ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Explorers Find Hundreds Of Undescribed Corals, Other Species On Familiar Australian Reefs Posted: 19 Sep 2008 07:00 PM CDT Hundreds of new kinds of animal species surprised international researchers systematically exploring waters off two islands on the Great Barrier Reef and a reef off northwestern Australia -- waters long familiar to divers. The expeditions, affiliated with the global Census of Marine Life, help mark the International Year of the Reef.

Natural Childbirth Linked To Stronger Baby Bonding Than C-sections Posted: 19 Sep 2008 07:00 PM CDT The bonds that tie a mother to her newborn may be stronger in women who deliver naturally than in those who deliver by cesarean section, according to a study published by Yale School of Medicine researchers in the October issue of Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.

Pictures Of Hot Fudge Sundaes Arouse: Understanding Emotions Improves Our Food Choices Posted: 19 Sep 2008 07:00 PM CDT Menus and advertising affect our emotions, and if we understand those emotions, we make better food choices, according to a new study.

Fly Studies Reveal Immune Cell Responses To Tumor And Tissue Damage Posted: 19 Sep 2008 07:00 PM CDT A new report reveals the similarities between the immune response to cancer and and the immune response to tissue damage.

Security: Checking People At Airports – With Terahertz Radiation Posted: 19 Sep 2008 07:00 PM CDT Within the last few years the number of transport checks -- above all at airports -- has been increased considerably. A worthwhile effort as, after all, it concerns the protection of passengers. Possibilities for new and safe methods of checking people are offered by terahertz radiation.

Political Views Affect Firms' Corporate Social Responsibility, Study Finds Posted: 19 Sep 2008 07:00 PM CDT Firms in Democratic states tend to have a higher corporate social responsibility rating than those in Republican ones, a new study finds.

Genetically Modified Crops Protect Neighbors From Pests, Study Finds Posted: 19 Sep 2008 04:00 PM CDT A study in northern China indicates that genetically modified cotton, altered to express the insecticide, Bt, not only reduces pest populations among those crops, but also reduces pests among other nearby crops that have not been modified with Bt. These findings could offer promising new ideas for controlling pests and maximizing crop yields in the future.

Key Advance In Treating Spinal Cord Injuries Found In Manipulating Stem Cells Posted: 19 Sep 2008 04:00 PM CDT Manipulating stem cells prior to transplantation may hold the key to overcoming a critical obstacle to using stem cell technology to repair spinal cord injuries, scientists have shown.

Smart Desks Make Sci-fi A Reality In The Classroom Posted: 19 Sep 2008 04:00 PM CDT Schools are set for a Star Trek make-over thanks to the development of the world's first interactive classroom by experts at Durham University. Researchers are designing new learning environments using interactive multi-touch desks that look and act like a large version of an Apple iPhone.

Muscle Stem Cell Identity Confirmed By Researchers Posted: 19 Sep 2008 04:00 PM CDT A single cell can repopulate damaged skeletal muscle in mice, say scientists who devised a way to track the cell's fate in living animals. The research is the first to confirm that so-called satellite cells encircling muscle fibers harbor an elusive muscle stem cell.

Road Crossing Structures Important In Reduction Of Animal Mortality On Roads Posted: 19 Sep 2008 04:00 PM CDT Spanish highways are increasingly incorporating walkways specially designed for wild animals, or mixed use structures designed for other purposes, which connect wildlife from one side of the road to the other. Researchers have analysed 43 walkways used by vertebrates to quantify the importance of these structures, which facilitate animals' natural movements and reduce mortality caused by vehicles and, consequently, traffic accidents.

Kids With Obese Friends And Family More Likely To Misperceive Weight Posted: 19 Sep 2008 04:00 PM CDT Kids and teens surrounded by overweight peers or parents are more likely to be oblivious to their own extra pounds than kids from thin entourages, according to a new Canadian study.

'Baby' Fat Cells May Be Key To Treating Obesity, Say Researchers Posted: 19 Sep 2008 01:00 PM CDT Immature, or "baby," fat cells lurk in the walls of the blood vessels that nourish fatty tissue, just waiting for excess calories to help them grow into the adult monsters responsible for packing on the extra pounds, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found in mice.

Novel Anti-cancer Mechanism Found In Long-lived Rodents Posted: 19 Sep 2008 01:00 PM CDT Biologists have found that small-bodied rodents with long lifespans have evolved a previously unknown anti-cancer mechanism that appears to be different from any anticancer mechanisms employed by humans or other large mammals.

First Dense Gas Of Ultracold 'Polar' Molecules Created Posted: 19 Sep 2008 01:00 PM CDT Scientists at JILA, a joint institute of the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the University of Colorado at Boulder, have applied their expertise in ultracold atoms and lasers to produce the first high-density gas of ultracold molecules -- two different atoms bonded together -- that are both stable and capable of strong interactions.

Mother's Flu Shot Protects Newborns Posted: 19 Sep 2008 01:00 PM CDT Newborns can be protected from seasonal flu when their mothers are vaccinated during pregnancy. Researchers observed a 63 percent reduction in proven influenza illness among infants born to vaccinated mothers while the number of serious respiratory illnesses to both mothers and infants dropped by 36 percent. The study is the first to demonstrate that the inactivated influenza vaccine provides protection to both mother and newborn.

New Link To Tropical African Climate Proposed Posted: 19 Sep 2008 01:00 PM CDT Scientists have proposed a new link to rainfall and temperature patterns in southeast Africa. Examining data from African lake core sediments covering the past 60,000 years, the researchers report in this week's Science Express that the region's climate does not march in lockstep with a circulatory system known as the Intertropical Convergence Zone, as previously believed. The finding could help scientists understand how tropical Africa will respond to global warming.

Finger Lengths Linked To Voluntary Exercise Posted: 19 Sep 2008 01:00 PM CDT If you find yourself lacking in motivation to go for a run or hit the gym, you may want to check your fingers. According to a new study there is a direct correlation between digit length and voluntary exercise.

From Sugar To Gasoline: 'Green Gasoline' Crafted From Sugar And Carbohydrates Posted: 19 Sep 2008 10:00 AM CDT Following independent paths of investigation, two research teams are announcing this month that they have successfully converted sugar -- potentially derived from agricultural waste and non-food plants -- into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and a range of other valuable chemicals.

Hormone Discovery Points To Benefits Of 'Home Grown' Fat Posted: 19 Sep 2008 10:00 AM CDT A hormone found at higher levels when the body produces its own "home grown" fat comes with considerable metabolic benefits, according to a new study. The newly discovered signaling molecule is the first example of a lipid-based hormone -- most are made up of proteins -- although the researchers said they expect it will not be the last.

Biologists Identify Genes Controlling Rhythmic Plant Growth Posted: 19 Sep 2008 10:00 AM CDT A team of biologists from UC San Diego, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and Oregon State University has identified the genes that enable plants to undergo bursts of rhythmic growth at night and allow them to compete when their leaves are shaded by other plants.

Prostate Cancer Genes Behave Like Those In Embryo Posted: 19 Sep 2008 10:00 AM CDT Gene activity in prostate cancer is reminiscent of that in the developing fetal prostate, providing further evidence that all cancers are not equal, researchers report. The finding could help scientists investigate how to manipulate the genetic program to fight a disease whose biology remains poorly understood despite more than half a century of investigation.

Lighting Research Center Develops Framework For Assessing Light Pollution Posted: 19 Sep 2008 10:00 AM CDT Balancing public and private interests for nighttime lighting has been a difficult undertaking, as too little lighting may increase safety and security issues, while too much lighting may cause problems for the environment and for human well being. Scientists in the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed the first ever comprehensive method for predicting and measuring various aspects of light pollution.

Accuracy, Efficacy And Ethics Of Abstinence-only Programs Questioned By Public Health Experts Posted: 19 Sep 2008 10:00 AM CDT Studies published in the journal Sexuality Research and Social Policy reveal that abstinence-only-until-marriage sex education programs fail to change sexual behavior in teenagers, provide inaccurate information about condoms and violate human rights principles.

'Buckyballs' Have High Potential To Accumulate In Living Tissue Posted: 19 Sep 2008 07:00 AM CDT Research suggests synthetic carbon molecules called fullerenes, or buckyballs, have a high potential of being accumulated in animal tissue, but the molecules also appear to break down in sunlight, perhaps reducing their possible environmental dangers.

Cutting Calories Could Limit Muscle Wasting In Later Years Posted: 19 Sep 2008 07:00 AM CDT A restricted-calorie diet, when started in early adulthood, seems to stymie a mitochondrial mishap that may contribute to muscle loss in aging adults, researchers have reported.

Pores Open The Door To Death Posted: 19 Sep 2008 07:00 AM CDT Scientists settle the question as to how our immune defenses enter and attack its own cells when they fall prey to viruses and tumor cells.

Inflammatory Response To Infection And Injury May Worsen Dementia Posted: 19 Sep 2008 07:00 AM CDT Inflammation in the brain resulting from infection or injury may accelerate the progress of dementia, new research suggests. The findings may have implications for the treatment and care of those living with dementia.

Error Message! How Mobile Phones Distort Measurements Posted: 19 Sep 2008 07:00 AM CDT Nowadays we don't only take measurements with simple measuring devices, but also with whole measuring systems. Unfortunately these complete systems are susceptible to electromagnetic radiation such as that transmitted by mobile phones and radio transceivers.

Exposure To Family Violence Especially Harmful To Previously Abused Children Posted: 19 Sep 2008 07:00 AM CDT Researchers conducted a study with a racially diverse sample of 2,925 children ages 5 to 16 years that found that the types of violence that abused children were later re-exposed to lead to specific types of psychological problems. Previously abused children who witnessed family violence, such as partner-on-partner abuse or adult-on-child abuse, had more symptoms of depression and anxiety, while those subjected to harsh physical discipline were more aggressive and more frequently broke rules.

Mother's Diet Can Affect Genes And Offspring's Risk Of Allergic Asthma, Rodent Studies Suggest Posted: 19 Sep 2008 04:00 AM CDT A pregnant mouse's diet can induce epigenetic changes that increase the risk her offspring will develop allergic asthma, according to researchers at National Jewish Health and Duke University Medical Center. Pregnant mice that consumed diets high in supplements containing methyl-donors, such as folic acid, had offspring with more severe allergic airway disease than offspring from mice that consumed diets low in methyl-containing foods.

New Mechanism For Cardiac Arrhythmia Discovered Posted: 19 Sep 2008 04:00 AM CDT Virus infections can cause cardiac arrhythmia. Scientists have now discovered the molecular mechanism. They have demonstrated that the receptor which the virus uses to infect heart cells is normally necessary for regular heart beat. Likewise, when the receptor is absent, arrhythmia occurs. The researchers assume that the virus infection and the autoimmune disease can block the receptor which disrupts the heart's normal rhythm.

Use Of Non-psychoactive Cannabinoids In The Treatment Of Neurodegenerative Diseases. Posted: 19 Sep 2008 04:00 AM CDT Scientists have studied the effects of a drug that reduces the progression of a disease similar to multiple sclerosis in animals. This discovery represents another step in the standing fight against the disease.

Genes Capable Of Regulating Stem Cell Function Identified Posted: 19 Sep 2008 04:00 AM CDT An animal model provides insight on pathways used for adult tissue maintenance and regeneration; system for studying relationship between stem cells and cancer. Scientists have developed a new system in which to study known mammalian adult stem cell disorders. This research, conducted with the flatworm planaria, highlights the genetic similarity between these invertebrates and mammals in the mechanisms by which stem cell regulatory pathways are used during adult tissue maintenance and regeneration.

Study Helps Stop Drugs Slipping Through Safety Net Posted: 19 Sep 2008 04:00 AM CDT Recent advances in genetic screening will lead to safer pharmaceutical drugs, with reduced adverse side effects, if the methods are incorporated in clinical development. A rallying call to bring key scientists into this growing field of pharmacogenics, the application of genetics to drug development and safety, was made recently at a major conference organized by the European Science Foundation in collaboration with the University of Barcelona.

Early Parenting Plays Key Role In Infants' Physiological Response To Stress Posted: 19 Sep 2008 04:00 AM CDT physiological response to stress (measured by heart rate) when they were temporarily separated from their mothers. DNA was collected to determine which infants carried a gene related to risky behaviors in adolescence and adulthood. Among those with the "risk" gene, maternal sensitivity did not affect heart rate at 6 months, but those with sensitive mothers showed an effective cardiac response at 12 months.

Astronomers Discover Most Dark Matter-dominated Galaxy In Universe Posted: 19 Sep 2008 01:00 AM CDT Astronomers have discovered the least luminous, most dark matter-filled galaxy known to exist. The galaxy, called Segue 1, is one of about two dozen small satellite galaxies orbiting our own Milky Way galaxy. The ultra-faint galaxy is a billion times less bright than the Milky Way, according to the team's results.

A Healthy Lifestyle Halves The Risk Of Premature Death In Women Posted: 19 Sep 2008 01:00 AM CDT Over half of deaths in women from chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease could be avoided if they never smoke, keep their weight in check, take exercise and eat a healthy diet low in red meat and trans-fats, according to a study published on the British Medical Journal website.

Ship-induced Waves Affect Snails, Crabs And Insect Larvae In Sandy Lakes And Rivers Posted: 19 Sep 2008 01:00 AM CDT Snails, crabs, insect larvae - the shores of rivers and lakes are populated by thousands of small animals that play an important role in the food chain of the freshwater ecosystem. They eat the leaves which fall into the water, among other things, and help keep the waters clean. Scientists are now studying the impact that ship-induced waves can have on these small animals.

Genes Linked To Blindness Produced By Corneal Oedema Identified Posted: 19 Sep 2008 01:00 AM CDT Scientists have identified genes linked to blindness produced by corneal oedema. The findings, published in the journal 'Experimental Eye Research' related to blindness caused by corneal oedema originated by the alteration of the cell barrier of corneal endothelium. When the endothelial cell barrier is unharmed, the cornea remains dehydrated and transparent.

New Method For Building Multilingual Ontologies That Can Be Applied To The Semantic Web Posted: 19 Sep 2008 01:00 AM CDT Researchers have developed a new method for building multilingual ontologies that can be applied to the Semantic Web. An ontology is a structured set of terms and concepts underpinning the meaning of a subject area. Artificial intelligence and knowledge representation systems are the principal users of ontologies.

Carrots And Sticks To Promote A Healthy Lifestyle? Posted: 19 Sep 2008 01:00 AM CDT When it comes to deciding whether paying people to make healthier lifestyle changes is a good thing, it seems patient opinion is split right down the middle. Unsurprisingly perhaps, those who smoke and are overweight are its greatest advocates.

World Faces Global Pandemic Of Antibiotic Resistance, Experts Warn Posted: 18 Sep 2008 10:00 PM CDT Vital components of modern medicine such as major surgery, organ transplantation, and cancer chemotherapy will be threatened if antibiotic resistance is not tackled urgently, warn experts.

Common Bronchodilator Drug Linked To Increased Deaths Posted: 18 Sep 2008 10:00 PM CDT A common bronchodilator drug which has been used for more than a decade by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been linked to a one-third higher risk of cardiovascular-related deaths. The drug is ipratropium. A new study found that veterans with recently diagnosed COPD using ipratropium were 34 percent more likely to die of a heart attack or of arrhythmia.

COPD? Eat Your Veggies Posted: 18 Sep 2008 10:00 PM CDT You know it's good for you in other ways, but could eating your broccoli also help patients with chronic lung disease? It just might. Broccoli is known to contain a compound that prevents the degradation of a key component that protects lungs against oxidative damage and has been linked to the development and severity of chronic lung disease.

Determining The Structure Of Nuclear Receptor Has Implications For A Host Of Diseases Posted: 18 Sep 2008 10:00 PM CDT Researchers have determined the molecular structure of a nuclear receptor, which regulates the expression of specific genes within cells, that may serve as a drug target for diseases related to heart and blood vessel development, human embryonic development and female infertility. Researchers also found that the receptor, named COUP-TFII, is activated by retinoic acid, a form of Vitamin A.

Engineers Discover Nanoparticles Can Break On Through Posted: 18 Sep 2008 10:00 PM CDT In a finding that could speed the use of sensors or barcodes at the nanoscale, engineers have shown that certain types of tiny organic particles, when heated to the proper temperature, bob to the surface of a layer of a thin polymer film and then can reversibly recede below the surface when heated a second time.

What Was I Doing? Interruptions Can Change Purchase Decisions Posted: 18 Sep 2008 10:00 PM CDT You're on your computer, about to buy a vacation package when the phone rings. According to a new study, when you return to the computer after the interruption, you may have a completely different mindset -- and make a different decision.

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