ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

New Path Found To Antibiotics In Dirt Posted: 12 Nov 2008 01:00 PM CST A teaspoon of dirt contains an estimated 10,000 species of bacteria, but it's only one percent of these microbial bugs -- the ones that can be grown easily in a lab -- that have brought us antibiotics, anticancer agents and other useful drugs.

Stem Cells From Monkey Teeth Can Stimulate Growth And Generation Of Brain Cells Posted: 12 Nov 2008 01:00 PM CST Researchers have discovered dental pulp stem cells can stimulate growth and generation of several types of neural cells. Findings suggest dental pulp stem cells show promise for use in cell therapy and regenerative medicine, particularly therapies associated with the central nervous system.

Commercial Poultry Lack Genetic Diversity, Are Vulnerable To Avian Flu And Other Threats Posted: 12 Nov 2008 01:00 PM CST As concerns such as avian flu, animal welfare and consumer preferences impact the poultry industry, the reduced genetic diversity of commercial bird breeds increases their vulnerability and the industry's ability to adapt, according to a genetics expert. Native birds however, might be able to restock poultry industry's genetic stock.

New Method Provides Panoramic View Of Protein-RNA Interactions In Living Cells Posted: 12 Nov 2008 01:00 PM CST Scientists have developed a genome-wide platform to study how specialized proteins regulate RNA in living, intact cells. The platform allows researchers to identify, in a single experiment, every sequence within every strand of RNA to which proteins bind. The result is an unbiased and unprecedented look at how differences in RNA can explain how a worm and a human can each have 25,000 genes yet be so different.

Nature’s Own Chemical Plant Posted: 12 Nov 2008 01:00 PM CST Crude oil is getting more and more expensive, a fact clearly felt by the chemical industry. An alternative source of carbon is biomass, for instance colza and whey, which can likewise be used to produce chemical products.

Airport Malaria: Cause For Concern In U.S. Posted: 12 Nov 2008 01:00 PM CST "Airport malaria" is a term coined by researchers to explain the more recent spread of malaria to areas such as the United States and Europe, which some scientists credit to warmer climate changes.

New Technology Could Revolutionize Breast Cancer Screening Posted: 12 Nov 2008 10:00 AM CST The world's first radar breast imaging system that could revolutionize the way women are scanned for breast cancer is currently under clinical trial. Scientists have been working for a number of years to develop a breast-imaging device which uses radio waves and therefore has no radiation risk unlike conventional mammograms.

Fatty Diet During Pregnancy Makes New Cells In Fetal Brain That Cause Early Onset Obesity Posted: 12 Nov 2008 10:00 AM CST A study in rats shows that exposure to a high-fat diet during pregnancy produces permanent changes in the offspring's brain that lead to overeating and obesity early in life. This surprising finding provides a key step toward understanding mechanisms of fetal programming involving the production of new brain cells that may help explain the increased prevalence of childhood obesity during the last 30 years.

New Method Can Capture Catalysis, One Molecule At A Time Posted: 12 Nov 2008 10:00 AM CST Researchers have developed an ingenious microscopic method to observe the behavior of single nanoparticles of a catalyst, down to the resolution of single catalytic events.

Antibiotic Use Increases At Academic Medical Centers Posted: 12 Nov 2008 10:00 AM CST Antibacterial drug use appears to have increased at academic medical centers between 2002 and 2006, driven primarily by greater use of broad-spectrum agents and the antibiotic vancomycin, according to a new article.

New Nanomaterial Could Be Breakthrough For Implantable Medical Devices Posted: 12 Nov 2008 10:00 AM CST Researchers have made a breakthrough that could lead to new dialysis devices and a host of other revolutionary medical implants. The researchers have found that the unique properties of a new material can be used to create new devices that can be implanted into the human body, including blood glucose sensors for diabetics and artificial hemo-dialysis membranes that can scrub impurities from the blood.

Football Players: Staying Active May Lower Health Risks For Large, Retired Athletes Posted: 12 Nov 2008 10:00 AM CST Retired NFL players have fewer heart disease risk factors overall, but higher cholesterol and glucose levels. Physical activity may have prevented the development of higher rates of diabetes or greater amounts of atherosclerosis. Since today's players are 50 percent larger than 25 years ago, further study is needed on whether current players are at greater risk for cardiovascular events or death, researchers said.

Ice Age Beasts In Europe: Migration Of The Woolly Rhinoceros Earlier Than Assumed Posted: 12 Nov 2008 07:00 AM CST The newly described skull of the oldest woolly rhinoceros in Europe shows that these giant creatures -- with two impressively large horns on the bridge of their noses -- once roamed across central Germany. The large shaggy mammals grazed at the foot of the Kyffhäuser range, whose unforested, rocky slopes loomed out of the broad, bleak plains of northern Thuringia 460,000 years ago. The climate at this time was icy cold and far drier than today.

Genetic Blueprint Revealed For Kidney Design And Formation Posted: 12 Nov 2008 07:00 AM CST Researchers have generated the first comprehensive genetic blueprint of a forming mammalian organ, shedding light on the genetic and molecular dynamics of kidney development.

'Liquid Mirror' Advance May Lead To Better Eye Exams, Improved Telescopes Posted: 12 Nov 2008 07:00 AM CST Scientists in Canada are reporting progress toward a new type of "liquid mirror" -- mirrors made with highly reflective liquids -- whose shape can be changed to provide superior optical properties over conventional solid mirrors.

Positive Results In Phase 2 Trial Of Treatment Of C-difficile-associated Diarrhea Posted: 12 Nov 2008 07:00 AM CST A Phase 2 trial of an anti-C. difficile antibody combination treatment in patients with C. difficile associated diarrhea successfully met its primary objective. The top-line results from the recently completed multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 trial indicated a statistically significant reduction in recurrences of CDAD when compared with placebo.

Round Gobies: Alien Fish In Swedish Waters Posted: 12 Nov 2008 07:00 AM CST A round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) was caught in late July off the Swedish coast near Karlskrona. This is the first find of its kind in Sweden. The species, which originates from the Black Sea and probably spread to the Baltic via ballast water, has been found in the Gulf of Gdansk since 1990, in the southern Baltic.

Previous Abortions And Exercise: Do They Affect Pregnancy? Posted: 12 Nov 2008 07:00 AM CST Women who have had two or more induced abortions have a reduced risk of pre-eclampsia by 60 percent. It is not currently understood to what degree physical activity during pregnancy protects against pre-eclampsia, compared to previous studies.

Evolution's New Wrinkle: Proteins With 'Cruise Control' Act Like Adaptive Machines Posted: 12 Nov 2008 04:00 AM CST Scientists has discovered that chains of proteins found in most living organisms act like adaptive machines, possessing the ability to control their own evolution. The research, which appears to offer evidence of a hidden mechanism guiding the way biological organisms respond to the forces of natural selection, provides a new perspective on evolution, the scientists said.

Obese Kids' Artery Plaque Similar To Middle-aged Adults Posted: 12 Nov 2008 04:00 AM CST The plaque buildup in the neck arteries of obese children or those with high cholesterol is similar to levels in middle-aged adults. Using ultrasound images, researchers equated the "vascular age" to be 45 years old in these children. Obese children who have high triglycerides are the most likely to have prematurely aging arteries; these children should be treated as high risk for cardiovascular disease, researchers concluded.

Rocket Launching To Investigate The Northern Lights Posted: 12 Nov 2008 04:00 AM CST Airplanes that fly over the northern polar region can risk losing radio contact for several hours when the northern lights are at their most active in the skies. In the near future a professor from the University of Oslo will launch a Norwegian rocket to find the explanation for this. The aim is to set up reliable warning routines.

Muscular Dystrophy: Sarcospan, A Little Protein For A Big Problem Posted: 12 Nov 2008 04:00 AM CST The overlooked and undervalued protein, sarcospan, just got its moment in the spotlight. Researchers now show that adding it to muscle cells might ameliorate the most severe form of muscular dystrophy.

Intelligent Airlines Meet Passenger Needs Posted: 12 Nov 2008 04:00 AM CST As airports become stretched to capacity and calls mount for new runways and terminals, a computer scientist in Greece has designed a system that could ensure as many seats as possible are filled on each flight and no one is left stranded at check-in.

What Happens In Vegas? Place As A Risk Factor For Suicide Posted: 12 Nov 2008 04:00 AM CST The vast majority of recent studies on suicide have focused on identifying psychiatric risk factors. However, a new study in Social Science and Medicine, explores time and place as factors in suicide by closely analyzing the patterns of suicide in a single geographic area, Las Vegas, over a 30 year period.

Joyful Music May Promote Heart Health Posted: 12 Nov 2008 01:00 AM CST Listening to your favorite music may be good for your cardiovascular system. Researchers have shown for the first time that the emotions aroused by joyful music have a healthy effect on blood vessel function. The research team concluded that the cardiovascular benefits of music were similar to those found in their previous study of laughter.

Genetic Basis For Some Birth Defects Uncovered Posted: 12 Nov 2008 01:00 AM CST Scientists have uncovered a common genetic pathway for a number of birth defects that affect the development of the heart and head. Abnormal development of the jaw, palate, brain and heart are relatively common congenital defects and frequently arise due to genetic errors that affect a key developmental pathway.

Loggerhead Turtle Release To Provide Vital Information To Scientific Community Posted: 12 Nov 2008 01:00 AM CST Biologists will release two juvenile loggerhead sea turtles raised in captivity into the Indian River Lagoon near Sebastian Inlet. Dubbed Milton and FeeBee, the turtles were part of a sex ratio study.

Flu Shot Protects Kids, Even During Years With A Bad Vaccine Match Posted: 12 Nov 2008 01:00 AM CST Children who receive all recommended flu vaccine appear to be less likely to catch the respiratory virus that the CDC estimates hospitalizes 20,000 children every year. This study found that, even though the 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 flu seasons had poor matches between the vaccine and the circulating flu strains, the shots were clearly protective during the 2004-05 year and possibly even during the 2003-04 year.

Femtosecond, Chirped Laser Pulse Trains Could Reduce Decoherence Posted: 12 Nov 2008 01:00 AM CST A physics professor is proposing to use femtosecond, chirped laser pulse trains to reduce decoherence. Controlling coherence can overcome current barriers in a variety of fields, from quantum computing to molecular selective bio-imaging.

Minority Children Waiting For Heart Transplants Have Higher Death Rates Posted: 12 Nov 2008 01:00 AM CST Minority children on the waitlist for a heart transplant have a greater risk of dying than white children do. Socioeconomic factors explain only a small fraction of this increased risk. When all factors including race, area income and insurance were simultaneously considered, children with Medicaid insurance were 20 percent more likely to die while awaiting transplant.

Annual Plants Converted Into Perennials Posted: 11 Nov 2008 10:00 PM CST Scientists have succeeded in converting annual plants into perennials. They discovered that the deactivation of two genes in annuals led to the formation of structures that converted the plant into a perennial. This was most likely an important mechanism in plant evolution, initiating the formation of trees.

Alzheimer’s-associated Plaques Found In Symptom-free Older Adults Posted: 11 Nov 2008 10:00 PM CST Pittsburgh Compound B, an imaging agent that could facilitate the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, has been used to identify amyloid deposition in the brains of clinically older adults. The findings could not only shed more light on how the illness progresses, but also open the door to the possibility of prevention strategies.

Southern Wall Of Jerusalem That Dates To Time Of Hasmonean Dynasty Discovered On Mount Zion Posted: 11 Nov 2008 10:00 PM CST An exciting discovery in Jerusalem constituting extraordinary remains of the wall of the city from the time of the Second Temple (second century BCE-70 CE) that was built by the Hasmonean kings and was destroyed during the Great Revolt, and also the remains of a city wall from the Byzantine period (324-640 CE) which was built on top of it, were uncovered in an extensive excavation that is currently underway on Mount Zion.

Refractive Surgical Practices In HIV-Positive Persons Posted: 11 Nov 2008 10:00 PM CST People who are HIV-positive are now living longer, healthier lives, thanks to antiretroviral therapy and other treatment advances, and the number of HIV-positive people seeking LASIK, intraocular lenses following cataract removal, and similar procedures is likely to grow in coming years.

Scientific Community Called Upon To Resolve Debate On ‘Net Energy’ Once And For All Posted: 11 Nov 2008 10:00 PM CST "Net energy is a (mostly) irrelevant, misleading and dangerous metric," says the editor-in-chief of Biofuels, Bioresources and Biorefining.

Top Scientific Meeting Urges Coordinated Response To Economic And Environmental Crises Posted: 11 Nov 2008 10:00 PM CST A fix for the economy must address ecological threats, a top international scientific meeting here has urged. Human society is moving dangerously beyond the planet's natural limits in a striking parallel to the financial debt crisis. "We're running the planet like a subprime loan," Dr. Johan Rockstrom of the Stockholm Resilience Center said. A coordinated response would reduce the risks of both kinds of crises in the future.

Telescope Views Glowing Stellar Nurseries Posted: 11 Nov 2008 07:00 PM CST An APEX telescope image reveals how an expanding bubble of ionized gas about ten light-years across is causing the surrounding material to collapse into dense clumps that are the birthplaces of new stars. Sub-millimeter light is the key to revealing some of the coldest material in the universe, such as these cold, dense clouds.

First Trial Of Gene Therapy For Advanced Heart Failure Shows Promising Results Posted: 11 Nov 2008 07:00 PM CST Phase I results of the first clinical trial of gene therapy for patients with advanced heart failure show the approach to be promising, with improvements in several measures of the condition's severity.

Gold Earring 2,000 Years Old Discovered In Excavations In Jerusalem Posted: 11 Nov 2008 07:00 PM CST A 2,000 year old gold earring inlaid with pearls and precious stones was discovered in excavations that the Israel Antiquities Authority is conducting in the Giv'ati car park at the City of David, in the "Walls around Jerusalem National Park". The earring, which is made of a coiled gold hoop, has a large inlaid pearl in its center.

Cancer Risk From Cardiac CT Overstated, Researchers Say Posted: 11 Nov 2008 07:00 PM CST Radiology and cardiovascular researchers have presented new data that shows the risk of cancer from exposure to radiation during computed tomography for cardiovascular disease has been overstated and that new estimates are several times lower than previously published conclusions.

Without Enzyme, Biological Reaction Essential To Life Takes 2.3 Billion Years Posted: 11 Nov 2008 07:00 PM CST All biological reactions within human cells depend on enzymes. Their power as catalysts enables biological reactions to occur usually in milliseconds. But how slowly would these reactions proceed spontaneously, in the absence of enzymes -- minutes, hours, days? And why even pose the question?

Obese Women More Impulsive Than Other Females, Study Suggests Posted: 11 Nov 2008 07:00 PM CST A new study finds that obese women display significantly weaker impulse control than normal weight women.

Forced Evolution: Can We Mutate Viruses To Death? Posted: 11 Nov 2008 04:00 PM CST Can scientists create a designer drug that forces viruses to mutate themselves out of existence? A new study by bioengineers could help make it happen. The study offers the most comprehensive mathematical analysis to date of the mechanisms that drive evolution in viruses and bacteria, and it could help scientists who are looking to add "lethal mutagenesis" to medicine's disease-fighting arsenal.

New Insights Into Thalidomide-birth Defect Episode Posted: 11 Nov 2008 04:00 PM CST Scientists in Germany have discovered why the medication thalidomide appeared safe in animal tests before going on the market 50 years ago, only to cause perhaps the most extensive outbreak of drug-induced birth defects in medical history.

Obese People At Increased Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease, Even If They Don't Have High Cholesterol Or Diabetes Posted: 11 Nov 2008 04:00 PM CST Obese people who don't have high cholesterol or diabetes might think they're healthy -- despite the extra pounds. But new research suggests that obesity raises levels of the hormone leptin, which can be as big a threat to the cardiovascular system as cholesterol.

Interaction Between Gene Variants May Alter Brain Function In Schizophrenia Posted: 11 Nov 2008 04:00 PM CST Scientists are giving what may be the first look at how interactions between genes underlie a key symptom of schizophrenia, impaired working memory. Functional imaging studies reveal how a combination of common variants in two genes is associated with reduced activity of important brain structures in schizophrenia patients but not in normal controls.

New Approach In Tsunami-early Warning System Posted: 11 Nov 2008 04:00 PM CST The newly implemented Tsunami Early Warning System for the Indian Ocean, German Indonesian Tsunami Early Warning System, goes into operation November 10 and with this, the system enters its final phase of optimization.

Blood Pressure Control Inequality Linked To Deaths Among African Americans Posted: 11 Nov 2008 04:00 PM CST Racial disparity in the control of hypertension contributes to the deaths of almost 8,000 African American men and women in the United States annually, according to a first-of-its-kind study.

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