ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Solar Power Game-changer: 'Near Perfect' Absorption Of Sunlight, From All Angles Posted: 04 Nov 2008 10:00 AM CST Researchers have discovered and demonstrated a new method for overcoming two major hurdles facing solar energy. By developing a new antireflective coating that boosts the amount of sunlight captured by solar panels and allows those panels to absorb the entire solar spectrum from nearly any angle, the research team has moved academia and industry closer to realizing high-efficiency, cost-effective solar power.

Precipitation Levels May Be Associated With Autism Posted: 04 Nov 2008 10:00 AM CST Children living in counties with higher levels of annual precipitation appear more likely to have higher prevalence rates of autism, according to a new report. The results raise the possibility that an environmental trigger for autism may be associated with precipitation and may affect genetically vulnerable children.

Roads Bring Death And Fear To Forest Elephants Posted: 04 Nov 2008 10:00 AM CST Why did the elephant cross the road? It didn't according to a new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society and Save the Elephants that says endangered forest elephants are avoiding roadways at all costs.

Dramatic Fall In Malaria In Gambia Raises Possibility Of Elimination In Parts Of Africa Posted: 04 Nov 2008 10:00 AM CST The incidence of malaria has fallen significantly in Gambia in the last 5 years, according to a study carried out by experts there with support from scientists based in London.

Biologists Spy On The Secret Inner Life Of A Cell Posted: 04 Nov 2008 10:00 AM CST The transportation of antibodies from a mother to her newborn child is vital for the development of that child's nascent immune system. Antibodies help shape a baby's response to foreign pathogens and may influence the later occurrence of autoimmune diseases. Images from Caltech biologists reveal for the first time the complicated process by which antibodies are shuttled from mother's milk, through her baby's gut and into the bloodstream -- offering new insight into the mammalian immune system.

Protect Your Vote: Avoid Election Machine Errors Posted: 04 Nov 2008 10:00 AM CST Of all the problems that could lead to a miscount Election Day, there's one possibility that voters can do something about -- avoid election machine-related errors, says a researcher who led a comprehensive study of voter problems using touch screen and paper-based machines. "Under the best of circumstances, simple voter mistakes can make the difference in a close election, so it's up to individuals to go into the booth prepared and aware of the pitfalls."

Saving The Endangered Tasmanian Devil In Australia Posted: 04 Nov 2008 07:00 AM CST Zoologists are working on a national project in Australia to help save the endangered Tasmanian devil from extinction.

Seasonal Affective Disorder May Be Linked To Genetic Mutation, Study Suggests Posted: 04 Nov 2008 07:00 AM CST A new study indicates that seasonal affective disorder may be linked to a genetic mutation in the eye that makes a SAD patient less sensitive to light.

Genetic Evidence For Avian Influenza Movement From Asia To North America Via Wild Birds Posted: 04 Nov 2008 07:00 AM CST Wild migratory birds may be more important carriers of avian influenza viruses from continent to continent than previously thought, according to new scientific research that has important implications for highly pathogenic avian influenza virus surveillance in North America.

Oral Rinses Used For Tracking HPV-positive Head And Neck Cancers Holds Promise For Cancer Screening Posted: 04 Nov 2008 07:00 AM CST A new study validates a non-invasive screening method with future potential for detection of human papillomavirus-positive head and neck cancers.

Using Living Cells As Nanotechnology Factories Posted: 04 Nov 2008 07:00 AM CST In the tiny realm of nanotechnology, scientists have used a wide variety of materials to build atomic scale structures. But just as in the construction business, nanotechnology researchers can often be limited by the amount of raw materials. Now, scientists have avoided these pitfalls by using cells as factories to make DNA based nanostructures inside a living cell.

Tweens And Teens Double Use Of Diabetes Drugs Posted: 04 Nov 2008 07:00 AM CST A study of chronic medication use in children ages 5 to 19 found that America's tweens and teens more than doubled their use of type 2 diabetes medications between 2002 and 2005. Utilization patterns for blood pressure, cholesterol, attention-deficit disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, asthma and depression medications also increased at varying levels.

Mending Broken Hearts With Tissue Engineering Posted: 04 Nov 2008 04:00 AM CST Broken hearts could one day be mended using a novel scaffold. The new scaffold approach could also aid the engineering of other tissues.

Fluid Transducer: Electricity From Gas And Water Posted: 04 Nov 2008 04:00 AM CST A large number of technical systems work with air or water. Air compression systems and water pipes are just two examples. Researchers have now successfully managed to convert this fluidic energy into electricity. This could enable sensors to supply themselves with energy in future.

Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery Offers Comprehensive Cancer Removal Compared To Open Surgery, Study Suggests Posted: 04 Nov 2008 04:00 AM CST Minimally invasive surgery for lung cancer called video-assisted thoracic surgery or VATS is a relatively new procedure performed almost exclusively at academic centers. Now, a preliminary study is giving surgeons an early look at its benefits.

Smart Fabrics, The New Black Posted: 04 Nov 2008 04:00 AM CST Smart fabrics and intelligent textiles – material that incorporates cunning molecules or clever electronics – is thriving and European research efforts are tackling some of the sector's toughest challenges.

Greater Alcohol Outlet Density Is Linked To Male-to-female Partner Violence Posted: 04 Nov 2008 04:00 AM CST Alcohol-outlet density is associated with a number of adverse health and social consequences. New research examines the relationship between AOD and intimate partner violence. Findings show that an increase of 10 alcohol outlets per 10,000 persons was associated with a 34 percent increased risk of male-to-female partner violence.

Human Genes: Alternative Splicing Far More Common Than Thought Posted: 04 Nov 2008 01:00 AM CST Scientists have long known that it's possible for one gene to produce slightly different forms of the same protein by skipping or including certain sequences from the messenger RNA. Now, scientists have shown that this phenomenon, known as alternative splicing, is both far more prevalent and varies more between tissues than was previously believed.

Gene Scan Of Alzheimer's Families Identifies Four New Suspect Genes Posted: 04 Nov 2008 01:00 AM CST The first family-based genome-wide association study in Alzheimer's disease has identified the sites of four novel genes that may significantly influence risk for the most common late-onset form of the devastating neurological disorder.

New Mechanism Of Resistance To Dengue Virus Posted: 04 Nov 2008 01:00 AM CST It is becoming increasingly common to see individuals infected by the dengue virus who develop an ultimately fatal hemorrhagic syndrome, particularly in children during epidemics. However, in most cases, dengue remains a generally benign or even asymptomatic viral infection. One explanation for this phenomenon is a new mechanism of resistance to dengue virus could form the basis for new strategies to prevent this disease.

First International Guidelines For Treatment Of Psoriatic Arthritis Developed Posted: 04 Nov 2008 01:00 AM CST Rheumatologists, dermatologists and patient advocates have come together to publish the first-ever international guidelines for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis, a disease that mainly affects people who have psoriasis but also some people without it.

Large Anthropogenic Nutrient And Pollutant Loads To The Sea From Small Unmonitored Near-coastal Catchment Areas Posted: 04 Nov 2008 01:00 AM CST A new study shows that the waterborne nutrient and pollutant loads from land to the sea may be larger from small near-coastal areas, which are left without systematic environmental monitoring of their coastal loads, than from the large, systematically monitored main rivers.

Criminal Offenders: Childhood Anxiety May Delay Onset Of Criminal Behavior Until After Age 21 Posted: 04 Nov 2008 01:00 AM CST A new study examines whether certain childhood traits in boys delay criminal behavior until after the age of 21.

Odorprints Like Fingerprints? Personal Odors Remain Distinguishable Regardless Of Diet Posted: 03 Nov 2008 10:00 PM CST Scientists present behavioral and chemical findings to reveal that an individual's underlying odor signature remains detectable even in the face of major dietary changes. The findings indicate that biologically-based odorprints, like fingerprints, could be a reliable way to identify individual humans.

Crucial Hormonal Pathway To Bone Building Uncovered Posted: 03 Nov 2008 10:00 PM CST New study shows parathyroid hormone given intermittently enhances the body's own bone-building action through a specific "co-receptor" on the surface of bone cells. Previously, PTH was known to stimulate bone formation, but the exact mechanism was unknown.

Parasites And Global Change: Past Patterns, Future Projections Posted: 03 Nov 2008 10:00 PM CST Throughout history, environmental disturbances and global climate change have strongly influenced how humans are affected by parasites, according to one parasitologist.

Patience During Stalled Labor Can Avoid Many C-sections, Study Shows Posted: 03 Nov 2008 10:00 PM CST Pregnant women whose labor stalls while in the active phase of childbirth can reduce health risks to themselves and their infants by waiting out the delivery process for an extra two hours, according to a new study.

Antioxidants Can Reduce The Toxic Effects Of Lead, Study Suggests Posted: 03 Nov 2008 10:00 PM CST A research study shows that administering natural antioxidants can reduce the effects of lead poisoning in animals during the gestation and lactation periods. The study suggests that it could also be effective in humans.

Weight Does Not Affect Women's Sexual Behavior, Study Finds Posted: 03 Nov 2008 10:00 PM CST Oregon and Hawaiian researchers have found that a woman's weight does not seem to affect sexual behavior. In fact, overweight women are more likely to report having sex with men than women considered to be of "normal weight."

Tiny Fungi May Have Sex While Infecting Humans Posted: 03 Nov 2008 07:00 PM CST A fungus called microsporidia that causes chronic diarrhea in AIDS patients, organ transplant recipients and travelers has been identified as a member of the family of fungi that have been discovered to reproduce sexually. Scientists have proven that microsporidia are true fungi and that this species most likely undergoes a form of sexual reproduction during infection of humans and other host animals.

Stem Cell Therapies For Heart Disease Posted: 03 Nov 2008 07:00 PM CST New research brings stem cell therapies for heart disease one step closer. The findings reveal that our bodies' ability to respond to an internal "mayday" signal may hold the key to success for long-awaited regenerative medicine.

Teen Pregnancy Linked To Viewing Of Sexual Content On TV Posted: 03 Nov 2008 07:00 PM CST Adolescents who have high levels of exposure to television programs that contain sexual content are twice as likely to be involved in a pregnancy over the following three years as their peers who watch few such shows, according to a new study.

Pairs Of Cleaner Fish Co-operate And Give Better Service On The Coral Reef Posted: 03 Nov 2008 07:00 PM CST Co-operation in nature often works as an exchange of goods or services between two different parties. Scientists have studied how certain fish on coral reef keep other species of fish clean. The Bluestreak cleaner wrasse helps other fish species by eating parasites from their skin. The cleaner's favorite food is, however, the nutrient-rich mucus layer that covers the client fish.

Obesity, Other Health Problems Delay MS Diagnosis Posted: 03 Nov 2008 07:00 PM CST People with pre-existing medical conditions, such as obesity, and vascular problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, may experience a delay in being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, or experience an increase in severity of the disease at diagnosis.

Long-term Stabilization Of Carbon Dioxide In Atmosphere Will Require Major Cuts In Emissions Posted: 03 Nov 2008 07:00 PM CST Carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas that has had the largest impact on our climate, will continue to rise even if current national and international targets for reducing emissions are met, scientists warn. But, they say, strong action taken now – such as the 80% target recently announced by the UK government – will continue to have benefits a long time into the future.

Streamlining Brain Signals For Speed And Efficacy Posted: 03 Nov 2008 07:00 PM CST Life exists at the edge of chaos, where small changes can have striking and unanticipated effects, and major stimuli may go unheard. But there is no space for ambiguity when the brain needs to transform head motion into precise eye, head, and body movements that rapidly stabilize our posture and gaze. Now researchers have explained how the vestibular-ocular reflex, which keeps us and the world around us stable, achieves its accuracy.

Critically Endangered Fruit Bat Make Dramatic Return From Brink Of Extinction Posted: 03 Nov 2008 04:00 PM CST A once critically endangered bat species, the 'Pemba flying fox', has made a dramatic return from the brink of extinction, according to new research. As recently as 1989, only a scant few individual fruit bats could be observed on the tropical island of Pemba, off Tanzania. Its numbers have since soared to an astounding 22,000 bats in less than 20 years, the new research finds.

Magnet Restores Color Perception In Partially-sighted Patient Posted: 03 Nov 2008 04:00 PM CST By manipulating the brain non-invasively in a new way with magnetic stimulation, researchers have shown that they can restore some experience of color where before there was no visual awareness whatsoever.

Compound Stabilizes Main Natural Suppressor Of Tumors Posted: 03 Nov 2008 04:00 PM CST Scientists have discovered a substance with the capacity to maintain protein p53 stable even when it presents certain mutations that promote the appearance of cancer.

New Mouse Mutant Contains Clue To Progressive Hearing Loss Posted: 03 Nov 2008 04:00 PM CST Researchers have defined a mutation in the mouse genome that mimics progressive hearing loss in humans. Scientists have found that mice carrying a mutation called Oblivion displayed problems with the function of hair cells in the inner ear, occurring before clear physical effects are seen.

Good Code, Bad Computations: A Computer Security Gray Area Posted: 03 Nov 2008 04:00 PM CST If you want to make sure your computer or server is not tricked into undertaking malicious or undesirable behavior, it's not enough to keep bad code out of the system. New research shows that the process of building bad programs from good code using "return-oriented programming" can be automated and that this vulnerability applies to multiple computer architectures.

Study Of Learning Disabled Mice Shows Balance In The Brain Is Key Posted: 03 Nov 2008 04:00 PM CST A new study has revealed the molecular and cellular underpinnings of one of the most common, single gene causes for learning disability in humans. The findings made in learning disabled mice offer new insight into what happens in the brain when we learn and remember.

Earliest Known Hebrew Text In Proto-Canaanite Script Discovered In Area Where 'David Slew Goliath' Posted: 03 Nov 2008 01:00 PM CST The earliest known Hebrew text written in a Proto-Canaanite script has been discovered by Hebrew University archaeologists in an ancient city in the area where legend has it that David slew Goliath -- the earliest Judean city found to date. The 3,000 year old finding is thought to be the most significant archaeological discovery in Israel since the Dead Sea Scrolls -- predating them by 1,000 years.

Vigorous Activity Protects Against Breast Cancer, Study Shows Posted: 03 Nov 2008 01:00 PM CST Normal-weight women who carry out lots of vigorous exercise are approximately 30 percent less likely to develop breast cancer than those who don't exercise vigorously. A study of more than 30,000 postmenopausal American women has revealed that a sedentary lifestyle can be a risk factor for the disease -- even in women who are not overweight.

Corn Researchers Discover Novel Gene Shut-off Mechanisms Posted: 03 Nov 2008 01:00 PM CST Scientists have identified unusual differences in the natural mechanisms that turn off, or "silence," genes in corn. The discovery, which was made by comparing the impact of inactivating a gene that occurs in both corn and in the much-studied laboratory plant Arabidopsis, provides new insight into how one of the world's most important crops protects itself from mutation-causing mobile DNA elements and viruses.

How Signals Flow Between Neurons: New Research Explains Membrane Fusion At Synapse Posted: 03 Nov 2008 01:00 PM CST Imagine a bathtub with two soap bubbles colliding but never fusing. Then you add detergent, and the surface of the water goes flat as the walls of the bubbles collapse and merge. Scientists have used that analogy to describe the action of synaptotagmin-1, which acts to catalyze the fusion of the membranes of tiny neurotransmitter-filled bubbles called vesicles with the wall membrane of a neuron. This action allows signals to flow between neurons.

Satellites Approach Theoretical Shannon Limit Posted: 03 Nov 2008 01:00 PM CST Satellites are achieving unparalleled efficiency with a new protocol, DVB-S2. The performance of DVB-S2 satellite systems is very close to the theoretical maximum, defined by the Shannon Limit. That efficiency could be pushed even further by network optimization tools and equipment recently developed by European researchers.

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