ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

World's Oldest Fossil Impression Of Flying Insect Discovered: Found In Suburban Strip Mall Posted: 15 Oct 2008 10:00 AM CDT While paleontologists may scour remote, exotic places in search of prehistoric specimens, Tufts researchers have found what they believe to be the world's oldest whole-body fossil impression of a flying insect in a wooded field behind a strip mall in North Attleboro, Mass.

Marijuana Use Takes Toll On Adolescent Brain Function, Research Finds Posted: 15 Oct 2008 10:00 AM CDT Brain imaging shows that the brains of teens that use marijuana are working harder than the brains of their peers who abstain from the drug.

Nanodiamond Drug Device Could Transform Cancer Treatment Posted: 15 Oct 2008 10:00 AM CDT Researchers have developed a promising nanomaterial-based biomedical device that could be used to deliver chemotherapy drugs locally to sites where cancerous tumors have been surgically removed. The team demonstrated that the flexible microfilm device, which resembles a piece of plastic wrap and can be customized easily into different shapes, releases the chemotherapy agent doxorubicin in a sustained and consistent manner. The device takes advantage of nanodiamonds, an emergent technology.

Key Mechanism Regulating Neural Stem Cell Development Uncovered Posted: 15 Oct 2008 10:00 AM CDT Scintists have discovered a novel mechanism that regulates how neural stem cells of the retina generate the appropriate cell type at the right time during normal development. These findings could influence the development of future cell replacement therapies for genetic eye diseases that cause blindness.

New Comet Discovered By Canadian Astronomer Posted: 15 Oct 2008 10:00 AM CDT Rob Cardinal was looking for an asteroid, but ended up finding a comet. There is not much known yet about the Cardinal comet. Scientists are trying to determine more information about its orbit, whether its passing by Earth is periodic or whether it will only come by the sun once, which would mean its orbit is parabolic.

What Do You Know? Not As Much As You Think Posted: 15 Oct 2008 10:00 AM CDT We've all met know-it-alls -- people who think they know more than they actually do. If they're talking about products, like wine or motorcycles, they might actually know as much as they think. But when it comes to health plans, social policy, or nutrition, they might not, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research.

New Evidence Provides An Alternative Route 'Out Of Africa' For Early Humans Posted: 15 Oct 2008 07:00 AM CDT The widely held belief that the Nile valley was the most likely route out of sub-Saharan Africa for early modern humans 120,000 year ago is challenged. A new team shows that wetter conditions reached a lot further north than previously thought, providing a wet 'corridor' through Libya for early human migrations. The results also help explain inconsistencies between archaeological finds.

Protein Made In Liver Restores Blood Glucose In Type 1 Diabetes Model Posted: 15 Oct 2008 07:00 AM CDT A protein made by the liver in response to inflammation and used to treat patients suffering from a genetic form of emphysema has been shown to restore blood glucose levels in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes mellitus, according to a new study led by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Neurons In Zebrafish May Reveal Clues To The Wiring Of The Human Ear Posted: 15 Oct 2008 07:00 AM CDT Developing neurons tend to play the field, making more connections than they will ever need. Then the weakest are cut. But scientists now show that neurons in young zebrafish -- vertebrates, like humans -- behave differently: They immediately find a cluster of specialized cells and make the right match. The findings may help reveal the mechanism by which analogous cells are wired in the human ear and eventually help those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Memory Improves If Neurons Are New Posted: 15 Oct 2008 07:00 AM CDT The birth of new neurons (neurogenesis) does not end completely during development but continues throughout all life in two areas of the adult nervous system, i.e. subventricular zone and hippocampus. Recent research has shown that hippocampal neurogenesis is crucial for memory formation. These studies, however, have not yet clarified how the newborn neurons are integrated in the existing circuits and thus contribute to new memories formation and to the maintenance of old ones.

Dramatically Extending Lifetime Of Organic Solar Cells Posted: 15 Oct 2008 07:00 AM CDT Scientists have developed a method to stabilize the nanomorphology of organic solar cells resulting in a lifetime improvement of at least a factor 10. With these stabilized solar cells, efficiencies were achieved comparable to state-of-the-art organic solar cells. This breakthrough paves the way to commercial organic solar cells with an operational lifetime of over 5 years and efficiencies of over 10%.

Pajama Gamblers Could Lose Their Shirts: Online Gambling Can Be Dangerously Comfortable Posted: 15 Oct 2008 07:00 AM CDT People who gamble from the comfort of their home tend to think they're more in control of their gambling than people who gamble in casinos, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research.

Challenge To Discover Antarctica’s Hidden World Posted: 15 Oct 2008 04:00 AM CDT Later this month teams of scientists, engineers, pilots and support staff from British Antarctic Survey (BAS), USA, Germany, Australia, China and Japan will join forces for one of the most scientifically, technically ambitious and physically demanding Antarctic projects yet to be undertaken.

Ancient Chinese Salad Plant Transformed Into New Cancer-killing Compound Posted: 15 Oct 2008 04:00 AM CDT Researchers have updated a traditional Chinese medicine to create a compound that is more than 1,200 times more specific in killing certain kinds of cancer cells than currently available drugs, heralding the possibility of a more effective chemotherapy drug with minimal side effects.

Turning Freshwater Farm Ponds Into Crab Farms Posted: 15 Oct 2008 04:00 AM CDT Biologist are working to grow and harvest blue crabs from freshwater ponds, instead of from the sea.

Herbal Menopause Therapy A Good Fit For Breast Cancer Patients? Posted: 15 Oct 2008 04:00 AM CDT When it comes to understanding the effectiveness and safety of using herbal therapies with other drugs, much is unknown. Now, a researcher will study how black cohosh -- an herbal supplement often used to relieve hot flashes in menopausal women -- interacts with tamoxifen, a common drug used to treat breast cancer.

Smart Solutions Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions Posted: 15 Oct 2008 04:00 AM CDT Better house envelopes, more efficient energy supply systems, and use of biofuels for heating buildings would reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Europe. Buildings account for 36% of Sweden's energy consumption, and many homes are still heated with electricity. Existing houses therefore have a key role to play in reducing the use of electricity in Sweden.

Filling In The Blanks: Consumers Want Complete Information To Make Choices Posted: 15 Oct 2008 04:00 AM CDT A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research examines the way consumers behave when information about a purchase is incomplete. The study suggests that there are ways for marketers to reduce the number of customers who leave empty handed.

Did Termites Help Katrina Destroy New Orleans Floodwalls And Levees? Posted: 15 Oct 2008 01:00 AM CDT A new article suggests that Formosan subterranean termites played a large role in the destruction of floodwalls and levees during Hurricane Katrina.

Critical Genetic Link Found Between Human Taste Differences And Nicotine Dependence Posted: 15 Oct 2008 01:00 AM CDT Researchers report that two interacting genes related to bitter taste sensitivity, TAS2R16 and TAS2R38, play an important role in a person's development of nicotine dependence and smoking behavior. The researchers found that people with higher taste sensitivity aren't as likely to become dependent on nicotine as people with decreased taste sensitivity.

Surface Tension Drives Segregation Within Cell Mixtures Posted: 15 Oct 2008 01:00 AM CDT What does a mixture of two different kinds of cells have in common with a mixture of oil and water? The same basic force causes both mixtures to separate into two distinct regions. That is the conclusion of a new 3-D computer model of the cell sorting process.

Insight On Common Heart Rhythm Disorder Posted: 15 Oct 2008 01:00 AM CDT Researchers have identified a gene variant that causes a potentially fatal human heart rhythm disorder called sinus node disease. While the newly discovered gene variant is rare, the study provides insight into cellular mechanisms that regulate sinus node function and identifies an unanticipated new pathway for developing future therapies to regulate more common forms of sinus node disease.

Early-stage Gene Transcription Creates Access To DNA Posted: 15 Oct 2008 01:00 AM CDT An international team of researchers, probing how a yeast cell senses its cellular environment and makes decisions about whether or not to express a gene, finds the process of transcribing non-coding RNAs is required for the eventual production of the protein-encoding RNA. The transient synthesis of these non-coding RNAs serves to unfurl the tightly wound DNA, essentially loosening the structure to allow for gene expression.

Landmark Study Links Sleep, Memory Problems In Elderly African-Americans Posted: 15 Oct 2008 01:00 AM CDT A landmark study shows that African-American seniors who have trouble falling asleep are at higher risk of having memory problems -- raising the possibility that identifying and treating sleep difficulties in the elderly may help preserve their cognitive functioning. The study is the first to examine the link between sleep and cognitive functioning in older African-Americans.

Both Genetic And Environmental Factors Contribute To The Process Of Disability Retirement Posted: 14 Oct 2008 11:00 PM CDT The research findings of the new study clarify the complex process and the risk factors of work disability. The Finnish research group found a moderate genetic contribution to the variation of disability retirement.

Targeting Space Debris Using Networks Posted: 14 Oct 2008 10:00 PM CDT How to deal with the ever-increasing problem of space debris, poses a major challenge for space agencies, industry and academia around the globe. Now, research suggests a new technique for identifying key pieces of debris that should be targeted for removal from orbit.

Discovery May Lead To Treatment For Neurodegenerative Diseases Posted: 14 Oct 2008 10:00 PM CDT Over the past several decades, many laboratories have studied the communication between nerve cells and muscle fibers that are crucial to form and maintain neuromuscular synapses. Now, researchers have found that a protein named Lrp4 is the missing link that allows communication between two crucial molecules -- one derived from the nerve and the other from muscle -- that enables the formation of the synapse.

Bays On US Gulf Coast Vulnerable To Flooding Posted: 14 Oct 2008 10:00 PM CDT The most comprehensive geological review ever undertaken of the upper US Gulf Coast suggests that a combination of rising seas and dammed rivers could flood large swaths of wetlands this century in one or more bays from Alabama to Texas. The findings stem from bayfloor sediment samples, radiocarbon tests and seismic surveys compiled over 30 years.

New Therapeutic Treatment Approach Improves Survival In Esophageal Cancer Patients Posted: 14 Oct 2008 10:00 PM CDT A new study has found that a new therapeutic treatment, when delivered endoscopically and used in combination with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, improved survival rates in patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer. Cancer of the esophagus often has a poor survival rate.

Time Of Day Influences Yield For Pharmacologically Stimulated Stem Cell Mobilization Posted: 14 Oct 2008 10:00 PM CDT A new study uncovers a previously unrecognized, species-specific impact of circadian rhythms on the production of mobilized stem cells. The research suggests that when it comes to collecting human stem cells for clinical transplantation, picking the right time of day to harvest cells may result in a greater yield.

How Are Children Choosing Their Food Portions? Posted: 14 Oct 2008 10:00 PM CDT Researchers are trying to pinpoint the factors that affect how much food a child eats, to stave off unhealthy relationships with food later in life.

Lunar Prospecting Robot To Be Field Tested On Hawaii's Mauna Kea Posted: 14 Oct 2008 07:00 PM CDT The cool, rocky slopes of Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano that is Hawaii's highest mountain, will serve as a stand-in for the moon as researchers test a robot designed for lunar prospecting.

Why Sufferers From Alzheimer's Disease Might Have Lower Blood Pressure Posted: 14 Oct 2008 07:00 PM CDT A new study proposes that some people suffering from Alzheimer's disease experience a reduction in their high blood pressure because of cognitive decline.

How 'Sandfish' Swim: Could Help Materials Handling And Process Technology Specialists Posted: 14 Oct 2008 07:00 PM CDT It moves as quickly in sand as a fish moves through water, which is why this lizard, a species of skink (Scincus scincus) that grows to about 15 cm long and lives in the deserts of North Africa and the Near East, is commonly known by the name "sandfish."

New Risk Factor For Prostate Cancer Posted: 14 Oct 2008 07:00 PM CDT The greater the levels of a protein called Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), the greater the risk of prostate cancer, a new study has found.

Genome Of A Monkey-human Malaria Parasite Posted: 14 Oct 2008 07:00 PM CDT Researchers have decoded the genome of a malaria parasite that infects humans and monkeys. Human infection with P. knowlesi was first reported just over 40 years ago. It is the fifth and emerging human malaria parasite: recent surveys that many P. knowlesi infections have been misdiagnosed, underestimating its prevalence. The genome sequence reveals a dramatic example of 'molecular mimicry' that is likely to be crucial for survival and propagation of the parasite in the body.

When Seeing IS Believing Posted: 14 Oct 2008 07:00 PM CDT New research published in the journal Science explains why individuals seek to find and impose order on an unruly world through superstition, rituals and conspiratorial explanations by linking a loss of control to individual perceptions.

Despite 'Peacenik' Reputation, Bonobos Hunt And Eat Other Primates, Too Posted: 14 Oct 2008 04:00 PM CDT Unlike the male-dominated societies of their chimpanzee relatives, bonobo society -- in which females enjoy a higher social status than males -- has a "make-love-not-war" kind of image. While chimpanzee males frequently band together to hunt and kill monkeys, the more peaceful bonobos were believed to restrict what meat they do eat to forest antelopes, squirrels and rodents.

Scientists Trigger Cancer-like Response From Embryonic Stem Cells Posted: 14 Oct 2008 04:00 PM CDT Scientists have discovered a new control over embryonic stem cells' behavior. The researchers disrupted a natural bioelectrical mechanism within frog embryonic stem cells and trigged a cancer-like response, including increased cell growth, change in cell shape, and invasion of the major body organs. This research shows that electrical signals are a powerful control mechanism that can be used to modulate cell behavior.

Rising Arctic Storm Activity Sways Sea Ice, Climate Posted: 14 Oct 2008 04:00 PM CDT A new NASA study shows that the rising frequency and intensity of arctic storms over the last half century, attributed to progressively warmer waters, directly provoked acceleration of the rate of arctic sea ice drift, long considered by scientists as a bellwether of climate change.

Noxious Gas Stove Emissions Worsen Asthma Symptoms In Young Children Posted: 14 Oct 2008 04:00 PM CDT Scientists report that high levels of a noxious gas from stoves can be added to the list of indoor pollutants that aggravate asthma symptoms of inner-city children, especially preschoolers.

Computers That Understand How You Feel Posted: 14 Oct 2008 04:00 PM CDT A navigation system able to provide emergency services with the quickest route while at the same time taking stress into account; this is an example of a new type of dialogue system just developed. The dialogue system recognizes the user's emotions and is able to react to them.

Soothing Music Reduces Stress, Anxiety And Depression During Pregnancy Posted: 14 Oct 2008 04:00 PM CDT Music therapy can reduce psychological stress among pregnant women, according to research just published in a special complementary and alternative therapy medicine issue of the UK-based Journal of Clinical Nursing.

Men Who Never Smoke Live Longer, Better Lives Than Heavy Smokers Posted: 14 Oct 2008 01:00 PM CDT Health-related quality of life appears to deteriorate as the number of cigarettes smoked per day increases, even in individuals who subsequently quit smoking, according to new research.

Pectin Power: Why Fruits And Vegetables May Protect Against Cancer's Spread Posted: 14 Oct 2008 01:00 PM CDT Scientists from the UK's Institute of Food Research have found a new possible explanation for why people who eat more fruit and vegetables may gain protection against the spread of cancers. They have shown that a fragment released from pectin, found in all fruits and vegetables, binds to and is believed to inhibit galectin 3, a protein that plays a role in all stages of cancer progression.

Caffeine Consumption Not Associated With Breast Cancer Risk In Most Women, Study Suggests Posted: 14 Oct 2008 01:00 PM CDT Caffeine consumption does not appear to be associated with overall breast cancer risk, according to a new report. However, there is a possibility of increased risk for women with benign breast disease or for tumors that are hormone-receptor negative or larger than 2 centimeters.

NASA's Mars Odyssey Shifting Orbit For Extended Mission Posted: 14 Oct 2008 01:00 PM CDT The longest-serving of six spacecraft now studying Mars is up to new tricks for a third two-year extension of its mission to examine the most Earthlike of known foreign planets. NASA's Mars Odyssey is altering its orbit to gain even better sensitivity for its infrared mapping of Martian minerals. During the mission extension through September 2010, it will also point its camera with more flexibility than it has ever used before. Odyssey reached Mars in 2001.

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