ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• DNA nanotechnology: 'Magic Bullets' breakthrough offers promising applications in medicine
• Tissue-engineered grafts composed of adult stem cells could one day replace synthetic vascular bypass grafts
• How immune cells 'sniff out' bacteria
• Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder linked to high prevalence of epilepsy
• NASA's Global Hawk completes first science flight
• Family tree research can open a 'Pandora's Box' of secrets that may cause rifts, research says
• Venus is geologically alive, signs of recent lava flows suggest
• Fragile X protein loss alters brain pathways responsible for learning and memory
• How ducks host influenza unharmed: Could findings shield humans from bird flu viruses?
• Bacterial spray can help children with glue ear
• Topography reflects Baja quake site's complex geology
• Foster care associated with improved growth, intelligence compared to orphanage care
• Tiny worms employed to unlock keys to herbal medicines
• New way HIV infects women discovered
• New high-speed integrated circuit for world's biggest physics experiment is fastest of its kind
• Understanding night blindness and calcium
• Bacterial 'food supplements' for small algae
• Soccer reduces risk of falls and bone fractures, study finds
• Light and dark face of a star-forming nebula
• Cold fronts linked to European H5N1 outbreaks
• St. John's wort collection mined for its medicinal value
• Battling a biceps injury
• Combustion residue lowers carbon dioxide emissions in concrete
• Your social network may affect your drinking habits
• Nanotechnology: New principle in material science discovered
• Scientific breakthrough in combating HIV-1 virus
• Sharks from deep waters of Cantabrian Sea are opportunist hunters
• Delaying post-surgical radiation increases risk of breast cancer recurrence in older women, study finds
• Reducing yield loss for crops under stress
• Fatal injuries increase in older Americans
• Variations on the genetic theme: Researchers present global map of human gene expression
• An explanation for the so-called 'broken-heart syndrome'
• Preterm birth rate drops 3 percent
• How disorder at microscopic level reveals important changes in behavior of matter
• Hooking up or dating: Who benefits?
• Autism study reveals a 'DNA tag' (methylation) amenable to treatment
• Natural gas potential assessed in Eastern Mediterranean
• A tumor suppressor in the gastrointestinal tract
• Convergent evolution in lignin biosynthesis: Tools for re-engineering biomass composition
• Family gets in the way of work for materialistic individuals, study finds
• NASA demonstrates novel ocean-powered underwater vehicle
• Novel nanoparticle vaccine cures type 1 diabetes in mice
• Asteroid to fly by within Moon's orbit
• Gene variation among kidney donors associated with graft failure
• Agricultural scientists develop self-pollinating almond trees
• People at lower socioeconomic levels have higher death rates within 5-10 years after heart surgery, regardless of race, gender

DNA nanotechnology: 'Magic Bullets' breakthrough offers promising applications in medicine Posted: 09 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Scientists have achieved a major breakthrough in the development of nanotubes. They have developed tiny "magic bullets" that could one day deliver drugs to specific diseased cells. The research involves taking DNA out of its biological context. So rather than being used as the genetic code for life, it becomes a kind of building block for tiny nanometre-scale objects.

Tissue-engineered grafts composed of adult stem cells could one day replace synthetic vascular bypass grafts Posted: 09 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Using adult stem cells, researchers have created functional blood vessels that could one day replace synthetic grafts often required in various vascular bypass surgeries, according to new research.

How immune cells 'sniff out' bacteria Posted: 09 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Scientists are learning how our immune system senses and tracks down infection in the body by responding to chemical "scents" emitted by bacteria. Studying how immune cells manipulate their movement in response to external signals could shed light not only on how our immune system functions but also how cancer cells spread through the body and even how the brain wires itself.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder linked to high prevalence of epilepsy Posted: 09 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Children with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) can suffer from many developmental problems. New findings show a very high prevalence of epilepsy/seizures in the FASD population. First-trimester drinking, and drinking during all three trimesters, were the predominant forms of fetal alcohol exposure.

NASA's Global Hawk completes first science flight Posted: 09 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT NASA has successfully completed the first science flight of the Global Hawk unpiloted aircraft system over the Pacific Ocean. The flight was the first of five scheduled for this month's Global Hawk Pacific, or GloPac, mission to study atmospheric science over the Pacific and Arctic oceans.

Family tree research can open a 'Pandora's Box' of secrets that may cause rifts, research says Posted: 09 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT People researching their ancestors can open a "Pandora's Box" of secrets that may cause conflict and widen rifts in the family, new research says. While most people derive pleasure and satisfaction from researching their ancestry, for some it brings to light "secrets and skeletons", the study says.

Venus is geologically alive, signs of recent lava flows suggest Posted: 09 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT For the first time, scientists have detected clear signs of recent lava flows on the surface of Venus. The observations reveal that volcanoes on Venus appeared to erupt between a few hundred years to 2.5 million years ago. This suggests the planet may still be geologically active, making Venus one of the few worlds in our solar system that has been volcanically active within the last 3 million years.

Fragile X protein loss alters brain pathways responsible for learning and memory Posted: 09 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Fragile X syndrome is due to the functional loss of fragile X mental retardation protein in the brain. Researchers are beginning to understand how FMRP regulates signaling pathways in the brain that are essential for learning and memory in adults. In a mouse model of fragile X syndrome, researchers found FMRP plays a key role in regulating adult neurogenesis, the process by which new neurons are generated in the adult brain. Adult neurogenesis is considered important for learning and memory.

How ducks host influenza unharmed: Could findings shield humans from bird flu viruses? Posted: 09 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Scientists have identified the genetic detector that allows ducks to live, unharmed, as the host of influenza. The duck's virus detector gene, RIG-I, enables a duck's immune system to contain the virus, which typically spreads from ducks to chickens, where it mutates and can evolve to be a human threat like the H5N1 influenza virus.

Bacterial spray can help children with glue ear Posted: 09 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Many children have long-term problems with fluid in the middle ear, and sometimes surgery is the only way to shift it. However, a bacterial nasal spray can have the same effect in some children, new research reveals.

Topography reflects Baja quake site's complex geology Posted: 09 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT The topography surrounding the Laguna Salada fault in the Mexican state of Baja, California, is clearly shown in this combined radar image and topographic view (above) generated with data from NASA's Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). On April 4, 2010, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck along this fault about 64 kilometers (40 miles) south of the Mexico-United States border.

Foster care associated with improved growth, intelligence compared to orphanage care Posted: 09 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Socially deprived children removed from orphanages and placed in foster care appear to experience gains in growth and intelligence, catching up to their non-institutionalized peers on many measures, according to a new report.

Tiny worms employed to unlock keys to herbal medicines Posted: 09 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Researchers have developed a biologic method to tease out which compounds from herbal medicines and medicinal herbal mixtures produce their reputed medicinal benefits. Using tiny worms that live only 20 days, the team sorted out which compounds found in two common Chinese herbal formulations showed most potential for their stated purpose: extending life expectancy. Cinnamon and ginseng won, showing the most promise.

New way HIV infects women discovered Posted: 09 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Scientists have been puzzled as to how HIV finds its way into the female reproductive tract. The culprit could be HIV itself and what the virus does when it binds to epithelial cells.

New high-speed integrated circuit for world's biggest physics experiment is fastest of its kind Posted: 09 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT A new high-speed integrated circuit to reliably transmit data in the demanding environment of the world's largest physics experiment is the fastest of its kind. The "link-on-chip" -- or LOC serializer circuit -- was designed by physicists for use in a key experiment of CERN's Large Hadron Collider particle accelerator. Designed for a high-radiation environment, it can operate at cryogenic temperatures, with high data bandwidth, low-power dissipation and extremely high reliability.

Understanding night blindness and calcium Posted: 09 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Congenital stationary night blindness, an inherited condition that affects one's ability to see in the dark, is caused by a mutation in a calcium channel protein that shuttles calcium into and out of cells. Now, researchers have teased apart the molecular mechanism behind this mutation, uncovering a more general principle of how cells control calcium levels.

Bacterial 'food supplements' for small algae Posted: 09 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT To boost their diet of mineral nutrients and sunlight, small algae also feast on bacteria in order to grow and fix carbon dioxide. Understanding more about the lifestyle of small algae -- which are major players in CO2 fixation in the ocean -- could help to improve ecological models of oceanic and global changes.

Soccer reduces risk of falls and bone fractures, study finds Posted: 09 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT An extensive research project has studied the effects of soccer on muscle strength, postural balance, bone mineral density and reflex response among adult women and men. Five new scientific articles show that regular participation in soccer increases bone mass and bone density, causes a significant improvement in standing postural balance and improves muscle strength. Together, these effects reduce the risk of falls and bone fractures.

Light and dark face of a star-forming nebula Posted: 09 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Astronomers have unveiled an image of the little known Gum 19, a faint nebula that, in the infrared, appears dark on one half and bright on the other. On one side hot hydrogen gas is illuminated by a supergiant blue star called V391 Velorum. New star formation is taking place within the ribbon of luminous and dark material that brackets V391 Velorum's left in this perspective. After many millennia, these fledgling stars, coupled with the explosive demise of V391 Velorum as a supernova, will likely alter Gum 19's present Janus-like appearance.

Cold fronts linked to European H5N1 outbreaks Posted: 09 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Avian influenza (H5N1) outbreaks in Europe during the winter of 2005-2006 occurred at the edge of cold weather fronts, according to researchers. Their results show that these outbreaks were driven by aggregated movements of wild waterbirds away from areas of frozen water.

St. John's wort collection mined for its medicinal value Posted: 09 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT A unique collection of St. John's wort (Hypericum) is providing researchers with genetically diverse, well-documented sources of this herb to use in studies examining its medicinal potential.

Battling a biceps injury Posted: 09 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT People who suffer from injuries to the distal biceps tendon may benefit from earlier surgical intervention and new surgical techniques, according to a review article.

Combustion residue lowers carbon dioxide emissions in concrete Posted: 09 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT The cement used in Oslo's new Bjørvika tunnel kept 8,000 tonnes of CO2 from entering the environment – the equivalent of 60 million vehicle trips through the tunnel.

Your social network may affect your drinking habits Posted: 09 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT According to a new study, the drinking habits of the people in your extended social group play a major role in determining your own rate of alcohol consumption.

Nanotechnology: New principle in material science discovered Posted: 08 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Engineers have discovered a new mechanism that governs the peak strength of nanostructured metals. They found that the deformation of nanotwinned metals is characterized by the motion of highly ordered, necklace-like patterns of crystal defects called dislocations. The finding could lead to stronger and more ductile metals.

Scientific breakthrough in combating HIV-1 virus Posted: 08 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Scientists have made major breakthrough in understanding how the Vpu protein of HIV-1 interferes with the antiviral activity of Tetherin, a novel effector of innate immunity, and contributes to the spread of HIV-1 in humans.

Sharks from deep waters of Cantabrian Sea are opportunist hunters Posted: 08 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT A team of Spanish researchers has studied the diet of three species of sharks living in the deep waters in the area of El Cachucho, the first Protected Marine Area in Spain, which is located in the Cantabrian Sea off the coast of Asturias. These animals feed on the resources available in their environment, according to changes taking place in the ocean depths.

Delaying post-surgical radiation increases risk of breast cancer recurrence in older women, study finds Posted: 08 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Older women who have had breast cancer surgery have a greater risk of the cancer returning if they delay their post-surgical radiation treatment.

Reducing yield loss for crops under stress Posted: 08 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT New research could show how plants in dry areas of the world can overcome the stress of the environment and produce profitable crops. Understanding and eventually curbing crop susceptibility to certain stresses could allow for higher yields during drought years in the agricultural areas of the world. It may also allow drier areas of the planet to support sustainable yields and profitable crops.

Fatal injuries increase in older Americans Posted: 08 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT The risk of dying from injuries is increasing for Americans ages 65 and older according to a new report, which found significant increases in death rates from falls, machinery, motorcycle crashes and unintentional poisoning.

Variations on the genetic theme: Researchers present global map of human gene expression Posted: 08 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Just like members of an orchestra are active at different times although playing the same piece of music, every cell in our body contains the same genetic sequence but expresses this differently to give rise to cells and tissues with specialized properties. By integrating gene expression data from an unprecedented variety of human tissue samples, researchers have for the first time produced a global map of gene expression.

An explanation for the so-called 'broken-heart syndrome' Posted: 08 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Cardiologists have identified the mechanism underlying the Tako-Tsubo syndrome, characterized by a balloon-shaped heart. The heart takes on that particular shape after a strong emotional stress and shows symptoms similar to the ones of the infarction, although it is a much less serious disease.

Preterm birth rate drops 3 percent Posted: 08 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT New U.S. nationwide statistics show a 3 percent decline in the preterm birth rate, according to a new report. The preterm birth rate dropped to 12.3 percent. That's down from the 2007 preliminary rate of 12.7 percent. The declines follow a more than 20 percent increase in the preterm birth rate between 1990 and 2006.

How disorder at microscopic level reveals important changes in behavior of matter Posted: 08 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Researchers describe the new trends in research on disordered systems using ultracold gases that could have important consequences both for understanding complex physics processes and for building future quantum simulators and computers.

Hooking up or dating: Who benefits? Posted: 08 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Researchers explored the reasons that motivate college men and women to hook up or to date, as well as the perceived relative benefits and costs of the two practices.

Autism study reveals a 'DNA tag' (methylation) amenable to treatment Posted: 08 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT A new discovery raises hope that autism may be more easily diagnosed and that its effects may be more reversible than previously thought. Scientists have identified a way to detect the disorder using blood and have discovered that drugs which affect the methylation state ("DNA tagging") of genes could reverse autism's effects. This type of drug is already being used in some cancer treatments.

Natural gas potential assessed in Eastern Mediterranean Posted: 08 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT An estimated 122 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered, technically recoverable natural gas are in the Levant Basin Province, located in the Eastern Mediterranean region. This is the first U.S. Geological Survey assessment of this basin to identify potentially extractable resources.

A tumor suppressor in the gastrointestinal tract Posted: 08 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT Colorectal cancer is a major type of human cancer. Knowledge regarding the molecular basis for the etiology of this disease can help in identifying novel biomarkers for its early diagnosis or in improving the efficacy of interventionregimens. A recent study revealed that Recql5 knockout in mice resulted in increased tumorigenesis in a number of organ/tissue systems, but not in the GI tract.

Convergent evolution in lignin biosynthesis: Tools for re-engineering biomass composition Posted: 08 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT The plant cell wall component lignin, a complex phenolic polymer, is valued for its energy content, but inhibits biomass breakdown for cellulosic ethanol. Investigators have now identified an alternative pathway for synthesis of syringyl lignin in the lycophyte Selaginella moellendorffii. This pathway, a likely example of convergent evolution, could be used to alter lignin composition in transgenic plants.

Family gets in the way of work for materialistic individuals, study finds Posted: 08 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT The more materialistic individuals are, the more likely they are to view their family as an obstacle to work, according to a new study.

NASA demonstrates novel ocean-powered underwater vehicle Posted: 08 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT NASA, U.S. Navy and university researchers have successfully demonstrated the first robotic underwater vehicle to be powered entirely by natural, renewable, ocean thermal energy.

Novel nanoparticle vaccine cures type 1 diabetes in mice Posted: 08 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Using a sophisticated nanotechnology-based "vaccine," researchers were able to successfully cure mice with type 1 diabetes and slow the onset of the disease in mice at risk for the disease. The study provides new and important insights into understanding how to stop the immune attack that causes type 1 diabetes, and could even have implications for other autoimmune diseases.

Asteroid to fly by within Moon's orbit Posted: 08 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT A newly discovered asteroid, 2010 GA6, was expected to fly safely by Earth April 8. At time of closest approach 2010 GA6 will be about 359,000 kilometers (223,000 miles) away from Earth -- about 9/10ths the distance to the moon. The asteroid, approximately 22 meters (71 feet) wide, was discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey, Tucson, Az.

Gene variation among kidney donors associated with graft failure Posted: 08 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Among kidney transplant donors, variation of a gene that is an inhibitor of the development of fibrous connective tissue is significantly associated with an increased risk of graft failure, according to a new study.

Agricultural scientists develop self-pollinating almond trees Posted: 08 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Self-pollinating almond trees that can produce a bountiful harvest without insect pollination are being developed by agricultural scientists.

People at lower socioeconomic levels have higher death rates within 5-10 years after heart surgery, regardless of race, gender Posted: 08 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT People at lower socioeconomic levels die more often within five to 10 years after heart surgery than those at higher socioeconomic levels, regardless of race and gender, according to new research.

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