ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Researchers create 'sound bullets': Highly focused acoustic pulses could be used as sonic scalpels and more
• Key molecular step to fighting off viruses identified
• House with an edible wall: Runs on sun, wind, rain and wastes
• Ethnicity key to accurate obesity measurements, researchers find
• Does the weather cause northerners to get more prostate cancer?
• How do ads depicting mixed emotions persuade abstract thinkers?
• Smell your way to a longer life? Odors that represent food or indicate danger can alter an animal's lifespan
• Higher amounts of added sugars increase heart disease risk factors, study finds
• New genetic framework could help explain drug side effects
• Does a man's estrogen level impact his risk of prostate cancer?
• Katrina storm surge led to over 200 onshore releases of petroleum and hazardous materials, rivaling Exxon Valdez oil spill
• Do pressures to publish increase scientists' bias?
• Gene therapy cures canines of inherited form of day blindness
• Genetic basis for health benefits of the 'Mediterranean diet'
• Contact lens capable of correcting hyperopia without surgery
• Smoke exposure alters gene expression and estrogen metabolism in the lungs of mice
• For stem cells, practice makes perfect
• Martial arts training for elderly patients gets the green light
• NASA's new eye on the sun delivers stunning first images
• Urine test for kidney cancer a step closer to development
• How to be a better skier: Professor, students conduct research on the slopes
• The promise of DNA vaccines
• Multimedia search without detours
• Dual approach gives a more accurate picture of the autistic brain
• Bizarre matter could find use in quantum computers
• Sensitive nerve cells: Research sheds light on what triggers Parkinson's disease
• Dying: Millions of women in childbirth, newborns and young children
• Enzyme found to be a predictive marker of survival in head and neck cancer
• How do older people use e-mail?
• Fossil-fuel subsidies hurting global environment, security, study finds
• Research reveals genetic secrets underlying remarkable development of the domestic chicken
• Breast density change linked to cancer development, study suggests
• To the Antarctic or Brazil for new feathers: Thin-billed prions select their moulting grounds individually
• Molecular basis for Pseudomonas aeruginosa persistent infections in CF patients
• Increased radiation dose does not increase long-term side effects for prostate cancer patients, study suggests
• Simple, low-cost steps enhance adolescents' health
• How red wine may shield brain from stroke damage: Researchers discover pathway in mice for resveratrol's apparent protective effect
• Mercury is higher in some tuna species, according to DNA barcoding; New research provides insight into healthier consumption of sushi
• Among deaths from H1N1, pregnant women appear to have high risk
• More accurate mapping of ash cloud from volcano in Iceland
• Excessive alcohol consumption may lead to increased cancer risk
• 'Ancestral Eve' crystal may explain origin of life's left-handedness
• Toward a urine test for detecting colon cancer
• Surfing the alien atmosphere of Venus
• Fish oil supplements provide no benefit to brain power in elders, study shows
• Animal feed, not automobiles, makes the San Joaquin Valley a smog hotspot
• In developing countries, shorter maternal height associated with higher death rates for children

Researchers create 'sound bullets': Highly focused acoustic pulses could be used as sonic scalpels and more Posted: 22 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Taking inspiration from a popular executive toy ("Newton's cradle"), researchers have built a device -- called a nonlinear acoustic lens -- that produces highly focused, high-amplitude acoustic signals dubbed "sound bullets." The acoustic lens and its sound bullets (which can exist in fluids--like air and water--as well as in solids) have the potential to revolutionize applications from medical imaging and therapy to the nondestructive evaluation of materials and engineering systems.

Key molecular step to fighting off viruses identified Posted: 22 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Researchers have determined how a protein that normally latches onto molecules inside cells and marks them for destruction also gives life to the body's immune response against viruses.

House with an edible wall: Runs on sun, wind, rain and wastes Posted: 22 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Students and researchers are constructing a house to run on solar power, as well as harness wind, rain and the building's wastes. Its also features include an edible wall.

Ethnicity key to accurate obesity measurements, researchers find Posted: 22 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT The current National Institutes of Health body mass index cutoff values for obesity are too high for many reproductive-age women in the US and should be adjusted to account for ethnic differences in body composition to produce proper diagnosis of obesity, according to new research.

Does the weather cause northerners to get more prostate cancer? Posted: 22 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Cold, dry weather has been linked to an increased incidence of prostate cancer. Researchers suggest that meteorological effects on persistent organic pollutants, such as some pesticides and industrial by-products, may be to blame.

How do ads depicting mixed emotions persuade abstract thinkers? Posted: 22 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT People who think more abstractly respond better to ads that portray mixed emotions, according to a new study.

Smell your way to a longer life? Odors that represent food or indicate danger can alter an animal's lifespan Posted: 22 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT What does the smell of a good meal mean to you? It may mean more than you think. Specific odors that represent food or indicate danger are capable of altering an animal's lifespan and physiological profile by activating a small number of highly specialized sensory neurons, researchers have shown.

Higher amounts of added sugars increase heart disease risk factors, study finds Posted: 22 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Consuming a higher amount of added sugars in processed or prepared foods is associated with lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, the "good cholesterol") and higher levels of triglycerides, which are important risk factors for cardiovascular disease, according to a new study.

New genetic framework could help explain drug side effects Posted: 22 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT In a major step toward predicting adverse drug reactions, systems biologists have integrated genetic, cellular and clinical information to find out why certain medicines can trigger fatal heart arrhythmias. The new framework could be used to study other cardiac disorders and certain neurological diseases, including epilepsy and autism, and could aid the advance of personalized medicine.

Does a man's estrogen level impact his risk of prostate cancer? Posted: 22 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT A high level of one type of estrogen in a man's body might increase his risk of developing prostate cancer. That is one surprising conclusion from a new study which also offers another novel finding -- that high levels of the estrogen considered fuel for breast cancer might offer a protective benefit against prostate cancer.

Katrina storm surge led to over 200 onshore releases of petroleum and hazardous materials, rivaling Exxon Valdez oil spill Posted: 22 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Scientists call for more risk-based facility design and improved prevention, response planning Hurricane Katrina was the cause of more than 200 onshore releases of petroleum and other hazardous materials, a new study has found.

Do pressures to publish increase scientists' bias? Posted: 22 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT The quality of scientific research may be suffering because academics are being increasingly pressured to produce 'publishable' results, a new study suggests. A large analysis of papers in all disciplines shows that researchers report more "positive" results for their experiments in US states where academics publish more frequently.

Gene therapy cures canines of inherited form of day blindness Posted: 22 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Veterinary ophthalmology researchers have used gene therapy to restore retinal cone function and day vision in two canine models of congenital achromatopsia, also called rod monochromacy or total color blindness.

Genetic basis for health benefits of the 'Mediterranean diet' Posted: 22 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Eating a diet rich in the phenolic components of virgin olive oil represses several pro-inflammatory genes. Researchers suggest that this partly explains the reduced risk of cardiovascular disease seen in people who eat a "Mediterranean diet."

Contact lens capable of correcting hyperopia without surgery Posted: 22 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT An innovative new contact lens developed by a Spanish researcher promises to improve the vision quality of thousands of people without surgery. The design represents the first contact lens capable of correcting hyperopia without refractive surgery by means of corneal reshaping.

Smoke exposure alters gene expression and estrogen metabolism in the lungs of mice Posted: 22 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Lung cancer rates are increasing substantially in women, particularly in non-smoking women, with no known reason for the increase. Now researchers may have uncovered a critical piece in the puzzle.

For stem cells, practice makes perfect Posted: 22 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Multipotent stem cells have the capacity to develop into different types of cells by reprogramming their DNA. In a new study, researchers have found that reprogramming is imperfect in the early stages of differentiation, with some genes turned on and off at random. As cell divisions continue, the stability of the differentiation process increases by a factor of 100.

Martial arts training for elderly patients gets the green light Posted: 22 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Martial arts could be the key to helping osteoporosis sufferers fall more safely. A study has found that martial arts training can likely be carried out safely.

NASA's new eye on the sun delivers stunning first images Posted: 22 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT NASA's recently launched Solar Dynamics Observatory, or SDO, is returning early images that confirm an unprecedented new capability for scientists to better understand our sun's dynamic processes. These solar activities affect everything on Earth.

Urine test for kidney cancer a step closer to development Posted: 22 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Researchers have identified a pair of proteins excreted in the urine that could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis of kidney cancer. The research is the first to identify proteins in urine that appear to accurately reveal the presence of about 90 percent of all kidney cancers.

How to be a better skier: Professor, students conduct research on the slopes Posted: 22 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT New research helps answer questions about how to be a better skier and have more fun in the process.

The promise of DNA vaccines Posted: 22 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Laboratory research and clinical studies are beginning to demonstrate that DNA vaccines can be as effective as traditional vaccines. A number of factors are driving the growth of the field, especially new approaches to electroporation, vaccine formulation, and vector design.

Multimedia search without detours Posted: 22 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Finding a particular song or video is often no easy matter. Manually assigned metadata may be incorrect, and the unpacking of compressed data can slow up the search. DIVAS, a multimedia search engine, uses digital fingerprints to reliably locate what you are looking for.

Dual approach gives a more accurate picture of the autistic brain Posted: 22 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT A new study, the first of its kind, combines two complementary analytical brain imaging techniques, to provide a more comprehensive and accurate picture of the neuroanatomy of the autistic brain.

Bizarre matter could find use in quantum computers Posted: 21 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT There are enticing new findings in the search for materials that support fault-tolerant quantum computing. New results indicate that a bizarre state of matter that acts like a particle with one-quarter electron charge also has a "quantum registry" that is immune to information loss from external perturbations.

Sensitive nerve cells: Research sheds light on what triggers Parkinson's disease Posted: 21 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT In Germany alone, more than 300,000 people are afflicted by Parkinson's disease and the number is growing steadily. However, despite comprehensive research, scientists are still somewhat in the dark as to the molecular changes that trigger this illness. Scientists have demonstrated using a new animal model that nerve cells do not begin to die to the extent found in "Parkinson's" in mice until three conditions come together.

Dying: Millions of women in childbirth, newborns and young children Posted: 21 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT As G8 leaders prepare for a June meeting at which maternal and child health problems will take top priority, a new analysis details the extent of the problem today: 350,000-500,000 women die in childbirth each year, 3.6 million newborns fail to survive their first month, and an additional 5.2 million children die before age five.

Enzyme found to be a predictive marker of survival in head and neck cancer Posted: 21 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT New research suggests that levels of ERCC1 -- an enzyme that helps repair cisplatin-related DNA damage -- offer a predictive marker of survival in squamous carcinoma of the head and neck. The findings might eventually help guide treatment selection for patients with recurrent and metastatic disease.

How do older people use e-mail? Posted: 21 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Researchers in Spain have studied how older people interact and use e-mail in their daily life. The study was carried out in social centers in Barcelona and will be used to design new e-mail systems that are more intuitive and accessible.

Fossil-fuel subsidies hurting global environment, security, study finds Posted: 21 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT A comprehensive assessment of global fossil-fuel subsidies has found that governments are spending $500 billion annually on policies that undermine energy security and worsen the environment.

Research reveals genetic secrets underlying remarkable development of the domestic chicken Posted: 21 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT The domestication of animals and plants is perhaps the most important technological innovation during human history. This genetic transformation of wild species has occurred as humans have used individuals carrying favorable gene variants for breeding purposes. In a new study, researchers have revealed some of the secrets underlying the remarkable development of the domestic chicken.

Breast density change linked to cancer development, study suggests Posted: 21 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT An increase in breast density appears to be the culprit behind an increase of breast cancer found in women participating in an estrogen and progestin therapy study.

To the Antarctic or Brazil for new feathers: Thin-billed prions select their moulting grounds individually Posted: 21 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Scientists have studied the migratory behavior of thin-billed prions and discovered that the animals spend their molting season in two areas that are at a considerable distance from each other. Thus, it would appear that some seabirds can be extremely flexible and change their habitat if required -- a vital adaptation to the unpredictable conditions found on the high seas.

Molecular basis for Pseudomonas aeruginosa persistent infections in CF patients Posted: 21 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT New research reveals Small Colony Variants (SCVs) of P. aeruginosa to be a hallmark of chronic infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Results suggest that SCV-mediated persistence might be a good target for antimicrobial chemotherapy.

Increased radiation dose does not increase long-term side effects for prostate cancer patients, study suggests Posted: 21 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Boosting the radiation dose given to prostate cancer patients to a level that cut tumor recurrence in half did not increase the severity of side effects reported by patients up to a decade later. The study also found that patients characterized the impact of continuing side effects on their quality of life as considerably less bothersome than would be expected, based on earlier studies.

Simple, low-cost steps enhance adolescents' health Posted: 21 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Simple, low-cost measures such as wearing a pedometer to inspire walking and spending a few minutes a day meditating can put adolescents on the track toward better health, researchers report.

How red wine may shield brain from stroke damage: Researchers discover pathway in mice for resveratrol's apparent protective effect Posted: 21 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT Researchers say they have discovered the way in which red wine consumption may protect the brain from damage following a stroke.

Mercury is higher in some tuna species, according to DNA barcoding; New research provides insight into healthier consumption of sushi Posted: 21 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT The level of mercury in your sushi can depend on the species that you are consuming. New DNA barcoding research shows that mercury levels are higher in bigeye and bluefin tunas, especially for the leaner, redder akami. Yellowfin tuna does not seem to sequester as much mercury, nor does the fattier toro slices found in sushi.

Among deaths from H1N1, pregnant women appear to have high risk Posted: 21 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT Pregnant women had a disproportionately higher risk of death due to 2009 influenza A(H1N1) in the US, and early antiviral treatment appeared to be associated with fewer admissions to an ICU and fewer deaths, according to a new study.

More accurate mapping of ash cloud from volcano in Iceland Posted: 21 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT Scientists are following the progress of the ash cloud from the Eyjafjallajökul volcano across Denmark. New research provides more details about the actual height and development of the ash cloud as well as qualitative measurements of the volcanic ash concentrations in the cloud.

Excessive alcohol consumption may lead to increased cancer risk Posted: 21 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT Researchers have detected a link between alcohol consumption, cancer and aging that starts at the cellular level with telomere shortening.

'Ancestral Eve' crystal may explain origin of life's left-handedness Posted: 21 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Scientists are reporting discovery of what may be the "ancestral Eve" crystal that billions of years ago gave life on Earth its curious and exclusive preference for so-called left-handed amino acids. Those building blocks of proteins come in two forms -- left- and right-handed -- that mirror each other like a pair of hands.

Toward a urine test for detecting colon cancer Posted: 21 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Scientists are reporting an advance toward development of a urine test for detecting colon cancer, the third most common cancer in the United States. Such a test could eventually compliment or even reduce the need for colonoscopy, the mainstay screening test used today.

Surfing the alien atmosphere of Venus Posted: 21 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Venus Express has completed an "aerodrag" campaign that used its solar wings as sails to catch faint wisps of the planet's atmosphere. The test used the orbiter as an exquisitely accurate sensor to measure atmospheric density barely 180 km above the hot planet.

Fish oil supplements provide no benefit to brain power in elders, study shows Posted: 21 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT The largest ever trial of fish oil supplements has found no evidence that they offer benefits for cognitive function in older people. The study investigated the effects of taking omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements over a two year period on the cognitive function of participants aged 70-80 years.

Animal feed, not automobiles, makes the San Joaquin Valley a smog hotspot Posted: 21 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT A new study identifies cattle feed as a possible culprit in the long-standing mystery of why California's San Joaquin Valley -- a moderately-populated agricultural region -- has higher levels of ozone (one of the main ingredients in smog) than many densely-populated cities. The report explains how fermented cattle feed works with automotive exhausts in forming ozone.

In developing countries, shorter maternal height associated with higher death rates for children Posted: 21 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Among 54 low- to middle-income countries, a mother's shorter height is associated with a higher rate of death for her children and a greater likelihood of these children being underweight and having a reduced rate of growth, according to a new study.

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