ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Monday, July 5, 2010
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Reprogrammed human blood cells show promise for disease research (July 5, 2010) -- Cells from frozen human blood samples can be reprogrammed to an embryonic stem-cell-like state, according to new research. These cells can be multiplied and used to study the genetic and molecular mechanisms of blood disorders and other diseases. The breakthrough described here allows for study of cells from frozen blood samples already stored at blood banks -- even from deceased patients. ... > full story
Air pollution doesn't increase risk of preeclampsia, early delivery, study finds (July 5, 2010) -- While pregnant women may worry about the effects of air pollution on their health and that of their developing child, exposure to carbon monoxide and fine particles in the air during pregnancy does not appear to increase the risk of preterm delivery or preeclampsia -- a serious condition that arises only during pregnancy -- according to results of a new study. ... > full story
Is your flashy school website safe? (July 5, 2010) -- Most educational websites in the US are using Flash applications that fail to adequately secure these pages. This is a growing problem for the Internet as vulnerable sites can be hijacked for malicious and criminal activity, according to a new paper by an expert in digital forensics. ... > full story
Terrorist de-radicalization shows promise, comprehensive study finds (July 5, 2010) -- Prison programs to de-radicalize terrorists show promise, if well-run, according to a new report. It concludes that programs in Saudi-Arabia, Singapore, Indonesia and elsewhere "can make a difference." The researchers say their work could have policy implications for detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Afghanistan and Iraq. ... > full story
Muscular problems in children with neonatal diabetes are neurological, study finds (July 4, 2010) -- The muscle weakness and coordination problems sometimes seen in patients with neonatal diabetes -- a rare, inherited form of diabetes -- are caused by problems in the brain rather than the muscles, according to new research. The findings could pave the way for the development of improved treatments for the disease. ... > full story
Molecules found in blue jean and ink dyes may lead to more efficient solar cells (July 4, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered a simple process -- employing molecules typically used in blue jean and ink dyes -- for building an organic framework that could lead to economical, flexible and versatile solar cells. ... > full story
Memory problems not the only predictor of later mild cognitive impairment (July 4, 2010) -- Researchers have found that lower, though not necessarily impaired, performance on tests measuring story learning or retention and processing speed in motor tasks dependent on visual control, as well as symptoms of depression, predicted subsequent cognitive decline in a normal population. ... > full story
Report examines whether statins prevent death in high-risk individuals without heart disease (July 4, 2010) -- A meta-analysis of previously published studies finds no evidence that statins are associated with a reduced risk of death among individuals at risk for but with no history of cardiovascular disease, according to a new study. ... > full story
How loss of key protein promotes aggressive form of leukemia (July 4, 2010) -- New research illuminates in fine detail one of the genetic paths that leads to a particularly aggressive form of leukemia. A team discovered a new tumor-suppressing function of p53, distinct, for instance, from apoptosis, and somewhat related to senescence. They showed that it has the ability to reinforce cell-fate and differentiation programs. In AML, p53 loss leads to cancer by disabling this reinforcement. ... > full story
Genetic inspiration could show the way to revolutionize information technology (July 4, 2010) -- Chemists in the UK have created a synthetic form of DNA that could transform how digital information is processed and stored. ... > full story
Bicycling, brisk walking help women control weight; Researchers call for more bike-friendly environments to combat obesity (July 4, 2010) -- Premenopausal women who make even small increases in the amount of time they spend bicycling or walking briskly every day decrease their risk of gaining weight, according to a new study. ... > full story
Childhood malnutrition could weaken brain function in elderly (July 3, 2010) -- Malnutrition early in life appears to diminish brain function in older adulthood, according to a new study that has implications for many poor, developing nations. ... > full story
Scientists uncover novel role for DNA repair protein linked to cancer (July 3, 2010) -- Researchers report that DNA polymerase theta, or PolQ, promotes an inaccurate repair process, which can ultimately cause mutations, cell death or cancer. ... > full story
Volcanic ash research shows how plumes end up in the jet stream (July 3, 2010) -- A volcanologist has shown how the jet stream -- the area in the atmosphere that pilots prefer to fly in -- also seems to be the area most likely to be impacted by plumes from volcanic ash. ... > full story
Subtle mutations in immune gene may increase risk for asthma (July 3, 2010) -- A gene that encodes a protein responsible for determining whether certain immune cells live or die shows subtle differences in some people with asthma, researchers report. ... > full story
Cellular and molecular events that restrict HIV transmission identified (July 3, 2010) -- Researchers have identified two molecules that when activated by drugs, can inhibit a number of specific aspects of HIV transmission. These findings may lead to therapies that target mucosal HIV transmission. ... > full story
Looking back key to moving forward: Counterfactual reflection is critical to institutional prosperity, study finds (July 3, 2010) -- Despite modest economic gains, gloomy unemployment numbers and low workplace morale still loom large within corporate America. ... > full story
New drug restores hearing after noise-induced hearing loss in rats (July 2, 2010) -- Researchers from New Zealand have discovered that a potent new drug restores hearing after noise-induced hearing loss in rats. The landmark discovery found that injection of an agent called 'ADAC' activates adenosine receptors in cochlear tissues, resulting in recovery of hearing function. The finding paves the way for effective non-surgical therapies to restore hearing loss after noise-induced injury. ... > full story
Discovery of a hepatitis C-related virus in bats may reduce outbreaks in humans (July 2, 2010) -- Viral hepatitis affects more than 500 million people worldwide and while vaccines are available for hepatitis A and B, this is not the case for hepatitis C, which affects as much as two percent of the population in the US. Now, scientists are reporting discovery of a virus related to hepatitis C in Asian bats, which may provide insights into the origins of the hepatitis C virus. ... > full story
Warmer is better: Invasive cane toads set to thrive under global warming (July 2, 2010) -- As global warming threatens many animal species with extinction, the cane toad is set to flourish with increasing temperature. This is a major cause for concern as the cane toad, once introduced to Australia as agricultural pest-control of the cane beetle, is an already highly invasive species and considered a pest in Australia. ... > full story
High fructose diet may contribute to high blood pressure, study finds (July 2, 2010) -- People who eat a diet high in fructose, in the form of added sugar, are at increased risk of developing high blood pressure, or hypertension, according to a new study. The results suggest that cutting back on foods and beverages containing a lot of fructose (sugar) might decrease one's risk of developing hypertension. ... > full story
Stroke complications may subtract additional two years of healthy life (July 2, 2010) -- Stroke complications may deprive patients of about two years of healthy life, in addition to three years of healthy life lost due to the stroke, according to a South Korean study. A combined measure of potential life years and function lost can impact public health decisions, researchers said. However, it's unclear if the findings can be applied to other populations. ... > full story
Scrubbing CO<sub>2</sub> from atmosphere could be a long-term commitment (July 2, 2010) -- With carbon dioxide in the atmosphere approaching alarming levels, even halting emissions altogether may not be enough to avert catastrophic climate change. Could scrubbing carbon dioxide from the air be a viable solution? A new study suggests that while removing excess carbon dioxide would cool the planet, keeping carbon dioxide at low levels would require a long-term commitment spanning decades or even centuries. ... > full story
Planned home births associated with tripling of neonatal mortality rate vs. planned hospital births (July 2, 2010) -- In a new study, researchers report that less medical intervention, characteristic of planned home births, is associated with a tripling of the neonatal mortality rate compared to planned hospital deliveries. Planned home births were characterized by a greater proportion of deaths attributed to respiratory distress and failed resuscitation. ... > full story
UVA radiation damages DNA in human melanocyte skin cells and can lead to melanoma (July 2, 2010) -- A new study has found that UVA radiation damages the DNA in human melanocyte cells, causing mutations that can lead to melanoma. Melanocytes, which contain a substance called melanin that darkens the skin to protect it from the ultraviolet rays of the sun, are more vulnerable to UVA radiation than normal skin cells because they are unable to repair themselves as efficiently. ... > full story
Overweight women undertaking ART twice as likely to miscarry as their slimmer counterparts, study finds (July 2, 2010) -- Being overweight leads to a greater risk of miscarriage for patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology, according to a new study. ... > full story
Science of soccer: Ball aerodynamics focus of research (July 2, 2010) -- With the attention of sports fans worldwide focused on South Africa and the 2010 FIFA World Cup, US scientist John Eric Goff has made the aerodynamics of the soccer ball a focus of his research. ... > full story
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