ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Syntax in our primate cousins
• Scientists identify natural anti-cancer defenses
• How can some athletes play on through intense pain?
• Clinical trial advances new approach to re-sensitizing breast cancer
• Glacial rebound: 10,000-year study of strata compaction and sea-level rise on English coast
• Flies offered unlimited alcohol behave a lot like human alcoholics
• Bacteria provide new insights into human decision making
• Alcohol consumption increases risk of breast cancer recurrence, study finds
• Understanding ocean climate
• Researchers show 'trigger' to stem cell differentiation
• Absorbing hydrogen fluoride gas to enhance crystal growth
• Caffeine doesn't reverse the negative cognitive impact of alcohol, study shows
• First known binary star is discovered to be a triplet, quadruplet, quintuplet, sextuplet system
• New model of skin cancer provides insights on second-most common type of cancer
• New research may lead to new ways to control honeybee parasite
• Potential new heart attack biomarker uncovered
• Synthetic protein mimics structure, function of metalloprotein in nature
• New screening tool helps identify children at risk for developmental issues
• Brightest-ever 'blazar' flare from distant galaxy spotted by NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope
• With amino acid diet, mice improve after brain injury
• Older dental fillings contain form of mercury unlikely to be toxic, study finds
• West Nile virus infection may persist in kidneys years after initial infection
• Elusive 'hot' electrons captured in ultra-thin solar cells
• Antidepressant may change personality while relieving symptoms
• Studying hair of ancient Peruvians answers questions about stress
• Merkel cells revealed as secret behind sensation of light touch
• Lightning-produced radiation a potential health concern for air travelers
• Higher risk for heart disease and diabetes associated with androgen deprivation therapy
• VISTA: Pioneering new survey telescope starts work
• Don't I know you? How cues and context kick-start memory recall
• Suzaku catches retreat of a black hole's disk
• Hyperglycemia: New mechanism underlying cardiovascular disease described
• Fast, accurate urine test for pneumonia possible, study finds
• Decline in breast cancer: Not just because of hormone therapy
• Forest deal at Copenhagen must avoid creating 'carbon refugees,' scientists urge
• Women researchers less likely to receive major career funding grants, study shows
• Tamiflu-resistant H1N1 flu infects seven on Vietnamese train
• Antibody-guided drug shows encouraging activity in metastatic breast cancer
• New study questions true favorability of rare breast cancer type
• Breast cancer survival improves if Herceptin is used with chemotherapy

Syntax in our primate cousins Posted: 13 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST Monkeys of a certain forest-dwelling species called Campbell's monkeys emit six types of alert calls. The primates combine these calls into long vocal sequences which allow them to convey messages about social cohesion or various dangers, including predation.

Scientists identify natural anti-cancer defenses Posted: 13 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST Researchers have discovered a novel molecular mechanism that prevents cancer. They have found that the SOCS1 molecule prevents the cancer-causing activity of cytokines, hormones that are culprits in cancer-prone chronic inflammation diseases such as Crohn's, in smokers and people exposed to asbestos.

How can some athletes play on through intense pain? Posted: 13 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST How can some sportsmen and women, in the heat of the moment, play on through pain that would floor anyone else? Bert Trautmann, the Manchester City goalkeeper, famously played on through to the end of the 1956 FA Cup final -- holding on for a 3-1 win -- despite suffering a broken neck from a collision in the second half.

Clinical trial advances new approach to re-sensitizing breast cancer Posted: 13 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST A new drug cocktail might be the right mix to fight breast cancer after it becomes resistant to standard therapy. Details of a new study supporting this approach suggest it's possible to re-sensitize tumors thus allowing treatments to work again.

Glacial rebound: 10,000-year study of strata compaction and sea-level rise on English coast Posted: 13 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST Glacial rebound -- the rise or fall of land masses that were depressed by the huge weight of ice sheets during the last glacial period -- explains differences in relative sea levels along the English coast, according to a new study.

Flies offered unlimited alcohol behave a lot like human alcoholics Posted: 13 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST When given the chance to consume alcohol at will, fruit flies behave in ways that look an awful lot like human alcoholism. A new study considers alcohol self-administration in insects.

Bacteria provide new insights into human decision making Posted: 13 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST Scientists studying how bacteria under stress collectively weigh and initiate different survival strategies say they have gained new insights into how humans make strategic decisions that affect their health, wealth and the fate of others in society.

Alcohol consumption increases risk of breast cancer recurrence, study finds Posted: 13 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST Alcohol may raise the risk of breast cancer recurrence, according to a new study. Obese women who drink alcohol may be at greater risk of recurrence. Alcohol was not related to risk of overall death.

Understanding ocean climate Posted: 13 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST High-resolution computer simulations are helping to describe the inflow of North Atlantic water to the Arctic Ocean and how this influences ocean climate.

Researchers show 'trigger' to stem cell differentiation Posted: 13 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST A gene which is essential for stem cells' capabilities to become any cell type has been identified by researchers. The discovery represents a further step in the ever-expanding field of understanding the ways in which stem cells develop into specific cells, a necessary prelude towards the use of stem cell therapy as a means to reverse the consequences of disease and disability.

Absorbing hydrogen fluoride gas to enhance crystal growth Posted: 13 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST Scientists have developed a method to control the buildup of hydrogen fluoride gas during the growth of precision crystals needed for applications such as superconductors, optical devices, and microelectronics. The invention could lead to more efficient production and improved performance of these materials.

Caffeine doesn't reverse the negative cognitive impact of alcohol, study shows Posted: 13 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST People who drink may want to know that coffee won't sober them up, according to new laboratory research. Instead, a cup of coffee may make it harder for people to realize they're drunk.

First known binary star is discovered to be a triplet, quadruplet, quintuplet, sextuplet system Posted: 13 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST Alcor and Mizar, were the first binary stars -- a pair of stars that orbit each other -- ever known. Now, astronomers have made the surprise discovery that Alcor is also actually two stars, and is apparently gravitationally bound to the Mizar system, making the whole group a sextuplet.

New model of skin cancer provides insights on second-most common type of cancer Posted: 13 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST Researchers have developed a new model of skin cancer based on the knowledge that a common cancer-related molecule called Src kinase is activated in human skin-cancer samples.

New research may lead to new ways to control honeybee parasite Posted: 13 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST Ground-breaking discoveries could help protect honeybees from deadly parasites that have devastated commercial colonies.

Potential new heart attack biomarker uncovered Posted: 13 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST Researchers have identified cardiac myosin-binding protein C as a potential new diagnostic biomarker for heart attacks, one that may be particularly valuable for mild attacks in which traditional diagnostic proteins may not be abundant enough.

Synthetic protein mimics structure, function of metalloprotein in nature Posted: 13 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST Scientists have designed a synthetic protein that is both a structural model and a functional model of a native protein, nitric-oxide reductase.

New screening tool helps identify children at risk for developmental issues Posted: 13 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST When a baby is born, new parents often wonder, "Will he be the next President of the United States?" or "Could she be the one to find a cure for cancer?" But the underlying question for many specialists is, "Is this child 'at risk' for developmental issues?" An answer to this question has been elusive -- until now.

Brightest-ever 'blazar' flare from distant galaxy spotted by NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope Posted: 12 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST A galaxy located billions of light-years away is commanding the attention of NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and astronomers around the globe. Thanks to a series of flares that began September 15, the galaxy is now the brightest source in the gamma-ray sky -- more than ten times brighter than it was in the summer.

With amino acid diet, mice improve after brain injury Posted: 12 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST Neurology researchers have shown that feeding amino acids to brain-injured mice restores their cognitive abilities and may set the stage for the first effective treatment for cognitive impairments suffered by people with traumatic brain injuries. If these animal results can be translated to human medicine, there would be a broad clinical benefit. Every 23 seconds, a man, woman or child in the US suffers a traumatic brain injury.

Older dental fillings contain form of mercury unlikely to be toxic, study finds Posted: 12 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST A new study on the surface chemistry of silver-colored, mercury-based dental fillings suggests that the surface forms of mercury may be less toxic than previously thought.

West Nile virus infection may persist in kidneys years after initial infection Posted: 12 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST A new study shows that people who have been infected with West Nile virus may have persistent virus in their kidneys for years after initial infection, potentially leading to kidney problems.

Elusive 'hot' electrons captured in ultra-thin solar cells Posted: 12 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST Harnessing the power of "hot" electrons for solar energy has been held as a theoretical possibility. Now researchers report observing the hot electron effect in an ultra-thin solar cell for the first time and collecting the elusive charges, which are typically lost in less than one-trillionth of a second in traditional solar cells.

Antidepressant may change personality while relieving symptoms Posted: 12 Dec 2009 02:00 PM PST Individuals taking a medication to treat depression may experience changes in their personality separate from the alleviation of depressive symptoms, according to a new report.

Studying hair of ancient Peruvians answers questions about stress Posted: 12 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST A first-of-its-kind archaeological study has detected the stress hormone cortisol in the hair of ancient Peruvians, who lived between 550 and 1532 A.D.

Merkel cells revealed as secret behind sensation of light touch Posted: 12 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST Scientists have proved experimentally what has been suspected since the discovery of Merkel cells in the skin over a century ago: the sense of light touch that is critical for hand dexterity would not be possible without these cells.

Lightning-produced radiation a potential health concern for air travelers Posted: 12 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST New information about lightning-emitted X-rays, gamma rays and high-energy electrons during thunderstorms is prompting scientists to raise concerns about the potential for airline passengers and crews to be exposed to harmful levels of radiation.

Higher risk for heart disease and diabetes associated with androgen deprivation therapy Posted: 12 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST Men of all ages treated for prostate cancer with androgen deprivation therapy, specifically with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, have an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to a new study.

VISTA: Pioneering new survey telescope starts work Posted: 12 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST A new telescope -- VISTA (the Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy) -- has just started work at ESO's Paranal Observatory and has made its first release of pictures. VISTA is a survey telescope working at infrared wavelengths and is the world's largest telescope dedicated to mapping the sky. Spectacular new images of the Flame Nebula, the center of our Milky Way galaxy and the Fornax Galaxy Cluster show that it is working extremely well.

Don't I know you? How cues and context kick-start memory recall Posted: 12 Dec 2009 08:00 AM PST We have all had the embarrassing experience of seeing an acquaintance in an unfamiliar setting. We know we know them but can't recall who they are. But with the correct cues from conversation or context, something seems to click and we can readily access very rich and vivid memories about the individual. Researchers have shed some light on this mysterious process, discovering that the hippocampus, a brain region in the temporal lobe, is only involved when cues enable us to recall these rich memories.

Suzaku catches retreat of a black hole's disk Posted: 12 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST Studies of one of the galaxy's most active black-hole binaries reveal a dramatic change that will help scientists better understand how these systems expel fast-moving particle jets.

Hyperglycemia: New mechanism underlying cardiovascular disease described Posted: 12 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST Hyperglycemia starts a complex chain of events that damages blood vessels and cause cardiovascular disease. Scientists have now been able to demonstrate why this happens, as well as how the destructive chain can be broken. This discovery represents a crucial step towards an efficient treatment of the vascular injuries that will be the cause of death for most diabetes patients.

Fast, accurate urine test for pneumonia possible, study finds Posted: 12 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST Biochemists have developed a urine test that can rapidly and accurately diagnose the cause of pneumonia-like symptoms. The test should enable doctors to quickly provide appropriate treatments for patients with pneumonia, an illness that is often misdiagnosed using current tests.

Decline in breast cancer: Not just because of hormone therapy Posted: 12 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST Between 2002 and 2003, American women experienced a 7 percent decline in breast cancer incidence, which scientists attribute to the publicity surrounding results of the Women's Health Initiative.

Forest deal at Copenhagen must avoid creating 'carbon refugees,' scientists urge Posted: 12 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST Forest dwellers must be included in the design of the upcoming forest deal at Copenhagen in order to avoid a humanitarian crisis, according to a scientist.

Women researchers less likely to receive major career funding grants, study shows Posted: 12 Dec 2009 02:00 AM PST Women were less likely than men to receive major funding for scientific research, according to a new study.

Tamiflu-resistant H1N1 flu infects seven on Vietnamese train Posted: 11 Dec 2009 09:00 PM PST A cluster of seven people have been infected with a Tamiflu-resistant strain of pandemic H1N1 influenza in Vietnam. The cases show the ability of Tamiflu-resistant pandemic H1N1 to spread among healthy people who are not taking the antiviral drug.

Antibody-guided drug shows encouraging activity in metastatic breast cancer Posted: 11 Dec 2009 09:00 PM PST A new antibody-drug compound shrank or halted the growth of metastatic breast tumors in almost half of a group of patients whose HER2-positive cancer had become resistant to standard therapies, according to early data.

New study questions true favorability of rare breast cancer type Posted: 11 Dec 2009 09:00 PM PST In a large review of breast cancer patients with mucinous carcinoma, researchers have identified an association between this rare type of breast cancer long-associated with a favorable prognosis and multiple tumors undetected by mammography or ultrasound.

Breast cancer survival improves if Herceptin is used with chemotherapy Posted: 11 Dec 2009 09:00 PM PST Using Herceptin with chemotherapy, instead of after, clearly improves treatment of women with HER2+ breast cancer, and should be the new standard of care, says a researcher.

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