ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• First of missing primitive stars found
• New way to control disease-spreading mosquitoes: Make them hold their urine
• Second dose of gene therapy for inherited blindness proves safe in animal studies
• Early test for a killer of the sickest
• Weakness discovered in common digital security system
• Research: How you think about your age may affect how you age
• Oldest known dinosaur relative discovered
• Hormone replacement therapy linked to increased lung cancer risk
• Understanding chaotic motion of a solid body in a fluid
• Hepatitis B and C remain public health issue -- up to 5.3 million Americans infected
• Climate change one factor in malaria spread
• Controlling multi-taskers burn-out fast when confronted with unexpected challenges
• Hydrothermal vents discovered off Antarctica
• Insulin used to treat diabetes may be linked to increased cancer risk, review suggests
• More, better biodiesel
• Predicting the progression of Alzheimer's
• Quantifying the electron transport effects of placing metal contacts onto graphene
• Students' physical fitness associated with academic achievement; organized physical activity
• A convincing mimic: Scientists report octopus imitating flounder in the Atlantic
• With just one enzyme missing, mice show 'global' metabolic improvements
• Gene regulation: Can we stomach it? New technique fights against cause of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer
• Painfully few surefire treatments for muscle cramps
• Participation important for healthy marine parks
• Shopping for happiness? Get a massage, forget the flat-screen TV
• How trauma leads to inflammatory response: Mitochondria may be at root of dangerous complications from injury
• 'Stepping up' asthma treatment in children leads to improvement
• Pesky aphid thrives despite weak immune system
• African-American women at increased risk for weakened heart muscle at childbirth
• New insights to master signaling switch identified using high throughput technology platform
• How blood drives motivate blood donation
• Sea squirt offers hope for Alzheimer's sufferers
• Targeting leukemia cell's gene 'addiction' presents new strategy for treatment
• How to hunt for exoplanets
• Elderly patients who survive ICU stay have high rate of death in following years
• Faster method to detect bacterial contamination in coastal waters developed
• Moderate drinking before trauma leads to more flashbacks, study finds
• 'Cosmic Bat': Island of stars in the making on outskirts of Orion
• Mother's milk kick-starts liver to produce molecule that turns on heat-generating brown fat
• Aerial surveillance technology could keep soldiers safer
• Herceptin and Tykerb effective against a subset of gastric cancers, study suggests
• 'History Detectives' investigate the case of the mylar mystery
• Modern man found to be generally monogamous, moderately polygamous
• Artificial bee silk a big step closer to reality
• Freezing breast tumors helps stop cancer’s spread in mice, study finds
• Coffee associated with reduced risk of hospitalization for heart rhythm disturbances
• Foodborne illness costs US $152 billion annually, landmark report estimates
• Sorting device for analyzing biological reactions puts the power of a lab in a researcher’s pocket
• Toxicologist warning to parents: Look for signs of K2 -- 'fake marijuana'

First of missing primitive stars found Posted: 04 Mar 2010 11:00 AM PST Astronomers have discovered a relic from the early universe -- a star that may have been among the second generation of stars to form after the Big Bang. Located in the dwarf galaxy Sculptor some 290,000 light-years away, the star has a remarkably similar chemical make-up to the Milky Way's oldest stars. Its presence supports the theory that our galaxy underwent a "cannibal" phase, growing to its current size by swallowing dwarf galaxies and other galactic building blocks.

New way to control disease-spreading mosquitoes: Make them hold their urine Posted: 04 Mar 2010 11:00 AM PST Researchers have found a protein that may lead to a new way to control mosquitoes that spread dengue fever, yellow fever and other diseases when they feed on humans: Prevent them from urinating as they feed on blood.

Second dose of gene therapy for inherited blindness proves safe in animal studies Posted: 04 Mar 2010 11:00 AM PST A research team that conducted the gene therapy trial for an inherited blindness reports that a study in animals has shown that a second injection of genes into the opposite, previously untreated eye is safe and effective, with no signs of interference from unwanted immune reactions following the earlier injection. These new findings suggest that patients who benefit from gene therapy in one eye may experience similar benefits from treatment in the other eye.

Early test for a killer of the sickest Posted: 04 Mar 2010 11:00 AM PST An early test for fungal infections that measures how a patient's genes are responding could save the lives of some very sick patients. Researchers have devised an early gene-expression test for the fungal pathogen Candida that worked in mice.

Weakness discovered in common digital security system Posted: 04 Mar 2010 11:00 AM PST The most common digital security technique used to protect both media copyright and Internet communications has a major weakness, computer scientists have discovered.

Research: How you think about your age may affect how you age Posted: 04 Mar 2010 11:00 AM PST The saying "You're only as old as you feel" really seems to resonate with older adults, according to new research.

Oldest known dinosaur relative discovered Posted: 04 Mar 2010 08:00 AM PST Paleontologists have discovered a dinosaur-like animal living 10 million years earlier than the oldest known dinosaurs. The researchers suggest that dinosaurs and other close relatives might have also lived much earlier than previously thought.

Hormone replacement therapy linked to increased lung cancer risk Posted: 04 Mar 2010 08:00 AM PST Peri- and postmenopausal women aged 50 to 76 who take estrogen plus progestin may have an increased risk of lung cancer.

Understanding chaotic motion of a solid body in a fluid Posted: 04 Mar 2010 08:00 AM PST Scientists shed new light on the chaotic motion of a solid body moving through a fluid. They claim to have discovered two basic mechanisms that lead to chaotic motion of the body as it interacts with its vortex wake. The work may lead to better understanding and control of real body-vortex interactions.

Hepatitis B and C remain public health issue -- up to 5.3 million Americans infected Posted: 04 Mar 2010 08:00 AM PST A recent report confirmed that 3.5 to 5.3 million people (1-2 percent of the US population) have chronic hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus infections. Despite efforts by federal, state and local government agencies to control and prevent these diseases, they remain a serious public health concern.

Climate change one factor in malaria spread Posted: 04 Mar 2010 08:00 AM PST Climate change is one reason malaria is on the rise in some parts of the world, new research finds, but other factors such as migration and land-use changes are likely also at play. The research aims to sort out contradictions that have emerged as scientists try to understand why malaria has been spreading into highland areas of East Africa, Indonesia, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

Controlling multi-taskers burn-out fast when confronted with unexpected challenges Posted: 04 Mar 2010 08:00 AM PST Researchers have found that high-in-self-control people tend to use all of their resources at once -- concentrating intently on the task immediately at hand -- but are stymied when unexpected challenges are thrown their way.

Hydrothermal vents discovered off Antarctica Posted: 04 Mar 2010 05:00 AM PST Scientists have found evidence of hydrothermal vents on the seafloor near Antarctica, formerly a blank spot on the map for researchers wanting to learn more about seafloor formation and the bizarre life forms drawn to these extreme environments.

Insulin used to treat diabetes may be linked to increased cancer risk, review suggests Posted: 04 Mar 2010 05:00 AM PST The benefits of using insulin to treat diabetes far outweigh the risks, but a new review suggests that people with diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes, may face an increased risk of cancer and that their cancer may be modified by treatment choices. The review showed that: diabetic patients are 30 percent more likely to develop colorectal cancer and have an 82 percent higher risk of pancreatic cancer. Female diabetics face a 20 percent greater risk of breast cancer.

More, better biodiesel Posted: 04 Mar 2010 05:00 AM PST Higher yields of better-performing biodiesel could be produced using a new method.

Predicting the progression of Alzheimer's Posted: 04 Mar 2010 05:00 AM PST An assessment has been developed which reliably predicts future performance in cognition and activities of daily living for patients with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers followed 597 patients over 15 years to identify factors associated with slow, intermediate and rapid progression.

Quantifying the electron transport effects of placing metal contacts onto graphene Posted: 04 Mar 2010 05:00 AM PST Using large-scale supercomputer calculations, researchers have analyzed how the placement of metallic contacts on graphene changes the electron transport properties of the material as a factor of junction length, width and orientation.

Students' physical fitness associated with academic achievement; organized physical activity Posted: 04 Mar 2010 05:00 AM PST Physical fitness is associated with academic performance in young people, according to a new study.

A convincing mimic: Scientists report octopus imitating flounder in the Atlantic Posted: 04 Mar 2010 02:00 AM PST Cephalopod experts report the exceptional camouflage capabilities of the Atlantic longarm octopus, Macrotritopus defilippi, whose strategy for avoiding predators includes expertly disguising itself as a flounder. While researchers have documented two other species of octopuses imitating flounder in Indonesian waters, this is the first report of flounder mimicry by an Atlantic octopus, and only the fourth convincing case of mimicry for cephalopods.

With just one enzyme missing, mice show 'global' metabolic improvements Posted: 04 Mar 2010 02:00 AM PST When researchers created mice lacking an enzyme that breaks down and releases stored triglycerides, they expected to see animals with better lipid profiles. But according to a new study, they got more than they bargained for. The triacylglycerol hydrolase (TGH)-deficient mice showed global metabolic benefits, with essentially no downside.

Gene regulation: Can we stomach it? New technique fights against cause of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer Posted: 04 Mar 2010 02:00 AM PST A breakthrough in decoding gene regulation of Helicobacter pylori has been made by an international research team. Using a newly developed sequencing technique, the researchers discovered 60 small ribonucleic acids -- tiny RNA-particles which can regulate genes -- in the genome of this human pathogen. These findings could facilitate the development of new therapeutic strategies against this widespread pathogen.

Painfully few surefire treatments for muscle cramps Posted: 04 Mar 2010 02:00 AM PST Most cases of muscle cramps never get reported to public health authorities, so it's difficult to say how common they are. But you probably know someone who's had them. You've probably had them, too. And the older you get, the more likely you're having one right now. Until not very long ago, quinine -- a bitter-tasting substance sometimes associated with tonic water that was once the world's mainstay treatment for malaria -- was also the drug of choice for treatment of muscle cramps. But in 2006, the Food and Drug Administration warned against the use of quinine for this purpose, not because it was utterly ineffective but because of accumulating anecdotal evidence of adverse effects.

Participation important for healthy marine parks Posted: 04 Mar 2010 02:00 AM PST The involvement of locals is a key ingredient in the success of marine parks which protect coral reefs and fish stocks. The largest-scale study to date of how coastal communities influence successful outcomes in marine reserves has found that human population pressure was a critical factor in whether or not a reserve succeeded in protecting marine resources -- but so too was local involvement in research and management.

Shopping for happiness? Get a massage, forget the flat-screen TV Posted: 04 Mar 2010 02:00 AM PST Consumers found that satisfaction with "experiential purchases" -- from massages to family vacations -- starts high and increases over time. In contrast, spending money on material things feels good at first, but actually makes people less happy in the end, according to new research.

How trauma leads to inflammatory response: Mitochondria may be at root of dangerous complications from injury Posted: 03 Mar 2010 11:00 PM PST A new study suggests that mitochondria can be released into the bloodstream following physical injury, resulting in a sepsis-like immune response, and leading to the onset of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

'Stepping up' asthma treatment in children leads to improvement Posted: 03 Mar 2010 11:00 PM PST Children with asthma who continue to have symptoms while using low-dose inhaled corticosteroids could benefit from increasing the dosage or adding one of two asthma drugs, a new study finds.

Pesky aphid thrives despite weak immune system Posted: 03 Mar 2010 11:00 PM PST Pea aphids, expert survivors of the insect world, appear to lack major biological defenses, according to the first genetic analysis of their immune system.

African-American women at increased risk for weakened heart muscle at childbirth Posted: 03 Mar 2010 11:00 PM PST African-American women are at significantly increased risk for developing a potentially deadly weakening of the heart muscle around the time of childbirth, researchers report.

New insights to master signaling switch identified using high throughput technology platform Posted: 03 Mar 2010 11:00 PM PST Scientists have identified a range of novel protein interactions involved in calcium signaling in brain cells and validated them using a high throughput screening technology.

How blood drives motivate blood donation Posted: 03 Mar 2010 11:00 PM PST There is typically a shortage of donated blood in the United States, and new research is looking for ways of improving the life-saving supply. About 38 percent of Americans are eligible to donate blood and only about 8 percent do. So an important question nationally is: what is the proper incentive so that the rate of blood donation can increase?

Sea squirt offers hope for Alzheimer's sufferers Posted: 03 Mar 2010 08:00 PM PST Plaques and tangles in the brains of Alzheimer's patients mark its slow, inexorable progression. Finding new drugs to prevent plaques is currently the best hope for sufferers. However, efficient drug screens that detect plaque formation are often impossible due to their slow formation. Researchers have now identified the sea squirt, our closest invertebrate relative, as a potential new resource for drug development.

Targeting leukemia cell's gene 'addiction' presents new strategy for treatment Posted: 03 Mar 2010 08:00 PM PST Scientists studying acute forms of leukemia have identified a new drug target to inhibit the genes which are vital for the growth of diseased cells. The research reveals how leukaemia cells become 'addicted' to genes, which if targeted could prevent diseased cells from developing.

How to hunt for exoplanets Posted: 03 Mar 2010 08:00 PM PST A new report explains how new technological advances have seen the discovery of more than 400 exoplanets to date, a number expected to rise to thousands in the next few years.

Elderly patients who survive ICU stay have high rate of death in following years Posted: 03 Mar 2010 08:00 PM PST Elderly patients who are hospitalized in an intensive care unit and survive are discharged from the hospital have a high rate of death in the following three years, and patients who receive mechanical ventilation have a substantially increased rate of death compared with both hospital and general population controls in the first several months after hospital discharge, according to a new study.

Faster method to detect bacterial contamination in coastal waters developed Posted: 03 Mar 2010 08:00 PM PST Currently, beachgoers are informed about water quality conditions based on results from the previous day's sample. Scientists must collect samples in the field, then return to a lab to culture them for analysis -- a process that takes a minimum of 24 hours. Now, engineers have sped up the process of analyzing bacterial concentrations to under one hour, through the development of a new in-field, rapid detection method.

Moderate drinking before trauma leads to more flashbacks, study finds Posted: 03 Mar 2010 08:00 PM PST People who have drunk a moderate amount of alcohol before a traumatic event report more flashbacks than those who have had no alcohol, according to new research.

'Cosmic Bat': Island of stars in the making on outskirts of Orion Posted: 03 Mar 2010 05:00 PM PST The delicate nebula NGC 1788, located in a dark and often neglected corner of the Orion constellation, is revealed in a new and finely nuanced image that astronomers have released. Although this ghostly cloud is rather isolated from Orion's bright stars, the latter's powerful winds and light have had a strong impact on the nebula, forging its shape and making it home to a multitude of infant suns.

Mother's milk kick-starts liver to produce molecule that turns on heat-generating brown fat Posted: 03 Mar 2010 05:00 PM PST In newborn mice, at least, mother's milk appears to have some rather immediate and potentially far-reaching metabolic consequences. The milk intake kick-starts the liver to produce a molecule that then turns on heat-generating brown fat.

Aerial surveillance technology could keep soldiers safer Posted: 03 Mar 2010 05:00 PM PST New technology that enables aerial vehicles to plan and verify missions could mean there is less need for military personnel to conduct dangerous surveillance operations in war zones. Developed for use in multiple unmanned aerial vehicles, the sophisticated autonomous computer framework allows one operator to control a number of vehicles from a safe position on the ground. It would also make surveillance missions significantly cheaper.

Herceptin and Tykerb effective against a subset of gastric cancers, study suggests Posted: 03 Mar 2010 05:00 PM PST A combination of two targeted therapies already shown to be effective in breast cancer packs an effective one-two punch against a subset of gastric cancers that have a specific genetic mutation, a new study has found.

'History Detectives' investigate the case of the mylar mystery Posted: 03 Mar 2010 05:00 PM PST There is a mystery afoot at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center -- the case of the mylar mystery to be exact. The PBS show "The History Detectives" recently investigated questions surrounding one clue -- a small, unassuming, silver sample of mylar with pink residue on one side. The mystery to be solved was whether or not this bit of mylar was from Goddard's Echo II satelloon project. Satelloons are a combination of satellites and balloons which were constructed out of bright, metallic mylar for increased visibility.

Modern man found to be generally monogamous, moderately polygamous Posted: 03 Mar 2010 05:00 PM PST New research has found that modern man, or Homo sapiens, would have been monogamous while exhibiting tendencies toward polygamy over the course of evolutionary history. These findings are consistent with studies in evolutionary psychology and anthropology that depict contemporary human populations.

Artificial bee silk a big step closer to reality Posted: 03 Mar 2010 02:00 PM PST Scientists have achieved another important milestone in the international quest to artificially produce insect silk.

Freezing breast tumors helps stop cancer’s spread in mice, study finds Posted: 03 Mar 2010 02:00 PM PST Freezing a cancer kills it in its place, and also appears to generate an immune response that helps stop the cancer's spread, leading to improved survival rates over surgery, according to a new study in mice.

Coffee associated with reduced risk of hospitalization for heart rhythm disturbances Posted: 03 Mar 2010 02:00 PM PST Coffee drinkers may be less likely to be hospitalized for heart rhythm disturbances, according to a new study. The researchers note the findings may be surprising because patients frequently report palpitations after drinking coffee.

Foodborne illness costs US $152 billion annually, landmark report estimates Posted: 03 Mar 2010 02:00 PM PST A new study estimates the total economic impact of foodborne illness across the U.S. to be a combined $152 billion annually.

Sorting device for analyzing biological reactions puts the power of a lab in a researcher’s pocket Posted: 03 Mar 2010 02:00 PM PST Researchers have demonstrated a new microfluidic sorting device that rapidly analyzes millions of biological reactions. Smaller than an iPod Nano, the device analyzes reactions a 1,000-times faster and uses 10 million-fold less volumes of reagent than conventional state-of-the-art robotic methods. The scientists anticipate that the invention could reduce screening costs by 1 million-fold and make directed evolution more commonplace in the lab.

Toxicologist warning to parents: Look for signs of K2 -- 'fake marijuana' Posted: 03 Mar 2010 02:00 PM PST In the last month, a professor of toxicology at Saint Louis University has seen nearly 30 cases involving teenagers who were experiencing hallucinations, severe agitation, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, vomiting and, in some cases, tremors and seizures. All of these teens had smoked a dangerous, yet legal substance known as K2 or "fake weed."

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