ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

---

• NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft begins historic orbit around Mercury
• New study adds weight to diabetes drug link to heart problems
• Life expectancy rising in UK and Europe despite obesity epidemic
• A new evolutionary history of primates
• A mutation causing wrinkled skin of Shar-Pei dogs is linked to periodic fever disorder
• Daily home dialysis makes 'restless legs' better
• Wind and solar can reliably supply 25 percent of Oahu's electricity need, new study shows
• Experimental philosophy opens new avenues into old questions
• Heart damage improves, reverses after stem cell injections in a preliminary human trial
• Cassini sees seasonal rains transform surface of Saturn's moon Titan
• Survival matching should be used to allocate donated kidneys to transplant recipients, experts urge
• Solar greenhouses: China's winning solution to global energy crisis
• New research tool targets microRNA expression in zebrafish
• Want more zest for life? Consider gardening!
• Corn gluten meal tested on squash survival, yields
• Scientists take a look at systems biology and cellular networking
• Gardening linked to increased vegetable consumption in older adults
• Recycling perlite: Method gives smaller greenhouse operations economical, eco-friendly alternative
• New software calculates heating costs in greenhouse operations
• Optimizing yield and fruit size of figs: Research produces recommendations for effective pruning strategies
• Electric grid reliability: Increasing energy storage in vanadium redox batteries by 70 percent
• Biodiversity conservation: Zoos urged to breed animals from threatened populations
• Psychologists design 60-minute exercise that raises GPAs of minority students
• Sexual plant reproduction: Male and female parts 'talk' in the same way as do cells in your brain
• Breastfed children do better at school, study suggests
• Bomb disposal robot getting ready for front-line action
• How do consumers estimate a good time?
• Scientists ID possible biomarker to gauge Alzheimer's prognosis, effect of therapies
• Smart phones not replacing other media for news access, at least not yet
• Buying a new product: When is it better to ask a novice rather than an expert?
• Intervention offers 'best chance' to save species endangered by climate change, expert argues
• What does signing your name mean in the marketplace?
• American Thoracic Society issues statement on the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
• Stem cells may be key to understanding the origins of colon cancer and detecting relapse
• Product choice: Why do consumers misestimate their abilities?
• Virtual conversation simulator found beneficial for adults with autism
• Cranky? On a diet? How self-control leads to anger
• Getting healthy: When does prediction help people change their habits?
• Self-administered light therapy may improve cognitive function after traumatic brain injury
• Vitamin A plays key role in the human body, study suggests
• Possible biomarker and therapeutic target for melanoma discovered
• Flowering plant study 'catches evolution in the act'
• Studies on heart disease and stroke prevention overlook ethnic groups, study shows
• Green sludge can protect groundwater from radioactive contamination, study suggests
• In pilot study, screening detects potentially serious heart conditions in healthy children
• New targeted drug helps smokers quit
• Modified mRNA is the key to novel anti-cancer therapy, experts offer
• US healthcare system can't keep up with number of baby boomers' bone fractures, report finds
• E. coli engineered to produce record-setting amounts of alternative fuel
• Scientists create stem cells from schizophrenia patients
• New tool to monitor coral reef 'vital signs'
• New technique enables much faster production of inexpensive solar cells
• More efficient means of creating, arranging carbon nanofibers developed
• Human prejudice has ancient evolutionary roots
• Psychological impact of Japan disaster will be felt 'for some time to come'
• Production of mustard oils: On the origin of an enzyme
• Magnetic stripes behind mysterious hourglass magnetic spectrum of high temperature superconductors?
• Marathon runners can suffer allergic reactions
• Research could lead to new prostate cancer drugs
• New treatment for thrombosis?

NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft begins historic orbit around Mercury Posted: 17 Mar 2011 08:21 PM PDT NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft successfully achieved orbit around Mercury at approximately 9 p.m. EDT Thursday. This marks the first time a spacecraft has accomplished this engineering and scientific milestone at our solar system's innermost planet.

New study adds weight to diabetes drug link to heart problems Posted: 17 Mar 2011 06:03 PM PDT A new study adds to mounting evidence that rosiglitazone -- a drug used to treat Type 2 diabetes -- is associated with an increased risk of major heart problems.

Life expectancy rising in UK and Europe despite obesity epidemic Posted: 17 Mar 2011 06:03 PM PDT Life expectancy in Europe keeps increasing despite the obesity epidemic, with people in Britain reaching an older age than those living in the US, according to an analysis of trends over the last 40 years.

A new evolutionary history of primates Posted: 17 Mar 2011 02:20 PM PDT A robust new phylogenetic tree resolves many long-standing issues in primate taxonomy. The genomes of living primates harbor remarkable differences in diversity and provide an intriguing context for interpreting human evolution. The phylogenetic analysis was conducted by international researchers to determine the origin, evolution, patterns of speciation, and unique features in genome divergence among primate lineages.

A mutation causing wrinkled skin of Shar-Pei dogs is linked to periodic fever disorder Posted: 17 Mar 2011 02:20 PM PDT An international investigation has uncovered the genetics of the Shar-Pei dog's characteristic wrinkled skin. The researchers, led by scientists at Uppsala University and the Broad Institute, have connected this mutation to a periodic fever disorder and they propose that the findings could have important human health implications. Details appear on March 17 in the open-access journal PLoS Genetics.

Daily home dialysis makes 'restless legs' better Posted: 17 Mar 2011 02:20 PM PDT For dialysis patients, performing daily dialysis at home can help alleviate sleep problems related to restless legs syndrome (RLS), according to a new study. Restless legs syndrome is a common and troublesome problem for dialysis patients, affects hemodialysis patients about four times as often as people in the general population.

Wind and solar can reliably supply 25 percent of Oahu's electricity need, new study shows Posted: 17 Mar 2011 01:36 PM PDT When combined with on-Oahu wind farms and solar energy, the Interisland Wind project planned to bring 400 megawatts (MW) of wind power from Molokai and Lanai to Oahu could reliably supply more than 25 percent of Oahu's projected electricity demand, according to a new study.

Experimental philosophy opens new avenues into old questions Posted: 17 Mar 2011 01:36 PM PDT A philosophy professor examines the notions of free will and determinism through test methods used in social sciences. Experimental philosophy can likely help address other conundrums as well.

Heart damage improves, reverses after stem cell injections in a preliminary human trial Posted: 17 Mar 2011 01:36 PM PDT Researchers have shown in a small study that stem cell therapy can reverse heart damage in patients with enlarged hearts due to heart attacks. The benefit from stem cell injections was up to three times better than that offered by current medical treatments: heart size decreased, scar tissue decreased and heart function improved. The treatment is experimental and needs to be tested in larger trials, but it is promising for heart patients.

Cassini sees seasonal rains transform surface of Saturn's moon Titan Posted: 17 Mar 2011 12:27 PM PDT As spring continues to unfold at Saturn, April showers on the planet's largest moon, Titan, have brought methane rain to its equatorial deserts, as revealed in images captured by NASA's Cassini spacecraft. This is the first time scientists have obtained current evidence of rain soaking Titan's surface at low latitudes.

Survival matching should be used to allocate donated kidneys to transplant recipients, experts urge Posted: 17 Mar 2011 12:24 PM PDT Providing kidney transplants to patients with the best probability of longer survival would reduce repeat transplant operations and improve life span after kidney transplant.

Solar greenhouses: China's winning solution to global energy crisis Posted: 17 Mar 2011 12:24 PM PDT A new report from China touts the benefits of solar greenhouses as having the potential to solve the world's energy crisis and climate change. The research study of China's single-slope solar greenhouses provides important recommendations for agricultural operations in China and countries such as Japan, Korea, and Russia, where the designs have been successfully adopted. The researchers discuss the challenges of solar dependence in winter and recommend strategies for sustaining the development of solar structures.

New research tool targets microRNA expression in zebrafish Posted: 17 Mar 2011 12:24 PM PDT A new research tool for studying microRNA expression in zebrafish will help researchers study the effects of miRNA on the early development of this model organism and better understand developmental and disease mechanisms in humans.

Want more zest for life? Consider gardening! Posted: 17 Mar 2011 12:24 PM PDT New research makes a strong case for the benefits of gardening for older adults. The study of adults age 65 and older found that gardeners scored higher on a life satisfaction survey than respondents that did not participate in gardening. Older gardeners reported being more optimistic and having higher energy levels than their non-gardening counterparts, and rated their physical health as better -- all factors that add up to an increased quality of life.

Corn gluten meal tested on squash survival, yields Posted: 17 Mar 2011 12:24 PM PDT A study of corn gluten meal (CGM) applied to direct-seeded squash includes useful information for growers of all types of organic vegetables. The experiments tested the impact of a range of CGM applications on direct-seeded squash plant survival and yields. One notable result showed that using a CGM-free planting strip with CGM applied between crop rows provided increased crop safety for direct-seeded squash compared with broadcast applications.

Scientists take a look at systems biology and cellular networking Posted: 17 Mar 2011 11:14 AM PDT Systems biology holds promise for advances in such important areas as pharmaceuticals, environmental remediation and sustainable energy, but, according to two leading authorities, its most profound impact is that it might one day provide an answer to the central question: What is life?

Gardening linked to increased vegetable consumption in older adults Posted: 17 Mar 2011 11:14 AM PDT A study of older adults has revealed some interesting nutritional benefits to gardening. Researchers compared fruit and vegetable consumption of older gardeners and non-gardeners, and investigated differences in fruit and vegetable consumption of long-term gardeners compared with newer gardeners. The results suggested that offering gardening "intervention" programs for older adults could be an effective way to improve vegetable and fruit consumption in the population.

Recycling perlite: Method gives smaller greenhouse operations economical, eco-friendly alternative Posted: 17 Mar 2011 11:14 AM PDT A new method for recycling perlite provides greenhouse tomato growers with a cost-effective option that preserves natural resources while maintaining yield. Experiments using three recycling methods produced a clear winner; the "no stir/sift-then-disinfect method" proved less time-consuming, more economical, and had no negative impact on tomato yield. The method also reduced labor required to remove used growing medium from greenhouses, transport it to a disposal site, and fill bags with new perlite.

New software calculates heating costs in greenhouse operations Posted: 17 Mar 2011 11:14 AM PDT A recently premiered software system can help greenhouse operators improve heating efficiency and generate more accurate energy analyses. The program, called Virtual Grower, pulls from a database of weather information to help greenhouse operators calculate heating costs. The system allows users to define specific design characteristics such as building material and construction style, and incorporates methods for estimating typical commercial-scale heating system efficiencies and air infiltration values.

Optimizing yield and fruit size of figs: Research produces recommendations for effective pruning strategies Posted: 17 Mar 2011 11:14 AM PDT South African researchers published a new study that provides valuable information for fig growers. The scientists evaluated the number of fruit, budbreak, and shoot growth on 1-year-old shoots for three common fig cultivars; results revealed pruning strategies that ensure a balance between current-season yield and development of new fruiting wood. The study proves that a wide range of shoot lengths is productive and presents data to help growers achieve consistently high yields.

Electric grid reliability: Increasing energy storage in vanadium redox batteries by 70 percent Posted: 17 Mar 2011 11:14 AM PDT Researchers have discovered that the vanadium redox battery's performance can be significantly improved by modifying its electrolyte solution. The finding could improve the electric grid's reliability and help connect more wind turbines and solar panels to the grid.

Biodiversity conservation: Zoos urged to breed animals from threatened populations Posted: 17 Mar 2011 11:14 AM PDT Zoological gardens breed animals from threatened populations and can thus make a greater contribution towards biodiversity conservation.

Psychologists design 60-minute exercise that raises GPAs of minority students Posted: 17 Mar 2011 11:14 AM PDT What could you do for an hour in the first year of college that would improve minority students' grades over the next three years, reduce the racial achievement gap by half and, years later, make students happier and healthier? The answer, psychologists suggest, involves an exercise to help make students feel confident they belong in college.

Sexual plant reproduction: Male and female parts 'talk' in the same way as do cells in your brain Posted: 17 Mar 2011 11:14 AM PDT Scientist have discovered that pollen, the organ that contains the plant male gametes, communicate with the pistil, their female counterpart, using a mechanism commonly observed in the nervous system of animals.

Breastfed children do better at school, study suggests Posted: 17 Mar 2011 11:11 AM PDT Researchers have shown that breastfeeding causes children to do better at school. The study found that as little as four weeks of breastfeeding for a newborn baby has a significant effect on brain development, which persists until the child is at least 14 years old.

Bomb disposal robot getting ready for front-line action Posted: 17 Mar 2011 10:14 AM PDT The University of Greenwich has joined forces with a Kent-based company in the design and manufacture of a bomb disposal robot for use by security forces, including the British Army.

How do consumers estimate a good time? Posted: 17 Mar 2011 10:12 AM PDT Consumers estimate they'll spend more time enjoying activities when the tasks are broken down into components, according to a new study. But using the same process for an unpleasant event decreases time estimates.

Scientists ID possible biomarker to gauge Alzheimer's prognosis, effect of therapies Posted: 17 Mar 2011 10:12 AM PDT Researchers have identified a new biomarker that could help them track how effectively the immune system is able to clear the brain of amyloid beta, which forms the plaques considered one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. The pilot study demonstrates how the immune gene MGAT3, which is essential in clearing amyloid beta, is expressed differently in different Alzheimer's patients. The finding may be useful in providing more highly individualized disease prognoses in the future.

Smart phones not replacing other media for news access, at least not yet Posted: 17 Mar 2011 10:12 AM PDT In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers found that mobile media technologies such as smart phones aren't taking people away from relying on traditional media sources such as newspapers or television. Instead, mobile media are filling the spaces in people's daily routine in which other media sources are either unavailable or inconvenient to use.

Buying a new product: When is it better to ask a novice rather than an expert? Posted: 17 Mar 2011 10:12 AM PDT If you're considering a purchase, you might want to avoid asking an expert's advice. According to a new study, experts have a hard time recalling product features -- especially if they feel they need to explain their logic.

Intervention offers 'best chance' to save species endangered by climate change, expert argues Posted: 17 Mar 2011 10:12 AM PDT A scientist is proposing a radical program of "assisted colonization" to save species endangered by climate change. He says the strategy is applicable across the world, and he suggests Britain as a potential haven for species such as the Iberian lynx, the Spanish Imperial Eagle, the Pyrenean Desman and the Provence Chalkhill Blue butterfly.

What does signing your name mean in the marketplace? Posted: 17 Mar 2011 10:12 AM PDT Signing your name on the dotted line heightens your sense of self and leads to purchase behavior that affirms your self-identity, according to a new study. But signing can reduce engagement in consumers who don't identify strongly with a product or category.

American Thoracic Society issues statement on the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis Posted: 17 Mar 2011 10:12 AM PDT The American Thoracic Society has released new official clinical guidelines on the diagnosis and management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The statement replaces ATS guidelines published in 2000, and reviews current knowledge in the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis and management of IPF, as well as available treatment options, including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies and palliative care.

Stem cells may be key to understanding the origins of colon cancer and detecting relapse Posted: 17 Mar 2011 10:11 AM PDT Colorectal cancer cells trigger a set of genes similar to those found in intestinal stem cells, scientists have found. The team of researchers propose that patients with colorectal cancer undergo genetic tests of their intestinal epithelium in order to predict a higher risk of relapse. The results of the study offer new possibilities for diagnosing and treating the disease.

Product choice: Why do consumers misestimate their abilities? Posted: 17 Mar 2011 10:11 AM PDT Even if you have a grasp on your own abilities, you might have trouble estimating the abilities of others, according to a new study. These false impressions affect people's product choices.

Virtual conversation simulator found beneficial for adults with autism Posted: 17 Mar 2011 10:10 AM PDT Simulated interactions in which adults with autism converse with a virtual partner may help them develop better social interaction skills, according to a novel study.

Cranky? On a diet? How self-control leads to anger Posted: 17 Mar 2011 10:10 AM PDT People who make an effort to exert self-control are attracted to aggressive art and public policy appeals, according to a new study. They also don't appreciate messages that nag them to control their behavior.

Getting healthy: When does prediction help people change their habits? Posted: 17 Mar 2011 10:10 AM PDT If you ask people how much they plan to exercise, they'll exercise more -- but only if that's a personal goal, according to a new study.

Self-administered light therapy may improve cognitive function after traumatic brain injury Posted: 17 Mar 2011 10:10 AM PDT At-home, daily application of light therapy via light-emitting diodes placed on the forehead and scalp led to improvements in cognitive function and post-traumatic stress disorder in patients with a traumatic brain injury, according to a new study.

Vitamin A plays key role in the human body, study suggests Posted: 17 Mar 2011 10:10 AM PDT In a recently published study mapping the structure and function of the so-called "orphan" nuclear receptor TR4, investigators suggest that vitamin A may play a more direct role than was previously known in certain physiological functions including sperm cell formation and the development of the central nervous system.

Possible biomarker and therapeutic target for melanoma discovered Posted: 17 Mar 2011 10:10 AM PDT Researchers have identified a potential new biomarker and therapeutic target for melanoma. The novel cell screening method used in the study also clarifies the process behind tumor metastasis and may allow the identification of biomarkers for other aggressive cancers.

Flowering plant study 'catches evolution in the act' Posted: 17 Mar 2011 10:10 AM PDT A new study shows when two flowering plants are crossed to produce a new hybrid, the new species' genes are reset, allowing for greater genetic variation.

Studies on heart disease and stroke prevention overlook ethnic groups, study shows Posted: 17 Mar 2011 08:54 AM PDT Major clinical studies that evaluate prevention strategies for heart disease and stroke fail to consider a participant's ethnicity, a factor that can more than double the rate of death in some groups, according to new research.

Green sludge can protect groundwater from radioactive contamination, study suggests Posted: 17 Mar 2011 08:54 AM PDT Anyone planning a storage facility for atomic waste should make sure to bury their canisters in an area where green rust will form.

In pilot study, screening detects potentially serious heart conditions in healthy children Posted: 17 Mar 2011 08:54 AM PDT A pilot study in healthy children and adolescents shows that it is feasible to screen for undiagnosed heart conditions that increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Adding a 10-minute, relatively low-cost electrocardiogram to a history and physical examination identified unsuspected cases of potentially serious heart conditions.

New targeted drug helps smokers quit Posted: 17 Mar 2011 08:53 AM PDT Researchers have been developing a targeted drug that could aid in smoking reduction therapy. The new drug slows down the metabolism of nicotine, which would help smokers to cut down their smoking.

Modified mRNA is the key to novel anti-cancer therapy, experts offer Posted: 17 Mar 2011 08:53 AM PDT Modern gene therapies raise hopes of combating many diseases until now considered terminal. Today, however, the methods are expensive and carry a risk of severe complications. Modifications to ribonucleic acid mRNA may offer safer and more effective gene drug alternatives. Clinical trials of the first new-generation anti-cancer vaccine will begin later this year.

US healthcare system can't keep up with number of baby boomers' bone fractures, report finds Posted: 17 Mar 2011 07:26 AM PDT Many baby boomers will experience a bone fracture as they age, and the current US health-care system is not prepared to provide the necessary care required, according to a new report.

E. coli engineered to produce record-setting amounts of alternative fuel Posted: 17 Mar 2011 07:26 AM PDT Scientists have produced 15 to 30 grams per liter of n-butanol by constructing a biochemical pathway and adding a driving force to E. coli, setting a record beyond current production practices.

Scientists create stem cells from schizophrenia patients Posted: 17 Mar 2011 07:26 AM PDT Using skin cells from adult siblings with schizophrenia and a genetic mutation linked to major mental illnesses, researchers have created induced pluripotent stem cells using a new and improved "clean" technique.

New tool to monitor coral reef 'vital signs' Posted: 17 Mar 2011 07:25 AM PDT Scientists have created a new tool to monitor coral reef vital signs. By accurately measuring their biological pulse, scientists can better assess how climate change and other ecological threats impact coral reef health worldwide.

New technique enables much faster production of inexpensive solar cells Posted: 17 Mar 2011 07:25 AM PDT Researchers have demonstrated that the speed at which inexpensive solar cells are produced can be increased by a factor of 10 -- and that this can be achieved without any detriment to the energy yield of the cells. This will almost certainly result in a further reduction in the price of the cells, which are made of amorphous silicon.

More efficient means of creating, arranging carbon nanofibers developed Posted: 17 Mar 2011 07:25 AM PDT Carbon nanofibers hold promise for technologies ranging from medical imaging devices to precise scientific measurement tools, but the time and expense associated with uniformly creating nanofibers of the correct size has been an obstacle -- until now. A new study demonstrates an improved method for creating carbon nanofibers of specific sizes, as well as explaining the science behind the method.

Human prejudice has ancient evolutionary roots Posted: 17 Mar 2011 07:25 AM PDT The tendency to perceive others as "us versus them" isn't exclusively human but appears to be shared by our primate cousins, a new study has found.

Psychological impact of Japan disaster will be felt 'for some time to come' Posted: 17 Mar 2011 07:25 AM PDT The psychological impact of natural disasters such as the Japan earthquake can be revealed in the way people inherently respond to unpredictable situations, according to a psychology expert.

Production of mustard oils: On the origin of an enzyme Posted: 17 Mar 2011 07:25 AM PDT In the evolutionary arms race, small changes can be sufficient to gain advantage. Scientists found that the ancestor of a gene involved in making chemical defenses in plants of the mustard family, such as rapeseed, originally had a completely different function, playing a part in the formation of leucine, an amino acid. Small changes in the enzyme structure enabled it to take over new tasks that could increase the survival advantage of the plants.

Magnetic stripes behind mysterious hourglass magnetic spectrum of high temperature superconductors? Posted: 17 Mar 2011 06:34 AM PDT New evidence suggests fluctuating magnetic stripes are the cause of mysterious hourglass magnetic spectrum of high temperature superconductors. Scientists have used neutrons to probe the magnetic glue thought to produce high temperature superconductivity and have identified stripes of magnetic moments and charge as the cause of a strange hourglass-shaped magnetic spectrum. Their findings will aid the search for a model of high temperature superconductivity.

Marathon runners can suffer allergic reactions Posted: 17 Mar 2011 06:34 AM PDT As almost 40,000 runners get set to take part in this year's London Marathon, a new study has found that one in three will suffer from allergies after the event. Researchers have shown how far symptoms such as itchy eyes, a runny nose and congestion can be attributed to allergic reactions.

Research could lead to new prostate cancer drugs Posted: 17 Mar 2011 06:33 AM PDT New research could lead to new drugs for prostate cancer. Scientists will investigate the mechanism that controls alterations in cells in the prostate gland and the possibility that prostate cancer arises because of some form of mistaken change happening to these cells.

New treatment for thrombosis? Posted: 17 Mar 2011 06:33 AM PDT Scientists have announced a breakthrough in understanding how to control blood clotting which could lead to the development of new treatments and save the lives of thousands of people each year.

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