ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Whale sharks may produce many litters from one mating, paternity test shows
• Multiple sclerosis activity changes with the seasons, research finds
• Tracing the big picture of Mars' atmosphere
• Engineering shorter wait times in the ER
• Networks -- not size -- give cities competitive advantage
• Older adults experience “destination amnesia” and over-confidence with false beliefs
• Carnivore species shrank during global warming event
• Adult mammary stem cells in mice identified and isolated for first time
• Neuronal diversity makes a difference, research finds
• Study points to key genetic driver of severe allergic asthma
• Hybrid protein tools developed for gene cutting and editing
• Roots of gamblers' fallacies and other superstitions: Causes of seemingly irrational human decision-making
• Scientists succeed in filming organs and joints in real time using magnetic resonance imaging
• 'Co-conspirator' cells could hold key to melanoma prediction, prevention
• Step toward a new sunscreen? Plant agents show promise in preventing skin cancer
• Use of certain antiviral drugs during pregnancy not linked with higher risk of major birth defects, study suggests
• Microfluidic device allows collection, analysis of hard-to-handle immune cells
• Survey says: Genetics affect whether we're willing to take surveys
• Acidifying oceans spell bleak marine biological future 'by end of century', Mediterranean research finds
• New genomic marker for tuberculosis may help identify patients who will develop the disease
• Vulnerability in commercial quantum cryptography
• African-Americans have higher risk for blood clots after receiving drug-coated stent, study finds
• New Norwegian earplug solution to a deafening problem
• Social isolation worsens cardiac arrest effects on heart regulation
• Impact hypothesis loses its sparkle: Shock-synthesized diamonds said to prove catastrophic impact killed off N. American megafauna can't be found
• Stopping colon cancer by activating anti-cancer genes
• Tray bleaching may improve oral health of elderly, special-needs patients
• Better treatment of atrial fibrillation and its risks
• Shallow water habitats important for young salmon and trout
• School-based intervention successfully lowers drinking rates in at risk children
• First clear evidence of organized feasting by early humans
• People at 'intermediate risk' of heart disease with elevated hsCRP benefit from statin therapy, study suggests
• Tuning into cell signals that tell where sensory organs will form inside the ear
• Researchers develop new laboratory cell lines to study treatment for anaplastic thyroid cancer
• Research produces tools to study stallions' subfertility
• Over 50? You probably prefer negative stories about young people
• 'Stocky dragon' dinosaur, relative of Velociraptor, terrorized Late Cretaceous Europe
• Hurts so good: Neural clues to the calming effects of self-harm
• Decongestant use in pregnant women linked to lower risk of preterm birth
• Body mass index and thrombogenic factors in newly menopausal women
• Mars's mysterious elongated crater
• Parenting style: Italians strict, French moderate, Canadians lenient
• Stretched polymer snaps back smaller than it started
• Smoked medical cannabis may be beneficial as treatment for chronic neuropathic pain, study suggests
• Scientists bring new species of turtle out of its shell
• Diagnostic blood test can identify rare lung disease
• Batteries for battery powered cars are more environmentally friendly than expected
• Eye movements reveal readers' wandering minds

Whale sharks may produce many litters from one mating, paternity test shows Posted: 31 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT Biologists analyzed genetic information from preserved whale shark embryos taken from a female caught off the coast of Taiwan 15 years ago. They found all offspring to have the same father -- an unusual reproduction characteristic for sharks.

Multiple sclerosis activity changes with the seasons, research finds Posted: 31 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT New research shows that multiple sclerosis activity can increase during spring and summer months.

Tracing the big picture of Mars' atmosphere Posted: 31 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT One of the instruments on a 2016 mission to orbit Mars will provide daily maps of global, pole-to-pole, vertical distributions of the temperature, dust, water vapor and ice clouds in the Martian atmosphere.

Engineering shorter wait times in the ER Posted: 31 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT Emergency room waiting times could be cut by over one third and patients' length of stay by almost two-thirds, thanks to a new approach to the triage process of sorting patients for further assessment and treatment, according to new research.

Networks -- not size -- give cities competitive advantage Posted: 31 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT A city's size no longer is the key factor in building vibrant local economies, according to a new study.

Older adults experience “destination amnesia” and over-confidence with false beliefs Posted: 31 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT I'm sure I told you that already! Older adults are more likely to have destination memory failures -- forgetting who they've shared or not shared information with, according to a new study.

Carnivore species shrank during global warming event Posted: 31 Aug 2010 08:00 AM PDT A new study indicates extinct carnivorous mammals shrank in size during a global warming event that occurred 55 million years ago. The study describes a new species that evolved to half the size of its ancestors during this period of global warming.

Adult mammary stem cells in mice identified and isolated for first time Posted: 31 Aug 2010 08:00 AM PDT For the first time, researchers have identified and isolated adult mammary stem cells in mice. Long-term implications of this research may include the use of such cells to regenerate breast tissue, provide a better understanding of the role of adult stem cells in breast cancer development, and develop potential new targets for anti-cancer drugs.

Neuronal diversity makes a difference, research finds Posted: 31 Aug 2010 08:00 AM PDT Much like snowflakes, no two neurons are exactly alike. But it's not the size or shape that sets one neuron apart from another, it's the way it responds to incoming stimuli. Researchers have discovered that this diversity is critical to overall brain function and essential in how neurons process complex stimuli and code information.

Study points to key genetic driver of severe allergic asthma Posted: 31 Aug 2010 08:00 AM PDT Scientists have identified a genetic basis for determining the severity of allergic asthma in experimental models of the disease. The study may help in the search for future therapeutic strategies to fight a growing medical problem that currently lacks effective treatments, researchers report.

Hybrid protein tools developed for gene cutting and editing Posted: 31 Aug 2010 08:00 AM PDT Researchers have developed a type of hybrid proteins that can make double-strand DNA breaks at specific sites in living cells, possibly leading to better gene replacement and gene editing therapies.

Roots of gamblers' fallacies and other superstitions: Causes of seemingly irrational human decision-making Posted: 31 Aug 2010 08:00 AM PDT Gamblers who think they have a "hot hand," only to end up walking away with a loss, may nonetheless be making "rational" decisions, according to new research.

Scientists succeed in filming organs and joints in real time using magnetic resonance imaging Posted: 31 Aug 2010 05:00 AM PDT "Please hold absolutely still": This instruction is crucial for patients being examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is the only way to obtain clear images for diagnosis. Up to now, it was therefore almost impossible to image moving organs using MRI. Researchers in Germany have now succeeded in significantly reducing the time required for recording images -- to just one fiftieth of a second. With this breakthrough, the dynamics of organs and joints can be filmed "live" for the first time: movements of the eye and jaw as well as the bending knee and the beating heart.

'Co-conspirator' cells could hold key to melanoma prediction, prevention Posted: 31 Aug 2010 05:00 AM PDT New research on how skin cancer begins has identified adjacent cancer cells that scientists are calling "co-conspirators" in the genesis of melanoma, in findings that could someday hold the key to predicting, preventing and stopping this hard-to-treat cancer before it spreads.

Step toward a new sunscreen? Plant agents show promise in preventing skin cancer Posted: 31 Aug 2010 05:00 AM PDT Ongoing research finds that a blend of plant substances -- such as resveratrol and grape seed extract -- can prevent skin cancer in mice.

Use of certain antiviral drugs during pregnancy not linked with higher risk of major birth defects, study suggests Posted: 31 Aug 2010 05:00 AM PDT An analysis of data from Denmark finds no associated increased risk of major birth defects for mothers who were exposed during the first trimester of pregnancy to the antiviral drugs acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir, often used to treat herpes simplex and herpes zoster infections, according to a new study.

Microfluidic device allows collection, analysis of hard-to-handle immune cells Posted: 31 Aug 2010 05:00 AM PDT Scientists have developed a new microfluidic tool for quickly and accurately isolating neutrophils -- the most abundant type of white blood cell -- from small blood samples, an accomplishment that could provide information essential to better understanding the immune system's response to traumatic injury.

Survey says: Genetics affect whether we're willing to take surveys Posted: 31 Aug 2010 05:00 AM PDT Genetics play a key factor in whether someone is willing to take a survey, according to a new survey.

Acidifying oceans spell bleak marine biological future 'by end of century', Mediterranean research finds Posted: 31 Aug 2010 02:00 AM PDT A unique 'natural laboratory' in the Mediterranean Sea is revealing the effects of rising carbon dioxide levels on life in the oceans. The results show a bleak future for marine life as ocean acidity rises, and suggest that similar lowering of ocean pH levels may have been responsible for massive extinctions in the past.

New genomic marker for tuberculosis may help identify patients who will develop the disease Posted: 31 Aug 2010 02:00 AM PDT It may soon be possible to identify patients who will develop tuberculosis, as scientists have identified changes in the blood specific to the disease.

Vulnerability in commercial quantum cryptography Posted: 31 Aug 2010 02:00 AM PDT Researchers have recently developed and tested a technique exploiting imperfections in quantum cryptography systems to implement an attack.

African-Americans have higher risk for blood clots after receiving drug-coated stent, study finds Posted: 31 Aug 2010 02:00 AM PDT African-American race is a distinct risk factor for developing life-threatening blood clots after receiving a drug-coated stent, according to a new study.

New Norwegian earplug solution to a deafening problem Posted: 31 Aug 2010 02:00 AM PDT Some 600 cases of noise-induced hearing impairment are reported by the Norwegian petroleum industry every year. A new, intelligent earplug is now set to alleviate the problem. The international energy company Statoil ASA has led efforts to further develop a combined hearing protection and communication product for use on offshore platforms. The QUIETPRO hearing protection and communication device was originally developed for military use by the Trondheim-based company Nacre AS. The company's customers include the United States Army, which uses QUIETPRO devices in armoured vehicles.

Social isolation worsens cardiac arrest effects on heart regulation Posted: 31 Aug 2010 02:00 AM PDT A new study in mice shows how social support can help minimize some of the worst physical damages to the brain caused by a heart attack. From cell death to depressive symptoms to regulation of the heart, mice that lived with a partner after a heart attack suffered less damage than did similar mice that were housed alone.

Impact hypothesis loses its sparkle: Shock-synthesized diamonds said to prove catastrophic impact killed off N. American megafauna can't be found Posted: 30 Aug 2010 11:00 PM PDT The warming that following the last Ice Age was interrupted by a cold snap that killed off megafauna such as the giant ground sloth and the woolly mammoth. Could this crisis have been caused by an asteroid impact or a comet breaking up in the atmosphere? Unfortunately the geological evidence for such a dramatic event has not stood up to scrutiny. In a new study, a group of scientists challenges the catastrophists last, best hope: shock-synthesized nanodiamonds.

Stopping colon cancer by activating anti-cancer genes Posted: 30 Aug 2010 11:00 PM PDT Researchers have succeeded in decoding the genetic key that gives particular intestinal cells their identity. With this knowledge of the complex network of genes the researchers now hope to stop colon cancer by activating special anti-cancer genes.

Tray bleaching may improve oral health of elderly, special-needs patients Posted: 30 Aug 2010 11:00 PM PDT A tooth-bleaching agent may improve the oral health of elderly and special-needs patients, say dentists.

Better treatment of atrial fibrillation and its risks Posted: 30 Aug 2010 11:00 PM PDT The earlier that patients who suffer from atrial fibrillation obtain the correct treatment, the lower is the risk of serious secondary effects such as stroke. New research from Sweden shows that a well-established measurement score can easily assess the risks for this patient group.

Shallow water habitats important for young salmon and trout Posted: 30 Aug 2010 11:00 PM PDT Research from Sweden shows that competition from older fish causes young salmon and trout to seek refuge in shallow water. Preserving such habitats may, therefore, be important for the survival of the young fish.

School-based intervention successfully lowers drinking rates in at risk children Posted: 30 Aug 2010 11:00 PM PDT In an effort to combat these startling findings, researchers in the UK describe a successful personality-based intervention for substance abuse delivered by teachers.

First clear evidence of organized feasting by early humans Posted: 30 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT Community feasting is one of the most universal and important social behaviors found among humans. Now, scientists have found the earliest clear evidence of organized feasting, from a burial site dated about 12,000 years ago. These remains represent the first archaeological verification that human feasting began before the advent of agriculture.

People at 'intermediate risk' of heart disease with elevated hsCRP benefit from statin therapy, study suggests Posted: 30 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT People at intermediate risk of cardiovascular disease who have high levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein, a blood marker for inflammation, could benefit from cholesterol-lowering therapy even if their cholesterol is already at desirable levels. Data indicates that people with only a 5 percent to 20 percent risk of having heart disease in the next 10 years, but who have high levels of hsCRP could reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by more than 40 percent.

Tuning into cell signals that tell where sensory organs will form inside the ear Posted: 30 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT Researchers have tracked a cell-to-cell pathway that designates the future location of the ear's sensory organs in embryonic mice. The scientists succeeded in activating this signal more widely across the embronic tissue that forms the inner ear. Patches of sensory structures began growing in spots where they don't normally appear. The results suggest an avenue for further investigation in restoring hearing loss and correcting balance problems from nerve damage in the inner ear.

Researchers develop new laboratory cell lines to study treatment for anaplastic thyroid cancer Posted: 30 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT To their deep dismay, researchers discovered several years ago that laboratory samples of anaplastic thyroid cancer they were using to help them find new treatments for this lethal disease were probably some other kind of cancer. It quickly became evident that the situation in their lab was common throughout the world. Up to half of the cell lines that were supposed to originate from patients with this rare thyroid cancer were either colon or melanoma cancer. So, with the cooperation of many researchers nationwide, the researchers set out to create a new set of laboratory ATC cells, derived from tumors donated by patients.

Research produces tools to study stallions' subfertility Posted: 30 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT Subfertility of breeding stallions -- meaning the horses are less able to sire foals -- is a well-recognized problem that has caused multi-million-dollar losses in the equine industry, experts say. Researchers believe they are making progress in solving the problem by using an approach that might provide tools and resources necessary to study subfertility without causing stallions the angst of providing testicular samples for testing.

Over 50? You probably prefer negative stories about young people Posted: 30 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT When given a choice, older people prefer to read negative news, rather than positive news, about young adults, a new study suggests. In fact, older readers who chose to read negative stories about young individuals actually get a small boost in their self-esteem, according to the results.

'Stocky dragon' dinosaur, relative of Velociraptor, terrorized Late Cretaceous Europe Posted: 30 Aug 2010 02:00 PM PDT Paleontologists have discovered that a close relative of Velociraptor hunted the dwarfed inhabitants of Late Cretaceous Europe, an island landscape largely isolated from nearby continents. While island animals tend to be smaller and more primitive than their continental cousins, the theropod Balaur bondoc was as large as its relatives on other parts of the globe and demonstrated advanced adaptations including fused bones and two terrifyingly large claws on each hind foot.

Hurts so good: Neural clues to the calming effects of self-harm Posted: 30 Aug 2010 02:00 PM PDT The notion that cutting or burning oneself could provide relief from emotional distress is difficult to understand for most people, but it is an experience reported commonly among people who compulsively hurt themselves.

Decongestant use in pregnant women linked to lower risk of preterm birth Posted: 30 Aug 2010 02:00 PM PDT A new study by epidemiologists has found that women who took over-the-counter decongestants during their pregnancies are less likely to give birth prematurely.

Body mass index and thrombogenic factors in newly menopausal women Posted: 30 Aug 2010 02:00 PM PDT A study of a subset of women in the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study suggests that as BMI increases, so do platelet reactivity and thrombogenic microvesicles and activated protein C in the blood -- all of which contribute to the formation of atherothrombosis and associated cardiovascular events.

Mars's mysterious elongated crater Posted: 30 Aug 2010 02:00 PM PDT Orcus Patera is an enigmatic elliptical depression near Mars's equator, in the eastern hemisphere of the planet. Located between the volcanoes of Elysium Mons and Olympus Mons, its formation remains a mystery.

Parenting style: Italians strict, French moderate, Canadians lenient Posted: 30 Aug 2010 02:00 PM PDT Canadian teenagers enjoy more freedom than French and Italian peers, according to a new study. The investigation examined how parents fashion emotional bonds and exert behavioral control with adolescents.

Stretched polymer snaps back smaller than it started Posted: 30 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT Crazy bands are cool because no matter how long they've been stretched around a kid's wrist, they always return to their original shape, be it a lion or a kangaroo. Now chemists have found a polymer molecule that's so springy it snaps back from stretching much smaller than it was before.

Smoked medical cannabis may be beneficial as treatment for chronic neuropathic pain, study suggests Posted: 30 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT The medicinal use of cannabis has been debated by clinicians, researchers, legislators and the public at large for many years as an alternative to standard pharmaceutical treatments for pain, which may not always be effective and may have unwanted side effects. A new study provides evidence that cannabis may offer relief to patients suffering from chronic neuropathic pain.

Scientists bring new species of turtle out of its shell Posted: 30 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT When scientists announce the discovery of a new animal species, we often imagine exotic, difficult to reach locations -- the untouched shore of a distant island, the forests of the rain-drenched Amazon or the darkest depths of the Arctic Ocean. But the recent announcement of a new species of turtle in the southeastern United States proves that even in a country considered to be well-explored, perhaps more awaits discovery.

Diagnostic blood test can identify rare lung disease Posted: 30 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT Researchers have found that a certain blood test can successfully identify lymphangioleiomyomatosis in some patients, eliminating the need for surgical lung biopsy to make a diagnosis.

Batteries for battery powered cars are more environmentally friendly than expected Posted: 30 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT Battery powered cars will play a major role in future of mobility. What was not known so far, was how environmentally friendly the manufacture, operation and disposal of the batteries are. Researchers have now calculated the ecological footprint of the most commonly used type, the lithium-ion battery. A car with a petrol engine must consume less than 4 liters of fuel per 100km or about 70 mpg (miles per gallon) in order to be as environmentally friendly as modern electric cars.

Eye movements reveal readers' wandering minds Posted: 30 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT It's not just you -- everybody zones out when they're reading. Scientists recorded eye movements during reading and found that the eyes keep moving when the mind wanders -- but they don't move in the same way as they do when you're paying attention.

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ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Liver cells created from patients' skin cells
• Mumps vaccine coverage should be improved, study finds
• Tiny gulf sea creature could shed light on oil spill’s impact
• Exposure to low doses of BPA alters gene expression in the fetal mouse ovary
• Tiny logo demonstrates advanced display technology using nano-thin metal sheets
• Anguish of romantic rejection may be linked to stimulation of areas of brain related to motivation, reward and addiction
• Secrets of the gecko foot help robot climb
• Medicine reaches the target with the help of magnets
• Bacteria make thrift a habit, researchers find
• Fertilizer chemicals linked to animal developmental woes
• Surgical robot could be used for long-distance regional anesthesia
• Ugly Betty forced to aim for Average Joe, house sparrow study finds
• Scientists unveil structure of adenovirus, the largest high-resolution complex ever found
• Fluoride in water prevents adult tooth loss, study suggests
• Ant colonies shed light on metabolism
• Sodium MRI gives new insights into detecting osteoarthritis
• Genetic test finds healthiest fish for breeding
• How badly does it hurt? Research examines the biomedical diagnosis of pain
• Distant star's sound waves reveal cycle similar to the sun's
• Baby's first full diaper can reveal mother's smoking
• Black rice rivals pricey blueberries as source of healthful antioxidants
• Rectal cancer rates are rising in young individuals, analysis finds
• New model to help organize, keep private 'vast ocean' of social network data
• Autism and schizophrenia: Family history may not always be a good indicator
• Shrinking atmospheric layer linked to low levels of solar radiation
• Moms who don't breastfeed more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, study finds
• Grapefruit's bitter taste holds a sweet promise for diabetes therapy
• Vaccine has cut child cases of bacterial pneumonia, says study
• Lethal backfire: Green odor with fatal consequences for voracious caterpillars
• Experimental treatments for cocaine addiction may prevent relapse
• Wheat's genetic code cracked: Draft sequence coverage of genome to aid global food shortage
• Frog skin may provide 'kiss of death' for antibiotic-resistant germs
• Mayan water reservoir in Mexican rainforest: Archaeologists find huge artificial lake with ceramic-lined floor
• Neuron-damaging mechanism discovered in mouse model of inherited ALS
• On organic coffee farm, complex interactions keep pests under control
• Smoking can increase depressive symptoms in teens, study finds

Liver cells created from patients' skin cells Posted: 28 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT By creating diseased liver cells from a small sample of human skin, scientists have now shown that stem cells can be used to model a diverse range of inherited disorders. The researchers' findings will hopefully lead to new treatments for those suffering from liver diseases.

Mumps vaccine coverage should be improved, study finds Posted: 28 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT Although immunity to mumps is high in the United States, mumps vaccine coverage must be maintained and improved to prevent future outbreaks, according to a new study.

Tiny gulf sea creature could shed light on oil spill’s impact Posted: 28 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT A molecular biologist will soon bring dozens of tiny, transparent animals that live in Gulf Coast waters back to his campus laboratory as part of an effort to better understand the oil spill's long-term impact on the coastal environment and creatures living there.

Exposure to low doses of BPA alters gene expression in the fetal mouse ovary Posted: 28 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT A new study finds that exposure of pregnant female mice to the endocrine-disrupting chemical bisphenol A may produce adverse reproductive consequences on gene expression in fetal ovaries as early as 12 hours after the mother has first been exposed to the chemical.

Tiny logo demonstrates advanced display technology using nano-thin metal sheets Posted: 28 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT In a step toward more efficient, smaller and higher-definition display screens, a researcher has developed a new type of color filter made of nano-thin sheets of metal with precisely spaced gratings.

Anguish of romantic rejection may be linked to stimulation of areas of brain related to motivation, reward and addiction Posted: 28 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT Breaking up really is hard to do, and a recent study found evidence that it may be partly due to the areas of the brain that are active during this difficult time.

Secrets of the gecko foot help robot climb Posted: 28 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT The science behind gecko toes holds the answer to a dry adhesive that provides an ideal grip for robot feet. A mechanical engineer is using the new material, based on the structure of a gecko foot, to keep his robots climbing.

Medicine reaches the target with the help of magnets Posted: 28 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT If a drug can be guided to the right place in the body, the treatment is more effective and there are fewer side-effects. Researchers in Sweden have now developed magnetic nanoparticles that can be directed to metallic implants such as artificial knee joints, hip joints and stents in the coronary arteries.

Bacteria make thrift a habit, researchers find Posted: 28 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT In these lean times, smart consumers refuse to pay a lot for throwaway items, but will shell out a little more for products that can be used again and again. The same is true of bacteria and other microbes, researchers have learned.

Fertilizer chemicals linked to animal developmental woes Posted: 28 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT Fertilizer chemicals may pose a bigger hazard to the environment -- specifically to creatures that live in water -- than originally foreseen, according to new research. Toxicologists show that water fleas take up nitrates and nitrites -- common chemicals used primarily in agriculture as fertilizers -- and convert those chemicals into nitric oxide. Nitric oxide can be toxic to many organisms.

Surgical robot could be used for long-distance regional anesthesia Posted: 28 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT An existing surgical robot could be used to perform complex regional anesthesia procedures -- in theory, allowing expert anesthesiologists to perform robot-assisted procedures from remote locations, according to a new study.

Ugly Betty forced to aim for Average Joe, house sparrow study finds Posted: 28 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT Less-pretty female house sparrows tend to lower their aim when selecting a mate. Addressing the lack of studies on condition-dependency of female mate choice, evolutionary biologists found that female sparrows of a low quality prefer males of an equally low quality.

Scientists unveil structure of adenovirus, the largest high-resolution complex ever found Posted: 28 Aug 2010 05:00 AM PDT After more than a decade of research, scientists have pieced together the structure of a human adenovirus -- the largest complex ever determined at atomic resolution.

Fluoride in water prevents adult tooth loss, study suggests Posted: 28 Aug 2010 05:00 AM PDT Children drinking water with added fluoride helps dental health in adulthood decades later, a new study finds.

Ant colonies shed light on metabolism Posted: 28 Aug 2010 05:00 AM PDT Ants are usually regarded as the unwanted guests at a picnic. But a recent study of California seed harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex californicus) examining their metabolic rate in relation to colony size may lead to a better appreciation for the social, six-legged insects, whose colonies researchers say provide a theoretical framework for understanding cellular networks.

Sodium MRI gives new insights into detecting osteoarthritis Posted: 28 Aug 2010 05:00 AM PDT Researchers have developed an innovative way to look at the development of osteoarthritis in the knee joint -- one that relies on the examination of sodium ions in cartilage.

Genetic test finds healthiest fish for breeding Posted: 28 Aug 2010 05:00 AM PDT A Norwegian company has developed a new genetic test that quickly determines which salmon have the highest resistance to the IPN virus. The recently launched commercial product could mean a breakthrough in the battle against this costly disease.

How badly does it hurt? Research examines the biomedical diagnosis of pain Posted: 28 Aug 2010 05:00 AM PDT Sociology research investigates the challenges of patients experiencing pain symptoms that don't visibly turn up on any test.

Distant star's sound waves reveal cycle similar to the sun's Posted: 27 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT In a bid to unlock longstanding mysteries of the sun, including the impacts on Earth of its 11-year cycle, an international team of scientists has successfully probed a distant star. By monitoring the star's sound waves, the team has observed a magnetic cycle analogous to the sun's solar cycle.

Baby's first full diaper can reveal mother's smoking Posted: 27 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT Meconium, the dark and tarry stools passed by a baby during the first few days after birth, can be used to determine how much the mother smoked, or if she was exposed to tobacco smoke during pregnancy. Researchers measured tobacco smoke metabolites in meconium samples from 337 babies, finding that they correlated well with reported smoke exposure and other markers of tobacco smoke exposure.

Black rice rivals pricey blueberries as source of healthful antioxidants Posted: 27 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT Health conscious consumers who hesitate at the price of fresh blueberries and blackberries, fruits renowned for high levels of healthful antioxidants, now have an economical alternative. It is black rice, one variety of which got the moniker "forbidden rice" in ancient China because nobles commandeered every grain for themselves and forbade the common people from eating it.

Rectal cancer rates are rising in young individuals, analysis finds Posted: 27 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT A new analysis has found that while colon cancer rates have remained steady over the past several decades among people under the age of 40, rectal cancer rates are increasing in this population across races and in both sexes.

New model to help organize, keep private 'vast ocean' of social network data Posted: 27 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT Researchers have developed a new model to manage the "vast ocean" of user-generated content being generated by the ever-growing social networking sites including Facebook and Twitter.

Autism and schizophrenia: Family history may not always be a good indicator Posted: 27 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT Family history may not be a good predictor of the presence of mutations predisposing to autism or schizophrenia, a new study suggests. The findings show how new or de novo gene mutations -- alterations of the cell's DNA -- play a role in these devastating conditions.

Shrinking atmospheric layer linked to low levels of solar radiation Posted: 27 Aug 2010 02:00 PM PDT Scientists link a recent, temporary shrinking of a high atmospheric layer with a sharp drop in the sun's ultraviolet radiation levels.

Moms who don't breastfeed more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, study finds Posted: 27 Aug 2010 02:00 PM PDT Mothers who did not breastfeed their children have significantly higher rates of type 2 diabetes later in life than moms who breastfed, a new study finds. Twenty-seven percent of mothers who did not breastfeed developed type 2 diabetes and were almost twice as likely to develop the disease as women who had breastfed or never given birth.

Grapefruit's bitter taste holds a sweet promise for diabetes therapy Posted: 27 Aug 2010 02:00 PM PDT A new study demonstrates the mechanism by which a single grapefruit compound controls fat and glucose metabolism, replacing multiple drugs.

Vaccine has cut child cases of bacterial pneumonia, says study Posted: 27 Aug 2010 02:00 PM PDT The number of children admitted to English hospitals with bacterial pneumonia decreased by a fifth in the two years following the introduction of a vaccine to combat the disease, according to a new study.

Lethal backfire: Green odor with fatal consequences for voracious caterpillars Posted: 27 Aug 2010 02:00 PM PDT During field studies, scientists discovered that the oral secretions of tobacco hornworm larvae contain a particular substance that promptly alters a green leaf volatile in tobacco leaves into an odor attractant signal. With this signal, called (E)-2-hexenal, they unintentionally lure their own enemies: carnivorous bugs. These bugs start their piercing attacks not only against freshly hatched caterpillar babies; they also devour eggs laid by the female moths.

Experimental treatments for cocaine addiction may prevent relapse Posted: 27 Aug 2010 02:00 PM PDT The drug disulfiram, used for years to deter recovering alcoholics from drinking, also can treat cocaine addiction. Disulfiram prevents rats from seeking cocaine after a break, a model for addicts tempted to relapse. Disulfiram appears to work by inhibiting the enzyme dopamine beta-hydroxylase, which is required for the production of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. A selective inhibitor of that enzyme, nepicastat, is also effective in the same model of cocaine relapse.

Wheat's genetic code cracked: Draft sequence coverage of genome to aid global food shortage Posted: 27 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT A team of UK researchers has publicly released the first sequence coverage of the wheat genome. The release is a step towards a fully annotated genome and makes a significant contribution to efforts to support global food security.

Frog skin may provide 'kiss of death' for antibiotic-resistant germs Posted: 27 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT Kissing a frog won't turn it into a prince -- except in fairy-tales -- but frogs may be hopping toward a real-world transformation into princely allies in humanity's battle with antibiotic-resistant infections that threaten millions of people. Scientists reported that frog skin contains substances that could be the basis for a new genre of antibiotics.

Mayan water reservoir in Mexican rainforest: Archaeologists find huge artificial lake with ceramic-lined floor Posted: 27 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT Archaeologists have found an almost seven-foot-deep water reservoir the size of a soccer field, whose floor is lined with ceramic shards, in the Mexican rainforest. It seems that in combination with the limestone on top, the shards were supposed to seal the artificial lake. The system was built about 1,500 years ago. It is the first example of this design found for the Maya. It is not yet known whether the reservoir's entire floor is tiled.

Neuron-damaging mechanism discovered in mouse model of inherited ALS Posted: 27 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT New research uncovers what may be a primary neuron-damaging insult that occurs in an inherited form of a devastating neurodegenerative disorder. The study describes a critical mechanistic link between a mutant protein and disease pathogenesis in an animal model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

On organic coffee farm, complex interactions keep pests under control Posted: 27 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT Proponents of organic farming often speak of nature's balance in ways that sound almost spiritual, prompting criticism that their views are unscientific and naive. At the other end of the spectrum are those who see farms as battlefields where insect pests and plant diseases must be vanquished with the magic bullets of modern agriculture: pesticides, fungicides and the like.

Smoking can increase depressive symptoms in teens, study finds Posted: 27 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT While some teenagers may puff on cigarettes to "self-medicate" against the blues, scientists have found that smoking may actually increase depressive symptoms in some adolescents.

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