ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Physicists tie light in knots
• Concussions not taken seriously enough, researcher finds
• Low concentrations of oxygen and nutrients slowing biodegradation of Exxon Valdez oil
• New biomarkers for predicting the spread of colon cancer
• Self-control, and lack of self-control, is contagious
• Walking robot switches gaits autonomously and flexibly
• First successful use of expanded umbilical-cord blood units to treat leukemia
• New genetic map will speed up plant breeding of the world's most important medicinal crop
• Psoriasis drugs put to the test
• Making microscopic worms into a more deadly insecticide
• Migraine and depression may share genetic component
• Punishment important in plant-pollinator relationship
• New gene variants associated with glucose, insulin levels, some with diabetes risk
• Protein complex possibly crucial for triggering embryo development identified
• Drug that modifies gene activity could help some older leukemia patients
• Fleet of high-tech robot 'gliders' to explore oceans
• Burst of neural activity marks transition between not seeing and seeing
• New insights into inherited retinal disease
• Novel growth pattern classification predictive of outcome in non-small cell lung cancer
• MechanoBiology: New protein function discovered
• Table saw-related injuries have remained consistently high, study finds
• Scent of a woman: Men's testosterone responses to olfactory ovulation cues
• Scientists hope to end sleeping sickness by making parasite that causes it to self-destruct
• More evidence on benefits of high blood pressure drugs in diabetic eye disease
• Lung cancer: Drug with unique disruption of tumor blood flow shows promise
• New iPhone app to measure carbon intensity of UK electricity grid
• New method to measure childhood stress
• Wilder weather exerts a stronger influence on biodiversity than steadily changing conditions
• How sunlight causes skin cells to turn cancerous
• 'Noisiest' neurons persist in the adult brain, research finds
• Paradigm changing mechanism is revealed for the control of gene expression in bacteria
• Game-changing nanodiamond discovery for MRI
• Parks and recreation programs declining as obesity, health concerns rise
• Proteins that might contribute to memory loss and Alzheimer's disease identified
• Haiti earthquake: Converting shipping containers into emergency housing
• Cancer stem cells suppress immune response against brain tumor
• Chemical composition of red giant star with more carbon than oxygen in its atmosphere
• Disadvantaged neighborhoods set children's reading skills on negative course
• Search for an artificial blood substitute
• Genetic risk factor identified for Parkinson's disease
• HIFI resumes quest for water in Universe
• Prevalence of high body mass index among children and teens remains steady
• Much of early methane rise can be attributed to spreading of northern peatlands
• Health care professionals failing to tell patients they are not fit to drive

Physicists tie light in knots Posted: 18 Jan 2010 11:00 AM PST The remarkable feat of tying light in knots has been achieved. Understanding how to control light in this way has important implications for laser technology used in wide a range of industries.

Concussions not taken seriously enough, researcher finds Posted: 18 Jan 2010 11:00 AM PST Despite growing public interest in concussions because of serious hockey injuries or skiing deaths, a researcher in Canada has found that we may not be taking the common head injury seriously enough.

Low concentrations of oxygen and nutrients slowing biodegradation of Exxon Valdez oil Posted: 18 Jan 2010 11:00 AM PST The combination of low concentrations of oxygen and nutrients in the lower layers of the beaches of Alaska's Prince William Sound is slowing the aerobic biodegradation of oil remaining from the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill, according to researchers.

New biomarkers for predicting the spread of colon cancer Posted: 18 Jan 2010 11:00 AM PST Scientists in China are reporting discovery of two proteins present in the blood of people with colon cancer that may serve as the potential biomarkers for accurately predicting whether the disease will spread.

Self-control, and lack of self-control, is contagious Posted: 18 Jan 2010 11:00 AM PST A new study has revealed that self-control -- or the lack thereof -- is contagious.

Walking robot switches gaits autonomously and flexibly Posted: 18 Jan 2010 08:00 AM PST Even simple insects can generate quite different movement patterns with their six legs. The animal uses various gaits depending on whether it crawls uphill or downhill, slowly or fast. Scientists have now developed a walking robot, which can flexibly and autonomously switch between different gaits. The success of their solution lies in its simplicity: a small and simple network with just a few connections can create very diverse movement patterns. To this end, the robot uses a mechanism for "chaos control."

First successful use of expanded umbilical-cord blood units to treat leukemia Posted: 18 Jan 2010 08:00 AM PST Scientists have cleared a major technical hurdle to making umbilical-cord-blood transplants a more widely-used method for treating leukemia and other blood cancers.

New genetic map will speed up plant breeding of the world's most important medicinal crop Posted: 18 Jan 2010 08:00 AM PST Plant scientists at the University of York have published the first genetic map of the medicinal herb Artemisia annua. The map is being used to accelerate plant breeding of Artemisia and rapidly develop the species into a high-yielding crop. This development is urgently needed to help meet escalating demand for effective malaria treatments.

Psoriasis drugs put to the test Posted: 18 Jan 2010 08:00 AM PST Clinical trials to test the effectiveness of two prescription drugs for the debilitating skin condition psoriasis have revealed significant differences that should help inform physicians treating patients with the condition.

Making microscopic worms into a more deadly insecticide Posted: 18 Jan 2010 08:00 AM PST Microscopic nematode worms can be a potent organic insecticide, killing crop-raiding bugs without without environmental side effects of chemicals. But when the worms are mass-bred for agriculture, they tend to "wimp out," and are not as deadly as their cousins that grow in the wild. A new study identified the genetic changes in lab-raised worms that make them less deadly to insects. These insights also provide a map for weakening worms that target humans.

Migraine and depression may share genetic component Posted: 18 Jan 2010 08:00 AM PST New research shows that migraine and depression may share a strong genetic component. The study involved 2,652 people who took part in the larger Erasmus Rucphen Family study. All of the participants are descendants of 22 couples who lived in Rucphen in the 1850s to 1900s.

Punishment important in plant-pollinator relationship Posted: 18 Jan 2010 05:00 AM PST Figs and the wasps that pollinate them present one of biologists' favorite examples of a beneficial relationship between two different species. In exchange for the pollination service provided by the wasp, the fig fruit provides room and board for the wasp's developing young. However, wasps do not always pollinate the fig. Fig trees "punish" these "cheaters" by dropping unpollinated fruit, killing the wasp's offspring inside, report researchers.

New gene variants associated with glucose, insulin levels, some with diabetes risk Posted: 18 Jan 2010 05:00 AM PST Scientists have found 13 new genetic variants that influence blood glucose regulation, insulin resistance, and the function of insulin-secreting beta cells in populations of European descent. Five of the newly discovered variants increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes.

Protein complex possibly crucial for triggering embryo development identified Posted: 18 Jan 2010 05:00 AM PST Researchers have discovered a protein complex that appears to play a significant role in erasing epigenetic instructions on sperm DNA, essentially creating a blank slate for the different cell types of a new embryo to develop.

Drug that modifies gene activity could help some older leukemia patients Posted: 18 Jan 2010 05:00 AM PST Older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) might benefit from a drug that reactivates genes that cancer cells turn off, according to new research. Researchers say the findings support further investigation of the drug, decitabine, as a first-line treatment for these patients, who have limited treatment options.

Fleet of high-tech robot 'gliders' to explore oceans Posted: 18 Jan 2010 05:00 AM PST Researchers in Germany recently obtained the biggest fleet of so-called gliders in Europe. These instruments can explore the oceans like sailplanes up to a depth of 1000 meters. In doing so they only consume as much energy as a bike light. In the next years, up to ten of these high-tech instruments will take measurements to better understand many processes in the oceans. Currently scientists and technicians are preparing the devices for their first mission as a 'swarm' in the tropical Atlantic.

Burst of neural activity marks transition between not seeing and seeing Posted: 18 Jan 2010 05:00 AM PST Scientists find a burst of neural activity at the transition between not seeing and seeing, revealing a clear threshold that must be crossed for perception to occur.

New insights into inherited retinal disease Posted: 18 Jan 2010 02:00 AM PST Scientists have discovered new links between a common form of inherited blindness affecting children and a gene known as Abelson helper integration site-1 (AHI1). Their findings may lead to new therapies and improved diagnostics for retinal disease.

Novel growth pattern classification predictive of outcome in non-small cell lung cancer Posted: 18 Jan 2010 02:00 AM PST Researchers have classified tumors into three growth patterns: destructive, alveolar and papillary. This is useful in patients undergoing operations.

MechanoBiology: New protein function discovered Posted: 18 Jan 2010 02:00 AM PST Scientists have discovered a new function of a protein that could save lives.

Table saw-related injuries have remained consistently high, study finds Posted: 18 Jan 2010 02:00 AM PST A recent study found that from 1990-2007, an estimated 565,670 non-occupational table saw-related injuries were treated in US hospital emergency departments, averaging 31,500 injuries per year.

Scent of a woman: Men's testosterone responses to olfactory ovulation cues Posted: 17 Jan 2010 11:00 PM PST Women around the world spend billions of dollars each year on exotic smelling perfumes and lotions in the hopes of attracting a mate. However, going "au natural" may be the best way to capture a potential mate's attention: Men who smelled shirts of ovulating women subsequently had higher levels of testosterone than men who smelled shirts worn by non-ovulating women, suggesting that testosterone levels may be responsive to smells indicating when a woman is fertile.

Scientists hope to end sleeping sickness by making parasite that causes it to self-destruct Posted: 17 Jan 2010 11:00 PM PST Scientists are developing new drug therapies that they hope will kill the family of parasites that causes a deadly trio of insect-borne diseases and has afflicted inhabitants of underdeveloped and developing nations for centuries.

More evidence on benefits of high blood pressure drugs in diabetic eye disease Posted: 17 Jan 2010 11:00 PM PST Scientists are reporting new evidence that certain high blood pressure drugs may be useful in preventing and treating diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of vision loss in people with diabetes. The study, the largest to date on proteins in the retina, could lead to new ways to prevent or treat the sight-threatening disease, they say.

Lung cancer: Drug with unique disruption of tumor blood flow shows promise Posted: 17 Jan 2010 11:00 PM PST Phase II study results of the agent ASA404 showed promise in patients with either squamous or non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.

New iPhone app to measure carbon intensity of UK electricity grid Posted: 17 Jan 2010 11:00 PM PST As temperatures drop below freezing and demand for energy soars, engineers have launched a new iPhone application to monitor the UK electricity grid.

New method to measure childhood stress Posted: 17 Jan 2010 11:00 PM PST Researchers in Spain have created the 'Inventory of Daily Stressors' -- a method aimed at schoolchildren. According to experts, worrying about physical appearance, taking part in numerous extracurricular activities and being alone a lot are some of the factors that increase the risk of suffering from childhood stress.

Wilder weather exerts a stronger influence on biodiversity than steadily changing conditions Posted: 17 Jan 2010 05:00 PM PST An increase in the variability of local conditions could do more to harm biodiversity than slower shifts in climate, a new study has found.

How sunlight causes skin cells to turn cancerous Posted: 17 Jan 2010 05:00 PM PST A new study by could lead to new drug treatments for skin cancer. The drugs would work by turning on a gene that prevents skin cells from becoming cancerous.

'Noisiest' neurons persist in the adult brain, research finds Posted: 17 Jan 2010 05:00 PM PST Neuroscientists have discovered that when it comes to new neurons in the adult brain, the squeakiest wheels get the grease.

Paradigm changing mechanism is revealed for the control of gene expression in bacteria Posted: 17 Jan 2010 05:00 PM PST A new study is shedding new light on the action of Rho, a key regulatory protein in E. coli and many other bacteria. The study reveals a new paradigm to understand the molecular principles of gene transcription. This work could potentially lead to the development of new types of antibiotics that could target Rho and its crucial functions.

Game-changing nanodiamond discovery for MRI Posted: 17 Jan 2010 05:00 PM PST A new study shows that coupling a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent to a nanodiamond results in dramatically enhanced signal intensity and thus vivid image contrast. The researchers say it is a game-changing event for sensitivity and the first published report of nanodiamonds being imaged by MRI technology.

Parks and recreation programs declining as obesity, health concerns rise Posted: 17 Jan 2010 05:00 PM PST One way to help address the epidemic of obesity in the United States is improved access to pleasant hiking trails and an ambitious parks and recreation program, a recent study suggests, but programs such as this are increasingly being reduced in many states due to budget shortfalls.

Proteins that might contribute to memory loss and Alzheimer's disease identified Posted: 17 Jan 2010 11:00 AM PST Scientists have identified three kinases, or proteins, that dismantle connections within brain cells, which may lead to memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Haiti earthquake: Converting shipping containers into emergency housing Posted: 17 Jan 2010 11:00 AM PST Resources to solve the housing crisis in Haiti may already be on hand. Some researchers have been experimenting with ways to convert shipping containers into emergency housing in the hurricane-prone Caribbean, where a surplus of the sturdy boxes often sits in port yards.

Cancer stem cells suppress immune response against brain tumor Posted: 17 Jan 2010 11:00 AM PST Cancer-initiating cells that launch glioblastoma multiforme, the most lethal type of brain tumor, also suppress an immune system attack on the disease, scientists have found.

Chemical composition of red giant star with more carbon than oxygen in its atmosphere Posted: 17 Jan 2010 11:00 AM PST Researchers of the University of Granada have conducted the most complete analysis of the chemical composition and evolutionary state of a spectral type R carbon star. The presence of carbon is essential for the possible development of life in the universe, and therefore explaining its origin is of vital importance.

Disadvantaged neighborhoods set children's reading skills on negative course Posted: 17 Jan 2010 11:00 AM PST A landmark study from the University of British Columbia finds that the neighborhoods in which children reside at kindergarten predict their reading comprehension skills seven years later. The study, published this week in the journal Health & Place, finds children who live in neighborhoods with higher rates of poverty show reduced scores on standardized tests seven years later -- regardless of the child's place of residence in seventh grade.

Search for an artificial blood substitute Posted: 17 Jan 2010 05:00 AM PST Among those around the globe seeking a viable blood alternative are scientists in the UK who have just submitted a worldwide patent for their engineered hemoglobin.

Genetic risk factor identified for Parkinson's disease Posted: 17 Jan 2010 05:00 AM PST Doctors and human geneticists have identified a new genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease.

HIFI resumes quest for water in Universe Posted: 17 Jan 2010 05:00 AM PST The back up system of HIFI, the state of the art Dutch space instrument on ESA's Herschel space telescope, has been switched on successfully. Due to an unexpected voltage peak in the electronic system HIFI has been inactive for more than 160 days, but on Thursday evening 14 January Mission Control in Darmstadt confirmed that HIFI is now fully capable of performing groundbreaking observations in space again.

Prevalence of high body mass index among children and teens remains steady Posted: 17 Jan 2010 05:00 AM PST The prevalence of high weight among children and teens in the US (i.e., at or above the 95th percentile), ranges from approximately 10 percent to 18 percent, although these rates appear to have remained relatively stable over the past 10 years, except for an increase for 6- to 19-year-old boys who are at the very heaviest weight levels, according to a new study.

Much of early methane rise can be attributed to spreading of northern peatlands Posted: 17 Jan 2010 05:00 AM PST The surprising increase in methane concentrations millennia ago, identified in continental glacier studies, has puzzled researchers for a long time. According to a strong theory, this would have resulted from the commencement of rice cultivation in East Asia. However, a study by researchers in Finland shows that the massive expanse of the northern peatlands occurred around 5000 years ago, coincident with rising atmospheric methane levels.

Health care professionals failing to tell patients they are not fit to drive Posted: 17 Jan 2010 05:00 AM PST Many health care professionals are failing to advise people with medical conditions that could affect their ability to drive whether they should get behind the wheel, according to new research.

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