ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

New Spaceship Force Field Makes Mars Trip Possible Posted: 05 Nov 2008 10:00 AM CST According to the international space agencies, "space weather" is the single greatest threat to deep space travel. New research in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion shows how knowledge gained from the pursuit of nuclear fusion research may reduce the threat to acceptable levels, making humanity's first mission to Mars a much greater possibility.

Drug Mimics Low-cal Diet To Ward Off Weight Gain, Boost Running Endurance Posted: 05 Nov 2008 10:00 AM CST A drug designed to specifically hit a protein linked to the life-extending benefits of a meager diet can essentially trick the body into believing food is scarce even when it isn't, suggests a new report in Cell Metabolism.

New Device Controls, Measures Dynamics Of Chemicals In Live Tissue Posted: 05 Nov 2008 10:00 AM CST The "chemistrode," a droplet-base microfluidic device, provides new exciting opportunities to study stimulus-response dynamics in chemistry and biology. It will help researchers study any surface that responds to chemical stimulation (cells, tissue, biofilms, catalytic surfaces, etc.). It may also help neurologists, cardiologists, and endocrinologists study and diagnose diseases. Researchers have already used it to measure how a single murine islet responds to glucose. They have applied for a patent on the device.

Chronic Headaches? 'Medication Overuse Headaches' Surprisingly Common Posted: 05 Nov 2008 10:00 AM CST There is a critical need to review current treatment strategies for the increasingly common problem of medication overuse headaches (MOH), according to a new research.

Light Weight Hydrogen 'Tank' Could Fuel Hydrogen Economy Posted: 05 Nov 2008 10:00 AM CST Researchers have shown that an alloy of the metals magnesium, titanium and nickel is excellent at absorbing hydrogen. This light alloy brings us a step closer to the everyday use of hydrogen as a source of fuel for powering vehicles. A hydrogen 'tank' using this alloy would have a relative weight that is sixty percent less than a battery pack.

Is ADHD More Likely To Affect Movement In Boys Or Girls? Posted: 05 Nov 2008 10:00 AM CST Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder appears to affect movement in boys more than it does in girls, according to a new study. ADHD is one of the most common mental disorders found in children. Symptoms include impulsiveness, hyperactivity, such as not being able to sit still, and inattention or constant daydreaming. Few studies have been done that compare ADHD and movement in both boys and girls.

'Junk' DNA Proves Functional; Helps Explain Human Differences From Other Species Posted: 05 Nov 2008 07:00 AM CST In a new study, scientists in Singapore report that what was previously believed to be "junk" DNA is one of the important ingredients distinguishing humans from other species.

Folic Acid, B Vitamins Do Not Appear To Affect Cancer Risk Posted: 05 Nov 2008 07:00 AM CST A daily supplementation combination that included folic acid and vitamin B6 and B12 had no significant effect on the overall risk of cancer, including breast cancer, among women at high risk of cardiovascular disease, according to new study.

Rising Carbon Dioxide Levels 'Will Hit Coral Reefs Harder' Posted: 05 Nov 2008 07:00 AM CST Rising carbon dioxide levels in the world's oceans could deliver a disastrous blow to the ability of coral reefs to withstand climate change. A major new investigation by Australian scientists has revealed that acidification of the oceans from human carbon dioxide emissions has the potential to worsen the impact of the bleaching and death of reef-building organisms expected to occur under global warming.

Steroid Therapies Following Transplant Can Be Eliminated, Study Suggests Posted: 05 Nov 2008 07:00 AM CST Using modern immunosuppressive drugs eliminates the need for steroid therapy as early as seven days following a transplant surgery while still maintaining kidney function, according to new research.

High-performance Steel For Possible Use In ITER Fusion Project Developed Posted: 05 Nov 2008 07:00 AM CST Researchers have developed a new cast stainless steel that is 70 percent stronger than comparable steels and is being evaluated for use in the huge shield modules required by the ITER fusion device.

'Weapons of Mass Production', I mean, 'Mass Destruction!' How The Brain Prevents Verbal Errors Posted: 05 Nov 2008 07:00 AM CST New research illuminates how the brain prevents verbal errors. Our brain is fairly good at preventing mistakes in speech. Unfortunately it does make the odd mistake. George W. Bush, famous for his verbal errors, made the mistake of referring to weapons of 'mass production' instead of 'mass destruction'. Former UK deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, had the same problem when he spoke of solving industrial disputes through 'meditation' instead of 'mediation'.

An Anti-frailty Pill For Seniors? New Drug Increases Muscle Mass In Arms And Legs Of Older Adults Posted: 05 Nov 2008 04:00 AM CST Researchers report that a daily single oral dose of an investigational drug, MK-677, increased muscle mass in the arms and legs of healthy older adults without serious side effects, suggesting that it may prove safe and effective in reducing age-related frailty.

Risk Of Sudden Cardiac Death Appears Increased Within 30 Days Of Heart Attack Posted: 05 Nov 2008 04:00 AM CST The risk of sudden cardiac death following a heart attack has declined significantly in the past 30 years, although patients appear to be at elevated risk for sudden cardiac death for the first month after having a heart attack, after which time their risk decreases unless they develop heart failure, according to new study.

Hurricane Ike Caused Underwater Damage To Galveston Posted: 05 Nov 2008 04:00 AM CST A rapid response research mission after Hurricane Ike found the hurricane significantly reshaped the seafloor and likely carried an enormous amount of sand and sediment out into the Gulf, changes that could help coastal communities gauge the effectiveness of their sometimes controversial efforts to replenish eroding sand along shorelines.

Elderly Women Can Increase Strength But Still Risk Falls Posted: 05 Nov 2008 04:00 AM CST Elderly women can increase muscle strength as much as young women can, a new study from the University of New Hampshire finds, indicating that decline in muscle function is less a natural part of the aging process than due to a decline in physical activity. Yet while the two groups increased similar percentages of strength, the older group was far less effective in increasing power, which is more closely related to preventing falls.

Cattle Fed Distiller's Grains Maintain Flavor And Tenderness Of Beef Posted: 05 Nov 2008 04:00 AM CST The availability and use of wet distiller's grains in beef finishing diets continues to increase as the ethanol industry expands, and some Texas AgriLife Research scientists are trying to determine if that will affect consumers' meat purchases. While much of the research focus has been on the energy value of the distiller's grains relative to the corn it replaces, recent questions have been posed on how they may affect beef quality, said Dr. Jim MacDonald, AgriLife Research ruminant nutritionist.

Response Rates To Antidepressants Differ Among English- And Spanish-speaking Hispanics Posted: 05 Nov 2008 04:00 AM CST In the first-ever study of its kind, Spanish-speaking Hispanics took longer to respond to medication for depression and were less likely to go into remission than English-speaking Hispanics.

Coral Reefs Found Growing In Cold, Deep Ocean Posted: 05 Nov 2008 01:00 AM CST Imagine descending in a submarine to the ice-cold, ink-black depths of the ocean, 800 meters under the surface of the Atlantic. Here the tops of the hills are covered in large coral reefs. Researchers have been studying the formation of these unknown cold-water relatives of the better-known tropical corals.

Previously Unknown Immune Cell May Help Those With Crohn's And Colitis Posted: 05 Nov 2008 01:00 AM CST The tonsils and lymphoid tissues in the intestinal tract that help protect the body from external pathogens are the home base of a rare newly identified immune cell. Researchers indicate that the immune cells could have a therapeutic role in inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Fungus Pitted Against Apple Pest Posted: 05 Nov 2008 01:00 AM CST A cocktail of gaseous compounds emitted by a beneficial fungus may offer a way to biologically fumigate stored apples, ridding them of codling moth larvae.

High Blood Pressure Is Related To Depression In Elderly Subjects Posted: 05 Nov 2008 01:00 AM CST An epidemiological study performed in Spain discloses a relationship between high blood pressure and depression in the elderly.

Model Predicts Equipment's Remaining Life And Links Info To Inventory Decisions Posted: 05 Nov 2008 01:00 AM CST New research could soon make predicting the degradation and remaining useful life of mechanical and electronic equipment easier and more accurate, while significantly improving maintenance operations and spare parts logistics.

World's Most Innovative Nations: Where New Technologies And Products Take Off Posted: 05 Nov 2008 01:00 AM CST Researchers have completed a study revealing the world's most innovative nations, based on the time it takes for new products to "take off." The report is among the largest of its kind and is based on 50 years worth of data. Sixteen product categories were analyzed, ranging from consumer electronics to household appliances.

Consuming Even Small Amounts Of Caffeine When Pregnant May Affect Growth Of Unborn Child Posted: 04 Nov 2008 10:00 PM CST Consuming caffeine at any time during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of fetal growth restriction (low birth weight), according to new research.

Liver Transplant Recipients Have Higher Cancer Risk, Study Suggests Posted: 04 Nov 2008 10:00 PM CST A new Canadian study comparing cancer rates of liver transplant patients to those of the general population has found that transplant recipients face increased risks of developing cancer, especially non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and colorectal cancer.

Novel Therapeutic Compounds For Neurodegenerative Conditions Posted: 04 Nov 2008 10:00 PM CST Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and ALS affect millions of individuals every year. Current medications are modestly effective, at best, and only target the symptoms associated with these debilitating and fatal disorders.

Biosolids Microbes Pose Manageable Risk To Workers Posted: 04 Nov 2008 10:00 PM CST Biosolids, a nutrient rich byproduct of sewage produced at wastewater treatment plants that can be applied to land as a fertilizer, has been scrutinized of late for its potential to transport disease-causing microorganisms. A new published study suggests that the pathogen risks associated with biosolids are generally low, as determined by measuring bioaerosol levels at sites where biosolids were applied.

Parents' Wartime Deployment Associated With Children's Behavior Problems Posted: 04 Nov 2008 10:00 PM CST Children ages 3 to 5 with a parent deployed to a war zone appear to exhibit more behavior problems than their peers whose parents are not deployed, according to a new report.

New Type Of Diesel Fuel Found In Patagonia Fungus Posted: 04 Nov 2008 07:00 PM CST Scientists have found a fungus that produces a new type of diesel fuel. One of the researchers calls it "myco-diesel." The discovery may offer an alternative to fossil fuels, according to a professor of plant sciences and plant pathology involved in the research. The find is even bigger, he said, than his 1993 discovery of fungus that contained the anticancer drug taxol.

Persistent Bacterial Infection Exploits Killing Machinery Of Immune Cells Posted: 04 Nov 2008 07:00 PM CST A new study reveals an important and newly discovered pathway used by disease-causing bacteria to evade the host immune system and survive and grow within the very cells meant to destroy them. This discovery may lead to new treatments and vaccines for tuberculosis and certain other chronic bacterial and parasitic infections.

Violent Video Game Feed Aggression In Kids In Japan And U.S. Posted: 04 Nov 2008 07:00 PM CST It's not just American kids who become more aggressive by playing violent video games. A new study showed effects of violent video games on aggression over a 3-6 month period in children from Japan as well as the United States.

Heart Rate-lowering Drug Improves Exercise Capacity In Patients With Stable Angina Posted: 04 Nov 2008 07:00 PM CST An analysis of the data from treadmill exercise tests shows that patients who were treated with ivabradine in addition to a beta blocker demonstrated a threefold improvement in total exercise duration at four months compared to those being treated with standard doses of beta blocker alone.

Personalized Learning Puts Students In A Class Of Their Own Posted: 04 Nov 2008 07:00 PM CST A new learning platform is giving the traditional classroom a radical makeover. Using innovative technology, iClass is putting pupils at the center of the learning experience and providing them with more control over what they learn.

While Prevalent, Sexual Problems In Women Not Always Associated With Distress Posted: 04 Nov 2008 07:00 PM CST The largest such study ever published finds that, while about 40 percent of women surveyed report having sexual problems, only 12 percent indicate that those issues are a source of significant personal distress.

Women Have More Diverse Hand Bacteria Than Men Posted: 04 Nov 2008 04:00 PM CST A new study indicates that not only do human hands harbor far higher numbers of bacteria species than previously believed, women have a significantly greater diversity of microbes on their palms than men.

Fibromyalgia Can No Longer Be Called The 'Invisible' Syndrome Posted: 04 Nov 2008 04:00 PM CST Using single photon emission computed tomography, researchers in France were able to detect functional abnormalities in certain regions in the brains of patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia, reinforcing the idea that symptoms of the disorder are related to a dysfunction in those parts of the brain where pain is processed.

DNA Fingerprinting Method May Thwart False Labeling Of Shark Meat Posted: 04 Nov 2008 04:00 PM CST Researchers in Spain are reporting that a new DNA identification method could thwart false labeling of shark species used in various seafood products, including the expensive Chinese delicacy known as shark fin soup.

Optimal Dose Of Vitamin E Maximizes Benefits, Minimizes Risk Posted: 04 Nov 2008 04:00 PM CST Excess vitamin E can promote bleeding by interfering with vitamin K. Nutrition researchers review some possible explanations.

Antioxidant Effects From Eating Almonds Posted: 04 Nov 2008 04:00 PM CST Eating almonds significantly decreased levels of two biomarkers for oxidative stress in a group of 27 male and female volunteers with elevated cholesterol.

Grandmothers As Caregivers Can Cut Risk Of Childhood Injury In Half Posted: 04 Nov 2008 04:00 PM CST For working parents, having grandparents as caregivers can cut the risk of childhood injury roughly in half, according to a new study. Compared to organized daycare or care by the mother or other relatives, having a grandmother watch a child was associated with a decreased risk of injury for the child.

Snakebites: At Least 421,000 Venom Bites And 20,000 Deaths Occur Each Year, Study Finds Posted: 04 Nov 2008 01:00 PM CST Snakebites cause considerable death and injury worldwide and pose an important yet neglected threat to public health, says new research in PLoS Medicine.

Bacteria Shown To Cause Blood Clots: Bacterial Clotting Depends On Clustering Posted: 04 Nov 2008 01:00 PM CST Bacteria can directly cause human blood and plasma to clot -- a process previously thought to have been lost during vertebrate evolution. The discovery may lead to new clinical methods for treating serious medical conditions such as sepsis and anthrax. The key to clot formation is the location of the bacteria, rather than the total number of bacteria or their concentration. Coagulation occurs only when a cluster of bacteria forms.

Gene That Helps Control Production Of Stomach Acid Discovered Posted: 04 Nov 2008 01:00 PM CST Researchers have discovered a gene that helps control the secretion of acid in the stomach -- information that could one day aid scientists in creating more efficient treatment options for conditions such as acid reflux or peptic ulcers.

Aerobic Exercise Combined With Resistance Training Improves Glucose Control In Diabetics, Study Shows Posted: 04 Nov 2008 01:00 PM CST Patients with diabetes who participate in a program combining aerobic and high-force eccentric resistance exercise demonstrate improvements in glucose control, physical performance, and body fat composition, according to a new study in Physical Therapy.

Tiny DNA Tweezers Can Catch And Release Objects On-demand Posted: 04 Nov 2008 01:00 PM CST Researchers in China are reporting development of a new DNA "tweezers" that are the first of their kind capable of grasping and releasing objects on-demand. The microscopic tweezers could have several potential uses, the researchers note. Those include microsurgery, drug and gene delivery for gene therapy, and in the manufacturing of nano-sized circuits for futuristic electronics.

Different Roles For Mothers And Fathers Influenced By Genetics Posted: 04 Nov 2008 01:00 PM CST New research reveals for the first time that the different roles of mothers and fathers are influenced by genetics. The study shows how variation in where males and females put their parenting effort reflects different genetic influences for each sex.

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