ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Nanoscale 'stealth' probe slides into cell walls seamlessly, say engineers
• Drug that extends life span prevents Alzheimer's deficits
• Acupuncture may be an effective treatment for post-viral infection loss of smell
• Slimming soybeans are on the horizon
• Biologists discover an on/off button on plants' alarm system
• For dual-income husbands and wives, it's still a man's world
• Aging gene found to govern lifespan, immunity and resilience
• Mapping heart disease: Researchers uncover genes that may dramatically affect heart health
• Melamine in milk: Tiny gold particles help researchers find protein impostor
• Scientists find bacterium can halt dengue virus transmission
• Paintable electronics? NIST studies spray-on manufacturing of transistors
• Self-esteem declines sharply among older adults while middle-aged are most confident
• Now in Broadband: Acoustic Imaging of the Ocean
• Researchers explain repeated infection by some viruses
• Researchers sequence DNA of peach tree
• Synergy between two types of de-worming drugs found promising in a lab test
• Smoke alarms + sprinklers + closed doors = lives saved in dorm fires
• Follow the leader: How those in charge make themselves known
• Colony of young stars shines in new Spitzer image
• Improved device provides more rapid, comprehensive analysis of circulating tumor cells
• Wandering albatross: Is foraging efficiency a key parameter in aging?
• Living donor exchange poses new option for liver transplantation
• New tool for RNA silencing
• In the face of racism, distress depends on one's coping method
• Smoking is dumb: Young men who smoke have lower IQs, study finds
• Antiepileptic drug phenytoin as a mood stabilizer?
• Boosting endangered freshwater mussels population
• Sleep apnea linked to hard-to-diagnose eye disorders
• Using computational chemistry to create 'designer molecules' for industry
• Many factors contribute to adolescents' decision-making autonomy
• Ocean acidification: 'Evil twin' threatens world's oceans, scientists warn
• Promising drug for inflammation
• Bacon or bagels? Higher fat at breakfast may be healthier than you think
• New models for optimizing mission control of unmanned aerial vehicles
• Chinese wolfberries may improve vision imperfections caused by type-2 diabetes
• Meta-cognitive therapy more effective for adult ADHD patients
• Drug reduces risk of prostate cancer diagnosis in high-risk men
• Exploration in toddlers activated by fathers
• Common copy number variations unlikely to contribute significantly toward common diseases
• Power of plants harnessed to fight hemophilia
• Green food choice may not be so green
• New path to solar energy via solid-state photovoltaics
• Treatment resistance in some cancer cells may be reversible
• Toads' earthquake exodus
• Advances reported in quest for drugs targeting childhood cancer
• What if all software was open source? A code to unlock the desktop
• Stone Age Scandinavians unable to digest milk, study shows

Nanoscale 'stealth' probe slides into cell walls seamlessly, say engineers Posted: 02 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Engineers have created a nanoscale probe they can implant in a cell wall without damaging the wall. The probe could allow researchers to listen in on electrical signals within the cell. That could lead to a better understanding of how cells communicate or how a cell responds to medication. The probe could also provide a better way of attaching neural prosthetics and with modification, might be an avenue for inserting medication inside a cell.

Drug that extends life span prevents Alzheimer's deficits Posted: 02 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT A new report provides more evidence that rapamycin, which has been shown to extend life span in mice, also can improve learning and memory in mice engineered to develop Alzheimer's disease.

Acupuncture may be an effective treatment for post-viral infection loss of smell Posted: 02 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Traditional Chinese acupuncture, where very thin needles are used to stimulate specific points in the body to elicit beneficial therapeutic responses, may be an effective treatment option for patients who suffer from persistent post- viral olfactory dysfunction, according to new research.

Slimming soybeans are on the horizon Posted: 02 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT If you're serious about losing weight, consider soybeans. New research provides insight into the way a certain type of soy protein inhibits fat accumulation and reduces inflammation.

Biologists discover an on/off button on plants' alarm system Posted: 02 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Scientists have discovered how plants turn their defense mechanisms on and off. The system is apparently controlled by a key protein that the researchers have named "NINJA." The discovery offers possibilities for increasing the yield of therapeutic substances from plants.

For dual-income husbands and wives, it's still a man's world Posted: 02 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT New research demonstrates that hard-working women in dual-earner couples are at a distinct disadvantage to their male peers. These women are expected to do more housework and caregiving, making them much more likely to quit their jobs.

Aging gene found to govern lifespan, immunity and resilience Posted: 02 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Scientists have discovered that a gene called DAF-16 is strongly involved in determining the rate of aging and average lifespan of the laboratory worm Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and its close evolutionary cousins. DAF-16 is found in many other animals, including humans. It is possible that this knowledge could open up new avenues for altering aging, immunity and resistance to stresses in humans.

Mapping heart disease: Researchers uncover genes that may dramatically affect heart health Posted: 02 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Studying Drosophila (fruit flies), an international team investigated 7,061 genes and built a detailed map that shows how a portion of these genes contribute to heart function and disease. Importantly, the researchers identified many genes that had not previously been associated with heart disease.

Melamine in milk: Tiny gold particles help researchers find protein impostor Posted: 02 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Researchers have developed a fast, economical and easy method to detect melamine in milk, using gold nanoparticles.

Scientists find bacterium can halt dengue virus transmission Posted: 02 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Dengue fever -- caused by a virus transmitted by mosquitoes -- threatens 2.5 billion people each year and there is no vaccine or treatment. Entomologists have found that a bacterium can stop dengue viruses from replicating in the mosquitoes.

Paintable electronics? NIST studies spray-on manufacturing of transistors Posted: 02 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT A multidisciplinary research team at NIST has found that an organic semiconductor may be a viable candidate for creating large-area electronics, such as solar cells and displays that can be sprayed onto a surface as easily as paint.

Self-esteem declines sharply among older adults while middle-aged are most confident Posted: 02 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Self-esteem rises steadily as people age but starts declining around the time of retirement, according to a longitudinal study of men and women ranging in age from 25 to 104.

Now in Broadband: Acoustic Imaging of the Ocean Posted: 02 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Researchers have developed two advanced broadband acoustic systems that they believe could represent the acoustic equivalent of the leap from black-and-white television to high-definition color TV. For oceanographers, this could mean a major upgrade in their ability to count and classify fish and to pinpoint tiny zooplankton amid seas of turbulence.

Researchers explain repeated infection by some viruses Posted: 02 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT New research explains how a virus that has already infected up to 80 percent of the American population can repeatedly re-infect individuals despite the presence of a strong and long-lasting immune response. The results of this study primarily illustrate the significant barriers to creating a vaccine that will prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. This research also explains why CMV might be a useful viral vaccine vector.

Researchers sequence DNA of peach tree Posted: 02 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT As peach trees go, it doesn't look much different than its kin at the Clemson University Musser Fruit Research Farm, but appearances can be deceiving. This one, a Lovell variety, has a unique genetic characteristic that made it a standout in the orchard. Its DNA -- its genetic set of instructions for living -- has been sequenced by scientists, enabling further research to identify beneficial traits to grow better trees and fruit.

Synergy between two types of de-worming drugs found promising in a lab test Posted: 02 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Combining two types of anti-worm treatments that work in different ways could head off the development of drug resistance and save money by allowing lower doses of both drugs to be used.

Smoke alarms + sprinklers + closed doors = lives saved in dorm fires Posted: 02 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Experimenting on a university dormitory that was scheduled to be torn down, fire researchers have demonstrated that the correct combination of automatic fire sprinkler systems, smoke alarms and closed doors provided enough time and safe conditions for residents to escape safely and for fire fighters to perform their job without undue hazard.

Follow the leader: How those in charge make themselves known Posted: 02 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Do you find yourself leading groups, or are you naturally more comfortable following others? New research shows that if you want to be a leader you're better off at the edges of a crowd, and not in the middle of the action.

Colony of young stars shines in new Spitzer image Posted: 02 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Astronomers have their eyes on a hot group of young stars, watching their every move like the paparazzi. A new infrared image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope shows the bustling star-making colony of the Orion nebula, situated in the hunter's sword of the famous constellation. Like Hollywood starlets, the cosmic orbs don't always shine their brightest, but vary over time. Spitzer is watching the stellar show, helping scientists learn more about why the stars change, and to what degree planet formation might play a role.

Improved device provides more rapid, comprehensive analysis of circulating tumor cells Posted: 02 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Technical improvements to a microchip-based device for detecting and analyzing tumor cells in the bloodstream are revealing cellular differences that may reflect a tumor's aggressiveness and long-term response to treatment.

Wandering albatross: Is foraging efficiency a key parameter in aging? Posted: 02 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT The male wandering albatross, which can live more than 50 years, modifies its foraging behavior with age. Researchers in France have, for the first time, shown such changes by studying aging in these birds under natural conditions. The scientists have discovered that old males forage in different waters from younger males, and are less active at the sea surface. However, none of the classic markers of human aging are altered in old albatrosses, which underlines the importance of taking account of foraging efficiency in studies on aging.

Living donor exchange poses new option for liver transplantation Posted: 02 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Two major transplant centers in Hong Kong and South Korea released results from their paired donor exchange programs for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). A single paired exchange, performed by the Hong Kong team under emergency circumstances, was a success. The Korean team reported 16 donor exchanges conducted over a 6-year period were successful.

New tool for RNA silencing Posted: 02 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Antisense reagents have been developed for C. Elegans micro RNA. Researchers have created the first class of reagents to potently and selectively inhibit miRNAs in this widely used model organism.

In the face of racism, distress depends on one's coping method Posted: 02 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT The way people choose to cope with personal experiences of racism influences the distress caused by the encounter, according to a new study of Filipino-American men and women. The study finds that denying or ignoring racial discrimination leads to greater psychological distress, including anxiety and depression, and lowers self-esteem.

Smoking is dumb: Young men who smoke have lower IQs, study finds Posted: 01 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT A new study has determined that young men who smoke are likely to have lower IQs than their nonsmoking peers.

Antiepileptic drug phenytoin as a mood stabilizer? Posted: 01 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Phenytoin is a well known antiepileptic agent widely used throughout the world. In a new study, researchers utilized DNA microarrays to investigate the molecular underpinnings of the potential mood-stabilizing action of phenytoin by looking at its effect on gene expression in the rat brain.

Boosting endangered freshwater mussels population Posted: 01 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT The endangered freshwater mussel species has been given a welcome boost following a 12 year cultivation project. Over 300 of the mussels, which are threatened in many parts of Europe and North America, have been released back into the wild at a range of secret locations in Northern Ireland.

Sleep apnea linked to hard-to-diagnose eye disorders Posted: 01 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT A British study finds that the condition known as floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) is strongly associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), implying that when doctors see FES in a patient, they should also look for OSA, and vice-versa. The study describes factors shared by OSA and FES and specific findings on how FES develops that will help doctors better diagnose and treat patients.

Using computational chemistry to create 'designer molecules' for industry Posted: 01 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT A new company established by UK researchers will give manufacturers the chance to use computational chemistry to create "designer molecules" for the first time in an industrial setting.

Many factors contribute to adolescents' decision-making autonomy Posted: 01 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Decision-making within families is an important way for young people to gain independence and responsibility, and adolescence is a time of increasing autonomy. A longitudinal study concludes that teens have more say in certain areas than in others, and that some teens have more autonomy than others.

Ocean acidification: 'Evil twin' threatens world's oceans, scientists warn Posted: 01 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT The rise in human emissions of carbon dioxide is driving fundamental and dangerous changes in the chemistry and ecosystems of the world's oceans, marine scientists warn. "Ocean conditions are already more extreme than those experienced by marine organisms and ecosystems for millions of years," the researchers say.

Promising drug for inflammation Posted: 01 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT NSAIDs remain the most common treatment to relieve symptoms of arthritis and other inflammatory disorders, but these medications are also known to cause severe, sometimes life-threatening adverse effects within the body, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract.

Bacon or bagels? Higher fat at breakfast may be healthier than you think Posted: 01 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT According to a new study mice fed a meal higher in fat after waking had normal metabolic profiles. In contrast, mice that ate a more carbohydrate-rich diet in the morning and consumed a high-fat meal at the end of the day saw increased weight gain, adiposity, glucose intolerance and other markers of the metabolic syndrome.

New models for optimizing mission control of unmanned aerial vehicles Posted: 01 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Engineers are working on a theoretical approach to improve automated mission control and decision-making for fleets of unmanned aerial vehicles.

Chinese wolfberries may improve vision imperfections caused by type-2 diabetes Posted: 01 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Researchers are exploring the use of Chinese wolfberries to improve vision deficiencies that are common for type-2 diabetics. Wolfberries may lower the oxidative stress that the eye undergoes as a result of type-2 diabetes.

Meta-cognitive therapy more effective for adult ADHD patients Posted: 01 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Researchers have learned that meta-cognitive therapy (MCT), a method of skills teaching by use of cognitive-behavioral principles, yielded significantly greater improvements in symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults than those that participate in supportive therapy.

Drug reduces risk of prostate cancer diagnosis in high-risk men Posted: 01 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT A drug already prescribed to shrink benign, enlarged prostates has been shown to reduce the risk of a prostate cancer diagnosis by 23 percent in men with an increased risk of the disease, a large international trial has found. The four-year study found that dutasteride (Avodart) significantly reduced the chances that men would be diagnosed with the kinds of tumors that are most often treated excessively.

Exploration in toddlers activated by fathers Posted: 01 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT A new study has found that fathers give toddlers more leeway and that allows them to actively explore their environments, according to a new study on parent-child attachment.

Common copy number variations unlikely to contribute significantly toward common diseases Posted: 01 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT A study of the genetics of common diseases including diabetes, heart disease and bipolar disorder has found that commonly occurring copy number variations -- duplicated or missing chunks of DNA in our genome -- are unlikely to play a major role in such diseases.

Power of plants harnessed to fight hemophilia Posted: 01 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT Researchers have devised a way that potentially could help patients develop tolerance to the therapeutic protein needed to treat hemophilia. They genetically modified plants to encapsulate the tolerance-inducing protein within cell walls. The system is now being tested in mice and could help improve the lives of many people who have hemophilia.

Green food choice may not be so green Posted: 01 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT If everyone became vegan and so ate only fruit and vegetables, then the reduction in greenhouse emissions for the whole of food consumption would be a mere 7%. The widespread adoption of vegetarianism would have even less impact, while organic food production actually leads to a net increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Those are the conclusions of a research paper published in the journal Progress in Industrial Ecology.

New path to solar energy via solid-state photovoltaics Posted: 01 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Researchers have found a new mechanism by which the photovoltaic effect can take place in semiconductor thin-films. This new path to energy production brightens the future for photovoltaic technology by overcoming voltage limitations that plague conventional solid-state solar cells.

Treatment resistance in some cancer cells may be reversible Posted: 01 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT The ability of cancer cells to resist treatment with either targeted drug therapies or traditional chemotherapy may, in some cases, result from a transient state of reversible drug "tolerance."

Toads' earthquake exodus Posted: 01 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Common toads (Bufo bufo) can detect impending seismic activity and alter their behavior from breeding to evacuation mode, suggests a new study.

Advances reported in quest for drugs targeting childhood cancer Posted: 01 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Investigators believe they have identified the founding member of a chemical family they hope will lead to a new class of cancer drugs, the first designed specifically against a childhood tumor.

What if all software was open source? A code to unlock the desktop Posted: 01 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT A new system makes it possible to add custom features to Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop, Apple iTunes or any other program. Custom computing would particularly benefit people with disabilities.

Stone Age Scandinavians unable to digest milk, study shows Posted: 01 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT The hunter-gatherers who inhabited the southern coast of Scandinavia 4,000 years ago were lactose intolerant, according to a new study carried out by researchers in Sweden. The study supports the researchers' earlier conclusion that today's Scandinavians are not descended from the Stone Age people in question but from a group that arrived later.

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