ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• New research rejects 80-year theory of 'primordial soup' as the origin of life
• Mechanical forces could affect gene expression
• Tobacco plant-made therapeutic thwarts West Nile virus
• Genetically-modified mice reveal another mechanism contributing to heart failure
• Applied electric field can significantly improve hydrogen storage properties
• New brain research: Hunger for stimulation driven by dopamine in the brain
• Ancient crocodile relative likely food source for Titanoboa, largest snake ever known
• Acetaminophen protects kidneys after muscle injury
• Eco-friendly way of decomposing BPA-containing plastic
• Smoking cessation significantly increases cardiac health later in life
• Storm runoff and sewage treatment outflow contaminated with household pesticides
• Exercise may increase volume in certain brain areas of patients with schizophrenia
• Genetic test for 'speed gene' in thoroughbred horses
• Doctors miss major cause of infertility and obesity: Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Heart patients using herbal remedies may be at heightened risk of dangerous drug interactions
• Anti-spasticity medications need further research
• How certain hormones control aspects of root branching in plants
• Functional connection between hippocampus and cortex modulates anxiety
• Hubble catches end of star-making party in nearby dwarf galaxy
• Loss of 'guardian angel' gene prompts premature birth
• Why is it so difficult to eradicate salmonella?
• Neural processing differences in ADHD in individuals with and without prenatal alcohol exposure
• Helpful yeast battles food-contaminating aflatoxin
• Relationship recall: Attachment style may affect memories of relationship events
• SIDS linked to low levels of serotonin
• New insights into breast-feeding hormone
• Marine lab hunts subtle clues to environmental threats to blue crabs
• Possible new heritable marker for retinoblastoma
• Measuring rainfall with mobile phone antennas
• Children with suspected development problems may not get needed referrals, study shows
• Forests are growing faster, ecologists discover; Climate change appears to be driving accelerated growth
• HIV researchers solve key puzzle after 20 years of trying
• Almond tree's secret weapon
• Epigenetics could help researchers determine any risks associated with low-dose radiation
• Airborne Radar Captures Image of Post-Quake Haiti
• Brain arousal heightens sexual activity in male mice
• Last ancestor humans shared with worms had sophisticated brain, microRNAs show
• Childhood obesity may contribute to later onset of puberty for boys
• Right-handed and left-handed people do not see the same bright side of things
• How virulent food-borne bacteria listeria monocytogenes induces infected immune cells to sabotage their own defensive response
• Glacier-melting debate highlights importance of satellites
• Why the mirror lies: In people with body dysmorphic disorder, distorted self-image could be result of brain's abnormal processing of visual input
• Ability to navigate may be linked to genes
• Enzyme that 'cleans off' cancer cells discovered
• DNA testing on 2,000-year-old bones in Italy reveal East Asian ancestry
• Child-specific doses for pediatric PET patients
• Scientists create new way to screen libraries of 10 million or more compounds
• Genetic mutations associated with suicide risk among patients with depression

New research rejects 80-year theory of 'primordial soup' as the origin of life Posted: 03 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST For 80 years it has been accepted that early life began in a "primordial soup" of organic molecules before evolving out of the oceans millions of years later. Today the "soup" theory has been overturned in a pioneering article which claims it was the Earth's chemical energy, from hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor, which kick-started early life.

Mechanical forces could affect gene expression Posted: 03 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST Researchers have shown that tension on DNA molecules can affect gene expression -- the process at the heart of biological function that tells a cell what to do.

Tobacco plant-made therapeutic thwarts West Nile virus Posted: 03 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST A new therapeutic made from tobacco plants has been shown to arrest West Nile virus infection, according to a new study.

Genetically-modified mice reveal another mechanism contributing to heart failure Posted: 03 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST Scientists at the Robarts Research Institute at the University of Western Ontario, working in collaboration with researchers in Brazil, have used a unique genetically-modified mouse line to reveal a previously unidentified mechanism contributing to heart failure. The study, led by Marco Prado, Robert Gros and Vania Prado of London, Canada and Silvia Guatimosim of Brazil, shows how the decreased release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, a chemical messenger which slows cardiac activity, contributes to heart failure.

Applied electric field can significantly improve hydrogen storage properties Posted: 03 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST An international team of researchers has identified a new theoretical approach that may one day make the synthesis of hydrogen fuel storage materials less complicated and improve the thermodynamics and reversibility of the system.

New brain research: Hunger for stimulation driven by dopamine in the brain Posted: 03 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST Our need for stimulation and dopamine's action upon the brain are connected, which explains why people who constantly crave stimulation are in danger of addictive behavior such as drug abuse and gambling.

Ancient crocodile relative likely food source for Titanoboa, largest snake ever known Posted: 03 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST A 60-million-year-old relative of crocodiles was likely a food source for Titanoboa, the largest snake the world has ever known. Paleontologists found fossils of the new species of ancient crocodile in the Cerrejon Formation in northern Colombia. The site, one of the world's largest open-pit coal mines, also yielded skeletons of the giant, boa constrictor-like Titanoboa, which measured up to 45 feet long.

Acetaminophen protects kidneys after muscle injury Posted: 03 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST Severe muscle injuries -- such as crush injuries suffered in earthquakes, car accidents and explosions, and muscle damage from excessive exercise or statin drug interactions -- can cause life-threatening kidney damage. Treatment has been limited to intravenous fluids and dialysis, but a new study suggests that the commonly used pain reliever acetaminophen may protect the kidneys from damage.

Eco-friendly way of decomposing BPA-containing plastic Posted: 03 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST Just as cooking helps people digest food, pretreating polycarbonate plastic -- source of a huge environmental headache because of its bisphenol A content -- may be the key to disposing of the waste in an eco-friendly way, scientists have found.

Smoking cessation significantly increases cardiac health later in life Posted: 03 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST New research finds that quitting smoking after a heart attack has about the same positive effect as other major interventions such as lipid-lowering agents like statins or more invasive procedures.

Storm runoff and sewage treatment outflow contaminated with household pesticides Posted: 03 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST Pyrethroid pesticides were supposed to be a benign replacement for organophosphates used around the home, but a new study shows that these insecticides are showing up at toxic levels in storm runoff and even in the effluent from sewage treatment plants. While the levels are not high enough to harm fish, they may be enough to kill the mayfly, caddisfly and stonefly larvae upon which the fish feed.

Exercise may increase volume in certain brain areas of patients with schizophrenia Posted: 03 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST Potentially beneficial brain changes (an increase in the volume of an area known as the hippocampus) occur in response to exercise both in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls, according to a report. The findings suggest that the brain retains some plasticity, or ability to adapt, even in those with psychotic disorders.

Genetic test for 'speed gene' in thoroughbred horses Posted: 03 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST Groundbreaking research led by a leading horse genomics scientist in Ireland has resulted in the identification of the 'speed gene' in thoroughbred horses.

Doctors miss major cause of infertility and obesity: Polycystic ovary syndrome Posted: 03 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST Ballooning weight, irregular periods and trouble getting pregnant are red flags for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It's a serious metabolic disorder and one of the major causes of hormonally related infertility -- affecting about 5 million women in the US. But the disorder remains largely undiagnosed and unknown. The complex genetic disease has long-term health risks throughout a woman's lifespan, including obesity, diabetes and heart disease. New research shows men are also affected.

Heart patients using herbal remedies may be at heightened risk of dangerous drug interactions Posted: 03 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST More and more Americans are turning to herbal remedies to help manage chronic conditions or promote general health and wellness. But many of today's popular herbal supplements, including St. John's wort, gingko biloba, garlic and even grapefruit juice can pose serious risks to people who are taking medications for heart disease, according to a review article.

Anti-spasticity medications need further research Posted: 03 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST Only a few anti-spasticity medications used for children with cerebral palsy are backed by sufficient research to justify their use, according to a new review.

How certain hormones control aspects of root branching in plants Posted: 03 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST Scientists describe that the plant hormone auxin together with an increased cell cycle activity leads to a boost in root branching in the common thale cress Arabidopsis thaliana. In addition, they showed that two proteins that are crucial for embryo development also play a critical role in root branching. These results could be used to raise plants that are fast-growing even in dry and nutrient-poor soils.

Functional connection between hippocampus and cortex modulates anxiety Posted: 03 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST A new study demonstrates that cooperation between the hippocampus, best known for its critical role in learning and memory, and a principal downstream cortical target modulates anxiety-related behaviors in mice. The research provides intriguing insight into how anxiety is processed in the brain and may help to explain what governs anxiety-related behaviors.

Hubble catches end of star-making party in nearby dwarf galaxy Posted: 03 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST Galaxies throughout the universe are ablaze with star birth. But for a nearby, small spiral galaxy, the star-making party is almost over. Astronomers were surprised to find that star-formation activities in the outer regions of NGC 2976 have been virtually asleep because they shut down millions of years ago. The celebration is confined to a few die-hard partygoers huddled in the galaxy's inner region.

Loss of 'guardian angel' gene prompts premature birth Posted: 03 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST Mutation of a gene that helps protect the body from genetic instability leads to cellular and molecular changes in the pregnant uterus that trigger premature birth, according to a study. The research sheds new light on the still poorly understood genetic and physiological reasons for preterm births.

Why is it so difficult to eradicate salmonella? Posted: 03 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST Feed contaminated by salmonella bacteria is a familiar and costly problem for the animal feed industry all over the world. Some types of salmonella have succeeded in establishing themselves in feed and fish meal factories and have persisted there for several years because it has proved impossible to eradicate them.

Neural processing differences in ADHD in individuals with and without prenatal alcohol exposure Posted: 03 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST The adverse effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on behavioral, cognitive, and social development can lead to a range of symptoms referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Attention and cognition problems seen in individuals with a history of prenatal alcohol exposure often resemble those linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). An assessment of these disorders has found that while children with FASD may meet the behavioral criteria for ADHD, their attention difficulties differ in subtle but important respects.

Helpful yeast battles food-contaminating aflatoxin Posted: 03 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST Pistachios, almonds and other popular tree nuts might someday be routinely sprayed with a yeast called Pichia anomala to help protect against aflatoxin contamination, according to a plant physiologist.

Relationship recall: Attachment style may affect memories of relationship events Posted: 03 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST It can be frustrating when our partners remember things differently than we do, but according to new research, they are not trying to be difficult, but personality may affect how they (and we) remember relationship events (such as discussions). Specifically, the way highly anxious and avoidant individuals remember certain events is based on their needs and goals for the relationship, but only if they were distressed when the memories were created.

SIDS linked to low levels of serotonin Posted: 02 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST The brains of infants who die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) produce low levels of serotonin, a brain chemical that conveys messages between cells and plays a vital role in regulating breathing, heart rate, and sleep, researchers report.

New insights into breast-feeding hormone Posted: 02 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST Scientist have discovered a mechanism for regulating the hormone prolactin. The finding may be significant for conditions and functions such as breast-feeding, sexual libido, and metabolism.

Marine lab hunts subtle clues to environmental threats to blue crabs Posted: 02 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST Researchers are at work trying to identify the clues that will finger specific, yet elusive, environmental threats to the Atlantic blue crab.

Possible new heritable marker for retinoblastoma Posted: 02 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST Researchers have shed light on the possible role of inactivation of the 16INK4A gene in the progression of retinoblastoma.

Measuring rainfall with mobile phone antennas Posted: 02 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST As rain interferes with radio signals, researchers have been able to measure rainfall using data supplied by the mobile telecommunications company Orange. The new method offers greater spatial resolution than traditional point measurements provided by rain gauges. In the future, this could be combined with intelligent control systems for sewer networks so as to reduce water pollution in urban areas.

Children with suspected development problems may not get needed referrals, study shows Posted: 02 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST Many pediatricians score high on screening their patients for developmental delays, but barely make a passing grade in referring children with suspected delays for further testing or treatment, according to a new study.

Forests are growing faster, ecologists discover; Climate change appears to be driving accelerated growth Posted: 02 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST Speed is not a word typically associated with trees; they can take centuries to grow. However, a new study finds evidence that forests in the Eastern United States are growing faster than they have in the past 225 years. The study offers a rare look at how an ecosystem is responding to climate change.

HIV researchers solve key puzzle after 20 years of trying Posted: 02 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST Researchers have made a breakthrough in HIV research that had eluded scientists for over 20 years, potentially leading to better treatments for HIV. The researchers have grown a crystal that reveals the structure of an enzyme called integrase, which is found in retroviruses like HIV. When HIV infects someone, it uses integrase to paste a copy of its genetic information into their DNA.

Almond tree's secret weapon Posted: 02 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST Has the almond tree developed a unique way of drawing potential pollinators? A group of researchers in Israel speculate that the toxin called amygdalin that is found in almond tree nectar is in fact an evolutionary development intended to give that tree an advantage over others in its surroundings.

Epigenetics could help researchers determine any risks associated with low-dose radiation Posted: 02 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST There remains a lack of consensus amongst the medical and scientific communities about any cancer risk from low level radiation, particularly low-dose radiation delivered from computed tomography (CT) scans. However, the study of epigenetics may play a role in determining whether or not future trends of diseases can in fact be linked to utilization of CT, according to a new article.

Airborne Radar Captures Image of Post-Quake Haiti Posted: 02 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST JPL's Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) captured a composite image of the city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and the surrounding region on Jan. 27, 2010. This image will be combined with other images of the same area to be acquired later this month and in the future in order to measure the motion of Earth's surface during the time between images using interferometry.

Brain arousal heightens sexual activity in male mice Posted: 02 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST The most powerful sexual organ, it's said, is the brain. Now here's the evidence. New research shows that an overly excitable brain hastens sexual activity in male mice and increases their nervous energy, a finding that not only points to the existence of a central brain mechanism that gives rise to all behaviors but also begins to untangle the driving force behind all motivational and emotional states.

Last ancestor humans shared with worms had sophisticated brain, microRNAs show Posted: 02 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST The last ancestor we shared with worms, which roamed the seas around 600 million years ago, may already have had a sophisticated brain. Fossils cannot give us this information, but scientists have obtained it by studying small molecules called microRNAs.

Childhood obesity may contribute to later onset of puberty for boys Posted: 02 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST Increasing rates of obese and overweight children in the United States may be contributing to a later onset of puberty in boys, say researchers.

Right-handed and left-handed people do not see the same bright side of things Posted: 02 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST Despite the common association of "right" with life, correctness, positiveness and good things, and "left" with death, clumsiness, negativity and bad things, recent research shows that most left-handed people hold the opposite association. Thus, left-handers become an interesting case in which conceptual associations as a result of a sensory-motor experience, and conceptual associations that rely on linguistic and cultural norms, are contradictory.

How virulent food-borne bacteria listeria monocytogenes induces infected immune cells to sabotage their own defensive response Posted: 02 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST Researchers have discovered how the virulent food-borne bacteria Listeria monocytogenes induces infected immune cells to sabotage their own defensive response. The studies offer insight into host-pathogen interactions and suggest potential therapeutic targets for food poisoning, tuberculosis and autoimmune diseases.

Glacier-melting debate highlights importance of satellites Posted: 02 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST The intense public debate on how rapidly the Himalayan glaciers are retreating highlights the necessity for the constant monitoring of glaciers worldwide by satellites.

Why the mirror lies: In people with body dysmorphic disorder, distorted self-image could be result of brain's abnormal processing of visual input Posted: 02 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST Researchers have determined that the brains of people with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a psychiatric condition that causes them, wrongly, to believe they appear disfigured and ugly, have abnormalities in processing visual input when it comes to examining their own face. Further, they found that the same systems of the brain are overactive in BDD and in obsessive-compulsive disorder, suggesting a link between the two.

Ability to navigate may be linked to genes Posted: 02 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST New research for the first time links genes to our ability to orient ourselves to the world around us an then navigate through it.

Enzyme that 'cleans off' cancer cells discovered Posted: 02 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST Scientists have discovered that an enzyme can rid cells of a gene believed to be responsible for a wide range of cancers.

DNA testing on 2,000-year-old bones in Italy reveal East Asian ancestry Posted: 02 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST Researchers excavating an ancient Roman cemetery were surprised when DNA testing on a set of bones revealed East Asian ancestry.

Child-specific doses for pediatric PET patients Posted: 02 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST Researchers have gathered data that may provide clinicians with new formulas -- specific to pediatrics -- to calculate the amount of radiotracer that should be injected based on the patient's weight.

Scientists create new way to screen libraries of 10 million or more compounds Posted: 02 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST The search for new drug compounds is probably worse than looking for a needle in a haystack because scientists are limited in the size of the haystacks they can rummage through -- time and money make it virtually impossible to screen or search through super-large libraries of potential compounds. This is a serious problem, because there is enormous interest in identifying synthetic molecules that bind to proteins for applications in drug discovery, biology and proteomics, and larger libraries should mean higher odds of success.

Genetic mutations associated with suicide risk among patients with depression Posted: 02 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST Single mutations in genes involved with nerve cell formation and growth appear to be associated with the risk of attempting suicide among individuals with depression, according to a report posted online today that will appear in the April print issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

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