ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Monday, July 19, 2010
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A high-fat diet alters crucial aspects of brain dopamine signaling (July 19, 2010) -- Prolonged exposure to a high fat diet is correlated with changes in the brain chemical dopamine within the striatum, a critical component of the brain's reward system according to new research. ... > full story
No heart benefit from Omega-3 in women with type 1 diabetes (July 19, 2010) -- Consuming higher amounts of omega-3 fatty acids does not appear to lower heart disease risk for women with type 1 diabetes, according to new research. ... > full story
Peer drug use may increase a genetically susceptible individual's tendency to use drugs (July 19, 2010) -- The nature-nurture debate is usually about how much of something is due to our genes and how much is caused by our environment. New research shows that the case is more complicated for young women who smoke, drink, or use drugs, for two related reasons. ... > full story
Gene responsible for population disparity in kidney failure, study finds (July 19, 2010) -- Chronic kidney disease affects millions in North America, with persons of African heritage being at a four-fold higher risk and those of Hispanic heritage having a two-fold higher risk compared to the rest of the population. An international study points to the APOL1 gene as involved in the increased risk of kidney disease in this high-risk population. ... > full story
Knowledge gaps for 20 suspected carcinogens outlined (July 19, 2010) -- A new report identifies gaps in research for 20 suspected carcinogens whose potential to cause cancer is as yet unresolved. The report is designed to prioritize agents for additional research, and to lead to well-planned epidemiologic or mechanistic studies leading to more definitive classification of these agents. ... > full story
Media coverage responsible for growth in vaccination rates (July 19, 2010) -- Mass media coverage of flu-related topics such as vaccine shortages and delays appears to boost overall vaccination rates and prompt people to get their shots earlier in the flu season. On average, national news reports involving the flu are estimated to increase annual vaccination rates by as many an 8 percentage points. ... > full story
Researchers find way to make cancer cells more mortal (July 18, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered a way to help cancer cells age and die, creating a promising avenue for slowing and even stopping the growth of tumors. ... > full story
Anti-cancer effects of broccoli ingredient explained (July 18, 2010) -- Light has been cast on the interaction between broccoli consumption and reduced prostate cancer risk. Researchers have found that sulforaphane, a chemical found in broccoli, interacts with cells lacking a gene called PTEN to reduce the chances of prostate cancer developing. ... > full story
Fungi's role in the cycle of life discovered (July 18, 2010) -- The nitrogen cycle is the natural process that makes nitrogen available to all organisms on earth. Scientists have discovered that one of the world's most common and ecologically important groups of fungi plays an unsuspected role in this key natural cycle. ... > full story
Making virtopsies a reality: New research project to develop reliable and cost-effective virtual autopsies (July 18, 2010) -- A new research project is set to play a vital role in continuing research into viable alternatives to invasive autopsies, which many families find to be unpleasant. ... > full story
Are teen binge drinkers risking future osteoporosis? (July 18, 2010) -- Binge-drinking teenagers may be putting themselves at risk for future osteoporosis and bone fractures, according to new research. ... > full story
New recommendations issued for use of cetuximab in colon cancer therapy (July 18, 2010) -- New recommendations on the use of the drug cetuximab have been issued after officials halted enrollment in a phase III clinical trial in patients with spread of colon cancer into regional lymph nodes whose tumors had been surgically removed. ongoing analysis during the clinical trial found that patients receiving the combination therapy had no significant improvement in survival compared to standard therapy. ... > full story
Secret to sniffing out a safe supper (July 18, 2010) -- When mice smell the scent of food on the breath of their fellow mice, they use that experience to decide what's safe to eat in the future. Key in that learning process is the pairing of a particular odor with a chemical ingredient found in mouse breath, scientists knew. What they didn't know was how mice manage to sniff that connection out. According to new study, now they do. ... > full story
Scientists identify molecular predictor of prognosis for pancreatic cancer patients (July 18, 2010) -- Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging tumors to treat. Identifying patients who have more aggressive disease could better inform treatment decisions and predict survival prognosis. A new finding may help. ... > full story
Does the existing standard of care supply energy sources to brain tumor cells? (July 18, 2010) -- Examining a decade's worth of research, biochemists report that the medical standard of care for the most common form of brain cancer may actually feed tumor cells the energy sources they need to survive or recur. ... > full story
Researchers envision better disease surveillance to improve public health (July 18, 2010) -- With current public health threats ranging from swine flu to bioterrorism to environmental contamination, innovations that better predict disease outbreaks have vast potential to protect the public. Researchers describe their vision for the future of disease surveillance, detailing innovations on the horizon that may facilitate earlier detection and improved public health preparedness. ... > full story
Redundant genetic instructions in 'junk DNA' support healthy development (July 17, 2010) -- Seemingly redundant portions of the fruit fly genome may not be so redundant after all. Repeated instructional regions in the flies' DNA may contribute to normal development under less-than-ideal growth conditions by making sure that genes are turned on and off at the appropriate times, according to new research. If similar regions are found in humans, they may hold important clues to understanding developmental disorders. ... > full story
Model predicts individual's vitamin D needs (July 17, 2010) -- Your skin tone and the amount of sunshine you receive -- in addition to what foods you eat -- all can influence the amount of vitamin D that your body has on hand for optimum health. Scientists have now developed a preliminary model that predicts an individual's vitamin D requirements. ... > full story
Quantum simulations uncover hydrogen's phase transitions (July 17, 2010) -- Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and is a major component of giant planets such as Jupiter and Saturn. But not much is known about what happens to this abundant element under high-pressure conditions when it transforms from one state to another. ... > full story
The image in the mirror and the number on the scale both count (July 17, 2010) -- Adolescent girls who think they are overweight, but are not, are at more risk for depression than girls who are overweight and know it, according to sociologists. ... > full story
New toxin may be key to MRSA severity (July 17, 2010) -- A research project to identify all the surface proteins of USA300 -- the most common community-associated strain of the methicillin-resistant form of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus -- has resulted in the identification and isolation of a plentiful new toxin that laboratory studies indicate is a potent killer of human immune cells. Scientists say the toxin could be a key factor in the severity of MRSA infections in otherwise healthy people. ... > full story
Investigators perfect new version of blood-regulator thrombin (July 17, 2010) -- Molecular biologists have discovered a way to harness the enzyme thrombin's anti-blood clotting properties. ... > full story
Sound creates light: Researchers transfer ultra-stable frequency across 480-km optical fiber link (July 17, 2010) -- Researchers in Germany have found an elegant solution to transmit an optical frequency with extreme precision: they employ fiber Brillouin amplification. The new method simplifies the comparison of newly developed optical clocks and it is likely to have applications in other areas where precise synchronization is needed, for example in radio astronomy. Experts in geodesy have already approached the researchers with suggestions for joint projects. ... > full story
Abnormal brain activity in migraineurs is not restricted to attacks (July 17, 2010) -- Typically, migraine is considered to be an episodic disorder with discrete attacks of headache. But new research has found increased network activity -- stronger functional connectivity -- bilaterally in the visual, auditory and sensorimotor network in migraineurs. ... > full story
Improving clinical use of stem cells to repair heart damage (July 16, 2010) -- Researchers have presented a new approach to treating heart attack and cardiomyopathy using stem cells. The team has discovered a way to identify heart stem cells so as to purify them for transplant. ... > full story
New method of tissue banking makes gene analysis more practical for lung cancer (July 16, 2010) -- Analyzing the genes expressed by cancer cells allows for a better understanding of that patient's specific disease and in turn, a more personalized approach to treatment. But obtaining the RNA from a tumor in the lungs in order to conduct the genetic analysis is a challenging prospect. Currently, lung cancer researchers are limited to using RNA extracted from early-stage tumors removed during surgery. ... > full story
Studies explore effects of war on former child soldiers (July 16, 2010) -- Two studies found that how child soldiers adapt upon returning home depends on the communities they return to. The first study, of 150 former child soldiers in Sierra Leone, found that children who lived in communities where they felt accepted were less depressed and more confident. The second study, of 330 former Ugandan child soldiers, found that the most resilient children were those who returned to less violent communities and better family socioeconomic situations. ... > full story
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