ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• New fiber nanogenerators could lead to electric clothing
• Genetic secrets to jumping the species barrier
• New picture of ancient ocean chemistry argues for chemically layered water
• Restrictions on female plasma may not be warranted
• Nanoscale structures with superior mechanical properties developed
• The biggest loser: Maternal obesity puts a load on her offspring that lasts a lifetime
• Long-distance migration shapes butterfly wings
• Muscle loss finding may one day save physiques
• Sustainable fisheries needed for global food security
• Epigenetic signals differ across alleles
• New sensor exploits traditional weakness of nano devices
• Male college students also victims of violence at girlfriends' hands
• Scientists synthesize unique family of anti-cancer compounds
• Low levels of natural antibodies behind stroke
• Single-step technique produces both p-type and n-type doping for future graphene devices
• Role of protein pair in obesity regulation
• High-tech applications envisioned for 'multiferroic' crystals
• Hypnosis can relieve symptoms in children with respiratory diseases
• Human gait adapted for efficient walking at the cost of efficient running
• Herbal medicines can be lethal, pathologist warns
• Science used to decode the secrets of Olympic skeleton sliding
• Cholera and related diseases: Grasping bacterial 'friending' paves the way to disrupt biofilm creation
• Dramatic changes in agriculture needed as world warms and grows
• Spitzer goes to the Olympics: Art professor to show space telescope-inspired work at Winter Olympics digital art exhibition
• Toads anticipate the timing and impact of their landings
• How cholera bacteria becomes infectious
• Self-cannibalizing cancer cells targeted
• Parents often wait too long to treat children's asthma symptoms
• Scientists explore the future of high-energy physics
• Exploring the limits: Understanding the challenges facing Winter Olympic champions
• Universal DNA reader will advance faster, cheaper sequencing efforts
• Drinking milk during pregnancy may lower baby's risk of multiple sclerosis
• Antarctic ice shelf collapse possibly triggered by ocean waves
• Antibiotics as active mutagens in the emergence of multidrug resistance
• Marshall Islands research could lead to resettlement after nuclear tests
• Posttraumatic stress disorder: Virtual reality and other technologies offer hope

New fiber nanogenerators could lead to electric clothing Posted: 13 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST In research that gives literal meaning to the term "power suit," engineers have created energy-scavenging nanofibers that could one day be woven into clothing and textiles. The technology could eventually lead to wearable "smart clothes" that can power hand-held electronics through ordinary body movements.

Genetic secrets to jumping the species barrier Posted: 13 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST Scientists have pinpointed specific mutations that allow a common plant virus to infect new species. Understanding the genetics of the key interactions between viruses and hosts could provide insight to how some viruses manage to jump the species barrier and even give us a better idea of how animal diseases are generated.

New picture of ancient ocean chemistry argues for chemically layered water Posted: 13 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST Biogeochemists have developed a dynamic three-dimensional model of Earth's early ocean chemistry that can significantly advance our understanding of how early animal life evolved on the planet. Working on rock samples from the Doushantuo Formation, South China, the research team is the first to show that Earth's early ocean chemistry during a large portion of the Ediacaran Period was far more complex than previously imagined.

Restrictions on female plasma may not be warranted Posted: 13 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST Three years after the US blood banking industry issued recommendations that discourage transfusing plasma from female donors because of a potential antibody reaction, researchers discovered that female plasma actually may have advantages.

Nanoscale structures with superior mechanical properties developed Posted: 13 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST Researchers have developed a way to make some notoriously brittle materials ductile -- yet stronger than ever -- simply by reducing their size. The work could eventually lead to the development of innovative, superstrong, yet light and damage-tolerant materials. These new materials could be used as components in structural applications, such as in lightweight aerospace vehicles that last longer under extreme environmental conditions and in naval vessels that are resistant to corrosion and wear.

The biggest loser: Maternal obesity puts a load on her offspring that lasts a lifetime Posted: 13 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST As if there are not enough reasons for obese people to lose weight, a new research report adds several more. In a study involving rats, researchers found that obesity in mothers causes cellular programming in utero that predisposes offspring to inflammation-related disorders (such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease and more) from birth, regardless of whether or not the offspring are obese themselves.

Long-distance migration shapes butterfly wings Posted: 13 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST Monarch butterflies that migrate long distances have evolved significantly larger and more elongated wings than their stationary cousins, differences that are consistent with traits known to enhance flight ability in other migratory species.

Muscle loss finding may one day save physiques Posted: 13 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST Mice that lack a particular antioxidant enzyme show impairment of cell energy centers called mitochondria. This leads to smaller and weaker muscles, and may help scientists better understand age-related muscle atrophy and other neuromuscular diseases.

Sustainable fisheries needed for global food security Posted: 13 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST Increased aid from developed countries, earmarked specifically for sustainable seafood infrastructure in developing countries, could improve global food security, according to a new policy paper.

Epigenetic signals differ across alleles Posted: 13 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST Researchers have identified numerous novel regions of the genome where the chemical modifications involved in controlling gene expression are influenced by either genetic variation or the parental origin of that particular stretch of DNA. This contradicts previous assumptions that epigenetic signals are generally equal across both copies of a given region of the genome, except at a small number of known imprinted genes.

New sensor exploits traditional weakness of nano devices Posted: 13 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST By taking advantage of a phenomenon that until now has been a virtual showstopper for electronics designers, scientists are developing a chemical and biological sensor with unprecedented sensitivity.

Male college students also victims of violence at girlfriends' hands Posted: 13 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST Researchers are looking at the impact that being a victim of violence has on male versus female college students in heterosexual relationships. They that found the biggest predictor of whether male and female college students would use violence against a partner was whether the partner was violent toward them.

Scientists synthesize unique family of anti-cancer compounds Posted: 13 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST Scientists have streamlined the process for synthesizing a family of compounds with the potential to kill cancer and other diseased cells, and have found that they represent a unique category of anti-cancer agents.

Low levels of natural antibodies behind stroke Posted: 13 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST The chances of suffering a stroke are linked to the presence of a certain type of antibody in the immune system, a new study from Sweden shows. The researchers hope to be able to develop a vaccine that can mobilize the body's own defense against arteriosclerosis and stroke.

Single-step technique produces both p-type and n-type doping for future graphene devices Posted: 13 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST A simple one-step process that produces both n-type and p-type doping of large-area graphene surfaces could facilitate use of the promising material for future electronic devices. The doping technique can also be used to increase conductivity in graphene nanoribbons used for interconnects.

Role of protein pair in obesity regulation Posted: 13 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST New research implicates a new protein in obesity development and highlights a protein pair's "team effort" in regulating obesity and insulin resistance.

High-tech applications envisioned for 'multiferroic' crystals Posted: 13 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST Scientists have had surprising results involving an unusual family of crystalline minerals. Their findings could lay the groundwork for future researchers seeking to develop a new generation of computer chips and other information-storage devices that can hold vast amounts of data and be strongly encrypted for security purposes.

Hypnosis can relieve symptoms in children with respiratory diseases Posted: 13 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST Hypnosis has potential therapeutic value in children with respiratory disorders for alleviating symptoms such as habit cough or unexplained sensations of difficulty breathing and for lessening a child's discomfort during medical procedures.

Human gait adapted for efficient walking at the cost of efficient running Posted: 12 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST Humans, other great apes and bears are among the few animals that step first on the heel when walking, and then roll onto the ball of the foot and toes. Now, a new study shows the advantage: Compared with heel-first walking, it takes 53 percent more energy to walk on the balls of your feet, and 83 percent more energy to walk on your toes.

Herbal medicines can be lethal, pathologist warns Posted: 12 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST A forensic pathologist has sounded a worldwide warning of the potential lethal dangers of herbal medicines if taken in large quantities, injected, or combined with prescription drugs.

Science used to decode the secrets of Olympic skeleton sliding Posted: 12 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST Olympic skeleton athletes will hit the ice next month in Vancouver, where one-hundredths of a second can dictate the difference between victory and defeat. Using state-of-the-art flow measurements, engineers are employing science and technology to help the US skeleton team trim track times and gain an edge over other sliders.

Cholera and related diseases: Grasping bacterial 'friending' paves the way to disrupt biofilm creation Posted: 12 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST Finding a biological mechanism much like an online social network, scientists have identified the bacterial protein VpsT as the master regulator in Vibrio, the cause of cholera and other enteric diseases. This discovery provides a major tool to combat enteric disease.

Dramatic changes in agriculture needed as world warms and grows Posted: 12 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST Scientists are urging dramatically changed ideas about sustainable agriculture to prevent a major starvation catastrophe by the end of this century among more than 3 billion people who live in the tropics.

Spitzer goes to the Olympics: Art professor to show space telescope-inspired work at Winter Olympics digital art exhibition Posted: 12 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST Artwork inspired by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope is making an appearance at this year's Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia. No, it's not battling other telescopes for the "gold," but its observations are now on display as part of the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad Festival.

Toads anticipate the timing and impact of their landings Posted: 12 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST Humans may not have a leg up on toads, at least not when it comes to jumping and landing, according to new research. Researchers shows that toads, like humans, are capable of anticipating when and how hard they're going to land after a jump and activating muscles important in absorbing impact accordingly.

How cholera bacteria becomes infectious Posted: 12 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST Researchers have described the structure of a protein called ToxT that controls the virulent nature of Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria that causes cholera. Buried within ToxT, the researchers were surprised to find a fatty acid that appears to inhibit ToxT, which prevents the bacteria from causing cholera.

Self-cannibalizing cancer cells targeted Posted: 12 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST Scientists have embarked on a major new project to unravel the secret lives of cancer cells that go dormant and self-cannibalize to survive periods of stress. The work may help produce new cancer therapies to stem changes that render cancer cells dangerous and resistant to treatment.

Parents often wait too long to treat children's asthma symptoms Posted: 12 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST Parents of young children with asthma often recognize signs that their child is about to have an asthma attack but delay home treatment until the attack occurs, researchers report.

Scientists explore the future of high-energy physics Posted: 12 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST In a 1954 speech to the American Physical Society, the University of Chicago's Enrico Fermi fancifully envisioned a particle accelerator that encircled the globe. Such would be the ultimate theoretical outcome, Fermi surmised, of the quest for the ever-more powerful accelerators needed to discover new laws of physics. Researchers take a new step toward this vision.

Exploring the limits: Understanding the challenges facing Winter Olympic champions Posted: 12 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST As the world turns its sporting gaze towards Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics, the Physiological Society journal Experimental Physiology marks the occasion with a special issue exploring the biological and environmental challenges elite winter athletes must overcome to win gold.

Universal DNA reader will advance faster, cheaper sequencing efforts Posted: 12 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST Scientists have come up with a new twist in their efforts to develop a faster and cheaper way to read the DNA genetic code. They have developed the first, versatile DNA reader that can discriminate between DNA's four core chemical components -- the key to unlocking the vital code behind human heredity and health.

Drinking milk during pregnancy may lower baby's risk of multiple sclerosis Posted: 12 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST Drinking milk during pregnancy may help reduce your baby's chances of developing multiple sclerosis as an adult, according to a preliminary study.

Antarctic ice shelf collapse possibly triggered by ocean waves Posted: 12 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST Extremely long waves could have initiated 2008 collapse events. Depicting a cause-and-effect scenario that spans thousands of miles, scientists discovered that ocean waves originating along the Pacific coasts of North and South America impact Antarctic ice shelves and could play a role in their catastrophic collapse.

Antibiotics as active mutagens in the emergence of multidrug resistance Posted: 12 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST Multidrug resistant bacteria such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pose a major problem for patients, doctors, and the pharmaceutical industry. To combat such bacteria, it is critical to understand how resistance is developed in the first place. New research shows that low doses of antibiotics can produce mutant strains that are sensitive to the applied antibiotic but have cross-resistance to other antibiotics.

Marshall Islands research could lead to resettlement after nuclear tests Posted: 12 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST Through Laboratory soil cleanup methods, residents of Bikini, Enjebi and Rongelap Islands -- where nuclear tests were conducted on the atolls and in the ocean surrounding them in the 1950s -- could have lower radioactive levels than the average background dose for residents in the United States and Europe.

Posttraumatic stress disorder: Virtual reality and other technologies offer hope Posted: 12 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) threatens to overload healthcare and social support systems worldwide as the number of cases rises and existing treatments are not sufficiently effective. New approaches to treatment are relying on technology, such as virtual reality, to alleviate the psychologically damaging effects of PTSD.

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