ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Particle may be leading candidate for mysterious dark matter
• Scientists discover molecular pathway for organ tissue regeneration and repair
• Fog has declined in past century along California's redwood coast
• Induced neural stem cells: Not quite ready for prime time
• Free trade, loss of support systems crippling food production in Africa
• Simple test may help judge concussion in athletes
• Scientists transplant nose of mosquito, advance fight against malaria
• Stem cells sabotage their own DNA to produce new tissues, new study suggests
• 'Fingerprinting' method reveals fate of mercury in Arctic snow
• Bone-anchored hearing aids help youth with single-sided deafness
• Natural-disaster mathematical aid systems aid in decision-making
• Charging less for more effective treatments could reduce health care costs while improving health
• Brain-controlled cursor doubles as a neural workout
• Scientists discover TB disease mechanism and molecule to block it
• Marine protected areas: A solution for saving the penguin
• Tinnitus does not appear to be a highly inherited condition, study suggests
• Habit-learning device will lower energy bills under new clean energy cashback scheme
• Children more likely to visit the dentist if their parents do, too
• New weapon to fight disease-causing bacteria, malaria developed
• Plant buffers may limit spread of antibiotics in animal waste
• Certain pain medications do not appear to be associated with skin cancer risk
• New supercomputer uses water-cooled technology to save energy
• Most patients gain weight after knee replacement surgery
• Buddy, can you spare a banana? Study finds that bonobos share like humans
• Pipe and Cigar Smoking Strongly Associated with Decreased Lung Function, COPD
• Nano for the senses
• Outcomes after bariatric surgery revisions
• Biofuels policy fails to achieve goals, warn experts
• Behavioral therapy improves sleep and lives of patients with pain
• Even single-celled organisms feed themselves in 'smart' manner
• Glaucoma medications may be associated with reduced risk of death over 4-year period
• Pharmacy students practice diagnostic skills on robotic patient
• Factors linked to growth of fetus in first trimester and subsequent outcomes
• Hydrogen production via thermal gasification of biomass in near-to-medium term
• Neighborhood socioeconomic status and diabetes
• How an old drug could have a new use for treating river blindness
• White rye bread healthier than whole wheat?
• New CATCH rule to determine need for CT scans in children with minor head injury
• Rethinking renewable energy strategy
• New study examines the impact on children of food product placements in the movies
• Energy-efficient lighting made without mercury
• Common thread links multiple human cognitive disorders
• 'Bubbles' of broken symmetry in quark soup
• Walking linked to eased osteoarthritis, study suggests
• Alternative futures of a warming world: Potential human responses to climate change will be integrated into future models
• Cognitive and motor delays may be linked to 'flat head syndrome' in young babies

Particle may be leading candidate for mysterious dark matter Posted: 16 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST Physicists may have glimpsed a particle that is a leading candidate for mysterious dark matter but say conclusive evidence remains elusive.

Scientists discover molecular pathway for organ tissue regeneration and repair Posted: 16 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST Scientists have discovered a molecular pathway that works through the immune system to regenerate damaged kidney tissues and may lead to new therapies for repairing injury in other organs. The study may have significant medical ramifications as currently there are no effective treatments for acute kidney injury -- a growing problem in hospitals and clinics.

Fog has declined in past century along California's redwood coast Posted: 16 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST An analysis of newly available climate data shows that summer fog along the California coast has declined significantly in the past century, though it is unclear whether this is a natural variation or a result of human activity. The new report links summer high pressure cells above the northwest California coast to frequent fog. When the cells are weak, fog escapes inland and coastal temperatures rise. This could affect redwoods, which need high humidity.

Induced neural stem cells: Not quite ready for prime time Posted: 16 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST The great promise of induced pluripotent stem cells is that the all-purpose cells seem capable of performing all the same tricks as embryonic stem cells, but without the controversy.

Free trade, loss of support systems crippling food production in Africa Posted: 16 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST Despite good intentions, the push to privatize government functions and insistence upon "free trade" that is too often unfair has caused declining food production, increased poverty and a hunger crisis for millions of people in many African nations, researchers conclude in a new study.

Simple test may help judge concussion in athletes Posted: 16 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST A simple test of reaction time may help determine whether athletes have sustained a concussion (also known as mild traumatic brain injury) and when they are ready to play again, according to a new study.

Scientists transplant nose of mosquito, advance fight against malaria Posted: 16 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST Scientists have successfully transplanted most of the "nose" of the mosquito that spreads malaria into frog eggs and fruit flies and are employing these surrogates to combat the spread of the deadly and debilitating disease that afflicts 500 million people.

Stem cells sabotage their own DNA to produce new tissues, new study suggests Posted: 16 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST Stem cells intentionally cut and then repair their own DNA as a mechanism of activating genes that promote the development of new tissues, according to new research. This is a new way of activating a gene, and it could change how researchers think about tissue development, stem cells and cancer.

'Fingerprinting' method reveals fate of mercury in Arctic snow Posted: 16 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST A study offers new insight into what happens to mercury deposited onto Arctic snow from the atmosphere. Mercury is a naturally occurring element, but some 2000 tons of it enter the global environment each year from human-generated sources such as coal-burning power plants, incinerators and chlorine-producing plants.

Bone-anchored hearing aids help youth with single-sided deafness Posted: 16 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST Surgically implanted hearing aids anchored to the skull bone appear to be a durable treatment option that noticeably improves hearing among children with deafness in one ear, according to a new report.

Natural-disaster mathematical aid systems aid in decision-making Posted: 16 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST Mathematicians have developed a computer application that estimates the magnitude of natural disasters and helps NGOs in the decision making process. The researchers have also presented an on-site humanitarian aid distribution model. Both could have been applied in the case of the recent Haiti earthquake.

Charging less for more effective treatments could reduce health care costs while improving health Posted: 16 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST Value-based insurance design in which consumer payments are waived for highly effective treatments, but are raised for less effective ones, could increase the benefits of healthcare in the US without increasing expenditures.

Brain-controlled cursor doubles as a neural workout Posted: 16 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST Electrodes on the surface of the brain show that using imagined movements to control a computer cursor can generate larger-than-life brain signals after less than 10 minutes of training.

Scientists discover TB disease mechanism and molecule to block it Posted: 16 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST Researchers have identified a mechanism used by the tuberculosis bacterium to evade the body's immune system and have identified a compound that blocks the bacterium's ability to survive in the host, which could lead to new drugs to treat tuberculosis.

Marine protected areas: A solution for saving the penguin Posted: 16 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST Researchers have shown that closing fishing zones in the ocean has a beneficial effect on Cape penguins, an endangered species endemic to Southern Africa that feeds exclusively on fish.

Tinnitus does not appear to be a highly inherited condition, study suggests Posted: 16 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, does not appear to be a highly inherited condition (i.e., does not pass frequently from parents to offspring), according to a new article.

Habit-learning device will lower energy bills under new clean energy cashback scheme Posted: 16 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST Smart control units that learn householders' energy habits and provide immediate feedback on consumption could give home energy savings of up to 20 percent without compromising comfort.

Children more likely to visit the dentist if their parents do, too Posted: 16 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST Whether or not children receive regular dental care is strongly associated with their parents' history of seeking dental care. A new report is the first to analyze the relationship between parents' and childrens' dental visits in a nationally representative sample.

New weapon to fight disease-causing bacteria, malaria developed Posted: 16 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST Researchers report that they have discovered -- and now know how to exploit -- an unusual chemical reaction mechanism that allows malaria parasites and many disease-causing bacteria to survive. The research team also has developed the first potent inhibitor of this chemical reaction.

Plant buffers may limit spread of antibiotics in animal waste Posted: 16 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST Buffer strips of grasses and other plants can trap and break down veterinary antibiotics in manure fertilizers, according to new research.

Certain pain medications do not appear to be associated with skin cancer risk Posted: 16 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST Contrary to previous hypotheses, the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs does not appear associated with risk of squamous cell skin cancer, according to a new article.

New supercomputer uses water-cooled technology to save energy Posted: 16 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST A new supercomputer uses a unique water-cooled technology achieves 30 percent savings in electrical consumption.

Most patients gain weight after knee replacement surgery Posted: 16 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST You'd think folks who've had knee replacement surgery -- finally able to walk and exercise without pain -- would lose weight instead of put on pounds, but surprisingly that's not the case.

Buddy, can you spare a banana? Study finds that bonobos share like humans Posted: 15 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST New research suggests that the act of voluntarily sharing something with another may not be entirely exclusive to the human experience. Bonobos -- a sister species of chimpanzees and, like chimps, our closest living relatives -- consistently chose to actively share their food with others.

Pipe and Cigar Smoking Strongly Associated with Decreased Lung Function, COPD Posted: 15 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST Pipe and cigar smoke may be more harmful than once thought. While some believe pipes and cigars are healthier than cigarettes, a major known cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a new study directly links pipe and cigar smoking to decreased lung function.

Nano for the senses Posted: 15 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST Pin-sharp projections, light that's whiter than white, varnishes that make sounds if the temperature changes: at nano tech 2010 in Tokyo, researchers present nanotechnology that is a veritable feast for the senses.

Outcomes after bariatric surgery revisions Posted: 15 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST Revisional bariatric surgery appears to be associated with a higher risk of complications than the initial procedure, according to a new article.

Biofuels policy fails to achieve goals, warn experts Posted: 15 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST US biofuel policies will fail to achieve the intended environmental, energy and agricultural goals, warns a new article.

Behavioral therapy improves sleep and lives of patients with pain Posted: 15 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia significantly improved sleep for patients with chronic neck or back pain and also reduced the extent to which pain interfered with their daily functioning, according to a new study.

Even single-celled organisms feed themselves in 'smart' manner Posted: 15 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST How does a single-celled organism, one of the simplest life forms on Earth, manage to satisfy its nutritional needs? It is by studying social amoebae, elementary organisms that are distantly related to fungi and plants, that researchers in France have, for the first time, demonstrated the nutritional preferences of such systems. Despite lacking a centralizing organ, such amoebae are capable of regulating their nutrient supply. When faced with diverse nutritional situations, they adapt so as always to select an optimal ratio of nutrients.

Glaucoma medications may be associated with reduced risk of death over 4-year period Posted: 15 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST Glaucoma patients who take medication for the condition appear to have a reduced likelihood of death, according to a new study.

Pharmacy students practice diagnostic skills on robotic patient Posted: 15 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST A robot that can be programmed to have a range of medical conditions, from heart disease to constipation, is being used by Pharmacy students to help practice diagnostic skills and treating patients The SimMan 3G, dubbed "Simon" by the students, i.s a life-sized model that talks, breathes and reacts to medicines in the same way as a real human.

Factors linked to growth of fetus in first trimester and subsequent outcomes Posted: 15 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST Factors such as maternal high blood pressure and high hematocrit levels (the proportion of blood that consists of red blood cells) are associated with a greater likelihood of restricted fetal growth during the first trimester, with restricted growth linked to an increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight, according to a new study.

Hydrogen production via thermal gasification of biomass in near-to-medium term Posted: 15 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST Dedicated biomass gasification technologies are presently being developed in many countries for the production of second-generation liquid biofuels. Both fluidized-bed gasification and special entrained flow systems are under intensive development. These technologies can also be used for hydrogen production, which may become an interesting alternative in replacing part of fossil fuel input in oil refineries and chemical industries. In addition, fuel cell technology is being developed for hydrogen-rich gases.

Neighborhood socioeconomic status and diabetes Posted: 15 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST Researchers have found a direct link between neighborhood socioeconomic status and risk for type 2 diabetes in African American women. The study is the first prospective study to examine the relationship between neighborhood socioeconomic status and incidence of type 2 diabetes in a large, geographically diverse cohort of African-American women.

How an old drug could have a new use for treating river blindness Posted: 15 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST Scientists have discovered a potential new use for the drug closantel, currently the standard treatment for sheep and cattle infected with liver fluke. The new research suggests that the drug may be useful in combating river blindness, a tropical disease that is the world's second leading infectious cause of blindness for humans.

White rye bread healthier than whole wheat? Posted: 15 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST Wholegrain bread is good and good for you, as most people know. But it is not only the fiber-rich bran, the outer shell of the grain, that is healthful. On the contrary, new research shows that bread baked with white rye flour, which is flour made from the inner, white part of the rye kernel, leads to better insulin and blood sugar levels compared with wheat bread with rye bran. White rye flour thus leads to much better values than both regular wheat flour and rye bran. At the same time, much of the bread that is sold in stores today in most countries is in fact baked with wheat flour and bran from various grains.

New CATCH rule to determine need for CT scans in children with minor head injury Posted: 15 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST A new tool may help standardize the use of computed tomography (CT scans) in children with minor head injury and help reduce the number of scans, according to a new study.

Rethinking renewable energy strategy Posted: 15 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST Researchers suggest that policy makers examine greenhouse gas emissions implications for energy infrastructure as fossil fuel sources must be rapidly replaced by windmills, solar panels and other sources of renewable energy.

New study examines the impact on children of food product placements in the movies Posted: 15 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST New research sheds light on the significant potential negative impact that food product placements in the movies could be having on children.

Energy-efficient lighting made without mercury Posted: 15 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST Scientists have developed a revolutionary lighting technology that is more energy efficient than the common incandescent light bulb and does not contain mercury, making it environmentally safer than the compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb.

Common thread links multiple human cognitive disorders Posted: 15 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST A new study reveals that a common underlying mechanism is shared by a group of previously unrelated disorders which all cause complex defects in brain development and function. It helps to explain why these different chromatin abnormalities all interfere with proper gene expression patterns necessary for normal development and mature brain function.

'Bubbles' of broken symmetry in quark soup Posted: 15 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST Scientists report the first hints of profound symmetry transformations in the hot soup of quarks, antiquarks and gluons produced in most energetic collisions. These new results thus suggest the opportunity to test some crucial features of symmetry-altering bubbles speculated to have played important roles in the evolution of the infant universe.

Walking linked to eased osteoarthritis, study suggests Posted: 15 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST "Progressive walking" combined with glucosamine sulphate supplementation has been shown to improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Researchers found that patients who walked at least two bouts of 1500 steps each on three days of the week reported significantly less arthritis pain, and significantly improved physical function.

Alternative futures of a warming world: Potential human responses to climate change will be integrated into future models Posted: 15 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST An international team of climate scientists will take a new approach to modeling Earth's climate future. The next set of models will include, for the first time, tightly linked analyses of greenhouse gas emissions, projections of Earth's climate, impacts of climate change, and human decision-making. This approach will influence the next international scientific assessment undertaken by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Cognitive and motor delays may be linked to 'flat head syndrome' in young babies Posted: 15 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST In a new study, infants averaging six months of age who exhibited positional plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) had lower scores than typical infants in observational tests used to evaluate cognitive and motor development.

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