ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

---

• Magnetic Tremors Pinpoint The Impact Epicenter Of Earthbound Space Storms
• Completely Different Way Of Looking For A New Antibiotic
• Superconducting Chips To Become Reality
• Cottonseed-based Drug Shows Promise In Treating Severe Brain Cancer
• Impossible Crystal: Crystallization At The Molecular Level
• How Many Scientists Fabricate And Falsify Research?
• Planet-Hunting Method Succeeds: Jupiter-like Planet Found Orbiting One Of Smallest Stars
• The Vulnerable Cancer Cell: New Studies Reveal Broad, Hidden Network That Lets Tumors Thrive
• Activated Stem Cells In Damaged Lungs Could Be First Step Toward Cancer
• Immunologists Identify Biochemical Signals That Help Immune Cells Remember How To Fight Infection
• Spring Agricultural Fires Have Large Impact On Melting Arctic
• Daily Alcohol Intake Can Lead To Binge Drinking
• Unexpected Bacterial Diversity On Human Skin; New Approaches For Treating, Preventing Skin Diseases
• Treating Gum Disease Helps Rheumatoid Arthritis Sufferers
• Stem Cells Transplanted From Marrow Into Heart May Improve Heart's Performance
• New Blood Test Greatly Reduces False-positives In Prostate Cancer Screening
• Non-toxic Hull Coating Resists Barnacles, May Save Ship Owners Millions
• Why Coral Reefs Around The World Are Collapsing
• Study May Aid Efforts To Prevent Uncontrolled Cell Division In Cancer
• Waxy Plant Substance Key For Absorption Of Water, Nutrients
• Common Antibiotics May Be Best First Treatment For Children With MRSA-related Infections
• Really Virtual Reality
• Americans Choose Media Messages That Agree With Their Views
• Flipping The Brain's Addiction Switch Without Drugs
• Why Some Prostate Cancer Returns
• Understanding Plants' Overactive Immune System Will Help Researchers Build Better Crops
• In Rare Disease, A Familiar Protein Disrupts Gene Function
• Europe To Coordinate Unique Biobanks
• Unsafe Neighborhoods Disable The Elderly
• Male Or Female? Coloring Provides Gender Cues
• New Therapy Enlists Immune System To Boost Cure Rate In Childhood Cancer
• For Different Species, Different Functions For Embryonic MicroRNAs
• Sleep Apnea Widely Undiagnosed Among Obese Type 2 Diabetics, Study Suggests
• Most Polluted Ecosystems Can Recover, Study Finds
• Did Mozart Really Have ADHD? History Of Hyperactivity Off-base, Says Researcher
• Portable Device Can Detect Viruses In Minutes
• Carbohydrate Restriction May Slow Prostate Tumor Growth
• Satellite Used To Unearth Innovation In Crop Forecasting
• Zebrafish Provide Model For Cancerous Melanoma In Humans
• Connected World Gives Viruses The Edge
• Warning On Athletes' Use Of Prescription Drugs
• Antibiotic Multi-resistance: Why Bacteria Are So Effective
• New Cellular Targets For HIV Drug Development
• Greening Arctic Not Likely To Offset Permafrost Carbon Release
• How Viral Infection Can Protect From Type 1 Diabetes
• Ancient Mudstones Could Provide Alternative Source Of Energy
• People With Parents Who Fight Are More Likely To Have Mental Health Problems In Later Life

Magnetic Tremors Pinpoint The Impact Epicenter Of Earthbound Space Storms Posted: 29 May 2009 11:00 AM PDT Using data from NASA's THEMIS mission, researchers have pinpointed the impact epicenter of an earthbound space storm as it crashes into the atmosphere, and given an advance warning of its arrival.

Completely Different Way Of Looking For A New Antibiotic Posted: 29 May 2009 11:00 AM PDT Researchers have built a method of looking for molecules that will disturb the balance between them, offering a completely different way of looking for a new antibiotic that would be active against the cell wall.

Superconducting Chips To Become Reality Posted: 29 May 2009 11:00 AM PDT Most chemical elements become superconducting at low temperatures or high pressures, but until now, copper, silver, gold, and the semiconductor germanium, for example, have all refused superconductivity. Scientists have now able to produce superconducting germanium for the first time. Furthermore, they could unravel a few of the mysteries which come along with superconducting semiconductors.

Cottonseed-based Drug Shows Promise In Treating Severe Brain Cancer Posted: 29 May 2009 11:00 AM PDT An experimental compound showed good results for months in patients with glioblastoma multiforme, researchers say. After undergoing other treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, the trial patients' brain cancer had begun to grow again prior to starting on the current clinical trial.

Impossible Crystal: Crystallization At The Molecular Level Posted: 29 May 2009 11:00 AM PDT Molecules with five-fold symmetry arrange themselves on a surface as a two-dimensional crystal, although theoretically this ought not to be possible. Recently researchers in Switzerland have taken the first steps to a better understanding of this "impossible" behavior by monitoring the complicated crystallization process with a scanning tunnel microscope.

How Many Scientists Fabricate And Falsify Research? Posted: 29 May 2009 11:00 AM PDT It's a long-standing and crucial question that, as yet, remains unanswered: just how common is scientific misconduct? A new study finds the first meta-analysis of surveys questioning scientists about their misbehaviors. The results suggest that altering or making up data is more frequent than previously estimated and might be particularly high in medical research.

Planet-Hunting Method Succeeds: Jupiter-like Planet Found Orbiting One Of Smallest Stars Posted: 29 May 2009 08:00 AM PDT A long-proposed tool for hunting planets has netted its first catch -- a Jupiter-like planet orbiting one of the smallest stars known. The technique, called astrometry, was first attempted 50 years ago to search for planets outside our solar system, called exoplanets. It involves measuring the precise motions of a star on the sky as an unseen planet tugs the star back and forth.

The Vulnerable Cancer Cell: New Studies Reveal Broad, Hidden Network That Lets Tumors Thrive Posted: 29 May 2009 08:00 AM PDT Researchers have identified many potential new drug targets for cancers long deemed "untouchable" due to the type of genetic mutation they contain. These studies are beginning to reveal new ways of attacking cancer by targeting a largely hidden network of normal genes that cancer cells rely on for survival.

Activated Stem Cells In Damaged Lungs Could Be First Step Toward Cancer Posted: 29 May 2009 08:00 AM PDT Stem cells that respond after a severe injury in the lungs of mice may be a source of rapidly dividing cells that lead to lung cancer, according to a new research.

Immunologists Identify Biochemical Signals That Help Immune Cells Remember How To Fight Infection Posted: 29 May 2009 08:00 AM PDT Immunology researchers have discovered how two biochemical signals play unique roles in promoting the development of a group of immune cells employed as tactical assassins.

Spring Agricultural Fires Have Large Impact On Melting Arctic Posted: 29 May 2009 08:00 AM PDT Scientists from around the world will convene at the University of New Hampshire June 2-5, 2009, to discuss key findings from the most ambitious effort ever undertaken to measure "short-lived" airborne pollutants in the Arctic and determine how they contribute in the near term to the dramatic changes underway in the vast, climate-sensitive region.

Daily Alcohol Intake Can Lead To Binge Drinking Posted: 29 May 2009 08:00 AM PDT Sipping wine, beer or spirits three to four times per week increases the risk of binge drinking, particularly among young men, according to a new study. Researchers analyzed the drinking habits of Canadians and found that frequent alcohol consumption can lead to binge drinking among all gender and all age groups.

Unexpected Bacterial Diversity On Human Skin; New Approaches For Treating, Preventing Skin Diseases Posted: 29 May 2009 05:00 AM PDT The health of our skin depends upon the delicate balance between our own cells and the millions of bacteria and other one-celled microbes that live on its surface. To better understand this balance, researchers have set out to explore the skin's microbiome. Their initial analysis reveals that our skin is home to a much wider array of bacteria than previously thought.

Treating Gum Disease Helps Rheumatoid Arthritis Sufferers Posted: 29 May 2009 05:00 AM PDT Not yet convinced about keeping your teeth healthy, here's another reason. People who suffer from gum disease and also have a severe form of rheumatoid arthritis, reduced their arthritic pain, number of swollen joints and the degree of morning stiffness when they cured their dental problems.

Stem Cells Transplanted From Marrow Into Heart May Improve Heart's Performance Posted: 29 May 2009 05:00 AM PDT Scientists are carrying out clinical tests with patients who have suffered from a severe heart attack. With the implantation of the patient's stem cells, the heart regenerates thus improving its wall motion, that is, its cardiac performance.

New Blood Test Greatly Reduces False-positives In Prostate Cancer Screening Posted: 29 May 2009 05:00 AM PDT A new blood test used in combination with a conventional prostate-specific antigen screening sharply increases the accuracy of prostate cancer diagnosis, and could eliminate tens of thousands of unneeded, painful, and costly prostate biopsies annually.

Non-toxic Hull Coating Resists Barnacles, May Save Ship Owners Millions Posted: 29 May 2009 05:00 AM PDT Engineers have created a non-toxic "wrinkled" coating for use on ship hulls that resisted buildup of troublesome barnacles during 18 months of seawater tests, a finding that could ultimately save boat owners millions of dollars in cleaning and fuel costs.

Why Coral Reefs Around The World Are Collapsing Posted: 29 May 2009 02:00 AM PDT An explosion of knowledge has been made in the last few years about the basic biology of corals, researchers say in a new report, helping to explain why coral reefs around the world are collapsing and what it will take for them to survive a gauntlet of climate change and ocean acidification.

Study May Aid Efforts To Prevent Uncontrolled Cell Division In Cancer Posted: 29 May 2009 02:00 AM PDT Researchers have uncovered a remarkable property of the contractile ring, a structure required for cell division. Understanding how the contractile ring works to divide the cell may facilitate development of therapies to prevent uncontrolled cell division in cancer.

Waxy Plant Substance Key For Absorption Of Water, Nutrients Posted: 29 May 2009 02:00 AM PDT While proving a long-held theory that suberin blocks water and nutrient absorption in plants, a scientist learned more about manipulating the substance to better feed plants.

Common Antibiotics May Be Best First Treatment For Children With MRSA-related Infections Posted: 29 May 2009 02:00 AM PDT Penicillin and other antibiotics in the beta-lactam family work as well as other antibiotics to treat MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcuss aureus) infections in the skin and soft-tissue of children and may help prevent further resistance to antibiotic treatment, according to a new study.

Really Virtual Reality Posted: 29 May 2009 02:00 AM PDT Far from being geeky and exotic, virtual reality could be the key to a new range of innovative products. European researchers and industrialists have come together to build a world-leading community ready to exploit that promise.

Americans Choose Media Messages That Agree With Their Views Posted: 29 May 2009 02:00 AM PDT A new study provides some of the strongest evidence to date that Americans prefer to read political articles that agree with the opinions they already hold. Researchers found that people spent 36 percent more time reading articles that agreed with their point of view than they did reading text that challenged their opinions.

Flipping The Brain's Addiction Switch Without Drugs Posted: 28 May 2009 11:00 PM PDT Researchers investigating how the brain becomes drug dependent have now implicated a naturally occurring protein, a dose of which allowed them to get rats hooked with no drugs at all. The finding could suggest ways to medically counteract the effects of drug addiction.

Why Some Prostate Cancer Returns Posted: 28 May 2009 11:00 PM PDT Men with a low oxygen supply to their tumor have a higher chance of the prostate cancer returning, as found by increasing prostate-specific antigen levels following treatment.

Understanding Plants' Overactive Immune System Will Help Researchers Build Better Crops Posted: 28 May 2009 11:00 PM PDT A plant's immune system protects the plant from harmful pathogens. If the system overreacts to pathogens, it can stunt plant growth and reduce seed production. Now, researchers have identified important suppressors that negatively regulate the responses of the immune system in the plant species Arabidopsis thaliana. Understanding the immune system of plants would allow breeders to create better yielding crop plants.

In Rare Disease, A Familiar Protein Disrupts Gene Function Posted: 28 May 2009 11:00 PM PDT Scientists studying a rare genetic disease discovered that a bundle of proteins with the long-established function of keeping chromosomes together also plays an important role in regulating genes in humans. When cohesin, a protein complex, doesn't work properly, genes are dysregulated in the multisystem developmental disease Cornelia de Lange syndrome.

Europe To Coordinate Unique Biobanks Posted: 28 May 2009 11:00 PM PDT The unique material that exists in Europe's, and above all the Nordic countries' and Sweden's, biobanks is a goldmine for research. To put them to their best possible use, this information will now be coordinated, as will the ethical and technical guidelines regarding the use of the biobanks.

Unsafe Neighborhoods Disable The Elderly Posted: 28 May 2009 11:00 PM PDT Elderly people who live below the poverty line and perceive their neighborhoods to be dangerous are more likely to have a mobility disability. Researchers suggest that even perceiving one's neighborhood as unsafe can "get into the body" and, ultimately, prove hazardous for elder health.

Male Or Female? Coloring Provides Gender Cues Posted: 28 May 2009 08:00 PM PDT Our brain is wired to identify gender based on facial cues and coloring, according to a new study. Psychologists found the luminescence of the eyebrow and mouth region is vital in rapid gender discrimination.

New Therapy Enlists Immune System To Boost Cure Rate In Childhood Cancer Posted: 28 May 2009 08:00 PM PDT Scientist have announced encouraging results for an experimental therapy using elements of the body's immune system to improve cure rates for children with neuroblastoma, a challenging cancer of the nervous system. Children who received monoclonal antibodies and cytokines were 20 percent more likely to be living disease-free two years after treatment, compared to children receiving standard therapy.

For Different Species, Different Functions For Embryonic MicroRNAs Posted: 28 May 2009 08:00 PM PDT When evolution has lucked into efficient solutions for life's most fundamental problems, it adopts them as invaluable family heirlooms, passing them down as one species evolves into another. So it was reasonable to expect that a key regulator of embryonic development -- a strand of RNA that shepherds stem cells through the process of differentiation -- might play the same role in all vertebrates, from fish to people. New research, however, has shown that when it comes to microRNAs, what works for one animal may not work the same way in another.

Sleep Apnea Widely Undiagnosed Among Obese Type 2 Diabetics, Study Suggests Posted: 28 May 2009 08:00 PM PDT Nearly 87 percent of obese, type 2 diabetics reported symptoms of sleep apnea, but were never diagnosed.

Most Polluted Ecosystems Can Recover, Study Finds Posted: 28 May 2009 08:00 PM PDT Most polluted or damaged ecosystems worldwide can recover within a lifetime if societies commit to their cleanup or restoration, according to a new analysis.

Did Mozart Really Have ADHD? History Of Hyperactivity Off-base, Says Researcher Posted: 28 May 2009 08:00 PM PDT A Canadian researcher working in the UK says doctors, authors and educators are doing hyperactive children a disservice by claiming that hyperactivity as we understand it today has always existed.

Portable Device Can Detect Viruses In Minutes Posted: 28 May 2009 05:00 PM PDT Imagine being able to detect in just a few minutes whether someone is infected with a virus. This has now become a reality, thanks to a new ultra-sensitive detector. The first prototype has just been completed and researchers expect to be able to introduce the first version of the detector onto the market in late 2010. Not only does the detector carry out measurements many times faster than do standard techniques, it is also portable, so it can be used anywhere.

Carbohydrate Restriction May Slow Prostate Tumor Growth Posted: 28 May 2009 05:00 PM PDT Restricting carbohydrates, regardless of weight loss, appears to slow the growth of prostate tumors, according to a new animal study.

Satellite Used To Unearth Innovation In Crop Forecasting Posted: 28 May 2009 05:00 PM PDT NASA researchers are using satellite data to deliver a kind of space-based humanitarian assistance. They are cultivating the most accurate estimates of soil moisture -- the main determinant of crop yield changes -- and improving global forecasts of how well food will grow at a time when the world is confronting shortages.

Zebrafish Provide Model For Cancerous Melanoma In Humans Posted: 28 May 2009 05:00 PM PDT Scientists haved used the zebrafish to gain insight into the influence of known cancer genes on the development and progression of melanoma, an aggressive form of human skin cancer with limited treatment options.

Connected World Gives Viruses The Edge Posted: 28 May 2009 05:00 PM PDT A new article explores the importance of dispersal to the evolution of parasites and suggests that as human activity makes the world more connected, natural selection will favor more virulent and dangerous parasites.

Warning On Athletes' Use Of Prescription Drugs Posted: 28 May 2009 05:00 PM PDT Athletes could be putting their lives at risk by doping themselves with powerful prescription drugs, an academic has warned. Researchers cautioned sportsmen and women against trying to improve their performance by taking drugs known as nitrites without clinical supervision. Researchers have warned that athletes could suffer a range of side effects from convulsions to coma, and could even kill themselves.

Antibiotic Multi-resistance: Why Bacteria Are So Effective Posted: 28 May 2009 02:00 PM PDT Scientists have deciphered for the first time the molecular mechanism that enables bacteria to acquire multi-resistance to antibiotics, and that even allows them to adapt this resistance to their environment. This discovery highlights the difficulties that will have to be tackled by public health strategies if they are to address the problems created by multi-resistance.

New Cellular Targets For HIV Drug Development Posted: 28 May 2009 02:00 PM PDT Focusing HIV drug development on immune cells called macrophages could help combat the disease, according to new research.

Greening Arctic Not Likely To Offset Permafrost Carbon Release Posted: 28 May 2009 02:00 PM PDT As the frozen soil in the Arctic thaws, bacteria will break down organic matter, releasing long-stored carbon into the warming atmosphere.

How Viral Infection Can Protect From Type 1 Diabetes Posted: 28 May 2009 02:00 PM PDT Type 1 diabetes is caused by immune system–mediated destruction of insulin-producing beta-cells in the pancreas. It is known that infection with a virus can induce an immune response that damages beta-cells or a response that protects an individual from type 1 diabetes.

Ancient Mudstones Could Provide Alternative Source Of Energy Posted: 28 May 2009 02:00 PM PDT New research in England reveals that an alternative to oil could be found in ancient sea deposits dating 300 million years ago.

People With Parents Who Fight Are More Likely To Have Mental Health Problems In Later Life Posted: 28 May 2009 02:00 PM PDT People with parents who were violent to each other are more likely to have mental health problems when they grow up, reveals new research.

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
Inbox too full?
If you prefer to unsubscribe via postal mail, write to: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News, c/o Google, 20 W Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

---

• XMM-Newton Takes Astronomers To A Black Hole's Edge
• Dementia Drugs May Put Some Patients At Risk
• Sulfur In Just One Hair Could Blow A Terrorist’s Alibi
• Statins May Have A Negative Impact In Multiple Sclerosis Patients
• Well Water Can Pose Health Risks To Young Children
• Assisted Reproduction Increasing: Almost 250,000 Babies Born In One Year
• Melting Greenland Ice Sheets May Threaten Northeast United States, Canada
• DNA Compounds Could Help Treat Lupus
• Capturing The Birth Of A Synapse: Mechanism Locking Two Neurons Found
• Refusing Immunizations Puts Children At Increased Risk Of Pertussis Infection, Study Finds
• What Goes Down, Must Come Up: Earth's Leaky Mantle
• Brain Activation Can Predict Strategies People Use To Make Risky Decisions
• Clearest Images Of Starburst Galaxies Reveal New Picture Of Early Universe
• Technique Eradicates Problems In Most Patients With Barrett's Esophagus
• Europe's Gravity Mission GOCE Achieves Drag-free Perfection
• Pediatrician Creates Easier Way To Identify Kids' High Blood Pressure
• Geographic Isolation Drives Evolution Of Hot Springs Microbe
• Following A Healthy Lifestyle Is On Decline In U.S.
• Shellfish Face An Uncertain Future In High Carbon Dioxide World
• Genetic Cause For Primary Biliary Cirrhosis Identified
• Fast And Cheap Forecasting System For Mediterranean Cyclones
• Relatives Of A Young Person Who Dies Suddenly Should Have Cardiological And Genetic Examination
• Investigating The Development Of Mechanosensitivity
• Supermarket Discounts Promote Unhealthy Choices, New Zealand Study Finds
• More Genetic Differences Between Mice And Humans Than Previously Thought
• Less-toxic Drug Prolongs Survival In Metastatic Breast Cancer
• European Shipping Routes Linked To Locations With High Nitrogen Dioxide Pollution
• Discovery Of Faulty Genes Could Reveal Risk Of Bone Disease
• World's Highest-resolution Commercial Satellite
• Are Humans Genetically Programmed To Care About Long-term Future And Climate Change?
• Genetic Basis Of Musical Aptitude: Neurobiology Of Musicality Related To Intrinsic Attachment Behavior
• Premature Ejaculation May Be A Genetic Disorder
• High Torque Electric Motor Being Tested
• New Mouse Model Provides Insight Into Genetic Neurological Disorders
• Flexible Monitors For Future Battlefields
• Half Of Your Friends Lost In Seven Years, Social Network Study Finds
• New Extinct Lemur Species Discovered In Madagascar
• Green Tea Extract Shows Promise In Leukemia Trials
• In-depth Look At Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine Life, Ecosystems
• Identification Of Genetic Variants Affecting Age At Menopause Could Help Improve Fertility Treatment
• World's Highest-resolution Projector
• Lessons From The Vaccine-autism Wars
• Giant Dinosaur Posture Is All Wrong: Sauropods Held Their Heads High, Research Finds
• Healing With Light? Optical Technology Controls Living Cells
• Watermelons Tapped For Ethanol
• Heart Muscle Protein Can Replace Its Missing Skeletal Muscle Counterpart To Give Mice With Myopathy Long And Active Life
• Vehicles That Drive Themselves
• Cancer Drug Causes Patient To Lose Fingerprints And Be Detained By US Immigration

XMM-Newton Takes Astronomers To A Black Hole's Edge Posted: 28 May 2009 08:00 AM PDT Using new data from ESA's XMM-Newton spaceborne observatory, astronomers have probed closer than ever to a supermassive black hole lying deep at the core of a distant active galaxy.

Dementia Drugs May Put Some Patients At Risk Posted: 28 May 2009 08:00 AM PDT Effects associated with several commonly-prescribed dementia drugs may be putting elderly people at risk, says a geriatrics professor.

Sulfur In Just One Hair Could Blow A Terrorist’s Alibi Posted: 28 May 2009 08:00 AM PDT A team of Spanish and British scientists has developed a "laser ablation" method that makes it possible to detect variations in the sulfur isotopes of a single hair over time. This information shows up changes in a person's eating habits and their movements between different countries, which could help police to undermine the alibis of international terrorists.

Statins May Have A Negative Impact In Multiple Sclerosis Patients Posted: 28 May 2009 08:00 AM PDT Statins, a commonly prescribed class of drugs used by millions worldwide to effectively lower blood cholesterol levels, may actually have a negative impact in multiple sclerosis patients treated with high daily dosages.

Well Water Can Pose Health Risks To Young Children Posted: 28 May 2009 08:00 AM PDT Private well water should be tested yearly, and in some cases more often, according to new guidance offered by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Assisted Reproduction Increasing: Almost 250,000 Babies Born In One Year Posted: 28 May 2009 08:00 AM PDT Assisted reproductive technology is responsible for an estimated 219,000 to 246,000 babies born each year worldwide according to an international study. The study also finds that the number of ART procedures is growing steadily: in just two years (from 2000 to 2002) ART activity increased by more than 25 percent.

Melting Greenland Ice Sheets May Threaten Northeast United States, Canada Posted: 28 May 2009 05:00 AM PDT A melting of the Greenland ice sheet this century may drive more water than previously thought toward the already threatened coastlines of New York, Boston, Halifax, and other cities in the northeastern United States and in Canada, according to new research.

DNA Compounds Could Help Treat Lupus Posted: 28 May 2009 05:00 AM PDT Scientists have generated DNA-like compounds that effectively inhibit the cells responsible for the most common and serious form of lupus. The findings could eventually lead to new treatments for this difficult disease, which affects up to one million Americans.

Capturing The Birth Of A Synapse: Mechanism Locking Two Neurons Found Posted: 28 May 2009 05:00 AM PDT Researchers have identified the locking mechanism that allows some neurons to form synapses to pass along essential information. Mutations of genes that produce a critical cell-adhesion molecule involved in the work were previously linked to autism.

Refusing Immunizations Puts Children At Increased Risk Of Pertussis Infection, Study Finds Posted: 28 May 2009 05:00 AM PDT A new study finds that children of parents who refuse vaccines are 23 times more likely to get whooping cough compared to fully immunized children.

What Goes Down, Must Come Up: Earth's Leaky Mantle Posted: 28 May 2009 05:00 AM PDT A conundrum has long vexed geoscientists: How to reconcile convection of the Earth's mantle with observations of ancient noble gases in volcanic rocks. Solving the problem requires that the recycling of tectonic plates into the Earth's lower mantle is balanced by hot, buoyant mantle plumes that rise with little mixing to the Earth's surface, producing volcanic island chains like Hawaii.

Brain Activation Can Predict Strategies People Use To Make Risky Decisions Posted: 28 May 2009 05:00 AM PDT Watching people's brains in real time as they handle a set of decision-making problems can reveal how different each person's strategy can be, according to neuroscientists.

Clearest Images Of Starburst Galaxies Reveal New Picture Of Early Universe Posted: 28 May 2009 02:00 AM PDT Astronomers and physicists built an innovative new telescope called BLAST (Balloon-borne Large-Aperture Sub-millimeter Telescope) and launched it to the edge of the atmosphere, where it discovered previously unidentified dust-obscured, star-forming galaxies that could help illuminate the origins of the universe.

Technique Eradicates Problems In Most Patients With Barrett's Esophagus Posted: 28 May 2009 02:00 AM PDT A procedure that uses heat generated by radio waves to treat Barrett's esophagus, a condition caused by acid reflux (severe heartburn), can eliminate signs of the potentially cancer-causing disorder and reduce the risk that the disease will progress. The procedure, called radiofrequency ablation, could mean patients have an alternative to surgery for treating Barrett's esophagus.

Europe's Gravity Mission GOCE Achieves Drag-free Perfection Posted: 28 May 2009 02:00 AM PDT ESA's gravity mission GOCE has achieved a first in the history of satellite technology. The sophisticated electric propulsion system has shown that it is able to keep the satellite completely free from drag as it cuts through the remnants of Earth's atmosphere – paving the way for the best gravity data ever.

Pediatrician Creates Easier Way To Identify Kids' High Blood Pressure Posted: 28 May 2009 02:00 AM PDT Pediatricians now have a new and simple way to diagnose a serious problem facing our nation's children. Nearly 75 percent of cases of hypertension and 90 percent of cases of prehypertension in children and adolescents go undiagnosed. Researchers hope a simplified chart will improve diagnosis.

Geographic Isolation Drives Evolution Of Hot Springs Microbe Posted: 28 May 2009 02:00 AM PDT Sulfolobus islandicus, a microbe that can live in boiling acid, is offering up its secrets to researchers hardy enough to capture it from the volcanic hot springs where it thrives. In a new study, researchers report that populations of S. islandicus are more diverse than previously thought, and that their diversity is driven largely by geographic isolation.

Following A Healthy Lifestyle Is On Decline In U.S. Posted: 28 May 2009 02:00 AM PDT Despite the well-known benefits of having a lifestyle that includes physical activity, eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight, moderate alcohol use and not smoking, only a small proportion of adults follow this healthy lifestyle pattern, and in fact, the numbers are declining, according to a new study. Lifestyle choices are associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease as well as diabetes.

Shellfish Face An Uncertain Future In High Carbon Dioxide World Posted: 27 May 2009 11:00 PM PDT Overfishing and disease have decimated shellfish populations in many of the world's temperate estuarine and coastal ecosystems. Scientists have now discovered another serious threat to these valuable filter feeders -- rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide that contribute to the acidification of open ocean, coastal and estuarine waters.

Genetic Cause For Primary Biliary Cirrhosis Identified Posted: 27 May 2009 11:00 PM PDT Researchers have discovered a novel molecular path that predisposes patients to develop primary biliary cirrhosis, a disease that mainly affects women and slowly destroys their livers. Primary biliary cirrhosis has no known cause.

Fast And Cheap Forecasting System For Mediterranean Cyclones Posted: 27 May 2009 11:00 PM PDT Scientists have developed a new methodology to improve forecasting success between 48 and 24 hours before cyclones occur in the Mediterranean Sea. The researchers have used a low-cost means of statistically calculating the sensitivity of the real atmosphere in order to make climatologically-precise cyclone predictions.

Relatives Of A Young Person Who Dies Suddenly Should Have Cardiological And Genetic Examination Posted: 27 May 2009 11:00 PM PDT Relatives of a young person who dies suddenly should always be referred for cardiological and genetic examination in order to identify if they too are at risk of sudden death. Although new research has shown that inherited heart disease was present in over 30 percent of the families of sudden unexplained death victims, the majority of such relatives were currently not being referred for examination.

Investigating The Development Of Mechanosensitivity Posted: 27 May 2009 11:00 PM PDT Researchers have gained crucial insight into how mechanosensitivity arises. By measuring electrical impulses in the sensory neurons of mice, neurobiologists and pain researchers were able to directly elucidate, for the first time, the emergence of mechanosensitivity.

Supermarket Discounts Promote Unhealthy Choices, New Zealand Study Finds Posted: 27 May 2009 11:00 PM PDT Supermarket shoppers may be encouraged to buy sugar-filled, calorie-rich drinks by discounts and promotions, according to New Zealand research. A study has found healthy drinks were less likely to be discounted in supermarkets. And the amount of the discount was greater on products higher in fat, sugar and energy.

More Genetic Differences Between Mice And Humans Than Previously Thought Posted: 27 May 2009 08:00 PM PDT A new article explores exactly what distinguishes our genome from that of the lab mouse. In the first comprehensive comparison between the genes of mice and humans, scientists reveal that there are more genetic differences between the two species than had been previously thought.

Less-toxic Drug Prolongs Survival In Metastatic Breast Cancer Posted: 27 May 2009 08:00 PM PDT A less toxic, solvent-free chemotherapy drug more effectively prevents the progression of metastatic breast cancer and has fewer side effects than a commonly used solvent-based drug. Abraxane prolonged progression-free survival by almost seven months compared with Taxotere, which is part of a class of solvent-based drugs called taxanes.

European Shipping Routes Linked To Locations With High Nitrogen Dioxide Pollution Posted: 27 May 2009 08:00 PM PDT A synoptic view of European shipping routes can be seen for the first time thanks to a new map created using seven years of radar data from ESA's Envisat satellite. Despite the fact that ships are more energy efficient than other forms of commercial transportation, many marine engines operate on extremely dirty fuel that causes large emissions of air pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.

Discovery Of Faulty Genes Could Reveal Risk Of Bone Disease Posted: 27 May 2009 08:00 PM PDT The discovery of faulty genes by researchers in England could help people with Paget's disease, a painful bone condition. Three genes have been found to be associated with the disease which, if detected early enough in people, could hasten diagnosis and treatment.

World's Highest-resolution Commercial Satellite Posted: 27 May 2009 08:00 PM PDT Since the early 1960s, super powerful spy satellites have been the stuff of the military and intelligence communities. Now two U.S. companies have launched commercial imaging satellites that offer the same sort of space-based images of the Earth to the public. One of these companies recently launched the highest-resolution commercial imaging satellite in the world.

Are Humans Genetically Programmed To Care About Long-term Future And Climate Change? Posted: 27 May 2009 08:00 PM PDT Humans may be programmed by evolution to care about the long-term future, suggests new research. A study finds that individuals may have an innate tendency to care about the long-term future of their communities, over timescales much longer than an individual's lifespan. This in turn may help to explain people's wish to take action over long-term environmental problems.

Genetic Basis Of Musical Aptitude: Neurobiology Of Musicality Related To Intrinsic Attachment Behavior Posted: 27 May 2009 05:00 PM PDT Music is social communication between individuals -- humming of lullabies attach infant to parent and singing or playing music adds croup cohesion. The neurobiology of music perception and production is likely to be related to the pathways affecting intrinsic attachment behavior, suggests a recent Finnish study. The study gives new information about genetic background of musical aptitude.

Premature Ejaculation May Be A Genetic Disorder Posted: 27 May 2009 05:00 PM PDT Premature ejaculation can be embarrassing, but a new study suggests that it might be a genetic disorder.

High Torque Electric Motor Being Tested Posted: 27 May 2009 05:00 PM PDT A lightweight electric motor is set to power a new four-seat coupé, with track tests scheduled for the end of 2009.

New Mouse Model Provides Insight Into Genetic Neurological Disorders Posted: 27 May 2009 05:00 PM PDT Neurosensory diseases are difficult to model in mice because their symptoms are complex and diverse. The genetic causes identified are often lethal when transferred to a mouse. The lack of animal models slows progress in understanding and treating the diseases. By strategically altering a protein-making molecule, a mouse was made to help understand nervous system diseases that impair feeling and cause paralysis of the arms and legs in humans.

Flexible Monitors For Future Battlefields Posted: 27 May 2009 05:00 PM PDT Among the technological demands of an increasingly sophisticated U.S. military force is the need for futuristic computer displays. While existing flat-panel, light-emitting diodes (LED) displays are good for most commercial purposes, they may not be optimized for the modern battlefield; they could be too heavy and too fragile, for instance.

Half Of Your Friends Lost In Seven Years, Social Network Study Finds Posted: 27 May 2009 05:00 PM PDT Had a good chat with someone recently? Has a good friend just helped you to do up your home? Then you will be lucky if that person still does that in seven years time. Sociologist Gerald Mollenhorst investigated how the context in which we meet people influences our social network. One of his conclusions: you lose about half of your close network members every seven years.

New Extinct Lemur Species Discovered In Madagascar Posted: 27 May 2009 02:00 PM PDT A third species of an extinct group of large lemurs has just been uncovered in the northwest of Madagascar. Dubbed Palaeopropithecus kelyus, this new specimen is smaller than the two species of these 'large sloth lemurs' already known and its diet made up of harder-textured foodstuffs. This discovery supports the idea of a richer biodiversity in recent prehistory (late Pleistocene and beginning of the Holocene).

Green Tea Extract Shows Promise In Leukemia Trials Posted: 27 May 2009 02:00 PM PDT Researchers are reporting positive results in early leukemia clinical trials using the chemical epigallocatechin gallate, an active ingredient in green tea.

In-depth Look At Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine Life, Ecosystems Posted: 27 May 2009 02:00 PM PDT A new report on the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands provides the sharpest picture yet of the region's marine life and ecosystems. The report examines the geographic distribution of the island chain's marine life and habitats, and the conditions that determine where they are found.

Identification Of Genetic Variants Affecting Age At Menopause Could Help Improve Fertility Treatment Posted: 27 May 2009 02:00 PM PDT For the first time, scientists have been able to identify genetic factors that influence the age at which natural menopause occurs in women. A greater understanding of the factors influencing age at menopause might eventually help to improve the clinical treatment of infertile women.

World's Highest-resolution Projector Posted: 27 May 2009 02:00 PM PDT If one were to stack 16 of the world's best high-definition projectors side-by-side (and on top of each other), the combined image projected would contain 33 megapixels. This is the resolution achieved by the world's highest-resolution projector, just created.

Lessons From The Vaccine-autism Wars Posted: 27 May 2009 02:00 PM PDT Researchers have investigated why the debunked vaccine-autism theory won't go away. Medical anthropologists, science historians, vaccine experts, social scientists, and pediatricians explore the factors keeping the dangerous notion alive -- and its proponents so vitriolic.

Giant Dinosaur Posture Is All Wrong: Sauropods Held Their Heads High, Research Finds Posted: 27 May 2009 11:00 AM PDT Famous depictions of the largest of all known dinosaurs, from film and television to museum skeletons, have almost certainly got it wrong, according to new research. Now scientists are saying the low-necked pose of sauropods is a mistake: new evidence indicates that they held their necks aloft like giraffes and all other living land vertebrates, making them up to 15 meters tall.

Healing With Light? Optical Technology Controls Living Cells Posted: 27 May 2009 11:00 AM PDT Star Trek scanners that fix injuries with beams of light may not be science fiction after all. A new optical technology that lines up living cells and controls their movements has opened the door to better artificial tissues and wounds that heal faster with less scarring.

Watermelons Tapped For Ethanol Posted: 27 May 2009 11:00 AM PDT With their sweet, refreshing juices and succulent interior, watermelons are a favorite summertime treat, especially around July 4th. But now this Independence Day favorite could become even more of a patriotic commodity. The simple sugars in watermelon juice can be made into ethanol.

Heart Muscle Protein Can Replace Its Missing Skeletal Muscle Counterpart To Give Mice With Myopathy Long And Active Life Posted: 27 May 2009 11:00 AM PDT A heart muscle protein can replace its missing skeletal muscle counterpart to give mice with myopathy a long and active life.

Vehicles That Drive Themselves Posted: 27 May 2009 11:00 AM PDT The thought of a car or truck that can drive itself is at once both exciting and frightening. Autonomous vehicle navigation, as the technology is known, may make life more convenient if it allows people to kick back and enjoy a good book or movie while their cars guide themselves through rush-hour traffic. But what happens if it starts to rain or if traffic suddenly picks up?

Cancer Drug Causes Patient To Lose Fingerprints And Be Detained By US Immigration Posted: 27 May 2009 11:00 AM PDT Immigration officials held a cancer patient for four hours before they allowed him to enter the US because one of his cancer drugs caused his fingerprints to disappear. His oncologist is now advising all cancer patients who are being treated with the commonly used drug, capecitabine, to carry a doctor's letter with them if they want to travel to the US.

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
Inbox too full?
If you prefer to unsubscribe via postal mail, write to: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News, c/o Google, 20 W Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610