ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

Potential Autoimmunity-inducing Cells Found In Healthy Adults Posted: 29 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST It's not just patients with autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis that have self-attacking immune cells; healthy people have them too, according to a new report in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. However, in healthy adults, these cells are maintained in an "off" state, perhaps explaining their innocuous nature.

Breakthrough In Production Of Double-walled Carbon Nanotubes Posted: 29 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST In recent years, the possible applications for double-walled carbon nanotubes have excited scientists and engineers, particularly those working on developing renewable energy technologies. These tiny tubes, just two carbon atoms thick, are thin enough to be transparent, yet can still conduct electricity. This combination makes them well-suited for advanced solar panels, sensors and a host of other applications

Vitamin D Deficiency In Infants And Nursing Mothers Carries Long-term Disease Risks Posted: 29 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST Once believed to be important only for bone health, vitamin D is now seen as having a critical function in maintaining the immune system throughout life. The newly recognized disease risks associated with vitamin D deficiency are clearly documented in a report in Breastfeeding Medicine.

New Label-free Method Tracks Molecules And Drugs In Live Cells Posted: 29 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST A new type of highly sensitive microscopy could greatly expand the limits of modern biomedical imaging, allowing scientists to track the location of minuscule metabolites and drugs in living cells and tissues without the use of any kind of fluorescent labeling.

Changing Drivers' Perceptions Of Law Enforcement May Deter Drunk Driving Posted: 29 Dec 2008 05:00 PM PST In 2007, approximately 1,500 people nationwide were killed in crashes that involved a drunk driver from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day. Researchers found that the most important deterrence factors for high-risk drivers are their perceptions of the likelihood of being stopped or arrested and their support for deterrence laws.

How Helium Can Be Solid And Perfect Liquid At Same Time, Now Explained By Computer-assisted Physics Posted: 29 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST At very low temperatures, helium can be solid and a perfect liquid at the same time. Theoreticians, though, have incorrectly explained the phenomenon for a long time. Computer simulations have now shown that only impurities can make this effect possible.

Protein Sports Drinks Proven To Give Best Performance Posted: 29 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST Sports drinks containing protein are better at improving athletes' performance. Research published in the International Society of Sports Nutrition has shown that drinks containing a mix of carbohydrate and protein are superior to carbohydrate-only drinks in improving cyclists' recovery from exercise.

How Certain Vegetables Combat Cancer Posted: 29 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST Women should go for the broccoli when the relish tray comes around during holiday celebrations this season.

Diet For Diabetics: Low-glycemic Diet Shows Greater Improvement In Glycemic Control Than High-fiber Diet Posted: 29 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST Persons with type 2 diabetes who had a diet high in low-glycemic foods such as nuts, beans and lentils had greater improvement in glycemic control and risk factors for coronary heart disease than persons on a diet with an emphasis on high-cereal fiber, according to a new study.

Climate Change Could Dramatically Affect Water Supplies Posted: 29 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST It's no simple matter to figure out how regional changes in precipitation, expected to result from global climate change, may affect water supplies. Now, a new analysis has found that the changes in groundwater may actually be much greater than the precipitation changes themselves.

DNA Profiling For Tracing Parental Ancestry Becomes More Accurate And Reliable Posted: 29 Dec 2008 11:00 AM PST A lesser known but rapidly growing application of DNA profiling is tracing paternal ancestry. NIST researchers recently published a paper with recommendations for genealogy testing that they hope will improve accuracy and reliability.

Sleep Disorders: Warning Sign For Neurodegenerative Disease? Posted: 29 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST People with a sleep disorder that causes them to kick or cry out during their sleep may be at greater risk of developing dementia or Parkinson's disease, according to a  new study.

Researchers Map New Path To Colon Cancer Therapy Posted: 29 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST Researchers have identified a promising new target in the battle against colorectal cancer -- a biochemical pathway critical to the spread of tumors to new locations in the body.

Microscale System To Study Frustration In Buckled Monolayers Of Microspheres Posted: 29 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST Physicists have demonstrated a simple system based on micron-sized spheres in water to study and control geometric frustration. Their research elucidates open questions about frustration and frustration relief and provides a new tool for scientists grappling with these issues in a variety of fields from magnetism to basic statistical mechanics.

Our Unconscious Brain Makes The Best Decisions Possible Posted: 29 Dec 2008 05:00 AM PST Researchers have shown that the human brain -- once thought to be a seriously flawed decision maker -- is actually hard-wired to allow us to make the best decisions possible with the information we are given.

Circumcision Reduces The Risk Of HIV Infection In Heterosexual US Men Posted: 28 Dec 2008 11:00 PM PST A new US study has found that being circumcised significantly reduced the risk of HIV infection in heterosexual African-American men known to have been exposed to the virus. The findings of the new study, along with similar results from other studies, suggest that circumcision may protect other heterosexual males in the US.

Cost Of Hatchling Turtles' Dash For Freedom Posted: 28 Dec 2008 11:00 PM PST The first few hundred meters that a newly hatched turtle swims are the most dangerous of its life. Frantically swimming and surrounded by predators, as many as 30 percent die on their maiden voyage. Curious to know how much energy the youngsters need to reach safe deep water, scientists measured the hatchling's oxygen consumption and found that they have enough energy reserves to survive 14 days at sea without feeding.

Allergies Alone Not Associated With Increased Risk Of Nighttime Breathing Problems Posted: 28 Dec 2008 11:00 PM PST Allergic rhinitis does not appear to be associated with snoring or daytime sleepiness, but individuals with obstructed nasal passages are likely to experience both regardless of whether they have allergies, according to a new report.

How Healthy Are America's Coasts? Posted: 28 Dec 2008 11:00 PM PST The overall condition of the nation's coastal waters has improved slightly, based on a recently released environmental assessment. The overall condition of America's coasts is rated as "fair," based on five indicators.

Are Older Antidepressants Better For Depression In Parkinson's Disease? Posted: 28 Dec 2008 11:00 PM PST A new study shows that antidepressant drugs which only affect serotonin, often used as first choice treatments, may not be best for depression in people with Parkinson's disease. The new research is published in the journal Neurology. Depression affects up to 50 percent of people with Parkinson's disease.

Brain Birth Defects Successfully Reversed Through Stem Cell Therapy Posted: 27 Dec 2008 09:00 PM PST Scientists have succeeded in reversing brain birth defects in animal models, using stem cells to replace defective brain cells. The work involved using mouse embryonic neural stem cells, which migrate in the brain, search for the deficiency that caused the defect, and then differentiate into becoming the cells needed to repair the damage.

Hot Southern Summer Threatens Coral With Massive Bleaching Event Posted: 27 Dec 2008 09:00 PM PST A widespread and severe coral bleaching episode is predicted to cause immense damage to some of the world's most important marine environments over the next few months.

Space Technology To Soothe Roadster Ride Posted: 27 Dec 2008 09:00 PM PST Space missions are highly complex operations, not only because the satellites or space probes are unique pieces of top-notch intricate high-tech, but also because it is so challenging to get them to their assigned position in space without damage. The technology used is now being transferred to the car industry to increase comfort.

Defatted Soy Flour Eyed As Filler Substitute For Rubber Tires Posted: 27 Dec 2008 09:00 PM PST In 1941, Henry Ford unveiled a plastic-bodied car whose panels included soybean meal as component. The feat made headlines--and history--but the idea never took off commercially. However, researchers continue to toy with the idea and are now testing soy flour as a "green" filler for tires and other natural rubber products.

New Tool Fertilizes Fields And Reduces Runoff Nutrients Posted: 27 Dec 2008 09:00 PM PST A new field tool developed by Agricultural Research Service scientists applies poultry litter to fields in shallow bands, reducing runoff of excess nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen.

Military Uniforms Now Provide Reliable Protection From Mosquitoes Posted: 27 Dec 2008 09:00 PM PST Assuring that uniforms issued to U.S. military personnel are properly treated to repel mosquitoes is now possible, thanks to a new testing method.

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