ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Complex, multicellular life from over two billion years ago discovered
• Exposure to secondhand smoke in the womb has lifelong impact, study finds
• Apples grow larger when cells don't divide, study shows
• Better way to battle mosquitoes: Research could provide more effective treatment against West Nile Virus
• Beverages leave 'geographic signatures' that can track people's movements
• Some males react to competition like bonobos, others like chimpanzees
• 'Butterfly effect' in the brain makes the brain intrinsically unreliable
• Melanoma-initiating cell identified
• New technique improves efficiency of biofuel production
• Ovarian transplantation restores fertility to old mice and also lengthens their lives
• R Coronae Australis: A cosmic watercolor
• Teenage physical activity reduces risk of cognitive impairment in later life
• Human-made global warming started with ancient hunters
• When food intake stops, enzyme turns off production of fats, cholesterol
• Genetic Code 2.0: Novel artificial proteins for industry and science
• Hyperoxia may slow formation of wrinkles; Excess oxygen lessens impact of UVB radiation, study shows
• Flowering and freezing tolerance linked in wheat, study shows
• Anger drives support for wartime presidents, study finds
• Unpeeling atoms and molecules from the inside out
• Genetic basis of alopecia areata -- one of most common causes of hair loss
• Warmer ecosystems could absorb less atmospheric carbon dioxide
• Ongoing pregnancy rates from vitrified eggs as good as those from fresh, study shows
• New temperature table may help reduce heat-related deaths of children in closed cars
• Experiencing different cultures enhances creativity
• 'Balanced' ecosystems seen in organic agriculture better at controlling pests, research finds
• Key enzyme in fetal heart development also involved in adult heart disease, study shows
• Electrons are late starters: Contrary to previous assumptions, electrons are catapulted out of an atom during photoemission with a delay
• New non-surgical treatment for uterine fibroids can improve quality of life
• Stability and utility of floating wind turbines shown in new study
• US plan to pay hospitals for performance could hurt those in less-advantaged areas, study says
• System that controls sleep may be same for most mammals
• Cheap, simple, noninvasive blood test may replace invasive diagnostic techniques in early pregnancy
• Voyager 2 at 12,000 days: The super-marathon continues
• Chromosomal variations found in early passage female embryonic stem cells
• Researchers work to prevent neurological diseases
• Drivers mistakenly believe winter is most dangerous travel time, survey shows
• More proof that new planet and star are moving together
• Cancer drug shows promise for treating a wide range of inflammatory diseases
• Feast and famine: MRI reveals secrets of animal anatomy
• Key mechanism links virgin olive oil to protection against breast cancer
• Climate change scientists turn up the heat in Alaska
• Is your left hand more motivated than your right hand?

Complex, multicellular life from over two billion years ago discovered Posted: 01 Jul 2010 11:00 AM PDT The discovery in Gabon of more than 250 fossils in an excellent state of conservation has provided proof, for the first time, of the existence of multicellular organisms 2.1 billion years ago. This finding represents a major breakthrough: until now, the first complex life forms (made up of several cells) dated from around 600 million years ago. These new fossils, of various shapes and sizes, imply that the origin of organized life is a lot older than is generally admitted, thus challenging current knowledge on the beginning of life.

Exposure to secondhand smoke in the womb has lifelong impact, study finds Posted: 01 Jul 2010 11:00 AM PDT Newborns of nonsmoking moms exposed to secondhand smoke during pregnancy have genetic mutations that may affect long-term health, according to a new study. The abnormalities, which were indistinguishable from those found in newborns of mothers who were active smokers, may affect survival, birth weight and lifelong susceptibility to diseases like cancer.

Apples grow larger when cells don't divide, study shows Posted: 01 Jul 2010 11:00 AM PDT Horticultural experts found that an anomaly in some Gala apple trees causes some apples to grow much larger than others because cells aren't splitting. The findings showed that the new variety, called Grand Gala, is about 38 percent heavier and has a diameter 15 percent larger than regular Galas.

Better way to battle mosquitoes: Research could provide more effective treatment against West Nile Virus Posted: 01 Jul 2010 11:00 AM PDT A Canadian study has found that rather than cleaning and treating catch basins in the spring with S-methoprene to control mosquitoes, authorities should clean catch basins in the fall, allow organic debris to accumulate, and then treat catch basins with S-methoprene in the spring. This method dramatically reduces the number of mosquitoes that make it to the adult stage and may have implications for West Nile virus.

Beverages leave 'geographic signatures' that can track people's movements Posted: 01 Jul 2010 11:00 AM PDT The bottled water, soda pop or micro brew-beer that you drank in Pittsburgh, Dallas, Denver or 30 other American cities contains a natural chemical imprint related to geographic location. When you consume these beverage you may leave a chemical imprint in your hair that could be used to track your travels over time, a new study suggests.

Some males react to competition like bonobos, others like chimpanzees Posted: 01 Jul 2010 11:00 AM PDT The average man experiences hormone changes similar to the passive bonobo prior to competition, but a "status-striving" man undergoes changes that mirror those found in a chimpanzee, say researchers.

'Butterfly effect' in the brain makes the brain intrinsically unreliable Posted: 01 Jul 2010 08:00 AM PDT Next time your brain plays tricks on you, you have an excuse: according to new research, the brain is intrinsically unreliable.

Melanoma-initiating cell identified Posted: 01 Jul 2010 08:00 AM PDT Scientists have identified a cancer-initiating cell in human melanomas. The finding is significant because the existence of such a cell in the aggressive skin cancer has been a source of debate. It may also explain why current immunotherapies are largely unsuccessful in preventing disease recurrence in human patients.

New technique improves efficiency of biofuel production Posted: 01 Jul 2010 08:00 AM PDT Researchers have developed a more efficient technique for producing biofuels from woody plants that significantly reduces the waste that results from conventional biofuel production techniques. The technique is a significant step toward creating a commercially viable new source of biofuels.

Ovarian transplantation restores fertility to old mice and also lengthens their lives Posted: 01 Jul 2010 08:00 AM PDT Scientists have discovered that when they transplant ovaries from young mice into aging female mice, not only does the procedure make the mice fertile again, but also it rejuvenates their behavior and increases their lifespan.

R Coronae Australis: A cosmic watercolor Posted: 01 Jul 2010 08:00 AM PDT A magnificent view of the region around the star R Coronae Australis was created from images taken with the Wide Field Imager (WFI) at the European Southern Observatory's La Silla Observatory in Chile. R Coronae Australis lies at the heart of a nearby star-forming region and is surrounded by a delicate bluish reflection nebula embedded in a huge dust cloud. The image reveals surprising new details in this dramatic area of sky.

Teenage physical activity reduces risk of cognitive impairment in later life Posted: 01 Jul 2010 08:00 AM PDT Women who are physically active at any point over the life course (teenage, age 30, age 50, late life) have lower risk of cognitive impairment in late-life compared to those who are inactive, but teenage physical activity appears to be most important.

Human-made global warming started with ancient hunters Posted: 01 Jul 2010 05:00 AM PDT Even before the dawn of agriculture, people may have caused the planet to warm up, a new study suggests.

When food intake stops, enzyme turns off production of fats, cholesterol Posted: 01 Jul 2010 05:00 AM PDT Researchers have found that an enzyme with several important roles in energy metabolism also helps to turn off the body's generation of fats and cholesterol under conditions of fasting. Their report describes how SIRT1, one of a group of enzymes called sirtuins, suppresses the activity of a family of proteins called SREBPs, which control the body's synthesis and handling of fats and cholesterol.

Genetic Code 2.0: Novel artificial proteins for industry and science Posted: 01 Jul 2010 05:00 AM PDT The creation of synthetic proteins plays an important role for economy and science. By the integration of artificial amino acids in proteins (genetic code engineering), their already existing qualities can be systematically improved, allowing new biological features to arise. Now, scientists in Germany have succeeded in taking another important step in this research area: For the first time, they were able to integrate three different synthetic amino acids into one protein in a single experiment.

Hyperoxia may slow formation of wrinkles; Excess oxygen lessens impact of UVB radiation, study shows Posted: 01 Jul 2010 05:00 AM PDT It's no secret that UVB radiation from the sun causes wrinkles. However, a new study indicates that oxygen may help combat the formation of wrinkles by lessening tissue damage done by UVB rays.

Flowering and freezing tolerance linked in wheat, study shows Posted: 01 Jul 2010 05:00 AM PDT New research by wheat geneticists could lead to new strategies for improving freezing tolerance in wheat, which provides more than one-fifth of the calories consumed by people around the world.

Anger drives support for wartime presidents, study finds Posted: 01 Jul 2010 05:00 AM PDT It's no secret that Americans tend to throw their support behind a sitting US president when the nation is thrust into a war or other potentially violent conflict with a foreign foe. But new research is the first to show that these "rally effects" represent a collective reaction to a specific human emotion -- anger.

Unpeeling atoms and molecules from the inside out Posted: 01 Jul 2010 02:00 AM PDT The first published scientific results from the world's most powerful hard X-ray laser show its unique ability to control the behaviors of individual electrons within simple atoms and molecules by stripping them away, one by one -- in some cases creating hollow atoms.

Genetic basis of alopecia areata -- one of most common causes of hair loss Posted: 01 Jul 2010 02:00 AM PDT Researchers have uncovered eight genes that underpin alopecia areata, one of the most common causes of hair loss. Since many of the genes are also implicated in other autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes, this discovery may soon lead to new treatments for the 5.3 million Americans suffering from hair loss caused by alopecia areata.

Warmer ecosystems could absorb less atmospheric carbon dioxide Posted: 01 Jul 2010 02:00 AM PDT A predicted rise in global temperature of 4 C by 2100 could lead to a 13 percent reduction in ecosystems' ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, new research suggests.

Ongoing pregnancy rates from vitrified eggs as good as those from fresh, study shows Posted: 01 Jul 2010 02:00 AM PDT Embryos derived from oocytes (eggs) cryopreserved by the vitrification method are just as likely to produce an on-going pregnancy as those involving fresh oocytes. These research results will make egg donation both easier and safer in the future.

New temperature table may help reduce heat-related deaths of children in closed cars Posted: 01 Jul 2010 02:00 AM PDT A team of researchers has developed an easy-to-use table of vehicle temperature changes that may help public officials and media remind the public about the deadly consequences of vehicle-related hyperthermia in children.

Experiencing different cultures enhances creativity Posted: 01 Jul 2010 02:00 AM PDT Creativity can be enhanced by experiencing cultures different from one's own, according to a new study.

'Balanced' ecosystems seen in organic agriculture better at controlling pests, research finds Posted: 30 Jun 2010 11:00 PM PDT There really is a balance of nature, but as accepted as that thought is, it has rarely been studied. Now, researchers have found that more balanced animal and plant communities typical of organic farms work better at fighting pests and growing a better plant.

Key enzyme in fetal heart development also involved in adult heart disease, study shows Posted: 30 Jun 2010 11:00 PM PDT Scientists have identified for the first time an enzyme that plays vital roles in both fetal heart development and in causing cardiac hypertrophy -- an enlargement of the heart -- in adults. The discovery could be used in the future to try to develop new treatments for heart disease.

Electrons are late starters: Contrary to previous assumptions, electrons are catapulted out of an atom during photoemission with a delay Posted: 30 Jun 2010 11:00 PM PDT When physicists search for new semiconductors for chips or lasers, they have been able to rely on sophisticated computer programs - until now. However, it is possible that the models these programs have used to predict the electronic properties of a material oversimplify reality. An international team has now determined this from measurements with extremely short laser pulses. The physicists have concluded from this that electrons which a laser pulse knock out of an atom are catapulted from the particle with a delay of several tens of attoseconds. One attosecond corresponds to a billionth of a billionth of a second. The assumption so far has been that, during photoemission, electrons immediately shoot out when the light pulse impinges on the material. The models with which quantum physicists describe the electronic properties of matter are also based on the electrons behaving in such a way. These models could therefore be too imprecise, at least as far as very accurate predictions are concerned.

New non-surgical treatment for uterine fibroids can improve quality of life Posted: 30 Jun 2010 11:00 PM PDT A new, effective, non-surgical treatment for uterine fibroids can help women with this condition maintain their fertility. The outcome of two Phase II clinical trials of ulipristal acetate has significant implications for both infertility and general gynecology patients.

Stability and utility of floating wind turbines shown in new study Posted: 30 Jun 2010 11:00 PM PDT While offshore wind turbines have already have been constructed as a renewable energy solution, they've traditionally been situated in shallow waters, where the tower extends directly into the seabed. Now a group of researchers in California has studied the feasibility of placing wind turbines on floating platforms.

US plan to pay hospitals for performance could hurt those in less-advantaged areas, study says Posted: 30 Jun 2010 11:00 PM PDT The nationwide implementation of hospital pay-for-performance threatens to act as a "reverse Robin Hood," according to a new study.

System that controls sleep may be same for most mammals Posted: 30 Jun 2010 05:00 PM PDT In a novel mathematical model that reproduces sleep patterns for multiple species, an international team of researchers has demonstrated that the neural circuitry that controls the sleep/wake cycle in humans may also control the sleep patterns of 17 different mammalian species.

Cheap, simple, noninvasive blood test may replace invasive diagnostic techniques in early pregnancy Posted: 30 Jun 2010 05:00 PM PDT Researchers in the Netherlands believe they are on the verge of developing a simple, prenatal blood test that would be able to detect accurately chromosomal abnormalities in the developing fetus. At present, the only reliable way to do this is through amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, both of which are invasive and carry the risk of triggering a miscarriage.

Voyager 2 at 12,000 days: The super-marathon continues Posted: 30 Jun 2010 05:00 PM PDT NASA's plucky Voyager 2 spacecraft has hit a long-haul operations milestone June 28 -- operating continuously for 12,000 days. For nearly 33 years, the venerable spacecraft has been returning data about the giant outer planets, and the characteristics and interaction of solar wind between and beyond the planets. Among its many findings, Voyager 2 discovered Neptune's Great Dark Spot and its 450-meter-per-second (1,000-mph) winds.

Chromosomal variations found in early passage female embryonic stem cells Posted: 30 Jun 2010 05:00 PM PDT Scientists have uncovered that variations in X chromosome inactivation take place in very early passages of female human embryonic stem cells lines, information that will play an important role in ensuring the safety of cells grown for therapeutic use and a discovery that also may have implications in the development of cancer.

Researchers work to prevent neurological diseases Posted: 30 Jun 2010 05:00 PM PDT Many diseases of brain function, such as epilepsy and schizophrenia, are caused by problems in how neurons communicate with each other. Researchers are analyzing these commands and connections in an attempt to prevent those diseases.

Drivers mistakenly believe winter is most dangerous travel time, survey shows Posted: 30 Jun 2010 05:00 PM PDT Most Americans interviewed in a national poll believe winter is the most dangerous time for driving, but the truth is that summer is the most dangerous time with 4th of July weekend being the deadliest.

More proof that new planet and star are moving together Posted: 30 Jun 2010 02:00 PM PDT A planet about eight times the mass of Jupiter has been confirmed to orbit a sun-like star that's some 300 times farther from its own star than Earth is from its sun. The newly confirmed planet is the least massive planet known to orbit at such a great distance from its host star.

Cancer drug shows promise for treating a wide range of inflammatory diseases Posted: 30 Jun 2010 02:00 PM PDT Those looking for a new treatment for a range of inflammatory diseases like arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and lupus may need to look no further than a drug already available for treating cancer. Japanese scientists have used mice to show that bortezomib induces cell death only in harmful (active and proliferating) T cells, leaving the rest unharmed.

Feast and famine: MRI reveals secrets of animal anatomy Posted: 30 Jun 2010 02:00 PM PDT Scientists have used Computer Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI to reveal, for the first time noninvasively, how a snake adapts its internal organs in preparation for a big meal and during digestion, until it has disappeared completely. The images could be valuable supplements to traditional textbook sketches, diminishing the need for invasive research and dissections.

Key mechanism links virgin olive oil to protection against breast cancer Posted: 30 Jun 2010 02:00 PM PDT Researchers in Spain have discovered a key mechanism by which virgin olive oil, in contrast to other vegetable oils, protects the body against breast cancer.

Climate change scientists turn up the heat in Alaska Posted: 30 Jun 2010 02:00 PM PDT Scientists are planning a large-scale, long-term ecosystem experiment to test the effects of global warming on the icy layers of arctic permafrost.

Is your left hand more motivated than your right hand? Posted: 30 Jun 2010 02:00 PM PDT Motivation doesn't have to be conscious; your brain can decide how much it wants something without input from your conscious mind. Now a new study shows that both halves of your brain don't even have to agree. Motivation can happen in one side of the brain at a time.

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