ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Student uses skin as input for mobile devices
• The skinny on brown fat
• Eating like a bird helps forests grow
• New test could identify smokers at risk of emphysema
• Quantum mechanics demonstrated in motion of objects large enough to see with naked eye
• Childhood sleep problems and alcohol/drug problems in young adulthood
• Our universe at home within a larger universe? So suggests physicist's wormhole research
• Electronic Nose Sniffs Out Asthma
• Computer program allows car to stay in its lane without human control
• Poisoning by prescription drugs on the rise
• Far-flung pine pollen still potent miles from the tree: Long-lived pine pollen might hinder containing transgenic trees
• Unconscious learning uses old parts of the brain
• Nuclear missing link created at last: Superheavy element 117
• Breast cancer patients with BRCA mutations four times more likely to get cancer in opposite breast
• Rising water temperatures found in US streams and rivers
• Genetic variants associated with a risk of Crohn's disease
• Keeping cattle cool and stress-free
• Groundbreaking cyber espionage report released; Identifies Dalai Lama as target
• Cancer protective effect of fruits and vegetables may be modest at best
• Obesity in infants can be diagnosed at 6 months, study shows
• New tool developed for DNA research
• Common test for detecting liver problems in children is often interpreted incorrectly, study shows
• Next-generation sequencing technology applied to commercial cattle in Canada
• Scientific risk-taking by young students fades with age, research suggests
• Northwest lava flows could have altered Earth’s climate, wiped out species, new evidence suggests
• Childhood cancer survivors may face shortened lifespan, study reveals
• Savvy injection molding
• Leber congenital amaurosis: Gene therapy for blindness works only when specific mutation present
• From oil sector to wind power
• Soccer improves health, fitness and social abilities
• Geologist connects regular changes of Earth's orbital cycle to changes in climate
• Ultrasensitive detector pinpoints big problem in tiny fetal heart
• Brain tumors: Tissue stem cell turning into tumor stem cell
• Immune system's guard against cancer: How immuno-messenger substances can inhibit tumour growth
• Mushrooms grown on bay and eucalyptus leaves change flavor
• Synergy between behavioral and pharmacologic interventions for ADHD
• Archaeologists uncover land before wheel; site untouched for 6,000 years
• Early steps in Parkinson's pathology revealed
• Researchers holding steady in an atomic-scale tug-of-war
• Device to revolutionize preventive blood clot care after joint replacement surgery
• Coral disease in Hawaii: Rapid response team investigates coral disease outbreak in Kaneohe Bay, O'ahu
• Child sexual abuse: A risk factor for pregnancy, study finds
• Cold atoms and nanotubes come together in an atomic 'black hole'
• Mouth breathing can cause major health problems
• Commercial fishing estimated to kill millions of sea turtles
• Cardiology: Protecting heart muscle cells from death
• Electronic health record alone may have limited ability to improve quality, costs of care
• Middle-aged Americans report more mobility-related disabilities

Student uses skin as input for mobile devices Posted: 07 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT A combination of simple bio-acoustic sensors and some sophisticated machine learning makes it possible for people to use their fingers or forearms -- potentially, any part of their bodies -- as touchpads to control smart phones or other mobile devices.

The skinny on brown fat Posted: 07 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Last year, researchers made a game-changing realization: brown fat, the energy-burning stuff that keeps babies warm, isn't just for the youngest among us. Adults have it, too (if they are lucky, anyway), and it is beginning to look like the heat-generating tissue might hold considerable metabolic importance for familiar and irritating trends, like our tendency to put on extra weight as we age.

Eating like a bird helps forests grow Posted: 07 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Lions, tigers and bears top the ecological pyramid -- the diagram of the food chain that every school child knows. A new study examines complex interactions in the middle of the pyramid, where birds, bats and lizards consume insects. These predators indirectly benefit plants, scientists report.

New test could identify smokers at risk of emphysema Posted: 07 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT CT scans that measure blood flow in the lungs of people who smoke may offer a way to identify which smokers are most at risk of emphysema before the disease damages and eventually destroys areas of the lungs. The discovery may also improve understanding of the underlying causes of emphysema; help distinguish it from other forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and help test the effectiveness of emphysema therapies.

Quantum mechanics demonstrated in motion of objects large enough to see with naked eye Posted: 07 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Researchers have provided the first clear demonstration that the theory of quantum mechanics applies to the mechanical motion of an object large enough to be seen by the naked eye. Their work satisfies a longstanding goal among physicists.

Childhood sleep problems and alcohol/drug problems in young adulthood Posted: 07 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Childhood sleep problems are relatively common in the US. A new study has found that individuals with troubles sleeping during childhood and adolescence, as well as poor response inhibition during adolescence, have subsequent substance use and substance-related problems during young adulthood.

Our universe at home within a larger universe? So suggests physicist's wormhole research Posted: 07 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Could our universe be located within the interior of a wormhole which itself is part of a black hole that lies within a much larger universe?

Electronic Nose Sniffs Out Asthma Posted: 07 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT New evidence shows that an "electronic nose" containing an array of gas sensors may have the ability to identify asthma in patients.

Computer program allows car to stay in its lane without human control Posted: 07 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Researchers have created a computer program that allows a car to stay in its lane without human control, opening the door to the development of new automobile safety features and military applications that could save lives.

Poisoning by prescription drugs on the rise Posted: 07 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT On the rise for more than 15 years, poisoning is now the second leading cause of unintentional injury death in the United States. Unintentional poisoning has surpassed motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of unintentional injury death among people 35. In a new study, researchers found that hospitalizations for poisoning by prescription opioids, sedatives and tranquilizers in the US have increased by 65 percent from 1999 to 2006.

Far-flung pine pollen still potent miles from the tree: Long-lived pine pollen might hinder containing transgenic trees Posted: 07 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT A new study suggests that pollen from the loblolly pine -- the most commonly planted tree in the southern US -- can still germinate after drifting long distances. The answer could have profound implications if and when the USDA approves transgenic trees. Far-flung pollen makes it difficult to prevent traits developed in transgenic trees from spreading to their wild counterparts, researchers say.

Unconscious learning uses old parts of the brain Posted: 07 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT A new study provides evidence that basic human learning systems use areas of the brain that also exist in the most primitive vertebrates, such as certain fish, reptiles and amphibians. The study involved an investigation into the limbic striatum, one of the evolutionarily oldest parts of the brain, and the ability to learn movements, consciously and unconsciously, through repetition.

Nuclear missing link created at last: Superheavy element 117 Posted: 07 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT The lifetime of element 117, which has now been created in the lab for the first time, confirms that superheavy elements lie in an island of stability on the periodic table.

Breast cancer patients with BRCA mutations four times more likely to get cancer in opposite breast Posted: 07 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Women with breast cancer before age 55 who carry an inherited mutation in the breast cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 or BRCA2 are four times more likely to develop cancer in the breast opposite, or contralateral, to their initial tumor as compared to breast cancer patients without these genetic defects.

Rising water temperatures found in US streams and rivers Posted: 07 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT New research by ecologists and hydrologists shows that water temperatures are increasing in many streams and rivers throughout the United States. The research documents that 20 major US streams and rivers -- including such prominent rivers as the Colorado, Potomac, Delaware, and Hudson -- have shown statistically significant long-term warming.

Genetic variants associated with a risk of Crohn's disease Posted: 07 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT The likelihood of three genetic variants being associated with a risk of Crohn's disease is lower than many previous studies indicated, according to a new research article.

Keeping cattle cool and stress-free Posted: 07 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Scientists are identifying the causes of heat stress in cattle and finding ways to manage it which is helping producers deal with this significant production problem.

Groundbreaking cyber espionage report released; Identifies Dalai Lama as target Posted: 07 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Information security experts have released a report documenting a complex ecosystem of cyber espionage that systematically targeted and compromised computer systems in India, the Offices of the Dalai Lama, the United Nations and several other countries.

Cancer protective effect of fruits and vegetables may be modest at best Posted: 07 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT An analysis of dietary data from more than 400,000 men and women found only a weak association between high fruit and vegetable intake and reduced overall cancer risk, according to a new study.

Obesity in infants can be diagnosed at 6 months, study shows Posted: 07 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Obesity can be detected in infants as young as 6 months, according to a new study.

New tool developed for DNA research Posted: 07 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Luminescent markers are an indispensable tool for researchers working with DNA. But the markers are troublesome. Some tend to destroy the function and structure of DNA when inserted. Others emit so little light, that they can barely be detected in the hereditary material. So researchers have been asking for alternative markers.

Common test for detecting liver problems in children is often interpreted incorrectly, study shows Posted: 07 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT New research shows that the test most commonly used to screen pediatric patients for chronic liver disease is often incorrectly interpreted in many children's hospitals throughout the United States.

Next-generation sequencing technology applied to commercial cattle in Canada Posted: 07 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Scientists in Alberta have successfully sequenced the genome of two influential bulls, one beef and one dairy, the first animals to have been fully sequenced in Canada.

Scientific risk-taking by young students fades with age, research suggests Posted: 07 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT A scientific theory may fail or succeed initially and be shot down later. Now put yourself in the shoes of elementary school students faced with stating an idea and then facing criticism. This summer, the nation's elementary school science teachers are being told to read about the issue.

Northwest lava flows could have altered Earth’s climate, wiped out species, new evidence suggests Posted: 06 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT New research suggests the volcanic birth of the Northwest's Columbia Plateau happened much more quickly than previously thought and with an intensity that may have changed the earth's climate and caused some plants and animals to go extinct.

Childhood cancer survivors may face shortened lifespan, study reveals Posted: 06 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Although more children today are surviving cancer than ever before, young patients successfully treated in the 1970s and 80s may live a decade less, on average, than the general population, according to a new study. Depending on the type of cancer, the estimated loss of life expectancy ranges from four years to more than 17 years.

Savvy injection molding Posted: 06 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT With the help of neural networks, in which complex algorithms are used to monitor critical process steps, engineers are paving the way for zero-defect production in the area of metal powder injection molding. The gain for manufacturers is less waste combined with time savings.

Leber congenital amaurosis: Gene therapy for blindness works only when specific mutation present Posted: 06 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Leber congenital amaurosis is a congenital retinal dystrophy present in approximately 1 of 80,000 births. Recently, there has been progress in gene therapy for this condition. In a recent study, researchers found that only a limited number of patients possess the exact genetic mutation necessary for a positive outcome.

From oil sector to wind power Posted: 06 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Eying the vast potential for establishing wind farms at sea, companies along Norway's west coast are making the leap from offshore oil to offshore wind power.

Soccer improves health, fitness and social abilities Posted: 06 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Soccer is a pleasurable sport that provides an all-round fitness and can be used as treatment for lifestyle-related diseases. Men worry less when playing soccer than when running. Women's soccer creates we-stories and helps women stay active. The above statements are taken from the results from an extensive soccer research project involving more than 50 researchers from seven countries. The researchers studied physiological, psychological and sociological aspects of recreational soccer and compared it with running.

Geologist connects regular changes of Earth's orbital cycle to changes in climate Posted: 06 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT In an analysis of the past 1.2 million years, a geologist examining ocean sediment cores has discovered a pattern that connects the regular changes of Earth's orbital cycle to changes in the Earth's climate.

Ultrasensitive detector pinpoints big problem in tiny fetal heart Posted: 06 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT One of the most powerful magnetic detectors in the world is helping screen high-risk pregnant patients for rare but very serious fetal heart rhythm problems. The ultrasensitive detector measures magnetic signals coming from the tiny beating hearts of fetuses.

Brain tumors: Tissue stem cell turning into tumor stem cell Posted: 06 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Scientists have shown for the first time that malignant brain tumors arise directly from brain stem cells. Overproduction of the protein Tlx in mice stimulates the development of malignant brain tumors from brain stem cells. Tlx also plays an important role in glioblastoma, the most malignant of human brain cancers. Therefore, the discovery of Tlx might provide the first target for a specific therapy against glioblastoma.

Immune system's guard against cancer: How immuno-messenger substances can inhibit tumour growth Posted: 06 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT The human body has developed various mechanisms, through which it can protect itself against newly-developing cancer cells. For instance, killer-cells recognize and destroy altered cells in our organs every day. Once tumors have developed, they may be inhibited in growth by messenger substances from the immune system. Scientists have now succeeded to reveal a completely unexpected function of such an immunological messenger substance in the suppression of tumors -- the molecule beta-interferon inhibits the tumor in its attempts to connect into the human blood circulatory system. Moreover, it hinders the production of growth factors that support the formation of new blood vessels. The conclusion: the tumor cannot grow.

Mushrooms grown on bay and eucalyptus leaves change flavor Posted: 06 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Mushrooms grown on mulch made from bay and eucalyptus leaves experience changes in flavor and, to a small degree, in color, while those grown on bay leaves are better in quality, according to a study carried out by Argentinean researchers. The objective is to make use of waste generated by the essential oils industry.

Synergy between behavioral and pharmacologic interventions for ADHD Posted: 06 Apr 2010 08:00 PM PDT Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental health disorders affecting children and adolescents. Children with ADHD are excessively restless, impulsive, and distractible and experience difficulties at home and in school. Problems inhibiting behavior are a common theme for ADHD symptoms.

Archaeologists uncover land before wheel; site untouched for 6,000 years Posted: 06 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT A team of archaeologists from the U.S. and Syria is uncovering new clues about a prehistoric society that formed the foundation of urban life in the Middle East prior to invention of the wheel.

Early steps in Parkinson's pathology revealed Posted: 06 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT Although the cause of Parkinson's disease remains a mystery, scientists now have a better understanding of the earliest stages of abnormal aggregation of a key disease-associated protein. The research provides new insight into the first steps in the formation of neurotoxic structures called Lewy bodies that are the hallmark of the Parkinson's brain.

Researchers holding steady in an atomic-scale tug-of-war Posted: 06 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT A research team has built an ultra-stable instrument for tugging on chains of atoms, an instrument that can maneuver and hold the position of an atomic probe to within 5 picometers.

Device to revolutionize preventive blood clot care after joint replacement surgery Posted: 06 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT A mobile compression device is as effective as medication at preventing the formation of blood clots after hip replacement surgery but provides greater patient safety.

Coral disease in Hawaii: Rapid response team investigates coral disease outbreak in Kaneohe Bay, O'ahu Posted: 06 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT An outbreak of a disease called Montipora White syndrome was found in Kaneohe Bay, O'ahu within the last month prompting an interagency response team composed of scientists and students to document the extent, spread and potential causes of the disease.

Child sexual abuse: A risk factor for pregnancy, study finds Posted: 06 Apr 2010 05:00 PM PDT A new study has found that women who were victims of sexual abuse in childhood reported higher levels of depression and symptoms of post-trauma during pregnancy.

Cold atoms and nanotubes come together in an atomic 'black hole' Posted: 06 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Carbon nanotubes, long touted for applications in materials and electronics, may also be the stuff of atomic-scale black holes. Physicists have found that a high-voltage nanotube can cause cold atoms to spiral inward under dramatic acceleration before disintegrating violently. Their experiments are the first to demonstrate something akin to a black hole at atomic scale.

Mouth breathing can cause major health problems Posted: 06 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT For some, the phrase "spring is in the air" is quite literal. When the winter snow melts and flowers bloom, pollen and other materials can wreak havoc on those suffering from seasonal allergies, usually causing a habit called "mouth breathing." The physical, medical and social problems associated with mouth breathing are not recognized by most health care professionals, according to a new study.

Commercial fishing estimated to kill millions of sea turtles Posted: 06 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT The number of sea turtles inadvertently snared by commercial fishing gear over the past 20 years may reach into the millions, according to the first peer-reviewed study to compile sea turtle bycatch data from gillnet, trawl and longline fisheries worldwide.

Cardiology: Protecting heart muscle cells from death Posted: 06 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT A team of researchers has identified a role for the protein connexin 43 in protecting mouse heart muscle cells from death. The team therefore suggest that it might be an attractive target for therapies that help protect cells from injuries that normally result in death, such as the injuries suffered by cells as a result of heart attack.

Electronic health record alone may have limited ability to improve quality, costs of care Posted: 06 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT The implementation of electronic health record systems may not be enough to significantly improve health quality and reduce costs. Researchers report that currently implemented systems have little effect on measures such as patient mortality, surgical complications, length of stay and costs.

Middle-aged Americans report more mobility-related disabilities Posted: 06 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT The proportion of older middle-aged Americans who report disabilities related to mobility increased significantly from 1997 to 2007, in contrast to the disability decline that has been found among Americans ages 65 and over, according to a new study.

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ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• World’s smallest microlaser could revolutionize chip technology
• Endocrine disruptors: Babies absorb the most bisphenol A
• Bile sends mixed signals to E. coli
• Novel interventional radiology treatment with microspheres shows promise for liver cancer patients
• Bees with an impaired insulin partner gene prefer proteins over carbs
• This is your brain on Cryptococcus: Pathogenic fungus loves your brain sugar
• Form or function? Evolution takes different paths, genetic study shows
• Clue to cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis revealed in new genetic study
• Flu jab for bacteria
• Potential new use for cancer treatment
• New software design technique allows programs to run faster
• Hey, that's my shirt! Sibling conflict harms trust and communication between adolescent siblings
• Proposed grid could make offshore wind power more reliable
• Exercise in pregnancy reduces size of offspring, study suggests
• Scientists identify genes involved in cell division in humans
• Cellular pathway could provide evidence of how cancer and obesity are linked
• Flights over Arctic provide data for investigating ozone hole depletion
• Mental health providers should prescribe exercise more often for depression, anxiety, research suggests
• Scientists to unearth Ice Age secrets from preserved tree rings
• Some cells in pancreas can spontaneously change into insulin-producing cells, diabetes researchers show
• Beyond the quantum limit: Scientists create multi-particle entanglement of atoms in a Bose-Einstein condensate on a microchip
• Inappropriate uses of frozen plasma, experts argue
• Piping wireless into the home
• Even highly qualified women in academic medicine paid less than equally qualified men, study finds
• Battery boost: Lithium-ion anode uses self-assembled nanocomposite materials to increase capacity
• Scientists identify how a novel class of antibodies inhibits HIV infection
• Only some like it hot: How birds from different populations react to infections in their natural environment
• Correlation between XMRV and prostate cancer: Novel retrovirus diagnostic test developed
• Private drinking water supplies pose challenges to public health
• Online interactions have positive effects for real-life communities
• New insects, bacteria uncovered in dinosaur-era amber deposit
• Exposure to three classes of common chemicals may affect female development, study finds
• Aging motorcyclists hit the road, but at greater risk of injury, death, study finds
• Considering diabetes treatment, experts say one size does not fit all
• Combing a qubit: Optical frequency combs could tame quantum bits
• Why people forget to take their medicine, and what can be done about it
• Diet of contaminated insects harms endangered carnivorous plants
• New period of brain 'plasticity' created with transplanted embryonic cells
• Self-powered nanosensors: Nanogenerators used to power sensors based on zinc oxide nanowires
• Donor kidneys from Hepatitis C patients needlessly denied to patients with that infection
• New study on carbon nanotubes gives hope for medical applications
• Depressed? Fearful? It might help to worry, too

World’s smallest microlaser could revolutionize chip technology Posted: 06 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Physicists have developed a new kind of laser that shatters the boundaries of possibility: it is by far the smallest electrically pumped laser in the world and one day could revolutionize chip technology.

Endocrine disruptors: Babies absorb the most bisphenol A Posted: 06 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT The hormonally active substance bisphenol A is contained in many synthetic and packaging materials. As a result, the substance can find its way into the food chain and the human organism. Just who is exposed and to what extent is shown in a new study: babies who are fed with polycarbonate bottles are especially at risk.

Bile sends mixed signals to E. coli Posted: 06 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Bile secretions in the small intestine send signals to disease-causing gut bacteria allowing them to change their behavior to maximize their chances of surviving, according to new research. The findings could allow us to better protect food from contamination by these harmful bacteria, as well as understand how they manage to cause disease.

Novel interventional radiology treatment with microspheres shows promise for liver cancer patients Posted: 06 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT An interventional radiology treatment -- the use of intra-arterial yttrium-90 microspheres for liver cancer (also known as hepatocellular carcinoma) -- shows promise in prolonging life for many patients with this devastating condition, according to researchers.

Bees with an impaired insulin partner gene prefer proteins over carbs Posted: 06 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT A new study of food-choice behavior in honey bees has identified a gene involved in bees' decisions to bring protein or nectar back to the colony. By taking control of the insulin receptor substrate gene, an insulin partner gene in the bees' fat cells, researchers made the insects forego carbohydrates (sugar-containing nectar) and favor protein (pollen).

This is your brain on Cryptococcus: Pathogenic fungus loves your brain sugar Posted: 06 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Highly dangerous Cryptococcus fungi love sugar and will consume it anywhere because it helps them reproduce. To borrow inositol from a person's brain, the fungi have an expanded set of genes that encode for sugar transporter molecules. While a typical fungus has just two such genes, Cryptococcus have almost a dozen, according to new research.

Form or function? Evolution takes different paths, genetic study shows Posted: 06 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Biologists long have known that both the appearance of organisms and their inner workings are shaped by evolution. But do the same genetic mechanisms underlie changes in form and function? A new study suggests not.

Clue to cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis revealed in new genetic study Posted: 06 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a fifth genetic mutation associated with typical motor neuron disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), that has a similar pathological effect to certain genetic mutations revealed in earlier studies. Ultimately, the researchers hope that understanding what is causing motor neuron disease (MND), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, will lead to new avenues for treatment.

Flu jab for bacteria Posted: 06 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Viruses can wreak havoc on bacteria as well as humans and, just like us, bacteria have their own defense system in place. Uncovering the workings of the bacterial "immune system" could be used to keep industrial microbes at peak performance.

Potential new use for cancer treatment Posted: 06 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT New research suggests anti-angiogenic drugs may help in the treatment of a range of diseases including visceral leishmaniasis.

New software design technique allows programs to run faster Posted: 06 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Researchers have developed a new approach to software development that will allow common computer programs to run up to 20 percent faster and possibly incorporate new security measures.

Hey, that's my shirt! Sibling conflict harms trust and communication between adolescent siblings Posted: 06 Apr 2010 08:00 AM PDT Whether it is about who gets to ride shotgun or who wore a shirt without asking, siblings fight. While seemingly innocent, a recent study reveals that certain types of fights can affect the quality of sibling relationships. Researchers identified two major types of conflict among adolescent siblings and found that conflicts about personal space have a negative impact on trust and communication between siblings.

Proposed grid could make offshore wind power more reliable Posted: 06 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Offshore wind power resources are abundant but unreliable. A five-year study of weather patterns demonstrates strategically placed offshore turbines connected by a single power line could provide consistent power.

Exercise in pregnancy reduces size of offspring, study suggests Posted: 06 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT According to a new study regular moderate-intensity aerobic exercise led to a modest reduction in offspring birth weight without restricting the development of maternal insulin resistance.

Scientists identify genes involved in cell division in humans Posted: 06 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Name a human gene, and you'll find a movie online showing you what happens to cells when it is switched off, thanks to work by researchers in a study where they identify the genes involved in mitosis in humans.

Cellular pathway could provide evidence of how cancer and obesity are linked Posted: 06 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT New research is advancing our understanding of the correlation between cancer and obesity. Scientists have found that a cell pathway in the human body that regulates cell growth can be affected by sources not within the cell, specifically amino acid nutrients.

Flights over Arctic provide data for investigating ozone hole depletion Posted: 06 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT An international team of researchers is investigating ozone depletion in the polar stratosphere using data gathered during flights over the Arctic region at elevations of up to 20 kilometers.

Mental health providers should prescribe exercise more often for depression, anxiety, research suggests Posted: 06 Apr 2010 05:00 AM PDT Exercise is a magic drug for many people with depression and anxiety disorders, and it should be more widely prescribed by mental health care providers, new research suggests. An analysis of dozens of population-based studies, clinical studies and meta-analytic reviews related to exercise and mental health confirmed exercise programs reduce depression and anxiety for people who can't receive traditional therapies.

Scientists to unearth Ice Age secrets from preserved tree rings Posted: 06 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Scientists are working to unearth 30,000 year old climate records, before they are lost forever. The rings of preserved kauri trees, hidden in New Zealand's peat bogs, hold the secret to climate fluctuations spanning back to the end of the last Ice Age.

Some cells in pancreas can spontaneously change into insulin-producing cells, diabetes researchers show Posted: 06 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Alpha cells in the pancreas, which do not produce insulin, can convert into insulin-producing beta cells, advancing the prospect of regenerating beta cells as a cure for type 1 diabetes, according to new findings.

Beyond the quantum limit: Scientists create multi-particle entanglement of atoms in a Bose-Einstein condensate on a microchip Posted: 06 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT The microcosm, the realm of quantum physics, is ruled by probability and chance. The behavior of quantum particles cannot be predicted with certainty but only with certain probabilities given by quantum physics. This results in a so-called quantum noise, which fundamentally limits the precision of the most refined atomic clocks and interferometers. The solution to this problem is the use of entangled atomic systems. A break-through has now been achieved by researchers in Germany. For the first time, the scientists succeeded in generating multi-particle entanglement on an atom-chip.

Inappropriate uses of frozen plasma, experts argue Posted: 06 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Large amounts of frozen plasma are being used inappropriately, according to two Canadian medical experts.

Piping wireless into the home Posted: 06 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Besides carrying digital data, optical fibers can also transmit radio signals for wireless communication. So-called "radio-over-fiber" technology has been used to provide access to radio dead zones, but new research is looking into using this technology to broadcast wireless closer to home.

Even highly qualified women in academic medicine paid less than equally qualified men, study finds Posted: 06 Apr 2010 02:00 AM PDT Women conducting research in the life sciences continue to receive lower levels of compensation than their male counterparts, even at the upper levels of academic and professional accomplishment.

Battery boost: Lithium-ion anode uses self-assembled nanocomposite materials to increase capacity Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT A new high-performance anode structure based on silicon-carbon nanocomposite materials could significantly improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries used in a wide range of applications from hybrid vehicles to portable electronics.

Scientists identify how a novel class of antibodies inhibits HIV infection Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Scientists have identified a set of naturally occurring antibodies that can block one of the key ways the AIDS virus gains entry into certain blood cells. They say the discovery expands traditional notions about how the immune system fights HIV and offers a potential new strategy for HIV vaccine design.

Only some like it hot: How birds from different populations react to infections in their natural environment Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT With the help of new radiotelemetry technology, researchers have now succeeded, for the first time, in studying fever in a vertebrate species living in the wild, the North American song sparrow.

Correlation between XMRV and prostate cancer: Novel retrovirus diagnostic test developed Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT The recently discovered retrovirus, xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV), has been identified in some prostate cancer patients. In light of conflicting data concerning XMRV, standardized diagnostic testing is important to identify patients in which XMRV is present and to determine whether it plays a role in the incidence of prostate cancer. Researchers now report the successful development of an experimental clinical test for XMRV.

Private drinking water supplies pose challenges to public health Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT An estimated three to four million people -- about one in every eight Canadians -- drink water from private supplies. Infrequent testing and maintenance puts consumers of these water supplies at greater risk of contamination than public systems, states a recent article.

Online interactions have positive effects for real-life communities Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 PM PDT Online interactions not only have positive outcomes for real-life, place-based communities, but the intersection between online communication and the offline world also forms two halves of a support mechanism for communities, according to a new study.

New insects, bacteria uncovered in dinosaur-era amber deposit Posted: 05 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT A 95-million-year-old amber deposit -- the first major discovery of its kind from the African continent -- has been analyzed. This deposit may provide fresh insights into the rise and diversification of flowering plants during the Cretaceous.

Exposure to three classes of common chemicals may affect female development, study finds Posted: 05 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Researchers have found that exposure to three common chemical classes -- phenols, phthalates and phytoestrogens -- in young girls may disrupt the timing of pubertal development, and put girls at risk for health complications later in life. The study is the first to examine the effects of these chemicals on pubertal development.

Aging motorcyclists hit the road, but at greater risk of injury, death, study finds Posted: 05 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT A study of 61,689 motorcyclists between 1996 and 2005 found that the average age of motorcyclists involved in crashes is increasing. Study also found that aging riders are more likely to be injured or die as a result of a motorcycle mishap compared to their younger counterparts.

Considering diabetes treatment, experts say one size does not fit all Posted: 05 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Patients with type 2 diabetes are generally treated similarly despite the fact that they may have underlying differences that could affect their therapeutic response. A group of experts has just issued recommendations for individualized treatment.

Combing a qubit: Optical frequency combs could tame quantum bits Posted: 05 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT Physicists have found a way to turn a precision measurement device into a versatile tool for manipulating quantum bits (qubits). The researchers adapted a device known as an optical frequency comb in their novel approach to performing the sorts of quantum data operations that will be vital for future quantum computers.

Why people forget to take their medicine, and what can be done about it Posted: 05 Apr 2010 02:00 PM PDT For many people, remembering to take a daily medication can be the difference between life and death. Yet, people forget all the time. Now a new study has found that changes in daily behavior have a significant effect on whether we remember to take our medication -- and that these changes influence older and younger adults differently. That's good news, because it means there's something we can do about it.

Diet of contaminated insects harms endangered carnivorous plants Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Consumption of insects contaminated with a toxic metal may be a factor in the mysterious global decline of carnivorous plants. New research reveals how meals of contaminated insects have adverse effects on the plants.

New period of brain 'plasticity' created with transplanted embryonic cells Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT Scientists report that they were able to prompt a new period of "plasticity," or capacity for change, in the neural circuitry of the visual cortex of juvenile mice. The approach, they say, might some day be used to create new periods of plasticity in the human brain that would allow for the repair of neural circuits following injury or disease.

Self-powered nanosensors: Nanogenerators used to power sensors based on zinc oxide nanowires Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT By combining a new generation of piezoelectric nanogenerators with two types of nanowire sensors, researchers have created what are believed to be the first self-powered nanometer-scale sensing devices that draw power from the conversion of mechanical energy.

Donor kidneys from Hepatitis C patients needlessly denied to patients with that infection Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT More than half of donor kidneys in the United State infected with hepatitis C are thrown away, despite the need among hepatitis C patients who may die waiting for an infection-free organ, new research suggests.

New study on carbon nanotubes gives hope for medical applications Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT A team of Swedish and American scientists has shown for the first time that carbon nanotubes can be broken down by an enzyme – myeloperoxidase (MPO) – found in white blood cells. Their discoveries contradict what was previously believed, that carbon nanotubes are not broken down in the body or in nature. The scientists hope that this new understanding of how MPO converts carbon nanotubes into water and carbon dioxide can be of significance to medicine.

Depressed? Fearful? It might help to worry, too Posted: 05 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT A new study of brain activity in depressed and anxious people indicates that some of the ill effects of depression are modified -- for better or for worse -- by anxiety.

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