ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

---

• Atom interferometer provides most precise test yet of Einstein's gravitational redshift
• An ibuprofen a day could keep Parkinson's disease away, study suggests
• Using gold nanoparticles to hit cancer where it hurts
• Protein identified that helps heart muscle contract
• Silicon-coated nanonets could build a better lithium-ion battery
• Don't worry, be happy! Positive emotions protect against heart disease
• NASA's Chandra reveals origin of key cosmic explosions
• Protein found to be key in protecting the gut from infection
• Pan-frying meat with gas may be worse than electricity for raising cancer risk
• New method makes vaccines stable at tropical temperatures
• Cows: More freedom may mean less milk
• Autism's earliest symptoms not evident in children under 6 months, study finds
• New type of genetic variation could strengthen natural selection
• Botulinum toxin injection may help prevent some types of migraine pain
• New assay helps track termites and other insects
• Stillbirths drop dramatically after newborn-care training in developing countries
• Random fluctuations give rise to odd genetic phenomenon
• Parkinson's disease research uncovers social barrier
• Southern African genomes sequenced: Benefits for human health expected
• Drug for advanced kidney cancer shrinks tumors prior to surgery
• Scientists find donut-shaped structure of enzyme involved in energy metabolism
• Reduced kidney function, high levels of protein in urine associated with adverse outcomes
• Compostable plastics have a sweet ending
• Alcohol implicated in rising toll of fatal car crashes involving young women drivers
• Upside-down answer for deep mystery: What caused Earth to hold its last breath?
• Obesity -- mild or severe -- raises kidney stone risk
• Photons led astray: Experiment investigates random motion of quantum particles
• Inflammation marker related to obesity is elevated in patients with pancreatic cancer
• Beyond the corn field: Balancing fuel, food and biodiversity
• Chronic migraine sufferers sicker, poorer and more depressed than episodic migraine sufferers
• Why today's galaxies don't make as many stars as they used to
• 'Secret weapon' of retroviruses that cause cancer
• Putative skull of St. Bridget probably not authentic
• New drug for kidney transplant recipients effective in humans
• Mathematical model predicts slight sports injuries
• Rose-colored glasses have many shades: Shopping decisions and emotions
• Chickens 'one-up' humans in ability to see color
• Small liquid sensor may detect cancer instantly, could lead to home detection kit
• Phobos flyby season starts again
• Immune system turns on the body in narcolepsy
• Managing moose: Listen to the natives for better environmental monitoring
• Building fit minds under stress
• Permafrost line recedes 130 km in 50 years, Canadian study finds
• Later introduction of baby foods related to lower risk of obesity later in life
• Get Set for a Possible Glimpse of an Asteroid
• Migraine more common in women with multiple sclerosis
• Hands-free texting application developed
• Winter Olympics: Altitude affects skill sports, not just endurance events

Atom interferometer provides most precise test yet of Einstein's gravitational redshift Posted: 18 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST Using an atom interferometer, scientists have tested one of the foundations of Einstein's general theory of relativity: that time slows down in a gravitational field. Their experiment proves that Einstein was correct with 10,000 times more precision than previous experiments. They achieve this precision by comparing the interference between matter waves separated by 4/1000 inch.

An ibuprofen a day could keep Parkinson's disease away, study suggests Posted: 18 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST New research shows people who regularly take ibuprofen may reduce their risk of developing Parkinson's disease, according to a new study.

Using gold nanoparticles to hit cancer where it hurts Posted: 18 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST Scientists have shown that by directing gold nanoparticles into the nuclei of cancer cells, they can not only prevent them from multiplying, but can kill them where they lurk.

Protein identified that helps heart muscle contract Posted: 18 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST Researchers have discovered that a protein called B1N1 is necessary for the heart to contract. The findings shed light not only on what makes a heart beat but also on heart failure, a disease where cardiac cells are no longer able to contract and pump blood through the body.

Silicon-coated nanonets could build a better lithium-ion battery Posted: 18 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST The surface area and conductivity of a lattice-like Nanonet coated with silicon particles proves to be a high-performing anode material for Lithium-ion batteries, researchers report.

Don't worry, be happy! Positive emotions protect against heart disease Posted: 18 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST People who are usually happy, enthusiastic and content are less likely to develop heart disease than those who tend not to be happy, according to a major new study.

NASA's Chandra reveals origin of key cosmic explosions Posted: 18 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST New findings from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory have provided a major advance in understanding a type of supernova critical for studying the dark energy that astronomers think pervades the universe. The results show mergers of two dense stellar remnants are the likely cause of many of the supernovae that have been used to measure the accelerated expansion of the universe.

Protein found to be key in protecting the gut from infection Posted: 18 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST A signaling protein that is key in orchestrating the body's overall immune response has an important localized role in fighting bacterial infection and inflammation in the intestinal tract, according to a new study.

Pan-frying meat with gas may be worse than electricity for raising cancer risk Posted: 18 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST Frying meat on a gas burner may be more harmful to health than using an electric burner, because of the type of fumes it produces, suggests new research.

New method makes vaccines stable at tropical temperatures Posted: 18 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST A simple and cheap way of making vaccines stable -- even at tropical temperatures -- has now been developed. The technology has the potential to revolutionize vaccination efforts, particularly in the developing world, by removing the need for fridges, freezers and associated health infrastructure.

Cows: More freedom may mean less milk Posted: 18 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST "Free-stall," untied cattle in small herds produce less milk than cows tied to their stalls but have a higher reproductive performance and suffer less teat injuries and metabolic diseases.

Autism's earliest symptoms not evident in children under 6 months, study finds Posted: 18 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST A study of the development of autism in infants, comparing the behavior of the siblings of children diagnosed with autism to that of babies developing normally, has found that the nascent symptoms of the condition.

New type of genetic variation could strengthen natural selection Posted: 18 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST The unexpected discovery of a new type of genetic variation suggests that natural selection -- the force that drives evolution -- is both more powerful and more complex than scientists have thought.

Botulinum toxin injection may help prevent some types of migraine pain Posted: 18 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST A preliminary study suggests the same type of botulinum injection used for cosmetic purposes may be associated with reduced frequency of migraine headaches that are described as crushing, vicelike or eye-popping (ocular), but not pain that is experienced as a buildup of pressure inside the head, according to a new article.

New assay helps track termites and other insects Posted: 18 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST A newly developed method to safely and reliably mark termites and other insects over vast acreage so their movements can be tracked is just as effective as the previous method -- and more affordable.

Stillbirths drop dramatically after newborn-care training in developing countries Posted: 18 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST The rate of stillbirths in rural areas of six developing countries fell more than 30 percent following a basic training program in newborn care for birth attendants, according to a new study.

Random fluctuations give rise to odd genetic phenomenon Posted: 18 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST Biophysicists have demonstrated that some cases of incomplete penetrance are controlled by random fluctuations in gene expression.

Parkinson's disease research uncovers social barrier Posted: 18 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST People with Parkinson's disease suffer social difficulties simply because of the way they talk, researchers have discovered. Many people develop negative impressions about individuals with Parkinson's disease, based solely on how they communicate.

Southern African genomes sequenced: Benefits for human health expected Posted: 18 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST Human genomes from Southern African Bushmen and a Bantu individual, Archbishop Tutu, have been sequenced by scientists seeking a greater understanding of human genetic variation and its effect on human health. Knowing the full range of human genetic variation is needed in order to learn how genes affect health. The study revealed that, on average, there are more genetic differences between any two Bushmen in the study than between a European and an Asian.

Drug for advanced kidney cancer shrinks tumors prior to surgery Posted: 18 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST Physicians found that therapy before surgery with the drug sorafenib can reduce the size of large tumors and could be safely undertaken administered without adding significantly to the risks of surgery.

Scientists find donut-shaped structure of enzyme involved in energy metabolism Posted: 18 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST Using advanced X-radiation techniques, researchers were able to visualize one of these terminals inside of an enzyme that degrades proline, which is an amino acid that has a central role in metabolism. In humans, proline is important for suppression of cancer, cell death and oxidation. Understanding the structure of this enzyme will help scientists better understand how it functions and develop drugs that may inhibit its catalytic function.

Reduced kidney function, high levels of protein in urine associated with adverse outcomes Posted: 18 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST Patients with high levels of proteinuria (protein in urine) in addition to another marker of reduced kidney function had an associated increased risk of all-cause death, heart attack or progression to kidney failure, according to a study.

Compostable plastics have a sweet ending Posted: 18 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST Food packaging and other disposable plastic items could soon be composted at home along with organic waste, thanks to a new sugar-based polymer. The degradable polymer is made from sugars known as lignocellulosic biomass, which come from non-food crops such as fast-growing trees and grasses, or renewable biomass from agricultural or food waste.

Alcohol implicated in rising toll of fatal car crashes involving young women drivers Posted: 18 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST Alcohol is an increasingly important factor in the rising toll of fatal car crashes involving young women drivers in the US, indicates new research.

Upside-down answer for deep mystery: What caused Earth to hold its last breath? Posted: 17 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST When Earth was young, it exhaled the atmosphere. During a period of intense volcanic activity, lava carried light elements from the planet's molten interior and released them into the sky. However, some light elements got trapped inside the planet. In a new study, scientists offer a new answer to a longstanding mystery: what caused Earth to hold its last breath?

Obesity -- mild or severe -- raises kidney stone risk Posted: 17 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST Obesity in general nearly doubles the risk of developing kidney stones, but the degree of obesity doesn't appear to increase or decrease the risk one way or the other, a new study shows.

Photons led astray: Experiment investigates random motion of quantum particles Posted: 17 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST Physicists have developed an experiment to investigate the random motion of quantum particles. They have used polarized light -- light waves which oscillate in a particular plane -- to design a simple model for a quantum physical random walk. Their experiments could provide new insights into statistical processes such as photosynthesis, and help to accelerate search algorithms.

Inflammation marker related to obesity is elevated in patients with pancreatic cancer Posted: 17 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST The levels of an inflammatory chemokine were significantly elevated in patients with pancreatic cancer who were extremely obese, according to new research.

Beyond the corn field: Balancing fuel, food and biodiversity Posted: 17 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST The development of alternative fuel will greatly benefit the US, say scientists. However, in order to effectively reap the social and economic benefits of biofuel production, US policies need to address potential effects of land-use choices on our ecosystems.

Chronic migraine sufferers sicker, poorer and more depressed than episodic migraine sufferers Posted: 17 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST Chronic migraine sufferers tend to be in poorer general health, less well off, and more depressed than those with episodic migraine, reveals new research.

Why today's galaxies don't make as many stars as they used to Posted: 17 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST Scientists have found that fewer stars are born in present-day galaxies because interstellar raw materials have become sparse over time.

'Secret weapon' of retroviruses that cause cancer Posted: 17 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST Oncogenic retroviruses are a particular family of viruses that can cause some types of cancer. Scientists have now identified a "virulence factor" that inhibits the host immune response and allows the virus to spread throughout the body. This factor is a sequence of amino acids that is located in the envelope protein of the virus.

Putative skull of St. Bridget probably not authentic Posted: 17 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST The putative skull of St. Bridget of Sweden that has been kept in a shrine in Vadstena Abbey is probably not authentic. A new study reveals that the two skulls, believed to be from St. Bridget and her daughter Catherine, are not from maternally related individuals. Furthermore, dating shows that the skulls are not from the time period when Bridget and Catherine lived.

New drug for kidney transplant recipients effective in humans Posted: 17 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST Initial results of a study conducted at 100 centers worldwide indicate that belatacept, a first-in-class co-stimulation blocker can prevent the immune system rejecting new organs. The results also suggest that it may provide similar patient and graft survival to cyclosporine but with fewer side effects and superior kidney function after 12 months.

Mathematical model predicts slight sports injuries Posted: 17 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST Spanish researchers have developed a new mathematical model that predicts sport injuries. Their work shows that sport injuries that affect the lower limbs in high-impact sport, such as football, athletics or basketball, can be predicted through the use of equations of logistic regression.

Rose-colored glasses have many shades: Shopping decisions and emotions Posted: 17 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST A proud consumer won't necessarily make the same purchase as a contented one, according to a new study.

Chickens 'one-up' humans in ability to see color Posted: 17 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST Researchers have peered deep into the eye of the chicken and found a masterpiece of biological design. Scientists mapped five types of light receptors in the chicken's eye. They discovered the receptors were laid out in interwoven mosaics that maximized the chicken's ability to see many colors in any given part of the retina, the light-sensing structure at the back of the eye.

Small liquid sensor may detect cancer instantly, could lead to home detection kit Posted: 17 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST What if it were possible to go to the store and buy a kit to quickly and accurately diagnose cancer, similar to a pregnancy test? A researcher is developing a tiny sensor, known as an acoustic resonant sensor, that is smaller than a human hair and could test bodily fluids for a variety of diseases, including breast and prostate cancers.

Phobos flyby season starts again Posted: 17 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST Today Mars Express began a series of flybys of Phobos, the largest moon of Mars. The campaign will reach its crescendo on March 3, when the spacecraft will set a new record for the closest pass to Phobos, skimming the surface at just 50 km. The data collected could help untangle the origin of this mysterious moon.

Immune system turns on the body in narcolepsy Posted: 17 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST It is thought that the sleep disorder narcolepsy is an autoimmune disorder -- that is, it is caused by the individual's immune system attacking certain cells in the body -- but this had not been proven definitively. But now, researchers have now identified autoantibodies (immune molecules that target a natural protein in the body rather than a protein from an infectious agent) in narcolepsy patients.

Managing moose: Listen to the natives for better environmental monitoring Posted: 17 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST Modern methods can answer a multitude of questions, but sometimes traditional techniques are superior. Authorities in northern Quebec, Canada, found this to their cost, when they relied upon statistical data to monitor moose populations. In this instance the traditional methods of monitoring and managing moose, used by the Cree hunters, was a better measure of moose population.

Building fit minds under stress Posted: 17 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST A new study in which training was provided to a high-stress U.S. military group preparing for deployment to Iraq has demonstrated a positive link between mindfulness training, or MT, and improvements in mood and working memory.

Permafrost line recedes 130 km in 50 years, Canadian study finds Posted: 17 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST The southern limit of permanently frozen ground, or permafrost, is now 130 kilometers further north than it was 50 years ago in the James Bay region, according to researchers. In a new study, they suggest that, if the trend continues, permafrost in the region will completely disappear in the near future.

Later introduction of baby foods related to lower risk of obesity later in life Posted: 17 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST The introduction of complementary feeding at a later age is protective against overweight in adulthood.

Get Set for a Possible Glimpse of an Asteroid Posted: 17 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST The most prominent asteroid in the sky is currently yours for the perusing with binoculars -- and perhaps even the naked eye.

Migraine more common in women with multiple sclerosis Posted: 17 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST Migraine is seen more frequently in women with multiple sclerosis than those without, according to a new study.

Hands-free texting application developed Posted: 17 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST Researchers have developed a hands-free alternative to cell phone texting while driving.

Winter Olympics: Altitude affects skill sports, not just endurance events Posted: 17 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST For winter sports athletes, including Olympians, the altitude of the sports venue can have a significant impact on performance, requiring athletes in skill sports, such as figure skating, ski jumping and snowboarding, to retool highly technical moves to accommodate more or less air resistance. Researchers discuss how altitude can affect balance and timing and can even boost sprint times -- although not this year.

You are subscribed to email updates from ScienceDaily: Latest Science News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610