ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Welcome to another edition of ScienceDaily's email newsletter. You can change your subscription options or unsubscribe at any time.
Naked mole rats may hold clues to surviving stroke (December 1, 2009) -- Naked mole-rats can withstand brain oxygen deprivation for more than 30 minutes -- more than any other mammal. The finding may provide clues for developing new brain injury treatments following stroke or heart attack. ... > full story
CPR is successful without mouth-to-mouth, but not without oxygen (December 1, 2009) -- People can survive cardiac arrest if they receive only chest compressions during attempts to revive them -- as advised by the current American Heart Association guidelines. But they cannot survive without access to oxygen sometime during the resuscitation effort, research suggests. Scientists tested different scenarios in an animal study of cardiac arrest. Rats received either 100 percent oxygen, 21 percent oxygen -- the equivalent of room air -- or no oxygen (100 percent nitrogen) at the same time they received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). ... > full story
It takes two to infect: Structural biologists shed light on mechanism of invasion protein (December 1, 2009) -- Bacteria are quite creative when infecting the human organism. They invade cells, migrate through the body, avoid an immune response and misuse processes of the host cell for their own purposes. Structural biologists have now elucidated one mechanism of Listeria bacteria. ... > full story
Muscle 'synergies' may be key to stroke treatment (December 1, 2009) -- Researchers have shown that motor impairments in stroke patients can be understood as impairments in specific combinations of muscle activity, known as synergies. ... > full story
Action recommended for indoor radon below current guidelines (December 1, 2009) -- With radon-caused lung cancer deaths averaging 20,000 per year, the Health Physics Society asks the public to consider taking action even at measured levels below current guidelines. ... > full story
Is it right for drug companies to carry out their own clinical trials? (December 1, 2009) -- In a new article, two experts debate whether the conflict of interest is unacceptable when drug companies carry out clinical trials on their own medicines. Their views come as new guidance on the standards required for communicating company sponsored medical research is published. ... > full story
Glimpse at Earth's crust deep below Atlantic Ocean (December 1, 2009) -- Long-term variations in volcanism help explain the birth, evolution and death of striking geological features called oceanic core complexes on the ocean floor, says a geologist. ... > full story
New light shed on epilepsy (December 1, 2009) -- Neuroscientists move a step closer to finding new treatments for epilepsy. ... > full story
Protein engineering advancing Alzheimer’s research (December 1, 2009) -- No one has yet found a cure or a way to prevent people from developing Alzheimer's disease. Researchers are breaking new ground in biotechnology to find new tools that can help provide new solutions. A newly constructed protein has yielded experimental results that are promising when it comes to stopping the disease. And for the first time, using protein engineering, it seems researchers have successfully created the oligomer that is believed to trigger the disorder. ... > full story
Exercise therapy best for knee pain, study finds (December 1, 2009) -- For patients with severe knee pain, supervised exercise therapy is more effective at reducing pain and improving function than usual care, a study finds. ... > full story
Traditional indigenous fire management techniques deployed against climate change (December 1, 2009) -- A landmark Australian project that mitigates the extent and severity of natural savannah blazes by deploying traditional Indigenous fire management techniques is being hailed as a model with vast global potential in the fights against climate change and biodiversity loss, and for protecting indigenous lands and culture. Proponents heading to climate change talks in Copenhagen say similar projects can be adopted in the savannas of Africa, where the potential for reductions is very high. ... > full story
Getting on 'the GABA receptor shuttle' to treat anxiety disorders (December 1, 2009) -- There are increasingly precise molecular insights into ways that stress exposure leads to fear and through which fear extinction resolves these fear states. Extinction is generally regarded as new inhibitory learning, but where the inhibition originates from remains to be determined. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the primary inhibitory chemical messenger in the brain, seems to be very important to these processes. ... > full story
Amphibians as environmental omen disputed (November 30, 2009) -- Amphibians, for years considered a leading indicator of environmental degradation, are not uniquely susceptible to pollution, according to a new meta-analysis. ... > full story
Two-pronged protein attack could be source of SARS virulence (November 30, 2009) -- Researchers have uncovered what they believe could be the major factor contributing to the SARS virus' virulence: the pathogen's use of a single viral protein to weaken host cell defenses by launching a "two-pronged" attack on cellular protein-synthesis machinery. ... > full story
Molecular architecture of Treponema pallidum, bacterium that causes syphilis (November 30, 2009) -- A team of scientists has used state-of-the-art technology to elucidate the molecular architecture of Treponema pallidum, the bacterium which causes syphilis. The previously unknown detailed structure of the bacteria can now be shown in three dimensions. This provides the first real image of the pathogen and reveals previously unknown features, which may help fight the spread of syphilis. ... > full story
New molecule implicated in diabetes-associated blindness (November 30, 2009) -- Scientists have demonstrated that the Wnt signaling pathway plays a role in diabetic retinopathy. ... > full story
Climate change in Kuwait Bay: Higher temperatures having profound effects (November 30, 2009) -- Since 1985, seawater temperature in Kuwait Bay, northern Arabian Gulf, has increased on average 0.6 degrees Celsius per decade. This is about three times faster than the global average rate reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Differences are due to regional and local effects. Increased temperatures are having profound effects on key habitats and on power generation the Arabian Gulf. ... > full story
PTSD less common than depression and alcohol misuse amongst UK troops (November 30, 2009) -- Common mental disorders, such as depression and alcohol misuse, are the top psychological problems amongst UK troops post-deployment and not post traumatic stress disorder as is widely believed. A new study also finds that reservists remain at special risk of operational stress injury. ... > full story
Black hole caught zapping galaxy into existence? (November 30, 2009) -- Which come first, the supermassive black holes that frantically devour matter or the enormous galaxies where they reside? A brand new scenario has emerged from a recent set of outstanding observations of a black hole without a home: black holes may be "building" their own host galaxy. This could be the long-sought missing link to understanding why the masses of black holes are larger in galaxies that contain more stars. ... > full story
New stem cell technology provides rapid healing from complicated bone fractures (November 30, 2009) -- A novel technology involving use of stem cells has been applied to provide better and rapid healing for patients suffering from complicated bone fractures. ... > full story
Immune cells that prevent development of asthma identified (November 30, 2009) -- Asthma is inhibited by regulatory macrophages, a cell population never previously described. ... > full story
Quarter of a million children in England at risk of skin cancer from sunbeds (November 30, 2009) -- An estimated quarter of a million 11- to 17-year-olds in England are being put at increased risk of developing malignant melanoma by using sunbeds, warn researchers. ... > full story
Climate studies to benefit from 12 years of satellite aerosol data (November 30, 2009) -- Aerosols, very small particles suspended in the air, play an important role in the global climate balance and in regulating climate change. They are one of the greatest sources of uncertainty in climate change models. ESA's GlobAerosol project has been making the most of European satellite capabilities to monitor them. ... > full story
Hospital noise initiative reduces average peak decibel levels by 20 percent (November 30, 2009) -- Getting medical staff to adopt some simple measures on three hospital wards reduced noise levels by just under 20 percent -- from 96.48 decibels to 77.52 decibels. Hospitals can be very noisy places. Dropping a stainless steel bowl creates 108 decibels, more than the 100 decibels from a nearby car horn or chainsaw. Even opening a packet of rubber gloves creates 86 decibels, louder than heavy traffic at 80 decibels. ... > full story
Birth control pill for men? Scientists find a hormonal on-and-off switch for male fertility (November 30, 2009) -- Scientists have found how and where androgenic hormones work in the testis to control normal sperm production and male fertility. This opens a promising avenue for the development of "the pill" for men. The discovery also offers hope to those who cannot have children because of low sperm counts. ... > full story
First live targeting of tumors with RNA-based technology (November 30, 2009) -- Researchers have devised a way they might deliver the right therapy directly to tumors using special molecules, called aptamers, which specifically bind to living tumor tissue. They screened a large pool of aptamers in a rodent with liver cancer until they found the best molecule to bind to a tumor protein. ... > full story
Vibrations key to efficiency of green fluorescent protein (November 30, 2009) -- Green fluorescent protein has invaded thousands of research labs around the world, thanks to its versatility in labeling cells and organisms. Now, chemists have discovered why GFP is such an efficient emitter of green light. A new technique, femtosecond stimulated Ramon spectroscopy, could provide snapshots of reactions in other light-capturing molecules and allow redesign for improved photon absorption in solar cells. ... > full story
Lipid assessment in vascular disease can be simplified, without the need to fast, findings suggest (November 30, 2009) -- Lipid assessment in vascular disease can be simplified by measuring either total and HDL cholesterol levels or apolipoproteins, without the need to fast and without regard to triglyceride levels, according to a new study. ... > full story
Texus-46's flight to the weightless world (November 30, 2009) -- The Texus-46 sounding rocket was launched on Nov. 22 from the Esrange space center in Swedish Lapland to provide 388 seconds of microgravity for its two experiment payloads. ... > full story
Availability of vaccine no guarantee public will want it (November 30, 2009) -- Just because a vaccine is available doesn't mean people will choose to be inoculated, according to new research published amid widespread public confusion around the merit of H1N1 flu shots. ... > full story
Big freeze plunged Europe into ice age in months (November 30, 2009) -- In the film "The Day After Tomorrow," the world enters the icy grip of a new glacial period within the space of just a few weeks. New research shows this scenario may not be so far from the truth after all. ... > full story
Early intervention for toddlers with autism highly effective, study finds (November 30, 2009) -- A novel early intervention program for very young children with autism -- some as young as 18 months -- is effective for improving IQ, language ability and social interaction, a comprehensive new study has found. ... > full story
Large Hadron Collider sets new world record as highest energy particle accelerator (November 30, 2009) -- CERN's Large Hadron Collider has become the world's highest energy particle accelerator, having accelerated its twin beams of protons to an energy of 1.18 TeV in the early hours of the morning. This exceeds the previous world record of 0.98 TeV, which had been held by the US Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory's Tevatron collider since 2001. It marks another important milestone on the road to first physics at the LHC in 2010. ... > full story
Smart phones allow quick diagnosis of acute appendicitis (November 30, 2009) -- Radiologists can accurately diagnose acute appendicitis from a remote location with the use of a hand-held device or mobile phone equipped with special software, according to a new study. ... > full story
New transparent insulating film could enable energy-efficient displays (November 30, 2009) -- Materials scientists have found a way to transform a chemical long used as an electrical conductor a thin film insulator potentially useful in transistor technology and in devices such as electronic books. ... > full story
Therapeutic benefits of the human-animal bond (November 30, 2009) -- A pet owner knows the enormous joy and comfort that an animal can provide, especially in troubled times. Most pets are considered important members of the family and irreplaceable companions. A growing body of research now documents the value of the human-animal bond in child development, elderly care, mental illness, physical impairment, dementia, abuse and trauma recovery, and the rehabilitation of incarcerated youth and adults. ... > full story
Scientists explain puzzling lake asymmetry on Saturn's moon Titan (November 30, 2009) -- Researchers suggest that the eccentricity of Saturn's orbit around the sun may be responsible for the unusually uneven distribution of methane and ethane lakes over the northern and southern polar regions of the planet's largest moon, Titan. On Earth, similar "astronomical forcing" of climate drives ice-age cycles. ... > full story
Plasma produces KO cocktail for MRSA (November 30, 2009) -- Two prototype devices have been developed: one for efficient disinfection of healthy skin (e.g. hands and feet) in hospitals and public spaces where bacteria can pose a lethal threat; and another to shoot bacteria-killing agents into infested chronic wounds and enable a quicker healing process. ... > full story
New culprit for viral infections among elderly -- an overactive immune response (November 30, 2009) -- Researchers have found that exaggerated responses of the immune system explain why the elderly succumb to viral infections more readily than younger people. The study bucks the general belief that declining immune responses are to blame for susceptibility to viral infections. ... > full story
Over-the-counter eye drops raise concern over antibiotic resistance (November 30, 2009) -- The use of antibiotic eye drops for conjunctivitis has increased by almost half since they became available over the counter at U.K. pharmacies in 2005. ... > full story
Past regional cold and warm periods linked to natural climate drivers (November 30, 2009) -- Intervals of regional warmth and cold in the past are linked to the El Niño phenomenon and the so-called "North Atlantic Oscillation" in the Northern hemisphere's jet stream, according to a team of climate scientists. These linkages may be important in assessing the regional effects of future climate change. ... > full story
Men and women may respond differently to danger (November 30, 2009) -- Researchers using functional magnetic resonance imaging to study brain activation have found that men and women respond differently to positive and negative stimuli, according to a new study. ... > full story
New brain connections form rapidly during motor learning (November 30, 2009) -- New connections begin to form between brain cells almost immediately as animals learn a new task, according to a study in which researchers observed the rewiring processes that take place in the brain during motor learning. ... > full story
High salt intake directly linked to stroke and cardiovascular disease (November 30, 2009) -- High salt intake is associated with significantly greater risk of both stroke and cardiovascular disease, concludes a new study. ... > full story
New fossil plant discovery links Patagonia to New Guinea in a warmer past (November 30, 2009) -- Fossil plants provide clues as to what our planet looked like millions of years ago. Identifying fossil plants can be tricky, however, when plant organs fail to be preserved. Researchers recently discovered abundant fossilized specimens of a conifer (previously known as "Libocedrus" prechilensis) found in Argentinean Patagonia. Characteristics of these fossils match those currently found only in tropical, montane New Guinea and the Moluccas. This discovery helps to explain the remarkable plant and insect diversity found in Eocene Patagonia. ... > full story
New tools for prediction of disease progression in acute childhood leukemia (November 30, 2009) -- Researchers have devised powerful new tools for typing cells from children with acute lymphatic leukemia and for prediction of how children with leukemia will respond to chemotherapy. ... > full story
Stents can be coated with dissolvable drug-eluting fibers (November 30, 2009) -- Scientists have developed a new patent-pending dissolvable fiber platform that can be used to coat both metal stents, which are currently available, and biodegradable stents now in development. ... > full story
Virtual reality offers solution to driving phobias (November 30, 2009) -- Nervous drivers are being helped to overcome their road phobias by donning Cyclops-style goggles that transport them to a three-dimensional virtual world. Researchers have recruited volunteers with a variety of driving phobias to test whether virtual reality can be used alongside conventional psychological therapies to help tackle their fears. ... > full story
Copyright 1995-2008 © ScienceDaily LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of use.
|
 To update/change your account click here  |
No comments:
Post a Comment