ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Musicians Use Both Sides Of Their Brains More Frequently Than Average People Posted: 03 Oct 2008 01:00 PM CDT Supporting what many of us who are not musically talented have often felt, new research reveals that trained musicians really do think differently than the rest of us. Psychologists have found that professionally trained musicians more effectively use a creative technique called divergent thinking, and also use both the left and the right sides of their frontal cortex more heavily than the average person.

Brain Pathway Responsible For Obesity Found: Too Many Calories Send Brain Off Kilter Posted: 03 Oct 2008 01:00 PM CDT An overload of calories throws critical portions of the brain out of whack, reveals a new study. That response in the brain's hypothalamus -- the "headquarters" for maintaining energy balance -- can happen even in the absence of any weight gain, according to the new studies in mice.

Remembrance Of Tussles Past: Paper Wasps Show Surprisingly Strong Memory For Previous Encounters Posted: 03 Oct 2008 01:00 PM CDT With brains less than a millionth the size of humans', paper wasps hardly seem like mental giants. But new research shows that these insects can remember individuals for at least a week, even after meeting and interacting with many other wasps in the meantime.

Childhood Wheezing With Rhinovirus Can Increase Asthma Odds 10-fold Posted: 03 Oct 2008 01:00 PM CDT Infants who experience viral respiratory illnesses with wheezing are known to be at increased risk for developing asthma later during childhood. Using new molecular techniques to identify different viruses, researchers now believe they have pinpointed the biggest culprit: rhinovirus.

Physicists Find That Size Matters When Initiating An Object's Movement Through Grains Posted: 03 Oct 2008 01:00 PM CDT Physicists have discovered that the size of grains, such as sand, above a buried object is important in determining the force required to begin raising the object. No one, until now, has discovered how much force is required to initiate an object's movement through grains. The discovery may be useful for engineering foundations for objects such as power-line towers, or for designing industrial mixer blades, such as those used in pharmaceutical processing.

Bullying Common In Cyberspace Posted: 03 Oct 2008 01:00 PM CDT Cyberbullying is common among teens who are frequent internet users, with 72 percent of respondents reporting at least one incident during the past year.

Six Environmental Research Studies Reveal Critical Health Risks From Plastic Posted: 03 Oct 2008 10:00 AM CDT Exposure to Bisphenol A, phthalates and flame retardants are strongly associated with adverse health effects on humans and laboratory animals. A special section in the October 2008 issue of Environmental Research -- "A Plastic World" -- provides critical new research on environmental contaminants and adverse reproductive and behavioral effects.

What HIV Needs: Identification Of Human Factors May Yield Novel Therapeutic Targets For HIV Posted: 03 Oct 2008 10:00 AM CDT Scientists have found 295 host cell factors that are involved in human immunodeficiency virus infection. Their research could lead to the development of a new class of HIV therapeutics aimed at disrupting the human-HIV interactions that lead to viral infection.

Step Right Up, Let The Computer Look At Your Face And Tell You Your Age Posted: 03 Oct 2008 10:00 AM CDT Like an age-guesser at a carnival, new computer software can fairly accurately estimate a person's age. But, unlike age-guessers, who can view a person's body, the software works by examining only the person's face.

Link Between Weight Gains During Pregnancy And Dieting History Posted: 03 Oct 2008 10:00 AM CDT Women with a history of dieting or other restricted eating practices are at risk of gaining an inappropriate amount of weight during pregnancy. Researchers report that restrained eating behaviors prior to pregnancy were associated with weight gains above IOM recommendations for normal, overweight and obese women, and weight gains below recommendations for underweight women.

New Research Could Lead To Practical Uses For Metal-organic Frameworks Posted: 03 Oct 2008 10:00 AM CDT Scientists are putting the pressure on metal-organic frameworks. Behaving as molecular-scale sponges these MOFs have wide ranging potential uses for filtering, capturing or detecting molecules such as carbon dioxide or hydrogen storage for fuel cells.

This Is Your Brain On Politics Posted: 03 Oct 2008 10:00 AM CDT The founders of the United States didn't have the advantages of fMRI imaging and had no concept of the amygdala, but were hesitant about political parties and political campaigning nonetheless. Turns out there was some reason to be concerned -- many psychological studies have shown that political affiliation plays a large role not just in the voting booth but also when people must decide how they feel about political issues.

'Little Bang' Triggered Solar System Formation Posted: 03 Oct 2008 07:00 AM CDT For several decades, scientists have debated whether the Solar System formed as a result of a shock wave from an exploding star -- a supernova -- that triggered the collapse of a dense, dusty gas cloud that contracted to form the Sun and the planets. Now, astrophysicists have shown for the first time that a supernova could indeed have triggered the solar system's formation under conditions of rapid heating and cooling.

Novel Anti-tumor Vaccine Developed Posted: 03 Oct 2008 07:00 AM CDT A novel anti-tumor vaccine for neuroblastoma and melanoma is showing significant impact on tumor growth in mice, according to new research published in Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy. The vaccine uses the tumor's own protein to induce an immune system response, allowing for a personalized approach to treatment.

Olfactory Bulb Glial Cell Transplant Preserves Muscles In Paraplegic Rats Posted: 03 Oct 2008 07:00 AM CDT Researchers have analysed the degree of preservation in the skeletal muscles of paraplegic rats treated with a transplant of Olfactory bulb glial cells (OBG). Pioneering research established that while nerve cells from the peripheral nervous system (PNS) have the capacity to repair themselves, the same does not apply to adult brain cells and spinal cord cells from the central nervous system (CNS). In spite of the global effect of OBG transplants, only 3 of the 9 treated animals (and none of the untreated) showed near normal muscle characteristics.

Scientists 'See' How HIV Matures Into An Infection Posted: 03 Oct 2008 07:00 AM CDT After improving the sensitivity of nuclear magnetic resonance, researchers actually watched the HIV-1 protease mature from an inactive form into an active infection. This process has never been directly visualized before.

Reducing Work Commutes Not Easy In Some Cities, Study Suggests Posted: 03 Oct 2008 07:00 AM CDT Shorter work commutes are one way to reduce gasoline consumption, but a new study finds that not all cities are equal in how easy it would be to achieve that goal. Research suggests that Atlanta and Minneapolis may be the US metropolitan areas that would find it most difficult to reduce the miles that workers commute each day.

Religion Makes People Helpful And Generous -- Under Certain Conditions Posted: 03 Oct 2008 07:00 AM CDT Belief in God encourages people to be helpful, honest and generous, but only under certain psychological conditions, according to researchers who analyzed the past three decades of social science research.

Arctic Sea Ice Hits Second-lowest Recorded Extent, Likely Lowest Volume Posted: 03 Oct 2008 04:00 AM CDT Arctic sea ice extent during the 2008 melt season dropped to the second-lowest level Sept. 14 since satellite measurements began in 1979 and may represent the lowest volume of sea ice on record, according to researchers.

Liver Transplant Recipients Almost Three Times More Likely To Develop Cancer Posted: 03 Oct 2008 04:00 AM CDT Cancer incidence is higher among liver transplant recipients in Finland compared to the general population, according to a new study.

Similarity Of Urban Flora: Plants In Towns And Cities Are More Closely Related Than Those In The Countryside Posted: 03 Oct 2008 04:00 AM CDT More plant species grow in German towns and cities than in the countryside, but those in towns and cities are more closely related and are often functionally similar. This makes urban ecosystems more susceptible to environmental impacts.

Breakthrough Optical Technology To Assess Colon Cancer Risk, Accuracy Posted: 03 Oct 2008 04:00 AM CDT Researchers have discovered that fiber optic technology can for the very first time effectively measure blood levels in the colonic lining (mucosa) in humans, thus having potential applications for analyzing risk of colon cancer. The study used fiber optic technology to map microvascular blood content in patients during colonoscopy. The results provide the first indication that the early increase in blood supply is detectable in humans.

Captain Birdseye's Robotic Nose Posted: 03 Oct 2008 04:00 AM CDT The captain can't freeze smelly fish that's past its best -- and Icelandic scientists can now help him out by detecting the levels of stench-making bacteria faster than ever before. A new method to detect bacteria that break down dead fish and produce the distasteful smell of rotting fish has been developed.

Rethinking Who Should Be Considered 'Essential' During A Pandemic Flu Outbreak Posted: 03 Oct 2008 04:00 AM CDT Not only are doctors, nurses, and firefighters essential during a severe pandemic influenza outbreak. So, too, are truck drivers, communications personnel, and utility workers. That's the conclusion of a new article to be published in the journal of Biosecurity and Bioterrorism.

Compact Fluorescent Lighting: Are We Trading Energy Conservation For Toxic Mercury Emissions? Posted: 03 Oct 2008 01:00 AM CDT New research shows certain countries and some US states stand to benefit from the use of compact fluorescent lighting more than others, and some places may even produce more mercury emissions by switching from incandescent light bulbs to CFLs.

Role Of Stem Cells In Renewing The Cornea Posted: 03 Oct 2008 01:00 AM CDT New research shows how the cornea uses stem cells to repair itself. Using mouse models they demonstrate that everyday wear and tear on the cornea is repaired from stem cells residing in the corneal epithelium, and that more serious repair jobs require the involvement of other stem cells that migrate from the limbus, a region between the cornea and the conjunctiva, the white part of the eye.

Spacing, Not Size, Matters In Visual Recognition, Researchers Find Posted: 03 Oct 2008 01:00 AM CDT You might think that the farthest distance at which you can hold a book and still read it quickly is determined by the size of the letters. However, neuroscientists have concluded that it's the spacing between letters, not their size, that matters.

Loss Of The Protein Target Of Lithium Disrupts Normal Mouse Embryonic Heart Development Posted: 03 Oct 2008 01:00 AM CDT One drug used to treat bipolar disorder is lithium, an inhibitor of GSK-3 proteins controversially linked to congenital heart defects. However, new data indicate that mice lacking GSK-3-beta die before birth, mostly at the late stage of embryonic development because of numerous defects in the heart. It is therefore suggested that it might be wise to exercise caution when considering whether to treat women of childbearing age with newer, more powerful GSK-3 inhibitors.

Simple Twists Of Fate Posted: 03 Oct 2008 01:00 AM CDT A novel study in PLoS Biology reports on some of the molecular gymnastics performed by a protein involved in regulating DNA transcription. Using state-of-the art tools, researchers observed the shape and behavior of individual DNA molecules bent into tight loops by Lac repressor, a protein from the bacterium E.coli that switches on and off individual genes.

Study Shows How Civil War Refugees Cope With The Unknown Posted: 03 Oct 2008 01:00 AM CDT A new study focuses on the experiences of the Sudanese refugees who were separated from their parents during the Sudanese civil war.

Chernobyl Fallout? Plutonium Found In Swedish Soil Posted: 02 Oct 2008 10:00 PM CDT More than 20 years later, researchers from Case Western Reserve University traveled to Sweden and Poland to gain insight into the downward migration of Chernobyl-derived radionuclides in the soil. Among the team's findings was the fact that much more plutonium was found in the Swedish soil at a depth that corresponded with the nuclear explosion than that of Poland.

Changes In Sex Steroids Associated With Menopause Posted: 02 Oct 2008 10:00 PM CDT A new study shows that the increased rate of follicle stimulating hormone change that occurs during menopause is associated with increased objective sleep duration but poor subjective sleep quality.

Acupressure Calms Children Before Surgery Posted: 02 Oct 2008 10:00 PM CDT An acupressure treatment applied to children undergoing anesthesia noticeably lowers their anxiety levels and makes the stress of surgery more calming for them and their families, anesthesiologists have learned.

Genes Influence Effectiveness Of Weight-loss Drug Posted: 02 Oct 2008 10:00 PM CDT Obese patients with a specific genetic make-up lose more weight when taking the weight loss drug sibutramine and undergoing behavioral therapy compared to those without this genetic make-up.

New Mathematical Model Can Measure Political Party Power Posted: 02 Oct 2008 10:00 PM CDT A new algorithm developed by a computer scientist can be used to predict political power balances.

Presidential Candidates' Health Plans Offer Divergent Approaches To Health System Reform Posted: 02 Oct 2008 10:00 PM CDT A new report from the Commonwealth Fund examines key differences and areas of agreement in the health system reform proposals of presidential candidates Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama. Both plans seek to expand health insurance, but Senator McCain would encourage individuals to select their own coverage through the individual insurance market while Senator Obama would strengthen employer coverage and public programs.

New Fish Species May Emerge Because Of How Females See Males Posted: 02 Oct 2008 07:00 PM CDT Eye color and hair color play a role in human partner choice, but visual stimuli can also determine mating preferences in the animal kingdom. In many species, the male's fortunes in the mating stakes are decided by a conspicuous breeding dress. A study of brightly colored fish has now demonstrated that this has less to do with aesthetics than with the sensitivity of female eyes, which varies as a result of adaptation to the environment.

When Cells Go Bad: Cells That Avoid Suicide May Become Cancerous Posted: 02 Oct 2008 07:00 PM CDT When a cell's chromosomes lose their ends, the cell usually kills itself to stem the genetic damage. But now biologists have discovered how those cells can evade suicide and start down the path to cancer. The new study of fruit flies is the first to show in animals that losing just one telomere -- the end of a chromosome -- can lead to many abnormalities in a cell's chromosomes.

Jog To The Beat: Music Increases Exercise Endurance By 15% Posted: 02 Oct 2008 07:00 PM CDT New research reveals strong link between music and cardiovascular exercise performance.

Research Suggests Doctors Should Consider Kidney-sparing Surgery Posted: 02 Oct 2008 07:00 PM CDT A study of almost 1,500 kidney cancer patients treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center suggests that surgery to spare as much kidney tissue as possible may improve overall survival in patients who also have reduced kidney function at the time their cancer is diagnosed. The finding is significant because both kidney cancer and decreased kidney function appear to be increasing.

Nanoparticles Used To Deliver Treatment For Brain, Spinal Cord Injuries Posted: 02 Oct 2008 07:00 PM CDT Researchers have developed a method of using nanoparticles to deliver treatments to injured brain and spinal cord cells. Scientists coated silica nanoparticles with a polymer to target and repair injured guinea pig spinal cords. They then used the coated nanoparticles to deliver both the polymer and hydralazine to cells with secondary damage from a naturally produced toxin.

Eureka! How Distractions Facilitate Creative Problem-solving Posted: 02 Oct 2008 07:00 PM CDT According to psychologists, distractions may be helpful in coming up with creative solutions to a certain problem, but must be followed by a period of conscious thought to ensure that we are aware of those solutions and can apply them. Likewise, while distractions are more useful in solving difficult problems, it may be better to stay focused on finding the solution when confronted with easier problems.

MRI Spots Early Breast Cancer In Mice Posted: 02 Oct 2008 04:00 PM CDT A new magnetic resonance imaging procedure can detect very early breast cancer in mice, including ductal carcinoma in situ, a precursor to invasive cancer. Some of the tumors detected were less than 300 microns in diameter, the smallest cancers ever detected by MRI.

Electron Give-and-take Lets Molecules Shine Individually On Camera Posted: 02 Oct 2008 04:00 PM CDT A single fluorescent molecule flashing as it gains or loses its electron has made the microscopic spotlight. Watching a whole gaggle of these molecules, they appear to work synchronously; but a new close-up view reveals mavericks that shine when they seemingly shouldn't. The work sets the stage for a better understanding of the underlying principles of certain reactions common to biofuel production, so-called electron transfer reactions.

3-D CT Scans Lead To More Successful Treatment Of Varicose Veins In The Lower Extremities Posted: 02 Oct 2008 04:00 PM CDT 3-D CT scans provide a more comprehensive view of complex varicose veins (one of the most common diseases in the world) in the lower extremities, according to a study performed at the Seoul National University Hospital in Seoul, Republic of Korea. This technique aids surgeons to more effectively treat varicose veins.

More Star Births Than Astronomers Have Calculated Posted: 02 Oct 2008 04:00 PM CDT More newborn stars are apparently emerging around the universe than previously assumed. Researchers have now published a paper in the journal Nature explaining this discrepancy. Their study has identified a systematic error in the method of estimation.

International Cooperation Needed To Lower Proliferation Risks As Nuclear Energy Grows Posted: 02 Oct 2008 04:00 PM CDT As more nations pursue nuclear power, the United States and Russia, along with other countries and the International Atomic Energy Agency, should redouble efforts to ensure a reliable supply of nuclear fuel so that countries seeking nuclear energy have less incentive to build their own facilities to enrich uranium and reprocess spent nuclear fuel, says a new report by the US National Academy of Sciences and Russian Academy of Sciences.

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