ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

---

• Prospects for finding new Earths boosted by brand new planet-finding technique
• Biologists find a way to lower tumor risk in stem cell therapies
• Redwood forest ecosystem of northern California depends on fog to stay hydrated during rainless summers
• Intoxicating fragrance: Jasmine as valium substitute
• Adding nutrients to oceans could enhance transfer of carbon dioxide from atmosphere to deep ocean
• Who is likely to become a bully, victim or both? New research shows poor problem-solving increases risk for all
• Alternative evolution: Why change your own genes when you can borrow someone else's?
• HPV infection linked to increased risk of skin cancer
• Don't let your termites grow up to be mommies: Researchers find 'key ingredient' that regulates termite caste system
• New way diseases can develop: Previously unknown mechanism directs gene expression in cells
• New parallel found between cold gases and 'hot' superconductors
• Teen moms more likely to have premature babies, study finds
• Gene knockout makes female mice masculine
• Sweet way to detect prediabetes
• Starburst cluster shows celestial fireworks
• Researchers identify factors behind blood-making stem cells
• For lambs, a pasture a week keeps blood suckers away
• Better-looking politicians get more media coverage
• Heat waves could be commonplace in the US by 2039
• New way to slow the growth of malignant melanoma
• First research trip across western Amazon yields surprising results
• Researchers discover trigger to early, effective antibody response
• RFIDs: Smart little gizmos get even smarter
• Teens drink more during summer before college, study finds
• Antibodies found that prevent most HIV strains from infecting human cells
• Heart beat may provide clues to kidney health
• Changing climate could alter meadows' ecosystems, says researcher
• Protein inhibitor revives chemotherapy for ovarian patients
• New technology reduces storage needs and costs for genomic data
• Combining sex and drugs reduces rock and roll
• Geoscientists find clues to why first Sumatran earthquake was deadlier than second
• Scientists reprogram triple-negative breast cancer cells to respond to tamoxifen
• Rosetta lines up for spectacular asteroid flyby
• Surgery linked to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, according to Spanish study
• Why some communities embrace environmental conservation and others don't
• One in five preschool children in the U. S. demonstrates mental health issues when entering kindergarten
• Mojoceratops: New dinosaur species named for flamboyant frill
• Baseline PSA predicts risk of death from prostate cancer
• How fast can microbes break down oil washed onto Gulf beaches?
• Fish oil may reduce risk of breast cancer
• 'Magical thinking' about islands an illusion? Biologist refutes conventional thinking on evolution
• Musical skill reflects working memory capacity in addition to practice time
• Chemical makes brain cells grow, thwarts mental decline in aging rats
• Stress of an enriched environment might curb cancer growth; Effect linked to a brain-fat-hormone pathway
• Two new species of pancake batfishes discovered from area engulfed by oil spill
• New surgery improves outcomes for severe flat foot deformity
• Drug delivery system uses nanoparticles triggered by electromagnetic field
• A healthy mind makes a healthy body in teens

Prospects for finding new Earths boosted by brand new planet-finding technique Posted: 09 Jul 2010 11:00 AM PDT Astronomers from Germany, Bulgaria and Poland have used a completely new technique to find an exotic extrasolar planet. The same approach is sensitive enough to find planets as small as the Earth in orbit around other stars. The group used Transit Timing Variation to detect a planet with 15 times the mass of the Earth in the system WASP-3, 700 light years from the Sun in the constellation of Lyra.

Biologists find a way to lower tumor risk in stem cell therapies Posted: 09 Jul 2010 11:00 AM PDT Biologists have discovered a way to limit the formation of teratomas. They have identified a new signaling pathway critical for unlimited self propagation of embryonic stem cells. Using small molecule compounds that inhibit this pathway, the scientists were able to dramatically reduce the potential of embryonic stem cells to form teratomas.

Redwood forest ecosystem of northern California depends on fog to stay hydrated during rainless summers Posted: 09 Jul 2010 11:00 AM PDT As the mercury rises outdoors, it's a fitting time to consider the effects of summertime droughts and global warming on ecosystems. Complex interactions among temperature, water cycling, and plant communities create a tangled web of questions that need to be answered as we face a rapidly changing climate. Researchers recently tackled one aspect of the challenging question of how climate change can impact plant communities that obtain water from fog.

Intoxicating fragrance: Jasmine as valium substitute Posted: 09 Jul 2010 11:00 AM PDT Instead of a sleeping pill or a mood enhancer, a nose full of jasmine from Gardenia jasminoides could also help, according to researchers in Germany. They have discovered that the two fragrances Vertacetal-coeur (VC) and the chemical variation (PI24513) have the same molecular mechanism of action and are as strong as the commonly prescribed barbiturates or propofol.

Adding nutrients to oceans could enhance transfer of carbon dioxide from atmosphere to deep ocean Posted: 09 Jul 2010 11:00 AM PDT Adding nutrients to the sea could decrease viral infection rates among phytoplankton and enhance the efficiency of the biological pump, a means by which carbon is transferred from the atmosphere to the deep ocean, according to a new mathematical modeling study. The findings have implications for ocean geoengineering schemes proposed for tackling global warming.

Who is likely to become a bully, victim or both? New research shows poor problem-solving increases risk for all Posted: 09 Jul 2010 11:00 AM PDT Children and adolescents who lack social problem-solving skills are more at risk of becoming bullies, victims or both than those who don't have these difficulties, according to new research. But those who are also having academic troubles are even likelier to become bullies.

Alternative evolution: Why change your own genes when you can borrow someone else's? Posted: 09 Jul 2010 08:00 AM PDT It has been a basic principle of evolution for more than a century that plants and animals can adapt genetically in ways that help them better survive and reproduce. Biologists now document a clear example of a new mechanism for evolution.

HPV infection linked to increased risk of skin cancer Posted: 09 Jul 2010 08:00 AM PDT HPV infection heightens the risk of developing certain skin cancers and is worsened if people are taking immunosuppression drugs, according to a new study.

Don't let your termites grow up to be mommies: Researchers find 'key ingredient' that regulates termite caste system Posted: 09 Jul 2010 08:00 AM PDT An entomologist has for the first time shown which specific chemicals are used by some termite queens to prevent other termites in the colony from becoming mommies like themselves.

New way diseases can develop: Previously unknown mechanism directs gene expression in cells Posted: 09 Jul 2010 08:00 AM PDT Researchers have identified a previously unknown mechanism by which cells direct gene expression, the process by which information from a gene is used to direct the physical and behavioral development of individuals. The research may help scientists gain insight into how muscle and heart diseases develop.

New parallel found between cold gases and 'hot' superconductors Posted: 09 Jul 2010 08:00 AM PDT Scientists have discovered another notable similarity between ultracold atomic gases and high-temperature superconductors, suggesting there may be a relatively simple shared explanation for equivalent behaviors of the two very different systems.

Teen moms more likely to have premature babies, study finds Posted: 09 Jul 2010 08:00 AM PDT Pregnant women aged 14-17 years are at higher risk of preterm birth and of having a child with low birth weight, especially if they are having their second child. In a new study, researchers demonstrate this association and call for better health education and the promotion of contraception after a teenager has given birth for the first time.

Gene knockout makes female mice masculine Posted: 09 Jul 2010 05:00 AM PDT The mammalian fucose mutarotase enzyme is known to be involved in incorporating the sugar fucose into protein. Female mice that lack the fucose mutarotase (FucM) gene refuse to let males mount them, and will attempt copulation with other female mice. Researchers created the FucM mouse mutants in order to investigate the role of this enzyme in vivo.

Sweet way to detect prediabetes Posted: 09 Jul 2010 05:00 AM PDT Having discovered a dramatic increase of an easy-to-detect enzyme in the red blood cells of people with diabetes and prediabetes, scientists say the discovery could lead to a simple, routine test for detecting the subtle onset of the disease, before symptoms or complications occur and in time to reverse its course.

Starburst cluster shows celestial fireworks Posted: 09 Jul 2010 05:00 AM PDT Like a fireworks display, a young, glittering collection of stars looks like an aerial burst. The cluster is surrounded by clouds of interstellar gas and dust -- the raw material for new star formation. The nebula, located 20,000 light-years away in the constellation Carina, contains a central cluster of huge, hot stars, called NGC 3603.

Researchers identify factors behind blood-making stem cells Posted: 09 Jul 2010 05:00 AM PDT Researchers have made significant progress in the understanding of blood-producing (hematopoietic) stem cells. The study identifies factors that control the production of hematopoietic stem cells and offers interesting insight critical to the development of novel regenerative therapies and treatments for leukemia.

For lambs, a pasture a week keeps blood suckers away Posted: 09 Jul 2010 05:00 AM PDT Deworming lambs can be minimized with rotational grazing and checking the animals' eye color, according to new research.

Better-looking politicians get more media coverage Posted: 09 Jul 2010 05:00 AM PDT The better a politician's looks, the higher the frequency of television news coverage, according to a new study by researchers in Israel.

Heat waves could be commonplace in the US by 2039 Posted: 09 Jul 2010 02:00 AM PDT Exceptionally long heat waves and other hot events could become commonplace in the United States in the next 30 years, according to a new study by climate scientists.

New way to slow the growth of malignant melanoma Posted: 09 Jul 2010 02:00 AM PDT New research has shown that the growth of melanoma, one of the most deadly forms of skin cancer, can be slowed when a little known gene called microRNA 193b is added.

First research trip across western Amazon yields surprising results Posted: 09 Jul 2010 02:00 AM PDT During his unprecedented expedition into the heart of the Amazon, Michigan State University geographer Bob Walker discovered surprising evidence that many of the Brazilian government's efforts to protect the environment are working.

Researchers discover trigger to early, effective antibody response Posted: 09 Jul 2010 02:00 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a trigger that induces B cells to produce effective, long-lived antibodies early in the immune response. A molecule that binds toll-like receptors doubles the early antibody response, and shifts it to a more effective, IgG form. The findings support the emerging concept of "bridge immunity," which links the innate and adaptive arms of the immune response. They may also lead to the development of better vaccines.

RFIDs: Smart little gizmos get even smarter Posted: 09 Jul 2010 02:00 AM PDT With the help of smart RFID technology, things, animals, and people can be identified remotely, and the information can be sent and stored in databases. Now the method will be even smarter, thanks to a researcher in Sweden who is presenting solutions that make this technology more effective and more energy efficient. In fact, as much as 60 percent more efficient.

Teens drink more during summer before college, study finds Posted: 09 Jul 2010 02:00 AM PDT Summertime and the living is easy. But not too easy for parents whose children will head to college in the fall. An alcohol researcher says parents should be aware that this is a time when teens tend to increase their alcohol consumption.

Antibodies found that prevent most HIV strains from infecting human cells Posted: 08 Jul 2010 11:00 PM PDT Scientists have discovered two potent human antibodies that can stop more than 90 percent of known HIV strains from infecting human cells in the laboratory, and have demonstrated how one of these disease-fighting proteins accomplishes this. According to the scientists, these antibodies could be used to design improved HIV vaccines, or further developed to prevent or treat HIV infection. Moreover, the method used to find these antibodies could be applied to isolate therapeutic antibodies for other infectious diseases.

Heart beat may provide clues to kidney health Posted: 08 Jul 2010 11:00 PM PDT Individuals with a high resting heart rate and a low beat-to-beat heart rate variability have an increased risk of developing kidney disease, according to a new study. The findings suggest that the behavior of the autonomic nervous system may be a sentinel marker for late development of certain cases of kidney disease.

Changing climate could alter meadows' ecosystems, says researcher Posted: 08 Jul 2010 11:00 PM PDT A researcher who has been studying the meadows in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem of the Rocky Mountains since 1992 believes changing climate could affect the diversity of plants and animals in the region.

Protein inhibitor revives chemotherapy for ovarian patients Posted: 08 Jul 2010 11:00 PM PDT Researchers have discovered a way that may help ovarian cancer patients who no longer respond to conventional chemotherapy. In a new study, they describe how the inhibition of a protein, CHEK1, may be an effective element to incorporate into therapies for women with ovarian cancer.

New technology reduces storage needs and costs for genomic data Posted: 08 Jul 2010 11:00 PM PDT A new computer data compression technique called Genomic SQueeZ will allow genetic researchers and others to store, analyze and share massive volumes of data in less space and at lower cost.

Combining sex and drugs reduces rock and roll Posted: 08 Jul 2010 11:00 PM PDT Sharing a bottle of red wine may seem like the best recipe for a romantic interlude. However, the evening may not turn out as planned, according to a new study, which evaluated the effect of a wide range of drugs, including alcohol, on sexual behavior. The findings definitively show that despite our preconceived notions, use of many recreational drugs can cause a loss in that lovin' feeling.

Geoscientists find clues to why first Sumatran earthquake was deadlier than second Posted: 08 Jul 2010 08:00 PM PDT An international team of geoscientists has uncovered geological differences between two segments of an earthquake fault that may explain why the 2004 Sumatra Boxing Day Tsunami was so much more devastating than a second earthquake generated tsunami three months later.

Scientists reprogram triple-negative breast cancer cells to respond to tamoxifen Posted: 08 Jul 2010 08:00 PM PDT Using a small molecule decoy, scientists have induced epigenetic reprogramming in human and mouse breast cancer cells, reducing the growth of triple-negative breast cancer cells by 80 percent.

Rosetta lines up for spectacular asteroid flyby Posted: 08 Jul 2010 08:00 PM PDT On 10 July, ESA's Rosetta will fly past 21 Lutetia, the largest asteroid ever visited by a satellite. After weeks of manoeuvres and a challenging optical navigation campaign, Rosetta is perfectly lined up to skim by at 3162 km. Rosetta is expected to pass Lutetia at a relative speed of 54 000 km/hr, when both are located some 454 million km from Earth. As Lutetia is a major scientific target of Rosetta's mission, most of the orbiter and lander instruments will be on for flyby, studying the asteroid's surface, dust environment, exosphere, magnetic field, mass and density.

Surgery linked to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, according to Spanish study Posted: 08 Jul 2010 08:00 PM PDT A new study spearheaded by Spanish scientists demonstrates a causal relationship between the onset of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), caused by a protein called a prion, and general surgery.

Why some communities embrace environmental conservation and others don't Posted: 08 Jul 2010 08:00 PM PDT Continued support for off-shore oil drilling by Gulf Coast residents who are dealing with one of the most devastating environmental disasters in US history might seem surprising, but new research shows that local factors such as unemployment and population growth influence views about the value of environmental conservation and regulation.

One in five preschool children in the U. S. demonstrates mental health issues when entering kindergarten Posted: 08 Jul 2010 08:00 PM PDT Social competence and behavior problems that are evident at kindergarten and first grade are known to be strong predictors of a child's academic and social functioning. However, new findings suggest that psychosocial risk factors can be identified even earlier and can be observed during the transition from preschool to formal schooling.

Mojoceratops: New dinosaur species named for flamboyant frill Posted: 08 Jul 2010 05:00 PM PDT When Nicholas Longrich discovered a new dinosaur species with a heart-shaped frill on its head, he wanted to come up with a name just as flamboyant as the dinosaur's appearance. Over a few beers with fellow paleontologists one night, he blurted out the first thing that came to mind: Mojoceratops. With the publication of Longrich's paper describing his find in the Journal of Paleontology, the name is now official.

Baseline PSA predicts risk of death from prostate cancer Posted: 08 Jul 2010 05:00 PM PDT Men who have a baseline PSA value of 10 or higher the first time they are tested are up to 11 times more likely to die from prostate cancer than are men with lower initial values, according to researchers.

How fast can microbes break down oil washed onto Gulf beaches? Posted: 08 Jul 2010 05:00 PM PDT A new study is investigating how quickly the Deepwater Horizon oil carried into Gulf of Mexico beach sands is being degraded by the sands' natural microbial communities, and whether native oil-eating bacteria that wash ashore with the crude are helping or hindering that process.

Fish oil may reduce risk of breast cancer Posted: 08 Jul 2010 05:00 PM PDT A recent report adds to the growing evidence that fish oil supplements may play a role in preventing chronic disease.

'Magical thinking' about islands an illusion? Biologist refutes conventional thinking on evolution Posted: 08 Jul 2010 05:00 PM PDT Exotic island fauna is a product of evolution, but nothing more than one would expect to see by "chance," according to research that shows there's nothing extraordinary about evolutionary processes on islands. A biologist in Israel and colleagues have conducted a number of scientific studies comparing evolutionary patterns of island and mainland ecosystems, and the results refute the idea that islands operate under different, "magical" rules.

Musical skill reflects working memory capacity in addition to practice time Posted: 08 Jul 2010 05:00 PM PDT Practice will help you play piano better -- but it's not going to turn you into Liberace. A new study looks at the role that working memory capacity plays in piano players' ability to sight read a new piece of music, an important and complex skill for musicians.

Chemical makes brain cells grow, thwarts mental decline in aging rats Posted: 08 Jul 2010 02:00 PM PDT Scientists have discovered a compound that restores the capacity to form new memories in aging rats, likely by improving the survival of newborn neurons in the brain's memory hub. The research has turned up clues to a neuroprotective mechanism that could lead to a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The neuroprotective compound, called P7C3, holds promise because of its medication-friendly properties. It can be taken orally, has long-lasting effects, and is safely tolerated by mice.

Stress of an enriched environment might curb cancer growth; Effect linked to a brain-fat-hormone pathway Posted: 08 Jul 2010 02:00 PM PDT Living in an environment rich with social and physical challenges might curb cancer growth by itself, a new study shows. Researchers discovered that an enriched environment activates a nervous-system pathway used by the brain to tell fat cells to stop releasing a hormone called leptin into the bloodstream. This cancer-curbing effect occurred in models of melanoma and colon cancer. The findings suggest that some kinds of mild stress can benefit cancer survivors.

Two new species of pancake batfishes discovered from area engulfed by oil spill Posted: 08 Jul 2010 02:00 PM PDT Two new species of fish from the Gulf of Mexico that walk on their fins and sit-and-wait for prey are described in a new research paper. This highlights the undescribed biodiversity of the area effected by the Gulf oil spill.

New surgery improves outcomes for severe flat foot deformity Posted: 08 Jul 2010 02:00 PM PDT A new type of surgery can improve patient outcomes in individuals with severe adult flat foot deformity, a problem that is increasingly being seen in hospitals across the country. Patients who undergo the new surgery have better long-term outcome and mobility than those who undergo traditional surgery.

Drug delivery system uses nanoparticles triggered by electromagnetic field Posted: 08 Jul 2010 02:00 PM PDT A new system for the controlled delivery of pharmaceutical drugs has been developed by a team of chemical engineers using nanoparticles embedded in a liposome that can be triggered by non-invasive electromagnetic fields.

A healthy mind makes a healthy body in teens Posted: 08 Jul 2010 02:00 PM PDT Happier youths are also healthier youths, according to new research. Adolescents' positive emotions and moods, as well as their satisfaction with life, could be more important than their anxiety or depression levels for predicting their physical health, they argue.

You are subscribed to email updates from ScienceDaily: Latest Science News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610