ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Quantum physics breakthrough: Scientists find an equation for materials innovation
• Exploiting the body's own ability to fight a heart attack
• Ancient DNA reveals caribou history linked to volcanic eruption
• Single-dose HIV DNA vaccine induces long-lasting immune response in monkeys
• Near-frictionless diamond material created using nanotechnology
• The mathematics behind a good night's sleep
• Does promiscuity prevent extinction?
• Vitamin B3 shows early promise in treatment of stroke
• Stellar, metal-free way to make carbon nanotubes
• Single-dose H5N1 vaccine safe and effective in adults and elderly
• Going green in the hospital: Recycling medical equipment saves money, reduces waste and is safe
• Childhood stress such as abuse or emotional neglect can result in structural brain changes
• First measurement of the age of cometary material
• Effective prostate cancer treatment discovery
• Long-reigning microbe controlling ocean nitrogen shares the throne
• New cancer-fighting strategy focuses on signaling molecules
• The safe way to use one Internet password
• Wii video games may help stroke patients improve motor function
• Natural 'magnetometer' in upper beak of birds?
• Nanotechnology tackles the two biggest problems associated with chemotherapy
• Road transportation emerges as key driver of warming in new analysis from NASA
• Innate immune mechanisms can control disease progression in HIV-positive patients
• No signal heard during first day of resumed listening for Phoenix Mars Lander
• Treadmill training could help tots walk
• Internal Metronome: Brain implant reveals neural patterns of attention
• Novel antitoxin strategy developed using 'tagged binding agents'
• Computer models show how skyborne seawater particles change cloud brightness, temperature, rain patterns
• Obesity and physical inactivity poses arthritis risk, especially for women
• NASA breaks ground on new deep space network antennas
• Could a new UN resolution end doctors' participation in torture?
• Interactions between species: Powerful driving force behind evolution?
• Intracranial stenting, injecting clot-busting drugs directly to brain
• As Skiers Go Down, Moguls Migrate Up
• Avosentan reduces proteinuria but causes serious side effects
• The Philippines triples its rice yield
• Mother's sensitivity may help language growth in children with autism spectrum disorder
• The bigger the animal, the stiffer the 'shoes': Carnivores' feet 'tuned' to their body size
• Prozac and Celexa exhibit anti-inflammatory effects
• Nouns and verbs are learned in different parts of the brain
• Patients who have colonoscopy performed by gastroenterologists less likely to develop colorectal cancer, study finds
• Idea of restoring 'natural systems' misses mark as response to climate change challenges, expert argues
• Rwandan Genocide Survivors Provide New Insights Into Resilience and PTSD
• Optical system promises to revolutionize undersea communications
• Why BPA leached from 'safe' plastics may damage health of female offspring
• Woman gives birth to two healthy babies in separate pregnancies after ovarian transplant
• Combined drug therapy to treat TB and HIV significantly improves survival
• Second hydrocarbon boom threatens the Peruvian Amazon, researchers say
• Taxing unhealthy foods may encourage healthier eating habits

Quantum physics breakthrough: Scientists find an equation for materials innovation Posted: 26 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST Engineers have made a breakthrough in an 80-year-old quandary in quantum physics, paving the way for the development of new materials that could make electronic devices smaller and cars more energy efficient.

Exploiting the body's own ability to fight a heart attack Posted: 26 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST Scientists trying to find a way to better help patients protect themselves against harm from a heart attack are taking their cues from cardiac patients. The work on "ischemic preconditioning" mirrors a perplexing curiosity that physicians have long observed in their patients: When faced with a heart attack, people who have had a previous one oftentimes fare better than patients who have never had one.

Ancient DNA reveals caribou history linked to volcanic eruption Posted: 26 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST DNA recovered from ancient caribou bones reveals a possible link between several small unique caribou herds and a massive volcanic eruption that blanketed much of the Alaskan Yukon territory in a thick layer of ash 1,000 years ago, researchers report.

Single-dose HIV DNA vaccine induces long-lasting immune response in monkeys Posted: 26 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST For the first time researchers from the U.S. and abroad have shown a single-dose HIV DNA vaccine can induce a long-lasting HIV-specific immune response in nonhuman primates, a discovery that could prove significant in the development of HIV vaccines.

Near-frictionless diamond material created using nanotechnology Posted: 26 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST Mechanical engineers have fabricated an ultra sharp, diamond-like carbon tip possessing such high strength that it is 3,000 times more wear-resistant at the nanoscale than silicon. The end result is a diamond-like carbon material mass-produced at the nanoscale that doesn't wear.

The mathematics behind a good night's sleep Posted: 26 Feb 2010 11:00 AM PST A mathematics professor is using math to develop a new computer model that can be easily manipulated by other scientists and doctors to predict how different environmental, medical, or physical changes to a person's body will affect their sleep. Their model will also provide clues to the most basic dynamics of the sleep-wake cycle.

Does promiscuity prevent extinction? Posted: 26 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST Promiscuous females may be the key to a species' survival, according to new research. The study could solve the mystery of why females of most species have multiple mates, despite this being more risky for the individual.

Vitamin B3 shows early promise in treatment of stroke Posted: 26 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST An early study suggests that vitamin B3 or niacin, a common water-soluble vitamin, may help improve neurological function after stroke. When rats with ischemic stroke were given niacin, their brains showed growth of new blood vessels, and sprouting of nerve cells which greatly improved neurological outcome. Now research is underway to investigate the effects of an extended-release form of niacin on stroke patients.

Stellar, metal-free way to make carbon nanotubes Posted: 26 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST Space apparently has its own recipe for making carbon nanotubes, one of the most intriguing contributions of nanotechnology here on Earth, and metals are conspicuously missing from the list of ingredients.

Single-dose H5N1 vaccine safe and effective in adults and elderly Posted: 26 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST Researchers from Hungary and the UK have developed a single-dose H5N1 influenza vaccine that induces a protective level of immunity against infection in healthy adult and elderly volunteers. The vaccine is the first single-dose regimen to be tested in elderly subjects and it fulfills all European Union and U.S. licensing criteria offering a promising influenza A virus vaccine candidate.

Going green in the hospital: Recycling medical equipment saves money, reduces waste and is safe Posted: 26 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST Wider adoption of the practice of recycling medical equipment -- including laparoscopic ports and durable cutting tools typically tossed out after a single use -- could save hospitals hundreds of millions of dollars annually and curb trash at medical centers, the second-largest waste producers in the United States after the food industry.

Childhood stress such as abuse or emotional neglect can result in structural brain changes Posted: 26 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST New research using magnetic resonance imaging shows that childhood stress such as abuse or emotional neglect, in particular when combined with genetic factors, can result in structural brain changes, rendering these people more vulnerable to developing depression.

First measurement of the age of cometary material Posted: 26 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST Though comets are thought to be some of the oldest, most primitive bodies in the solar system, new research on comet Wild 2 indicates that inner solar system material was transported to the comet-forming region at least 1.7 million years after the formation of the oldest solar system solids.

Effective prostate cancer treatment discovery Posted: 26 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST Biomedical scientists have identified a new way to treat castrate resistant cells in prostate cancer sufferers.

Long-reigning microbe controlling ocean nitrogen shares the throne Posted: 26 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST Marine scientists long believed that a microbe called Trichodesmium, a member of a group called the cyanobacteria, reigned over the ocean's nitrogen budget.

New cancer-fighting strategy focuses on signaling molecules Posted: 26 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST Cancer researchers studying the immune system have identified a previously unrecognized set of targets and biomarkers to battle solid tumors.

The safe way to use one Internet password Posted: 26 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST A little-used Internet authentication system from the 1980s could provide the answer for enabling web users to securely sign in only once per Internet session, an Australian researcher has found.

Wii video games may help stroke patients improve motor function Posted: 26 Feb 2010 05:00 AM PST The use of virtual reality Wii game technology holds the promise as a safe and feasible way to help patients recovering from stroke improve their motor function. Researchers said it's too early to recommend it as standard stroke rehabilitative therapy.

Natural 'magnetometer' in upper beak of birds? Posted: 26 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST Neurobiologists show similar structural candidates for a magnetoreceptor in different bird species.

Nanotechnology tackles the two biggest problems associated with chemotherapy Posted: 26 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST Nanoscale chemistry experts have developed a nanotechnology approach that potentially could eliminate the problems of side effects and drug resistance in the treatment of cancer. Under traditional chemotherapy, cancer cells, like bacteria, can develop resistance to drug therapy, leading to a relapse of the disease.

Road transportation emerges as key driver of warming in new analysis from NASA Posted: 26 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST For decades, climatologists have studied the gases and particles that have potential to alter Earth's climate. They have discovered and described certain airborne chemicals that can trap incoming sunlight and warm the climate, while others cool the planet by blocking the Sun's rays. Now a new study offers a more intuitive way to understand what's changing the Earth's climate. Rather than analyzing impacts by chemical species, scientists have analyzed the climate impacts by different economic sectors.

Innate immune mechanisms can control disease progression in HIV-positive patients Posted: 26 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST A new study by researchers in Spain shows that dendritic cells in HIV positive patients who spontaneously control the infection produce high levels of alpha-defensins. Results show that cells from these patients produce higher levels of alpha-defensins than the non-infected ones. This reveals a better control of HIV and slower disease progression. The study of patients, especially elite controllers, is relevant since these individuals demonstrate that natural control of HIV without therapy is possible.

No signal heard during first day of resumed listening for Phoenix Mars Lander Posted: 26 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST NASA's Mars Odyssey began a second campaign Feb. 22 to check on whether the Phoenix Mars Lander has revived itself after the northern Martian winter. The orbiter received no signal from the lander during the first 10 overflights of this campaign.

Treadmill training could help tots walk Posted: 26 Feb 2010 02:00 AM PST Using a treadmill could help infants with prenatal complications or who were injured at birth walk earlier and better, according to researchers.

Internal Metronome: Brain implant reveals neural patterns of attention Posted: 25 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST A paralyzed patient implanted with a brain-computer interface device has allowed scientists to determine the relationship between brain waves and attention. Characteristic activity patterns known as beta and delta oscillations have been observed in various regions of the brain since the early 20th century, and have been theoretically associated with attention. The unique opportunity to record from human motor cortex allowed researchers to investigate this relationship more thoroughly than ever before.

Novel antitoxin strategy developed using 'tagged binding agents' Posted: 25 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST A study involving the world's deadliest substance has yielded a new strategy to clear toxins from the body -- which may lead to more efficient strategies against toxins that may be used in a bioterrorist event, as well as snake bites, scorpion stings, and even some important chronic diseases.

Computer models show how skyborne seawater particles change cloud brightness, temperature, rain patterns Posted: 25 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST Ships blowing off steam are helping researchers understand how human-made particles might be useful against global warming. New results from modeling clouds like those seen in shipping lanes reveal the complex interplay between aerosols, the prevailing weather and even the time of day the aerosol particles hit the air, according to new research.

Obesity and physical inactivity poses arthritis risk, especially for women Posted: 25 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST Researchers have noted a higher prevalence of arthritis and arthritis-attributable activity limitations in the US versus the Canadian population. The authors attribute the higher prevalence of arthritis and AAL to a greater level of obesity and physical inactivity in Americans, particularly women.

NASA breaks ground on new deep space network antennas Posted: 25 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST NASA officials broke ground near Canberra, Australia, on Feb. 22, beginning a new antenna-building campaign to improve Deep Space Network communications.

Could a new UN resolution end doctors' participation in torture? Posted: 25 Feb 2010 11:00 PM PST A new UN resolution has the potential to fight torture and cruelty, say experts.

Interactions between species: Powerful driving force behind evolution? Posted: 25 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST Scientists in the UK have provided the first experimental evidence that shows that evolution is driven most powerfully by interactions between species, rather than adaptation to the environment.

Intracranial stenting, injecting clot-busting drugs directly to brain Posted: 25 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST Placing stents in the brain and injecting clot-busting drugs directly to the brain had better success rates for acute ischemic stroke than other treatments. There was no excess risk of hemorrhage from either of the two treatments, according to a new study.

As Skiers Go Down, Moguls Migrate Up Posted: 25 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST Gravity always wins, one might think. Avalanches roar and skiers plunge inexorably downhill. But moguls -- or bumps, as skiers know them -- move uphill.

Avosentan reduces proteinuria but causes serious side effects Posted: 25 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST The drug avosentan substantially reduces urinary protein loss in people with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, but the drug causes serious side effects, according to a new study. The results suggest that lower doses of avosentan may have a more favorable risk/benefit ratio for patients.

The Philippines triples its rice yield Posted: 25 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST In the last 50 years, the Philippines has more than tripled its rice yield, while the world average rice yield has increased only about 2.3 times.

Mother's sensitivity may help language growth in children with autism spectrum disorder Posted: 25 Feb 2010 08:00 PM PST A new study shows that maternal sensitivity may influence language development among children who go on to develop autism. Understanding the benefits of sensitive structuring in the development of language among young children with emergent autism provides scientific support for early intervention programs that focus on parent-child interactions.

The bigger the animal, the stiffer the 'shoes': Carnivores' feet 'tuned' to their body size Posted: 25 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST If a Tiger's feet were built the same way as a mongoose's feet, they'd have to be about the size of a hippo's feet to support the big cat's weight. But they're not.

Prozac and Celexa exhibit anti-inflammatory effects Posted: 25 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST A new study found that fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa) treatment significantly inhibited disease progression of collagen-induced arthritis in mice. Researchers studied the anti-arthritic potential of these drugs, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors most commonly used to treat depression.

Nouns and verbs are learned in different parts of the brain Posted: 25 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST Two Spanish psychologists and a German neurologist have recently shown that the brain that activates when a person learns a new noun is different from the part used when a verb is learnt. The scientists observed this using brain images taken using functional magnetic resonance.

Patients who have colonoscopy performed by gastroenterologists less likely to develop colorectal cancer, study finds Posted: 25 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST Following a negative complete colonoscopy, those who had their colonoscopies at a hospital and had their procedures performed by a non-gastroenterologist may be at a significantly increased risk of developing subsequent colorectal cancer.

Idea of restoring 'natural systems' misses mark as response to climate change challenges, expert argues Posted: 25 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST Approaches to formulating geoengineering solutions to global environmental challenges such as climate change are often too one-dimensional, an Arizona expert argues. They fail to move beyond a technical framework and deal with the many societal, cultural and ethical issues that will arise in any large-scale efforts to alter or counteract atmospheric and climate conditions, he says.

Rwandan Genocide Survivors Provide New Insights Into Resilience and PTSD Posted: 25 Feb 2010 05:00 PM PST The 1994 genocide in Rwanda resulted in the mass killing of up to one million people over the course of about 100 days. There can be no doubt or surprise then that some of the survivors developed posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, an anxiety disorder that can develop after witnessing or experiencing a traumatizing event, such as abuse, war, or natural disaster. However, even under stress as extreme as genocide, not all individuals develop PTSD. Why is it that some do and some don't?

Optical system promises to revolutionize undersea communications Posted: 25 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST In a technological advance that its developers are likening to the cell phone and wireless Internet access, scientists and engineers have devised an undersea optical communications system that -- complemented by acoustics -- enables a virtual revolution in high-speed undersea data collection and transmission.

Why BPA leached from 'safe' plastics may damage health of female offspring Posted: 25 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST Here's more evidence that "safe" plastics are not as safe as once presumed: New research suggests that exposure to bisphenol A during pregnancy leads to epigenetic changes that may cause permanent reproduction problems for female offspring. BPA, a common component of plastics used to contain food, is a type of estrogen that is ubiquitous in the environment.

Woman gives birth to two healthy babies in separate pregnancies after ovarian transplant Posted: 25 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST For the first time, a woman has given birth to two children in two separate pregnancies after her fertility was restored using transplants of ovarian tissue that had been removed and frozen during her cancer treatment and then restored once she was cured.

Combined drug therapy to treat TB and HIV significantly improves survival Posted: 25 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST Initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) during tuberculosis therapy significantly reduced mortality rates by 56 percent in a randomized clinical trial of 642 patients co-infected with HIV and tuberculosis. The study, which provides further impetus for the integration of TB and HIV services, lays to rest the controversy on whether co-infected patients should initiate ART during or after TB treatment.

Second hydrocarbon boom threatens the Peruvian Amazon, researchers say Posted: 25 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST A rapid and unprecedented proliferation of oil and gas concessions threatens the megadiverse Peruvian Amazon. The amount of area leased is on track to reach around 70% of the region, threatening biodiversity and indigenous people. Researchers have documented the full history of hydrocarbon activities in the region and made projections about expected levels of activity in the near future.

Taxing unhealthy foods may encourage healthier eating habits Posted: 25 Feb 2010 02:00 PM PST A recent study found that taxing unhealthy food reduces the amount of calories purchased more than subsidizing healthy foods.

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