and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The trade is being driven by Asian demand for horns and is made worse by increasingly sophisticated poachers, who now are using veterinary drugs, poison, cross bows and high caliber weapons to kill rhinos, the report states.

Brown fat cells make 'spare tires' shrink; promising new approach to combat obesity Posted: 02 Dec 2009 05:00 PM PST Scientists in Germany have found a new signaling pathway which stimulates the production and function of so-called brown fat cells. They propose using these cells that serve as a "natural heating system" in order to just 'burn' unwanted excess fat.

Scientists get up close to bacteria's toxic pumps Posted: 02 Dec 2009 05:00 PM PST Scientists are building a clearer image of the machinery employed by bacteria to spread antibiotic resistance or cause diseases such as whooping cough, peptic stomach ulcers and legionnaires' disease.

Targeted breast ultrasound can reduce biopsies for women under 40 Posted: 02 Dec 2009 05:00 PM PST Targeted breast ultrasound of suspicious areas of the breast, including lumps, is a safe, reliable and cost-effective alternative to invasive biopsies for women under age 40, according to the findings of two new studies.

Multiferroic compounds used to produce smaller and cheaper digital memories Posted: 02 Dec 2009 05:00 PM PST Is it possible to make even more compact digital memories for portable electronic devices and which consume even less energy? Researchers have recently demonstrated that it is feasible, thanks to a new class of materials known as multiferroics, which combine unusual electric and magnetic properties.

Fear of anxiety linked to depression in above-average worriers Posted: 02 Dec 2009 05:00 PM PST Anxiety sensitivity, or the fear of feeling anxious, may put people who are already above-average worriers at risk for depression, according to researchers. Understanding how sensitivity to anxiety is a risk factor for depression may make anxiety sensitivity a potential target for treating depression in the future.

Long-term physical activity has an anti-aging effect at the cellular level Posted: 02 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST Physical activity has an anti-aging effect at the cellular level, suggesting exercise could prevent aging of the cardiovascular system. Two groups of trained professional athletes were compared with those who were not trained athletes. The blood cells of the individuals with long-term exercise training exhibited molecular indicators of reduced aging.

Cancer cells tricked into responding to new treatments and undergoing cell suicide Posted: 02 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST Cancer researchers have found a way to turn ineffective new cancer drugs into cancer-fighters. By using their patented chemical compound, SHetA2, researchers tricked cancer cells into responding to new treatments and undergoing cell suicide. All studies to date have not found any side effects of taking the drug, giving hope that it can prevent cancer in healthy people, and improve treatment for cancer patients.

Good stress response enhances recovery from surgery, study shows Posted: 02 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST The right kind of stress response in the operating room could lead to quicker recovery for patients after knee surgery, according to a new study. The results could be used to develop methods for predicting how well patients will fare after they leave the hospital.

CT imaging taken post avastin may predict survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer Posted: 02 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST Using routine computed tomography imaging to analyze form and structural changes to colorectal liver metastasis after bevacizumab and chemotherapy may predict overall survival, according to new research.

100-watt-level mid-infrared lasers created Posted: 02 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST Researchers have achieved a breakthrough in quantum cascade laser output power, delivering 120 watts from a single device at room temperature.

Overweight children may develop back pain and spinal abnormalities Posted: 02 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST Being overweight as a child could lead to early degeneration in the spine, according to a new study.

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