الأربعاء، 5 سبتمبر 2012

ScienceDaily: Top News

ScienceDaily: Top News

Biofuel waste product recycled for electricity

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 04:30 PM PDT

A by-product of biofuel manufacture can power microbial fuel cells to generate electricity cheaply and efficiently, according to scientists. The work could help develop self-powered devices that would depollute waste water and be used to survey weather in extreme environments.

'Fitness and fatness': Not all obese people have the same prognosis; second study sheds light on 'obesity paradox'

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 04:30 PM PDT

People can be obese but metabolically healthy and fit, with no greater risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular disease or cancer than normal weight people, according to the largest study ever to have investigated this seeming paradox.

NASA's SDO sees massive filament erupt on sun

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 04:26 PM PDT

On August 31, 2012 a long filament of solar material that had been hovering in the sun's atmosphere, the corona, erupted out into space at 4:36 p.m. EDT. The coronal mass ejection, or CME, traveled at over 900 miles per second. The CME did not travel directly toward Earth, but did connect with Earth's magnetic environment, or magnetosphere, with a glancing blow. causing aurora to appear on the night of Monday, September 3.

That giant tarantula is terrifying, but I'll touch it: Expressing your emotions can reduce fear

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 04:20 PM PDT

Can simply describing your feelings at stressful times make you less afraid and less anxious? A new psychology study suggests that labeling your emotions at the precise moment you are confronting what you fear can indeed have that effect.

Longer CPR attempts might benefit some patients, research finds

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 03:39 PM PDT

There isn't a hard and fast rule for how long doctors should perform CPR, but new research shows longer attempts might be beneficial for some patients.

Rare genetic disease offers insight into common cancers

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 02:09 PM PDT

Fanconi anemia is a rare genetic condition in which cells lose the ability to repair DNA. Fanconi cells are super-sensitive to a common class of cancer drugs, nixing their use. A new study explores resveratrol as chemopreventive in Fanconi anemia patients.

Scientists design molecule that reverses some fragile X syndrome defects

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 02:09 PM PDT

Scientists have designed a compound that shows promise as a potential therapy for one of the diseases closely linked to fragile X syndrome, a genetic condition that causes mental retardation, infertility, and memory impairment, and is the only known single-gene cause of autism.

'Benign' malaria key driver of human evolution in Asia-Pacific

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 02:09 PM PDT

The malaria species rampant in the Asia-Pacific region has been a significant driver of evolution of the human genome, a new study has shown. An international team of researchers has shown that Plasmodium vivax malaria, the most prevalent malaria species in the Asia-Pacific, is a significant cause of genetic evolution that provides protection against malaria.

Stiffening of aortic wall linked with increased risk of high blood pressure

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 01:25 PM PDT

An analysis of the relationship between several vascular function measures and blood pressure levels finds that certain measures including higher aortic stiffness were associated with a higher risk of new hypertension; however, initial blood pressure was not independently associated with risk of progressive aortic stiffening, suggesting that vascular stiffness may be a precursor rather than the result of hypertension.

Vitamin D supplement fails to lower cholesterol in short term

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 01:21 PM PDT

Taking vitamin D supplements to compensate for vitamin D deficiency didn't improve cholesterol — at least in the short term, according to new research.

Quest for Higgs boson enters new phase

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 01:15 PM PDT

This summer, physicists at the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva announced the discovery of a new particle with a mass somewhere between 125 and 126 giga-electron volts, or 134 times the mass of the proton. This figure falls within the predicted range for the Higgs boson. So what's next? "This is the beginning. We still don't know what this thing is," says one researcher.

Study points to new target for cancers resistant to Iressa and Herceptin

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 01:15 PM PDT

A more-sensitive method to analyze protein interactions has uncovered a new way that cancer cells may use the cell-surface molecule HER3 to drive tumor progression following treatment with HER1 and HER2 inhibitors. This study shows that HER3 could be up to 10 times more effective than HER2 in recruiting the proteins that drive the spread of cancer.

Preeclampsia poses a significant long-term health risk, study finds

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 12:16 PM PDT

In a new study, researchers found patients with preeclampsia had significantly higher rates of chronic hypertension diagnosed after pregnancy. Patients with preeclampsia were also more likely to be hospitalized at least once. Exposed women had .28 hospitalization per patient rate, while the non-exposed patients had a lower .23 hospitalization per patient rate.

Repeated exposure to traumatic images may be harmful to health

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 12:01 PM PDT

Repeated exposure to violent images from the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the Iraq War led to an increase in physical and psychological ailments in a nationally representative sample of US adults, according to a new study.

Showing the way to improved water-splitting catalysts: Chemists identify the mechanism by which such catalysts work

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 12:01 PM PDT

Scientists and engineers around the world are working to find a way to power the planet using solar-powered fuel cells. Such green systems would split water during daylight hours, generating hydrogen that could be stored and used later to produce water and electricity. But robust catalysts are needed to drive the water-splitting reaction. Now chemists have determined the mechanism by which some highly effective cobalt catalysts work.

Antimicrobials alter intestinal bacteria composition in swine, researchers find

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 12:01 PM PDT

Researchers, concerned about the use of antibiotics in animal production, have found that antimicrobial growth promoters administered to swine can alter the kind of bacteria present in the animal's intestinal track, resulting in an accelerated rate of growth and development in the animals.

Human impact felt on Black Sea long before industrial era

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 12:01 PM PDT

Researchers have pieced together a unique history of the Danube River delta and watershed that ultimately provides evidence for a transformative impact of humans on the Black Sea over hundreds, if not thousands of years.

Watching quantum mechanics in action: Researchers create world record laser pulse

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 12:01 PM PDT

A research team has created the world's shortest laser pulse and in the process may have given scientists a new tool to watch quantum mechanics in action -- something that has been hidden from view until now.

Waste silicon gets new life in lithium-ion batteries

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 12:00 PM PDT

Researchers have developed a way to make flexible components for rechargeable lithium-ion (LI) batteries from discarded silicon.

Gardener's delight offers glimpse into the evolution of flowering plants

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 11:48 AM PDT

Double flowers -- though beautiful -- are mutants. Biologists have found the class of genes responsible in a plant lineage more ancient than the one previously studied, offering a glimpse even further back into the evolutionary development of flowers.

Every atom counts in graphene formation: Nanoreactor theory could advance quality of material’s growth

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 10:53 AM PDT

Researchers detail the atom-by-atom energies at play in the chemical vapor deposition process of creating graphene.

Syrian obsidian discovery opens new chapter in Middle Eastern studies

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 10:53 AM PDT

An archaeologist has revealed the origin and trading routes of razor-sharp stone tools 4,200 years ago in Syria.

Reduced brain connections seen in people with generalized anxiety disorder

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 10:48 AM PDT

A new imaging study shows the brains of people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) have weaker connections between a brain structure that controls emotional response and the amygdala, which suggests the brain's "panic button" may stay on due to lack of regulation.

Experts propose 'cyber war' on cancer: Universities aim to break cancer's codes for social networking

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:17 AM PDT

Mounting evidence of intricate social cooperation among cancer cells has led researchers to suggest a new strategy for outsmarting cancer through its own social intelligence. The researchers call for a "cyber war" to co-opt the communications systems that allow cancer cells to work together to sense danger and avoid attacks by the immune system and chemotherapy drugs.

New Danish fungal species discovered

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:17 AM PDT

A new fungal species, called "Hebelomagriseopruinatum," has now officially been included in the list of species. The fungus, whose name can be translated into "the gray-dewy tear leaf," was discovered on Zealand in Denmark during a mushroom-hunting tour.

Hormone therapy for fruit flies means better pest control

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:17 AM PDT

Released en masse, sterile Mexican fruit flies can undermine a wild population of the fruit-damaging pests so that fewer applications of insecticide are needed. But the irradiation used to sterilize the flies weakens them, hindering their ability to outcompete wild-type males for female mates. Now, scientists have devised a hormone therapy for making sterile flies "more macho," improving their chances of mating with female flies before their wild rivals do.

Using magnetism to understand superconductivity

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:17 AM PDT

Research in atomic scale magnetism could play a role in the development of new materials that could permit lossless electricity transmission.

Potential drug discovered for deadly brain cancer

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:14 AM PDT

Scientists in Singapore have identified a biomarker of the most lethal form of brain tumors in adults -- glioblastoma multiforme. The scientists found that by targeting this biomarker and depleting it with a potential drug, they were able to prevent the progression and relapse of the brain tumor.

Ovarian cancer cells hijack surrounding tissues to enhance tumor growth

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:14 AM PDT

Researchers have discovered that ovarian cancer cells activate the HOXA9 gene to compel stromal cells to create an environment that supports tumor growth.

New gene variants raise risk of neuroblastoma, influence tumor progression

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:11 AM PDT

Researchers have discovered two gene variants that raise the risk of the pediatric cancer neuroblastoma, as well as contributing to a tumor's progression. The findings may suggest future targets for new therapies.

New genetic clues to why most bone marrow transplant patients develop graft-versus-host disease

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:11 AM PDT

A team of scientists has shed new light on why most bone marrow transplant patients who receive tissue-matched cells from unrelated donors still suffer acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The answer appears to lie in the discovery of previously undetected genetic differences in the DNA of patients and unrelated marrow donors.

Some evidence for 'chemo brain' in breast cancer survivors, large review finds

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:11 AM PDT

A large meta-analysis has concluded that breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy are at risk for mild cognitive deficits after treatment. The meta-analysis found that study participants on average had mild impairments in verbal abilities (such as difficulty choosing words) and visuospatial abilities (such as getting lost more easily). The study noted that cognitive functioning varies across survivors, with some reporting no impairments and others reporting more severe or pervasive deficits.

Spinach power gets a big boost: Reseachers combine spinach protein with silicon to make biohybrid solar cell

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:11 AM PDT

Spinach power has just gotten a big boost. Researchers have combined the photosynthetic protein that converts light into electrochemical energy in spinach with silicon, the material used in solar cells, in a fashion that produces substantially more electrical current than has been reported by previous "biohybrid" solar cells.

Binding sites for LIN28 protein found in thousands of human genes

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 09:11 AM PDT

A new study looks at an important RNA binding protein called LIN28, which is implicated in pluripotency and reprogramming as well as in cancer and other diseases.

Genes associated with primary angle closure glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness in Chinese people

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 08:18 AM PDT

Singapore scientists have identified three new genes associated with primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG), a leading cause of blindness in Chinese people. PACG affects 15 million people worldwide, 80 percent of whom live in Asia.

Bees, fruits and money: Decline of pollinators will have severe impact on nature and humankind

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 07:11 AM PDT

Globally we are witnessing a decline in pollinators, such as wild bees, honeybees and hover flies, caused by the destruction and fragmentation of habitats, agricultural intensification and use of pesticides, introduction of novel diseases and competing alien species, and climate change. The combined impacts of these drivers will accelerate the loss of pollinator diversity and potentially disrupt plant-pollinator interactions.

Australian shipping emissions identified

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 07:11 AM PDT

Ship engine exhaust emissions make up more than a quarter of nitrogen oxide emissions generated in the Australian region according to a recently published study. Nitrogen oxide is a non-greenhouse gas, unlike similarly named nitrous oxide.

Swallowed magnets in children need quick evaluation and treatment

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 07:08 AM PDT

Children who swallow powerful neodymium magnets are at risk of serious complications, requiring emergency evaluation and possible treatment. That's the message of a new clinical algorithm published in the September issue of The Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.

Sleep apnea linked with increased risk of cancer death

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 07:01 AM PDT

Sleep apnea severity has been associated with increased cancer mortality in a new study.

Coastline erosion due to rise in sea level greater than previously thought, new model finds

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 07:01 AM PDT

A new model is allowing researchers to predict coastline erosion due to rising sea levels much more accurately. It would appear that the effects of coastline erosion as a result of rising sea-level rise in the vicinity of inlets, such as river estuaries, have until now been dramatically underestimated.

A new molecule with anti-cancer and anti-metastatic properties

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 07:00 AM PDT

A new molecule with anti-cancer and anti-metastatic properties has been discovered by an international team of researchers. This anticancer drug acts on cells resistant to conventional chemotherapy thanks to an entirely novel action mechanism. It targets not only the multiplication of cells but also their mobility and thus could prevent the formation of metastases. The results obtained in vitro and on animals could, in the medium term, lead to the development of alternative anti-cancer treatments.

For the rooster, size matters: How size of hen's comb is linked to ability to lay more eggs

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 07:00 AM PDT

A lone rooster sees a lot of all the hens in the flock, but the hen with the largest comb gets a bigger dose of sperm -- and thus more chicks. Researchers in Sweden have now shown how the size of a hen's comb is bound up with the ability to lay more eggs.

Anchoring proteins influence glucose metabolism and insulin release

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 07:00 AM PDT

Scientists have discovered a new control point that could be important as a drug target for the treatment of diabetes and other metabolic diseases. A-kinase anchoring proteins or AKAPs are known to influence the spatial distribution of kinases within the cell, crucial enzymes that control important molecular events related to the regulation of glucose levels in the blood.

Even in normal range, high blood sugar linked to brain shrinkage

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 06:58 AM PDT

People whose blood sugar is on the high end of the normal range may be at greater risk of brain shrinkage that occurs with aging and diseases such as dementia, according to new research,

Using RNA nanotechnology to treat cancers and viral infections: New study shows promise

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 06:58 AM PDT

A new study shows promise for developing ultrastable RNA nanoparticles that may help treat cancer and viral infections by regulating cell function and binding to cancers without harming surrounding tissue.

'Magic carpet' could help prevent falls

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:11 PM PDT

A 'magic carpet' can immediately detect when someone has fallen and can help to predict mobility problems.

Targeting inflammation to treat depression

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:11 PM PDT

Researchers have found that a biologic drug that inhibits inflammation may offer new hope for people with difficult-to-treat depression.

Possible association between cardiovascular disease, chemical exposure, study suggests

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:11 PM PDT

Exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid, a manmade chemical used in the manufacture of some common household products, appears to be associated with cardiovascular disease and peripheral arterial disease in a study of 1,216 individuals.

Prenatal maternal smoking associated with increased risk of adolescent obesity

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:11 PM PDT

Prenatal exposure to maternal cigarette smoking appears associated with an increased risk for adolescent obesity, and is possibly related to subtle structural variations in the brain that create a preference for eating fatty foods.

Little evidence of health benefits from organic foods, study finds

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:11 PM PDT

Researchers have carried out the most comprehensive meta-analysis to date of existing studies comparing organic and conventional foods. They did not find strong evidence that organic foods are more nutritious or carry fewer health risks than conventional alternatives, though consumption of organic foods can reduce the risk of pesticide exposure.

Cholesterol inhibitors block lymphatic vessel growth

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:10 PM PDT

One of the world's top selling drugs potentially also acts against the growth of new lymphatic vessels, with potential implications for cancer therapy. This surprising finding was brought forward by researchers with their newly developed three-dimensional cell culture system.

The eyes have it: Men and women do see things differently, study of brain's visual centers finds

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:10 PM PDT

The way that the visual centers of men and women's brains works is different, finds new research. Men have greater sensitivity to fine detail and rapidly moving stimuli, but women are better at discriminating between colors.

Plain packaging reduces the appeal of smoking

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:10 PM PDT

While Australia has recently passed legislation to ban logos from cigarette packages and to make plain packaging mandatory, other countries are still considering whether or not to take similar measures. New research provides a report on the appeal of plain cigarette packs, compared to branded packs, among women in Brazil, and finds that plain packs reduce the appeal of their contents.

New long-term antimicrobial catheter developed

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:10 PM PDT

A novel antimicrobial catheter that remains infection-free for up to twelve weeks could dramatically improve the lives of long-term catheter users.

TB outbreaks could be 'solved' by DNA tracking, scientists say

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:10 PM PDT

Reconstructing the spread of killer diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) from person to person using DNA sequencing quickly identifies the origin and movement of pathogens. This approach is directly informing public health strategies to control infectious disease outbreaks, scientists say.

Study finds increase in number of non-smokers being diagnosed with lung cancer

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:10 PM PDT

There has been an increase in the number of non-smokers being diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer, according to new findings.

Less ferocious Tasmanian devils could help save species from extinction

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 07:10 PM PDT

Evolving to become less aggressive could be key to saving the Tasmanian devil -- famed for its ferocity -- from extinction, research suggests. The species is being wiped out by Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), a fatal infectious cancer spread by biting. The new study found the less often a devil gets bitten, the more likely it is to become infected with the cancer.

Tracking fish through a coral reef seascape: Ear-bone 'tree rings' provide evidence of connectivity

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 12:40 PM PDT

Ocean scientists have long known that juvenile coral reef fishes use coastal seagrass and mangrove habitats as nurseries, later moving as adults onto coral reefs. But the fishes' movements, and the connections between different tropical habitats, are much more complex than previously realized, according to a new study. The findings have important implications for management and protection of coral reefs and other marine environments.
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