ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• World’s smallest microlaser could revolutionize chip technology
• Endocrine disruptors: Babies absorb the most bisphenol A
• Bile sends mixed signals to E. coli
• Novel interventional radiology treatment with microspheres shows promise for liver cancer patients
• Bees with an impaired insulin partner gene prefer proteins over carbs
• This is your brain on Cryptococcus: Pathogenic fungus loves your brain sugar
• Form or function? Evolution takes different paths, genetic study shows
• Clue to cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis revealed in new genetic study
• Flu jab for bacteria
• Potential new use for cancer treatment
• New software design technique allows programs to run faster
• Hey, that's my shirt! Sibling conflict harms trust and communication between adolescent siblings
• Proposed grid could make offshore wind power more reliable
• Exercise in pregnancy reduces size of offspring, study suggests
• Scientists identify genes involved in cell division in humans
• Cellular pathway could provide evidence of how cancer and obesity are linked
• Flights over Arctic provide data for investigating ozone hole depletion
• Mental health providers should prescribe exercise more often for depression, anxiety, research suggests
• Scientists to unearth Ice Age secrets from preserved tree rings
• Some cells in pancreas can spontaneously change into insulin-producing cells, diabetes researchers show
• Beyond the quantum limit: Scientists create multi-particle entanglement of atoms in a Bose-Einstein condensate on a microchip
• Inappropriate uses of frozen plasma, experts argue
• Piping wireless into the home
• Even highly qualified women in academic medicine paid less than equally qualified men, study finds
• Battery boost: Lithium-ion anode uses self-assembled nanocomposite materials to increase capacity
• Scientists identify how a novel class of antibodies inhibits HIV infection
• Only some like it hot: How birds from different populations react to infections in their natural environment
• Correlation between XMRV and prostate cancer: Novel retrovirus diagnostic test developed
• Private drinking water supplies pose challenges to public health
• Online interactions have positive effects for real-life communities
• New insects, bacteria uncovered in dinosaur-era amber deposit
• Exposure to three classes of common chemicals may affect female development, study finds
• Aging motorcyclists hit the road, but at greater risk of injury, death, study finds
• Considering diabetes treatment, experts say one size does not fit all
• Combing a qubit: Optical frequency combs could tame quantum bits
• Why people forget to take their medicine, and what can be done about it
• Diet of contaminated insects harms endangered carnivorous plants
• New period of brain 'plasticity' created with transplanted embryonic cells
• Self-powered nanosensors: Nanogenerators used to power sensors based on zinc oxide nanowires
• Donor kidneys from Hepatitis C patients needlessly denied to patients with that infection
• New study on carbon nanotubes gives hope for medical applications
• Depressed? Fearful? It might help to worry, too

World’s smallest microlaser could revolutionize chip technology Posted: 06 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Physicists have developed a new kind of laser that shatters the boundaries of possibility: it is by far the smallest electrically pumped laser in the world and one day could revolutionize chip technology.

Endocrine disruptors: Babies absorb the most bisphenol A Posted: 06 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT The hormonally active substance bisphenol A is contained in many synthetic and packaging materials. As a result, the substance can find its way into the food chain and the human organism. Just who is exposed and to what extent is shown in a new study: babies who are fed with polycarbonate bottles are especially at risk.

Bile sends mixed signals to E. coli Posted: 06 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Bile secretions in the small intestine send signals to disease-causing gut bacteria allowing them to change their behavior to maximize their chances of surviving, according to new research. The findings could allow us to better protect food from contamination by these harmful bacteria, as well as understand how they manage to cause disease.

Novel interventional radiology treatment with microspheres shows promise for liver cancer patients Posted: 06 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT An interventional radiology treatment -- the use of intra-arterial yttrium-90 microspheres for liver cancer (also known as hepatocellular carcinoma) -- shows promise in prolonging life for many patients with this devastating condition, according to researchers.

Bees with an impaired insulin partner gene prefer proteins over carbs Posted: 06 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT A new study of food-choice behavior in honey bees has identified a gene involved in bees' decisions to bring protein or nectar back to the colony. By taking control of the insulin receptor substrate gene, an insulin partner gene in the bees' fat cells, researchers made the insects forego carbohydrates (sugar-containing nectar) and favor protein (pollen).

This is your brain on Cryptococcus: Pathogenic fungus loves your brain sugar Posted: 06 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Highly dangerous Cryptococcus fungi love sugar and will consume it anywhere because it helps them reproduce. To borrow inositol from a person's brain, the fungi have an expanded set of genes that encode for sugar transporter molecules. While a typical fungus has just two such genes, Cryptococcus have almost a dozen, according to new research.

Form or function? Evolution takes different paths, genetic study shows Posted: 06 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Biologists long have known that both the appearance of organisms and their inner workings are shaped by evolution. But do the same genetic mechanisms underlie changes in form and function? A new study suggests not.

Clue to cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis revealed in new genetic study Posted: 06 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a fifth genetic mutation associated with typical motor neuron disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), that has a similar pathological effect to certain genetic mutations revealed in earlier studies. Ultimately, the researchers hope that understanding what is causing motor neuron disease (MND), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, will lead to new avenues for treatment.

Flu jab for bacteria Posted: 06 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Viruses can wreak havoc on bacteria as well as humans and, just like us, bacteria have their own defense system in place. Uncovering the workings of the bacterial "immune system" could be used to keep industrial microbes at peak performance.

Potential new use for cancer treatment Posted: 06 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT New research suggests anti-angiogenic drugs may help in the treatment of a range of diseases including visceral leishmaniasis.

New software design technique allows programs to run faster Posted: 06 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Researchers have developed a new approach to software development that will allow common computer programs to run up to 20 percent faster and possibly incorporate new security measures.

Hey, that's my shirt! Sibling conflict harms trust and communication between adolescent siblings Posted: 06 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Whether it is about who gets to ride shotgun or who wore a shirt without asking, siblings fight. While seemingly innocent, a recent study reveals that certain types of fights can affect the quality of sibling relationships. Researchers identified two major types of conflict among adolescent siblings and found that conflicts about personal space have a negative impact on trust and communication between siblings.

Proposed grid could make offshore wind power more reliable Posted: 06 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Offshore wind power resources are abundant but unreliable. A five-year study of weather patterns demonstrates strategically placed offshore turbines connected by a single power line could provide consistent power.

Exercise in pregnancy reduces size of offspring, study suggests Posted: 06 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT According to a new study regular moderate-intensity aerobic exercise led to a modest reduction in offspring birth weight without restricting the development of maternal insulin resistance.

Scientists identify genes involved in cell division in humans Posted: 06 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Name a human gene, and you'll find a movie online showing you what happens to cells when it is switched off, thanks to work by researchers in a study where they identify the genes involved in mitosis in humans.

Cellular pathway could provide evidence of how cancer and obesity are linked Posted: 06 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT New research is advancing our understanding of the correlation between cancer and obesity. Scientists have found that a cell pathway in the human body that regulates cell growth can be affected by sources not within the cell, specifically amino acid nutrients.

Flights over Arctic provide data for investigating ozone hole depletion Posted: 06 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT An international team of researchers is investigating ozone depletion in the polar stratosphere using data gathered during flights over the Arctic region at elevations of up to 20 kilometers.

Mental health providers should prescribe exercise more often for depression, anxiety, research suggests Posted: 06 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Exercise is a magic drug for many people with depression and anxiety disorders, and it should be more widely prescribed by mental health care providers, new research suggests. An analysis of dozens of population-based studies, clinical studies and meta-analytic reviews related to exercise and mental health confirmed exercise programs reduce depression and anxiety for people who can't receive traditional therapies.

Scientists to unearth Ice Age secrets from preserved tree rings Posted: 06 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Scientists are working to unearth 30,000 year old climate records, before they are lost forever. The rings of preserved kauri trees, hidden in New Zealand's peat bogs, hold the secret to climate fluctuations spanning back to the end of the last Ice Age.

Some cells in pancreas can spontaneously change into insulin-producing cells, diabetes researchers show Posted: 06 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Alpha cells in the pancreas, which do not produce insulin, can convert into insulin-producing beta cells, advancing the prospect of regenerating beta cells as a cure for type 1 diabetes, according to new findings.

Beyond the quantum limit: Scientists create multi-particle entanglement of atoms in a Bose-Einstein condensate on a microchip Posted: 06 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT The microcosm, the realm of quantum physics, is ruled by probability and chance. The behavior of quantum particles cannot be predicted with certainty but only with certain probabilities given by quantum physics. This results in a so-called quantum noise, which fundamentally limits the precision of the most refined atomic clocks and interferometers. The solution to this problem is the use of entangled atomic systems. A break-through has now been achieved by researchers in Germany. For the first time, the scientists succeeded in generating multi-particle entanglement on an atom-chip.

Inappropriate uses of frozen plasma, experts argue Posted: 06 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Large amounts of frozen plasma are being used inappropriately, according to two Canadian medical experts.

Piping wireless into the home Posted: 06 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Besides carrying digital data, optical fibers can also transmit radio signals for wireless communication. So-called "radio-over-fiber" technology has been used to provide access to radio dead zones, but new research is looking into using this technology to broadcast wireless closer to home.

Even highly qualified women in academic medicine paid less than equally qualified men, study finds Posted: 06 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Women conducting research in the life sciences continue to receive lower levels of compensation than their male counterparts, even at the upper levels of academic and professional accomplishment.

Battery boost: Lithium-ion anode uses self-assembled nanocomposite materials to increase capacity Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT A new high-performance anode structure based on silicon-carbon nanocomposite materials could significantly improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries used in a wide range of applications from hybrid vehicles to portable electronics.

Scientists identify how a novel class of antibodies inhibits HIV infection Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Scientists have identified a set of naturally occurring antibodies that can block one of the key ways the AIDS virus gains entry into certain blood cells. They say the discovery expands traditional notions about how the immune system fights HIV and offers a potential new strategy for HIV vaccine design.

Only some like it hot: How birds from different populations react to infections in their natural environment Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT With the help of new radiotelemetry technology, researchers have now succeeded, for the first time, in studying fever in a vertebrate species living in the wild, the North American song sparrow.

Correlation between XMRV and prostate cancer: Novel retrovirus diagnostic test developed Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT The recently discovered retrovirus, xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV), has been identified in some prostate cancer patients. In light of conflicting data concerning XMRV, standardized diagnostic testing is important to identify patients in which XMRV is present and to determine whether it plays a role in the incidence of prostate cancer. Researchers now report the successful development of an experimental clinical test for XMRV.

Private drinking water supplies pose challenges to public health Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT An estimated three to four million people -- about one in every eight Canadians -- drink water from private supplies. Infrequent testing and maintenance puts consumers of these water supplies at greater risk of contamination than public systems, states a recent article.

Online interactions have positive effects for real-life communities Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Online interactions not only have positive outcomes for real-life, place-based communities, but the intersection between online communication and the offline world also forms two halves of a support mechanism for communities, according to a new study.

New insects, bacteria uncovered in dinosaur-era amber deposit Posted: 05 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT A 95-million-year-old amber deposit -- the first major discovery of its kind from the African continent -- has been analyzed. This deposit may provide fresh insights into the rise and diversification of flowering plants during the Cretaceous.

Exposure to three classes of common chemicals may affect female development, study finds Posted: 05 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Researchers have found that exposure to three common chemical classes -- phenols, phthalates and phytoestrogens -- in young girls may disrupt the timing of pubertal development, and put girls at risk for health complications later in life. The study is the first to examine the effects of these chemicals on pubertal development.

Aging motorcyclists hit the road, but at greater risk of injury, death, study finds Posted: 05 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT A study of 61,689 motorcyclists between 1996 and 2005 found that the average age of motorcyclists involved in crashes is increasing. Study also found that aging riders are more likely to be injured or die as a result of a motorcycle mishap compared to their younger counterparts.

Considering diabetes treatment, experts say one size does not fit all Posted: 05 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Patients with type 2 diabetes are generally treated similarly despite the fact that they may have underlying differences that could affect their therapeutic response. A group of experts has just issued recommendations for individualized treatment.

Combing a qubit: Optical frequency combs could tame quantum bits Posted: 05 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Physicists have found a way to turn a precision measurement device into a versatile tool for manipulating quantum bits (qubits). The researchers adapted a device known as an optical frequency comb in their novel approach to performing the sorts of quantum data operations that will be vital for future quantum computers.

Why people forget to take their medicine, and what can be done about it Posted: 05 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT For many people, remembering to take a daily medication can be the difference between life and death. Yet, people forget all the time. Now a new study has found that changes in daily behavior have a significant effect on whether we remember to take our medication -- and that these changes influence older and younger adults differently. That's good news, because it means there's something we can do about it.

Diet of contaminated insects harms endangered carnivorous plants Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Consumption of insects contaminated with a toxic metal may be a factor in the mysterious global decline of carnivorous plants. New research reveals how meals of contaminated insects have adverse effects on the plants.

New period of brain 'plasticity' created with transplanted embryonic cells Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Scientists report that they were able to prompt a new period of "plasticity," or capacity for change, in the neural circuitry of the visual cortex of juvenile mice. The approach, they say, might some day be used to create new periods of plasticity in the human brain that would allow for the repair of neural circuits following injury or disease.

Self-powered nanosensors: Nanogenerators used to power sensors based on zinc oxide nanowires Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT By combining a new generation of piezoelectric nanogenerators with two types of nanowire sensors, researchers have created what are believed to be the first self-powered nanometer-scale sensing devices that draw power from the conversion of mechanical energy.

Donor kidneys from Hepatitis C patients needlessly denied to patients with that infection Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT More than half of donor kidneys in the United State infected with hepatitis C are thrown away, despite the need among hepatitis C patients who may die waiting for an infection-free organ, new research suggests.

New study on carbon nanotubes gives hope for medical applications Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT A team of Swedish and American scientists has shown for the first time that carbon nanotubes can be broken down by an enzyme – myeloperoxidase (MPO) – found in white blood cells. Their discoveries contradict what was previously believed, that carbon nanotubes are not broken down in the body or in nature. The scientists hope that this new understanding of how MPO converts carbon nanotubes into water and carbon dioxide can be of significance to medicine.

Depressed? Fearful? It might help to worry, too Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT A new study of brain activity in depressed and anxious people indicates that some of the ill effects of depression are modified -- for better or for worse -- by anxiety.

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