ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Use of body ornamentation shows Neanderthal mind capable of advanced thought
• Bifocals may slow progression of nearsightedness in children
• Mango effective in preventing, stopping certain colon, breast cancer cells, food scientists find
• Breast cancer multigene test helping patients avoid chemotherapy
• New quantum cascade lasers emit more light than heat
• Reluctant hero? Cleaner fish show it pays to be selfless
• Sedentary TV time may cut life short
• Genetic variant associated with aggressive form of prostate cancer
• Delivering stem cells improves repair of major bone injuries in rats, study shows
• Diabetic eye disease more severe in African-Americans who consume more calories, sodium
• Quantum entanglement achieved in solid-state circuitry
• For gunshot and stab victims, on-scene spine immobilization may do more harm than good
• Ancient Egyptian cosmetics: 'Magical' makeup may have been medicine for eye disease
• Disconnect between brain regions in ADHD
• Researchers trace HIV mutations that lead to drug resistance
• Imaging studies help detect underlying cancers in patients with neurologic symptoms
• Mirror testing at NASA breaks superstitious myths
• Workers' comp research provides insight into curbing health-care costs
• Butterflies reeling from impacts of climate and development
• Why certain anticancer drugs can cause heart failure in some patients
• Melting tundra creating vast river of waste into Arctic Ocean
• Excess protein in urine is indicator of heart disease risk in whites, but not blacks, study suggests
• MicroRNA targets identified in C. elegans
• Tobacco company helped shape European policy system favoring corporate profits over public health, study finds
• Insect cells provide the key to alternative swine flu vaccination
• Alzheimer's: Immune system alterations in mouse brain reduces two characteristic features of disease
• Genome of woodland strawberry, a model system for rosaceae plants, sequenced
• Segregating out UbcH10's role in tumor formation
• Biologists merge methods, results from different disciplines to find new meaning in old data
• Clustering MRSA in Europe indicates diffusion through regional health-care networks
• Can a drop of water cause sunburn or fire? Leaves of certain plants are susceptible to leaf burn from too much sun
• New target discovered for treatment of cancer
• How high can a rock climber go?
• Similar effectiveness among options for managing low-risk prostate cancer, report suggests
• Minor faults in catalyst impose an obstacle to the chemical industry
• Charles Darwin: More than the origin
• New spider species is largest of its type in Middle East
• How common type of children's brain cancer can arise from stem cells
• Ski Sports: Simulating gliding effects to develop super fast skis
• Weight is a prickly problem: Key role found for hedgehog signaling in controlling fat storage
• Fisheries: Catch shares improve consistency, not health, of fisheries
• Solving the problem of school timetabling
• Discovery of enzyme activation process could lead to new heart attack treatments
• Best time to toilet train children pinpointed through research
• New ways to pressure HIV
• New species of lichen discovered in Iberian Peninsula
• Physicians' moods affect quality of care, according new study

Use of body ornamentation shows Neanderthal mind capable of advanced thought Posted: 12 Jan 2010 11:00 AM PST The widespread view of Neanderthals as cognitively inferior to early modern humans is challenged by new research. Scientists examined pigment-stained and perforated marine shells, most certainly used as neck pendants, from two Neanderthal-associated sites in the Murcia province of south-east Spain. The analysis of lumps of red and yellow pigments found alongside suggest they were used in cosmetics.

Bifocals may slow progression of nearsightedness in children Posted: 12 Jan 2010 11:00 AM PST Bifocal glasses may be effective in slowing the progression of myopia (nearsightedness) in children with high rates of progression, according to a new study.

Mango effective in preventing, stopping certain colon, breast cancer cells, food scientists find Posted: 12 Jan 2010 11:00 AM PST Mango fruit has been found to prevent or stop certain colon and breast cancer cells in the lab, according to a new study by food scientists.

Breast cancer multigene test helping patients avoid chemotherapy Posted: 12 Jan 2010 11:00 AM PST A 21-gene test that predicts whether early stage breast cancer patients will benefit from chemotherapy is having a big impact on treatment decisions by patients and doctors alike, according to a new study.

New quantum cascade lasers emit more light than heat Posted: 12 Jan 2010 11:00 AM PST Researchers have developed compact, mid-infrared laser diodes that generate more light than heat -- a breakthroughs in quantum cascade laser efficiency.

Reluctant hero? Cleaner fish show it pays to be selfless Posted: 12 Jan 2010 11:00 AM PST Putting yourself in the line of fire is shown to reap huge rewards, in a new study. Researchers have discovered that male cleaner wrasse are quick to play the hero when their dinner is at stake.

Sedentary TV time may cut life short Posted: 12 Jan 2010 08:00 AM PST A study found that every hour spent in front of the television per day brings with it an 11 percent greater risk of premature death from all causes, and an 18 percent greater risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. The findings apply to both obese and overweight people as well as people with a healthy weight because prolonged periods of sitting have an unhealthy influence on blood sugar and blood fat levels.

Genetic variant associated with aggressive form of prostate cancer Posted: 12 Jan 2010 08:00 AM PST Researchers have identified the first genetic variant associated with aggressive prostate cancer, proving the concept that genetic information may one day be used in combination with other factors to guide treatment decisions.

Delivering stem cells improves repair of major bone injuries in rats, study shows Posted: 12 Jan 2010 08:00 AM PST A new study shows that delivering stem cells on a polymer scaffold to treat large areas of missing bone leads to improved bone formation and better mechanical properties compared to treatment with scaffold alone.

Diabetic eye disease more severe in African-Americans who consume more calories, sodium Posted: 12 Jan 2010 08:00 AM PST High intakes of calories and sodium appear to be associated with the progression of retinal disease among African-American patients with diabetes, according to a new study.

Quantum entanglement achieved in solid-state circuitry Posted: 12 Jan 2010 08:00 AM PST Physicists have finally managed to demonstrate quantum entanglement of spatially separated electrons in solid state circuitry.

For gunshot and stab victims, on-scene spine immobilization may do more harm than good Posted: 12 Jan 2010 08:00 AM PST Immobilizing the spines of shooting and stabbing victims before they are taken to the hospital -- standard procedure in Maryland and some other parts of the country -- appears to double the risk of death compared to transporting patients to a trauma center without this time-consuming, on-scene medical intervention, according to a new study.

Ancient Egyptian cosmetics: 'Magical' makeup may have been medicine for eye disease Posted: 12 Jan 2010 05:00 AM PST There's more to the eye makeup that gave Queen Nefertiti and other ancient Egyptians royals those stupendous gazes and legendary beauty than meets the eye. Scientists in France are reporting that the alluring eye makeup also may have been used to help prevent or treat eye disease by doubling as an infection-fighter. Their findings are scheduled for the Jan. 15 issue of ACS' Analytical Chemistry, a semi-monthly journal.

Disconnect between brain regions in ADHD Posted: 12 Jan 2010 05:00 AM PST Two brain areas fail to connect when children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder attempt a task that measures attention, according to researchers.

Researchers trace HIV mutations that lead to drug resistance Posted: 12 Jan 2010 05:00 AM PST Researchers have developed a novel way to trace mutations in HIV that lead to drug resistance. Their findings, once expanded to the full range of drugs available to treat the infection, would allow doctors to tailor drug cocktails to the particular strains of the virus found in individual patients.

Imaging studies help detect underlying cancers in patients with neurologic symptoms Posted: 12 Jan 2010 05:00 AM PST A combined positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scan of the whole body appears to detect cancer in individuals with related neurologic complications more accurately than some other commonly used tests, according to new report.

Mirror testing at NASA breaks superstitious myths Posted: 12 Jan 2010 05:00 AM PST In ancient mythological times reflective surfaces like shiny metals and mirrors were thought to be magical and credited with the ability to look into the future. NASA is using mirrors to do just the opposite -- look into the past.

Workers' comp research provides insight into curbing health-care costs Posted: 12 Jan 2010 05:00 AM PST Analyzing physicians' practice patterns may hold valuable clues about how to curb the nation's rising health care costs, according to a new study.

Butterflies reeling from impacts of climate and development Posted: 12 Jan 2010 02:00 AM PST California butterflies are reeling from a one-two punch of climate change and land development, says an unprecedented analysis. The new analysis gives insights on how a major and much-studied group of organisms is reacting to the Earth's warming climate.

Why certain anticancer drugs can cause heart failure in some patients Posted: 12 Jan 2010 02:00 AM PST A growth factor that is a common target of cancer drugs also plays an important role in the heart's response to stress, researchers report.

Melting tundra creating vast river of waste into Arctic Ocean Posted: 12 Jan 2010 02:00 AM PST The increase in temperature in the Arctic has already caused the sea-ice there to melt. According to new research from Sweden, if the Arctic tundra also melts, vast amounts of organic material will be carried by the rivers straight into the Arctic Ocean, resulting in additional emissions of carbon dioxide.

Excess protein in urine is indicator of heart disease risk in whites, but not blacks, study suggests Posted: 12 Jan 2010 02:00 AM PST The cardiovascular risk that is associated with proteinuria, or high levels of protein in the urine, a common test used by doctors as an indicator of increased risk for progressive kidney disease, heart attack and stroke, has race-dependent effects, according to a new study.

MicroRNA targets identified in C. elegans Posted: 12 Jan 2010 02:00 AM PST MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding RNAs that impact almost every aspect of biology. In recent years, they have been strongly implicated in stem cell biology, tissue and organism development, as well as human conditions ranging from mental disorders to cancer. Now, researchers have identified the binding sites of these miRNAs in one of the foremost model organisms, C. elegans, using biochemical means to capture targeted mRNA sequences in vivo.

Tobacco company helped shape European policy system favoring corporate profits over public health, study finds Posted: 12 Jan 2010 02:00 AM PST British American Tobacco, the world's second largest tobacco transnational, strategically influenced the European Union's framework for evaluating policy options, leading to the acceptance of an agenda which emphasizes business interests over public health, according to a new study.

Insect cells provide the key to alternative swine flu vaccination Posted: 11 Jan 2010 11:00 PM PST Scientists in Vienna have developed a new technique for producing vaccines for H1N1 -- so-called swine flu -- based on insect cells. The research reveals how influenza vaccines can be produced faster than through the traditional method of egg-based production, revealing a new strategy for the fight against influenza pandemics.

Alzheimer's: Immune system alterations in mouse brain reduces two characteristic features of disease Posted: 11 Jan 2010 11:00 PM PST Using laboratory mice that had been bred to have brain changes similar to Alzheimer's disease, scientists were able to reduce two characteristic features of the disease by modifying the mice's immune systems with a special peptide related to the myelin sheath that insulates nerve cells and nerve fibers. As a result, anti-inflammatory cells were recruited from the blood into the brain, dampening the local inflammatory response.

Genome of woodland strawberry, a model system for rosaceae plants, sequenced Posted: 11 Jan 2010 11:00 PM PST The genome of a model plant related to peach, cherry and cultivated strawberry has been sequenced.

Segregating out UbcH10's role in tumor formation Posted: 11 Jan 2010 11:00 PM PST A ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme that regulates the cell cycle promotes chromosome missegregation and tumor formation, according to researchers.

Biologists merge methods, results from different disciplines to find new meaning in old data Posted: 11 Jan 2010 11:00 PM PST A growing number of scientists are merging methods and results from different disciplines to extract new meaning from old data, say researchers. As science becomes increasingly focused on new data, however, researchers who want to analyze previous findings may have a hard time getting funding and institutional support, the authors say. The authors argue for removing cultural and technological barriers to this process.

Clustering MRSA in Europe indicates diffusion through regional health-care networks Posted: 11 Jan 2010 11:00 PM PST A new study finds that methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) -- responsible for several difficult-to-treat infections including blood poisoning and pneumonia and a particular problem in hospitals -- occurs in distinct geographical clusters across Europe.

Can a drop of water cause sunburn or fire? Leaves of certain plants are susceptible to leaf burn from too much sun Posted: 11 Jan 2010 08:00 PM PST Why do gardeners say you shouldn't water your plants in the midday sun? Does it really lead to burnt plants or worse? A team of scientists found that water droplets on a smooth surface, such as maple or ginkgo leaves, cannot cause leaf burn. However in contrast the they found that floating fern leaves, which have small wax hairs, are susceptible to leaf burn.

New target discovered for treatment of cancer Posted: 11 Jan 2010 08:00 PM PST Researchers in Sweden have discovered a new way of blocking the formation of blood vessels and halting the growth of tumors in mice. A substance that exploits this mechanism could be developed into a new treatment for cancer.

How high can a rock climber go? Posted: 11 Jan 2010 08:00 PM PST The maximum time an athlete is able to continue climbing to exhaustion may be the only determinant of his/her performance. Until now, performance indicators for climbing have been low body fat percentage and grip strength. Now, a new study carried out with 16 high-level climbers breaks with this approach and reveals that the time it takes for an athlete to become exhausted is the only indicator of his/her performance.

Similar effectiveness among options for managing low-risk prostate cancer, report suggests Posted: 11 Jan 2010 08:00 PM PST A comprehensive appraisal of the management and treatment options for low-risk prostate cancer found that the rates of survival and tumor recurrence are similar among the most common treatment approaches, although costs can vary considerably.

Minor faults in catalyst impose an obstacle to the chemical industry Posted: 11 Jan 2010 08:00 PM PST One of the most important catalysts in the modern chemical industry is a troublemaker. The building blocks of zeolite ZSM-5 crystals, which are a sort of Swiss cheese with molecular size holes, are not joined together perfectly. The materials that have to pass through the crystals therefore often get stuck and don't react well. A Dutch researcher has discovered the deviations in the miniscule but indispensable particles.

Charles Darwin: More than the origin Posted: 11 Jan 2010 08:00 PM PST Charles Darwin greatly contributed to many specific fields within biology. As the bicentennial anniversary of Darwin's birth comes to a close, two papers explores botanical history before the time of Darwin, Darwin's contributions to botany, and what scientists have discovered in the subsequent years following Darwin's first presentation of his many provocative ideas to the scientific community.

New spider species is largest of its type in Middle East Posted: 11 Jan 2010 05:00 PM PST A new and previously unknown species of spider has been discovered in the dune of the Sands of Samar in the southern Arava region of Israel. Unfortunately, however, its habitat is endangered.

How common type of children's brain cancer can arise from stem cells Posted: 11 Jan 2010 05:00 PM PST New research shows how the most common type of children's brain cancer can arise from stem cells. Scientists know relatively little about medulloblastomas or why some cases respond better to treatments than others. A new study reveals that medulloblastomas can grow from a type of brain stem cell and that these cancers are a distinct form of the disease which may require a completely different approach to treatment.

Ski Sports: Simulating gliding effects to develop super fast skis Posted: 11 Jan 2010 05:00 PM PST In ski sports, it's often only a second that separates the winners from the losers. Using equipment made of the right materials can therefore make all the difference. Researchers are simulating the gliding effects that occur when skis travel over snow -- and creating super fast skis.

Weight is a prickly problem: Key role found for hedgehog signaling in controlling fat storage Posted: 11 Jan 2010 05:00 PM PST Obesity is a widespread condition in humans and has many serious consequences. Not only are overweight people faced with surcharges on airplanes but they also have a much higher risk of contracting a number of potentially fatal diseases. A considerable amount of research effort is currently focussed on the problem of weight control but to date genetic screens for factors that cause obesity have been hampered by the lack of an appropriate system.

Fisheries: Catch shares improve consistency, not health, of fisheries Posted: 11 Jan 2010 05:00 PM PST Catch share programs result in more consistent and predictable fisheries but do not necessarily improve ecological conditions, according to a new study.

Solving the problem of school timetabling Posted: 11 Jan 2010 05:00 PM PST A new approach to solving the problem of school timetabling, known as a GRASP, has been developing by researchers in Brazil.

Discovery of enzyme activation process could lead to new heart attack treatments Posted: 11 Jan 2010 02:00 PM PST Medical researchers have determined how a "chemical chaperone" does its job in the body, which could lead to a new class of drugs to help reduce the muscle damage caused by heart attacks.

Best time to toilet train children pinpointed through research Posted: 11 Jan 2010 02:00 PM PST Researchers have completed a study that pinpoints the period between 24 and 32 months of age as most effective time frame for parents to begin toilet training lessons with their children. Additionally, the study indicates that the timing appeared to matter more than the specific training method used.

New ways to pressure HIV Posted: 11 Jan 2010 02:00 PM PST Two new studies show that protein bits produced by unusual "reading" of the HIV genome can induce immune responses. The information provided by these findings may prove useful during future HIV vaccine design efforts.

New species of lichen discovered in Iberian Peninsula Posted: 11 Jan 2010 02:00 PM PST Spanish scientists have described the lichen Phylloblastia fortuita, new to the Iberian Peninsula and to science. Another species from the same family, Phylloblastia dispersa, is also a new entry for Europe and is the first time it has been found outside the tropics.

Physicians' moods affect quality of care, according new study Posted: 11 Jan 2010 02:00 PM PST Findings of a new study show that a good or bad mood affected all five physician behaviors. On days the doctors felt positive moods, they spoke more to patients, wrote fewer prescriptions, ordered fewer tests and issued fewer referrals. However, when doctors were in a bad mood, they did the opposite. Additionally, if the physicians' burnout level was higher, their moods more strongly impacted their behaviors.

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