ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Astronomers take close-up pictures of mysterious dark object
• Human enzyme that breaks down potentially toxic nanomaterials identified
• Aquatic ecosystems threatened by the size of non-native fish
• CT and MRI scans associated with shorter hospital stays and decreased costs
• Household detergents, shampoos may form harmful substance in waste water
• Doctor warns against St. John's wort for anxiety
• Controls for animals' color designs revealed
• Does smoking compound other multiple sclerosis risk factors?
• Lab-on-a-chip can carry out complex analyses on the spot
• Walking associated with lower stroke risk in women
• Mexican cuisine: Keeping queso fresco fresh
• Depression associated with sustained brain signals: Genetic mutation in mice elevates their risk of stress-induced depression
• Thick-shelled turtle species lived with world's biggest snake, reveals fossil found in Columbian coal mine
• For osteoporosis patients, exercise pill one step closer to reality
• Scientists believe birds can teach us about healthy eating
• Ninety percent of children with intermittent exotropia will become nearsighted by 20 years of age
• Ridge in Norway could become CO₂ storage laboratory site
• Exercise associated with reduced effects of obesity gene in teens
• Neptune's Moon Triton: Summer sky of methane and carbon monoxide
• Gene provides a link between lower birth weight and type 2 diabetes
• Scans of brain networks may help predict injury's effects
• Older people and those with HIV are more vulnerable to tuberculosis
• American pika are thriving in the Sierra Nevada and southwestern Great Basin
• Girls at risk for depression may not process reward and loss properly
• Bacteria divide like clockwork: Cell division in cyanobacteria controlled by same kind of circadian rhythms that govern human sleep
• What insulin (and leptin) say to the brain
• Omega-3: Healthy no matter what?
• Identifying molecular targets for diabetes-related erectile dysfunction
• Tough new spuds take on double trouble
• Symptoms of depression increase during medical internship
• Carbon dioxide may explain 'near death experiences'
• Supplement your stem cells
• Traditional Inuit knowledge combines with science to shape weather insights
• Vitamin C and E supplements do not reduce risk for blood pressure disorders of pregnancy, study suggests
• FDNY rescue workers show lasting lung damage from 9/11 World Trade Center dust
• Getting heavier, younger: generational shift in obesity found
• Identifying smokers at highest risk for developing lung cancer: Researchers find new approach
• Plant growth aided by insect-feeding animals
• Genetic factor shown to regulate both heart failure and aneurysm disease
• Eastern US forests resume decline
• Toward a better dining experience: The emerging science of molecular gastronomy
• Spectacular new giant fruit-eating lizard species discovered in Sierra Madres of northern Philippines
• Folic acid in dietary supplements could increase risk of breast cancer, Swedish research suggests
• Evidence that nanoparticles in sunscreens could be toxic if accidentally eaten
• Did seasonal flu vaccination increase the risk of infection with pandemic H1N1 flu?
• New research may revolutionize ceramics manufacturing
• Worsening memory associated with later Alzheimer's disease

Astronomers take close-up pictures of mysterious dark object Posted: 08 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT For the first time, astronomers have directly observed the mysterious dark companion in a binary star system that has puzzled skywatchers since the 19th century.

Human enzyme that breaks down potentially toxic nanomaterials identified Posted: 08 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT A new study provides the first identification of a human enzyme that can biodegrade carbon nanotubes -- the superstrong materials found in products from electronics to plastics -- and in laboratory tests offset the potentially damaging health effects of being exposed to the tiny components, according to new findings.

Aquatic ecosystems threatened by the size of non-native fish Posted: 08 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Fish introduced into rivers by human intervention over the past 150 years have modified the average body size of fish assemblages in many areas of the world. A new study shows that non-native fish are larger than native species by an average of 12 cm.

CT and MRI scans associated with shorter hospital stays and decreased costs Posted: 08 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Advanced imaging techniques such as computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging might shorten the length of a person's hospital stay and decrease the high costs associated with hospitalization if used early, according to a new study.

Household detergents, shampoos may form harmful substance in waste water Posted: 08 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Scientists are reporting evidence that certain ingredients in shampoo, detergents and other household cleaning agents may be a source of precursor materials for formation of a suspected cancer-causing contaminant in water supplies that receive water from sewage treatment plants. The study sheds new light on possible environmental sources of this poorly understood water contaminant, called NDMA, which is of ongoing concern to health officials.

Doctor warns against St. John's wort for anxiety Posted: 08 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT In a broad-based review of studies focused on drugs that treat anxiety, a doctor found no evidence supporting the use of so-called "natural" treatments in combating the effects of anxiety.

Controls for animals' color designs revealed Posted: 08 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT The vivid colors and designs animals use to interact with their environments have awed and inspired since before people learned to draw on the cave wall. But how different creatures in the animal kingdom -- from colorful birds and reef fish to butterflies and snakes -- make and deploy their artful designs is one of nature's deepest secrets. Now, however, a team of researchers has exposed the fine details of how animals make new body ornamentation from scratch.

Does smoking compound other multiple sclerosis risk factors? Posted: 08 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT A new study shows that smoking may increase the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) in people who also have specific established risk factors for MS.

Lab-on-a-chip can carry out complex analyses on the spot Posted: 08 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Many illnesses can be reliably diagnosed through laboratory tests, but these in vitro analyses often use up valuable time. A new system, which can carry out complex analyses on the spot, will soon be ready for the market.

Walking associated with lower stroke risk in women Posted: 08 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Women who walked two or more hours a week or who usually walked at a brisk pace had a significantly lower risk of stroke than women who didn't walk, according to a large, long-term study.

Mexican cuisine: Keeping queso fresco fresh Posted: 08 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Queso fresco, a quintessential ingredient in Mexican cuisine, would retain higher quality in supermarket display cases if stored at a lower temperature.

Depression associated with sustained brain signals: Genetic mutation in mice elevates their risk of stress-induced depression Posted: 08 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Genetics may have some role in the predisposition of some people to the effects of stress, as changes in a gene that regulates brain signals are associated with depression. Scientists have now created a mouse with these same genetic changes. These mice show signs characteristic of depression and social anxiety and they provide some insight into the neurological effects that may influence vulnerability to depression in humans.

Thick-shelled turtle species lived with world's biggest snake, reveals fossil found in Columbian coal mine Posted: 08 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT The discovery of a new fossil turtle species in Colombia's Cerrejón coal mine by researchers helps to explain the origin of one of the most biodiverse groups of turtles in South America.

For osteoporosis patients, exercise pill one step closer to reality Posted: 08 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT For osteoporosis patients unable to exercise, help may be on the way. That's because scientists have discovered precisely how mechanical stress, such as exercise, promotes new bone growth. This opens the door to entirely new therapies that can trick bones into thinking they are getting a workout.

Scientists believe birds can teach us about healthy eating Posted: 08 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Two scientists believe that birds choose certain berries because they offer protection against oxidative stress that occurs during long flights. Oxidative stress can lead to inflammation and a variety of diseases in birds and humans.

Ninety percent of children with intermittent exotropia will become nearsighted by 20 years of age Posted: 08 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Intermittent exotropia is a condition in which the eyes turn outward while looking at an object. Researchers followed 135 patients with intermittent exotropia over a 20-year period and found that slightly more than 90 percent of these children became nearsighted by the time they reached their 20s.

Ridge in Norway could become CO<sub>2</sub> storage laboratory site Posted: 08 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT The Svelvik Ridge in southern Norway could quite literally become a green laboratory later this year: a unique tool for scientists who are developing the technology needed for secure underground storage of captured CO2.

Exercise associated with reduced effects of obesity gene in teens Posted: 08 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Performance of an hour or more of physical activity per day by adolescents is associated with control of body weight even among those who are genetically predisposed to obesity, according to a new study.

Neptune's Moon Triton: Summer sky of methane and carbon monoxide Posted: 08 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT According to the first ever infrared analysis of the atmosphere of Neptune's moon Triton, summer is in full swing in its southern hemisphere. Astronomers discovered carbon monoxide and made the first ground-based detection of methane in Triton's thin atmosphere. These observations revealed that the thin atmosphere varies seasonally, thickening when warmed.

Gene provides a link between lower birth weight and type 2 diabetes Posted: 08 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT New research uncovers two genetic regions that influence birth weight. One of the regions is also associated with type 2 diabetes, which helps to explain why small babies have higher rates of diabetes in later life.

Scans of brain networks may help predict injury's effects Posted: 08 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Clinicians may be able to better predict the effects of strokes and other brain injuries by adapting a scanning approach originally developed for study of brain organization, neurologists have found.

Older people and those with HIV are more vulnerable to tuberculosis Posted: 08 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT A new study has revealed those sections of the population that are most vulnerable to tuberculosis. The research shows that the highest death rates from this disease are among those aged over 50 or infected with HIV.

American pika are thriving in the Sierra Nevada and southwestern Great Basin Posted: 08 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT The American pika tolerates cold climate environments through physiological and behavioral adaptations which may make them sensitive to even mildly warm climates. Vulnerability of pika habitat to global warming has been an escalating concern, causing speculation that the range of suitable habitat will contract upward in elevation as lower elevation site temperatures increase. Addressing this question, scientists found that pika persist in a wider range of temperatures than previously discovered.

Girls at risk for depression may not process reward and loss properly Posted: 08 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Young girls at high risk for depression, but who have not experienced any symptoms, show differences in neural response patterns when processing the possibility of receiving a reward or sustaining a loss, according to a new study.

Bacteria divide like clockwork: Cell division in cyanobacteria controlled by same kind of circadian rhythms that govern human sleep Posted: 07 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Scientists have shown how cell division in a type of bacteria known as cyanobacteria is controlled by the same kind of circadian rhythms that govern human sleep patterns. Previous studies have shown that even though cyanobacteria do not "sleep" in the same way that humans do, they cycle through active and resting periods on a 24-hour schedule. Cyanobacteria depend on sunlight for photosynthesis, so they are most active during the day.

What insulin (and leptin) say to the brain Posted: 07 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Researchers report new evidence to explain just what message insulin delivers to our brains. The study also shows that leptin, an appetite suppressant hormone produced in fat tissue, delivers at least a partially overlapping message to the neurons that critically control energy balance. It's only when both receptors go missing from those so-called POMC neurons in mice that the animals show signs of systemic insulin resistance as their blood sugar levels rise.

Omega-3: Healthy no matter what? Posted: 07 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT The health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids are widely accepted. But how can these nutrients be absorbed most effectively into the body? And do they have any potentially negative effects? Norwegian researchers are seeking answers to these questions.

Identifying molecular targets for diabetes-related erectile dysfunction Posted: 07 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Researchers have identified some of the molecular changes that accompany the onset of diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction, which may lead to markers that will help identify ED risk as well as new potential drug targets.

Tough new spuds take on double trouble Posted: 07 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Five new potato breeding lines being tested by agricultural scientists could open the door to new varieties of the crop that resist powdery scab and black dot diseases.

Symptoms of depression increase during medical internship Posted: 07 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT The percentage of clinicians who meet criteria for depression appears to increase significantly during medical internship, according to a new study. Increased work hours, stressful life events, genetic predisposition and receiving a medical education in the United States are among the factors that appear to be associated with depressive symptoms among medical interns.

Carbon dioxide may explain 'near death experiences' Posted: 07 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Near death experiences, reported to include sensations such as life flashing before the eyes, feelings of peace and joy, and apparent encounters with mystical entities, may be caused by raised levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. Researchers investigated the unexplained events in 52 cardiac arrest patients.

Supplement your stem cells Posted: 07 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT A nutritional supplement could stimulate the production of stem cells integral for repairing the body. New research suggests that a commercially-available supplement can increase the blood circulation of hematopoietic stem cells, which can give rise to all blood cells, and endothelial progenitor cells, which repair damage to blood vessels.

Traditional Inuit knowledge combines with science to shape weather insights Posted: 07 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Inuit forecasters in the Canadian Arctic equipped with generations of observational experiences are helping scientists learn more about Arctic weather by providing information and stories that can be combined with statistical climate measurements.

Vitamin C and E supplements do not reduce risk for blood pressure disorders of pregnancy, study suggests Posted: 07 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Taking vitamin C and E supplements starting in early pregnancy does not reduce the risk for the hypertensive disorders and their complications that occur during pregnancy, according to a new study.

FDNY rescue workers show lasting lung damage from 9/11 World Trade Center dust Posted: 07 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT A study of nearly 13,000 rescue workers from the Fire Department of the City of New York shows that the significant proportion who suffered acute lung damage after exposure to World Trade Center dust have not recovered normal lung function in the years since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Getting heavier, younger: generational shift in obesity found Posted: 07 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT If you were born between 1966-1985 chances are you weigh more than your mother did at the same age, according to a new study. The study shows Americans are becoming heavier younger and carrying extra weight for longer periods over their lifetime.

Identifying smokers at highest risk for developing lung cancer: Researchers find new approach Posted: 07 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT Researchers have discovered a new approach for identifying smokers at the highest risk for developing lung cancer. The findings will allow the researchers to use a genomic approach to prevent lung cancer in these individuals and to personalize cancer chemoprophylaxis and therapy.

Plant growth aided by insect-feeding animals Posted: 07 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT Add insect-feeding birds, bats and lizards to the front lines of the battle against global climate change.

Genetic factor shown to regulate both heart failure and aneurysm disease Posted: 07 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT Researchers have identified a major indicator of two deadly diseases of the heart and blood vessels: heart failure and aortic aneurysm. The absence of the Kruppel-like Factor 15 (KLF15), when combined with stress, leads to both heart failure and aortic aneurysms. The genetic factor, KLF15, protects the heart and aorta's ability to maintain structural and functional integrity.

Eastern US forests resume decline Posted: 07 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT A comprehensive study finds that urban expansion is the main cause of a net loss of forested land in the eastern United States over recent decades. Loss is most pronounced in the Southeastern Plains.

Toward a better dining experience: The emerging science of molecular gastronomy Posted: 07 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT A new and relatively little-known scientific discipline called molecular gastronomy has quietly revolutionized the dining experience in some famous restaurants and promises to foster a wider revolution in other restaurant and home kitchens.

Spectacular new giant fruit-eating lizard species discovered in Sierra Madres of northern Philippines Posted: 07 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT A new species of monitor lizard has been discovered by an international team of biologists in the Sierra Madres of the northern Philippines. The new species -- Varanus bitatawa -- grows up to 2 meters long, displays bright yellow and black stripes and spots across its back, and eats mainly fruit and snails.

Folic acid in dietary supplements could increase risk of breast cancer, Swedish research suggests Posted: 07 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT In most women folate, a type of B vitamin, reduces the risk of breast cancer. However, in women with a certain genetic make-up it has shown to be the opposite: folate raises the risk of breast cancer, according to a Swedish nutrition researcher.

Evidence that nanoparticles in sunscreens could be toxic if accidentally eaten Posted: 07 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Scientists are reporting that particle size affects the toxicity of zinc oxide, a material widely used in sunscreens. Particles smaller than 100 nanometers are slightly more toxic to colon cells than conventional zinc oxide. Solid zinc oxide was more toxic than equivalent amounts of soluble zinc, and direct particle to cell contact was required to cause cell death.

Did seasonal flu vaccination increase the risk of infection with pandemic H1N1 flu? Posted: 07 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT In September 2009, news stories reported that researchers in Canada had found an increased risk of pandemic H1N1 influenza in people who had previously been vaccinated against seasonal influenza. Their research, consisting of four different studies, has now undergone further scientific peer review.

New research may revolutionize ceramics manufacturing Posted: 07 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Researchers have developed a new way to shape ceramics using a modest electric field, making the process significantly more energy efficient. The process should result in significant cost savings for ceramics manufacturing over traditional manufacturing methods.

Worsening memory associated with later Alzheimer's disease Posted: 07 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Subjective memory impairment, or mild deficits in memory that may or may not cause worry for an individual, appear to predict progression to more advanced stages of cognitive impairment and dementia, according to a new study.

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