ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Great Apes Think Ahead: Conclusive Evidence Of Advanced Planning Capacities Posted: 19 Jun 2008 01:00 PM CDT Apes can plan for their future needs just as we humans can -- by using self-control and imagining future events. Swedish researchers are the first to provide conclusive evidence of advanced planning capacities in nonhuman species.

First Gene Therapy For Heart Failure Offered In Clinical Trials Posted: 19 Jun 2008 01:00 PM CDT Could injecting a gene into a patient with severe heart failure reverse their disabling and life-threatening condition? Physician-scientists are setting out to answer that question in a first-ever clinical trial of gene therapy to treat severe heart failure.

Test Of Bacteria Toxin Delivery System Could Pave Way For New Antibiotic Drugs Posted: 19 Jun 2008 01:00 PM CDT Researchers have achieved a breakthrough in monitoring the toxin-delivery system of highly pathogenic bacteria -- an accomplishment that could help pave the way for new drugs that will be capable of neutralizing those germs.

PET Scans Reveal Hormone Replacement Therapy May Be Beneficial For Postmenopausal Women Posted: 19 Jun 2008 01:00 PM CDT Postmenopausal women are at an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease, yet recent research studies have sometimes resulted in conflicting data regarding how best to treat or minimize the effects of the disease.

IRobot Secures Licensing Agreement For Underwater Seagliders Posted: 19 Jun 2008 01:00 PM CDT University of Washington record-holding, ocean-observing robots that operate at sea for months at a time -- traveling thousands of miles at the behest of operators on land directing activities via a satellite phone network -- will be commercially produced by iRobot under a new licensing agreement.

Ordered Drinks Can Be Larger And Have Greater Alcohol Content Than You May Think Posted: 19 Jun 2008 01:00 PM CDT Most alcohol research tends to assume that drinks contain the same amount of pure alcohol: 0.6 ounces or 18 milliliters. Why is this important? Researchers need accuracy to do their job well, and consumers need to know what they're drinking, especially if they are going to drive. New research has found that the average size of wine, mixed drinks and beer served in Northern California bars, restaurants and other drinking establishments is larger than the standard, and alcohol content can vary widely. Researchers visited 80 bars and restaurants in Northern California.

Birds Communicate Reproductive Success In Song Posted: 19 Jun 2008 10:00 AM CDT Some migratory songbirds figure out the best place to live by eavesdropping on the singing of others that successfully have had baby birds -- a communication and behavioral trait so strong that researchers playing recorded songs induced them to nest in places they otherwise would have avoided.

Stem Cell Researchers Give Old Muscle New Pep Posted: 19 Jun 2008 10:00 AM CDT When bioengineers tweaked how adult stem cells reacted to biochemical signals regulating cell division, they gave muscle in old mice a shot of youthful vigor. The research sets the path for research on new treatments for age-related degenerative conditions, including muscle atrophy and Alzheimer's disease.

Marine Biologists Investigate Aliens Beneath The Waves Posted: 19 Jun 2008 10:00 AM CDT Marine biologists are appealing for help from the public in looking at ways to detect and stop the spread of marine aliens.

Molecular Imaging Sheds New Light On Progression Of Alzheimer's Disease Posted: 19 Jun 2008 10:00 AM CDT In the past, physicians were able only to follow the progression of Alzheimer's disease through careful clinical histories, noting the often subtle changes associated with cognitive decline over a number of years. Recent research suggests that the use of molecular imaging in the management of neurodegenerative disease, particularly for early diagnosis of AD, will enable researchers to monitor the progression of the disease, identifying those at risk and assessing the effectiveness of new therapies.

Low Cost Quantum Dots For Biological Research Produced Through Microwave Synthesis Posted: 19 Jun 2008 10:00 AM CDT Materials researchers have developed a simplified, low-cost process for producing high-quality, water-soluble 'quantum dots' for biological research.

Steroids In Female Mouse Urine Light Up Nose Nerves Of Male Mice Posted: 19 Jun 2008 10:00 AM CDT A group of steroids found in female mouse urine goes straight to the male mouse's head. Researchers found the compounds activate nerve cells in the male mouse's nose with unprecedented effectiveness.

Worm-like Marine Animal Providing Fresh Clues About Human Evolution Posted: 19 Jun 2008 07:00 AM CDT Research on the genome of a marine creature is shedding new light on a key area of the tree of life. Because amphioxus is evolving slowly -- its body plan remains similar to that of fossils from the Cambrian time -- the animal serves as an intriguing comparison point for tracing how vertebrates have evolved and adapted. This includes new information about how vertebrates have employed old genes for new functions.

Patient's Own Infection-fighting T Cells Put Late-stage Melanoma Into Long-term Remission Posted: 19 Jun 2008 07:00 AM CDT Researchers describe the first successful use of a human patient's cloned infection-fighting T cells as the sole therapy to put an advanced solid-tumor cancer into long-term remission.

Plants Can Make Golf Courses Greener By Filtering Pesticides Posted: 19 Jun 2008 07:00 AM CDT Researchers have found several plants, including blue flag iris, that can reduce the amount of common pesticides used on gold courses in soils. Using these plants as a "living filter" on the edge of golf greens will help protect waterways from the impact of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides.

New Possibilities For Breast Cancer Treatment On The Horizon Posted: 19 Jun 2008 07:00 AM CDT The first patient scans from a custom-built scanner combining positron emission tomography and computed tomography technologies indicate that these scans could significantly improve breast cancer imaging capabilities and lead to more targeted treatment options, according to researchers. The prototype scanner is designed to help physicians determine stages of breast cancer in patients already diagnosed with the disease, rather than as a mammography screening tool.

Grains And Liquids Demonstrate Similar Cohesion Effects Posted: 19 Jun 2008 07:00 AM CDT What if sand flowed like water? Researchers have just demonstrated that even without an attractive force between grains in flowing sand, they have a cohesion similar to that of liquids.

Claims Linking Health Problems And The Strength Of Cannabis May Be Exaggerated Posted: 19 Jun 2008 07:00 AM CDT Claims that a large increase in the strength of cannabis over the last decade is driving the occurrence of mental health and other problems for users are not borne out by a study of the worldwide literature, say researchers at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre and the National Drug Research Institute, both from Australia.

Thinking Ahead: Bacteria Anticipate Coming Changes In Their Environment Posted: 19 Jun 2008 04:00 AM CDT Microbes may be smarter than we think. Bacteria don't just react to changes in their surroundings -- they anticipate and prepare for them. The findings, reported in Science, challenge the prevailing notion that only organisms with complex nervous systems have this ability.

New Cancer Treatment Targets Both Tumor Cells And Blood Vessels Posted: 19 Jun 2008 04:00 AM CDT It takes more than one punch to fight tumors. Often, tumors have more than one way of surviving, and attacking the tumor alone is not enough. Now, in a new study, University of Missouri researchers have developed a new non-toxic treatment that effectively reduces breast cancer cells, by combining a small molecular drug that targets tumor cells with an antibody that causes selective shutdown of tumor blood vessels.

Tropical Forest Sustainability: A Climate Change Boon Posted: 19 Jun 2008 04:00 AM CDT Improved management of the world's tropical forests has major implications for humanity's ability to reduce its contribution to climate change, according to a new article in Science.

Unexpected Link Between Coronavirus Replication And Protein Secretion In Infected Cells Posted: 19 Jun 2008 04:00 AM CDT Coronavirus replication is critically linked to two factors within the early secretory pathway, according to new findings in PLoS Pathogens. The SARS virus is within the coronavirus group.

Computer Predicts Anti-cancer Molecules Posted: 19 Jun 2008 04:00 AM CDT A new computer-based method of analyzing cellular activity has correctly predicted the anti-tumor activity of several molecules. New research in Molecular Cancer describes 'CoMet' -- a tool that studies the integrated machinery of the cell and predicts those components that will have an effect on cancer.

Group Therapy May Help Memory Posted: 19 Jun 2008 04:00 AM CDT Investigators are reporting a new method of improving memory disturbances in the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. Patients with memory complaints, but without objective cognitive impairment, suffer considerably in their daily lives, as they experience frequent lapses of memory and attention leading to embarrassment, anxiety, reported occupational shortcomings and often the fear of dementia.

Chimps Not So Selfish: Comforting Behavior May Well Be Expression Of Empathy Posted: 19 Jun 2008 01:00 AM CDT Compared to their sex-mad, peace-loving bonobo counterparts, chimpanzees are often seen as a scheming, war-mongering, and selfish species. As both apes are allegedly our closest relatives, together they are often depicted as representing the two extremes of human behavior.

Gene Variants Linked To Metabolic Syndrome And HDL Cholesterol Levels Posted: 19 Jun 2008 01:00 AM CDT Nutrition researchers have identified five common genetic variations that increase the risk of metabolic syndrome, a group of factors linked to heart disease and diabetes. Another variant they found appeared to protect against the condition.

NASA Aircraft Examine Impact Of Forest Fires On Arctic Climate Posted: 19 Jun 2008 01:00 AM CDT As the summer fire season heats up, NASA aircraft are set to follow the trail of smoke plumes from some of Earth's northernmost forest fires, examining their contribution to arctic pollution and implications for climate change.

The APCs Of Nerve Cell Function Posted: 19 Jun 2008 01:00 AM CDT Best known for its role in colorectal cancer, the protein adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) has recently been found to play an essential role in the nervous system. This new study provides novel insights into the molecular basis of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, mental retardation, schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders.

Computers As Safe As Medical Experts In Prescribing Blood Thinning Drugs Posted: 19 Jun 2008 01:00 AM CDT The largest ever study into the administration of blood thinning drugs, principally warfarin, has concluded that dosages calculated by computer are at least as safe and reliable as those provided by expert medical professionals.

People With Lower Incomes, Lower Education Levels Have Higher Death Rates After Heart Attacks Posted: 19 Jun 2008 01:00 AM CDT Researchers have long suspected that socioeconomic factors like education level and income also might affect survival rates following heart attack. Researchers present new data suggesting that people with lower incomes and education levels are more likely to die after heart attack than more affluent, educated people.

Flies Found To Have Internal Thermosensors To Monitor Environmental Temperatures Posted: 18 Jun 2008 10:00 PM CDT Flies, unlike humans, can't manipulate the temperature of their surroundings so they need to pick the best spot for flourishing. New research in Nature reveals that they have internal thermosensors to help them. As global warming leads hundreds of species, including insects, fish, birds, and mammals to seek out different environments in which temperature is more optimal, understanding the molecules and the internal neural cues that drive these behaviors will shed light on the strategies animals use to cope with changes in their environments.

New Cellular Mechanism That Will Significantly Advance Vaccine Development Discovered Posted: 18 Jun 2008 10:00 PM CDT Scientists have discovered a new, previously unknown mechanism in how the body fights a virus. The finding runs counter to traditional scientific understanding of this process and will provide scientists a more effective method for developing vaccines.

Plan To Conserve Forests May Be Detrimental To Other Ecosystems Posted: 18 Jun 2008 10:00 PM CDT Conserving biodiversity must be considered in plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation, researchers warn in Science. The UNFCCC is currently discussing ways of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation. REDD has potential to deliver benefits for biodiversity and people, as well as for the climate. These benefits will be concentrated in forests with high carbon stocks. Land use may shift to low-carbon forests and other ecosystems important for biodiversity.

HIV Screening Found Cost-effective In Older Adults Posted: 18 Jun 2008 10:00 PM CDT Recent studies suggest that large numbers of Americans remain sexually active well into their 60's, 70's and even 80's. But researchers say seniors may be overlooked as possible carriers of the AIDS virus, and based on a new study, they are recommending screening for most adults ages 55 to 75 as a sensible, cost-effective way to prolong life, and decrease the spread of the disease.

New Intrusion Tolerance Software Fortifies Server Security Posted: 18 Jun 2008 10:00 PM CDT In spite of increased focus and large investments in computer security, critical infrastructure systems remain vulnerable to attacks. The increasing sophistication and incessant morphing of cyber-attacks lend importance to the concept of intrusion tolerance: a system must fend off, or at least limit, the damage caused by unknown and/or undetected attacks.

It's The Way You Say It: How Using The Right Words Can Cut Environmental Conflicts Posted: 18 Jun 2008 10:00 PM CDT Ecologists have developed a new "tool" that could in future help prevent costly and acrimonious environmental conflicts such as campaigns against culling problem populations of charismatic animals and arguments over genetically modified organisms. The tool, published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, involves a novel use of computer-aided content analysis and is based on the recent environmental conflict surrounding hedgehog culling on the Outer Hebrides in Scotland.

Stress During Childhood Increases Risk Of Allergies Posted: 18 Jun 2008 07:00 PM CDT Moving house or the separation of parents can significantly increase the risk of children developing allergies later on. These are the results from a long-term study correlating lifestyle, immune system development and allergies.

Inflammatory Disease Causes Blindness, Study Suggests Posted: 18 Jun 2008 07:00 PM CDT New research shows a link between blindness and temporal arteritis, a problem that restricts blood flow to the brain. The research finds that giant cells play a key role in the disease, as well as another inflammatory problem that causes aches and stiffness in the arms, thighs and neck.

Dingo Urine Offers Humane Solution To Kangaroo Cull Posted: 18 Jun 2008 07:00 PM CDT Tasmania's marsupials have been offered a life-line by researchers utilizing cutting edge science involving fresh dingo urine. Historically, Tasmania's logging industry has used 1080 poison, shooting and more recently cyanide to control kangaroos and wallabies in areas marked for reforestation, however this method is unselective and kills all wildlife.

Blood Pressure Levels In Childhood Track Into Adulthood Posted: 18 Jun 2008 07:00 PM CDT High blood pressure in childhood is associated with higher blood pressure or hypertension in adulthood, according to a new study.

Rising Diesel Prices Renew Interest In Fuel-saving Technologies For Heavy Trucks Posted: 18 Jun 2008 07:00 PM CDT Diesel fuel prices approaching $5 a gallon -- and the resulting economic impact on products transported by truck -- have created renewed interest in fuel-saving technologies developed during the past decade.

Patterns Of Normal Brain Activity May Predispose Individuals To Different Symptoms Of Psychosis Posted: 18 Jun 2008 07:00 PM CDT A new study offers a potential predictive technique to anticipate how individuals might behave during a psychotic episode. The study related the brain activity of healthy participants to how they behaved after exposure to ketamine (a psychosis-inducing drug that mimics schizophrenia symptoms). The findings help explain why schizophrenia symptoms vary greatly from person to person and may ultimately help personalize diagnosis and intervention.

Black Holes Have Simple Feeding Habits Posted: 18 Jun 2008 04:00 PM CDT The biggest black holes may feed just like the smallest ones, according to data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and ground-based telescopes. This discovery supports the implication of Einstein's relativity theory that black holes of all sizes have similar properties, and will be useful for predicting the properties of a conjectured new class of black holes.

Olfactory Bulb Size May Change As Sense Of Smell Changes Posted: 18 Jun 2008 04:00 PM CDT The olfactory bulb in the brain appears to change in size in a way that corresponds to individual alterations in sense of smell, according to a report in the Archives of Otolaryngology -- Head & Neck Surgery.

Key Mechanism Of DDT Resistance Found In Malarial Mosquitoes Posted: 18 Jun 2008 04:00 PM CDT Researchers have identified a key detoxifying protein in Anopheles mosquitoes that metabolizes DDT, a synthetic insecticide used since World War II to control the mosquitoes that spread malaria.

Gene Variation May Be Why Some Don't Respond To Cholesterol-lowering Drugs Posted: 18 Jun 2008 04:00 PM CDT A variation in the way a gene is processed may explain varied individual responses to cholesterol-lowering drugs. This is the first study to show that a biological process substantially influences the effectiveness of cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins. The discovery could lead to better treatment for high cholesterol and other ailments.

New Soft Safety Helmet Lining Turns Into Rock Hard Shock Absorber When Hit Posted: 18 Jun 2008 04:00 PM CDT If something hits you on the head while you are wearing this safety helmet, its soft flexible inner layer will instantly turn into a rock-hard shock-absorbent material. The helmet is lined on the inside with a material that is soft and flexible under normal conditions, but which "locks" instantaneously, becoming hard and shock-absorbent, if the helmet is subjected to impact or blows.

Male Homosexuality Can Be Explained Through A Specific Model Of Darwinian Evolution, Study Shows Posted: 18 Jun 2008 04:00 PM CDT An Italian research team found that the evolutionary origin and maintenance of male homosexuality in human populations could be explained by a model based around the idea of sexually antagonistic selection, in which genetic factors spread in the population by giving a reproductive advantage to one sex while disadvantaging the other.

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ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

New Research On Octopuses Sheds Light On Memory Posted: 18 Jun 2008 10:00 AM CDT Research on octopuses has shed new light on how our brains store and recall memory. Why octopuses? Octopuses and other related creatures, known as cephalopods, are considered to be the most intelligent invertebrates because they have relatively large brains and they can be trained for various learning and memory tasks.

Abortion Drug's Off-label Use May Have Led To Deaths Posted: 18 Jun 2008 10:00 AM CDT Scientists suggests that the immunosuppressive effect of the drug misoprostol, if given vaginally rather than orally along with RU-486 to terminate a pregnancy, is likely the reason a small number of women taking the two-drug combination have contracted a rare, fatal bacterial infection.

Get A Little Sun This Summer -- It Could Help Save Your Life, Researcher Suggests Posted: 18 Jun 2008 10:00 AM CDT As summer comes and people across America get ready to start slathering on the sunscreen, a note of caution is in order -- a little sunshine is good for you. Studies increasingly are suggesting the value of vitamin D -- often known as the sunshine vitamin, because that's one way you can obtain it -- in everything from bone metabolism to maintaining muscle strength, immune function, reducing hypertension and possibly even playing a role in prevention of cancer and autoimmune disease.

Aerobic Exercise Increases A Blood Protein That May Suppress Appetite Posted: 18 Jun 2008 10:00 AM CDT Three months of aerobic exercise decreased body fat and calorie intake in overweight and obese people, according to a new study, and the researchers believe that changes to a central nervous system factor are responsible.

Perfecting A Solar Cell By Adding Imperfections Posted: 18 Jun 2008 10:00 AM CDT Nanotechnology is paving the way toward improved solar cells. New research shows that a film of carbon nanotubes may be able to replace two of the layers normally used in a solar cell, with improved performance at a lower cost. Researchers have found a surprising way to give the nanotubes the properties they need: add defects. Currently, these solar cells, called dye-sensitized solar cells, have a transparent film made of an oxide that is applied to glass and conducts electricity. In addition, a separate film made of platinum acts as a catalyst to speed the chemical reactions involved.

Type And Severity Of Combat Wounds In Iraq War Have Changed Over Time Posted: 18 Jun 2008 10:00 AM CDT The transition in Iraq from maneuver warfare to insurgency warfare is associated with changes in the type and severity of injuries treated by surgical units of the U.S. Marine Corps, according to a new report. In the second, insurgent phase of the war, injuries have been more severe, transport times longer, more injuries have occurred per individual and more soldiers have been killed in action or died of their wounds.

Symmetry Of Homosexual Brain Resembles That Of Opposite Sex, Swedish Study Finds Posted: 18 Jun 2008 07:00 AM CDT Swedish researchers have found that some physical attributes of the homosexual brain resemble those found in the opposite sex.

Grape Seed Extract May Reduce Cognitive Decline Associated With Alzheimer's Disease Posted: 18 Jun 2008 07:00 AM CDT A compound found in grape seed extract reduces plaque formation and resulting cognitive impairment in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease, new research shows. The nutritional supplement was as effective as red wine in preventing amyloid beta plaque build up.

Engineering Students Launch Record-breaking Balloon Posted: 18 Jun 2008 07:00 AM CDT Early-career engineers at Lockheed Martin who are also earning engineering degrees at Cornell broke the world amateur high-altitude balloon record in a recent near-space flight that exceeded 125,000 feet. The students' flight beat the previous amateur altitude record by nearly 5,000 feet.

Key Developmental Pathway Activates Lung Stem Cells Posted: 18 Jun 2008 07:00 AM CDT Researchers found that the activation of a molecular pathway important in stem cell and developmental biology leads to the increase in lung stem cells. Harnessing this knowledge could help develop therapies for lung-tissue repair after injury or disease.

Promising Step Towards More Effective Hydrogen Storage Posted: 18 Jun 2008 07:00 AM CDT Scientists have demonstrated an atomistic mechanism of hydrogen release in magnesium nanoparticles -- a potential hydrogen storage material.

Athletic Benefit Of Growth Hormone Doping: Is It All In The Athlete's Mind? Posted: 18 Jun 2008 07:00 AM CDT If athletes believe they are using a performing-enhancing drug, they may think their athletic performance improves, and in some men it can, even if they are actually taking a dummy drug, a new study has found.

Shallow Water Corals Evolved From Deep Sea Ancestors Posted: 18 Jun 2008 04:00 AM CDT New research shows that the second most diverse group of hard corals first evolved in the deep sea, and not in shallow waters. Stylasterids, or lace corals, diversified in deep waters before launching at least three successful invasions of shallow water tropical habitats in the past 40 million years. This finding provides the first strong evidence that a group of deep-sea animals invaded and diversified in shallow waters.

New Study Shows Potential To Treat Or Prevent Viral Cancers Posted: 18 Jun 2008 04:00 AM CDT A new study shows that radioimmunotherapy targeting viral antigens offers a novel option to treat -- or even prevent -- many viral cancers by targeting cancer cells expressing viral antigens or infected cells before they convert into malignancy.

Phoenix Makes First Trench In Science Preserve Posted: 18 Jun 2008 04:00 AM CDT NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander began digging in an area called "Wonderland" early Tuesday, taking its first scoop of soil from a polygonal surface feature within the "national park" region that mission scientists have been preserving for science.

Anti-inflammatory Effects Of Pomegranate In Rabbits: A Potential Treatment In Humans? Posted: 18 Jun 2008 04:00 AM CDT Oral ingestion of pomegranate extract reduces the production of chemicals that cause inflammation. The findings indicate that pomegranate extract may provide humans with relief of chronic inflammatory conditions.

Natural Plant Materials To Regulate Starch Digestion Posted: 18 Jun 2008 04:00 AM CDT Researchers in Switzerland are reporting discovery of natural plant materials that may regulate starch digestion -- slowing down the body's conversion of potatoes, rice, and other carbohydrate-rich foods into sugar. The findings could lead to new functional foods that fight diabetes according to research in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.

'Hazardous Drinking' May Be A New 'Check Stop' On The Way To Alcohol Dependence Posted: 18 Jun 2008 04:00 AM CDT Current diagnostic guides divide alcohol-use disorders into two categories: alcohol abuse/harmful use and alcohol dependence. Some researchers and clinicians believe this is insufficient, that there should be a third, preceding diagnosis known as "hazardous drinking," defined as drinking more than guidelines recommend. A Finnish study has found that hazardous drinking is quite common.

Soccer Parents: Why They Rage Posted: 18 Jun 2008 01:00 AM CDT A new study found that ego defensiveness, one of the triggers that ignites road rage, also kicks off parental "sideline rage," and that a parent with a control-oriented personality is more likely to react to that trigger by becoming angry and aggressive.

Ability To Track Stem Cells In Tumors Could Advance Cancer Treatments Posted: 18 Jun 2008 01:00 AM CDT Using noninvasive molecular imaging technology, a method has been developed to track the location and activity of mesenchymal stem cells in the tumors of living organisms. This ability could lead to major advances in the use of stem cell therapies to treat cancer.

Medical Research On Ice: Antarctic Study Will Measure How Humans Physically Adapt To Extreme Environment Posted: 18 Jun 2008 01:00 AM CDT New medical equipment recently delivered to the Antarctic station Concordia will help understand how our bodies physically adapt to this extreme environment -- knowledge which could help prepare for a future human mission to Mars. ESA is currently looking for a candidate with a medical background to support projects at the research base.

Serum Sodium Predicts Mortality 10 Times Higher In PAH Patients Posted: 18 Jun 2008 01:00 AM CDT Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension -- chronically high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs -- whose serum sodium levels are low have a very poor chance of survival and a high rate of right-heart failure, according to new research.

Threatened Or Invasive? Species' Fates Identified Posted: 18 Jun 2008 01:00 AM CDT A new ecological study should help identify species prone to extinction under environmental change, and species that are likely to become a pest. The researchers analysed life-history and ecological traits in more than 8900 species of the legume, or the Fabaceae plant family, and found a correlation between evolved species' traits and a particular susceptibility to a species becoming threatened or invasive.

Focus Attention Upon Distributors Of Human Growth Hormone, Scientists Urge Posted: 18 Jun 2008 01:00 AM CDT A great deal of attention has been paid to the use of growth hormone by elite athletes and a few vocal entertainers. But underlying this tip of the iceberg is a $2 billion dollar a year business, likely involving hundreds of thousands of regular people, and promoted by anti-aging and age-management clinics and compounding pharmacies who aggressively market and sell growth hormone with the claim that it has anti-aging or athletic enhancing properties.

Bee Species Outnumber Mammals And Birds Combined Posted: 17 Jun 2008 10:00 PM CDT Scientists have discovered that there are more bee species than previously thought. In the first global accounting of bee species in over a hundred years, scientists at the Division of Invertebrate Zoology at the American Museum of Natural History compiled online species pages and distribution maps for more than 19,200 described bee species, showcasing the diversity of these essential pollinators.

Researchers Use A Patient's Own Bone To Accelerate Orthodontics Posted: 17 Jun 2008 10:00 PM CDT Researchers at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry say they have improved upon a surgical procedure that rapidly straightens teeth, delivering a healthy bite and attractive smile in months instead of years.

Significant Efficacy Of Travelers' Diarrhea Vaccine Shown Posted: 17 Jun 2008 10:00 PM CDT Researchers have found that patients given a travelers' diarrhea vaccine were significantly less likely to suffer from clinically significant diarrhea than those who received placebo, according to a new study. The patch-based vaccine is part of the Phase 2 study in conjunction with the Iomai Corp.

Phoenix Lander Bakes Sample, Arm Digs Deeper Posted: 17 Jun 2008 10:00 PM CDT One of the ovens on NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander continued baking its first sample of Martian soil over the weekend, while the Robotic Arm dug deeper into the soil to learn more about white material first revealed on June 3.

Nerves Behind Pain Relief Provided By Stressful Situations Posted: 17 Jun 2008 10:00 PM CDT The increased beating of the heart that one experiences when in a stressful situation is just one part of the body's response, often known as the "fight-or-flight response", to stress. Another component of the fight-or-flight response is the suppression of pain, also known as stress-induced analgesia. New research has now revealed that nerves producing the peptide N/ORQ and nerves producing the peptide Hcrt are key regulators of SIA in mice.

Centromeres Cross Over, A Lot Posted: 17 Jun 2008 10:00 PM CDT Recombination at centromeres is higher than anywhere else on the chromosome, even though methyltransferases do their best to prevent it, according to new research. Centromeric recombination has been hard to study because the DNA at centromeres is so repetitive -- it's hard to see when a segment has switched chromatids.

Being Overweight Does Not Result In Decreased Sperm Production, Study Shows Posted: 17 Jun 2008 10:00 PM CDT Overweight men are not more likely to be infertile, as past research has shown to be true in obese women, according to a new study. Findings of the study, performed in New York in nearly 300 very overweight men, were unexpected.

Nanotechnology, Biomolecules And Light Unite To 'Cook' Cancer Cells Posted: 17 Jun 2008 07:00 PM CDT Researchers are testing a new way to kill cancer cells selectively by attaching cancer-seeking antibodies to tiny carbon tubes that heat up when exposed to near-infrared light.

Hot Flashes Under-reported, And Linked To Forgetfulness Posted: 17 Jun 2008 07:00 PM CDT Women in midlife under-report the number of hot flashes that they experience by more than 40 percent, and these hot flashes are linked to poor verbal memory, according to a new study.

Golfers And Golf Courses Benefit From Native Grasses In Roughs Posted: 17 Jun 2008 07:00 PM CDT Some golfers may prefer a well-manicured golf course, highly-maintained with very green, very short grass that's easy to play off of. But, according to two recent studies, a naturalized landscape that incorporates native grasses benefits biodiversity, saves costs on pesticides and labor for the golf course, and could create a course which is just as challenging for golfers.

On The Evolutionary Trail Of Molecules That Cause Lou Gehrig's Disease Posted: 17 Jun 2008 07:00 PM CDT What became a scientific quest a few scientists began with trying to define the function of a protein that plays a role in the nervous system. That led to work with similar proteins in the nerve cells of worms, fruit flies, and people and culminated in important clues about what goes wrong in the nerves and muscles of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (better known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease).

Ultra Low-cost Plastic Memory Developed Posted: 17 Jun 2008 07:00 PM CDT Researchers have developed a technology for a plastic ferro-electric diode which they believe will achieve a breakthrough in the development of ultra low-cost plastic memory material.

Popular Stimulant's Role In Brain Function Deterioration Is Cause For Concern, According To Researchers Posted: 17 Jun 2008 07:00 PM CDT Concerned by the growing numbers of people using stimulant medications such as methylphenidate -- either legally or illegally -- to improve attention and focus, researchers used positron emission tomography imaging with the radiotracer fluorodeoxyglucose to assess the effects of the drug on brain function in the normal human brain.

First Successful Reverse Vasectomy On Endangered Species Performed At The National Zoo Posted: 17 Jun 2008 04:00 PM CDT Veterinarians at the Smithsonian's National Zoo performed the first successful reverse vasectomy on a Przewalski's horse. Przewalksi's horses are a horse species native to China and Mongolia that was declared extinct in the wild in 1970.

Possible Link Between Different Forms Of Epilepsy Discovered Posted: 17 Jun 2008 04:00 PM CDT Carnegie Mellon neuroscientists have identified what may be the first known common denominator underlying inherited and sporadic epilepsy -- a disruption in an ion channel called the BK channel. Although BK channels have been linked to a rare, familial form of epilepsy, their involvement in other types of seizure disorders has never been demonstrated. These findings indicate that BK channels are a new target for anticonvulsant therapies, offering new hope to individuals suffering from epilepsy.

Chemists Get Scoop On Crude 'Oil' From Pig Manure Posted: 17 Jun 2008 04:00 PM CDT Researchers have developed the first detailed chemical analysis revealing what processing is needed to transform pig manure derived 'crude oil' into fuel for vehicles or heating. Mass production of this type of biofuel could help consume a waste product overflowing at US farms, but it will require a lot of refining.

Hearing Loss Is Twice As Common In People With Diabetes Compared To Those WIthout The Disease Posted: 17 Jun 2008 04:00 PM CDT Hearing loss is about twice as common in adults with diabetes compared to those who do not have the disease, according to a new study. Also, adults with pre-diabetes, whose blood glucose is higher than normal but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis, had a 30 percent higher rate of hearing loss compared to those with normal blood sugar tested after an overnight fast.

'Nanoglassblowing' Seen As Boon To Study Of Individual Molecules Posted: 17 Jun 2008 04:00 PM CDT Researchers have developed a new fabrication technique called 'nanoglassblowing' that creates nanoscale fluidic devices to isolate and study single molecules in solution, including individual DNA strands.

Learning From The Dead: What Facial Muscles Can Tell Us About Emotion Posted: 17 Jun 2008 04:00 PM CDT Laugh and the world laughs with you, but wrinkle your nose and you could find yourself on your own. A scientist who examined the facial muscles in cadavers has found that the muscles which control our facial expressions are not common to everyone.

Lizards Pull A Wheelie Posted: 17 Jun 2008 01:00 PM CDT Lizards that run on two legs haven't evolved to pull the stunt; they're simply pulling a wheelie. Researchers have found that lizards shift their center of mass back as they accelerate forward so that they're forelimbs lift off the ground leaving them running on two legs.

Heightened Sense Of Taste Can Promote Weight Loss Posted: 17 Jun 2008 01:00 PM CDT People can lose weight by flavoring their food with calorie-free seasonings and sweeteners, which may make them feel full faster and decrease their consumption, according to a new study.

From Canada To The Caribbean: Tree Leaves Control Their Own Temperature, Study Reveals Posted: 17 Jun 2008 01:00 PM CDT The temperature inside a healthy, photosynthesizing tree leaf, about 21 degrees C, is affected less by outside environmental temperature than originally believed, according to new research from biologists at the University of Pennsylvania. Surveying 39 tree species ranging in location from subtropical to boreal climates, researchers found a nearly constant temperature in tree leaves. These findings provide new understanding of how tree branches and leaves maintain a homeostatic temperature considered ideal for photosynthesis and suggests that plant physiology and ecology are important factors to consider as biologists tap trees to investigate climate change.

Hand Bone Mineral Density Is An Effective Predictor Of Mortality In Rheumatoid Arthritis Posted: 17 Jun 2008 01:00 PM CDT Low bone mineral density in the hand is a valid predictor of overall mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and indicates long-term prognosis, according to a new study. Digital X-ray radiogrammetry demonstrated bone mineral density to be as effective predicting mortality as well-established means of assessment such as radiographic damage and functional disability.

Diamonds Reveal Deep Source Of Platinum Deposits Posted: 17 Jun 2008 01:00 PM CDT The world's richest source of platinum and related metals is an enigmatic geological structure in South Africa known as the Bushveld Complex. The source of its metallic riches has long been a matter of scientific dispute. Now researchers have traced the origin of the unique ore deposits by using another of South Africa's treasures -- diamonds.

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