ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Enzyme enhances, erases long-term memories in rats; Can restore even old, fading memories, say scientists
• New gene regions identified that predispose people to heart attacks: Some hint at previously unknown mechanisms that increase risk
• New test for 'pluripotent' stem cells
• Noise distracts fish from their dinner
• 'Elephant trunks' in space: WISE captures image of star-forming cloud of dust and gas
• Human stem cells transformed into key neurons lost in Alzheimer's
• NASA light technology successfully reduces cancer patients painful side effects from radiation and chemotherapy
• Vaccinated children not at higher risk of infections or allergic diseases, study suggests
• Brazilian beef: Greater impact on the environment than we realize
• Brain rhythm predicts real-time sleep stability, may lead to more precise sleep medications
• Sea-ice algae can engineer ice to its advantage using own antifreeze
• Gene responsible for severe osteoporosis disorder discovered
• Spitzer captures infrared rays from 'Sunflower' galaxy
• Loss of key protein boosts neuron loss in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Probing atomic chicken wire: Mounting graphene on boron nitride dramatically improves electronic properties
• The better off sleep better
• Human activity displaces predators more than prey
• Stem cell study could aid motor neuron disease research
• Hawaiian volcano crater floor collapse followed by eruption in fissue along Kilauea's east rift zone
• Sperm quality and counts worsening in Finland
• Depression and anxiety differentially influence physical symptom reporting
• The scars of impacts on Mars
• Life-saving blood test for fungal meningitis, a leading cause of AIDS-related deaths in developing countries
• Large forest animals contribute to plant diversity
• Boron neutron capture therapy is effective in advanced head and neck cancer, study suggests
• Speedy generic approval may not benefit consumers as much as expected, mathematical model shows
• Racial identity tied to happiness, study finds
• No such thing as a dormant volcano? Magma chambers awake sooner than thought
• Possible role of damaged DNA in tumor development
• Human cues used to improve computer user-friendliness
• Fast laser could revolutionize data communications
• New microscope produces dazzling 3-D movies of live cells
• Novel mechanism for control of gene expression revealed
• Bone-creating protein could improve dental implant success
• Weight-loss surgery successful in treating overweight adolescents, study suggests
• Environmental impact of animal waste: Disposal of animal waste in large-scale swine production examined
• Happy Hour linked to pub violence, UK study finds
• Newly identified cell population key to immune response
• New role for an old molecule: Protecting the brain from epileptic seizures
• NASA develops light microscope for International Space Station
• NASA makes use of historic test site for new robotic lander prototype tests
• NASA studies the body's ability to fight infection
• New instrument keeps an 'eye' on nanoparticles

Enzyme enhances, erases long-term memories in rats; Can restore even old, fading memories, say scientists Posted: 07 Mar 2011 11:00 AM PST Even long after it is formed, a memory in rats can be enhanced or erased by increasing or decreasing the activity of a brain enzyme. For the first time, a study in behaving animals with functioning brains has found that a single molecule, PKMzeta, is both necessary and sufficient for maintaining long-term memory.

New gene regions identified that predispose people to heart attacks: Some hint at previously unknown mechanisms that increase risk Posted: 07 Mar 2011 11:00 AM PST Scientists have identified 13 new gene sites associated with the risk of coronary artery disease and validated 10 sites found in previous studies. Several of the novel sites discovered in the study do not appear to relate to known risk factors, suggesting previously unsuspected mechanisms for cardiovascular disease.

New test for 'pluripotent' stem cells Posted: 07 Mar 2011 11:00 AM PST "Pluripotent" stem cells -- which have the potential to mature into almost any cell in the body -- are being widely studied for their role in treating a vast array of human diseases and for generating cells and tissues for transplantation. Now, scientists have created a quality control diagnostic test that will make it much easier for researchers to determine whether their cell lines are normal pluripotent cells.

Noise distracts fish from their dinner Posted: 07 Mar 2011 11:00 AM PST We all struggle to concentrate when there are roadworks taking place outside our window. New research demonstrates that fish suffer the same problem, becoming distracted from normal feeding behavior when noise is added to their environment.

'Elephant trunks' in space: WISE captures image of star-forming cloud of dust and gas Posted: 07 Mar 2011 08:00 AM PST NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, captured this image of a star-forming cloud of dust and gas, called Sh2-284, located in the constellation of Monoceros. Lining up along the edges of a cosmic hole are several "elephant trunks" -- or monstrous pillars of dense gas and dust.

Human stem cells transformed into key neurons lost in Alzheimer's Posted: 07 Mar 2011 08:00 AM PST Researchers for the first time have transformed a human embryonic stem cell into a critical neuron that dies early in Alzheimer's disease and is a major cause of memory loss. This ability to reprogram stem cells and grow a limitless supply of the neurons will enable a rapid wave of drug testing, allow researchers to study why the neurons die and could potentially lead to transplanting the new neurons into people with Alzheimer's.

NASA light technology successfully reduces cancer patients painful side effects from radiation and chemotherapy Posted: 07 Mar 2011 08:00 AM PST A NASA technology originally developed for plant growth experiments on space shuttle missions has successfully reduced the painful side effects resulting from chemotherapy and radiation treatment in bone marrow and stem cell transplant patients.

Vaccinated children not at higher risk of infections or allergic diseases, study suggests Posted: 07 Mar 2011 08:00 AM PST Do vaccinations put too much strain on or weaken children's immune systems? A recent evaluation showed that unvaccinated children and adolescents differ from their vaccinated peers merely in terms of the frequency of vaccine preventable diseases. These include pertussis, mumps, or measles. As expected, the risk of contracting these diseases is substantially lower in vaccinated children and adolescents.

Brazilian beef: Greater impact on the environment than we realize Posted: 07 Mar 2011 08:00 AM PST Increased export of Brazilian beef indirectly leads to deforestation in the Amazon. New research shows that impact on the climate is much greater than current estimates indicate. The researchers are now demanding that indirect effect on land be included when determining a product's carbon footprint.

Brain rhythm predicts real-time sleep stability, may lead to more precise sleep medications Posted: 07 Mar 2011 08:00 AM PST A new study finds that a brain rhythm considered the hallmark of wakefulness not only persists inconspicuously during sleep but also signifies an individual's vulnerability to disturbance by the outside world.

Sea-ice algae can engineer ice to its advantage using own antifreeze Posted: 07 Mar 2011 05:00 AM PST Sea-ice algae -- the important first rung of the food web each spring in places like the Arctic Ocean -- can engineer ice to its advantage. The same gel-like mucus secreted by sea-ice algae as a kind of antifreeze against temperatures well below minus 10 C is also allowing algae to sculpt microscopic channels and pores in ice that are hospitable to itself and other microorganisms.

Gene responsible for severe osteoporosis disorder discovered Posted: 07 Mar 2011 05:00 AM PST Scientists have identified a single mutated gene that causes Hajdu-Cheney syndrome, a disorder of the bones causing progressive bone loss and osteoporosis.

Spitzer captures infrared rays from 'Sunflower' galaxy Posted: 07 Mar 2011 05:00 AM PST The various spiral arm segments of the Sunflower galaxy, also known as Messier 63, show up vividly in a new image taken in infrared light by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. Infrared light is sensitive to the dust lanes in spiral galaxies, which appear dark in visible-light images. Spitzer's view reveals complex structures that trace the galaxy's spiral arm pattern.

Loss of key protein boosts neuron loss in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Posted: 07 Mar 2011 05:00 AM PST Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a notorious neurodegenerative condition characterized by the progressive deterioration of brain and spinal cord neurons, resulting in the gradual but catastrophic loss of muscle control and ultimately, death. Scientists can now describe the profound and pervasive role of a key protein in ALS pathology called TDP-43.

Probing atomic chicken wire: Mounting graphene on boron nitride dramatically improves electronic properties Posted: 07 Mar 2011 05:00 AM PST Graphene -- a sheet of carbon atoms linked in a hexagonal, chicken wire structure -- could someday make electronic devices smaller, faster and more energy-efficient. Researchers have demonstrated that mounting graphene on boron nitride instead of silicon oxide dramatically improves its electronic properties.

The better off sleep better Posted: 07 Mar 2011 05:00 AM PST The employed and self-employed enjoy much better sleep than those out of work, according to Understanding Society, the world's largest longitudinal household study. Those who are unemployed are over 40% more likely to report difficulty staying asleep than those in employment (having controlled for age and gender differences). However, job satisfaction affects the quality of sleep with 33% of the most dissatisfied employees report poor sleep quality compared to only 18% of the most satisfied.

Human activity displaces predators more than prey Posted: 07 Mar 2011 02:00 AM PST Prey species have an advantage over predators in wilderness areas subject to human disturbance related to recreation and resource development, according to a study conducted in the Rocky Mountain foothills near Calgary.

Stem cell study could aid motor neuron disease research Posted: 07 Mar 2011 02:00 AM PST Scientists have discovered a new way to generate human motor nerve cells in a development that will help research into motor neuron disease. Scientists have created a range of motor neurons -- nerves cells that send messages from the brain and spine to other parts of the body -- from human embryonic stem cells in the laboratory.

Hawaiian volcano crater floor collapse followed by eruption in fissue along Kilauea's east rift zone Posted: 07 Mar 2011 02:00 AM PST A fissure that opened on Kilauea's east rift zone after the March 5 collapse of the Pu'u 'O'o crater floor continues to erupt lava. Activity along the fissure was sporadic overnight and throughout the following day, with periods of quiet punctuated by episodes of lava spattering up to 25 meters (80 feet) high.

Sperm quality and counts worsening in Finland Posted: 07 Mar 2011 02:00 AM PST A new study reveals that semen quality has significantly deteriorated during the last ten years in Finland, a country that previously was a region with high sperm counts. At the same time, the incidence of testis cancer in the Finnish population showed a remarkable increase, following the worrying trends observed in several countries in Europe and the Americas.

Depression and anxiety differentially influence physical symptom reporting Posted: 07 Mar 2011 02:00 AM PST Researchers have for decades hypothesized that negative emotions lead to inflated reports of common physical symptoms, like headaches or an upset stomach. But a new study suggests that two negative emotions -- depression and anxiety -- influence symptom reporting in different ways.

The scars of impacts on Mars Posted: 06 Mar 2011 11:00 PM PST ESA's Mars Express has returned new images of an elongated impact crater in the southern hemisphere of Mars. Located just south of the Huygens basin, it could have been carved out by a train of projectiles striking the planet at a shallow angle.

Life-saving blood test for fungal meningitis, a leading cause of AIDS-related deaths in developing countries Posted: 06 Mar 2011 11:00 PM PST A new, rapid blood test that could lead to early diagnosis and potentially save the lives of hundreds of thousands of people stricken with fungal meningitis, a leading cause of AIDS-related deaths in developing countries, is getting closer to market with a recent collaboration of researchers.

Large forest animals contribute to plant diversity Posted: 06 Mar 2011 11:00 PM PST Over several decades, the growth in deer, roe deer and wild boar populations has spread to all of France. Researchers have shown that in spite of the damage caused, notably to bushes and young trees in forests and to crops, these animals also help in increasing plant diversity.

Boron neutron capture therapy is effective in advanced head and neck cancer, study suggests Posted: 06 Mar 2011 11:00 PM PST The years of work done on developing and clinically testing of BNCT -- or Boron Neutron Capture Therapy -- are now paying off. BNCT-based treatment has been successfully used to treat patients with advanced head and neck cancer who have not responded to previous treatments and generally have poor prognosis.

Speedy generic approval may not benefit consumers as much as expected, mathematical model shows Posted: 06 Mar 2011 11:00 PM PST Faster approval times for generic drugs will get them into consumers' hands quicker, but may not make the price any better, a pricing and marketing researcher has found. A mathematical model shows that fewer firms enter the marketplace because the chances of getting there first and commanding the best profits are dramatically smaller when drug approval times are shorter.

Racial identity tied to happiness, study finds Posted: 06 Mar 2011 11:00 PM PST African American people who identify more strongly with their racial identity are generally happier, according to a study by psychology researchers.

No such thing as a dormant volcano? Magma chambers awake sooner than thought Posted: 06 Mar 2011 11:00 AM PST Until now it was thought that once a volcano's magma chamber had cooled down it remained dormant for centuries before it could be remobilized by fresh magma. A theoretical model was tested on two major eruptions and completely overturned this hypothesis: the reawakening of a chamber could take place in just a few months. This research should lead to a reassessment of the dangerousness of some dormant volcanoes.

Possible role of damaged DNA in tumor development Posted: 06 Mar 2011 11:00 AM PST DNA provides the instruction manual for all life forms. Occasionally, instructions are not carried out properly, and bad messages are sent leading to the creation of mutant proteins and possible tumor development.

Human cues used to improve computer user-friendliness Posted: 06 Mar 2011 11:00 AM PST Researchers want computers to understand inputs from humans that go beyond the traditional keyboard and mouse. They have now developed ways to provide information to a computer based on where a user is looking as well as through gestures or speech.

Fast laser could revolutionize data communications Posted: 06 Mar 2011 11:00 AM PST Researchers have shown that a surface emitting laser – a cheaper and more energy-efficient type of laser for fiber optics than conventional lasers – can deliver error-free data at a record speed of 40 Gbit/s. The breakthrough could lead to faster Internet traffic, computers and mobile phones.

New microscope produces dazzling 3-D movies of live cells Posted: 06 Mar 2011 05:00 AM PST Scientists have invented a new microscope that uses an exquisitely thin sheet of light -- similar to that used in supermarket bar-code scanners -- to peer inside single living cells. The images they obtained reveal the three-dimensional shapes of cellular landmarks in unprecedented detail.

Novel mechanism for control of gene expression revealed Posted: 06 Mar 2011 05:00 AM PST Scientists have recently discovered a novel, evolutionarily conserved mechanism for the regulation of gene expression. Normal cell growth, embryonic development, and responses to stress, require proper spatial and temporal control of gene expression. Studies on control of transcription (RNA biosynthesis) are typically centered on understanding how the RNA polymerase is recruited to the promoter, the control region of a gene. However, new work has revealed the existence of a second level of control in a yeast model system.

Bone-creating protein could improve dental implant success Posted: 06 Mar 2011 05:00 AM PST Using a bone-creating protein to augment the maxillary sinus could improve dental implant success, according to new research.

Weight-loss surgery successful in treating overweight adolescents, study suggests Posted: 06 Mar 2011 05:00 AM PST Bariatric surgery can result in significant weight loss in severely obese adolescents.

Environmental impact of animal waste: Disposal of animal waste in large-scale swine production examined Posted: 06 Mar 2011 05:00 AM PST Scientists examined a series of commercial, anaerobic, swine wastewater lagoons in North and South Carolina for genes involved in the nitrogen cycling process.

Happy Hour linked to pub violence, UK study finds Posted: 06 Mar 2011 05:00 AM PST A new study has established a link between pub violence and happy hour-style drinking promotions. The findings also show that pub staff themselves need to do more to stop heavily intoxicated customers from continuing to drink.

Newly identified cell population key to immune response Posted: 05 Mar 2011 09:00 PM PST Scientists have identified the key immune cell population responsible for regulating the body's immune response. The finding could have wide-ranging repercussions for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, organ transplantation and cancer, and change how the efficacy of newly developed drugs is measured.

New role for an old molecule: Protecting the brain from epileptic seizures Posted: 05 Mar 2011 09:00 PM PST The aftermath of an epileptic seizure has some mysterious characters, including the molecule putrescine. In new research on tadpoles, which share similar brain chemistry with humans, putrescine emerges as a calming influence that conveys resistance to subsequent seizures. In the long run, the discovery could aid in developing drugs for young children with epilepsy.

NASA develops light microscope for International Space Station Posted: 05 Mar 2011 09:00 PM PST NASA has begun testing a new multi-capability microscope on the International Space Station. It will help scientists study the effects of the space environment on physics and biology aboard the orbiting laboratory. The microscope is isolated from vibrations on the station, allowing it to obtain clear, high-resolution images. Using high-resolution magnification, scientists can examine microorganisms and individual cells of plants and animals, including humans.

NASA makes use of historic test site for new robotic lander prototype tests Posted: 05 Mar 2011 09:00 PM PST Engineers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center have begun the first phase of integrated system tests on a new robotic lander prototype at Redstone Test Center's propulsion test facility on the U.S. Army Redstone Arsenal, also in Huntsville. These tests will aid in the design and development of a new generation of small, smart, versatile robotic landers capable of performing science and exploration research on the surface of the moon or other airless bodies, including near-Earth asteroids.

NASA studies the body's ability to fight infection Posted: 05 Mar 2011 09:00 PM PST Why do some people get sick while others stay healthy? Since space shuttle Discovery launched into orbit Feb. 24, 2011, it has brought NASA scientists one step closer to helping astronauts and the public discover ways to battle and prevent serious illness and infection.

New instrument keeps an 'eye' on nanoparticles Posted: 05 Mar 2011 09:00 PM PST Scientists have developed a new instrument capable of detecting individual nanoparticles with diameters as small as a few tens of nanometers.

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