ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• 'Junk DNA' drives cancer growth, Hodgkin's lymphoma study finds
• Study adds to evidence that autism has genetic basis
• Radar images near-Earth asteroid: No impact for next 100 years
• Olive oil could guard against developing ulcerative colitis
• 'Dimmer switch' for superconducting quantum computing developed
• Sleep disturbances associated with behavior problems in children with autism
• Ocean bacteria can harvest energy from sunlight for survival
• New insights into how omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation also hints at novel disease treatments
• NASA study sheds light on ozone hole chemistry
• Children living in apartments with nonsmoking adults still exposed to secondhand smoke, study finds
• Lollipops and ice fishing: Molecular rulers used to probe nanopores
• Hand-clapping songs improve motor and cognitive skills, research shows
• How nerve cells distinguish odors
• Leptin action in the brain linked to sepsis survival
• Cassini and amateurs chase storm on Saturn
• Hypertensive rat genome sequence expected to uncover genetic basis of human hypertension
• New research offers security for virtualization, cloud computing
• Discrimination is associated with depression among minority children
• Cassini returning Enceladus gravity data
• Gene find offers hope of screening test for bone disease
• Let there be light: Researchers discover new technology for controlling proteins
• Vitamin E provides new hope for patients with 'silent' liver disease
• Scientists uncover alternative pathway of microRNA generation
• Teens dangerously uninformed about over-the-counter medication, study finds
• Older women with diabetes face higher risk for colon cancer
• Children may be able to eat before cholesterol test, study shows
• Health care costs force families to forgo paying for rent, food or other basic expenses
• Children living with relatives of parents struggle with physical, mental health issues, study suggests
• Gastrointestinal problems common in children with autism
• Treatment plan for children with autism often includes complementary therapies

'Junk DNA' drives cancer growth, Hodgkin's lymphoma study finds Posted: 03 May 2010 08:00 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a new driving force behind cancer growth. New studies have identified how 'junk' DNA promotes the growth of cancer cells in patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Study adds to evidence that autism has genetic basis Posted: 03 May 2010 08:00 AM PDT Although there is no known cause of autism, studies have shown that mutations in several genes are associated with the developmental brain disorder. New research has uncovered two additional genes that may be involved with autism.

Radar images near-Earth asteroid: No impact for next 100 years Posted: 03 May 2010 08:00 AM PDT Near-Earth asteroid 2005 YU55 was "imaged" by the Arecibo Radar Telescope in Puerto Rico on April 19. Data collected during Arecibo's observation of 2005 YU55 allowed the Near-Earth Object Program Office at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to refine the space rock's orbit, allowing scientists to rule out any possibility of an Earth impact for the next 100 years.

Olive oil could guard against developing ulcerative colitis Posted: 03 May 2010 08:00 AM PDT Eating more olive oil could help prevent ulcerative colitis, according to a new study. The findings show that people with a diet rich in oleic acid, which is present in olive oil, are far less likely to develop ulcerative colitis. Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid found in olive oil, peanut oil and grapeseed oil, as well as in butter and certain margarines.

'Dimmer switch' for superconducting quantum computing developed Posted: 03 May 2010 08:00 AM PDT Scientists have developed the first "dimmer switch" for a superconducting circuit linking a quantum bit (qubit) and a quantum bus -- promising technologies for storing and transporting information in future quantum computers. The switch is a new type of control device that can "tune" interactions between these components and potentially could speed up the development of a practical quantum computer.

Sleep disturbances associated with behavior problems in children with autism Posted: 03 May 2010 08:00 AM PDT Reports have suggested that sleep problems in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are associated with challenging daytime behaviors. A new study on a large group of youths with ASD confirms these reports and will support the development of treatments for sleep disturbances as a way to improve behavior, according to researchers.

Ocean bacteria can harvest energy from sunlight for survival Posted: 03 May 2010 05:00 AM PDT Bacteria in the ocean can harvest light energy from sunlight to promote survival thanks to a unique photoprotein, according to research by a team of scientists in Sweden and Spain.

New insights into how omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation also hints at novel disease treatments Posted: 03 May 2010 05:00 AM PDT Scientists went on a molecular fishing trip and netted a catch of new mediators that not only can explain how omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, but also hint at novel treatments for a host of diseases linked to inflammatory processes.

NASA study sheds light on ozone hole chemistry Posted: 03 May 2010 05:00 AM PDT A new NASA study of Earth's polar ozone layer reinforces scientists' understanding of how human-produced chlorine chemicals involved in the destruction of ozone interact with each other.

Children living in apartments with nonsmoking adults still exposed to secondhand smoke, study finds Posted: 03 May 2010 05:00 AM PDT The majority of children living in apartments are exposed to secondhand smoke, even when they don't live with smokers. This study from the University of Rochester Medical Center is the first to examine whether housing type is a potential contributor to children's exposure to cigarette smoke.

Lollipops and ice fishing: Molecular rulers used to probe nanopores Posted: 03 May 2010 05:00 AM PDT Using a pair of exotic techniques including a molecular-scale version of ice fishing, researchers have developed methods to measure accurately the length of "nanopores," the miniscule channels found in cell membranes. The team's "molecular rulers" could serve as a way to calibrate tailor-made nanopores -- whose diameters are nearly 10,000 times smaller than that of a human hair -- for applications such as rapid DNA analysis.

Hand-clapping songs improve motor and cognitive skills, research shows Posted: 03 May 2010 05:00 AM PDT A researcher in Israel conducted the first study of hand-clapping songs, revealing a direct link between those activities and the development of important skills in children and young adults, including university students.

How nerve cells distinguish odors Posted: 03 May 2010 02:00 AM PDT Whether different odors can be quickly distinguished depends on certain synapses in the brain that inhibit nerve stimulation. Researchers have shown that mice in which a certain receptor in the olfactory center is missing can distinguish similar smells more quickly than mice without genetic manipulation.

Leptin action in the brain linked to sepsis survival Posted: 03 May 2010 02:00 AM PDT The hormone leptin, typically associated with body weight regulation, works within the central nervous system to aid the immune system's defense against sepsis, researchers say.

Cassini and amateurs chase storm on Saturn Posted: 03 May 2010 02:00 AM PDT With the help of amateur astronomers, the composite infrared spectrometer instrument aboard NASA's Cassini spacecraft has taken its first look at a massive blizzard in Saturn's atmosphere. The instrument collected the most detailed data to date of temperatures and gas distribution in that planet's storms.

Hypertensive rat genome sequence expected to uncover genetic basis of human hypertension Posted: 03 May 2010 02:00 AM PDT Chronic high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a serious health risk factor that afflicts more than 25 percent of all adults worldwide, but the molecular basis of the disease remains poorly understood. In a new study, scientists have sequenced the genome of the spontaneously hypertensive rat, building a rich catalog of genetic variants that will help researchers to understand causes of the disease in humans.

New research offers security for virtualization, cloud computing Posted: 03 May 2010 02:00 AM PDT Virtualization and cloud computing allow computer users access to powerful computers and software applications hosted by remote groups of servers, but security concerns related to data privacy are limiting public confidence -- and slowing adoption of the new technology. Now researchers have developed new techniques and software that may be the key to resolving those security concerns and boosting confidence in the sector.

Discrimination is associated with depression among minority children Posted: 03 May 2010 02:00 AM PDT Minority children often encounter racism in their daily lives, and those who experience discrimination more often have more symptoms of depression.

Cassini returning Enceladus gravity data Posted: 02 May 2010 11:00 PM PDT NASA's Cassini spacecraft successfully completed its 26-hour gravity observation at Saturn's moon Enceladus recently, sending back data scientists will use to understand the moon's interior composition and structure.

Gene find offers hope of screening test for bone disease Posted: 02 May 2010 11:00 PM PDT Scientists have discovered three genes linked to the development of Paget's disease, a painful bone condition. Researchers believe the genes are involved in regulating the rate at which bone is repaired, providing an explanation of why the disease might occur.

Let there be light: Researchers discover new technology for controlling proteins Posted: 02 May 2010 11:00 PM PDT Researchers in Germany have succeeded in constructing small protein fragments which can block the incorrectly regulated gene expression. The scientists developed a mechanism which allows these inhibitors to be switched on and off like a light switch.

Vitamin E provides new hope for patients with 'silent' liver disease Posted: 02 May 2010 11:00 PM PDT A daily dose of a specific form of vitamin E significantly improved the liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), according to a new study. In addition, Actos (pioglitazone), a drug used to treat diabetes, also improved many features of NASH but was associated with weight gain.

Scientists uncover alternative pathway of microRNA generation Posted: 02 May 2010 11:00 PM PDT MicroRNAs control gene expression with the help of a unique class of proteins called Argonautes. Researchers now report that in animal cells, one of Argonautes, called Ago2, has a different role -- it helps generate microRNAs instead. The study points to an alternative pathway of microRNA generation.

Teens dangerously uninformed about over-the-counter medication, study finds Posted: 02 May 2010 11:00 PM PDT The majority of teens say they have never heard of acetaminophen -- or what the appropriate dosing of it is even with access to the label instructions -- despite having taken the medication recently, according to a new study assessing teens' health literacy.

Older women with diabetes face higher risk for colon cancer Posted: 01 May 2010 09:00 PM PDT Physician researchers have found that older women with diabetes face a more than doubled risk for some types of colorectal cancer.

Children may be able to eat before cholesterol test, study shows Posted: 01 May 2010 09:00 PM PDT Physicians usually ask children to fast overnight before a cholesterol test. New research shows that this may not always be necessary.

Health care costs force families to forgo paying for rent, food or other basic expenses Posted: 01 May 2010 09:00 PM PDT When the high cost of health care forces families to forgo paying for basic household expenses, such as rent, utilities or food, children's health suffers.

Children living with relatives of parents struggle with physical, mental health issues, study suggests Posted: 01 May 2010 09:00 PM PDT It is well-known that children in foster care are at increased risk for physical and mental health problems. But what about kids who live with relatives other than their birth parents? Children who live in "kinship care" often fly under the radar of child welfare agencies, and little research has been done on this group of children -- until now.

Gastrointestinal problems common in children with autism Posted: 01 May 2010 09:00 PM PDT Gastrointestinal symptoms occur in nearly half of children with autism spectrum disorders, and the prevalence increases as children get older.

Treatment plan for children with autism often includes complementary therapies Posted: 01 May 2010 09:00 PM PDT Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming a popular treatment for a variety of conditions, with national data showing it is used by about 12 percent of children. New research shows that about 21 percent of youths enrolled in a large registry of children on the autism spectrum use CAM as part of their overall treatment plan.

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