ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Golden bullet for cancer? Nanoparticles provide targeted version of photothermal therapy for cancer
• Female sex chromosomes, not just hormones, help regulate blood pressure
• Monkeys choose variety for variety's sake
• Surgeons use neck muscle, surrounding tissue as lip implant
• Formula for making teeth will soon be found, researchers say
• March Madness: Bracket seedings irrelevant after Sweet Sixteen round
• Super supernova: White dwarf star system exceeds mass limit
• Erectile dysfunction strong predictor of death, cardiovascular outcomes
• Babies are born to dance, new research shows
• New avenue for developing treatments for genetic muscle-wasting disease
• Computational feat speeds finding of genes to milliseconds instead of years
• Today's youth aren't 'ego-driven slackers' after all
• 3-D cell culture: Making cells feel right at home, suspended in magnetic fields
• Fruit flies and test tubes open new window on Alzheimer's disease
• Chemical in bananas identified as potent inhibitor of HIV infection
• How muscle cells control fatty acid uptake
• Controlling structure on the nanoscale could lead to better superconductors
• Exploring status quo bias in the human brain
• New hand bacteria study holds promise for forensics identification
• Studies reveal substantial increases in non-melanoma skin cancers
• Diabetes' link to eating disorders explored
• Palpable breast cancers are more common in women not undergoing annual mammography
• Yellow fever strikes monkey populations in South America
• Trauma of war doubles asthma risk among civilians
• One gene lost = one limb regained? Scientists demonstrate mammalian regeneration through a single gene deletion
• Neuroimaging study describes Alzheimer's disease-like changes in elderly people without the disease
• Bt protein found effective against parasitic roundworm infections
• Researchers uncover new data about protein function in Joubert syndrome
• Potential CITES trade ban for rare salamander underscores wildlife e-commerce
• Young Britons see significantly more smoking in movies than US peers
• Freshwater polyp hydra genome sequenced: Survey finds genes linked to Huntington's, Alzheimer's
• Plaque on CT scan is strong predictor of heart disease, worse long-term outcomes
• Crowded houses: Why our peripheral vision may not be as random as we think
• 'Tommy John' elbow reconstruction 95 percent successful with grown teen pitchers, study says
• Peru mahogany decision highlights overlooked timber proposals at CITES
• Emergency online communities: Building social networks to help the disadvantaged during disaster recovery
• When did the first 'modern' human beings appear in the Iberian Peninsula?
• Researchers solve a molecular mystery in muscle
• Phobos flyby images: proposed landing sites for the forthcoming Phobos-Grunt mission
• Oscillations at odds in the heart
• Chinese medicine societies reject tiger bones ahead of CITES conference
• Wealth buys health -- even in China
• Fossil of early terrestrial amphibian discovered
• Better genetic test for autism? Chromosomal microarray analysis picks up more abnormalities than current tests
• Carbon emissions 'outsourced' to developing countries
• Gene discovered for newly recognized disease in Amish children
• Interventional radiology: Zapping uterine fibroids with heat from high-energy sound waves
• Confidence is key to gauging impressions we make

Golden bullet for cancer? Nanoparticles provide targeted version of photothermal therapy for cancer Posted: 16 Mar 2010 11:00 AM PDT Nanocages that efficiently convert light to heat are the basis for a targeted form of phototherapy that would destroy tumors without making cancer patients sick.

Female sex chromosomes, not just hormones, help regulate blood pressure Posted: 16 Mar 2010 11:00 AM PDT Researchers have determined that something in female sex chromosomes appears to trigger a rise in blood pressure after the onset of menopause. This finding challenges the current belief that sex hormones are largely responsible for regulating blood pressure.

Monkeys choose variety for variety's sake Posted: 16 Mar 2010 11:00 AM PDT Given a choice between spending a token to get their absolute favorite food or spending it to have a choice from a buffet of options, capuchin monkeys will opt for variety.

Surgeons use neck muscle, surrounding tissue as lip implant Posted: 16 Mar 2010 11:00 AM PDT Augmenting the lips with grafts of muscle and connective tissue from the neck appears to result in improved appearance for at least two years, according to a new report.

Formula for making teeth will soon be found, researchers say Posted: 16 Mar 2010 11:00 AM PDT Each cusp of our teeth is regulated by genes which carefully control the development. A similar genetic puzzle also regulates the differentiation of our other organs and of all living organisms. Scientists have developed a computer model reproducing population-level variation in complex structures like teeth and organs. The research takes a step towards the growing of correctly shaped teeth and other organs.

March Madness: Bracket seedings irrelevant after Sweet Sixteen round Posted: 16 Mar 2010 11:00 AM PDT For the average college basketball fan looking for an edge in a March Madness office pool, an expert in statistics and data analysis has some advice on how to pick winners: After the Sweet Sixteen round of play, ignore a team's seeding, which is a statistically insignificant predictor of a team's chances of winning.

Super supernova: White dwarf star system exceeds mass limit Posted: 16 Mar 2010 08:00 AM PDT Astronomers have, for the first time, measured the mass of a type of supernova thought to belong to a unique subclass and confirmed that it surpasses what was believed to be an upper mass limit. Their findings could affect the way cosmologists measure the expansion of the universe.

Erectile dysfunction strong predictor of death, cardiovascular outcomes Posted: 16 Mar 2010 08:00 AM PDT Men with cardiovascular disease and erectile dysfunction (ED) are at higher risk for death from all causes and also are more likely to suffer cardiovascular death, heart attack, stroke and heart failure hospitalization, according to a new study. Treatments effective in reducing cardiovascular disease had no effect on ED. Erectile dysfunction should be considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, researchers said.

Babies are born to dance, new research shows Posted: 16 Mar 2010 08:00 AM PDT A study of infants finds they respond to the rhythm and tempo of music and find it more engaging than speech. The research suggest that babies may be born with a predisposition to move rhythmically in response to music.

New avenue for developing treatments for genetic muscle-wasting disease Posted: 16 Mar 2010 08:00 AM PDT Scientists have identified a promising new approach for developing drugs to treat Spinal muscular atrophy, the leading inherited cause of death in infants and toddlers. They have found that an enzyme called RhoA is overly active in a mouse model of this disease, and a common laboratory compound that blocks this enzyme can greatly increase survival.

Computational feat speeds finding of genes to milliseconds instead of years Posted: 16 Mar 2010 08:00 AM PDT Like a magician who says, "Pick a card, any card," computer scientist Debashis Sahoo seemed to be offering some kind of trick when he asked researchers to pick any two genes already known to be involved in stem cell development. Finding such genes can take years and hundreds of thousands of dollars, but Sahoo was promising the skeptical stem cell scientists that, in a fraction of a second and for practically zero cost, he could find new genes involved in the same developmental pathway as the two genes provided. Sahoo went on to show that this amazing feat could actually be performed.

Today's youth aren't 'ego-driven slackers' after all Posted: 16 Mar 2010 08:00 AM PDT Today's youth are generally not the self-centered, antisocial slackers that previous research has made them out to be, according to a provocative new study.

3-D cell culture: Making cells feel right at home, suspended in magnetic fields Posted: 16 Mar 2010 05:00 AM PDT New research takes aim at a biological icon: the two-dimensional petri dish. Scientists have found a simple way to suspend cells in magnetic fields so they grow into three-dimensional cell cultures. Compared with flat cell cultures, the 3-D cell cultures more closely resemble real tissues from the body and should provide more realistic targets for testing new drugs.

Fruit flies and test tubes open new window on Alzheimer's disease Posted: 16 Mar 2010 05:00 AM PDT Scientists have discovered a molecule that can prevent a toxic protein involved Alzheimer's disease from building up in the brain. They found that in test tube studies the molecule not only prevents the protein from forming clumps but can also reverse this process. Then, using fruit flies with Alzheimer's disease, they showed that the same molecule effectively "cures" the insects of the disease.

Chemical in bananas identified as potent inhibitor of HIV infection Posted: 16 Mar 2010 05:00 AM PDT A potent new inhibitor of HIV, derived from bananas, may open the door to new treatments to prevent sexual transmission of HIV, according to a new study.

How muscle cells control fatty acid uptake Posted: 16 Mar 2010 05:00 AM PDT A new study shows that the blood vessels and muscles of the heart can regulate the uptake of fatty acids that we ingest through meat, milk products and other food. The researchers have also identified the way in which regulation is governed by the muscles themselves. The results open the way for new forms of treatment for pathological fat accumulation in the muscles which, in turn, increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Controlling structure on the nanoscale could lead to better superconductors Posted: 16 Mar 2010 05:00 AM PDT A new experiment shows how adjacent regions affect each other in superconductors, and suggests ways that the materials could be improved by controlling their nanoscopic structures.

Exploring status quo bias in the human brain Posted: 16 Mar 2010 05:00 AM PDT The more difficult the decision we face, the more likely we are not to act, according to new research by scientists that examines the neural pathways involved in "status quo bias" in the human brain.

New hand bacteria study holds promise for forensics identification Posted: 16 Mar 2010 02:00 AM PDT Forensic scientists may soon have a valuable new item in their toolkits -- a way to identify individuals using unique, telltale types of hand bacteria left behind on objects like keyboards and computer mice, says a new study.

Studies reveal substantial increases in non-melanoma skin cancers Posted: 16 Mar 2010 02:00 AM PDT Both new diagnoses and a history of non-melanoma skin cancer appear to have become increasingly common, and the disease affects more individuals than all other cancers combined, according to two new reports.

Diabetes' link to eating disorders explored Posted: 16 Mar 2010 02:00 AM PDT Diabetics, under the gun to better manage their disease by controlling their food intake and weight, may find themselves in the sticky wicket of needing treatment that makes them hungry, researchers said.

Palpable breast cancers are more common in women not undergoing annual mammography Posted: 16 Mar 2010 02:00 AM PDT New research findings indicate that some breast cancers continue to be detected as a palpable lump rather than being found through mammographic screening. Patients who presented with palpable tumors -- those detected as a result of breast complaint or during examination -- had larger tumors and were at a more advanced stage at diagnosis.

Yellow fever strikes monkey populations in South America Posted: 16 Mar 2010 02:00 AM PDT A group of Argentine scientists have announced that yellow fever is the culprit in a 2007-2008 die-off of howler monkeys in northeastern Argentina, a finding that underscores the importance of paying attention to the health of wildlife and how the health of people and wild nature are so closely linked.

Trauma of war doubles asthma risk among civilians Posted: 16 Mar 2010 02:00 AM PDT Living through the trauma of war seems to increase the risk of developing asthma, suggests new research.

One gene lost = one limb regained? Scientists demonstrate mammalian regeneration through a single gene deletion Posted: 15 Mar 2010 11:00 PM PDT The absence of a single gene, called p21, confers a healing potential in mice long thought to be reserved only for creatures like flatworms, sponges, and some species of salamander: regeneration. Researchers demonstrate that mice that lack the gene can regenerate lost or damaged tissue, suggesting that such an ability may be granted to mammals by blocking the effects of p21.

Neuroimaging study describes Alzheimer's disease-like changes in elderly people without the disease Posted: 15 Mar 2010 11:00 PM PDT Researchers have related the findings that are emerging from PET-PIB imaging to changes in the function of brain circuits.

Bt protein found effective against parasitic roundworm infections Posted: 15 Mar 2010 11:00 PM PDT Biologists have discovered that a protein from a soil bacterium used to kill insects naturally on organic crops is a highly effective treatment for intestinal parasitic roundworms.

Researchers uncover new data about protein function in Joubert syndrome Posted: 15 Mar 2010 11:00 PM PDT Researchers in Ireland have gained new understanding of the role played by the cilial protein Arl13b in Joubert syndrome (JS), a rare disorder characterized by developmental delay, mental retardation, and low muscle tone, among other symptoms.

Potential CITES trade ban for rare salamander underscores wildlife e-commerce Posted: 15 Mar 2010 11:00 PM PDT A little-known Iranian salamander is poised to become the first example of a species requiring international government protection because of e-commerce -- a major threat to endangered wildlife that authorities are struggling to address.

Young Britons see significantly more smoking in movies than US peers Posted: 15 Mar 2010 11:00 PM PDT Young Britons see significantly more on-screen smoking in movies than their US peers, finds new research.

Freshwater polyp hydra genome sequenced: Survey finds genes linked to Huntington's, Alzheimer's Posted: 15 Mar 2010 08:00 PM PDT An international team of scientists have sequenced the genome of Hydra, a freshwater polyp that's been a staple of biological research for 300 years.

Plaque on CT scan is strong predictor of heart disease, worse long-term outcomes Posted: 15 Mar 2010 08:00 PM PDT The presence of plaque on an abdominal CT scan is a strong predictor of coronary artery disease and mortality, according to a new study. Researchers found that patients are nearly 60 percent at risk of having coronary artery disease when the CT scan showed very high levels of abdominal aortic calcium, commonly known as plaque. High levels of the abdominal aortic calcium also increased their risk of dying, researchers say

Crowded houses: Why our peripheral vision may not be as random as we think Posted: 15 Mar 2010 08:00 PM PDT As you read this, you may notice that the word directly in front of you is clear, but all the surrounding words are hard to make out. For most people, this effect is not a problem. However, for millions of people worldwide with eye disease, it can make everyday tasks such as reading or recognizing friends a challenge. Researchers have made new insights into this process.

'Tommy John' elbow reconstruction 95 percent successful with grown teen pitchers, study says Posted: 15 Mar 2010 08:00 PM PDT A new study has found that 95 percent of skeletally mature high school pitchers were satisfied with their "Tommy John" elbow reconstruction surgery. Almost as many (94.7 percent) returned to competitive baseball.

Peru mahogany decision highlights overlooked timber proposals at CITES Posted: 15 Mar 2010 08:00 PM PDT Beyond the headline-grabbing proposals on bluefin tuna and ivory trade, the largest wildlife trade convention meeting this week will also address several timber-related issues -- an often overlooked responsibility of the Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna.

Emergency online communities: Building social networks to help the disadvantaged during disaster recovery Posted: 15 Mar 2010 08:00 PM PDT Online social networks could help with communications and recovery for people with disabilities following major natural disasters, or even terrorist attack, according a new research paper.

When did the first 'modern' human beings appear in the Iberian Peninsula? Posted: 15 Mar 2010 05:00 PM PDT New research has stirred up scientific debate about the appearance of the first "modern" human beings on the Iberian Peninsula and their possible bearing on the extinction of the Neanderthals.

Researchers solve a molecular mystery in muscle Posted: 15 Mar 2010 05:00 PM PDT Despite widespread interest in insulin-like growth factors, key details about how these potent molecules work on muscle cells have been lacking. Researchers have now cleared up a longstanding mystery about the workings of IGFs. The team's findings could lead to new treatments for muscle-wasting diseases and new ways of preventing the muscle loss that accompanies aging.

Phobos flyby images: proposed landing sites for the forthcoming Phobos-Grunt mission Posted: 15 Mar 2010 05:00 PM PDT Images from the recent flyby of Phobos, on March 7, 2010, have been released. The images show Mars' rocky moon in exquisite detail, with a resolution of just 4.4 m per pixel. They show the proposed landing sites for the forthcoming Phobos-Grunt mission.

Oscillations at odds in the heart Posted: 15 Mar 2010 05:00 PM PDT Researchers show that a classical biological oscillator, the glycolytic oscillator, may increase damage to the heart during acute loss of oxygen (anoxia), and as may occur during ischemia.

Chinese medicine societies reject tiger bones ahead of CITES conference Posted: 15 Mar 2010 05:00 PM PDT WWF and TRAFFIC welcome a World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies statement urging its members not to use tiger bone or any other parts from endangered wildlife.

Wealth buys health -- even in China Posted: 15 Mar 2010 05:00 PM PDT A new study from North Carolina State University shows that rich people tend to be healthier than poor people in China - a trend also seen in the US. However, there is one key difference. In China, the overall health gap across generations is getting narrower -- and it's getting wider in the US.

Fossil of early terrestrial amphibian discovered Posted: 15 Mar 2010 02:00 PM PDT Researchers have described a new carnivorous amphibian from western Pennsylvania. The 300-million-year-old remarkably preserved fossil is one of few amphibians displaying evidence of a land-based life history so early in time. The rocks where Fedexia was found are nearly 20 million years older than those of its fossil relatives, suggesting that the group's expansion occurred much earlier than previously thought.

Better genetic test for autism? Chromosomal microarray analysis picks up more abnormalities than current tests Posted: 15 Mar 2010 02:00 PM PDT A large study from Children's Hospital Boston and the Boston-based Autism Consortium finds that a genetic test that samples the entire genome, known as chromosomal microarray analysis, has about three times the detection rate for genetic changes related to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) than standard tests.

Carbon emissions 'outsourced' to developing countries Posted: 15 Mar 2010 02:00 PM PDT Scientists report that over a third of carbon dioxide emissions associated with consumption of goods and services in many developed countries are actually emitted outside their borders. The study finds that, per person, about 2.5 tons of carbon dioxide are consumed in the US but produced somewhere else. For Europeans, the figure can exceed four tons per person. Most of these emissions are outsourced to developing countries, especially China.

Gene discovered for newly recognized disease in Amish children Posted: 15 Mar 2010 02:00 PM PDT The gene for a newly recognized disease has been identified thanks to the determination of an Amish father and physicians who specializes in disorders of the Amish. The identification of the new multisystem autoimmune disorder and the recessive gene that causes it have just been published

Interventional radiology: Zapping uterine fibroids with heat from high-energy sound waves Posted: 15 Mar 2010 02:00 PM PDT There's a new interventional radiology tool showing promise in the treatment of uterine fibroids: magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS), a minimally invasive treatment that uses high-energy ultrasound waves to generate heat at a specific point to destroy uterine fibroid tissue and relieve symptoms.

Confidence is key to gauging impressions we make Posted: 15 Mar 2010 02:00 PM PDT The gift of "seeing ourselves as others see us" comes in handy when judging how we've made a first impression. Yet many come away with little or no clue about how that first impression was perceived. A new study suggests confidence is a key indicator of how well we've assessed impressions left behind.

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