ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Monday, November 30, 2009
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Greening of Sahara desert triggered early human migrations out of Africa (November 30, 2009) -- Scientists have determined that a major change in the climate of the Sahara and Sahel region of North Africa facilitated early human migrations from the African continent. Among the key findings are that the Sahara desert and the Sahel were considerably wetter around 9,000, 50,000 and 120,000 years ago then at present, allowing for the growth of trees instead of grasses. ... > full story
Polyphenols and polyunsaturated fatty acids boost the birth of new neurons, study finds (November 30, 2009) -- Researchers in Spain have confirmed that a diet rich in polyphenols and polyunsaturated fatty acids, patented as an LMN diet, helps boost the production of the brain's stem cells -- neurogenesis -- and strengthens their differentiation in different types of neuron cells. The research revealed that mice fed an LMN diet, when compared to those fed a control diet, have more cell proliferation in the two areas of the brain where neurogenesis is produced, the olfactory bulb and the hippocampus. ... > full story
Computer program uses interactive genetic algorithm to help witnesses remember criminals (November 30, 2009) -- Criminals are having a harder time hiding their faces, thanks to new software that helps witnesses recreate and recognize suspects using principles borrowed from the fields of optics and genetics. ... > full story
Long-term testicular cancer survivors at high risk for neurological side effects (November 30, 2009) -- Long-term survivors of testicular cancer who were treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy had more severe side effects, including neurological side effects and Raynaud-like phenomena, than men who were not treated with chemotherapy, according to a new study. ... > full story
Global study of salmon shows: 'Sustainable' food isn't so sustainable (November 30, 2009) -- Popular thinking about how to improve food systems often misses the point, according to the results of a three-year global study of salmon production systems. Rather than pushing for organic or land-based production, or worrying about simple metrics such as "food miles," the study finds that the world can achieve greater environmental benefits by focusing on improvements production and distribution. ... > full story
Demand for cosmetic and surgical procedures in dermatologic surgery rising rapidly (November 30, 2009) -- Researchers have found that there has been a dramatic increase in the number of procedures performed and patient demand for dermatologic health care since 2000. The findings parallels the growth in the age of individuals between the ages of 40 to 55, who make up the "baby boomer" generation. ... > full story
Spinons -- confined like quarks: Phenomenon seen in condensed matter for first time (November 30, 2009) -- The concept of confinement is one of the central ideas in modern physics. The most famous example is that of quarks which bind together to form protons and neutrons. Now for the first time an experimental realization and a proof of confinement phenomenon has been observed in a condensed matter system. The finding, in a well-described magnetic system, may offer new ways to explore quantum chromodynamics, the theory that describes the fundamental interactions of quarks. ... > full story
New disease among HIV-infected gay men (November 30, 2009) -- A rare parasitic disease, which normally only is transmitted by contaminated water, has been shown to be transmitted by gay sex between hiv-positive men. In the industrial world the disease is virtually absent, but that could change. ... > full story
World’s largest working hydro-electric wave energy device launched (November 30, 2009) -- The global wave energy industry has taken a major stride forward with the launch of the world's largest working hydro-electric wave energy device by Aquamarine Power. ... > full story
Male factor infertility associated with comorbidities (November 30, 2009) -- New research suggests that that male factor infertility is associated with a number of medical comorbidities, as objectively scored with the hospital-based Charlson Comorbidity Index. ... > full story
Engineers image nanostructure of a solid acid catalyst and boost its catalytic activity (November 30, 2009) -- The catalytic processes that facilitate the production of many chemicals and fuels could become much more environmentally friendly, thanks to a new breakthrough. ... > full story
Connection between depression and osteoporosis detailed (November 30, 2009) -- Research carried out among thousands of people has shown a clear connection between depression and a loss of bone mass, leading to osteoporosis and fractures. ... > full story
'Cosmic fruit machine' matches galactic collisions (November 29, 2009) -- A new website will give everyone the chance to contribute to science by playing a 'cosmic fruit machine' and compare images of colliding galaxies with millions of simulated images of galactic pile-ups. ... > full story
New therapy may be effective against bacterial infections and sepsis (November 29, 2009) -- A new study found that certain immune cells primarily associated with asthma and allergies may enhance innate immunity and improve clearance of bacterial infections and may be an effective new therapy against bacterial infections and sepsis in humans. ... > full story
Tough yet stiff, deer antler is materials scientist's dream (November 29, 2009) -- It is almost impossible to make materials that are tough yet stiff: stiff materials tend to break easily and cannot absorb impacts. But not so dry deer antlers. Surviving impacts that are six times greater than crashes that shatter wet femur, deer antler is stiff enough to endure the dueling animals' pushing contests and could teach us how to make stiff, yet tough, materials. ... > full story
New findings suggest strategy to help generate HIV-neutralizing antibodies (November 29, 2009) -- New discoveries about anti-HIV antibodies may bring researchers a step closer to creating an effective HIV vaccine, according to a new paper. ... > full story
Peat fires drive temperatures up: Burning rainforests release huge amounts of greenhouse gases (November 29, 2009) -- The forested peatlands of the tropics store vast amounts of carbon. Forest fires convert this into the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. Scientists have now quantified these emissions and shown that peatland fires contribute significantly to global warming. ... > full story
Client-directed therapy technique drastically reduces rates of divorce or separation (November 29, 2009) -- Using four simple questions to generate client-directed feedback can greatly increase the chances that struggling couples will stay together, according to a recently published study. Couples that had systematic client feedback incorporated into their sessions were 46.2 percent less likely to wind up divorced or separated. ... > full story
Solar power from your windows, awnings, even clothing? (November 29, 2009) -- New research could one day lead to photovoltaic materials thin enough, flexible enough and inexpensive enough to go not only on rooftops but in windows, outdoor awnings and even clothing. ... > full story
Clue to mystery of how biological clock operates on 24-hour cycle (November 29, 2009) -- How does our biological system know that it is supposed to operate on a 24-hour cycle? Scientists have discovered that a tiny molecule holds the clue to the mystery. ... > full story
Rare woodland plant uses 'cryptic coloration' to hide from predators (November 29, 2009) -- It is well known that some animal species use camouflage to hide from predators. Individuals that are able to blend in to their surroundings and avoid being eaten are able to survive longer, reproduce, and thus increase their fitness (pass along their genes to the next generation) compared to those who stand out more. This may seem like a good strategy, and fairly common in the animal kingdom, but who ever heard of a plant doing the same thing? ... > full story
How HIV is assembled and released from infected cells (November 29, 2009) -- The HIV/AIDS virus continues to ravage populations worldwide. Using a novel combination of optical techniques, researchers visualize how virus particles assemble and are released from infected cells to find new victims -- knowledge which could lead to new technologies for inhibiting this process. ... > full story
Academic questions 'green' initiatives on cutting carbon footprint (November 29, 2009) -- Global carbon markets may well have been hailed as the savior of the planet by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but in many ways they are doing more harm than good, according to new evidence. ... > full story
Free e-samples of prescription drugs: At what cost? (November 29, 2009) -- An analysis of Web coupons and vouchers for free or discounted prescription medications found the value of such introductory offers is low compared to costs to continue to take the medication. Many such Web sites also de-emphasize risks and provide little quantitative data on indications for use and effectiveness. Many sites also collect personal information as a condition of the free offer. ... > full story
'Glow-in-the-dark' red blood cells made from human stem cells (November 29, 2009) -- Stem cell scientists have modified a human embryonic stem cell (hESC) line to glow red when the stem cells become red blood cells. The modified hESC line, ErythRED, represents a major step forward to the eventual aim of generating mature, fully functional red blood cells from human embryonic stem cells. ... > full story
Forming new brain cells: Key regulatory peptide discovered (November 29, 2009) -- The generation of new nerve cells in the brain is regulated by a peptide known as C3a, which directly affects the stem cells' maturation into nerve cells and is also important for the migration of new nerve cells through the brain tissue. ... > full story
Oceanic crust formation is dynamic after all (November 29, 2009) -- Earth scientists have found strong evidence that the geological processes that lead to the formation of oceanic crust are not as uniformly passive as believed. They found centers of dynamic upwelling in the shallow mantle beneath spreading centers on the seafloor. ... > full story
Measuring and modeling blood flow in malaria (November 29, 2009) -- When people have malaria, they are infected with Plasmodium parasites, which enter the body from the saliva of a mosquito, infect cells in the liver, and then spread to red blood cells. Inside the blood cells, the parasites replicate and also begin to expose adhesive proteins on the cell surface that change the physical nature of the cells in the bloodstream. ... > full story
New nanocrystalline diamond probes overcome wear (November 29, 2009) -- Researchers have developed, characterized, and modeled a new kind of probe used in atomic force microscopy, which images, measures, and manipulates matter at the nanoscale. Using diamond, researchers made a much more durable probe than the commercially available silicon nitride probes, which are typically used in AFM to gather information from a material, but can wear down after several uses. ... > full story
Motivational 'women-only' cardiac rehab improves symptoms of depression (November 29, 2009) -- Women who participated in a motivational cardiac rehab program designed for women experienced less symptoms of depression. The positive impact of the women-centered program remained six months after the 12-week study ended. Other research shows that positive emotions in men and women may protect from heart disease. ... > full story
Biological basis of 'bacterial immune system' discovered (November 28, 2009) -- Scientists have discovered how the bacterial immune system works, and the finding could lead to new classes of targeted antibiotics, new tools to study gene function in microorganisms and more stable bacterial cultures used by food and biotechnology industries to make products such as yogurt and cheese. ... > full story
New device implanted by surgeons help paralyzed patients breathe easier (November 28, 2009) -- Physicians will soon begin implanting a new device designed to improve breathing in patients with upper spinal-cord injuries or other diseases that keep them from breathing independently. ... > full story
Female fruit flies do chores after sex (November 28, 2009) -- The sperm of male fruit flies are coated with a chemical 'sex peptide' which inhibits the female's usual afternoon siesta and compels her into an intense period of foraging activity. ... > full story
Bell's palsy: Study calls for rethink of cause and treatment (November 28, 2009) -- Drugs widely prescribed to treat facial paralysis in Bell's palsy are ineffective and are based on false notions of the cause of the condition, according to researchers. They say research must now focus on discovering other potential causes and treatments. ... > full story
Nuclear waste reduction: Polymers designed to mop up radioactive isotopes (November 28, 2009) -- Nuclear power could solve our energy problems but it has rather nasty by-products: radioactive waste. Not only the disposal of the old core rods but also reactor operation results in a large amount of low-level waste, especially contaminated cooling water. Scientists have now developed a new method to reduce the amount of this radioactive waste considerably. They use small beads consisting of a special polymer which “fishes” the radioactivity out of the water. ... > full story
Dispensing prescription drugs in 3-month supplies reduces drug costs by a third (November 28, 2009) -- Purchasing prescription drugs in a three-month supply rather than a one-month supply has long been regarded as a way to save money. New research quantifies the savings for the first time. ... > full story
RNA network seen in live bacterial cells for first time (November 28, 2009) -- New technology has given scientists the first look ever at RNA in a live bacteria cell -- a sight that could offer new information about how the molecule moves and works. ... > full story
Researchers fine-tune diffuse optical tomography for breast cancer screening (November 28, 2009) -- Researchers are working to make the physical pain and discomfort of mammograms a thing of the past, while allowing for diagnostic imaging eventually to be done in a home setting. ... > full story
24-carat gold 'snowflakes' improve graphene's electrical properties (November 28, 2009) -- In an effort to make graphene more useful in electronics applications, engineers have made a golden discovery -- gold "snowflakes" on graphene. ... > full story
Biologics for rheumatoid arthritis work, but which is best? (November 28, 2009) -- More studies that directly compare the effectiveness of different biologic drugs for rheumatoid arthritis are needed, say researchers who reviewed previous studies assessing the effectiveness of biologic disease-modifying drugs for treatment of RA and found that although all were very effective, there was little data on direct comparisons between the drugs that could help doctors decide which to prescribe. ... > full story
Ecologists sound out new solution for monitoring cryptic species (November 28, 2009) -- Ecologists have worked out a way of using recordings of birdsong to accurately measure the size of bird populations. This is the first time sound recordings from a microphone array have been translated into accurate estimates of bird species' populations. The new technique will also work with whale song and could lead to a major advance in our ability to monitor whale and dolphin numbers. ... > full story
Talking to ourselves: How consumers navigate choices and inner conflict (November 28, 2009) -- From simple decisions like "Should I eat this brownie?" to bigger questions such as "Should my next car be a hybrid?" consumers are involved in an inner dialogue that reflects thoughts and perspectives of their different selves, according to the authors of a new study. ... > full story
Small hairy balls hide foul-tasting healthful enzymes (November 28, 2009) -- A Dutch researcher has discovered a new way to package enzymes by causing charged polymers to form a 'ball of hair' around them. Her approach significantly increases the utility of the enzymes. For example, healthy enzymes with a foul taste can be packaged in such a way that they are released in the stomach without being tasted. ... > full story
New treatment more than doubles survival for high risk childhood leukemia (November 28, 2009) -- Phase 2 study results show high-dose imatinib plus chemo more than doubled survival for high risk type of childhood leukemia. ... > full story
Volunteers wanted for simulated 520-day Mars mission (November 28, 2009) -- Starting in 2010, an international crew of six will simulate a 520-day round-trip to Mars, including a 30-day stay on the martian surface. In reality, they will live and work in a sealed facility in Moscow, Russia, to investigate the psychological and medical aspects of a long-duration space mission. ESA is looking for European volunteers to take part. ... > full story
Common herbicides and fibrates block nutrient-sensing receptor found in gut and pancreas (November 28, 2009) -- Certain common herbicides and lipid-lowering fibrate drugs act in humans to block T1R3, a nutrient-sensing taste receptor also present in intestine and pancreas. These compounds were not previously known to act on the receptor, which influences glucose homeostasis and energy metabolism. The effect is specific to humans and not revealed during animal testing. ... > full story
Control of mosquito vectors of malaria may be enhanced by a new method of biocontrol (November 28, 2009) -- Biopesticides containing a fungus that is pathogenic to mosquitoes may be an effective means of reducing malaria transmission, particularly if used in combination with insecticide-treated bednets, according to a modeling study. Results of the study show that incorporating this novel vector control technique into existing vector management programs may substantially reduce malaria transmission rates and help manage insecticide resistance. ... > full story
Obese patients' reaction to diet can be predicted, study finds (November 28, 2009) -- The presence of increased body fat, and therefore higher levels of inflammatory substances in the blood, hinders the loss and maintenance of body weight, as shown by new research from Spain. ... > full story
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