ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Photonics: First all-optical nanowire switch
• Researchers closer to understanding actions of cells involved in atherosclerosis
• Expanding database enables discoveries in emerging field of metabolomics
• Public urged to take precautions against West Nile Virus
• First-time analysis of three distinct contributions of forage fish
• New roof and attic design proves efficient in summer and winter
• Improved diagnostic test benefits children with acute myeloid leukemia
• Older adults not prepared to ensure food safety during power outages
• New computing approach to materials science under development
• Psychopathic boldness tied to U.S. presidential success
• Mushroom-derived compound lengthens survival in dogs with cancer, study suggests
• 'Humanized' mice enable malaria research breakthrough
• Wine for swine: Pig study shows that wine has more cardiovascular benefits than vodka
• Vigorous physical activity associated with reduced cardiometabolic risk factors in youth
• Acupuncture may be better than no acupuncture, sham acupuncture for chronic pain
• Hyponatremia linked to increased risk of death, complications following surgery
• Taking painkillers increases death risk, second heart attacks in survivors
• More pregnant women taking high blood pressure drugs, yet safety unclear
• Patient safety project reduces bloodstream infections by 40 percent
• Neonatal heart stem cells may help mend kids' broken hearts
• Her vision is 20/20, but she can't make sense of what she sees
• Heavy drinking may lead to stroke earlier in life
• Starlight and 'air glow' give scientists a new way to observe nighttime weather from space
• Prototype represents a step toward enhanced soft-tissue tomography
• Mechanism related to negative emotions of cocaine withdrawal discovered: Emotional 'brakes' stay on after cocaine wears off
• Placebo response occurs at nonconscious level: Findings demonstrate unconscious mind plays a key role in pain experiences
• Reversible oxygen-sensing ‘switching’ mechanism discovered
• Babies' ability to detect complex rules in language outshines that of adults, research suggests
• Pain drug can kill resistant tuberculosis: Low cost drug wipes out drug resistant TB, but may not reach patients in need
• How breast cancer spreads
• Study ties forest 'greenness' in western US to snowpack extent
• 'Civilian cyber-warriors' not driven by patriotism
• Ants have exceptionally 'hi-def' sense of smell
• Two gene mutations drive adrenal cancer
• Eight new cusk-eel species useful for understanding environment
• Too soon? Too late? Psychological distance matters when it comes to humor
• Wind power not enough to affect global climate, researchers find
• Predicting wave power could double marine-based energy
• Scientists aim to put a pox on dog cancer
• Researchers create short-term memories in vitro
• Metabolic engineer synthesizes key breast milk ingredient: Sugar in human milk may protect babies from pathogens
• Study reveals extent of type 2 diabetes problem in black and minority ethnic populations
• Martian clays were not all formed by the action of liquid water
• Surprises in evolution of frog life cycles
• Suicide prevention expert outlines new steps to tackle military suicide
• Bad strep throat? It's probably not strep, most likely viral
• Fighting Alzheimer's before its onset: Executive function tests key to early detection of Alzheimer’s, study shows
• Computer program deals with patients who fail to keep appointments
• Researchers use 'banker plants' to help battle whitefly pests
• New genetic mechanism for controlling blood cell development and blood vessel integrity found
• Key molecules involved in forming long-term memories discovered
• Maternity program results in fewer Cesarean sections, shorter hospital stays for mothers
• Benefits of progestogens to reduce risk of early childbirth
• Tough medicine: Reducing hypertension in African American men
• Chemotherapy-resistant cancer stem cell could be 'Achilles' heel' of cancer
• Double drug combo could shut down abnormal blood vessel growth that feeds disease
• Cancer-causing gene alone doesn’t trigger pancreatic cancer, research finds
• Molecule shows effectiveness against drug-resistant myeloma
• Wnt signaling pathway plays key role in adult nerve cell generation
• Salt seeds clouds in the Amazon rainforest: Researchers track down the sources of condensation nuclei

Photonics: First all-optical nanowire switch Posted: 10 Sep 2012 03:58 PM PDT Computers may be getting faster every year, but those advances in computer speed could be dwarfed if their 1s and 0s were represented by light, instead of electricity. Researchers have made an important advance in this frontier of photonics, fashioning the first all-optical photonic switch out of cadmium sulfide nanowires. Moreover, they combined these photonic switches into a logic gate, a fundamental component of computer chips that process information.

Researchers closer to understanding actions of cells involved in atherosclerosis Posted: 10 Sep 2012 03:57 PM PDT Researchers are one step closer to understanding why plaque bursts in coronary arteries and causes heart attacks.

Expanding database enables discoveries in emerging field of metabolomics Posted: 10 Sep 2012 03:57 PM PDT Over the last decade, metabolomics has emerged as the newest of the "omic" sciences (following genomics and proteomics) to provide comprehensive biochemical information about cellular metabolism. This new field has revealed that many of the chemicals involved in or produced through metabolism are currently unknown, but may play vital and previously unappreciated roles in human health and disease.

Public urged to take precautions against West Nile Virus Posted: 10 Sep 2012 03:57 PM PDT West Nile virus (WNV) has become endemic in North America with cases in 2012 exceeding that of any other year. Health care professionals and the public need to be on alert for WNV, medical researchers say.

First-time analysis of three distinct contributions of forage fish Posted: 10 Sep 2012 02:34 PM PDT A new study provides a first-time analysis of the value of forage fish, which are small, schooling species such as sardines, herring, and anchovies. Three kinds of contributions of forage fish were estimated: as direct catch, as food for other commercially important fish, and as an important link in the food web in marine ecosystems.

New roof and attic design proves efficient in summer and winter Posted: 10 Sep 2012 02:34 PM PDT A new kind of roof-and-attic system keeps homes cool in summer and prevents heat loss in winter, a multi-seasonal efficiency uncommon in roof and attic design.

Improved diagnostic test benefits children with acute myeloid leukemia Posted: 10 Sep 2012 02:34 PM PDT Early treatment response is a powerful predictor of long-term outcome for young patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The information can help physicians decide whether a more intensive approach is needed. Investigators have identified the best test for measuring that response and guiding therapy.

Older adults not prepared to ensure food safety during power outages Posted: 10 Sep 2012 02:34 PM PDT In the wake of Hurricane Isaac, which left millions without power, a new study highlights that many older adults are not equipped to keep food safe during an extended power outage.

New computing approach to materials science under development Posted: 10 Sep 2012 02:34 PM PDT Scientists are using data mining, information theory and statistical learning concepts to develop a new approach to discovering materials.

Psychopathic boldness tied to U.S. presidential success Posted: 10 Sep 2012 01:20 PM PDT The fearless dominance associated with psychopathy may be an important predictor of U.S. presidential performance, suggests a new analysis. Fearless dominance, while linked to diminished social and physical apprehensiveness, appears to correlate with better-rated presidential performance for leadership, persuasiveness, crisis management and Congressional relations, the analysis showed.

Mushroom-derived compound lengthens survival in dogs with cancer, study suggests Posted: 10 Sep 2012 01:15 PM PDT Dogs with hemangiosarcoma that were treated with a compound derived from the Coriolus versicolor mushroom had the longest survival times ever reported for dogs with the disease. These promising findings offer hope that the compound may one day offer cancer patients -- human and canine alike -- a viable alternative or complementary treatment to traditional chemotherapies.

'Humanized' mice enable malaria research breakthrough Posted: 10 Sep 2012 01:15 PM PDT A novel human liver-chimeric mouse model has made possible a research breakthrough that will greatly accelerate studies of the most lethal forms of human malaria.

Wine for swine: Pig study shows that wine has more cardiovascular benefits than vodka Posted: 10 Sep 2012 01:15 PM PDT The next time you call someone a drunken pig, remember this study. Researchers studied the effects of red wine and vodka on pigs with high cholesterol and found that the pigs with a penchant for pinot noir fared better than their vodka swilling swine counterparts.

Vigorous physical activity associated with reduced cardiometabolic risk factors in youth Posted: 10 Sep 2012 01:15 PM PDT A study of Canadian youth suggests that vigorous physical activity was associated with reduced cardiometabolic risk factors, such as body mass index z score, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure and increased cardiorespiratory fitness.

Acupuncture may be better than no acupuncture, sham acupuncture for chronic pain Posted: 10 Sep 2012 01:15 PM PDT An analysis of patient data from 29 randomized controlled trials suggests that acupuncture may be better than no acupuncture or sham acupuncture for the treatment of some chronic pain, according to a new report.

Hyponatremia linked to increased risk of death, complications following surgery Posted: 10 Sep 2012 01:15 PM PDT An observational study of nearly one million patients who underwent surgery suggests that preoperative hyponatremia (an electrolyte disorder in which sodium levels in the blood are low) was associated with an increased risk of complications and death within 30 days of surgery.

Taking painkillers increases death risk, second heart attacks in survivors Posted: 10 Sep 2012 01:14 PM PDT Heart attack survivors who take common painkillers after a heart attack have a higher long-term risk of dying or having a second heart attack, according to a new study.

More pregnant women taking high blood pressure drugs, yet safety unclear Posted: 10 Sep 2012 01:14 PM PDT Nearly 5 percent of pregnant women are prescribed drugs to treat high blood pressure, including some drugs that aren't considered safe for mothers or their babies, according to new research.

Patient safety project reduces bloodstream infections by 40 percent Posted: 10 Sep 2012 01:12 PM PDT A unique nationwide patient safety project reduced by 40 percent the rate of central line-associated bloodstream infections in intensive care units. The project used the CUSP toolkit.

Neonatal heart stem cells may help mend kids' broken hearts Posted: 10 Sep 2012 01:11 PM PDT Cardiac stem cells (CSCs) from newborns have a three-fold ability to restore heart function to nearly normal levels compared with adult CSCs. Further, in animal models of heart attack, hearts treated with neonatal stem cells pumped stronger than those given adult cells.

Her vision is 20/20, but she can't make sense of what she sees Posted: 10 Sep 2012 01:11 PM PDT A new article describes Balint's Syndrome, a rare and baffling neurological disorder.

Heavy drinking may lead to stroke earlier in life Posted: 10 Sep 2012 01:11 PM PDT A new study shows that people who have three or more alcoholic drinks per day may be at higher risk for experiencing a stroke almost a decade and a half earlier in life than those who do not drink heavily. The research is published in the September 11, 2012, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Starlight and 'air glow' give scientists a new way to observe nighttime weather from space Posted: 10 Sep 2012 12:56 PM PDT Researchers discovered that a combination of starlight and the upper atmosphere's own subtle glow can help satellites see Earth's clouds on moonless nights.

Prototype represents a step toward enhanced soft-tissue tomography Posted: 10 Sep 2012 12:20 PM PDT A promising approach for producing medical images with enhanced soft tissue visibility -- grating-based x-ray phase contrast -- has now advanced from bench-top studies to implementation in an in vivo preclinical computed tomography scanner. This work could mark a critical step in moving beyond proof-of-concept experiments to applications -- including in vivo preclinical imaging with small-animal models in the mid-term future and, in the long term, medical CT scanning.

Mechanism related to negative emotions of cocaine withdrawal discovered: Emotional 'brakes' stay on after cocaine wears off Posted: 10 Sep 2012 12:20 PM PDT Researchers have found a cellular mechanism that contributes to the lack of motivation and negative emotions of a cocaine addict going through withdrawal. Their discovery offers a deeper look into the cellular and behavioral implications of addiction.

Placebo response occurs at nonconscious level: Findings demonstrate unconscious mind plays a key role in pain experiences Posted: 10 Sep 2012 12:20 PM PDT With the discovery that the unconscious mind plays a key role in the placebo effect, researchers have identified a novel mechanism that helps explain the power of placebos and nocebos.

Reversible oxygen-sensing ‘switching’ mechanism discovered Posted: 10 Sep 2012 12:16 PM PDT Bacteria that cause disease in humans have a 'reversible switching mechanism' that allows them to adapt to environments lacking oxygen, scientists have found. The findings provide a new insight into how bacteria sense and adapt to oxygenated atmospheres, and uncover a new 'antioxidant' pathway by which certain types of damaged proteins can be repaired.

Babies' ability to detect complex rules in language outshines that of adults, research suggests Posted: 10 Sep 2012 12:16 PM PDT New research examining auditory mechanisms of language learning in babies has revealed that infants as young as three months of age are able to automatically detect and learn complex dependencies between syllables in spoken language. By contrast, adults only recognized the same dependencies when asked to actively search for them. The study also highlights the important role of basic pitch discrimination abilities for early language development.

Pain drug can kill resistant tuberculosis: Low cost drug wipes out drug resistant TB, but may not reach patients in need Posted: 10 Sep 2012 12:10 PM PDT An off-patent anti-inflammatory drug that costs around two cents for a daily dose in developing countries has been found by researchers to kill both replicating and non-replicating drug resistant tuberculosis in the laboratory -- a feat few currently approved TB drugs can do, and resistance to those is spreading.

How breast cancer spreads Posted: 10 Sep 2012 12:10 PM PDT The invasion of cancer cells into the lymph vessels that connect the breast to surrounding lymph nodes is the first step leading to the metastasis, or spread, of cancer throughout the body. Metastasis is the primary cause of breast cancer deaths. Surprisingly little is known about the control of this process and how it might be interrupted to prolong the lives of women with breast cancer. Researchers have now described their discovery of how a protein responsible for cell survival in low oxygen can trigger the spread of cancer cells into the lymphatic system in a mouse model of breast cancer.

Study ties forest 'greenness' in western US to snowpack extent Posted: 10 Sep 2012 11:35 AM PDT Scientists have used satellite images and ground measurements to identify the threshold at which mid-level forests sustained by moisture change to higher-elevation forests sustained by sunlight.

'Civilian cyber-warriors' not driven by patriotism Posted: 10 Sep 2012 11:35 AM PDT People who commit cyber-attacks against the government also tend to download music illegally and participate in physical protests. Surprisingly, however, they don't appear to be acting out of some sense of national pride or patriotism, according to a new study.

Ants have exceptionally 'hi-def' sense of smell Posted: 10 Sep 2012 11:35 AM PDT The first complete map of the ants' olfactory system has discovered that the eusocial insects have four to fives more odorant receptors -- the special proteins that detect different odors -- than other insects.

Two gene mutations drive adrenal cancer Posted: 10 Sep 2012 11:35 AM PDT Two different genetic mutations cooperate to induce adrenal cancer, according to a new study. The finding provides new clues to this rare and deadly cancer type, and researchers hope it will lead to better treatments by targeting both mutations.

Eight new cusk-eel species useful for understanding environment Posted: 10 Sep 2012 11:35 AM PDT A study describing eight new cusk-eel species provides data for better understanding how disasters like the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill impact biodiversity and the environment.

Too soon? Too late? Psychological distance matters when it comes to humor Posted: 10 Sep 2012 11:34 AM PDT Joking around can land us in hot water. Even the professionals shoot themselves comedically in the foot. Whenever someone jokes about a recent tragedy, they're inevitably met with a chorus of "Too soon!" So the question is: When are tragedies okay to joke about -- and when are they not? New research explores how the severity of a situation (how "bad" it is) and psychological distance (how removed we are) work together to facilitate humor.

Wind power not enough to affect global climate, researchers find Posted: 10 Sep 2012 11:34 AM PDT Though there is enough power in the earth's winds to be a primary source of near-zero emission electric power for the world, large-scale high altitude wind power generation is unlikely to substantially affect climate, according to new research.

Predicting wave power could double marine-based energy Posted: 10 Sep 2012 11:34 AM PDT A scientist says that his new computer algorithm improves the functioning of Wave Energy Converters used in producing electrical energy from ocean waves. And, with improvements in the converters themselves, it could make marine-based energy more commercially viable.

Scientists aim to put a pox on dog cancer Posted: 10 Sep 2012 11:34 AM PDT Researchers report that myxoma -- a pox virus that afflicts rabbits but not humans, dogs or any other vertebrates so far studied -- infects several different types of canine cancer cells in cell culture while sparing healthy cells. The study is unique in that it focused on spontaneously occurring cancers in dogs, not induced human cancers in mice.

Researchers create short-term memories in vitro Posted: 10 Sep 2012 11:34 AM PDT Researchers have discovered how to store diverse forms of artificial short-term memories in isolated brain tissue. The advance paves the way for future research to identify the specific brain circuits that allow humans to form short-term memories.

Metabolic engineer synthesizes key breast milk ingredient: Sugar in human milk may protect babies from pathogens Posted: 10 Sep 2012 11:34 AM PDT A microbial engineer has synthesized a sugar in human milk that is thought to protect babies from pathogens. That's important because 2FL, the shorthand scientists use to describe this human milk oligosaccharide, has not been added to infant formula because HMOs are incredibly expensive.

Study reveals extent of type 2 diabetes problem in black and minority ethnic populations Posted: 10 Sep 2012 11:34 AM PDT Half of all people of South Asian, African and African Caribbean descent will develop diabetes by age 80 according to a new study. The study is the first to reveal the full extent of ethnic differences in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and also provides some answers as to the causes of the increased risk.

Martian clays were not all formed by the action of liquid water Posted: 10 Sep 2012 11:27 AM PDT Discovered in 2005, the clays of the southern hemisphere of Mars are often considered to be evidence for the existence of liquid water on the planet at a period in the very distant past between 4.5 and 4 billion years ago. However, work carried out by a French-US team calls this interpretation into question.

Surprises in evolution of frog life cycles Posted: 10 Sep 2012 11:26 AM PDT All tadpoles grow into frogs, but not all frogs start out as tadpoles, reveals a new study on 720 species of frogs. The new study uncovers the surprising evolution of life cycles in frogs.

Suicide prevention expert outlines new steps to tackle military suicide Posted: 10 Sep 2012 09:26 AM PDT The suicide rate in the US Army now exceeds the rate in the general population, and psychiatric admission is now the most common reason for hospitalization in the Army. These concerning trends are described in a new article.

Bad strep throat? It's probably not strep, most likely viral Posted: 10 Sep 2012 09:26 AM PDT Although people often say they have "strep" throat, most sore throats actually are caused by a virus, not streptococcus bacteria, and shouldn't be treated with antibiotics, suggest new guidelines. Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses.

Fighting Alzheimer's before its onset: Executive function tests key to early detection of Alzheimer’s, study shows Posted: 10 Sep 2012 09:26 AM PDT By the time older adults are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, the brain damage is irreparable. For now, modern medicine is able to slow the progression of the disease but is incapable of reversing it. What if there was a way to detect if someone is on the path to Alzheimer's before substantial and non-reversible brain damage sets in?

Computer program deals with patients who fail to keep appointments Posted: 10 Sep 2012 09:26 AM PDT A problem faced by patients seeking medical attention is often getting a clinic appointment at a time convenient to them. Conversely, cancellations, and more crucially "no-shows", by patients can disrupt the day-to-day scheduling of a medical practice leading to frustration for patients and staff alike as well as affecting efficiency in a negative manner and leading to lost revenue.

Researchers use 'banker plants' to help battle whitefly pests Posted: 10 Sep 2012 09:26 AM PDT A scientist is showing growers how to combat whiteflies and other crop pests by using plants as storehouses for predatory insects that can migrate to cash crops and feed on the pests attacking those crops.

New genetic mechanism for controlling blood cell development and blood vessel integrity found Posted: 10 Sep 2012 09:23 AM PDT The protein GATA2 is known as a "master regulator" of blood cell development. When a mutation occurs in the gene that makes GATA2, serious blood diseases such as acute myeloid leukemia can result. Zooming in on the GATA2 gene, researchers have discovered unexpectedly that a small DNA sequence drives this powerful master regulator

Key molecules involved in forming long-term memories discovered Posted: 10 Sep 2012 09:23 AM PDT A research team has identified key molecules that help convert short-term memories into long-term ones. These proteins may offer a target for drugs that can enhance memory, alleviating some of the cognitive symptoms that characterize conditions including schizophrenia, depression and Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.

Maternity program results in fewer Cesarean sections, shorter hospital stays for mothers Posted: 10 Sep 2012 09:23 AM PDT A program delivering collaborative maternity care resulted in fewer Cesarean deliveries, shorter average hospital stays and higher breast-feeding rates for mothers, according to a new study.

Benefits of progestogens to reduce risk of early childbirth Posted: 10 Sep 2012 09:21 AM PDT Pregnant women who have had prior preterm births may avoid a subsequent early birth if given progestogens, which are natural or synthetic forms of progesterone, a female hormone that naturally increases during pregnancy, a new analysis shows.

Tough medicine: Reducing hypertension in African American men Posted: 10 Sep 2012 09:21 AM PDT Even though African American men in the United States are disproportionately more likely to have uncontrolled high blood pressure (or hypertension) than other racial and ethnic groups, they are less likely to take health-preserving medication.

Chemotherapy-resistant cancer stem cell could be 'Achilles' heel' of cancer Posted: 10 Sep 2012 09:21 AM PDT Scientists have discovered a subpopulation of cells that display cancer stem cell properties and resistance to chemotherapy, and participate in tumor progression. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new tests for early cancer diagnosis, prognostic tests, and innovative therapeutic strategies, they report.

Double drug combo could shut down abnormal blood vessel growth that feeds disease Posted: 10 Sep 2012 09:21 AM PDT A new study shows combining two already-FDA approved drugs may offer a new and potent punch against diseases in which blood vessel growth is abnormal -- such as cancer, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and rheumatoid arthritis.

Cancer-causing gene alone doesn’t trigger pancreatic cancer, research finds Posted: 10 Sep 2012 09:21 AM PDT More than a cancer-causing gene is needed to trigger pancreatic cancer, a study led by Mayo Clinic has found. A second factor creates a "perfect storm" that allows tumors to form, the researchers say. The study overturns the current belief that a mutation in the KRAS oncogene is enough to initiate pancreatic cancer and unrestrained cell growth.

Molecule shows effectiveness against drug-resistant myeloma Posted: 10 Sep 2012 09:21 AM PDT A molecule that targets the cell's machinery for breaking down unneeded proteins can kill multiple myeloma cancer cells resistant to the frontline drug Velcade, researchers report. P5091 triggered apoptosis in drug-resistant myeloma cells in the lab and in animals.

Wnt signaling pathway plays key role in adult nerve cell generation Posted: 10 Sep 2012 09:21 AM PDT Researchers report that a cell-to-cell communication network known as the Wnt signaling pathway plays an important role in both the production and specialization of nerve cell precursors in the hypothalamus.

Salt seeds clouds in the Amazon rainforest: Researchers track down the sources of condensation nuclei Posted: 10 Sep 2012 09:18 AM PDT It's morning, deep in the Amazon jungle. In the still air innumerable leaves glisten with moisture, and fog drifts through the trees. As the sun rises, clouds appear and float across the forest canopy ... but where do they come from? Water vapor needs soluble particles to condense on. Airborne particles are the seeds of liquid droplets in fog, mist, and clouds. To learn how aerosol particles form in the Amazon, researchers analyzed samples of naturally formed aerosols collected above the forest floor, deep in the rainforest. Their analysis provided essential clues to the evolution of fine particles around which Amazon clouds and fog condense, beginning with chemicals produced by living organisms. The team found that among the most important initial triggers of the process are potassium salts.

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