Current Event Articles: ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Friday, July 9, 2010

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Friday, July 9, 2010

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Heat waves could be commonplace in the US by 2039 (July 9, 2010) -- Exceptionally long heat waves and other hot events could become commonplace in the United States in the next 30 years, according to a new study by climate scientists. ... > full story

New way to slow the growth of malignant melanoma (July 9, 2010) -- New research has shown that the growth of melanoma, one of the most deadly forms of skin cancer, can be slowed when a little known gene called microRNA 193b is added. ... > full story

First research trip across western Amazon yields surprising results (July 9, 2010) -- During his unprecedented expedition into the heart of the Amazon, Michigan State University geographer Bob Walker discovered surprising evidence that many of the Brazilian government's efforts to protect the environment are working. ... > full story

Researchers discover trigger to early, effective antibody response (July 9, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered a trigger that induces B cells to produce effective, long-lived antibodies early in the immune response. A molecule that binds toll-like receptors doubles the early antibody response, and shifts it to a more effective, IgG form. The findings support the emerging concept of "bridge immunity," which links the innate and adaptive arms of the immune response. They may also lead to the development of better vaccines. ... > full story

RFIDs: Smart little gizmos get even smarter (July 9, 2010) -- With the help of smart RFID technology, things, animals, and people can be identified remotely, and the information can be sent and stored in databases. Now the method will be even smarter, thanks to a researcher in Sweden who is presenting solutions that make this technology more effective and more energy efficient. In fact, as much as 60 percent more efficient. ... > full story

Teens drink more during summer before college, study finds (July 9, 2010) -- Summertime and the living is easy. But not too easy for parents whose children will head to college in the fall. An alcohol researcher says parents should be aware that this is a time when teens tend to increase their alcohol consumption. ... > full story

Antibodies found that prevent most HIV strains from infecting human cells (July 9, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered two potent human antibodies that can stop more than 90 percent of known HIV strains from infecting human cells in the laboratory, and have demonstrated how one of these disease-fighting proteins accomplishes this. According to the scientists, these antibodies could be used to design improved HIV vaccines, or further developed to prevent or treat HIV infection. Moreover, the method used to find these antibodies could be applied to isolate therapeutic antibodies for other infectious diseases. ... > full story

Heart beat may provide clues to kidney health (July 9, 2010) -- Individuals with a high resting heart rate and a low beat-to-beat heart rate variability have an increased risk of developing kidney disease, according to a new study. The findings suggest that the behavior of the autonomic nervous system may be a sentinel marker for late development of certain cases of kidney disease. ... > full story

Changing climate could alter meadows' ecosystems, says researcher (July 9, 2010) -- A researcher who has been studying the meadows in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem of the Rocky Mountains since 1992 believes changing climate could affect the diversity of plants and animals in the region. ... > full story

Protein inhibitor revives chemotherapy for ovarian patients (July 9, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered a way that may help ovarian cancer patients who no longer respond to conventional chemotherapy. In a new study, they describe how the inhibition of a protein, CHEK1, may be an effective element to incorporate into therapies for women with ovarian cancer. ... > full story

New technology reduces storage needs and costs for genomic data (July 9, 2010) -- A new computer data compression technique called Genomic SQueeZ will allow genetic researchers and others to store, analyze and share massive volumes of data in less space and at lower cost. ... > full story

Geoscientists find clues to why first Sumatran earthquake was deadlier than second (July 8, 2010) -- An international team of geoscientists has uncovered geological differences between two segments of an earthquake fault that may explain why the 2004 Sumatra Boxing Day Tsunami was so much more devastating than a second earthquake generated tsunami three months later. ... > full story

Scientists reprogram triple-negative breast cancer cells to respond to tamoxifen (July 8, 2010) -- Using a small molecule decoy, scientists have induced epigenetic reprogramming in human and mouse breast cancer cells, reducing the growth of triple-negative breast cancer cells by 80 percent. ... > full story

Rosetta lines up for spectacular asteroid flyby (July 8, 2010) -- On 10 July, ESA's Rosetta will fly past 21 Lutetia, the largest asteroid ever visited by a satellite. After weeks of manoeuvres and a challenging optical navigation campaign, Rosetta is perfectly lined up to skim by at 3162 km. Rosetta is expected to pass Lutetia at a relative speed of 54 000 km/hr, when both are located some 454 million km from Earth. As Lutetia is a major scientific target of Rosetta's mission, most of the orbiter and lander instruments will be on for flyby, studying the asteroid's surface, dust environment, exosphere, magnetic field, mass and density. ... > full story

Surgery linked to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, according to Spanish study (July 8, 2010) -- A new study spearheaded by Spanish scientists demonstrates a causal relationship between the onset of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), caused by a protein called a prion, and general surgery. ... > full story

Why some communities embrace environmental conservation and others don't (July 8, 2010) -- Continued support for off-shore oil drilling by Gulf Coast residents who are dealing with one of the most devastating environmental disasters in US history might seem surprising, but new research shows that local factors such as unemployment and population growth influence views about the value of environmental conservation and regulation. ... > full story

One in five preschool children in the U. S. demonstrates mental health issues when entering kindergarten (July 8, 2010) -- Social competence and behavior problems that are evident at kindergarten and first grade are known to be strong predictors of a child's academic and social functioning. However, new findings suggest that psychosocial risk factors can be identified even earlier and can be observed during the transition from preschool to formal schooling. ... > full story

Mojoceratops: New dinosaur species named for flamboyant frill (July 8, 2010) -- When Nicholas Longrich discovered a new dinosaur species with a heart-shaped frill on its head, he wanted to come up with a name just as flamboyant as the dinosaur's appearance. Over a few beers with fellow paleontologists one night, he blurted out the first thing that came to mind: Mojoceratops. With the publication of Longrich's paper describing his find in the Journal of Paleontology, the name is now official. ... > full story

Baseline PSA predicts risk of death from prostate cancer (July 8, 2010) -- Men who have a baseline PSA value of 10 or higher the first time they are tested are up to 11 times more likely to die from prostate cancer than are men with lower initial values, according to researchers. ... > full story

How fast can microbes break down oil washed onto Gulf beaches? (July 8, 2010) -- A new study is investigating how quickly the Deepwater Horizon oil carried into Gulf of Mexico beach sands is being degraded by the sands' natural microbial communities, and whether native oil-eating bacteria that wash ashore with the crude are helping or hindering that process. ... > full story

Fish oil may reduce risk of breast cancer (July 8, 2010) -- A recent report adds to the growing evidence that fish oil supplements may play a role in preventing chronic disease. ... > full story

'Magical thinking' about islands an illusion? Biologist refutes conventional thinking on evolution (July 8, 2010) -- Exotic island fauna is a product of evolution, but nothing more than one would expect to see by "chance," according to research that shows there's nothing extraordinary about evolutionary processes on islands. A biologist in Israel and colleagues have conducted a number of scientific studies comparing evolutionary patterns of island and mainland ecosystems, and the results refute the idea that islands operate under different, "magical" rules. ... > full story

Musical skill reflects working memory capacity in addition to practice time (July 8, 2010) -- Practice will help you play piano better -- but it's not going to turn you into Liberace. A new study looks at the role that working memory capacity plays in piano players' ability to sight read a new piece of music, an important and complex skill for musicians. ... > full story

Chemical makes brain cells grow, thwarts mental decline in aging rats (July 8, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered a compound that restores the capacity to form new memories in aging rats, likely by improving the survival of newborn neurons in the brain's memory hub. The research has turned up clues to a neuroprotective mechanism that could lead to a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The neuroprotective compound, called P7C3, holds promise because of its medication-friendly properties. It can be taken orally, has long-lasting effects, and is safely tolerated by mice. ... > full story

Stress of an enriched environment might curb cancer growth; Effect linked to a brain-fat-hormone pathway (July 8, 2010) -- Living in an environment rich with social and physical challenges might curb cancer growth by itself, a new study shows. Researchers discovered that an enriched environment activates a nervous-system pathway used by the brain to tell fat cells to stop releasing a hormone called leptin into the bloodstream. This cancer-curbing effect occurred in models of melanoma and colon cancer. The findings suggest that some kinds of mild stress can benefit cancer survivors. ... > full story

Two new species of pancake batfishes discovered from area engulfed by oil spill (July 8, 2010) -- Two new species of fish from the Gulf of Mexico that walk on their fins and sit-and-wait for prey are described in a new research paper. This highlights the undescribed biodiversity of the area effected by the Gulf oil spill. ... > full story

New surgery improves outcomes for severe flat foot deformity (July 8, 2010) -- A new type of surgery can improve patient outcomes in individuals with severe adult flat foot deformity, a problem that is increasingly being seen in hospitals across the country. Patients who undergo the new surgery have better long-term outcome and mobility than those who undergo traditional surgery. ... > full story

Drug delivery system uses nanoparticles triggered by electromagnetic field (July 8, 2010) -- A new system for the controlled delivery of pharmaceutical drugs has been developed by a team of chemical engineers using nanoparticles embedded in a liposome that can be triggered by non-invasive electromagnetic fields. ... > full story

A healthy mind makes a healthy body in teens (July 8, 2010) -- Happier youths are also healthier youths, according to new research. Adolescents' positive emotions and moods, as well as their satisfaction with life, could be more important than their anxiety or depression levels for predicting their physical health, they argue. ... > full story

Black hole blows big bubble (July 8, 2010) -- Combining observations made with the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope and NASA's Chandra X-ray telescope, astronomers have uncovered the most powerful pair of jets ever seen from a stellar black hole. This object, also known as a microquasar, blows a huge bubble of hot gas, 1000 light-years across, twice as large and tens of times more powerful than other known microquasars. ... > full story

Genetically reprogrammed HSV given systemically shrinks distant sarcomas (July 8, 2010) -- Scientists have used a genetically reprogrammed herpes virus and an anti-vascular drug to shrink spreading distant sarcomas designed to model metastatic disease in mice -- still an elusive goal when treating humans with cancer, according to new research. The study results are even more significant because the oncolytic herpes virus was given to the mice systemically to attack tumors via the blood stream instead of being injected directly into tumors ... > full story

No substantial quality difference between organically and conventionally produced eggs, study finds (July 8, 2010) -- There's no substantial quality difference between organically and conventionally produced eggs. That's one of a number of findings in a new agricultural study examining various aspects of egg quality. ... > full story

Amid the murk of 'gut flora,' vitamin D receptor emerges as a key player (July 8, 2010) -- Within the human digestive tract is a teeming mass of hundreds of types of bacteria, a potpourri of microbes numbering in the trillions that help us digest food and keep bad bacteria in check. Scientists have found that the vitamin D receptor is a key player amid the gut bacteria -- what scientists refer to as the "gut flora." ... > full story

Pinpoint precision: Delivering a biochemical payload to one cell (July 8, 2010) -- Researchers use precise electrical "tweezers" to place nanowires on predetermined spots on single cells. The technique eventually could produce new ways to deliver medication. ... > full story

Delayed school start time associated with improvements in adolescent behaviors (July 8, 2010) -- A short delay in school start time appears to be associated with significant improvements in adolescent alertness, mood and health, according to a new study. ... > full story

Dig discovers ancient Britons were earliest North Europeans (July 8, 2010) -- Archeologists have unearthed the earliest evidence of human occupation in Britain. Their findings demonstrate that ancient humans occupied Britain over 800,000 years ago, marking the first known settlement in northern Europe -- far earlier than previously thought. ... > full story

Biologists identify a new clue into cellular aging (July 8, 2010) -- The ability to combat some age-related diseases may rest with scientists unlocking clues about the molecular and cellular processes governing aging. The underlying theory is that if the healthy portion of an individual's life span can be extended, it may delay the onset of certain age-related diseases. In the search to understand these molecular processes, researchers have uncovered an important new DAF-16 isoform that helps to regulate longevity. ... > full story

Fouls go left: Soccer referees may be biased based on play's direction of motion (July 8, 2010) -- Soccer referees may have an unconscious bias towards calling fouls based on a play's direction of motion, according to a new study. Researchers found that soccer experts made more foul calls when action moved right-to-left, or leftward, compared to left-to-right or rightward action, suggesting that two referees watching the same play from different vantage points may be inclined to make a different call. ... > full story

Cholesterol's other way out (July 8, 2010) -- Many of us are simply overloaded with cholesterol, and now a report brings what might be good news: There is more than one way to get rid of that cholesterol, which can otherwise lead to atherosclerosis and heart disease. ... > full story

New computer program accurately simulates protein folding dramatically faster than previous methods (July 8, 2010) -- A new computer program accurately simulates protein folding dramatically faster than previous methods. It will allow scientists to peer deeper into the roots of diseases caused by proteins that fold incorrectly. ... > full story

Therapist competence matters -- and more for some patients than others (July 8, 2010) -- While studies have shown that cognitive therapy is an effective treatment for depression, it has still not been clear the role therapists' training and expertise plays in making treatment successful. A new study finds that depressed patients show more symptom improvement when their therapists more competently follow the guidelines for delivering cognitive therapy. ... > full story

Newborn stars discovered in dark cosmic cloud (July 8, 2010) -- A wave of massive star formation appears to have begun within a mysterious dark cloud in the Milky Way. NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has revealed a secluded birthplace for stars within a wispy, dark cloud in a region of the galaxy named M17. The new research could shed light on the question of how and when massive stars form. ... > full story

Previously unknown natural mechanism controls cocaine use (July 8, 2010) -- Scientists have found that a particular type of genetic material plays a key role in determining vulnerability to cocaine addiction and may offer an entirely new direction for the development of anti-addiction therapies. ... > full story

Turning back the cellular clock: Method developed for tracking adult stem cells as they regress (July 8, 2010) -- For the first time, scientists have succeeded in tracking the progression of reprogrammed stem cells through live imaging to learn more about how they are reprogrammed, and how the new cells evolve over time. This will allow researchers to develop techniques and choose the right cells for replacement therapy and give invaluable insight into how these cells will eventually react in the human body. ... > full story

Knee arthritis? Flexible options can help keep you active (July 8, 2010) -- Middle-aged men and women with osteoarthritis of the knee now have more options than ever before for treatments that may allow them to remain active in the sports they love, according to a new review. ... > full story

Energy yield of ‘cheap’ solar panels raised from 7 to 9 percent (July 8, 2010) -- Researchers have shown how the energy yield of relatively cheap solar panels, made of amorphous silicon, can be considerably raised: from around 7 percent to 9 percent. ... > full story

Predicting relationship breakups with a word-association task (July 8, 2010) -- Here's a way to tell a romantic relationship is going to fall apart: find out what people really think about their partners. The researchers in a new study used a so-called implicit task, which shows how people automatically respond to words -- in this case, whether they find it easier to link words referring to their partner to words with pleasant or unpleasant meanings. ... > full story

Revolutionary medical dressing uses nanotechnology to fight infection (July 8, 2010) -- Researchers are using nanotechnology to develop a medical dressing which will detect and treat infection in wounds. Scientists in the UK are working together with teams across Europe and Australia to create an advanced wound dressing. The dressing will work by releasing antibiotics from nanocapsules triggered by the presence of disease-causing pathogenic bacteria, which will target treatment before the infection takes hold. ... > full story

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