ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Watching a living brain in the act of seeing -- with single-synapse resolution
• Curcumin nanoparticles 'open up' resistant cancers
• Purple pokeberries hold secret to affordable solar power worldwide
• New reliable method based on patients’ gait helps to diagnose fibromyalgia
• Researchers preparing for Blue Waters: Most powerful supercomputer in the world
• Out of mind, out of sight: Blinking eyes indicate mind wandering
• Healthy person's genome analyzed to predict risk for diseases, responses to treatments
• Tiny particles may help surgeons by marking brain tumors
• World first remote heart operation carried out in UK using robotic arm
• Smoking during radiation therapy for head and neck cancers linked to poorer outcomes
• Scientist tracks origins of bootleg honey from China
• Organic snackers underestimate calories, study shows
• Sign language study shows multiple brain regions wired for language
• Study challenges prevailing view that common diseases are usually caused by common mutations
• A clamp for emerging flu viruses: Researchers unravel secret of innate immune response
• Potential treatment for bone death in the hip from osteonecrosis
• Carbon, nitrogen link may provide new ways to mitigate pollution problems
• It's not what politicians say but what we hear
• First case of animals making their own essential nutrients: carotenoids
• Low vitamin D levels are related to MS brain atrophy, cognitive function, studies show
• ACE measurements and STEREO vision build space weather forecasting system
• High doses of B vitamins associated with increased decline in kidney function for patients with kidney disease from diabetes
• DNA And Its Complexes
• Fibromyalgia affects mental health of those diagnosed and their spouses, study finds
• 'Survivor' black holes may be mid-sized
• Scientists 'see' molecular signals of eye disease before symptoms arise with new tool
• Genome sequence marks big leap forward for frog researchers
• A single protein regulates two immune pathways
• Crude oil no longer needed for production of plastics
• Lottery game helps to assess brain damage following stroke
• Migratory behaviour affects the size of bird brains
• Our genes can be set on pause: Embryonic stem cells reveal oncogene's secret growth formula
• Nude-colored hospital gowns could help doctors better detect hard-to-see symptoms
• New genetic link to scleroderma discovered
• Study gives green light to plants’ role in global warming
• Use of alternative therapy for pain treatment increases with age and wealth
• Scientists report first genome sequence of frog: Genome of Xenopus tropicalis will advance frog genetics
• Why cholesterol damages arteries: Cholesterol crystals lead to life-threatening inflammation in blood vessel walls
• Developing world will produce double the e-waste of developed countries by 2016, study predicts
• Quick new screening exam could save thousands of people from bowel cancer
• Nano-infused filters prove effective
• Animals' 'right to privacy' denied by wildlife documentary makers, academic argues
• Deliver drugs within the body with precision with the help of liposomes?
• MS study suggests key role of environmental factor in the disease
• Military develops multi-purpose 'green' decontaminants for terrorist attack sites
• 'Epigenetic' concepts offer new approach to degenerative disease
• Peat moss could be new tool for oil-spill clean-ups
• Hormone spray improves male sensitivity, German research finds

Watching a living brain in the act of seeing -- with single-synapse resolution Posted: 30 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Scientists report evidence that individual neurons carry out significant aspects of visual processing. Their novel microscopy method makes it possible to observe individual synapses on a single neuron in a living mammalian brain. Focusing on neurons involved in processing movement-related signals, they discovered that an individual neuron integrates inputs from many synapses into a single output -- a decision, in essence, made by a single nerve cell.

Curcumin nanoparticles 'open up' resistant cancers Posted: 30 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Pre-treatment with curcumin, a component of the spice turmeric, makes ovarian cancer cells more vulnerable to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Researchers found that delivering the curcumin via very small (less than 100nm) nanoparticles enhanced the sensitizing effect.

Purple pokeberries hold secret to affordable solar power worldwide Posted: 30 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Pokeberries -- the weeds that children smash to stain their cheeks purple-red and that Civil War soldiers used to write letters home -- could be the key to spreading solar power across the globe, according to researchers.

New reliable method based on patients’ gait helps to diagnose fibromyalgia Posted: 30 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT A researcher from Spain has designed a reliable method that -- combined with the diagnostic criteria of the American College of Reumathology -- helps to diagnose fibromyalgia on the basis of patients' walk parameters, i.e. their gait.

Researchers preparing for Blue Waters: Most powerful supercomputer in the world Posted: 30 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Researchers are preparing their computational chemistry tools for the Blue Waters supercomputer and its quadrillion calculations per second. Blue Waters is expected to be the most powerful supercomputer in the world for open scientific research when it comes online in 2011.

Out of mind, out of sight: Blinking eyes indicate mind wandering Posted: 30 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT When your mind wanders, you're not paying attention to what's going in front of you. A new study suggests that it's not just the mind, it's the body, too; when subjects' minds wandered, they blinked more, setting up a tiny physical barrier between themselves and the outside world.

Healthy person's genome analyzed to predict risk for diseases, responses to treatments Posted: 30 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT For the first time, researchers have used a healthy person's complete genome sequence to predict his risk for dozens of diseases and how he will respond to several common medications.

Tiny particles may help surgeons by marking brain tumors Posted: 30 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Researchers have developed a way to enhance how brain tumors appear in MRI scans and during surgery, making the tumors easier for surgeons to identify and remove. Scientists are experimenting with different nanoparticles that they hope may one day be injected into the blood of patients and help surgeons remove lethal brain tumors known as glioblastomas.

World first remote heart operation carried out in UK using robotic arm Posted: 30 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT A pioneering world first robotics system operation is to be conducted at Glenfield Hospital Leicester in the UK. The system is novel because it allows a doctor to carry out a common heart treatment procedure remotely using a robotic arm.

Smoking during radiation therapy for head and neck cancers linked to poorer outcomes Posted: 30 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Smokers who don't quit before radiation therapy for throat, mouth and other head and neck cancers fair significantly worse than those who do, researchers have found.

Scientist tracks origins of bootleg honey from China Posted: 30 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT One scientist spends hours at a time peering at slides of pollen samples, comparing them to track down the origins of honey with questionable heritage. Some of the samples contain labels from other countries when in fact they originated in China but were re-routed to avoid tariffs of up to 500 percent, he says.

Organic snackers underestimate calories, study shows Posted: 30 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Researchers show that "organic" labels on snack foods can lead people to underestimate the number of calories in their snacks by up to 40%.

Sign language study shows multiple brain regions wired for language Posted: 30 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT A new study finds that there is no single advanced area of the human brain that gives it language capabilities above and beyond those of any other animal species. Instead, humans rely on several regions of the brain, each designed to accomplish different primitive tasks, in order to make sense of a sentence.

Study challenges prevailing view that common diseases are usually caused by common mutations Posted: 30 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT In findings that may speed the search for disease-causing genes, a new study challenges the prevailing view that common diseases are usually caused by common gene variants (mutations). Instead, say genetics researchers, the culprits may be numerous rare variants, located in DNA sequences farther away from the original "hot spots" than scientists have been accustomed to look. The study team successfully tested their approach using real sequencing data from patients with hearing loss.

A clamp for emerging flu viruses: Researchers unravel secret of innate immune response Posted: 30 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT When the human body becomes infected with new influenza viruses, the immune system rapidly activates an inborn protective mechanism to inhibit the intruding pathogen. A protein known as Mx plays an important role in this process, keeping the spread of viruses in check. Exactly how Mx accomplishes this task was previously unknown. Now virologists and structural biologists have unraveled the structure of the Mx protein and are able to explain how it develops its anti-viral effect.

Potential treatment for bone death in the hip from osteonecrosis Posted: 30 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Researchers have found a potential new treatment for osteonecrosis, or the death of bone tissue, in people who are treated with steroids for several common medical conditions. There are currently no treatment options for people with this debilitating disease.

Carbon, nitrogen link may provide new ways to mitigate pollution problems Posted: 30 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT A new study exploring the growing worldwide problem of nitrogen pollution from soils to the sea shows that global ratios of nitrogen and carbon in the environment are inexorably linked, a finding that may lead to new strategies to help mitigate regional problems ranging from contaminated waterways to human health.

It's not what politicians say but what we hear Posted: 30 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT There is increasing evidence that individuals interpret the same election message in different ways, according to their personal political views, say experts.

First case of animals making their own essential nutrients: carotenoids Posted: 29 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT The insects known as aphids can make their own essential nutrients called carotenoids, according to new research. No other animals are known to make the potent antioxidants, which are crucial for life. Until now scientists thought the only way animals could obtain the orangey-red compounds was from their diet. Carotenoids are building blocks for molecules crucial for vision, healthy skin, bone growth and other key physiological functions.

Low vitamin D levels are related to MS brain atrophy, cognitive function, studies show Posted: 29 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Low vitamin D levels may be associated with more advanced physical disability and cognitive impairment in persons with multiple sclerosis, studies conducted by neurologists have shown.

ACE measurements and STEREO vision build space weather forecasting system Posted: 29 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Scientists have used observations from NASA's STEREO and ACE satellites to come up with more accurate predictions of when blasts of solar wind will reach Earth, Venus and Mars.

High doses of B vitamins associated with increased decline in kidney function for patients with kidney disease from diabetes Posted: 29 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Patients with diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease caused by diabetes) who received high dose B-vitamin therapy experienced a more rapid decline in kidney function and had a higher rate of heart attack and stroke than patients who received placebo, according to a study.

DNA And Its Complexes Posted: 29 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Throughout life, DNA repair mechanisms go to work during exposure (UV radiation, etc.) in order to protect the human genetic code. This role is assured by the NER complex. Scientists have just shown that NER's role goes well beyond repairing DNA: it regulates transcription, the first stage for all processes necessary for life.

Fibromyalgia affects mental health of those diagnosed and their spouses, study finds Posted: 29 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Researchers are examining how the diagnosis of fibromyalgia can affect marriages. Initial findings reveal that diagnosed spouses have considerably higher levels of depressive symptoms and pain and report more marital instability and anger than their spouses. For both spouses, the symptoms can trigger increased emotional withdrawal and mental strain.

'Survivor' black holes may be mid-sized Posted: 29 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT New evidence from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and ESA's XMM-Newton strengthens the case that two mid-sized black holes exist close to the center of a nearby starburst galaxy. These "survivor" black holes avoided falling into the center of the galaxy and could be examples of the seeds required for the growth of supermassive black holes in galaxies, including the one in the Milky Way.

Scientists 'see' molecular signals of eye disease before symptoms arise with new tool Posted: 29 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Forget what you know about how diseases are diagnosed -- new research details a noninvasive ground-breaking tool that detects signs of disease at early molecular stages before symptoms can be seen using traditional methods.

Genome sequence marks big leap forward for frog researchers Posted: 29 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT An African clawed frog has joined the spotted green puffer fish, the honeybee, and the human among the ranks of more than 175 organisms that have had their genetic information nearly completely sequenced. The research could help scientists better understand the factors causing the vast die-off of amphibians around the globe and also gives scientists a new tool to understand how our genes work at the most basic level.

A single protein regulates two immune pathways Posted: 29 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Researchers have identified a protein called NLRC5, a member of the NOD-like protein family, that is involved in inhibition of protein complexes key to critical pathways of innate immunity called NF-κB and type I interferon signaling.

Crude oil no longer needed for production of plastics Posted: 29 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Each year the world produces about 130 million kilo of ethene, the most important raw material for plastics. This gigantic industry is currently dependent on crude oil. And that is running out. Researchers might have found a solution for this problem. With a new reactor ethene can be produced from natural gas and, therefore, in the future from biogas as well.

Lottery game helps to assess brain damage following stroke Posted: 29 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Patients recovering from stroke sometimes behave as if completely unaware of one half of the world: colliding with obstacles on their left, eating food only from the right side of their plate, or failing to dress their left side. This puzzling phenomenon is termed "spatial neglect" and it affects roughly 45% of patients suffering from a stroke in the right side of the brain. The condition can indicate a long road to recovery, but researchers have now developed a quick and simple lottery game, which can be used to assess the extent of these symptoms and potentially aid the design of rehabilitation programs.

Migratory behaviour affects the size of bird brains Posted: 29 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT Researchers have shed new light on the evolution of brain size in birds. Scientists have known for some time that migratory birds have smaller brains than their resident relatives. Now a new study looks into the reasons and concludes that the act of migrating leads to a reduced brain size. Authors point to the fact that the causes could be due to a need to reduce energetic, metabolic and cognitive costs. To reach these conclusions, scientists reconstructed the evolutionary history of one of the most numerous orders of birds, the passeriformes, a group which includes swallows, tits and crows.

Our genes can be set on pause: Embryonic stem cells reveal oncogene's secret growth formula Posted: 29 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT New evidence in embryonic stem cells shows that mammalian genes may all have a layer of control that acts essentially like the pause button on your DVR. The researchers say the results show that the pausing phenomenon, previously thought to be a peculiarity of particular genes, is actually a much more general feature of the genome.

Nude-colored hospital gowns could help doctors better detect hard-to-see symptoms Posted: 29 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT Changing the hue of hospital gowns and bed sheets to match a patient's skin color could greatly enhance a physician's ability to detect cyanosis and other health-related skin color changes, according to a new study.

New genetic link to scleroderma discovered Posted: 29 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT Scientists have identified a new genetic link to the systemic form of scleroderma. Researchers believe a thorough understanding of the genetic nature of the disease is crucial to developing a cure.

Study gives green light to plants’ role in global warming Posted: 29 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT Plants remain an effective way of tackling global warming despite emitting small amounts of an important greenhouse gas, a study has shown.

Use of alternative therapy for pain treatment increases with age and wealth Posted: 29 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT One out of 3 patients with chronic pain reported using complementary and alternative medicine therapies such as acupuncture and chiropractic visits for pain relief.

Scientists report first genome sequence of frog: Genome of Xenopus tropicalis will advance frog genetics Posted: 29 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Because of its large eggs, Xenopus laevis -- the African clawed frog -- has become a popular model for studying embryo development and cell biology. It's smaller cousin, X. tropicalis, is now gaining converts, however, because, with its diploid rather than polyploidy genome, it is easier to insert or block genes in order to determine their function. The X. tropicalis genome is now the first amphibian genome to be sequenced.

Why cholesterol damages arteries: Cholesterol crystals lead to life-threatening inflammation in blood vessel walls Posted: 29 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT The presence of crystalline cholesterol in the walls of our arteries is a major cause of life-threatening inflammation. This has been demonstrated in a new study.

Developing world will produce double the e-waste of developed countries by 2016, study predicts Posted: 29 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Developing countries will be producing at least twice as much electronic waste (e-waste) as developed countries within the next 6-8 years, according to a new study. It foresees in 2030 developing countries discarding 400 million-700 million obsolete personal computers per year compared to 200 million-300 million in developed countries.

Quick new screening exam could save thousands of people from bowel cancer Posted: 29 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT A five-minute screening test could cut the risk of developing bowel cancer by a third and save thousands of lives from what is the UK's second biggest cancer killer, according to new research.

Nano-infused filters prove effective Posted: 29 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Researchers have found a way to make carbon nanotube membranes that could find wide application as extra-fine air filters and as scaffolds for catalysts that speed chemical reactions.

Animals' 'right to privacy' denied by wildlife documentary makers, academic argues Posted: 29 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Animals' 'right to privacy' is being denied by makers of television wildlife documentaries, an academic in the UK argues.

Deliver drugs within the body with precision with the help of liposomes? Posted: 29 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Scientists have defined the workings of a new technique for making liquid-filled vesicles called liposomes, "fat bubbles" that may one day be used to precisely deliver drugs within the body. The new insight could help make a microchip-scale liposome manufacturing process practical.

MS study suggests key role of environmental factor in the disease Posted: 29 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Scientists are reporting what they say is compelling evidence that some powerful non-heritable, environmental factor likely plays a key role in the development of multiple sclerosis.

Military develops multi-purpose 'green' decontaminants for terrorist attack sites Posted: 29 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Chemists with the United States military have developed a set of ultra-strength cleaners that could be used in the aftermath of a terrorist attack. The new formulas are tough enough to get rid of nerve gas, mustard gas, radioactive isotopes, and anthrax. But they are also non-toxic, based on ingredients found in foods, cosmetics, and other consumer products.

'Epigenetic' concepts offer new approach to degenerative disease Posted: 29 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT In studies on cancer, heart disease, neurological disorders and other degenerative conditions, some scientists are moving away from the "nature-versus-nurture" debate and are finding you're not a creature of either genetics or environment, but both -- with enormous implications for a new approach to health.

Peat moss could be new tool for oil-spill clean-ups Posted: 29 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT A small company in eastern Norway has developed a peat moss mixture with unusually good absorbent qualities. The material could be a useful tool for clearing up oil-spills after minor incidents or major catastrophes.

Hormone spray improves male sensitivity, German research finds Posted: 29 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Many women have no doubt been waiting a long time for this: the neuropeptide oytocin enhances male empathy. This substance also increases sensitivity to so-called "social multipliers," such as approving or disapproving looks, according to a new study.

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ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Melting icebergs in polar oceans causing sea level rise globally, new assessment finds
• Breakthrough method predicts risk of invasive breast cancer
• New tool for controlling ultracold gases: Electric fields
• HIV patients hold clues to Salmonella vaccine development
• Nanodots breakthrough may lead to 'a library on one chip'
• Canadians lead longer, healthier lives than Americans
• Surprising behavior of tiny 'artificial muscles' explained
• Researchers attack stem cells that cause colon cancer: Tumor cell 'factories' may be difficult to defeat
• Procedure for knocking out genes in nematode worms developed
• Causes of death in AIDS patients
• Synthetic enzymes could help ID proteins
• Doctors reconsider health and death of 'El Libertador,' general who freed South America
• Researchers reveal process of making ribs
• Panel finds insufficient evidence for Alzheimer's disease preventive measures
• Secrets of unique enzyme may illuminate ancient ecosystems
• Test for swallowing disorder treatments being developed
• New lentil being readied for market
• Critical care outcomes tied to insurance status, systematic review finds
• Where comets emit dust: Scientists identify the active regions on the surface of comets
• Gene silencing may be responsible for induced pluripotent stem cells' limitations
• Skeleton key for cancer metastasis
• Experts find SBRT to be good alternative to surgery in some lung cancer patients
• Swedish scientists stop acorn barnacles
• Communities with active participants demonstrate lower levels of crime and lower death rates
• Part of Alaska inundated by ancient megafloods
• Muscle and bone diseases affect each other, according to new theory
• New microscopy technique reveals mechanics of blood cell membranes
• More evidence low-moderate alcohol consumption does not impair vitamin D status in women
• Making digital personal: Bringing jewellery into the technological age
• At-risk children who can self-regulate behavior have higher test scores than their peers
• Melting sea ice major cause of warming in Arctic, new study reveals
• Better way to predict heart attacks: Measure of calcium in coronary arteries may help predict heart disease risk
• Asteroid ice may be 'living fossil' with clues to oceans' origins
• Drugs used for treatment of influenza in pregnancy appear to be safe, study finds
• Mexico City air pollution adversely affects the hearts of young people
• Lower wages, lack of job opportunities means more Americans delaying 'adulthood'
• Evidence of water ice and organic materials on asteroid's surface
• Alzheimer's memory problems originate with protein clumps floating in the brain, not amyloid plaques
• Winds from Siberia reduce Arctic sea ice cover, Norwegian researchers find
• Blessing in disguise: Factors that cause a high blood pressure condition in pregnant women protect against breast cancer
• Versatile new system for oil spill contingency
• Performers of classical music can suffer from hearing problems, too

Melting icebergs in polar oceans causing sea level rise globally, new assessment finds Posted: 29 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Scientists have discovered that changes in the amount of ice floating in the polar oceans are causing sea levels to rise -- by a mere hair's breadth today, but possibly much more if melting trends continue.

Breakthrough method predicts risk of invasive breast cancer Posted: 29 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT For the first time, scientists have discovered a way to predict whether women with ductal carcinoma in situ -- the most common form of non-invasive breast cancer -- are at risk of developing more invasive tumors in later years.

New tool for controlling ultracold gases: Electric fields Posted: 29 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Physicists have demonstrated a new tool for controlling ultracold gases and ultracold chemistry: electric fields.

HIV patients hold clues to Salmonella vaccine development Posted: 29 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT A new study offers a long-awaited explanation for the link between HIV infection and susceptibility to life-threatening nontyphoidal strains of Salmonella. The research goes on to identify targets that could be pursued for Salmonella vaccine development.

Nanodots breakthrough may lead to 'a library on one chip' Posted: 29 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT A researcher has developed a computer chip that can store an unprecedented amount of data -- enough to hold an entire library's worth of information on a single chip. The new chip stems from a breakthrough in the use of nanodots, or nanoscale magnets, and represents a significant advance in computer-memory technology.

Canadians lead longer, healthier lives than Americans Posted: 29 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Compared to their neighbors south of the border, Canadians live longer, healthier lives. Research has found this disparity between the two countries, suggesting that America's lack of universal health care and lower levels of social and economic equality are to blame.

Surprising behavior of tiny 'artificial muscles' explained Posted: 29 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Using neutron beams and atomic-force microscopes, a team of researchers may have resolved a 10-year-old question about an exotic class of "artificial muscles" -- how do they work? Their results could influence the design of future specialized robotic tools.

Researchers attack stem cells that cause colon cancer: Tumor cell 'factories' may be difficult to defeat Posted: 29 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Many of the colon cancer cells that form tumors can be killed by genetically short-circuiting the cells' ability to absorb a key nutrient, a new study has found. While the findings are encouraging, the test tube study using human colon cancer cells also illustrates the difficulty of defeating these cells, known as cancer stem cells.

Procedure for knocking out genes in nematode worms developed Posted: 29 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Knocking genes out of action allows researchers to learn what genes do by seeing what goes wrong without them. Scientists have now devised a procedure for knocking out genes in nematode worms.

Causes of death in AIDS patients Posted: 29 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT New research shows that antiretroviral therapy (ART) continues to dramatically reduce rates of mortality from HIV infection in high-income countries, such that non-AIDS-related deaths exceed AIDS deaths after approximately four years of taking ART.

Synthetic enzymes could help ID proteins Posted: 29 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Using a rare metal that's not utilized by nature, chemists have created a synthetic enzyme that could help unlock the identities of thousands of difficult-to-study proteins, including many that play key roles in cancer and other diseases.

Doctors reconsider health and death of 'El Libertador,' general who freed South America Posted: 29 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Could one of South America's greatest generals have died from a deadly poison? The death of Simon Bolivar is the medical mystery at this year's Historical Clinicopathological Conference. This conference is devoted to the modern medical diagnosis of historical figures. Venezuelan President Chavez has taken a personal interest in Bolivar's death, and the Venezuelan embassy will attend Friday's conference.

Researchers reveal process of making ribs Posted: 29 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Like all vertebrates, snakes, mice and humans have in common a skeleton made of segments, the vertebrae. But a snake has between 200-400 ribs extending from all vertebrae, from the neck to the tail-end, whereas mice have only 13 pairs of ribs, and humans have 12 pairs, in both cases making up the ribcage. In a new study, researchers in Portugal reveal that, contrary to what was thought, making ribs is not the default state for vertebrates, but is actually an active process of balancing the activities of a remarkable class of genes -- the Hox genes.

Panel finds insufficient evidence for Alzheimer's disease preventive measures Posted: 29 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Many preventive measures for cognitive decline and for preventing Alzheimer's disease -- mental stimulation, exercise, and a variety of dietary supplements -- have been studied over the years. However, an independent panel convened by the National Institutes of Health determined that the value of these strategies for delaying the onset and/or reducing the severity of decline or disease hasn't been demonstrated in rigorous studies.

Secrets of unique enzyme may illuminate ancient ecosystems Posted: 29 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Chemists have determined the structure of an intermediate form of a unique enzyme that participates in some of the most fundamental reactions in biology.

Test for swallowing disorder treatments being developed Posted: 29 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT One of the silent, and most serious, symptoms of Lou Gehrig's disease is losing the ability to swallow. Swallowing impairment, or dysphagia, affects about 500,000 people annually in the US, but little is known about the disorder. Now, a researcher is developing a test that might help pinpoint the neurological or physiological origins of swallowing disorders, leading to possible life-saving treatments.

New lentil being readied for market Posted: 29 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT "Essex," a new lentil variety has a lot to offer: high seed yields for growers, nitrogen-fixing bacteria for wheat crops, and a tasty source of protein for consumers to add to soups, salads and other fare.

Critical care outcomes tied to insurance status, systematic review finds Posted: 29 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Among the general US population, people who are uninsured are about half as likely to receive critical care services as those with insurance, according to systematic review of the literature by the American Thoracic Society's Health Disparities Group. They also found that once admitted to the hospital intensive care unit, uninsured patients are less likely to have invasive procedures or pulmonary artery catheterizations and more likely to have life support withdrawn.

Where comets emit dust: Scientists identify the active regions on the surface of comets Posted: 28 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Studying comets can be quite dangerous -- especially from close up. Because the tiny particles of dust emitted into space from the so-called active regions on a comet's surface can damage space probes. Scientists have now developed a computer model that can locate these regions using only the information available from Earth. The new method could help calculate a safe flight route for ESA's space probe Rosetta, which is scheduled to arrive at the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko in 2014.

Gene silencing may be responsible for induced pluripotent stem cells' limitations Posted: 28 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Scientists may be one step closer to being able to generate any type of cells and tissues from a patient's own cells. Investigators have found that an important cluster of genes is inactivated in those induced pluripotent stem cells lacking the full development potential of embryonic stem cells.

Skeleton key for cancer metastasis Posted: 28 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Cancer cells need all three of their cytoskeletons -- actin, microtubules and intermediate filaments -- to metastasize, according to a study.

Experts find SBRT to be good alternative to surgery in some lung cancer patients Posted: 28 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT The American Society for Radiation Oncology has released its Emerging Technology Committee's report evaluating the use of stereotactic body radiotherapy in lung cancer treatment.

Swedish scientists stop acorn barnacles Posted: 28 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Marine organisms that fasten to the bottoms of ships have always been a scourge to seafaring. By monitoring how the larvae of acorn barnacles go about finding suitable spots to attach themselves, researchers in Sweden have managed to design surfaces that prevent growths -- without using poisonous chemicals.

Communities with active participants demonstrate lower levels of crime and lower death rates Posted: 28 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Both violent crime and all-cause mortality rates are on average substantially lower in communities with a vibrant civic climate, according to new research.

Part of Alaska inundated by ancient megafloods Posted: 28 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT New research indicates that one of the largest fresh-water floods in Earth's history happened about 17,000 years ago and inundated a large area of Alaska that is now occupied in part by the city of Wasilla.

Muscle and bone diseases affect each other, according to new theory Posted: 28 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT A new theory that muscle and bone diseases affect each other could have a major impact on medical science and the cost of getting sick.

New microscopy technique reveals mechanics of blood cell membranes Posted: 28 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Thanks to an interdisciplinary team of researchers, scientists now have a more complete understanding of one of the human body's most vital structures: the red blood cell. The team used diffraction phase microscopy to measure fluctuation in the cell membrane and developed a model that could lead to breakthroughs in screening and treatment of blood-cell-morphology diseases, such as malaria and sickle-cell disease.

More evidence low-moderate alcohol consumption does not impair vitamin D status in women Posted: 28 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Whether alcoholic drinks provide health benefits is an area of active and on-going research and debate among health and nutrition experts. A new study finds that low to moderate alcohol consumption, at least over the short term, appears not to harm bone health.

Making digital personal: Bringing jewellery into the technological age Posted: 28 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Dr Jayne Wallace is a jewellery designer with a difference - she works with individuals (her latest projects include working with Shetland fishermen and a couple with dementia) to create personal digital objects that are emotionally significant and beautiful rather than simply something to throwaway when the latest version comes along.

At-risk children who can self-regulate behavior have higher test scores than their peers Posted: 28 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT A new study adds to the mounting evidence that self-regulation -- or children's ability to control their behavior and impulses -- is directly related to academic performance.

Melting sea ice major cause of warming in Arctic, new study reveals Posted: 28 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT Melting sea ice has been shown to be a major cause of warming in the Arctic, according to an Australian study.

Better way to predict heart attacks: Measure of calcium in coronary arteries may help predict heart disease risk Posted: 28 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT Use of a score based on the amount of calcium in coronary arteries in addition to traditional risk factors improved the classification of risk for prediction of coronary heart disease events, and placed more individuals in the most extreme risk categories, according to a new study.

Asteroid ice may be 'living fossil' with clues to oceans' origins Posted: 28 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT The first-ever discovery of ice and organic molecules on an asteroid may hold clues to the origins of Earth's oceans and life 4 billion years ago. Researchers suggest that an asteroid like this one may have hit Earth and brought our planet its water. The discovery is unexpected because asteroids this close to the sun are expected to be too warm for ice to survive for long.

Drugs used for treatment of influenza in pregnancy appear to be safe, study finds Posted: 28 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT Tamiflu and two other drugs used to treat influenza appear safe for pregnant women and their babies, researchers have found in a retrospective study of 239 cases of women who received the medications during pregnancy.

Mexico City air pollution adversely affects the hearts of young people Posted: 28 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT A post-mortem study of the hearts of 21 young people in Mexico City has found that the heart begins to show the adverse effects of air pollution at a young age and that tiny bits of inactivated bacteria that hitch a ride on pollutants may make the problem worse.

Lower wages, lack of job opportunities means more Americans delaying 'adulthood' Posted: 28 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT Despite living in an age of iPads and hybrid cars, young Americans are more like the young adults of the early 1900s than the baby boom generation: They are living at home longer, are financially insecure and are making lower wages.

Evidence of water ice and organic materials on asteroid's surface Posted: 28 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Researchers have found evidence of water ice and organic material on the asteroid 24 Themis. This evidence supports the idea that asteroids could be responsible for bringing water and organic material to Earth.

Alzheimer's memory problems originate with protein clumps floating in the brain, not amyloid plaques Posted: 28 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Using a new mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, researchers have found that Alzheimer's pathology originates in amyloid-beta (Abeta) oligomers in the brain, rather than the amyloid plaques previously thought by many researchers to cause the disease.

Winds from Siberia reduce Arctic sea ice cover, Norwegian researchers find Posted: 28 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT The ice cover in the Arctic has decreased dramatically in recent years. Norwegian researchers have discovered that changes in air circulation patterns create winds that push away the ice. The changed wind direction pushes large ice masses away from the Arctic and down along the eastern coast of Greenland. At the same time, less ice forms when the winds over the Arctic are determined by the pressure systems in northern Russia rather than those over the North Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean, as is normally the case.

Blessing in disguise: Factors that cause a high blood pressure condition in pregnant women protect against breast cancer Posted: 28 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT One researcher is investigating how specific factors released from the placenta of women with preeclampsia inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells.

Versatile new system for oil spill contingency Posted: 28 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT New oil recovery locations are spawning a need for new technology. To prepare the petroleum industry for oil spills, a small company in Northern Norway has made innovative strides in oil boom technology. The objective of NorLense AS has been to develop a versatile new system for oil spill contingency that can perform in coastal areas and farther out to sea – as well as in rough weather and difficult currents.

Performers of classical music can suffer from hearing problems, too Posted: 28 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Musicians have hearing problems caused by prolonged exposure to sound. This also applies to performers of classical music, who are exposed to high sound levels. Hearing problems also affect the musicians' experience of their working environment. Stress and experiencing the working environment as noisy are associated with hearing problems. Although musicians are worried about their hearing, the use of hearing protectors is rare.

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