ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Silicon can be made to melt in reverse
• When memory-related region of brain is damaged, other areas compensate, study finds
• Women attracted to men in red, research shows
• Relatives of individuals with autism tend to display abnormal eye movements
• New carbon dioxide emissions model
• Pathological Internet use among teens may lead to depression
• What lives in the sea? Census of Marine Life publishes historic roll call of species in 25 key world areas
• Cholesterol levels in young adults predict risk of future heart disease
• Aurora alert: The Sun is waking up
• Alphavirus-based vaccine may slow some cancers
• New catalyst of platinum nanoparticles could lead to conk-out free, stable fuel cells
• Drug trials funded by industry are more likely to publish favorable results, researchers find
• Ice-free Arctic Ocean may not be of much use in soaking up carbon dioxide
• Gene variant may increase severity of multiple sclerosis
• Eruptive characteristics of Oregon's Mount Hood analyzed
• Lung cancer survivors experience long-term effects of breathlessness
• Universal law for material evolution found
• What you say about others says a lot about you, research shows
• How neuroglobin protects against Alzheimer's
• Tongue piercing may cause gapped teeth; Could cost thousands of dollars in orthodontic repairs
• Just drop it: One-size-fits-all approach to blood sugar control, that is
• Crowd control and traffic problems: Mutually entangled social, economic, and technological systems under investigation
• Expectations may affect placebo response in patients with Parkinson's disease
• Blue whales align the pitch of their songs with extreme accuracy, study finds
• Adolescents with type 2 diabetes have diminished cognitive performance and brain abnormalities, study finds
• Cellular housekeeper, and potential target of obesity drugs, caught in action
• Boosting the efficacy of anticancer vaccines
• Hot town, summer in the city: Heat wave impact differs between countries
• Sisters protect siblings from depression, study shows
• Breeding is changing dog brains, scientists find
• Newly discovered fat cell may pose health threat
• High heels may lead to joint degeneration and knee osteoarthritis, study finds
• Scientists target possible cause of one form of bowel disease
• Everest tragedy: Did extreme weather cause Mallory and Irvine disappearance?
• The taste of quinine: It's in your bitter genes
• New solar energy conversion process could double solar efficiency of solar cells
• Synthetic bone graft recruits stem cells for faster bone healing
• Instruments selected for Mars
• Nutritional labeling and point-of-purchase signs influence healthy food choices
• Oxygen fuels the fires of time
• Certain meat components may increase bladder cancer risk, study suggests
• Cancer-causing bacterium targets tumor-suppressor protein
• Five new genetic variations linked to prostate cancer uncovered in study on Japanese men
• 'Ribbit Radio' shows frog population estimates are likely flawed
• Mind over matter? The psychology of healing

Silicon can be made to melt in reverse Posted: 03 Aug 2010 08:00 AM PDT Like an ice cube on a warm day, most materials melt -- that is, change from a solid to a liquid state -- as they get warmer. But a few oddball materials do the reverse: They melt as they get cooler. Now a team of researchers has found that silicon, the most widely used material for computer chips and solar cells, can exhibit this strange property of "retrograde melting" when it contains high concentrations of certain metals dissolved in it.

When memory-related region of brain is damaged, other areas compensate, study finds Posted: 03 Aug 2010 08:00 AM PDT Many neuroscientists believe the loss of the brain region known as the amygdala would result in the brain's inability to form new memories with emotional content. New research indicates this is not so, and suggests that when one brain region is damaged, other brain regions can compensate.

Women attracted to men in red, research shows Posted: 03 Aug 2010 08:00 AM PDT Wearing the color red or being bordered by the rosy hue makes a man more attractive and sexually desirable to women, a multicultural study finds. And women are apparently unaware of this arousing effect.

Relatives of individuals with autism tend to display abnormal eye movements Posted: 03 Aug 2010 08:00 AM PDT Abnormal eye movements and other sensorimotor and neurobehavioral impairments appear common in unaffected family members of individuals with autism, according to a new report.

New carbon dioxide emissions model Posted: 03 Aug 2010 08:00 AM PDT Meteorologists have determined exactly how much carbon dioxide humans can emit into the atmosphere while ensuring that the Earth does not heat up by more than two degrees, experts say.

Pathological Internet use among teens may lead to depression Posted: 03 Aug 2010 08:00 AM PDT Teens who use the Internet pathologically appear more likely to develop depression than those who do not, according to a new report.

What lives in the sea? Census of Marine Life publishes historic roll call of species in 25 key world areas Posted: 03 Aug 2010 05:00 AM PDT The global Census of Marine Life has published a landmark series of papers that detail biodiversity in 25 key world ocean areas on all seven continents.

Cholesterol levels in young adults predict risk of future heart disease Posted: 03 Aug 2010 05:00 AM PDT Young people with even modestly elevated cholesterol levels are more likely to develop coronary artery calcium and atherosclerosis later in life, according to a 20-year study.

Aurora alert: The Sun is waking up Posted: 03 Aug 2010 05:00 AM PDT Sky viewers might get to enjoy some spectacular Northern Lights, or aurorae. After a long slumber, the Sun is waking up. Early Sunday morning, the Sun's surface erupted and blasted tons of plasma (ionized atoms) into interplanetary space. That plasma is headed our way, and when it arrives, it could create a spectacular light show.

Alphavirus-based vaccine may slow some cancers Posted: 03 Aug 2010 05:00 AM PDT An experimental vaccine based on a virus that causes encephalitis in the wild appears to block tumor growth in some cases of advanced cancer, according to new research. Scientists say the vaccine is able to stimulate an immune response, even in the face of profound immune system suppression, a condition most patients with advanced cancer experience.

New catalyst of platinum nanoparticles could lead to conk-out free, stable fuel cells Posted: 03 Aug 2010 05:00 AM PDT In the quest for efficient, cost-effective and commercially viable fuel cells, scientists have discovered a catalyst and catalyst-support combination that could make fuel cells more stable, conk-out free, inexpensive and more resistant to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Drug trials funded by industry are more likely to publish favorable results, researchers find Posted: 03 Aug 2010 05:00 AM PDT When published results are systematically tracked for drug trials registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, those from industry-funded trials are the likeliest to be favorable to the drug in question, researchers report.

Ice-free Arctic Ocean may not be of much use in soaking up carbon dioxide Posted: 03 Aug 2010 02:00 AM PDT The summer of 2010 has been agonizingly hot in much of the continental US, and the record-setting temperatures have refocused attention on global warming. Scientists have been looking at ways the Earth might benefit from natural processes to balance the rising heat, and one process had intrigued them, a premise that melting ice at the poles might allow more open water that could absorb carbon dioxide, one of the major compounds implicating in warming.

Gene variant may increase severity of multiple sclerosis Posted: 03 Aug 2010 02:00 AM PDT A new study shows a gene variant may increase the severity of multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms.

Eruptive characteristics of Oregon's Mount Hood analyzed Posted: 03 Aug 2010 02:00 AM PDT A new study has found that a mixing of two different types of magma is the key to the historic eruptions of Mount Hood, Oregon's tallest mountain, and that eruptions often happen in a relatively short time -- weeks or months -- after this mixing occurs. It will help scientists better understand the nature of Mount Hood's past and future eruptions, as well as other volcanoes that erupt by similar mechanisms. This includes a large number of the world's active volcanoes.

Lung cancer survivors experience long-term effects of breathlessness Posted: 03 Aug 2010 02:00 AM PDT With the growing number of long-term lung cancer survivors, research is needed to identify and address cancer survivorship issues. One of the most common and debilitating symptoms among lung cancer patients is dyspnea, or shortness of breath. As most studies of dyspnea have reviewed patients with active lung cancer or immediately after treatment, the prevalence of dyspnea over the long-term once treatment has been completed is not well characterized.

Universal law for material evolution found Posted: 03 Aug 2010 02:00 AM PDT Scientists found that when a material composed of more than one phase is heated, it breaks into smaller pieces and the shape of the interfaces during break-up is universal.

What you say about others says a lot about you, research shows Posted: 03 Aug 2010 02:00 AM PDT How positively you see others is linked to how happy, kind-hearted and emotionally stable you are, according to new research. In contrast, negative perceptions of others are linked to higher levels of narcissism and antisocial behavior.

How neuroglobin protects against Alzheimer's Posted: 02 Aug 2010 11:00 PM PDT The researchers developed predictions from computational modeling and validated them with biological experiments. They found that neuroglobin binds to cytochrome c and prevents it from forming an apoptosome. In Alzheimer's disease, a toxic type of protein accumulates in brain neurons and leads to mitochondrial rupture and cell death. The finding suggests that high neuroglobin levels may buffer neurons against the effect of this protein by preventing apoptosomes from forming.

Tongue piercing may cause gapped teeth; Could cost thousands of dollars in orthodontic repairs Posted: 02 Aug 2010 11:00 PM PDT Mark this one down as a parental nightmare. First, your child gets her tongue pierced. Then, as if you needed something else, she starts "playing" with the tiny barbell-shaped stud, pushing it against her upper front teeth. And before you know it, she forces a gap between those teeth -- a fraction-of-an-inch gap that may cost thousands of dollars in orthodontic bills to straighten.

Just drop it: One-size-fits-all approach to blood sugar control, that is Posted: 02 Aug 2010 11:00 PM PDT Aggressive blood sugar control does not improve survival in diabetic patients with kidney failure, according to a new study. The results suggest that physicians should individualize blood sugar targets for these patients and not rely on recommendations based on studies in the general population.

Crowd control and traffic problems: Mutually entangled social, economic, and technological systems under investigation Posted: 02 Aug 2010 11:00 PM PDT Just a few days ago, at the Love Parade dance and music festival in Duisburg, Germany, 21 people were trampled to death in a human stampede. Apparently, the responsible decision-makers did not see the problem looming before the event. But couldn't we foresee at least some of the disasters before they strike?

Expectations may affect placebo response in patients with Parkinson's disease Posted: 02 Aug 2010 11:00 PM PDT Individuals with Parkinson's disease were more likely to have a neurochemical response to a placebo medication if they were told they had higher odds of receiving an active drug, according to a new report.

Blue whales align the pitch of their songs with extreme accuracy, study finds Posted: 02 Aug 2010 08:00 PM PDT Blue whales are able to synchronize the pitch of their calls with an extremely high level of accuracy, and a slim margin of error from call to call, according to a study of blue whales in the eastern North Pacific. The authors suggest that the blue whales' uniform pitch could allow individual whales to locate potential mates by swimming toward them or away from them.

Adolescents with type 2 diabetes have diminished cognitive performance and brain abnormalities, study finds Posted: 02 Aug 2010 08:00 PM PDT Researchers have found that obese adolescents with type 2 diabetes have diminished cognitive performance and subtle abnormalities in the brain as detected by magnetic resonance imaging. Identification of cognitive impairments as a complication of type 2 diabetes emphasizes the importance of addressing issues of inactivity and obesity, two important risk factors for the development of the disease among the young.

Cellular housekeeper, and potential target of obesity drugs, caught in action Posted: 02 Aug 2010 08:00 PM PDT New clues emerge about how a molecular machine breaks down unwanted proteins in cells, a critical housekeeping chore that helps prevent diseases such as cancer. The insights, thanks to the first molecular-scale description of a giant enzyme called tripeptidyl peptidase II, could also inform the development of obesity-fighting drugs.

Boosting the efficacy of anticancer vaccines Posted: 02 Aug 2010 08:00 PM PDT Researchers have now developed a way to overcome some of the hurdles that limit the efficacy of therapeutic anticancer vaccines and found that their new approach is associated with longer overall patient survival.

Hot town, summer in the city: Heat wave impact differs between countries Posted: 02 Aug 2010 08:00 PM PDT Heat waves may cause increased mortality but, until now, there has been no single scientific definition for the occasional bursts of hot weather that can strike during the summer months. Researchers have created a definition that they use to document, for the first time, how heat wave mortality impact differs between European cities.

Sisters protect siblings from depression, study shows Posted: 02 Aug 2010 08:00 PM PDT Having a sister protects young teens from feeling lonely, unloved, guilty, self-conscious and fearful. Researchers studied 395 families from Seattle with two or more children. At least one child in each family was between ages 10-14. The research found that affectionate siblings have positive influences on each other no matter their age, gender, or how many years they are apart.

Breeding is changing dog brains, scientists find Posted: 02 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT For the first time, scientists have shown that selective breeding of domestic dogs is not only dramatically changing the way the animals look but is also driving major changes in the canine brain. The brains of many short-snouted dog breeds have rotated forward as much as 15 degrees, while the brain region controlling smell has fundamentally relocated.

Newly discovered fat cell may pose health threat Posted: 02 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT Researchers have discovered a new fat cell that may inhibit the ability to dispose of fat and cause inflammation.

High heels may lead to joint degeneration and knee osteoarthritis, study finds Posted: 02 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT While women have been making a fashion statement in high heels for years, there's now reason for concern about what those heels may be doing to their knees and joints over time. A new study has found that prolonged wearing of and walking in heels can contribute to joint degeneration and knee osteoarthritis.

Scientists target possible cause of one form of bowel disease Posted: 02 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT A possible cause of irritable bowel syndrome has been traced to a small piece of RNA that blocks a substance protecting the colon membrane, leading to hostile conditions that can produce diarrhea, bloating and chronic abdominal pain. New research shows that this RNA segment sends signals that stop the activity of the gene that produces glutamine, an amino acid.

Everest tragedy: Did extreme weather cause Mallory and Irvine disappearance? Posted: 02 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT Their legend has inspired generations of mountaineers since their ill-fated attempt to climb Everest over 80 years ago, and now a team of scientists believe they have discovered another important part of the puzzle as to why George Mallory and Andrew Irvine never returned from their pioneering expedition. The research explores the unsolved mystery and uses newly uncovered historical data collected during their expedition to suggest that extreme weather may have contributed to their disappearance.

The taste of quinine: It's in your bitter genes Posted: 02 Aug 2010 05:00 PM PDT Scientists report that individual differences in how people experience quinine's bitterness are related to underlying differences in their genes.

New solar energy conversion process could double solar efficiency of solar cells Posted: 02 Aug 2010 02:00 PM PDT A new process that simultaneously combines the light and heat of solar radiation to generate electricity could offer more than double the efficiency of existing solar cell technology, say the engineers who discovered it and proved that it works. The process, called 'photon enhanced thermionic emission," or PETE, could reduce the costs of solar energy production enough for it to compete with oil as an energy source.

Synthetic bone graft recruits stem cells for faster bone healing Posted: 02 Aug 2010 02:00 PM PDT Scientists have developed a material for bone grafts that could one day replace the 'gold standard' natural bone implants. A new study shows how particles of a ceramic called calcium phosphate have the ability to stimulate promising bone regrowth by attracting stem cells and "growth factors" to promote healing and the integration of the grafted tissue.

Instruments selected for Mars Posted: 02 Aug 2010 02:00 PM PDT ESA and NASA have selected the scientific instruments for their first joint Mars mission. Scheduled for 2016, it will study the chemical makeup of the martian atmosphere, including methane. Discovered in 2003, methane could point to life on the Red Planet.

Nutritional labeling and point-of-purchase signs influence healthy food choices Posted: 02 Aug 2010 02:00 PM PDT Poor diet and physical inactivity leading to obesity are poised to overtake tobacco use as the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. With over 30% of U.S. adults obese, the significant adverse health effects of obesity (including heart disease and diabetes) are widespread throughout the country. Two new studies shed light on behaviors regarding food choices and good nutrition and report on how nutritional labeling and point-of-purchase signs are influencing healthy food choices.

Oxygen fuels the fires of time Posted: 02 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT Variations in the Earth's atmospheric oxygen levels are thought to be closely linked to the evolution of life, with strong feedbacks between uni- and multicellular life and oxygen. Over the past 400 million years, the level of oxygen has varied considerably from the 21% value we have today. Scientists have now revealed that the amount of charcoal preserved in ancient peat bogs, now coal, gives a measure of how much oxygen there was in the past.

Certain meat components may increase bladder cancer risk, study suggests Posted: 02 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT A new study suggests that consuming specific compounds in meat related to processing methods may be associated with an increased risk of developing bladder cancer.

Cancer-causing bacterium targets tumor-suppressor protein Posted: 02 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a mechanism by which Helicobacter pylori, the only known cancer-causing bacterium, disables a tumor suppressor protein in host cells. Their study reports the discovery of a previously unknown mechanism linking H. pylori infection and stomach cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide.

Five new genetic variations linked to prostate cancer uncovered in study on Japanese men Posted: 02 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT A genome-wide study on Japanese subjects has identified 5 new genetic variations associated with prostate cancer and revealed differences and similarities between Europeans and Asians in susceptibility to the disease. The findings offer a first-ever glimpse of the genetic basis for prostate cancer susceptibility in a non-European population.

'Ribbit Radio' shows frog population estimates are likely flawed Posted: 02 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT Scientists track amphibian populations because these animals are sensitive to changes in their environment and can serve as "canaries in the coal mine" to give researchers early warnings about pollution or other ecological problems. But new research shows that data from the largest amphibian monitoring program in the United States may have flaws that, if uncorrected, could result in overestimates of frog populations.

Mind over matter? The psychology of healing Posted: 02 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT People suffering from diabetes-related foot ulcers show different rates of healing according to the way they cope and their psychological state of mind, according to new research by a health psychologist.

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