ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Cat brain: A step toward the electronic equivalent
• Childhood body size affects future breast cancer chances, study finds
• Tapeworm brain infection 'serious health concern'
• Antibiotic used on drug-eluting stents may lead to advances in heart disease and cancer treatment
• Quick fix for coal mine methane emissions
• 'Love handles' repurposed for breast reconstruction in women without enough belly fat
• Scientists create 'molecular paper' -- largest two-dimensional polymer crystal self-assembled in water
• New targeted therapy effective in treating advanced prostate cancer
• Graphene: Super-thin material advances toward next-generation applications
• Changes in fetal epigenetics found throughout pregnancy
• New method for recovering pricey nanoparticles
• Hurts so good: Chronic pain changes brain response to acute pain
• Flash: NASA's Cassini sees lightning on Saturn
• New marker identifies severe breast cancer cases
• Scientists devise way to link complex traits with underlying genes
• Immune sensors suppress colitis-associated cancer
• Environmentally friendly way to produce propylene oxide using silver nanoclusters
• Panic disorder and depression can be treated over the Internet, study suggests
• The new T. rex: A leech with an affinity for noses
• New drug design technique could dramatically speed discovery process
• A lab rat -- created in the lab: Bioengineering tissues as an alternative to animal testing
• Elastography: A useful method in depicting liver hardness
• Geraniums could help control devastating Japanese beetle
• 'Communicative fathers' help reduce teenage smoking
• Newly discovered RNA steers brain development
• The onion, a natural alternative to artificial preservatives
• Weight-loss surgery significantly reduces risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy
• Little melamine appears in eggs from chickens on highly contaminated feed
• Mixed-race people perceived as 'more attractive,' UK study finds
• Biggest comet measured to date: Comet McNaught
• New gene in hair loss identified by Columbia-led research team
• New super bacterium doubles hydrogen gas production
• Multiple sclerosis: Teriflunomide appears safe and effective as part of combination therapy, study suggests
• Wildlife still exposed to Exxon Valdez oil 20 years after disaster
• Why humans believe that better things come to those who wait
• Small, ground-based telescope images three exoplanets

Cat brain: A step toward the electronic equivalent Posted: 15 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT A cat can recognize a face faster and more efficiently than a supercomputer. That's one reason a feline brain is the model for a biologically-inspired computer project. A computer engineer has taken a step toward developing this revolutionary type of machine that could be capable of learning and recognizing, as well as making more complex decisions and performing more tasks simultaneously than conventional computers can.

Childhood body size affects future breast cancer chances, study finds Posted: 15 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Thinner girls may be at higher risk of breast cancer. Researchers have found that girls who were leaner at age seven were at higher risk of cancer later in life.

Tapeworm brain infection 'serious health concern' Posted: 15 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Tapeworm infections of the brain, which can cause epileptic seizures, appear to be increasing in Mexico and bordering southwestern states, researchers report.

Antibiotic used on drug-eluting stents may lead to advances in heart disease and cancer treatment Posted: 15 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Researchers have identified the mechanism of how a drug commonly used on stents to prevent reclosure of coronary arteries regulates cell movement, which is critical to wound healing and the progression of diseases like cancer.

Quick fix for coal mine methane emissions Posted: 15 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT A new methane burner has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from underground coal mines by almost 90 per cent.

'Love handles' repurposed for breast reconstruction in women without enough belly fat Posted: 15 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT A new technique using tissue from those below-the-waist "love handles" improves cosmetic breast reconstruction in slim, athletic cancer patients without adequate fat sources elsewhere, a small study has found. The method also turns out to be less complicated than other options for surgeons as well, the research shows.

Scientists create 'molecular paper' -- largest two-dimensional polymer crystal self-assembled in water Posted: 15 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Scientists have created "molecular paper," the largest two-dimensional polymer crystal self-assembled in water to date. This entirely new sheet material is made of peptoids, engineered polymers that can flex and fold like proteins while maintaining the robustness of synthetic materials.

New targeted therapy effective in treating advanced prostate cancer Posted: 15 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT An experimental drug is showing promise for the treatment of men with an aggressive form of advanced prostate cancer. A new multicenter study has concluded that the targeted therapy MDV3100 is safe and effective for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer, known for its poor prognosis and limited treatment options.

Graphene: Super-thin material advances toward next-generation applications Posted: 15 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Graphene maintains its superior thermal conductivity even when supported by a substrate, according to new research. The findings by a team of researchers underscore graphene's potential role in the next generation of nano-electric devices.

Changes in fetal epigenetics found throughout pregnancy Posted: 15 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Researchers have found that epigenetic marks on human placentas change from the first trimester of pregnancy to the third, a discovery that may allow clinicians to prevent complications in pregnancy.

New method for recovering pricey nanoparticles Posted: 15 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Scientists are reporting first use of a new method that may make it easier for manufacturers to recover, recycle, and reuse nanoparticles, some of which ounce for ounce can be more precious than gold. The method, which offers a solution to a nagging problem, could speed application of nanotechnology in new generations of solar cells, flexible electronic displays, and other products, the scientists suggest.

Hurts so good: Chronic pain changes brain response to acute pain Posted: 15 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT New research reveals why a stimulus that healthy human subjects perceive as a reward might be processed quite differently in the brains of humans suffering from chronic pain. The study provides fascinating insight into an apparent switch in neural circuitry that may be an integral part of the pathophysiology of chronic pain.

Flash: NASA's Cassini sees lightning on Saturn Posted: 15 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT NASA's Cassini spacecraft has captured images of lightning on Saturn. The images have allowed scientists to create the first movie showing lightning flashing on another planet.

New marker identifies severe breast cancer cases Posted: 15 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Women with breast cancer whose tumors express high levels of a particular genetic marker are significantly more likely to die from their disease than are those with more normal levels, according to researchers. The finding implies that blocking the action of the marker -- a newly recognized type of RNA -- could one day be an effective way to prevent metastasis and improve survival for these women, who make up about one-third of all breast cancer patients.

Scientists devise way to link complex traits with underlying genes Posted: 15 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Scientists have developed a new way to identify the hidden genetic material responsible for complex traits, a breakthrough they believe ultimately could lead to a deeper understanding of how multiple genes interact to produce everything from blue eyes to blood pressure problems.

Immune sensors suppress colitis-associated cancer Posted: 15 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Particular components of inflammasomes -- protein complexes needed for generating immune responses to pathogens and cellular damage -- lessen the severity of colitis and colitis-associated colon cancer in mice, according to a new study.

Environmentally friendly way to produce propylene oxide using silver nanoclusters Posted: 15 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Scientists have identified a new class of silver-based catalysts for the production of the industrially useful chemical propylene oxide that is both environmentally friendly and less expensive.

Panic disorder and depression can be treated over the Internet, study suggests Posted: 15 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) via the internet is just as effective in treating panic disorder (recurring panic attacks) as traditional group-based CBT., according to new research. It is also efficacious in the treatment of mild and moderate depression.

The new T. rex: A leech with an affinity for noses Posted: 14 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT A new leech species with ferociously large teeth -- recently discovered in noses of children that swam in Peruvian rivers -- is providing insight into the evolutionary relationships among all the leeches that have an affinity for mucus membranes and orifices. Tyrannobdella rex was discovered in the remote Upper Amazon; its regular host remains unknown.

New drug design technique could dramatically speed discovery process Posted: 14 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Scientists here are taking the trial and error out of drug design by using powerful computers to identify molecular structures that have the highest potential to serve as the basis for new medications. Most drugs are designed to act on proteins that somehow malfunction in ways that lead to damage and disease in the body. The active ingredient in these medicines is typically a single molecule that can interact with a protein to stop its misbehavior.

A lab rat -- created in the lab: Bioengineering tissues as an alternative to animal testing Posted: 14 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT A researcher in Israel has concluded that tissue necessary for animal trials can be produced from fat, skin, bone and muscle cells. His breakthrough study could have hundreds of applications in the pharmaceutical and medical world.

Elastography: A useful method in depicting liver hardness Posted: 14 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Elasticity measurements have been reported to be useful for the diagnosis and differentiation of many tumors, which are usually harder than normal surrounding tissues. Recently, trans-abdominal real-time elastography was proposed as a new method for noninvasive staging of liver fibrosis. A recently study from Romania found that computer-enhanced dynamic analysis of elastography movies is better able to characterize and differentiate between different degrees of liver fibrosis.

Geraniums could help control devastating Japanese beetle Posted: 14 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Geraniums may hold the key to controlling the devastating Japanese beetle, which feeds on nearly 300 plant species and costs the ornamental plant industry $450 million in damage each year, according to scientists.

'Communicative fathers' help reduce teenage smoking Posted: 14 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Children who talk to their fathers about the issues that are important to them are less likely to take up smoking during early adolescence, a new study has found.

Newly discovered RNA steers brain development Posted: 14 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT A newly discovered class of RNA molecules helps elucidate the long-standing scientific question of how a person's external experiences turn on the genes that over time help shape the connections among cells that make up the human brain. Called enhancer RNAs, these molecules operate globally throughout the genome within neurons.

The onion, a natural alternative to artificial preservatives Posted: 14 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Some components of the onion have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, making it possible to use this bulb for food preservation, new research from Spain demonstrates.

Weight-loss surgery significantly reduces risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy Posted: 14 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Obese women who have bariatric surgery before getting pregnant are at significantly lower risk for developing dangerous hypertensive disorders during pregnancy than those who don't, according to a study of medical insurance records.

Little melamine appears in eggs from chickens on highly contaminated feed Posted: 14 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Eggs from chickens that consumed extremely high levels of melamine in their feed still did not contain levels of the potentially toxic contaminant that exceeded US Food and Drug Administration limits. That was the conclusion of the first study to check on the effects of melamine-contaminated feed in laying hens.

Mixed-race people perceived as 'more attractive,' UK study finds Posted: 14 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT People of mixed race are perceived as being more attractive than non-mixed-race people, a study in the UK has found.

Biggest comet measured to date: Comet McNaught Posted: 14 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT Scientists have identified a new candidate for the biggest comet measured to date. Instead of using the length of the tail to measure the scale of the comet, the group have used data from the ESA/NASA Ulysses spacecraft to gauge the size of the region of space disturbed by the comet's presence.

New gene in hair loss identified by Columbia-led research team Posted: 14 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT A team of investigators has identified a new gene involved in hair growth. This discovery may affect future research and treatments for male pattern baldness and other forms of hair loss.

New super bacterium doubles hydrogen gas production Posted: 14 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT Hydrogen gas is today used primarily for manufacturing chemicals, but a bright future is predicted for it as a vehicle fuel in combination with fuel cells. In order to produce hydrogen gas in a way that is climate neutral, bacteria are added to forestry or household waste, using a method similar to biogas production. One problem with this production method is that hydrogen exchange is low, i.e. the raw materials generate little hydrogen gas. Researchers have studied a newly discovered bacterium that produces twice as much hydrogen gas as the bacteria currently used. The results show how, when and why the bacterium can perform its excellent work and increase the possibilities of competitive biological production of hydrogen gas.

Multiple sclerosis: Teriflunomide appears safe and effective as part of combination therapy, study suggests Posted: 14 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT A Phase II study analyzed the effect of teriflunomide, an investigational oral medication for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), the most common form of the disease. The study analyzed teriflunomide added to ongoing treatment with glatiramer acetate, a currently prescribed medication, and determined that teriflunomide was safe and effective as part of combination therapy.

Wildlife still exposed to Exxon Valdez oil 20 years after disaster Posted: 14 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT Scientists in Alaska have discovered that lingering oil from the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill is still ingested by some wildlife more than 20 years after the disaster.

Why humans believe that better things come to those who wait Posted: 14 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT New research reveals a brain circuit that seems to underlie the ability of humans to resist instant gratification and delay reward for months, or even years, in order to earn a better payoff. The study provides insight into the capacity for "mental time travel," also known as episodic future thought, that enables humans to make choices with high long-term benefits.

Small, ground-based telescope images three exoplanets Posted: 14 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Astronomers have snapped a picture of three planets orbiting a star beyond our own using a modest-sized telescope on the ground. The surprising feat was accomplished by a team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., using a small portion of the Palomar Observatory's Hale Telescope, north of San Diego.

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