ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Dinosaur Whodunit: Solving A 77-million-year-old Mystery Posted: 14 Nov 2008 02:00 PM PST It has all the hallmarks of a Cretaceous melodrama. A dinosaur sits on her nest of a dozen eggs on a sandy river beach. Water levels rise, and the mother is faced with a dilemma: Stay or abandon her unhatched offspring to the flood and scramble to safety?

Sleep Apnea May Be Risk Factor For Sudden Cardiac Death Posted: 14 Nov 2008 02:00 PM PST After studying the sleep characteristics of nearly 11,000 adults in an overnight sleep laboratory, researchers suggest that obstructive sleep apnea -- and, in particular, the low nighttime oxygen saturation of the blood it causes -- may be a risk factor for sudden cardiac death.

Corralling The Carbon Cycle: Calculating How Much Carbon Dioxide Is Absorbed And Released By Plants Posted: 14 Nov 2008 02:00 PM PST Scientists may have overcome a major hurdle to calculating how much carbon dioxide is absorbed and released by plants, vital information for determining the amount of carbon that can be safely emitted by human activities. The problem is that ecosystems simultaneously take up and release CO2. The key finding is that the compound carbonyl sulfide, which plants consume in tandem with CO2, can be used to quantify gas flow into the plants during photosynthesis.

Multiple Sclerosis: In The War Against Diseases, Nerve Cells Need Their Armor Posted: 14 Nov 2008 02:00 PM PST Researchers have discovered an essential mechanism for the maintenance of the normal structure of myelin, the protective covering that insulates and supports nerve cells (neurons).

Prototyping With Industrial Robots Posted: 14 Nov 2008 02:00 PM PST A shipping company must exercise patience whenever it needs a new a ship's propeller: its production is time consuming because a foundry workers must first fashion a model and a mold based on it. Industrial robots will support them in the future.

Plastic Surgeons Warn Of Malnutrition In Body Contouring Patients Posted: 14 Nov 2008 02:00 PM PST Optimizing nutrition with the addition of supplements, such as powder drinks and multivitamin tablets formulated for massive weight loss patients, is vital to successful body contouring surgery, according to new research.

How Eating Red Meat Can Spur Cancer Progression: New Mechanism Identified Posted: 14 Nov 2008 11:00 AM PST Researchers have shown a new mechanism for how human consumption of red meat and milk products could contribute to the increased risk of cancerous tumors. Their findings suggest that inflammation resulting from a molecule introduced through consumption of these foods could promote tumor growth.

Alzheimer's Gene Slows Brain's Ability To Export Toxic Protein Posted: 14 Nov 2008 11:00 AM PST The only known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease slows down the brain's ability to export a toxic protein known as amyloid-beta that is central to the damage the disease causes, scientists have found. The research provides new clues into the workings of a protein known as apolipoprotein E4, or ApoE4, which increases the risk of getting Alzheimer's disease.

Nanoparticles In The Home: More And Smaller Than Previously Detected Posted: 14 Nov 2008 11:00 AM PST Extremely small nanoscale particles are released by common kitchen appliances in abundant amounts, greatly outnumbering the previously detected, larger-size nanoparticles emitted by these appliances, according to new findings by NIST researchers.

Common Anesthetic Induces Alzheimer's-associated Changes In Mouse Brains Posted: 14 Nov 2008 11:00 AM PST For the first time researchers have shown that a commonly used anesthetic can produce changes associated with Alzheimer's disease in the brains of living mammals, confirming previous laboratory studies. Scientists have shown how administration of the gas isoflurane can lead to generation of the toxic amyloid-beta protein in the brains of mice.

Improved Measurements Could Mean Safer, More Reliable Electroshock Weapons Posted: 14 Nov 2008 11:00 AM PST Electroshock weapons, such as stun guns and other similar devices that temporarily incapacitate a person by delivering a high-voltage, low-current electric shock, have helped law enforcement officers safely subdue dangerous or violent persons for years. Researchers at NIST are working toward a standard method for accurately assessing the electrical output of these devices, the results of which can be used in establishing baselines for future medical and safety studies.

Raising Alcohol Taxes Reduces Deaths, Study Finds Posted: 14 Nov 2008 11:00 AM PST Raising taxes on beer, wine and liquor immediately reduces the number of deaths from alcohol-related diseases such as liver disease, oral or breast cancers, and alcohol poisoning, according to a new study published in the online edition of the American Journal of Public Health.

Mineral Kingdom Has Co-evolved With Life, Scientists Find Posted: 14 Nov 2008 08:00 AM PST Evolution isn't just for living organisms. Scientists have found that the mineral kingdom co-evolved with life, and that up to two thirds of the more than 4,000 known types of minerals on Earth can be directly or indirectly linked to biological activity. The finding could aid scientists in the search for life on other planets.

Cigarette Smoke Could Alter Shape Of Heart Posted: 14 Nov 2008 08:00 AM PST Prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke can increase levels of the stress hormone norepinephrine and enzymes in the heart that have the potential to reshape the left ventricle, according to new research.

Innovative Surgery Provides New Lease On Life To Dogs Posted: 14 Nov 2008 08:00 AM PST Jake, an 11-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, was the first dog in the Midwest and only the 11th in the world to undergo surgery for a new, cementless elbow prosthesis last April. The procedure, done at MSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital by a veterinary orthopedic surgeon, has left Jake pain-free from elbow arthritis.

Novel Four-drug Combination Proves Safe For Lung Cancer Treatment Posted: 14 Nov 2008 08:00 AM PST The four-drug combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel, with the targeted therapies bevacizumab and cetuximab, is safe and may improve survival for patients with advanced lung cancer, according to a new study.

Lead-flapping Objects Experience Less Wind Resistance Than Their Trailing Counterparts Posted: 14 Nov 2008 08:00 AM PST From the Tour de France to NASCAR, competitors and fans know that speed is only part of the equation. Strategy -- and the ability to use elements like aerodynamic drafting, which makes it easier to follow closely behind a leader than to be out in front -- is also critical. New research shows that two or more flexible objects in a flow -- flags flapping in the wind, for example -- experience drag very differently from rigid objects in a similar flow.

Violent Video Games Affect Boys' Biological Systems, Study Finds Posted: 14 Nov 2008 08:00 AM PST Both heart rate and sleep in boys are affected by violent video games. In the study boys (12-15) were asked to play two different video games at home in the evening. The boys' heart rate was registered, among other parameters. It turned out that the heart rate variability was affected to a higher degree when the boys were playing games focusing on violence compared with games without violent features.

Fish Choose Their Leaders By Consensus Posted: 14 Nov 2008 05:00 AM PST Just after Americans have headed to the polls to elect their next president, a new report in Current Biology reveals how one species of fish picks its leaders: Most of the time they reach a consensus to go for the more attractive of two candidates.

'Two-headed' Antibody Poses A Double Threat To Breast Cancer Cells, Say Researchers Posted: 14 Nov 2008 05:00 AM PST A small, antibody-like molecule created by researchers can successfully attack two separate molecules on the surface of cancer cells at the same time, halting the growth of breast cancer cells in laboratory tests, the researchers say. The molecule, nickname "ALM," might be a means of slowing cancer spread or, as the researchers believe, a guidance system for imaging the spread of cancer or delivering more aggressive drugs.

Space Researchers Developing Tool To Help Disoriented Pilots Posted: 14 Nov 2008 05:00 AM PST Confusion of the senses can lead to serious consequences for airplane pilots. This perception problem, known as spatial disorientation, is also a major concern for astronaut pilots, especially those who will perform lunar landings. Scientists and engineers are developing a tool that will provide real-time assistance to pilots during spatial disorientation events in Earth's atmosphere and in space.

High-normal Phosphate Levels Linked To Early Atherosclerosis Posted: 14 Nov 2008 05:00 AM PST Healthy adults with higher levels of phosphate in the blood are more likely to have increased levels of calcium in the coronary arteries, a key indicator of atherosclerosis and future cardiovascular disease risk, reports a new study.

New Research Expected To Improve Laser Devices And Make Photovoltaics More Efficient Posted: 14 Nov 2008 05:00 AM PST Scientists have induced electrons in the nanocrystals of semiconductors to cool more slowly by forcing them into a smaller volume. This has the potential to improve satellite communications and the generation of solar power. Slowing down the cooling of these electrons -- in this case, by more than 30 times -- could lead to a better infrared laser source and increase the bandwidth of communication satellites. It also could lead to more efficient photovoltaic devices.

Wasabi Receptor Can Sense Ammonia That Causes Pain Posted: 14 Nov 2008 05:00 AM PST A Japanese research group has found that the receptor for hot taste of wasabi, Japanese horseradish usually eaten with sushi, can sense alkaline pH caused by a base such as ammonia.

Marine Plankton Found In Amber Posted: 14 Nov 2008 02:00 AM PST Marine microorganisms have been found in amber dating from the middle of the Cretaceous period. The fossils were collected in Charente, in France. This completely unexpected discovery will deepen our understanding of these lost marine species as well as providing precious data about the coastal environment of Western France during the Cretaceous.

Molecule Linked To Aggressive Cancer Growth And Spread Identified Posted: 14 Nov 2008 02:00 AM PST Researchers have found a genetic marker that controls an enzyme present in aggressive and metastatic cancer.

Small Islands Given Short Shrift In Assembling Archaeological Record Posted: 14 Nov 2008 02:00 AM PST Small islands dwarf large ones in archaeological importance, says a University of Florida researcher, who found that people who settled the Caribbean before Christopher Columbus preferred more minute pieces of land because they relied heavily on the sea.

Differing Genetic Makeup Of Lung Cancer In African-American Patients Shown Posted: 14 Nov 2008 02:00 AM PST The tumors of African-American non-small cell lung cancer patients are more likely to carry a higher number of copies of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene and fewer mutations of EGFR itself than Caucasians according to a new study.

Fire Risk: Close-up On Habitat–forest Interfaces Posted: 14 Nov 2008 02:00 AM PST In the French Mediterranean region, scattered habitations are gradually gaining on the forest, increasing the risk of fire start-ups and creating new elements that need protection. In Aix-en-Provence, Cemagref has developed a quasi-automatic method to map habitat–forest interfaces. This tool is of primary interest to land use managers and the actors involved in the fight against forest fires to prevent risk as well as to protect populations and property in case of fire.

Risky Decision-making Essential To Entrepreneurialism, Scientists Conclude Posted: 14 Nov 2008 02:00 AM PST Whether someone will become the next Richard Branson, Steve Jobs or Henry Ford may be down to whether they make risky decisions, scientists have concluded.

Light Triggers New Code For Brain Cells Posted: 13 Nov 2008 11:00 PM PST Brain cells can adopt a new chemical code in response to cues from the outside world. Dark tadpoles blanch when exposed to bright light. Cells in the tadpole brain respond to illumination by making dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is recognized by the system that controls pigmentation. The discovery opens the possibility that brain chemistry could be selectively altered by stimulating specific circuits to remedy low levels of neural chemicals that underlie some human ailments.

Possible Link Between Diabetes And Pelvic Girdle Syndrome Posted: 13 Nov 2008 11:00 PM PST Diabetes appears to be linked with an increased risk of pelvic girdle syndrome. A new study shows that five percent of women had serious pelvic girdle syndrome during their last pregnancy. Three percent reported that they had diabetes, while diabetes was seen in only 0.5 percent of women who had not had the syndrome. Women with diabetes had a seven times higher risk of severe pelvic girdle syndrome.

Satellites Helping Aid Workers In Honduras Posted: 13 Nov 2008 11:00 PM PST Humanitarian aid workers responding to devastating flooding in Honduras have received assistance from space, with satellite images of affected areas provided rapidly following activation of the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters.

Proton Therapy And Concurrent Chemotherapy May Reduce Bone Marrow Toxicity In Advanced Lung Cancer Posted: 13 Nov 2008 11:00 PM PST Patients treated for locally advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer who receive chemotherapy and proton beam therapy have fewer instances of bone marrow toxicity than patients who receive the standard treatment of intensity-modulated radiation and concurrent chemotherapy, according to researchers.

New Device To Improve Transistor Quality Posted: 13 Nov 2008 11:00 PM PST A new configurable chip which can correct faults in newly- manufactured transistors and can be implemented in mainstream devices such as mobile phones and computers, has been developed by engineers at the University of Southampton.

Watching Television, Channeling Unhappiness? Posted: 13 Nov 2008 11:00 PM PST Are happy or unhappy people more attracted to television? A new 30-year study shows unhappy people watch more TV, while happy people read more newspapers and socialize more. The relationship between happiness and television viewing becomes particularly noteworthy, since in theory, engaging in a highly enjoyable activity time like watching television should improve the quality of people's lives.

Species Diversity Of Enigmatic 'Flying Lemurs' Doubled By New Study Posted: 13 Nov 2008 08:00 PM PST Colugos, the closest living relatives of primates most notable for their ability to glide from tree to tree over considerable distances, are more diverse than had previously been believed, according to a new report in Current Biology.

Nanoparticles Trigger Cell Death? Posted: 13 Nov 2008 08:00 PM PST Nanoparticles that are one milliard of a meter in size are widely used, for example, in cosmetics and food packaging materials. There are also significant amounts of nanoparticles in exhaust emissions. New findings give rise to concern that nanoparticles carry potential health hazards.

Dalmatian Bladder Stones Caused By Gene That Regulates Uric Acid In Humans Posted: 13 Nov 2008 08:00 PM PST A gene mutation that causes high levels of uric acid in all Dalmatian dogs and bladder stones in some Dalmatians, has been identified. The discovery equips dog breeders with the tools to eliminate that trait from the Dalmatian breed and yields clues to the cause of similar problems in humans.

Eye Conditions Linked With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Posted: 13 Nov 2008 08:00 PM PST Numerous studies have shown a connection between sleep disorders and medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and metabolic disorders, including the risk of obesity and diabetes mellitus.

High Temperatures Decrease Antifungal Properties Of Contact Solution Posted: 13 Nov 2008 08:00 PM PST Exposure to prolonged temperature elevation reduces antifungal activity of a contact lens solution that was implicated in the epidemic of the eye infection Fusarium keratitis that occurred between 2004 and 2006, according to a new article.

Sweepstakes Are For The Lucky, Not Every Customer, Researchers Say Posted: 13 Nov 2008 08:00 PM PST Using a test that probed consumers' beliefs in luck, researchers investigated the question of who the best prospects are for "lucky draw" in their article appearing in the journal Psychology & Marketing.

Hubble Directly Observes A Planet Orbiting Another Star Posted: 13 Nov 2008 05:00 PM PST NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has taken the first visible-light snapshot of a planet circling another star. Estimated to be no more than three times Jupiter's mass, the planet, called Fomalhaut b, orbits the bright southern star Fomalhaut, located 25 light-years away in the constellation Piscis Australis (the Southern Fish).

Protein Identified That Turns Off HIV-fighting T Cells Posted: 13 Nov 2008 05:00 PM PST In HIV-infected patients, the body's immune system is unable to fight off the virus. A new study shows that T cells in HIV-infected individuals express a protein called TIM-3, which inactivates their virus killing capacity. Blocking this protein, the study suggests, might one day help patients to eliminate HIV as well as other chronic infections.

Epstein-Barr Virus Associated With Inflammatory Diseases Of The Mouth Posted: 13 Nov 2008 05:00 PM PST Researchers have found that a significant percentage of dental patients with the inflammatory diseases irreversible pulpitis and apical periodontitis also have the Epstein-Barr virus. The Epstein-Barr virus is an important human pathogen found in more than 90 percent of the world population. It is associated with many diseases, including infectious mononucleosis, malignant lymphomas and naspharyngeal carcinoma.

Liquid Or Solid? Charged Nanoparticles In Lipid Membrane Decide Posted: 13 Nov 2008 05:00 PM PST Patchiness in phospholipid membranes is fundamental to their use as biomolecules and biosensors. Using charged nanoparticles, researchers at the University of Illinois have found a new way to stimulate patchiness in phospholipid membranes.

Those Were The Days: Counteracting Loneliness With Nostalgia Posted: 13 Nov 2008 05:00 PM PST All of us are struck with nostalgic feelings from time to time but a new study indicates that nostalgia may serve a greater purpose than just taking us back to the good old days. The results showed that individuals who felt the loneliest turned out to be the most nostalgic. The findings suggest that nostalgia amplifies perceptions of social support, and in this way, counteracts feelings of loneliness.

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