ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Do 68 Molecules Hold The Key To Understanding Disease? Posted: 04 Sep 2008 01:00 PM CDT Why is it that the origins of many serious diseases remain a mystery?  In considering that question, a scientist at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine has come up with a unified molecular view of the indivisible unit of life, the cell, which may provide an answer.

Cigarettes' Power May Not Be In Nicotine Itself, New Study Suggests Posted: 04 Sep 2008 01:00 PM CDT New research suggests that cigarettes' power may not be in nicotine itself but in how it enhances other experiences while smoking.

Addicted To Tanning Beds? 'Tanorexia' Common Among University Students Posted: 04 Sep 2008 01:00 PM CDT A new study conducted at a large university finds more than 25 percent of those surveyed reported symptoms of tanning dependence, including symptoms similar to alcohol and drug-addicted individuals. Suggestively, the study also found those with a tanning dependence tend to be more likely to be thin and smoke cigarettes than others.

Most Vaccine-allergic Children Can Still Be Safely Vaccinated, Experts Say Posted: 04 Sep 2008 01:00 PM CDT With close monitoring and a few standard precautions, nearly all children with known or suspected vaccine allergies can be safely immunized, according to a team of vaccine safety experts led by the Johns Hopkins Children's Center. The scientists offer pediatricians a step-by-step tool for quickly identifying children with allergic reactions to vaccines, and a much-needed guide, they say, to safely immunize those who are allergic.

Complex Ocean Behavior Studied With 'Artificial Upwelling' Posted: 04 Sep 2008 01:00 PM CDT A team of scientists is studying the complex ocean upwelling process by mimicking nature -- pumping cold, nutrient-rich water from deep within the Pacific Ocean and releasing it into surface waters near Hawaii that lack the nitrogen and phosphorous necessary to support high biological production.

Participating In Religion May Make Adolescents From Certain Races More Depressed Posted: 04 Sep 2008 01:00 PM CDT One of the few studies to look at the effects of religious participation on the mental health of minorities suggests that for some of them, religion may actually be contributing to adolescent depression. Previous research has shown that teens who are active in religious services are depressed less often because it provides these adolescents with social support and a sense of belonging.

Closest Look Ever At Edge Of A Black Hole Posted: 04 Sep 2008 10:00 AM CDT Astronomers have taken the closest look ever at the giant black hole in the center of the Milky Way. By combining telescopes in Hawaii, Arizona, and California, they detected structure at a tiny angular scale of 37 micro-arcseconds -- the equivalent of a baseball seen on the surface of the moon, 240,000 miles distant. These observations are among the highest resolution ever done in astronomy.

Hearing Restoration May Be Possible With Cochlear Repair After Transplant Of Human Cord Blood Cells Posted: 04 Sep 2008 10:00 AM CDT Hearing loss due to cochlear damage may be repaired by transplanting human umbilical cord hematopoietic stem cells. This study, using animal models of chemical and auditory cochlear damage, found that when transplanted stem cells migrated to the damaged area, "surprisingly few" transplanted cells were necessary to help repair sensory hair cells and neurons. Researchers say transplanting umbilical cord stem cells provides hope for the repair of human hearing impairments rising from cochlear damage.

Cinnamon-based Packaging To Prevent Mold In Bread And Other Baked Goods Posted: 04 Sep 2008 10:00 AM 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.

Second Site For Prostate Cancer Gene Found Posted: 04 Sep 2008 10:00 AM CDT Scientists studying a prostate cancer gene called HNF1B have found a second independent site within the HNF1B gene on chromosome 17 (17q12) -- increasing the number of genetic variants that may contribute to risk of developing the disease.

Global Warming: Warmer Seas Linked To Strengthening Hurricanes, According to New Research Posted: 04 Sep 2008 10:00 AM CDT The theory that global warming may be contributing to stronger hurricanes in the Atlantic over the past 30 years is bolstered by a new study.

African-Americans Twice As Likely As Caucasians To Die Following A Liver Operation, Study Finds Posted: 04 Sep 2008 10:00 AM CDT New research shows African-Americans are more than twice as likely as Caucasians to die in the hospital after surgical removal of part of the liver -- an increasingly used procedure for the treatment of liver cancer.

Tutankhamen Fathered Twins, Mummified Fetuses Suggest Posted: 04 Sep 2008 07:00 AM CDT Two fetuses found in the tomb of Tutankhamen may have been twins and were very likely to have been the children of the teenage Pharaoh, according to the anatomist who first studied the mummified remains of the young King in the 1960s.

Loss Of Sleep, Even For A Single Night, Increases Inflammation In The Body Posted: 04 Sep 2008 07:00 AM CDT Loss of sleep, even for a few short hours during the night, can prompt one's immune system to turn against healthy tissue and organs. Losing sleep for even part of one night can trigger the key cellular pathway that produces tissue-damaging inflammation according to new research. The findings suggest a good night's sleep can ease the risk of both heart disease and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.

'Lab On A Chip' Improves Success Of In Vitro Fertilization Posted: 04 Sep 2008 07:00 AM 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.

PET Scans Help Identify Mechanism Underlying Seasonal Mood Changes Posted: 04 Sep 2008 07:00 AM CDT Brain scans taken at different times of year suggest that the actions of the serotonin transporter -- involved in regulating the mood-altering neurotransmitter serotonin -- vary by season, according to a new report. These fluctuations may potentially explain seasonal affective disorder and related mood changes.

Invisibility Undone: Chinese Scientists Demonstrate How To Uncloak An Invisible Object Posted: 04 Sep 2008 07:00 AM CDT Harry Potter beware! A team of Chinese scientists has developed a way to unmask your invisibility cloak. According to a new paper in Optics Express certain materials underneath an invisibility cloak would allow invisible objects be seen again.

True Extent Of Self-harm Amongst Teenagers Revealed Posted: 04 Sep 2008 07:00 AM CDT New research reveals that one in four cases of self-harm go unreported and one in five occur under the influence of alcohol. Also, six in ten 'self-harmers' mention suicidal wishes. The new study also shows that self-cutting is not confined to young girls, but is the most common form of self-harm amongst young boys too.

Researchers Create Animal Model Of Chronic Stress Posted: 04 Sep 2008 04:00 AM CDT In an effort to better understand how chronic stress affects the human body, researchers have created an animal model that shows how chronic stress affects behavior, physiology and reproduction. Developing the animal model better positions the researchers to understand the neurohormonal causes of such stress and the body reaction in order to develop more effective treatment options for humans.

Children Of Older Fathers More Likely To Have Bipolar Disorder, New Report Finds Posted: 04 Sep 2008 04:00 AM CDT Older age among fathers may be associated with an increased risk for bipolar disorder in their offspring, according to a new report.

Wolves Would Rather Eat Salmon Posted: 04 Sep 2008 04:00 AM CDT Although most people imagine wolves chasing deer and other hoofed animals, new research suggests that, when they can, wolves actually prefer fishing to hunting. The study shows that when salmon is available, wolves will reduce deer hunting activity and instead focus on seafood.

Is There Hope For The Prevention Of Dementia? Posted: 04 Sep 2008 04:00 AM CDT Scientists reviewed the latest findings about the effect of antihypertensive treatment on cognitive function and dementia at a recent conference. As a risk factor for stroke, ischemic brain lesions and silent brain infarcts, general atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and cardiovascular morbidity, hypertension may also be a risk factor for dementia related to cerebrovascular disease.

Verifying Wireless Hackers For Homeland Security Posted: 04 Sep 2008 04:00 AM CDT Wireless sensor networks used to detect and report events including hurricanes, earthquakes, and forest fires and for military surveillance and anti-terrorist activities are prone to subterfuge. In the International Journal of Security and Networks, computer scientists at Florida Atlantic University describe a new anti-hacking system to protect WSNs.

Multitasking Can Be Efficient At Certain Optimal Times Posted: 04 Sep 2008 04:00 AM CDT In today's fast-paced world, multitasking has become an increasingly necessary part of our daily routine. Unfortunately, multitasking also is notoriously inefficient. However, a new brain imaging study led by a cognitive neuroscientist finds that there are optimal times when we are better suited to multitask.

Physicists Discover 'Doubly Strange' Particle Posted: 04 Sep 2008 01:00 AM CDT Physicists of the DZero experiment at the US Department of Energy's Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory have discovered a new particle made of three quarks, the Omega-sub-b. The particle contains two strange quarks and a bottom quark. It is an exotic relative of the much more common proton and weighs about six times the proton mass.

Early Onset Gene For Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Identified Posted: 04 Sep 2008 01:00 AM CDT Two new genetic markers that influence the likelihood of getting Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis during childhood have been identified. One marker sits next to a gene that regulates inflammatory responses, suggesting a target for therapy.

Improving Piglet Survival Posted: 04 Sep 2008 01:00 AM CDT Neonatal mortality in pigs is a major welfare and economic concern. It is one of the issues being tackled by Welfare Quality®, an EU-funded project designed to integrate farm animal welfare into the food chain.

How Often Do Hip And Knee Replacements Need Revision? Posted: 04 Sep 2008 01:00 AM CDT A comprehensive study using nationwide data on hip and knee replacements in England has found that one in 75 patients require a revision of their joint replacement after three years. Although this compares favorably with the rest of the world, the study reinforces concerns about the new surgical techniques of hip resurfacing and unicondylar knee replacement.

A Little Nitrogen Can Go A Long Way Posted: 04 Sep 2008 01:00 AM CDT With significant increases in the price of fertilizer and grain, site-specific management -- especially in variable rate nitrogen application -- can have a significant impact on yield and profitability, as reported in the latest issue of Agronomy Journal.

Post-marketing Studies Finding Adverse Events In Drugs Used In Children Posted: 04 Sep 2008 01:00 AM CDT The Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act, designed to stimulate more drug safety studies in children, has resulted in more than 130 label changes since its inception nearly six years ago, according to researchers.

'Bar-coding' Midges Could Help Prevent Spread Of Bluetongue In The UK Posted: 03 Sep 2008 11:00 PM CDT Ecologists have developed a new technique for genetically "bar-coding" biting midges that could help prevent the spread of bluetongue -- a serious animal disease -- in the UK.

Substance Found In Fruits And Vegetables Reduces Likelihood Of The Flu Posted: 03 Sep 2008 10:00 PM CDT Mice given quercetin, a naturally occurring substance found in fruits and vegetables, were less likely to contract the flu. The study also found that stressful exercise increased the susceptibility of mice to the flu, but quercetin canceled out that negative effect. Quercetin, a close chemical relative of resveratrol, is present in a variety of fruits and vegetables, including red onions, grapes, blueberries, tea, broccoli and red wine.

New Discovery About Growth Factor Can Be Breakthrough For Cancer Research Posted: 03 Sep 2008 10:00 PM CDT A research team has discovered an entirely new signal path for a growth factor that is of crucial importance for the survival and growth of cancer cells. This discovery, published in Nature Cell Biology, opens up an entirely new landscape for research on breast and prostate cancer, among other types.

Biological Invasions Increasing Due To Freshwater Impoundments, Says Study Posted: 03 Sep 2008 10:00 PM CDT The growing number of dams and other impoundments is increasing the number of invasive species and the speed at which they spread, putting natural lakes at risk, says a study led by the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Nearly Half Of US Adults Will Develop Painful Knee Osteoarthritis By Age 85: Study Posted: 03 Sep 2008 10:00 PM CDT Almost half of all US adults and nearly two-thirds of obese adults will develop painful osteoarthritis of the knee by age 85, a new study suggests.

Remote Satellite Imaging Predicts Outbreaks Of Infectious Disease Posted: 03 Sep 2008 10:00 PM CDT Scientists in the USA have established a way to predict outbreaks of cholera, making it easier to control. This finding could provide a model to predict and potentially control outbreaks of other important infectious diseases.

Teen Suicide Spike Was No Fluke Posted: 03 Sep 2008 10:00 PM CDT After 10 years of steady decline, researchers say a recent spike in the teen suicide rate is not a fluke and new prevention strategies need to be developed. The teen suicide rate jumped 18 percent from 2003-2004. That's the largest one year change in 15 years. Now, the most recent stats available (2004-2005) show the numbers are still significantly higher, and experts are concerned this could be a new trend.

Deep Brain Stimulation Halts Cell Loss, Parkinson's Researchers Find Posted: 03 Sep 2008 07:00 PM CDT Deep brain stimulation, a surgical technique often viewed as a last resort for people with Parkinson's disease, halts the progression of dopamine-cell loss in animal models, according to preliminary research.

Too Much Calcium In Blood May Increase Risk Of Fatal Prostate Cancer Posted: 03 Sep 2008 07:00 PM CDT Men who have too much calcium in their bloodstreams may have an increased risk of fatal prostate cancer, according to a new analysis.

Drug Reduces Vomiting, Hospital Admissions In Children With Gastroenteritis, Study Finds Posted: 03 Sep 2008 07:00 PM CDT Researchers have demonstrated that a drug called ondansetron helps reduce vomiting, the need for intravenous fluids and hospital admissions in children with acute gastroenteritis.

Virus Weaves Itself Into The DNA Transferred From Parents To Babies Posted: 03 Sep 2008 07:00 PM CDT New research shows that some parents pass on the human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) to their children because it is integrated into their chromosomes. This is the first time a virus has been shown to become part of the human DNA and then get passed to subsequent generations.

Collective Traumas: Early Explanations Of 9/11 Linked To Long-term Adjustment Posted: 03 Sep 2008 07:00 PM CDT A new study, lead authored by Kent State University's John Updegraff, suggests that finding meaning in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 terroist attacks was an important coping response that helped many Americans adjust by reducing their fears of future terrorism.

Cell Division Study Resolves 50-year-old Debate, May Aid Cancer Research Posted: 03 Sep 2008 04:00 PM CDT A new study has finally resolved a controversy that cellular biologists have been arguing over for nearly 50 years, with findings that may aid research on everything from birth defects and genetic diseases to the most classic "cell division" issue of them all -- cancer.

Tall Men At Increased Risk Of Prostate Cancer Development And Progression Posted: 03 Sep 2008 04:00 PM CDT A man's height is a modest marker for risk of prostate cancer development, but is more strongly linked to progression of the cancer, say researchers who conducted their own study on the connection and also reviewed 58 published studies.

Hurricane Katrina Increased Mental And Physical Health Problems In New Orleans By Up To Three Times Posted: 03 Sep 2008 04:00 PM CDT Half the residents of New Orleans were suffering from poor mental and physical health more than a year after their homes and community were devastated by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, according to new research.

Low Birth Weight Children Appear At Higher Risk Of Psychiatric Disturbances Posted: 03 Sep 2008 04:00 PM CDT Low-birth-weight children appear to be at higher risk for psychiatric disturbances from childhood through high school than normal-birth-weight children, according to a new report. In addition, low-birth-weight children from urban communities may be more likely to have attention problems than suburban low-birth-weight children.

Energy-saving Bacteria Resist Antibiotics Posted: 03 Sep 2008 04:00 PM CDT Bacteria save energy by producing proteins that moonlight, having different roles at different times, which may also protect the microbes from being killed. The moonlighting activity of one enzyme from the tuberculosis bacterium makes it partially resistant to a family of broad-spectrum antibiotics, according to a paper published in the journal Microbiology.

You are subscribed to email updates from ScienceDaily: Latest Science News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email Delivery powered by FeedBurner
Inbox too full? Subscribe to the feed version of ScienceDaily: Latest Science News in a feed reader.
If you prefer to unsubscribe via postal mail, write to: ScienceDaily: Latest Science News, c/o FeedBurner, 20 W Kinzie, 9th Floor, Chicago IL USA 60610