Current Event Articles: ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Sunday, July 18, 2010

Sunday, July 18, 2010

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Sunday, July 18, 2010

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Sunday, July 18, 2010

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Mayan king's tomb discovered in Guatemala (July 17, 2010) -- A well-preserved tomb of an ancient Mayan king has been discovered in Guatemala. The tomb is packed with carvings, ceramics, textiles, and the bones of six children, who may have been sacrificed at the time of the king's death. ... > 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

Chemists grow crystals with a twist -- and untwist (July 17, 2010) -- Chemists have created crystals that can twist and untwist, pointing to a much more varied process of crystal growth than previously thought. Their work may explain some of the properties of high-polymers, which are used in clothing and liquid crystal displays, among other consumer products. ... > 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

Breakthrough achieved in explaining why tectonic plates move the way they do (July 17, 2010) -- Geophysicists have developed a new theory to explain the global motions of tectonic plates on the earth's surface. The new theory extends the theory of plate tectonics -- a kinematic description of plate motion without reference to the forces behind it -- with a dynamical theory that provides a physical explanation for both the motions of tectonic plates as well as motion of plate boundaries. ... > 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

Nature's insect repellents discovered (July 17, 2010) -- Two compounds emitted by mosquito predators that make the mosquitoes less inclined to lay eggs in pools of water may provide new environmentally friendly tactics for repelling and controlling disease-carrying insects. ... > 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

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