ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Star power: Astronomers recreate stellar jet with laser blast
• Human umbilical stem cells cleared mice's cloudy eyes
• Precision breeding creates super potato
• Nearly one third of human genome is involved in gingivitis, study shows
• Facebook (and systems biologists) take note: Network analysis reveals true connections
• Most antidepressants miss key target of clinical depression, study finds
• Snowflake chemistry could give clues about ozone depletion
• Testosterone does not induce aggression, study shows
• Pistachios may reduce lung cancer risk
• H1N1 more risky than seasonal flu in children with sickle cell disease
• Nanoparticle protects oil in foods from oxidation, spoilage
• College football linemen take one for the team in terms of health
• See-through surprise: Lab makes solid material transparent to terahertz waves
• New approach to sickle-cell disease shows promise in mice
• Effort to regenerate damaged spinal cords turns to new model: Mexican axolotl salamander
• Vitamin D levels associated with survival in lymphoma patients
• Engineers on course to make super-efficient solar-electric powered boat
• Low rate of injuries at overnight summer camp, new study finds
• Social scientists build case for 'survival of the kindest'
• Severity of H1N1 flu in US during current flu season may be less than feared
• How dinoflagellates protect themselves during photosynthesis
• Blood cancers: New research demonstrates advances in optimizing treatments and quality of life
• Logging effects vary based on a forest's history, climate
• Food attitudes affect obesity risk in middle-aged women
• Brightness variations of sun-like stars: The mystery deepens
• The thalamus, middleman of the brain, becomes a sensory conductor
• Deep space maintenance deep in Australia's bush
• Advances in diagnosing and treating leukemia and myeloproliferative disorders
• Milling and drilling in cyberspace
• Psychological impacts not found for casual sex among young adults
• Maize was passed from group to group of Southwestern hunter-gatherers, study suggests
• HIV-related memory loss linked to Alzheimer's protein
• Parasite evades death by promoting host cell survival
• Small addition to cancer drug may make big difference
• New software to simulate future financial crises
• People living in poorer neighborhoods at increased risk for death, worse health risks
• Life on Mars theory boosted by new methane study
• Gene therapy and stem cells save limb
• Tiny RNA has big impact on lung cancer tumors
• Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce risk of colon cancer
• Turning metal black more than just a novelty: Laser technique could have important medical implications
• Rodent smoke screen: Rat model shows tobacco smoke exposure induces brain changes indicative of nicotine dependence
• Just after the Big Bang: Hubble's deepest view of universe unveils never-before-seen galaxies
• Coffee consumption associated with reduced risk of advanced prostate cancer
• Scientists detect PCBs on South America’s highest peak
• 'Rational drug design' identifies fragments of FDA-approved drugs relevant to emerging viruses
• New relationship between gene duplication and alternative splicing in plants discovered
• Young adults' blood lead levels linked to depression, panic disorder

Star power: Astronomers recreate stellar jet with laser blast Posted: 09 Dec 2009 11:00 AM PST With the trillions of watts contained in one brief pop of a powerful laser, the universe became a bit less mysterious. Scientists recently used powerful laser beams to recreate, on a small scale, the highly supersonic velocities at work in newborn stars and simulated the fiery jets that burst from their poles.

Human umbilical stem cells cleared mice's cloudy eyes Posted: 09 Dec 2009 11:00 AM PST New research from the University of Cincinnati (UC) may help in the recovery of lost vision for patients with corneal scarring.

Precision breeding creates super potato Posted: 09 Dec 2009 11:00 AM PST The skin is light brown, the meat luscious and yellow: from the outside alone, this new potato looks like any other. But on the inside, it is different. Its cells produce pure amylopectin, a starch used in the paper, textile and food industries. The new potatoes -- recently harvested and processed for the first time -- were developed with the aid of a new, especially rapid breeding process.

Nearly one third of human genome is involved in gingivitis, study shows Posted: 09 Dec 2009 11:00 AM PST Gingivitis, which may affect more than one-half of the US adult population, is a condition commonly attributed to lapses in simple oral hygiene habits. However, a new study shows that development and reversal of gingivitis at the molecular level is apparently much more complicated than its causes might indicate.

Facebook (and systems biologists) take note: Network analysis reveals true connections Posted: 09 Dec 2009 11:00 AM PST Two researchers have developed a universal method that can accurately analyze a range of complex networks -- including social networks, protein-protein interactions and air transportation networks. Their technique exploits the fact that all networks have groups in them and those groups are connected in many different ways. The researchers demonstrated the great potential of the method using five different networks, including predicting friendships in a social network and protein-protein interactions within a cell.

Most antidepressants miss key target of clinical depression, study finds Posted: 09 Dec 2009 11:00 AM PST Most current antidepressants do not address a key brain chemical, monoamine oxidase-A, according to a new study.

Snowflake chemistry could give clues about ozone depletion Posted: 09 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST Ice chemists are studying the surface structure of snow crystals and why sharp transitions in shape occur at different temperatures. The differences they see not only explain why no two snowflakes are identical, but also hold implications for their ozone research in the Arctic Ocean region.

Testosterone does not induce aggression, study shows Posted: 09 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST New scientific evidence refutes the preconception that testosterone causes aggressive, egocentric, and risky behavior. A study with more than 120 experimental subjects has shown that the sexual hormone with the poor reputation can encourage fair behaviors if this serves to ensure one's own status.

Pistachios may reduce lung cancer risk Posted: 09 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST A diet that incorporates a daily dose of pistachios may help reduce the risk of lung and other cancers, according to new research.

H1N1 more risky than seasonal flu in children with sickle cell disease Posted: 09 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST Infection with the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, causes more life-threatening complications than seasonal flu in children with sickle cell disease, according to new research. The findings warn parents and caregivers that such children are more likely to need emergency treatment and stays in an intensive-care unit.

Nanoparticle protects oil in foods from oxidation, spoilage Posted: 09 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST Using a nanoparticle from corn, a scientist has found a way to lengthen the shelf life of many food products and sustain their health benefits.

College football linemen take one for the team in terms of health Posted: 09 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST The high-intensity exercise performed by college football linemen does not protect them from obesity, related health problems and the potential for cardiovascular disease later in life, new research suggests. In an assessment of 90 collegiate football players from a single Division I team, only offensive and defensive linemen were deemed obese because they had 25 percent or more body fat.

See-through surprise: Lab makes solid material transparent to terahertz waves Posted: 09 Dec 2009 05:00 AM PST Very often in science, the unexpected discovery turns out to be the most significant. Researchers weren't looking for a breakthrough in the transmission of terahertz signals, but there it was: a plasmonic material that would, with adjustments to its temperature and/or magnetic field, either stop a terahertz beam cold or let it pass completely.

New approach to sickle-cell disease shows promise in mice Posted: 09 Dec 2009 05:00 AM PST Researchers report being able to get mice with sickle-cell disease to start producing fetal hemoglobin again -- potentially compensating for damaged adult hemoglobin and making symptoms of sickle-cell disease much milder.

Effort to regenerate damaged spinal cords turns to new model: Mexican axolotl salamander Posted: 09 Dec 2009 05:00 AM PST For more than 400 years, scientists have studied the amazing regenerative power of salamanders, trying to understand how these creatures routinely repair injuries that would usually leave humans and other mammals paralyzed -- or worse. Now, researchers have begun creating genomic tools necessary to compare the extraordinary regenerative capacity of the Mexican axolotl salamander with established mouse models of human disease and injury.

Vitamin D levels associated with survival in lymphoma patients Posted: 09 Dec 2009 05:00 AM PST A new study has found that the amount of vitamin D in patients being treated for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was strongly associated with cancer progression and overall survival.

Engineers on course to make super-efficient solar-electric powered boat Posted: 09 Dec 2009 05:00 AM PST A team of academics and students has begun work on a solar-electric powered boat which they claim will be one of the most sophisticated to enter the annual prestigious Solar Splash competition so far.

Low rate of injuries at overnight summer camp, new study finds Posted: 09 Dec 2009 05:00 AM PST Although a trip to summer camp is highly anticipated by over 11 million children and adults each year, sending a child off to summer camp can be a source of anxiety for parents. However, findings from a new study should ease their concerns.

Social scientists build case for 'survival of the kindest' Posted: 09 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST Researchers are challenging long-held beliefs that human beings are wired to be selfish. In a wide range of studies, social scientists are amassing a growing body of evidence to show we are evolving to become more compassionate and collaborative in our quest to survive and thrive.

Severity of H1N1 flu in US during current flu season may be less than feared Posted: 09 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST A new study projects that the severity of the H1N1 flu during the autumn-winter flu season in the United States will likely be less than previously feared.

How dinoflagellates protect themselves during photosynthesis Posted: 09 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST During photosynthesis at high light intensities dangerous oxygen radicals can form inside cells. Dinoflagellates have a unique light-harvesting complex (antenna) which can divert superfluous energy extremely efficiently to avoid this cell damage. Biophysicists have now been able to determine which molecules in the antenna are of significance.

Blood cancers: New research demonstrates advances in optimizing treatments and quality of life Posted: 09 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST New research explores optimal induction therapies for managing multiple myeloma, the importance of advance care planning for improved quality of life, and a potential new first-line therapy for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Logging effects vary based on a forest's history, climate Posted: 09 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST A Smoky Mountain forest's woodland herb population has shown that climate may play a role in how forest understories recover from logging, according to new research.

Food attitudes affect obesity risk in middle-aged women Posted: 09 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST A small study of middle-aged women finds that "guilt-ridden dieters," impulsive eaters and those too busy to focus on food are the most likely to show signs of obesity.

Brightness variations of sun-like stars: The mystery deepens Posted: 08 Dec 2009 11:00 PM PST An extensive study made with ESO's Very Large Telescope deepens a long-standing mystery in the study of stars similar to the Sun. Unusual year-long variations in the brightness of about one third of all Sun-like stars during the latter stages of their lives still remain unexplained. Over the past few decades, astronomers have offered many possible explanations, but the new, painstaking observations contradict them all and only deepen the mystery. The search for a suitable interpretation is on.

The thalamus, middleman of the brain, becomes a sensory conductor Posted: 08 Dec 2009 11:00 PM PST Two new studies show that the thalamus -- the small central brain structure often characterized as a mere pit-stop for sensory information on its way to the cortex -- is heavily involved in sensory processing, and is an important conductor of the brain's complex orchestra. Published in Nature Neuroscience and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the two studies demonstrate the important role of the thalamus in shaping what humans see, hear and feel.

Deep space maintenance deep in Australia's bush Posted: 08 Dec 2009 11:00 PM PST The European Space Agency's giant 35m ground stations require regular maintenance and periodic mid-life upgrades to keep them working in tip-top condition, communicating with the Agency's growing fleet of spacecraft millions of kilometres from home.

Advances in diagnosing and treating leukemia and myeloproliferative disorders Posted: 08 Dec 2009 11:00 PM PST Leukemia and myeloproliferative disorders are serious and often deadly blood cancers. Recent research introduces potential new treatment options and improved diagnostic methods for patients suffering from acute promyelocytic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and myelofibrosis that are based on a better understanding of the underlying genetic causes of these conditions.

Milling and drilling in cyberspace Posted: 08 Dec 2009 11:00 PM PST Machinists, numerical control programmers or mechatronics engineers -- trainees in engineering jobs often have to master complex equipment. In the future, trainees will practice and learn milling, turning, drilling and programming routines on a virtual model.

Psychological impacts not found for casual sex among young adults Posted: 08 Dec 2009 11:00 PM PST Researchers have found that young adults engaging in casual sexual encounters do not appear to be at increased risk for harmful psychological outcomes as compared to sexually active young adults in more committed relationships. While this study focused on the psychological impact, researchers caution that the physical risks of casual sex should not be overlooked.

Maize was passed from group to group of Southwestern hunter-gatherers, study suggests Posted: 08 Dec 2009 08:00 PM PST An international group of anthropologists offers a new theory about the diffusion of maize to the Southwestern United States and the impact it had. The study suggests that maize was passed from group to group of Southwestern hunter-gatherers.

HIV-related memory loss linked to Alzheimer's protein Posted: 08 Dec 2009 08:00 PM PST More than half of HIV patients experience memory problems and other cognitive impairments as they age, and doctors know little about the underlying causes. New research suggests HIV-related cognitive deficits share a common link with Alzheimer's-related dementia: low levels of the protein amyloid beta in the spinal fluid.

Parasite evades death by promoting host cell survival Posted: 08 Dec 2009 08:00 PM PST Researchers have discovered how the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas' disease, prolongs its survival in infected cells. A protein on the parasite activates the enzyme Akt, which blocks cell death signals, preventing cell destruction and parasite elimination. Chagas' disease affects some 8 to 11 million people throughout Latin America and even the United States.

Small addition to cancer drug may make big difference Posted: 08 Dec 2009 08:00 PM PST The addition of a small molecule to the cancer drug Temozolomide disrupts repair mechanisms in a type of tumor cells that is highly resistant to treatment.

New software to simulate future financial crises Posted: 08 Dec 2009 08:00 PM PST Can economics better predict how banks will react to future credit crunches and their impact on the wider economy? Breakthrough simulation software by European researchers could hold the answers to this question and more.

People living in poorer neighborhoods at increased risk for death, worse health risks Posted: 08 Dec 2009 08:00 PM PST Regardless of an individual's dietary and lifestyle risk factors, living in a poorer or more socioeconomically deprived neighborhood may increase a person's risk for death, according to new evidence.

Life on Mars theory boosted by new methane study Posted: 08 Dec 2009 05:00 PM PST Scientists have ruled out the possibility that methane is delivered to Mars by meteorites, raising fresh hopes that the gas might be generated by life on the red planet, in new research.

Gene therapy and stem cells save limb Posted: 08 Dec 2009 05:00 PM PST Blood vessel blockage, a common condition in old age or diabetes, leads to low blood flow and results in low oxygen, which can kill cells and tissues. Such blockages can require amputation resulting in loss of limbs. Now, using mice as their model, researchers have developed therapies that increase blood flow, improve movement and decrease tissue death and the need for amputation.

Tiny RNA has big impact on lung cancer tumors Posted: 08 Dec 2009 05:00 PM PST Researchers reversed the growth of lung tumors in mice using a naturally occurring tumor suppressor microRNA. The study reveals that a tiny bit of RNA may one day play a big role in cancer treatment, and provides hope for future patients battling one of the most prevalent and difficult to treat cancers.

Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce risk of colon cancer Posted: 08 Dec 2009 05:00 PM PST Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, primarily found in fish and seafood, may have a role in colorectal cancer prevention, according to new results.

Turning metal black more than just a novelty: Laser technique could have important medical implications Posted: 08 Dec 2009 05:00 PM PST Researchers made headlines recently when they changed the color of everyday metals by scouring their surfaces with precise, high-intensity laser bursts. A recent discovery has shown that beyond the aesthetic opportunities in the finding lie some very powerful potential uses, such as diagnosing some diseases with unprecedented ease and precision.

Rodent smoke screen: Rat model shows tobacco smoke exposure induces brain changes indicative of nicotine dependence Posted: 08 Dec 2009 05:00 PM PST Rats passively exposed to tobacco smoke become dependent on nicotine, according to a new study. The findings of how rats' brains respond to exposure to tobacco smoke have implications for the study of the effects of tobacco smoke on the human brain and for future studies testing new treatments for tobacco addiction.

Just after the Big Bang: Hubble's deepest view of universe unveils never-before-seen galaxies Posted: 08 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST Astronomers have taken the deepest image yet of the Universe in near-infrared light. The faintest and reddest objects in the image are likely the oldest galaxies ever identified, having formed between only 600-900 million years after the Big Bang.

Coffee consumption associated with reduced risk of advanced prostate cancer Posted: 08 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST While it is too early for physicians to start advising their male patients to take up the habit of regular coffee drinking, new data revealed a strong inverse association between coffee consumption and the risk of lethal and advanced prostate cancers.

Scientists detect PCBs on South America’s highest peak Posted: 08 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST Even the snow on Aconcagua Mountain in the Andes is polluted with PCBs. Scientists detected low concentrations of these toxic, carcinogenic chlorine compounds in samples taken from America's highest mountain. The snow samples taken at an altitude of 6200 meters are among the highest traces found anywhere in the world of these substances, which have been banned since 2001.

'Rational drug design' identifies fragments of FDA-approved drugs relevant to emerging viruses Posted: 08 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST A massive, data-crunching computer search program that matches fragments of potential drug molecules to the known shapes of viral surface proteins has identified several FDA-approved drugs that could be the basis for new medicines -- if emerging viruses such as the H5N1 (avian flu) or H1N1/09 (swine flu) develop resistance to current antiviral therapies.

New relationship between gene duplication and alternative splicing in plants discovered Posted: 08 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST Scientists looking to understand the genetic mechanisms of plant defense and growth have found for the first time in plants an inverse relationship between gene duplication and alternative splicing. The finding has implications for diversity not only in plants, but in animals and humans.

Young adults' blood lead levels linked to depression, panic disorder Posted: 08 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST Young adults with higher blood lead levels appear more likely to have major depression and panic disorders, even if they have exposure to lead levels generally considered safe, according to a report in the December issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

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