ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Weird, ultra-small microbes turn up in acidic mine drainage
• Scientists create human embryonic stem cells with enhanced pluripotency
• Low-maintenance strawberry may be good crop to grow in space
• Genetic link between both types of ALS discovered
• Molecular computations: Single molecule can calculate thousands of times faster than a PC
• New biological explanation for sadness in early postpartum
• Researchers design new biomaterial that mimics muscle elasticity
• Brain may use clot-busting drug naturally as protection against stroke
• First detailed underwater survey of huge volcanic flank collapse deposits
• Transplant drug two-year study outcomes show superior kidney function
• Gold nanoparticles promise to enrich everyday products
• Survivors of childhood cancers four times more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder
• New detection technology identifies bacteria, viruses, other organisms within 24 hours
• Discovery prompts new theory on cause of autoimmune diseases
• Reveal-all scanner for works of art
• Extended hepatitis C treatment after liver transplant may benefit patients
• New tool enables wider analyses of genome 'deep sequencing'
• No simple explanation for why adolescents take risks: Study shows weak executive cognitive function not always to blame
• New insights into the mystery of natural HIV immunity: Findings may have implications for designing effective AIDS vaccine
• New culprit in muscle defects, insulin resistance that come with age
• Transportation governed by simple rules: Scientists unlock the secret of how cells maintain the spatial distribution of proteins
• Mechanism elucidated for a rare disease: Friedreich's ataxia
• Organic farming shows limited benefit to wildlife, researchers in UK find
• Parental involvement key to preventing child bullying
• How dark chocolate may guard against brain injury from stroke
• Viruses effective against brain cancer in animals: Human trials set to start
• Bees that nest in petals: Scientists describe the nest of an uncommon solitary bee
• Vitamin A supplementation does not reduce maternal mortality, study shows
• 'Oil spill, flooding create perfect storm' for commerce, shipping, says supply chain professor
• Friendship and confiding in spouse eases stress over sexual issues in older men
• How world's smallest 'coffee ring' may help biosensors detect disease
• New inhalable measles vaccine may lead to vaccines for other diseases
• One sleepless night can induce insulin resistance in healthy people
• Gymnastic training improves bone health in girls, study finds
• Real-world proof of hand washing's effectiveness
• New insight into how alcohol affects brain function
• Islands of germs: Researchers discover pathogens floating on tiny clumps of aquatic detritus
• Bone-marrow stem cells in multiple sclerosis show promise
• Envisat monitors oil spill proximity to Loop Current
• Study shows trend of increasing obesity in pregnant moms contributing to higher body fat in newborns
• Storing green electricity as natural gas
• Managing the emotions behind eating

Weird, ultra-small microbes turn up in acidic mine drainage Posted: 06 May 2010 08:00 AM PDT Researchers have been studying the microbe community that lives in one of the most acidic environments on Earth: the drainage from a former copper mine in Northern California. One group of these microbes, dubbed ARMAN, seems to be smaller, and weirder, than any other known, free-living organism. Occasionally, it gets impaled by it larger neighbors.

Scientists create human embryonic stem cells with enhanced pluripotency Posted: 06 May 2010 08:00 AM PDT For the first time, researchers have converted established human induced pluripotent stem cells and human embryonic stem (ES) cells to state that corresponds to that of mouse embryonic stem cells. Mouse embryonic stem cell are more immature and are endowed with greater pluripotency than traditional human ES cells and, importantly, are much easier to propagate and to manipulate.

Low-maintenance strawberry may be good crop to grow in space Posted: 06 May 2010 08:00 AM PDT Astronauts could one day tend their own crops on long space missions, and researchers have found a healthy candidate to help satisfy a sweet tooth -- a strawberry that requires little maintenance and energy.

Genetic link between both types of ALS discovered Posted: 06 May 2010 08:00 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a link between sporadic and familial forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Researchers linked a rare genetic cause to most cases of ALS, clearing the way for therapy based on a known molecular target.

Molecular computations: Single molecule can calculate thousands of times faster than a PC Posted: 06 May 2010 08:00 AM PDT An experimental demonstration of a quantum calculation has shown that a single molecule can perform operations thousands of times faster than any conventional computer.

New biological explanation for sadness in early postpartum Posted: 06 May 2010 08:00 AM PDT Greater levels of a brain protein called monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) may explain why postpartum blues and clinical depression are so common after childbirth, according to a new study.

Researchers design new biomaterial that mimics muscle elasticity Posted: 06 May 2010 05:00 AM PDT Researchers have cast artificial proteins into a new solid biomaterial that very closely mimics the elasticity of muscle. The approach opens new avenues to creating solid biomaterials from smaller engineered proteins, and has potential applications in material sciences and tissue engineering.

Brain may use clot-busting drug naturally as protection against stroke Posted: 06 May 2010 05:00 AM PDT New research on the properties of the clot-busting stroke drug tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator) suggests that tPA can act as a neuroprotectant and may form the keystone of an adaptive response to a reduction in blood flow. Scientists have shown that certain parts of the brains of mice lacking the gene for tPA are more vulnerable to stroke. In addition, tPA can protect neurons in the same part of the brain from the stress of hypoxia (low oxygen).

First detailed underwater survey of huge volcanic flank collapse deposits Posted: 06 May 2010 05:00 AM PDT Oceanographers are mapping an extremely large landslide deposits offshore from an active volcano on Montserrat in the Lesser Antilles.

Transplant drug two-year study outcomes show superior kidney function Posted: 06 May 2010 05:00 AM PDT Two-year results from phase III clinical trials show the experimental immunosuppressive drug belatacept can better preserve kidney function in kidney transplant recipients while preventing graft rejection when compared with the standard immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine.

Gold nanoparticles promise to enrich everyday products Posted: 06 May 2010 05:00 AM PDT Durable paint, water purification, faster computers, tougher shoe soles, and lighter and cheaper televisions are all possibilities now that an Australian scientist has discovered a way to disperse gold nanoparticles evenly through plastic.

Survivors of childhood cancers four times more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder Posted: 06 May 2010 05:00 AM PDT Young adult survivors of childhood cancers are four times more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder than their control group siblings, a new study has found.

New detection technology identifies bacteria, viruses, other organisms within 24 hours Posted: 06 May 2010 02:00 AM PDT Law enforcement authorities seeking to detect bioterrorism attacks, doctors diagnosing diseases and regulatory agencies checking product safety may find a new ally in a new detection technology.

Discovery prompts new theory on cause of autoimmune diseases Posted: 06 May 2010 02:00 AM PDT The recent discovery of a protein fragment capable of causing diabetes in mice has spurred researchers to propose a new hypothesis about the cause of diabetes and autoimmunity in general. In a recent article, researchers propose that the unusual and rare presentation of protein fragments to the immune system allows autoreactive T cells to escape the thymus and trigger autoimmune disease.

Reveal-all scanner for works of art Posted: 06 May 2010 02:00 AM PDT Painted-over murals were thought to be irretrievably lost because conventional methods are seldom suitable to rendering the hidden works visible without causing damage. Research scientists now aim to reveal the secrets of these paintings non-destructively using terahertz beams.

Extended hepatitis C treatment after liver transplant may benefit patients Posted: 06 May 2010 02:00 AM PDT Extending hepatitis C treatment for liver transplant patients beyond current standards results in high clearance rates of the hepatitis C virus from the blood, and a low relapse rate, according to a new study.

New tool enables wider analyses of genome 'deep sequencing' Posted: 06 May 2010 02:00 AM PDT A new web-based algorithm allows scientists to plumb the unprecedented depths of the data provided by new "deep-sequencing" techniques to reveal a pantheon of control regions for nearly any gene.

No simple explanation for why adolescents take risks: Study shows weak executive cognitive function not always to blame Posted: 06 May 2010 02:00 AM PDT Conventional wisdom holds that adolescents are susceptible to drug use and other risk-taking behavior. However, a one-size-fits-all approach to curbing these behaviors likely will be unsuccessful, according to new research.

New insights into the mystery of natural HIV immunity: Findings may have implications for designing effective AIDS vaccine Posted: 05 May 2010 11:00 PM PDT Researchers have previously showed that a very high percentage of those naturally HIV-immune people, who represent about one in 200 infected individuals, carry a gene called HLA B57. Now a team of researchers has revealed a new effect that contributes to this gene's ability to confer immunity.

New culprit in muscle defects, insulin resistance that come with age Posted: 05 May 2010 11:00 PM PDT Type 2 diabetes is a widespread problem for many people these days, and our risk for insulin resistance and diabetes only grows as we age. Now, a new report reveals a new contributor to the problem: The muscles of elderly people and of people with type 2 diabetes contain lower concentrations of a protein known as PARL (short for "presenilin-associated rhomboid-like").

Transportation governed by simple rules: Scientists unlock the secret of how cells maintain the spatial distribution of proteins Posted: 05 May 2010 11:00 PM PDT All life on earth is threatened by chaos. In this sense, a cell is like a ship which could at any moment sink in a sea of chaos. It must constantly consume energy to maintain the same level of order to avoid going under -- metaphorically speaking, the infiltrating water of chaos needs to be pumped out, permanently. Scientists have now discovered how cells ensure the correct distribution of proteins throughout their interior. What they have found is that many of the proteins which need to be transported to the cell membrane are furnished with a kind of anchor consisting of a fatty acid, which serves to embed the proteins in the cell membrane.

Mechanism elucidated for a rare disease: Friedreich's ataxia Posted: 05 May 2010 11:00 PM PDT Scientists have dissected one of the molecular mechanisms underlying Friedreich's ataxia. In doing so, they have shed new light on the pathogenic mechanism of the disease. These findings could lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches for what is, as yet, an incurable condition.

Organic farming shows limited benefit to wildlife, researchers in UK find Posted: 05 May 2010 11:00 PM PDT Organic farms may be seen as wildlife friendly, but the benefits to birds, bees and butterflies don't compensate for the lower yields produced, according to new research in the UK.

Parental involvement key to preventing child bullying Posted: 05 May 2010 11:00 PM PDT Communities across the United States are developing programs to address child bullying. New research shows that parents can play an important role in preventing their children from becoming bullies in the first place.

How dark chocolate may guard against brain injury from stroke Posted: 05 May 2010 08:00 PM PDT Researchers have discovered that a compound in dark chocolate may protect the brain after a stroke by increasing cellular signals already known to shield nerve cells from damage.

Viruses effective against brain cancer in animals: Human trials set to start Posted: 05 May 2010 08:00 PM PDT Advanced gliomas were shown to regress completely in rats after treatment with parvoviruses, and the animals survived significantly longer than untreated animals. Parvoviruses do not cause any disease symptoms in humans and the rats treated did not show any undesired side effects, either. A clinical phase I trial on parvovirus treatment of patients with advanced glioblastoma is about to begin.

Bees that nest in petals: Scientists describe the nest of an uncommon solitary bee Posted: 05 May 2010 08:00 PM PDT A rare species of solitary bees found in the Middle East, Osima avoseta, constructs its nests from petals, creating chambers of pink, yellow, blue, and purple for its larvae. The colorful nests moist, secure chambers for the larvae to grow, consume provisions, and build a cocoon to wait out the winter.

Vitamin A supplementation does not reduce maternal mortality, study shows Posted: 05 May 2010 08:00 PM PDT A trial in Ghana has shown that vitamin A supplementation does not reduce maternal mortality -- contradicting previous findings from a trial in Nepal which showed a 44 percent decrease.

'Oil spill, flooding create perfect storm' for commerce, shipping, says supply chain professor Posted: 05 May 2010 08:00 PM PDT The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and epic flooding in Tennessee have created a "perfect storm" for businesses that rely on an efficient supply chain, according to one professor. In addition, the volcano in Iceland is causing unprecedented interruptions in the ability of businesses in Europe and the Baltic regions to ship goods via air transport.

Friendship and confiding in spouse eases stress over sexual issues in older men Posted: 05 May 2010 08:00 PM PDT A new study suggests that it may not help older men and women with sexual problems to talk to a doctor, but men who talk to their partner report greater happiness -- and those who talked with friends felt less depressed.

How world's smallest 'coffee ring' may help biosensors detect disease Posted: 05 May 2010 05:00 PM PDT Researchers have found the definitive microscopic minimal threshold of coffee ring formation, which now can set standards for biosensor devices for multiple disease detection, as well as other uses.

New inhalable measles vaccine may lead to vaccines for other diseases Posted: 05 May 2010 05:00 PM PDT A team of researchers believe a dry powder, inhalable vaccine developed for measles prevention and slated for human clinical trials later this year in India will lead to other inhalable, inexpensive vaccines for illnesses ranging from tuberculosis to cervical cancer.

One sleepless night can induce insulin resistance in healthy people Posted: 05 May 2010 05:00 PM PDT According to a new study, just one night of short sleep duration can induce insulin resistance, a component of type 2 diabetes.

Gymnastic training improves bone health in girls, study finds Posted: 05 May 2010 05:00 PM PDT According to a new study, long-term elite rhythmic gymnastics exerts positive effects on volumetric bone density and bone geometry in adolescent girls.

Real-world proof of hand washing's effectiveness Posted: 05 May 2010 05:00 PM PDT Scientists are reporting dramatic new real-world evidence supporting the idea that hand washing can prevent the spread of water-borne disease. It appears in a new study showing a connection between fecal bacteria contamination on hands, fecal contamination of stored drinking water, and health in households in a developing country in Africa.

New insight into how alcohol affects brain function Posted: 05 May 2010 05:00 PM PDT New research defines alcohol's impact on signaling in nerve pathways. It shows that withdrawal symptoms could be relieved by small doses of alcohol. However, easing the effects can increase dependency.

Islands of germs: Researchers discover pathogens floating on tiny clumps of aquatic detritus Posted: 05 May 2010 02:00 PM PDT Researchers have found evidence that "marine snow" -- aggregates of organic material floating in water bodies -- may act as microscopic, island-like refuges for pathogens, or disease-causing organisms. This detritus may skew water sampling procedures and mathematical models used to predict the transmission of waterborne diseases to humans.

Bone-marrow stem cells in multiple sclerosis show promise Posted: 05 May 2010 02:00 PM PDT A groundbreaking trial to test bone-marrow stem cell therapy with a small group of patients with multiple sclerosis has been shown to have possible benefits for the treatment of the disease.

Envisat monitors oil spill proximity to Loop Current Posted: 05 May 2010 02:00 PM PDT As fears grow that the Loop Current in the Gulf of Mexico could soon catch the oil slick and drag it south towards coral reefs in the Florida Keys, scientists are monitoring the situation closely with ESA's Envisat radar data.

Study shows trend of increasing obesity in pregnant moms contributing to higher body fat in newborns Posted: 05 May 2010 02:00 PM PDT A new study has found for the first time that as Americans are gaining more body fat, so are their babies. The research, which reviewed data from more than 74,000 births, found that a key measure of body fat composition in newborns increased significantly over a 15-year period, mirroring similar increases among pregnant mothers.

Storing green electricity as natural gas Posted: 05 May 2010 02:00 PM PDT Renewable electricity can be transformed into a substitute for natural gas. Until now, electricity was generated from gas. Now, a German-Austrian cooperation wants to go in the opposite direction. In the future, these researchers and entrepreneurs would like to store surplus electricity – such as from wind power or solar energy – as climate-neutral methane, and store it in existing gas storage facilities and the natural gas network.

Managing the emotions behind eating Posted: 05 May 2010 02:00 PM PDT Many diet plans only look at how to change behavior to lose weight. But for people who have always eaten to deal with their emotions, how can they change their behavior, when they haven't learned other ways of coping? Researchers are trying to answer that question as part of a new study.

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