ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Thawing Permafrost Likely To Boost Global Warming, New Assessment Concludes Posted: 02 Sep 2008 10:00 AM CDT A new assessment more than doubles previous estimates of the amount of carbon stored in permafrost, and indicates that carbon dioxide emissions from microbial decomposition of organic carbon in thawing permafrost could amount to roughly half those resulting from global land-use change during this century.

Teflon: Chemists Break Harmful Bonds Posted: 02 Sep 2008 10:00 AM CDT Everybody loves the way eggs slide off of Teflon pans. Indeed, the carbon-fluorine bond at the heart of Teflon cookware is so helpful we also use it in products from clothing to blood substitutes. But the very strength of the C-F bond also gives it greenhouse gas effects. In the journal Science, researchers report a catalyst that breaks the C-F bond and converts it to a carbon-hydrogen bond, rendering it harmless to the environment.

New Giant Clam Species Offers Window Into Human Past Posted: 02 Sep 2008 10:00 AM CDT Researchers report the discovery of the first new living species of giant clam in two decades.

Kids Still Drinking Too Much Soda, Even When Not Available At School Posted: 02 Sep 2008 10:00 AM CDT In May 2006, an agreement was reached by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and the American Beverage Association on voluntary sales restrictions on "competitive foods" such as soft drinks at schools. However, researchers now say limiting the availability of soft drinks at school may not be enough to affect overall consumption among elementary school children.

Sleight Of Hand And Sense Of Self: Illusion Isn't Always Just In The Mind Posted: 02 Sep 2008 07:00 AM CDT An illusion that tricks people into believing a rubber hand belongs to them isn't all in the mind, researchers have found. They have observed a physical response as well, a finding that offers insight into conditions which affect a patient's sense of self and body ownership, such as stroke, schizophrenia, autism, or eating disorders.

Researchers Devise Means To Create Blood By Identifying Earliest Stem Cells Posted: 02 Sep 2008 07:00 AM CDT Researchers have discovered the earliest form of human blood stem cells and deciphered the mechanism by which these embryonic stem cells replicate and grow. They also found a surprising biological marker that pinpoints these stem cells, which serve as the progenitors for red blood cells and lymphocytes.

Analysis Begins On Phoenix Mars Lander's Deepest Soil Sample Posted: 02 Sep 2008 07:00 AM CDT Scientists have begun to analyze a sample of soil delivered to NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander's wet chemistry experiment from the deepest trench dug so far in the Martian arctic plains.

DNA Tubes Created With Programmable Sizes For Nanoscale Manufacturing Posted: 02 Sep 2008 07:00 AM CDT Scientists have developed a simple process for mass producing molecular tubes of identical -- and precisely programmable -- circumferences. The technological feat may allow the use of the molecular tubes in a number of nanotechnology applications.

Campus Diversity Important Predictor Of Interracial Friendships Posted: 02 Sep 2008 07:00 AM CDT Campus racial diversity predicts diversity in future friendships, and it's generally higher for minorities than whites.

Bonobos May Have Greater Linguistic Skills Than Previously Thought Posted: 02 Sep 2008 04:00 AM CDT What happens when linguistic tools used to analyze human language are applied to a conversation between a language-competent bonobo and a human? New findings indicate that bonobos may exhibit larger linguistic competency in ordinary conversation than in controlled experimental settings.

Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary In Fair Condition, Facing Emerging Threats Posted: 02 Sep 2008 04:00 AM CDT A new NOAA report on the health of Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary indicates that the overall condition of the sanctuary's marine life and habitats is fair. The report also identifies several emerging threats to sanctuary resources, including non-indigenous marine species, overfishing, waterborne chemicals from human coastal activities, and increased recreational use of the site.

Train Safety: Season Of Mists And Leaves On The Line Posted: 02 Sep 2008 04:00 AM CDT The season of mists, mellow fruitfulness, and leaves on the line is almost upon us. But, scientists have discovered that rather than blaming the train companies, passengers suffering annual delays should look to the weather forecast. According to research published in the International Journal of Surface Science and Engineering, it is a dry period followed by drizzly or misty weather that leads to the worst conditions for leaves on the line.

Low-income? No Car? Expect To Pay More For Groceries Posted: 02 Sep 2008 04:00 AM CDT Households located in poor neighborhoods pay more for the same items than people living in wealthy ones, according to a new study.

Prehistoric Funerary Precinct Excavated In Northern Israel: Grave Goods Include Phallic Figurines, Sea Shells Posted: 02 Sep 2008 01:00 AM CDT Hebrew University excavations in the north of Israel have revealed a prehistoric funerary precinct dating back to 6,750-8,500 BCE. The precinct, a massive walled enclosure measuring 10 meters by at least 20 meters, was discovered at excavations being undertaken at Kfar HaHoresh. The Pre-Pottery Neolithic B site in the Nazareth hills of the lower Galilee is interpreted as having been a regional funerary and cult center for nearby lowland villages.

Biophysical Method May Help To Recover Hearing Posted: 02 Sep 2008 01:00 AM CDT Scientists have created a biophysical methodology that may help to overcome hearing deficits, and potentially remedy even substantial hearing loss. The authors propose a method of retuning functioning regions of the ear to recognize frequencies originally associated with damaged areas.

Bitter-tasting Nectar And Floral Odors Optimize Outcrossing For Plants Posted: 02 Sep 2008 01:00 AM CDT Experiments with genetically modified plants reveal new aspects on the biochemistry of flowers. Scientists have discovered how the chemistry of nectar and floral scents enforces good pollinator behavior, enabling plants to optimize the production of out-crossed seeds.

Grain Moisture Measurements May Divert Mold, Insect Infestation Posted: 02 Sep 2008 01:00 AM CDT Grain storage bins are routinely monitored for temperature to control insect and mold problems. Now an scientists have preliminary research findings showing that monitoring carbon dioxide -- along with humidity and temperature -- also may help detect problems more effectively.

A Room With A Viewpoint: Conservation Messages And Motivation Posted: 02 Sep 2008 01:00 AM CDT People are more likely to reuse hotel towels if they know other guests are doing it too.

New Endometrial Cancer Treatment Stops Growth Of Tumors And Kills Cancer Cells, Study Shows Posted: 31 Aug 2008 11:00 PM CDT A new approach to treating endometrial cancer patients not only stops the growth of tumors, but also kills the cancer cells. In a potentially major breakthrough, scientists discovered that introducing a particular inhibitor drug can turn "off'' receptors responsible for the growth of tumors in a significant number of patients with endometrial cancer.

Cinnamon-based Packaging To Prevent Mold In Bread And Other Baked Goods Posted: 31 Aug 2008 11:00 PM CDT Bread that goes moldy is the bane of consumers and bakers alike, ruining appetites and wasting food and money. Now, researchers have developed a new type of paper packaging made with cinnamon oil that appears to prolong the freshness of bread and other baked goods by up to 10 days.

New Evidence On Folic Acid In Diet And Colon Cancer Posted: 31 Aug 2008 11:00 PM CDT Researchers are reporting a new, more detailed explanation for the link between low folate intake and an increased risk for colon cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

'Lab On A Chip' Improves Success Of In Vitro Fertilization Posted: 31 Aug 2008 11:00 PM CDT In a finding that could boost the success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF), researchers report development of a tiny "lab on a chip" to evaluate the fitness of embryos harvested for transfer.

Hospitals Provide Formula Sample Packs While Medical Organizations Encourage Breastfeeding Posted: 31 Aug 2008 11:00 PM CDT A majority of US hospitals on the East coast distribute formula sample packs to new mothers, contrary to recommendations from most major medical organizations concerned about the potential for distributing these packs to reduce breastfeeding rates, according to a new report.

Depression Common Among Rwandan Youth Who Head Households Posted: 31 Aug 2008 11:00 PM CDT More than half of orphaned youth age 12 to 24 who head households in rural Rwanda meet criteria for depression, according to a new report.

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ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Sex Differences Seen In Response To Common Antidepressant Posted: 01 Sep 2008 07:00 PM CDT Women with depression may be much more likely than men to get relief from a commonly used, inexpensive antidepressant drug, a new national study finds. But many members of both sexes may find that it helps ease their depression symptoms. The persistence of a gender difference in response to the drug -- even after the researchers accounted for many complicating factors -- suggests that there's a real biological difference in the way the medication affects women.

New Genes Found For Inflammatory Bowel Disease In Children Posted: 01 Sep 2008 07:00 PM CDT Researchers have discovered two new genes that increase the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease in childhood. Continuing discovery of genes that interact with each other and with environmental influences in this complex disease helps build the foundation for personalized IBD treatments tailored to a patient's genetic profile.

Powerful Donor Motivators For Fundraising Posted: 01 Sep 2008 07:00 PM CDT People are more likely to donate to pledge drive appeals when fundraisers tap into peoples' desire to help others, according to a new study. Donors are also more likely to respond to appeals that involve negative emotions than pitches about benefits to the donor.

'Armored' Fish Study Helps Strengthen Darwin's Natural Selection Theory Posted: 01 Sep 2008 01:00 PM CDT Shedding some genetically induced excess baggage may have helped a tiny fish thrive in freshwater and outsize its marine ancestors, according to a new study in Science.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease: Humans Could Be Infected Through Blood Transfusions Posted: 01 Sep 2008 01:00 PM CDT A nine-year study in sheep has added to the evidence that Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) can be transmitted through blood transfusion in humans. The likelihood of Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) being transmitted between sheep through transfusion of infected sheep blood was 36 per cent, according to new research.

Diversity Among Parasitic Wasps Is Even Greater Than Suspected Posted: 01 Sep 2008 01:00 PM CDT A tiny wasp that lays its eggs under the skin of unwitting caterpillars belongs to one of the most diverse groups of insects on Earth. Now researchers report that its diversity is even higher than previously thought.

Medication To Lower Blood Pressure Reduces Outcome Of Cardiovascular Death, Heart Attack Or Stroke, Study Suggests Posted: 01 Sep 2008 01:00 PM CDT Telmisartan, a medication used to lower blood pressure, reduced the outcome of cardiovascular death, heart attack or stroke in people who are unable to tolerate a widely available and effective standard treatment, according to a new study.

Secret Of Plasma Heating Revealed Posted: 01 Sep 2008 01:00 PM CDT The secret of electron heating in low temperature plasmas has been discovered. Scientists found the answer to a question which has been puzzling scientists for decades -- why electrons in such plasmas are so hot.

Charities Take Note: Personal Relationships Increase Donations Posted: 01 Sep 2008 01:00 PM CDT People tend to be more sympathetic to people suffering from the same misfortune as a friend. But friendship with a victim does not make people generally more sympathetic, according to a new study.

Faster Rise In Sea Level Predicted From Melting Greenland Ice Sheet, Based On Lessons From Ice Age Posted: 01 Sep 2008 07:00 AM CDT If the lessons being learned by scientists about the demise of the last great North American ice sheet are correct, estimates of global sea level rise from a melting Greenland ice sheet may be seriously underestimated. Scientists report that sea level rise from greenhouse-induced warming of the Greenland ice sheet could be double or triple current estimates over the next century.

Smoking During Pregnancy A 'Double-edged Sword' In SIDS Posted: 01 Sep 2008 07:00 AM CDT Premature infants whose mothers smoked during pregnancy may be at even higher risk for sudden infant death syndrome than preemies whose mothers did not smoke, according to new research. In the first-ever experimental study to compare the breathing reflexes of preemies of smokers versus non-smokers, researchers found that babies whose mothers had smoked showed a number of signs of impaired respiratory function.

Crystals Improve Understanding Of Volcanic Eruption Triggers Posted: 01 Sep 2008 07:00 AM CDT Scientists have exploited crystals from lavas to unravel the records of volcanic eruptions.

Jumping For Joy ... And Stronger Bones Posted: 01 Sep 2008 07:00 AM CDT High impact activities such as jumping and skipping that can easily be incorporated into warm-ups before sports and physical education classes, have been shown to benefit bone health in adolescents.

New Field Of Research Could Help Police In Crime Scene Forensics Posted: 01 Sep 2008 07:00 AM CDT A team of investigators have found a way to identify possible suspects at crime scenes using only a small amount of DNA, even if it is mixed with hundreds of other genetic fingerprints.

When Charities Ask For Time, People Give More Money Posted: 01 Sep 2008 07:00 AM CDT According to new research in the Journal of Consumer Research, simply asking people a question about whether they're willing to volunteer their time leads to increases in donations of both time and money.

Coronary Stents: Safety And Long Term Results Debated Posted: 30 Aug 2008 11:00 PM CDT New results questioned the long-term safety of drug eluting stents (DES) and sparked intense discussion at a recent conference.

Treatment Appears To Reduce Heart Attack Risk And Revascularisation In Stable Coronary Patients Posted: 30 Aug 2008 11:00 PM CDT Ivabradine is the first antianginal treatment shown to reduce myocardial infarction and revascularisation and to have a good tolerability profile even when used with other drugs.

Effects Of N-3 PUFA In Patients With Symptomatic Chronic Heart Failure: The GISSI-HF Results Posted: 30 Aug 2008 11:00 PM CDT Several epidemiological and experimental studies suggested that n-3 PUFA could exert favorable effects on the atherotrombotic cardiovascular disease including arrhythmias. The GISSI team investigated whether n-3 PUFA could improve morbidity and mortality in a large population of patients with symptomatic heart failure of any cause.

Sex Hormones Link To Heart Risk Posted: 30 Aug 2008 11:00 PM CDT Men are more prone to – and likely to die of - heart disease compared with women of a similar age – and sex hormones are to blame, according to a new study. The findings suggest that this "male disadvantage" may be related to the sex-specific effects of naturally occurring sex hormones.

New Approach, Old Drug Show Promise Against Hepatitis C, Research Shows Posted: 30 Aug 2008 11:00 PM CDT Using a novel technique, medical and engineering researchers have discovered a vulnerable step in the virus' reproduction process that in lab testing could be effectively targeted with an obsolete antihistamine.

New Master Switch Found In Brain Regulates Appetite And Reproduction Posted: 30 Aug 2008 11:00 PM CDT Body weight and fertility have long known to be related to each other -- women who are too thin, for example, can have trouble becoming pregnant. Now, a master switch has been found in the brain of mice that controls both, and researchers say it may work the same way in humans.

Landmark Study Opens Door To New Cancer, Aging Treatments Posted: 30 Aug 2008 11:00 PM CDT Researchers have deciphered the structure of the active region of telomerase, an enzyme that plays a major role in the development of nearly all human cancers. The landmark achievement opens the door to the creation of new, broadly effective cancer drugs, as well as anti-aging therapies.

'Superbug' Breast Infections Controllable In Nursing Mothers, Researchers Find Posted: 30 Aug 2008 11:00 PM CDT Many nursing mothers who have been hospitalized for breast abscesses are afflicted with the "superbug" methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, but according to new research, conservative treatment can deal with the problem.

Neurogenesis In Adult Brain: Association With Stress And Depression Posted: 30 Aug 2008 11:00 PM CDT Scientist have presented the latest findings on how brain cells can be adversely affected by stress and depression. They have explained how the adult brain is generating new cells. These findings will impact the development of novel antidepressant drugs.

What is Bipolar Depression? Posted: 30 Aug 2008 11:00 PM CDT Bipolar disorder is one of the most important psychiatric diseases, often associated with considerable treatment needs and tremendous social and occupational burden for both the individual and family (Pini et al., 2005). Previously also labeled manic-depressive illness, bipolar disorder is typically referred to as an episodic, yet lifelong and clinically severe mood (or affective) disorder.

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