ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Spherical cows help to dump metabolism law
• Scientists map epigenome of human stem cells during development
• Baker's yeast: A promising, natural therapy for cancer?
• Link between human birth defect syndrome, cancer metastasis explored
• Learning from climate's sedimental journey
• Pay it forward: Elevation leads to altruistic behavior
• Magnetic nanoparticles show promise for combating human cancer
• Scientists find ideal target for malaria therapy
• Laboratory 'gunfights' show that movement is swiftest in response to events in the environment
• Immune protein fends off exotic virus
• Code defends against 'stealthy' computer worms
• Shark virgin birth study shows offspring can survive long term
• Quantum mechanics at work in photosynthesis: Algae familiar with these processes for nearly two billion years
• New class of AIDS drug? Two compounds lay foundation, help combat drug-resistant virus strains
• Chemists discover how antiviral drugs bind to and block flu virus
• Cord blood-derived CD133+ cells improve cardiac function after myocardial infarction
• Optical refrigeration expected to enhance airborne and spaceborne applications
• Excessive Internet use is linked to depression
• Merging galaxies create a binary quasar
• Mother's exposure to bisphenol A may increase children's chances of asthma
• Bad news for mosquitoes: Scent receptor research may lead to better traps, repellents
• Curing more cervical cancer cases may be in the math
• Male erectile dysfunction drug enhances fetal growth in female sheep, study finds
• Suicides by mental health patients preventable, says report
• Some morbidly obese people are missing genes, shows new research
• Malaria's key survival protein identified, offering drug hope
• Is iron from soil a factor in algal blooms?
• Symptoms have little value for early detection of ovarian cancer
• Haiti earthquake a reminder that disasters are preventable, expert says
• Recent immigrants may have lower risk of early stroke
• Black carbon a significant factor in melting of Himalayan glaciers
• New vaccine effective in preventing TB in African patients with HIV infection
• Sources of infection: Mycobacterium avium infections in pigs, humans and birds in Norway
• Severe complications of diabetes higher in depressed patients
• Ecology: Introducing new genes for restoration purposes may affect local populations
• Electronic health records need better monitoring, experts urge
• 'Good' bacteria keep immune system primed to fight future infections
• Scientists discover alterations in brain's reward system related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
• Cell growth regulates genetic circuits
• Diabetes medication may help decrease BMI in obese adolescents
• Secure radio signal for central locking
• Gene variation makes alcoholism less likely in some survivors of sexual abuse
• Astronomers find rare beast by new means
• New way to lose fat, keep the lean
• New neutron studies support magnetism's role in superconductors
• Making macrophages protect against effects of obesity
• Special effects in Avatar made possible thanks to European technology
• US Parkinson's rates highest in whites, Hispanics, and Midwest, Northeast

Spherical cows help to dump metabolism law Posted: 04 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST Apparently, the mysterious "3/4 law of metabolism" -- proposed by Max Kleiber in 1932, printed in biology textbooks for decades, and described as "extended to all life forms" from bacteria to whales -- is just plain wrong. "Actually, it's two-thirds," says University of Vermont mathematician Peter Dodds. A new paper of his helps overturn almost 80 years of near-mystical belief in a 3/4 exponent used to describe the relationship between the size of animals and their resting metabolism.

Scientists map epigenome of human stem cells during development Posted: 04 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST Singapore and US scientists have mapped major components of the epigenome and DNA methylation for the entire human DNA sequence, and compared three cell types representing three stages of human development.

Baker's yeast: A promising, natural therapy for cancer? Posted: 04 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST Researchers are investigating the potential use of nonpathogenic baker's yeast as a promising, natural therapy for cancer.

Link between human birth defect syndrome, cancer metastasis explored Posted: 04 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST Some cells are natural rule-breakers. Neural crest cells for example, not only migrate throughout the body during development (most cells are more selective in their wandering), they are also more developmentally flexible than their predecessors (a no-no for nearly all cell types). Now researchers have shown that a protein that controls DNA accessibility is responsible for the cells' unruly ways.

Learning from climate's sedimental journey Posted: 04 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST By analyzing sediments up to 4,000 years old, an environmental scientist is hoping to provide a tool to help predict future climate change. Ancient records of what was happening with climate conditions can be used with regional climate models to tell a story of what happened in the past and to correlate it to the present and the future. Current models typically use data only for the last 100 years or less and may miss wet and dry periods from past millennia.

Pay it forward: Elevation leads to altruistic behavior Posted: 04 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST Seeing someone perform a virtuous deed (especially if they are helping another person), makes us feel good -- a positive, uplifting emotion, known as "elevation." New findings suggest that elevation may lead to helping behavior: participants who viewed an uplifting TV clip spent almost twice as long helping a research assistant than participants who saw a neutral TV clip or a comedy clip.

Magnetic nanoparticles show promise for combating human cancer Posted: 04 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST Scientists at Georgia Tech and the Ovarian Cancer Institute have further developed a potential new treatment against cancer that uses magnetic nanoparticles to attach to cancer cells, removing them from the body. The treatment, tested in mice in 2008, has now been tested using samples from human cancer patients.

Scientists find ideal target for malaria therapy Posted: 04 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST Scientists have identified a protein made by the malaria parasite that is essential to its ability to take over human red blood cells.

Laboratory 'gunfights' show that movement is swiftest in response to events in the environment Posted: 04 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST Scientists have carried out "laboratory gunfights" to show that we move faster when we react to something in our environment than we do when we initiate the action ourselves -- an idea inspired by cowboy movies but in reality more useful for avoiding oncoming traffic.

Immune protein fends off exotic virus Posted: 04 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST A study shows that antiviral proteins called type I interferons (IFNs) are needed to fend off infection with an exotic mosquito-borne virus called Chikungunya virus. This pathogen, which causes high fevers and severe joint pain, triggered a recent epidemic in Southeast Asia, infecting more than 30 percent of the population in some areas.

Code defends against 'stealthy' computer worms Posted: 04 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST Self-propagating worms are malicious computer programs, which, after being released, can spread throughout networks without human control, stealing or erasing hard drive data, interfering with pre-installed programs and slowing, even crashing, home and work computers. Now a new code, or algorithm, created by researchers targets the "stealthiest" of these worms, containing them before an outbreak can occur.

Shark virgin birth study shows offspring can survive long term Posted: 04 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST Shark pups born to virgin mothers can survive over the long-term, according to new research. The study shows for the first time that some virgin births can result in viable offspring.

Quantum mechanics at work in photosynthesis: Algae familiar with these processes for nearly two billion years Posted: 04 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST Chemists have made a major contribution to the emerging field of quantum biology, observing quantum mechanics at work in photosynthesis in marine algae.

New class of AIDS drug? Two compounds lay foundation, help combat drug-resistant virus strains Posted: 04 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST A team of scientists has identified two compounds that act on novel binding sites for an enzyme used by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS. The discovery lays the foundation for the development of a new class of anti-HIV drugs to enhance existing therapies, treat drug-resistant strains of the disease, and slow the evolution of drug resistance in the virus.

Chemists discover how antiviral drugs bind to and block flu virus Posted: 04 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST Researchers have determined where an antiviral drug binds to and blocks a channel necessary for the flu virus to spread. The team also discovered that the drug spins in the channel, meaning there could be room for developing drugs that do a better job blocking the channel and stopping the flu.

Cord blood-derived CD133+ cells improve cardiac function after myocardial infarction Posted: 04 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST Researchers have evaluated the therapeutic potential of purified and expanded CD133+ cells human umbilical cord blood (HUCB)-derived in treating myocardial infarction by intramyocardially injecting them into a rat model. Patients who have high cardiovascular risks have fewer endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and their EPCs exhibit greater in vitro senescence.

Optical refrigeration expected to enhance airborne and spaceborne applications Posted: 04 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST Researchers have created the first-ever all-solid-state cryocooler that can be applied to airborne and spaceborne sensors.

Excessive Internet use is linked to depression Posted: 04 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST People who spend a lot of time browsing the 'Net' are more likely to show depressive symptoms, according to the first large-scale study of its kind.

Merging galaxies create a binary quasar Posted: 04 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST Astronomers have found the first clear evidence of a binary quasar within a pair of actively merging galaxies. Binary quasars, like other quasars, are thought to be the product of galaxy mergers. Until now, however, binary quasars have not been seen in galaxies unambiguously in the act of merging. But images the Magellan telescope in Chile show two distinct galaxies with "tails" produced by their mutual gravitational attraction.

Mother's exposure to bisphenol A may increase children's chances of asthma Posted: 04 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST Mouse experiments have produced evidence that a mother's exposure to bisphenol A may increase the odds that her children will develop asthma.

Bad news for mosquitoes: Scent receptor research may lead to better traps, repellents Posted: 04 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST Researchers have found more than two dozen scent receptors in malaria-transmitting mosquitoes that detect compounds in human sweat, a finding that may help scientists to develop new ways to combat a disease that kills 1 million people annually.

Curing more cervical cancer cases may be in the math Posted: 04 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST A third of cervical cancer cases respond poorly to standard therapy or experience recurrence, making cure difficult. A new mathematical model using information gathered by magnetic resonance imaging scans may make it possible to identify patients with non-responding tumors much sooner. These patients could then be offered aggressive or experimental therapy midway through treatment, something not possible now.

Male erectile dysfunction drug enhances fetal growth in female sheep, study finds Posted: 04 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST Viagra (sildenafil citrate), which is used to treat male erectile dysfunction, enhanced blood flow in pregnant female sheep, helping send vital amino acids and other nutrients needed in fetal development, a new study has found. The study's results not only will assist with solving fetal development problems in other livestock, but possibly in humans.

Suicides by mental health patients preventable, says report Posted: 04 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST Preventing patients from leaving psychiatric wards without staff agreement could avoid up to 50 suicide deaths every year, say University of Manchester researchers.

Some morbidly obese people are missing genes, shows new research Posted: 04 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST A small but significant proportion of morbidly obese people are missing a section of their DNA, according to new research. The authors of the study say that missing DNA such as that identified in this research may be having a dramatic effect on some people's weight.

Malaria's key survival protein identified, offering drug hope Posted: 04 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST Researchers in Australia have identified a key protein used by the malaria parasite to transform human red blood cells, ensuring the parasite's survival. Their discovery means researchers have a clear target against which to develop a new class of anti-malarial drugs that destroy the parasite.

Is iron from soil a factor in algal blooms? Posted: 04 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST Scientists are studying the part that iron from Australia's iron-rich soil plays in the algal blooms that plague parts of the eastern coast line during summer.

Symptoms have little value for early detection of ovarian cancer Posted: 04 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST Use of symptoms to trigger a medical evaluation for ovarian cancer does not appear to detect early-stage ovarian cancer earlier and would likely result in diagnosis in only 1 out of 100 women in the general population with such symptoms, according to a new article.

Haiti earthquake a reminder that disasters are preventable, expert says Posted: 04 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST Amid all the commentary focused on the historic tragedy in Haiti, a tough but important fact -- disasters are preventable -- has gone virtually unmentioned, according to a nationally recognized expert on disasters.

Recent immigrants may have lower risk of early stroke Posted: 04 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST New immigrants to North America may be less likely to have a stroke at a young age than long-time residents, according to a new study.

Black carbon a significant factor in melting of Himalayan glaciers Posted: 03 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST The fact that glaciers in the Himalayan mountains are thinning is not disputed. However, few researchers have attempted to rigorously examine and quantify the causes. Scientists have now isolated the impacts of the most commonly blamed culprit -- greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide -- from other particles in the air that may be causing the melting. Their research finds that airborne black carbon aerosols, or soot, from India is a major contributor to the decline in snow and ice cover on the glaciers.

New vaccine effective in preventing TB in African patients with HIV infection Posted: 03 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST Results of a clinical trial show that a new vaccine against tuberculosis is effective in preventing tuberculosis in people with HIV infection. Scientists found that MV immunization reduced the rate of definite tuberculosis by 39 percent among 2,000 HIV-infected patients in Tanzania.

Sources of infection: Mycobacterium avium infections in pigs, humans and birds in Norway Posted: 03 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST New research from Norway has shown that Mycobacterium avium does not infect pigs via birds, as previously believed. M. avium can be divided into several subspecies, and the research shows that birds are infected by one particular subspecies, whereas pigs and humans are infected by another. Closely related bacteria were isolated in pigs and humans, which would indicate that pigs and humans are vulnerable to infection from the same sources in their surroundings.

Severe complications of diabetes higher in depressed patients Posted: 03 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST A prospective study of Group Health primary-care patients with diabetes in western Washington showed that depression raised the risks of advanced and severe complications from diabetes during a five-year follow-up. These complications include kidney failure or blindness, the result of small vessel damage, as well as major vessel problems leading to heart attack or stroke.

Ecology: Introducing new genes for restoration purposes may affect local populations Posted: 03 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST Revegetation seems like a beneficial strategy for conserving and restoring damaged ecosystems, and using a variety of species can help increase biodiversity in these systems. But what risks are involved with introducing seeds from other locations to plants located near the damaged site? When new, foreign genes are introduced to a damaged site, neighboring populations may experience initial negative effects; however, over time, the negative effects may diminish and the maladapted foreign genes will decrease.

Electronic health records need better monitoring, experts urge Posted: 03 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST The push is on for health-care providers to make the switch to electronic health records but it is hard to tell how well these complex health information technology systems are being implemented and used.

'Good' bacteria keep immune system primed to fight future infections Posted: 03 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST Scientists have long pondered the seeming contradiction that taking broad-spectrum antibiotics over a long period of time can lead to severe secondary bacterial infections. Now researchers may have figured out why. They show that "good" bacteria in the gut keep the immune system primed to more effectively fight infection from invading pathogenic bacteria. Altering the intricate dynamic between resident and foreign bacteria -- via antibiotics, for example -- compromises an animal's immune response.

Scientists discover alterations in brain's reward system related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder Posted: 03 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST Until now, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was related to alterations in the brain affecting attention and cognitive processes. Researchers in Spain have now discovered anomalies in the brain's reward system related to the neural circuits of motivation and gratification. In children with ADHD, the degree of motivation when carrying out an activity is related to the immediacy with which the objectives of the activity are met. This would explain why their attention and hyperactivity levels differ depending on the tasks being carried out.

Cell growth regulates genetic circuits Posted: 03 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST Genetic circuits control the activity of genes and thereby the function of cells and organisms. Scientists have shown how various genetic circuits in bacterial cells are influenced by growth conditions. According to their findings, even genes that are not regulated can display different activities -- depending on whether they are translated into proteins in slow- or fast-growing cells. The results provide researchers with new insights into gene regulation and will help them in the design of synthetic genetic circuits in the future.

Diabetes medication may help decrease BMI in obese adolescents Posted: 03 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST Metformin XR (extended release formulation) -- a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes -- appears to cause a small but significant decrease in body mass index (BMI) in non-diabetic obese adolescents when combined with a lifestyle intervention program, according to a report.

Secure radio signal for central locking Posted: 03 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST Remote central locking is among the most convenient aspects of modern motoring. However, transmission of the radio signal that activates the system is not particularly secure, however. A new encryption technique increases security without draining the key's battery.

Gene variation makes alcoholism less likely in some survivors of sexual abuse Posted: 03 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST Exposure to severe stress early in life increases the risk of alcohol and drug addiction. Yet surprisingly, some adults sexually abused as children -- and therefore at high risk for alcohol problems -- carry gene variants that protect them from heavy drinking and its effects, according to researchers.

Astronomers find rare beast by new means Posted: 03 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST Astronomers have found an example of the rare type of supernova thought to produce Gamma Ray Bursts, but through radio, not gamma-ray, observations. The breakthrough, they say, will lead to discovering many more of these objects.

New way to lose fat, keep the lean Posted: 03 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST Researchers may have a new way to trick the body into consuming more energy. The target in this case is an enzyme that indirectly controls the activity of what the researchers refer to as the "energy master switch." It boils down to this: When you give mice a chemical that blocks the function of the enzyme known as Fyn kinase, they almost immediately begin burning more fat.

New neutron studies support magnetism's role in superconductors Posted: 03 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST Neutron scattering experiments give strong evidence that, if superconductivity is related to a material's magnetic properties, the same mechanisms are behind both copper-based high-temperature superconductors and the newly discovered iron-based superconductors.

Making macrophages protect against effects of obesity Posted: 03 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST It is well known that diet-induced obesity increases dramatically a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes. One reason underlying this susceptibility is that diet-induced obesity triggers the accumulation of inflammatory immune cells known as macrophages in fat tissue known as white adipose tissue (WAT). Researchers have now determined that engineering macrophages to store increased amounts of triacylglycerol (the main constituent of vegetable oil and animal fats) is sufficient to protect mice from diet-induced inflammatory macrophage activation, macrophage accumulation in WAT, and insulin resistance, a condition that preempts the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Special effects in Avatar made possible thanks to European technology Posted: 03 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST Highly effective and scalable digital technology developed originally for television has transformed the production, post-production and viewing experience in high-resolution feature films. A joint UK/German collaboration has helped change film production worldwide, turning a work-intensive craft process into viable global phenomenon that adds a high level of realism to special effects. Results of this work have since won technical Oscars for many of the researchers involved.

US Parkinson's rates highest in whites, Hispanics, and Midwest, Northeast Posted: 03 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST The largest epidemiological study of Parkinson's disease in the United States has found that the disease is more common in the Midwest and the Northeast and is twice as likely to strike whites and Hispanics as blacks and Asians. The study is based on data from 36 million Medicare recipients.

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