ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Frogs With Disease-resistance Genes May Escape Extinction Posted: 17 Jul 2008 10:00 AM CDT As frog populations die off around the world, researchers have identified certain genes that can help the amphibians develop resistance to harmful bacteria and disease. The discovery may provide new strategies to protect frog populations in the wild. New work examines how genes encoding the major histocompatibility complex affect the ability of frogs to resist infection by a bacterium that is associated with frog population declines.

Genetic Variation Increases HIV Risk In Africans Posted: 17 Jul 2008 10:00 AM CDT A genetic variation which evolved to protect people of African descent against malaria has now been shown to increase their susceptibility to HIV infection by up to 40 percent, according to new research. Conversely, the same variation also appears to prolong survival of those infected with HIV by approximately two years.

Giant Clams 'Secure For Another Generation' After Philippine Re-seeding Posted: 17 Jul 2008 10:00 AM CDT Re-seeding programs on over 50 reefs are securing the survival of the giant clam for at least another generation. The clams, the world's largest bivalve mollusks and the star of lurid but mostly imaginary literary and cinematic depictions of trapped divers, can live for over a century. They have been known to exceed 1.4 meters in length and weigh in at over 260 kilograms.

Allergy To Road Traffic: Exposure To Traffic-related Air Pollution Linked To Onset Of Allergic Diseases In Children Posted: 17 Jul 2008 10:00 AM CDT Allergic diseases appear more often in children who grow up near busy roads according to a new study involving several thousand children. It was shown that an escalation of asthmatic bronchitis and allergic sensitization to pollen and other common allergens occurred with increasing exposure to fine dust. Increased exposure to nitric oxide was linked to increases in eczema.

Could Climate Change Impact Costa Rica? New Study Says Yes Posted: 17 Jul 2008 10:00 AM CDT Climate change could have a major impact on the environment of Costa Rica, upsetting delicate mountain cloud forests, and causing a decrease in plant and animal species in a region famous for its biodiversity. Regional climate models predict that the area will become warmer and drier as climate change accelerates.

Can You Be Born A Couch Potato? Genetic Influence Found In Active And Sedentary Behavior Of Mice Posted: 17 Jul 2008 10:00 AM CDT The key to good health is to be physically active. The key to being active is... to be born that way? In two genetic analyses performed on mouse hybrids descended from strains known for their high and low levels of physical activity, researchers have located six single and several interacting sets of genes that have a large effect on the animals' predisposition to engage in physical activity. The research points to the profound influence of genes governing dopamine regulation in the brain and suggests that active or inactive behavior may be inherited in mammals.

New Way To Weigh Giant Black Holes Posted: 17 Jul 2008 07:00 AM CDT How do you weigh the biggest black holes in the universe? One answer now comes from a completely new and independent technique that astronomers have developed using data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. By measuring a peak in the temperature of hot gas in the center of the giant elliptical galaxy NGC 4649, scientists have determined the mass of the galaxy's supermassive black hole. The method, applied for the first time, gives results that are consistent with a traditional technique.

Further Evidence For Genetic Contribution To Autism Posted: 17 Jul 2008 07:00 AM CDT Some parents of children with autism evaluate facial expressions differently than the rest of us -- and in a way that is strikingly similar to autistic patients themselves, according to new research by neuroscientist.

Detecting Flu Viruses In Remote Areas Of The World Posted: 17 Jul 2008 07:00 AM CDT Researchers are reporting an advance in the quest for a fast, sensitive test to detect flu viruses -- one that requires no refrigeration and can be used in remote areas of the world where new flu viruses often emerge. Their new method is the first to use sugar molecules rather than antibodies.

Young Adults With Prehypertension Are More Likely To Have Atherosclerosis Later In Life Posted: 17 Jul 2008 07:00 AM CDT Prehypertension during young adulthood is common and is associated with coronary atherosclerosis, according to a new study. The findings suggest that young adults should try to keep their blood pressure below 120/80 mmHg.

First Humans To Settle Americas Came From Europe, Not From Asia Over Bering Strait Land-ice Bridge, New Research Suggests Posted: 17 Jul 2008 07:00 AM CDT New research by a geography professor and his students on the creation of Kankakee Sand Islands of Northwest Indiana is lending support to evidence that the first humans to settle the Americas came from Europe, a discovery that overturns decades of classroom lessons that nomadic tribes from Asia crossed a Bering Strait land-ice bridge.

Categories Help Us Make Happier Choices Posted: 17 Jul 2008 07:00 AM CDT Most of us have stood in a supermarket aisle, overwhelmed with the array of choices. Making those choices is easier if the options are categorized, according to a new research.

New Approach Sheds Light On Ways Circadian Disruption Affects Human Health Posted: 17 Jul 2008 04:00 AM CDT Researchers shed light on the effects of circadian disruption on breast cancer, obesity, sleep disorders and other health problems. Growing evidence indicates that exposure to irregular patterns of light and darkness can cause the human circadian system to fall out of synchrony with the 24-hour solar day, negatively affecting human health -- but scientists have been unable to effectively study the relationship between circadian disruptions and human maladies.

Vitamin A Pushes Breast Cancer To Form Blood Vessel Cells Posted: 17 Jul 2008 04:00 AM CDT Researchers have discovered that vitamin A, when applied to breast cancer cells, turns on genes that can push stem cells embedded in a tumor to morph into endothelial cells. These cells can then build blood vessels to link up to the body's blood supply, promoting further tumor growth.

Detecting Coronary Disease Early: Nuclear Stress Test Can Detect More Than Blockages Posted: 17 Jul 2008 04:00 AM CDT A less invasive test commonly used to diagnose coronary disease also may be used to detect one of the leading causes of heart failure. By using a nuclear stress test to look at how fast blood flows into the heart's pumping chamber -- the left ventricle -- they can determine if a patient's left ventricle is having trouble.

After Ankle Surgery: Mobilize With Care Posted: 17 Jul 2008 04:00 AM CDT People recover faster after surgery for ankle fracture if they are given a cast or splint that can be removed to let them exercise the ankle, than if their foot is placed in an immobilizing plaster cast. If the fracture is stable, then encouraging them to walk soon after surgery is also beneficial. However, increased activity does increase the chance of experiencing problems with the surgical wound.

All Terrain Vehicles: Gear Up Before Revving Up ATVs Posted: 17 Jul 2008 04:00 AM CDT Whether on vacation or out for recreation, many adults and children are hopping on ATVs for some warm weather fun. But ATVs are not toys.

Coronary Heart Disease Patients Live Longer, But Not Always Happier, Lives Posted: 17 Jul 2008 04:00 AM CDT People with coronary heart disease report a worse "quality of life" than people free of heart disease. Heart patients who were younger than 50, female, black or Hispanic were all more likely to have lower quality of life scores. Quality of life is an important indicator of the socioeconomic impact of disease, the effectiveness of treatment and long-term mortality.

Men And Women May Need Different Diets Posted: 17 Jul 2008 01:00 AM CDT Diet can strongly influence how long you live and your reproductive success, but now scientists have discovered that what works for males can be very different for females. In the first study of its kind, the researchers have shown that gender plays a major role in determining which diet is better suited to promoting longer life or better reproductive success.

Gene Signatures For Scleroderma Discovered Posted: 17 Jul 2008 01:00 AM CDT Distinct genetic profiles can discern different groups of patients with scleroderma, a vexing autoimmune disease in which the body turns against itself, Dartmouth Medical School researchers report. Their discovery of distinguishing molecular subtypes within the disease offers new insight into the complexity of a poorly understood and hard to treat illness and opens a window for better diagnosis and targeted therapies.

British Showers Most Wasteful And Inconsiderate In Western Europe, Survey Suggests Posted: 17 Jul 2008 01:00 AM CDT Water-wasting and uncaring about gels, shampoos and soap going down the plughole: that's how the British emerge from a survey on showering habits of western Europeans. The Royal Society of Chemistry says that showering for longer than 2 minutes is unnecessary and wasteful.

Formula Predicts Emergency Admissions In Adults Older Than 40 Posted: 17 Jul 2008 01:00 AM CDT Using data from clinical encounters and drug prescriptions over three years, researchers have devised a model to predict emergency hospital admissions in the following year in individuals age 40 and older, according to a new report.

Mitigating Climate Change By Improving Forest Management In The Tropics Posted: 17 Jul 2008 01:00 AM CDT Botanists argue that by ignoring evidence that better forest management practices can substantially reduce carbon emissions, negotiators are missing an obvious and cost-effective approach to mitigating the effects of global climate change. This oversight is troublesome, the authors write, because "carbon losses due to degradation could be of the same magnitude as those from deforestation."

Gene Variations In Diverse Patient Populations Determine Who Responds Best To An Antidepressant Posted: 17 Jul 2008 01:00 AM CDT A new study shows that variations in the serotonin transporter gene could explain why some people with depression respond better than others to treatment with citalopram, an antidepressant medication.

Birds Have A Good Sense Of Smell Posted: 16 Jul 2008 10:00 PM CDT Sight and hearing are the most important senses for birds -- this is at least the received wisdom. By studying bird DNA, however, researchers have now provided genetic evidence that many bird species have a well-developed sense of smell.

Scientists Reduce Alzheimer's-like Plaques In Fly Brain Posted: 16 Jul 2008 10:00 PM CDT Neuroscientists have succeeded in demonstrating that overexpression of an enzyme in the brain can reduce telltale deposits causally linked with Alzheimer's disease.

Net Gain For Endangered Dolphins Posted: 16 Jul 2008 10:00 PM CDT The rarest marine dolphin in the world -- down to 111 individuals following decades of entanglement in fishing nets -- is now to receive protection over more of its range from the New Zealand government. The critically-endangered Maui's dolphins, living only along the west coast of New Zealand's North Island, could be functionally extinct within just 25 years largely as a result of a losing battle with fishing nets.

Joint Replacement May Improve Osteoarthritis Symptoms In Older Adults Posted: 16 Jul 2008 10:00 PM CDT Older adults who have hip or knee replacement surgery for severe osteoarthritis may take several weeks to recover but appear to have excellent long-term outcomes.

Cancer Metastasis: Cellular Decisions Predicted With Computer Program Posted: 16 Jul 2008 10:00 PM CDT A new method may help to develop new treatments against cancer metastasis. Scientists have simulated on the computer how cells decide whether or not to migrate. Using their results, the researchers were able to predict the molecular targets within a cell that have to be hit so that its behavior changes in a particular direction.

Corporations Can Profit From Being Environmentally Friendly Posted: 16 Jul 2008 10:00 PM CDT Though many policymakers have argued that environmental regulations can negatively impact on an organization's bottom line, a new study shows that companies that develop green production processes can not only offset the costs of regulations, but can also reap further benefits. The study looked at more than 2,600 manufacturing facilities in seven different countries.

Can Diet Alone Control Type 2 Diabetes? No Evidence Yet Posted: 16 Jul 2008 07:00 PM CDT Despite strong evidence that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or at least delayed by a combination of lifestyle changes and good dietary advice, a team of Cochrane researchers found that there is no indication whether dietary advice alone can prevent the disease.

NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander To Begin Rasping Frozen Layer Posted: 16 Jul 2008 07:00 PM CDT A powered rasp on the back of the robotic arm scoop of NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander is being tested for the first time on Mars in gathering sample shavings of ice.

'Healthy' Sterols May Pose Health Risk Posted: 16 Jul 2008 07:00 PM CDT Plant sterols have been touted as an effective way to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. However, a research study has uncovered that these compounds do have their own risks, as they can accumulate in heart valves and lead to stenosis.

Dioxin Risk In Sewage-sludge Used On Crops, Plant Tissue Grown On Contaminated Soil Posted: 16 Jul 2008 07:00 PM CDT Use of biosolids (treated municipal sewage sludge) on crops is a common practice because biosolids are a rich source of plant nutrients and organic matter. However, these biosolids can contain dangerous dioxins. Scientists investigated the effects of continuous and long-term application of biosolids on the levels of dioxins in soil and corn tissues.

Smoking Cessation Therapies More Effective Than Placebos Posted: 16 Jul 2008 07:00 PM CDT Six treatments for smoking cessation perform better than placebos -- including varenicline, recently approved for use in Canada.

Ancient Mars Had Widespread Water, Potential To Support Life Posted: 16 Jul 2008 04:00 PM CDT Mars once hosted vast lakes, flowing rivers and a variety of other wet environments that had the potential to support life, according to two new studies. Vast regions of the ancient highlands of Mars—which cover about half the planet—contain clay minerals, which can form only in the presence of water.

Bone Marrow Transplants: Cancer Drug Shows Promise Against Graft Vs. Host Disease Posted: 16 Jul 2008 04:00 PM CDT A study in mice suggests the drug SAHA, a new antitumor drug, is also able to reduce the effects of graft-versus-host disease, a common, sometimes fatal complication of bone marrow transplants. SAHA and other HDAC inhibitors also may provide a new way to treat autoimmune diseases. Plans are under way for a U-M trial of the drug in people to prevent graft vs. host disease.

Wasps And Bumble Bees Heat Up, Fly Faster With Protein-rich Food Posted: 16 Jul 2008 04:00 PM CDT Good pollen makes bees hot, biologists have found. Wasps warm up too when they find protein-rich meat, a separate experiment has shown.

Children's Physical Activity Drops From Age 9 To 15, Study Indicates Posted: 16 Jul 2008 04:00 PM CDT The activity level of a large group of American children dropped sharply between age 9 and age 15, when most failed to reach the daily recommended activity level, according to the latest findings from a long-term study by the National Institutes of Health.

Over 100 Species Of Bats Found Within Several Acres Of Rainforest In Ecuador Posted: 16 Jul 2008 04:00 PM CDT Bats are a remarkable evolutionary success story representing the second largest group of mammals, outnumbered only by rodents in number of species. Now, researchers have discovered the place that harbors the highest number of bat species ever recorded. In several acres of rainforest in the Amazon basin of eastern Ecuador, the authors have found more than 100 species of bats.

Psychiatric Forensic Patients With Tattoos More Likely To Have Antisocial Personality Disorder Posted: 16 Jul 2008 04:00 PM CDT The presence of tattoos on forensic psychiatric inpatients should alert clinicians to a possible diagnosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder, and also about the potential for histories of suicide attempt, substance abuse and sexual abuse, according to research published in Personality and Mental Health.

Europe's Ancestors: Cro-Magnon 28,000 Years Old Had DNA Like Modern Humans Posted: 16 Jul 2008 01:00 PM CDT Some 40,000 years ago, Cro-Magnons -- the first people who had a skeleton that looked anatomically modern -- entered Europe, coming from Africa. Geneticists now show that a Cro-Magnoid individual who lived in Southern Italy 28,000 years ago was a modern European, genetically as well as anatomically. They conclude that the Neandertal people, who lived in Europe for nearly 300,000 years, are not the ancestors of modern Europeans.

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