ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• X-rays reveal chemical link between birds and dinosaurs
• Tiny mutation might help indicate proper dosage for half of all drugs
• Untangling the quantum entanglement behind photosynthesis
• Evidence growing of air pollution's link to heart disease, death
• Flaxseed-fed chickens shed light on ovarian cancer
• Zero tolerance ineffective in schools, study finds
• Astronomers find recoiling supermassive black hole
• Running a marathon halts cellular suicide
• Muscle stem cell movements documented
• Risks associated with common acid-suppressing medications documented in series of studies
• Researchers create software for robot to improve rescue missions
• Animals talk, sing and act like humans? Young children's reasoning about biological world is influenced by cultural beliefs
• Did phosphorus trigger complex evolution -- and blue skies?
• Restless legs syndrome: French-Canadian families at higher risk
• Nano parfait a treat for scientists: Researchers spin pure batches of nanotubes species
• Folic acid found to improve vascular function in amenorrheic runners
• Vital functions monitored with wearable and implantable devices
• Medical costs of cancer have nearly doubled over the past two decades
• Quantum mechanics reveals new details of deep Earth
• Eating nuts associated with improvements in cholesterol levels
• Aseismic slip as a barrier to earthquake propagation
• Smarter use of existing treatment helps dramatically boost survival of young acute myeloid leukemia patients
• Bolstered by geological and geophysical data: Total Area of Norway expanded
• Science closing in on mystery of age-related memory loss, says neurobiologist
• Most distant galaxy cluster revealed by invisible light
• Scientists shed light on potential treatment for Gaucher's disease
• Waterpipes: New pastime for North American youth? Hookah or shisha use on rise, yet contains nicotine, carbon monoxide and carcinogens
• New method for developing safer drugs
• Cellulosic ethanol: Expanding options, identifying obstacles
• Psychological research not always universal; Studies should involve more cross-cultural collaboration, says researcher
• Paternal mice bond with offspring through touch: Males generate new brain cells and form memories leading to positive relationships
• Susceptibility for caries, gum disease found in genes
• Mozart's music does not make you smarter, study finds
• New understanding of dengue fever could help with vaccine
• Study paves way for new biofuels models, technologies
• Can a mother's voice spur recovery from a coma?
• Cometary dust in Antarctica?
• Light activated 'warhead' turns modest molecules into super protein killers
• Researchers to send bacteria into orbit aboard space shuttle Atlantis
• Dietary protein may reduce hip fractures in the elderly
• New material can keep electronics cool: Few atomic layers of graphene reveal unique thermal properties
• Telephone therapy for depression? Study says yes

X-rays reveal chemical link between birds and dinosaurs Posted: 11 May 2010 08:00 AM PDT Using the bright X-ray beam of the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, an international team of researchers has found that a 150 million year old "dinobird" fossil, long thought to contain nothing but fossilized bone and rock, has been hiding remnants of the animal's original chemistry.

Tiny mutation might help indicate proper dosage for half of all drugs Posted: 11 May 2010 08:00 AM PDT A tiny gene mutation in human liver cells could one day influence how high or low a dose patients need of about half of the clinically used drugs on the market, new research suggests. Scientists have identified this mutation, and have shown that it alters the level of a protein in the liver responsible for processing between 45 percent and 60 percent of medications used to treat a wide range of conditions.

Untangling the quantum entanglement behind photosynthesis Posted: 11 May 2010 08:00 AM PDT Researchers have carried out the first study in which the quantum phenomenon known as "entanglement" has been observed and characterized in a real biological system. Quantum entanglement is thought to be a critical factor behind the ability of green plants and certain bacteria, through photosynthesis, to transfer energy from sunlight and initiate its conversion into chemical energy with near 100-percent efficiency.

Evidence growing of air pollution's link to heart disease, death Posted: 11 May 2010 08:00 AM PDT Air pollution is a risk factor for heart disease; however, people can take action to reduce their individual risk, according to an updated American Heart Association scientific statement. Exposure to fine particulate matter over a few hours or weeks can trigger cardiovascular deaths, heart attacks, strokes, heart failure and irregular heartbeats, especially in susceptible individuals. Long-term exposure to elevated concentrations of fine particulate matter even further increases cardiovascular risk and reduces life expectancy probably by several months to a few years for those with higher exposures.

Flaxseed-fed chickens shed light on ovarian cancer Posted: 11 May 2010 08:00 AM PDT In the race to find answers about ovarian cancer, researchers now have something to cluck about. The researchers have been using the chicken as a model to study this deadly disease and have recently discovered that a diet enriched with flaxseed decreases severity of ovarian cancer and increases survival in hens.

Zero tolerance ineffective in schools, study finds Posted: 11 May 2010 08:00 AM PDT Zero tolerance policy in schools -- which can mandate automatic punishment for weapons, drugs, profanity and various forms of disruptive behavior -- is failing to make students feel safe, contends a new study.

Astronomers find recoiling supermassive black hole Posted: 11 May 2010 05:00 AM PDT Astronomers have found a possible supermassive black hole that is recoiling out of a distant galaxy at high speed. The black hole, visible with X-rays as a clear star, is not located in the center of the galaxy, as would normally be the case. Recoiling black holes are interesting because they provide insights into how supermassive black holes develop in the center of galaxies.

Running a marathon halts cellular suicide Posted: 11 May 2010 05:00 AM PDT Apoptosis, the natural 'programmed' death of cells, is arrested in the aftermath of strenuous exercise. Researchers studied peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), isolated from whole blood samples taken from people after finishing a marathon, finding that the balance between expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic genes is shifted after the race.

Muscle stem cell movements documented Posted: 11 May 2010 05:00 AM PDT Researchers have used time-lapse photography to document satellite cell movements and behaviors when they interact with their "host" myofiber. Scientists hope that if they can understand more about what satellite cells do in healthy muscle, obstacles to cell or gene therapies for muscular dystrophy might be overcome.

Risks associated with common acid-suppressing medications documented in series of studies Posted: 11 May 2010 05:00 AM PDT Proton pump inhibitors, medications that suppress acid in the stomach, appear to be associated with fractures in postmenopausal women and bacterial infections in many patients, and higher doses do not appear any more beneficial for treating bleeding ulcers, according to a series of reports. An additional report finds that introducing guidelines for proton pump inhibitor use into clinical settings may reduce rates of inappropriate prescriptions.

Researchers create software for robot to improve rescue missions Posted: 11 May 2010 05:00 AM PDT In disaster emergencies, such as the recent West Virginia mine explosion or the earthquake in Haiti, it is often unsafe for responders to enter the scene, prolonging the rescue of potential survivors. Now, researchers have developed software for a robot with a laser sensor that can enter dangerous structures to assess the structure's stability and locate any remaining people. This technology could lead to safer and more efficient rescue missions.

Animals talk, sing and act like humans? Young children's reasoning about biological world is influenced by cultural beliefs Posted: 11 May 2010 05:00 AM PDT For decades, the consensus was that as young children begin reasoning about the biological world, they adopt an "anthropocentric" stance, favoring humans over non-human animals when it comes to learning about properties of animals. Researchers and educators recently teamed up to determine whether this human-centered reasoning is universal. They discovered children's reasoning about the biological world is influenced by cultural beliefs and daily experiences with nature.

Did phosphorus trigger complex evolution -- and blue skies? Posted: 11 May 2010 02:00 AM PDT The evolution of complex life forms may have gotten a jump start billions of years ago, when geologic events over millions of years caused large quantities of phosphorus to wash into the oceans. According to this model, the higher levels of phosphorus would have caused vast algal blooms, pumping extra oxygen into the environment which allowed larger, more complex types of organisms to thrive.

Restless legs syndrome: French-Canadian families at higher risk Posted: 11 May 2010 02:00 AM PDT Restless legs syndrome, which causes an irresistible desire to move legs, appears to be a hereditary condition that's more prominent among French Canadian women and may be caused by a combination of genetic influences and environmental effects. According to a large-scale study, siblings of people affected by restless legs syndrome are three and a half times more likely to develop the disease.

Nano parfait a treat for scientists: Researchers spin pure batches of nanotubes species Posted: 11 May 2010 02:00 AM PDT In two new papers, researchers report using ultracentrifugation to create highly purified samples of carbon nanotube species. One team has made a small but significant step toward the dream of an efficient nationwide electrical grid that depends on highly conductive quantum nanowire. The other team employed UCF to prepare structurally sorted batches of semiconducting nanotubes that could find critical uses in medicine and electronics.

Folic acid found to improve vascular function in amenorrheic runners Posted: 11 May 2010 02:00 AM PDT A study has found that oral folic acid may provide a safe and inexpensive treatment to improve vascular function in young female runners who are amenorrheic (not menstruating).

Vital functions monitored with wearable and implantable devices Posted: 11 May 2010 02:00 AM PDT Physiological signals can nowadays be easily monitored with measurement devices implanted inside a living body. A Finnish researcher believes that the next tech-savvy generation represents a potential customer base for new applications in the field. They might be interested in monitoring their personal health with implantable electrocardiogram devices. The device could also be used as a diagnostic tool in emergencies, because it gives medical personnel instant access to the patient's EKG data.

Medical costs of cancer have nearly doubled over the past two decades Posted: 11 May 2010 02:00 AM PDT A new analysis finds that the costs of treating cancer have nearly doubled over the past two decades and that the shares of these costs that are paid for by private health insurance and Medicaid have increased.

Quantum mechanics reveals new details of deep Earth Posted: 10 May 2010 11:00 PM PDT Scientists have used quantum mechanics to reveal that the most common mineral on Earth is relatively uncommon deep within the planet. Using several of the largest supercomputers in the nation, a team of physicists has been able to simulate the behavior of silica in a high-temperature, high-pressure form that is particularly difficult to study firsthand in the lab.

Eating nuts associated with improvements in cholesterol levels Posted: 10 May 2010 11:00 PM PDT Consuming more nuts appears to be associated with improvements in blood cholesterol levels, according to a pooled analysis of data from 25 trials.

Aseismic slip as a barrier to earthquake propagation Posted: 10 May 2010 11:00 PM PDT A research team made up of scientists from the U.S., Peru and France report on their analysis of GPS data from the 2007 Pisco quake in Peru. They found, in part, that 50 percent of the postseismic slippage is aseismic -- movement along a fault that occurs without any accompanying seismic waves.

Smarter use of existing treatment helps dramatically boost survival of young acute myeloid leukemia patients Posted: 10 May 2010 11:00 PM PDT More individualized therapy and better supportive care helped push the survival for children with acute myeloid leukemia to 71 percent three years after diagnosis, according to new research.

Bolstered by geological and geophysical data: Total Area of Norway expanded Posted: 10 May 2010 11:00 PM PDT Basic research played a key role in expanding the total area of Norway by nearly 250,000 square kilometres in 2009. Knowledge acquired from a ten-year-old basic research project on geologic conditions of the oceanic crust proved invaluable in ultimately successful negotiations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. While the previous boundary was set at 200 nautical miles, the new boundary is based on specific geologic conditions. The basic geological research carried out proved to be invaluable for establishing the size of the Norwegian continental shelf and helped to clarify who has the rights and responsibilities in the various maritime areas.

Science closing in on mystery of age-related memory loss, says neurobiologist Posted: 10 May 2010 11:00 PM PDT The world's scientific community may be one step closer to understanding age-related memory loss, and to developing a drug that might help boost memory. In a new editorial, a U.S. neurobiologist says that research from the European Neuroscience Institute provides proof of concept that drugs known as histone deacetylase inhibitors have great promise in stopping memory loss -- and even in boosting the formation of memory in animal models.

Most distant galaxy cluster revealed by invisible light Posted: 10 May 2010 08:00 PM PDT An international team of astronomers from Germany and Japan has discovered the most distant cluster of galaxies known so far -- 9.6 billion light years away. The X-ray and infrared observations showed that the cluster hosts predominantly old, massive galaxies, demonstrating that the galaxies formed when the universe was still very young. These and similar observations therefore provide new information not only about early galaxy evolution but also about history of the universe as a whole.

Scientists shed light on potential treatment for Gaucher's disease Posted: 10 May 2010 08:00 PM PDT In findings that advance scientists' understanding of a whole class of inherited disorders, a research team has shed light on a mechanism that enables a potential treatment for Gaucher's disease and other lysosomal storage diseases.

Waterpipes: New pastime for North American youth? Hookah or shisha use on rise, yet contains nicotine, carbon monoxide and carcinogens Posted: 10 May 2010 08:00 PM PDT As fewer people puff on cigarettes, a new smoking trend may be gaining popularity among North American youth. A study has found that almost one-quarter of young adults in Montreal had used waterpipes (also known as shishas or hookahs) in the past year.

New method for developing safer drugs Posted: 10 May 2010 08:00 PM PDT Amodiaquine was introduced as an antimalarial drug, but was withdrawn when serious adverse effects were observed. Scientists in Sweden have now developed a method that can be used to develop safer drugs.

Cellulosic ethanol: Expanding options, identifying obstacles Posted: 10 May 2010 08:00 PM PDT Scientists are figuring out how to turn wheat straw into ethanol "gold," and learning more about the bacteria that can "infect" ethanol plants and interfere with fuel production.

Psychological research not always universal; Studies should involve more cross-cultural collaboration, says researcher Posted: 10 May 2010 08:00 PM PDT Previous studies have found that the vast majority of published psychological research in the United States is based on American samples and excludes 95 percent of the world's population. Yet, these results are often generalized and taken as universal. A researcher hopes his experience will encourage more researchers to develop cross-cultural relationships.

Paternal mice bond with offspring through touch: Males generate new brain cells and form memories leading to positive relationships Posted: 10 May 2010 05:00 PM PDT New research by neuroscientists shows that paternal mice that physically interact with their babies grow new brain cells and form lasting memories of their babies. A recent study found that when paternal mice interact with their newborn babies, new brain cells develop in the olfactory bulb, the part of the brain responsible for sense of smell, and in the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory.

Susceptibility for caries, gum disease found in genes Posted: 10 May 2010 05:00 PM PDT Certain genetic variations may be linked to higher rates of tooth decay and aggressive periodontitis, according to two new studies.

Mozart's music does not make you smarter, study finds Posted: 10 May 2010 05:00 PM PDT For over 15 years, scientists have been discussing alleged performance-enhancing effects of hearing classical music. Now, researchers in Vienna, Austria present quite definite results on this so-called "Mozart effect" that suggest no evidence for specific cognitive enhancements by mere listening to Mozart's music.

New understanding of dengue fever could help with vaccine Posted: 10 May 2010 05:00 PM PDT Some of the human immune system's defenses against the virus that causes dengue fever actually help the virus to infect more cells, according to new research. The researchers hope their new findings could help with the design of a vaccine against the dengue virus.

Study paves way for new biofuels models, technologies Posted: 10 May 2010 05:00 PM PDT Biofuels hold promise as environmentally friendly sources of renewable energy, but which ones should industry and policy leaders focus their efforts on developing? A new study offers detailed insights into how biofuel chemicals react when burned. The research data and new computer models pave the way for development of new biofuels and technologies to maximize energy efficiency while minimizing environmental and human health risks.

Can a mother's voice spur recovery from a coma? Posted: 10 May 2010 05:00 PM PDT A new clinical trial is investigating whether repeated stimulation with familiar voices can help repair a coma victim's injured brain networks and spur his recovery. Funded by the US Department of Veteran Affairs, the research may be useful to young people injured in motor vehicle accidents as well as soldiers injured in combat, who have a high rate of traumatic brain injuries from roadside bombs.

Cometary dust in Antarctica? Posted: 10 May 2010 02:00 PM PDT A new family of extraterrestrial particles, probably of cometary origin, has been identified for the first time in snow in Central Antarctica. The micrometeorites, which are remarkably well preserved, are made up of organic matter containing small assemblages of minerals from the coldest and most remote regions of the solar system.

Light activated 'warhead' turns modest molecules into super protein killers Posted: 10 May 2010 02:00 PM PDT Using a novel light activation technique, scientists have been able to turn molecules with only a modest ability to fight specific proteins into virtual protein destroyers.

Researchers to send bacteria into orbit aboard space shuttle Atlantis Posted: 10 May 2010 02:00 PM PDT A team of researchers will send an army of microorganisms into space this week, to investigate new ways of preventing the formation and spread of biofilms, or clusters of bacteria, that could pose a threat to the health of astronauts. The Micro-2 experiment is scheduled to launch into orbit on May 14 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis.

Dietary protein may reduce hip fractures in the elderly Posted: 10 May 2010 02:00 PM PDT Seniors who consume a higher level of dietary protein are less likely to suffer hip fractures than seniors whose daily dietary protein intake is less, according to a new study.

New material can keep electronics cool: Few atomic layers of graphene reveal unique thermal properties Posted: 10 May 2010 02:00 PM PDT Researchers have taken another step toward new technology that could keep laptops and other electronic devices from overheating.

Telephone therapy for depression? Study says yes Posted: 10 May 2010 02:00 PM PDT A trial shows professional counseling for depression may be just as effective over the phone as traditional face-to-face consultations.

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