ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Monday, December 14, 2009
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Introns -- nonsense DNA -- may be more important to evolution of genomes than thought (December 14, 2009) -- The sequences of nonsense DNA that interrupt genes could be far more important to the evolution of genomes than previously thought, according to researchers. Their study of the model organism Daphnia pulex (water flea) is the first to demonstrate the colonization of a single lineage by "introns," as the interrupting sequences are known. ... > full story
Novel detection method unmasks circulating breast cancer cells (December 14, 2009) -- Circulating metastatic breast cancer cells can lose their epithelial receptors, a process that enables them to travel through the bloodstream undetected, according to new research. ... > full story
Can Biodiversity Persist In The Face Of Climate Change? (December 14, 2009) -- Predictions made over the last decade about the impacts of climate change on biodiversity may be exaggerated, according to new research. ... > full story
Urine test for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea possible (December 14, 2009) -- Researchers have discovered a technique that is able to determine whether a child has obstructive sleep apnea or habitual snoring by screening their urine. ... > full story
Scientists crack mystery of protein's dual function (December 14, 2009) -- Researchers have solved a 10-year-old mystery of how a single protein from an ancient family of enzymes can have two completely distinct roles in the body. In addition to providing guidance for understanding other molecules in the family, the research supplies a theoretical underpinning for the protein's possible use for combating diseases including cancer and macular degeneration. ... > full story
Deaths from opioid use have doubled; five-fold increase in oxycodone deaths (December 14, 2009) -- Deaths from opioid use in Ontario, Canada, have doubled since 1991 and the addition of long-acting oxycodone to the drug formulary was associated with a 5-fold increase in oxycodone-related deaths, a new study finds. Most of these additional deaths were accidental. ... > full story
Nanosensors used to measure cancer biomarkers in blood for first time (December 14, 2009) -- Researchers have used nanosensors to measure cancer biomarkers in whole blood for the first time. Their findings could dramatically simplify the way physicians test for biomarkers of cancer and other diseases. ... > full story
How gene action may lead to diabetes prevention, cure (December 14, 2009) -- A gene commonly studied by cancer researchers has been linked to the metabolic inflammation that leads to diabetes. Understanding how the gene works means scientists may be closer to finding ways to prevent or cure diabetes. ... > full story
Innovative Plan To Save Rainforest, Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions (December 14, 2009) -- An innovative proposal by the Ecuadorian government to protect an untouched, oil rich region of Amazon rainforest is a precedent-setting and potentially economically viable approach, says a team of environmental researchers. ... > full story
New understanding of how to prevent destruction of a tumor suppressor (December 14, 2009) -- Researchers have determined how the protein Mdm2, which is elevated in late-stage cancers, disables genes that suppress the growth of tumors. The finding may lead to development of new drugs for late stage breast cancer and other difficult to treat malignancies. ... > full story
More 20 mph zones in London would prevent 100 killed or seriously injured casualties each year (December 14, 2009) -- Traffic speed zones with a limit of 20 miles per hour reduce casualties by 41.9 percent with the greatest reduction in child casualties, according to new British research. ... > full story
Health effects of low-intensity warfare studied (December 14, 2009) -- Anthropologists have established a conceptual framework for measuring the health as well as the social impacts of violence in northern Kenya. The study has worldwide implications, as violent conflict is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. ... > full story
Syntax in our primate cousins (December 13, 2009) -- Monkeys of a certain forest-dwelling species called Campbell's monkeys emit six types of alert calls. The primates combine these calls into long vocal sequences which allow them to convey messages about social cohesion or various dangers, including predation. ... > full story
Scientists identify natural anti-cancer defenses (December 13, 2009) -- Researchers have discovered a novel molecular mechanism that prevents cancer. They have found that the SOCS1 molecule prevents the cancer-causing activity of cytokines, hormones that are culprits in cancer-prone chronic inflammation diseases such as Crohn's, in smokers and people exposed to asbestos. ... > full story
How can some athletes play on through intense pain? (December 13, 2009) -- How can some sportsmen and women, in the heat of the moment, play on through pain that would floor anyone else? Bert Trautmann, the Manchester City goalkeeper, famously played on through to the end of the 1956 FA Cup final -- holding on for a 3-1 win -- despite suffering a broken neck from a collision in the second half. ... > full story
Clinical trial advances new approach to re-sensitizing breast cancer (December 13, 2009) -- A new drug cocktail might be the right mix to fight breast cancer after it becomes resistant to standard therapy. Details of a new study supporting this approach suggest it's possible to re-sensitize tumors thus allowing treatments to work again. ... > full story
Glacial rebound: 10,000-year study of strata compaction and sea-level rise on English coast (December 13, 2009) -- Glacial rebound -- the rise or fall of land masses that were depressed by the huge weight of ice sheets during the last glacial period -- explains differences in relative sea levels along the English coast, according to a new study. ... > full story
Flies offered unlimited alcohol behave a lot like human alcoholics (December 13, 2009) -- When given the chance to consume alcohol at will, fruit flies behave in ways that look an awful lot like human alcoholism. A new study considers alcohol self-administration in insects. ... > full story
Bacteria provide new insights into human decision making (December 13, 2009) -- Scientists studying how bacteria under stress collectively weigh and initiate different survival strategies say they have gained new insights into how humans make strategic decisions that affect their health, wealth and the fate of others in society. ... > full story
Alcohol consumption increases risk of breast cancer recurrence, study finds (December 13, 2009) -- Alcohol may raise the risk of breast cancer recurrence, according to a new study. Obese women who drink alcohol may be at greater risk of recurrence. Alcohol was not related to risk of overall death. ... > full story
Understanding ocean climate (December 13, 2009) -- High-resolution computer simulations are helping to describe the inflow of North Atlantic water to the Arctic Ocean and how this influences ocean climate. ... > full story
Researchers show 'trigger' to stem cell differentiation (December 13, 2009) -- A gene which is essential for stem cells' capabilities to become any cell type has been identified by researchers. The discovery represents a further step in the ever-expanding field of understanding the ways in which stem cells develop into specific cells, a necessary prelude towards the use of stem cell therapy as a means to reverse the consequences of disease and disability. ... > full story
Absorbing hydrogen fluoride gas to enhance crystal growth (December 13, 2009) -- Scientists have developed a method to control the buildup of hydrogen fluoride gas during the growth of precision crystals needed for applications such as superconductors, optical devices, and microelectronics. The invention could lead to more efficient production and improved performance of these materials. ... > full story
Caffeine doesn't reverse the negative cognitive impact of alcohol, study shows (December 13, 2009) -- People who drink may want to know that coffee won't sober them up, according to new laboratory research. Instead, a cup of coffee may make it harder for people to realize they're drunk. ... > full story
First known binary star is discovered to be a triplet, quadruplet, quintuplet, sextuplet system (December 13, 2009) -- Alcor and Mizar, were the first binary stars -- a pair of stars that orbit each other -- ever known. Now, astronomers have made the surprise discovery that Alcor is also actually two stars, and is apparently gravitationally bound to the Mizar system, making the whole group a sextuplet. ... > full story
New model of skin cancer provides insights on second-most common type of cancer (December 13, 2009) -- Researchers have developed a new model of skin cancer based on the knowledge that a common cancer-related molecule called Src kinase is activated in human skin-cancer samples. ... > full story
New research may lead to new ways to control honeybee parasite (December 13, 2009) -- Ground-breaking discoveries could help protect honeybees from deadly parasites that have devastated commercial colonies. ... > full story
Potential new heart attack biomarker uncovered (December 13, 2009) -- Researchers have identified cardiac myosin-binding protein C as a potential new diagnostic biomarker for heart attacks, one that may be particularly valuable for mild attacks in which traditional diagnostic proteins may not be abundant enough. ... > full story
Synthetic protein mimics structure, function of metalloprotein in nature (December 13, 2009) -- Scientists have designed a synthetic protein that is both a structural model and a functional model of a native protein, nitric-oxide reductase. ... > full story
New screening tool helps identify children at risk for developmental issues (December 13, 2009) -- When a baby is born, new parents often wonder, "Will he be the next President of the United States?" or "Could she be the one to find a cure for cancer?" But the underlying question for many specialists is, "Is this child 'at risk' for developmental issues?" An answer to this question has been elusive -- until now. ... > full story
Brightest-ever 'blazar' flare from distant galaxy spotted by NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (December 12, 2009) -- A galaxy located billions of light-years away is commanding the attention of NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and astronomers around the globe. Thanks to a series of flares that began September 15, the galaxy is now the brightest source in the gamma-ray sky -- more than ten times brighter than it was in the summer. ... > full story
With amino acid diet, mice improve after brain injury (December 12, 2009) -- Neurology researchers have shown that feeding amino acids to brain-injured mice restores their cognitive abilities and may set the stage for the first effective treatment for cognitive impairments suffered by people with traumatic brain injuries. If these animal results can be translated to human medicine, there would be a broad clinical benefit. Every 23 seconds, a man, woman or child in the US suffers a traumatic brain injury. ... > full story
Older dental fillings contain form of mercury unlikely to be toxic, study finds (December 12, 2009) -- A new study on the surface chemistry of silver-colored, mercury-based dental fillings suggests that the surface forms of mercury may be less toxic than previously thought. ... > full story
West Nile virus infection may persist in kidneys years after initial infection (December 12, 2009) -- A new study shows that people who have been infected with West Nile virus may have persistent virus in their kidneys for years after initial infection, potentially leading to kidney problems. ... > full story
Elusive 'hot' electrons captured in ultra-thin solar cells (December 12, 2009) -- Harnessing the power of "hot" electrons for solar energy has been held as a theoretical possibility. Now researchers report observing the hot electron effect in an ultra-thin solar cell for the first time and collecting the elusive charges, which are typically lost in less than one-trillionth of a second in traditional solar cells. ... > full story
Antidepressant may change personality while relieving symptoms (December 12, 2009) -- Individuals taking a medication to treat depression may experience changes in their personality separate from the alleviation of depressive symptoms, according to a new report. ... > full story
Studying hair of ancient Peruvians answers questions about stress (December 12, 2009) -- A first-of-its-kind archaeological study has detected the stress hormone cortisol in the hair of ancient Peruvians, who lived between 550 and 1532 A.D. ... > full story
Merkel cells revealed as secret behind sensation of light touch (December 12, 2009) -- Scientists have proved experimentally what has been suspected since the discovery of Merkel cells in the skin over a century ago: the sense of light touch that is critical for hand dexterity would not be possible without these cells. ... > full story
Lightning-produced radiation a potential health concern for air travelers (December 12, 2009) -- New information about lightning-emitted X-rays, gamma rays and high-energy electrons during thunderstorms is prompting scientists to raise concerns about the potential for airline passengers and crews to be exposed to harmful levels of radiation. ... > full story
Higher risk for heart disease and diabetes associated with androgen deprivation therapy (December 12, 2009) -- Men of all ages treated for prostate cancer with androgen deprivation therapy, specifically with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, have an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to a new study. ... > full story
VISTA: Pioneering new survey telescope starts work (December 12, 2009) -- A new telescope -- VISTA (the Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy) -- has just started work at ESO's Paranal Observatory and has made its first release of pictures. VISTA is a survey telescope working at infrared wavelengths and is the world's largest telescope dedicated to mapping the sky. Spectacular new images of the Flame Nebula, the center of our Milky Way galaxy and the Fornax Galaxy Cluster show that it is working extremely well. ... > full story
Don't I know you? How cues and context kick-start memory recall (December 12, 2009) -- We have all had the embarrassing experience of seeing an acquaintance in an unfamiliar setting. We know we know them but can't recall who they are. But with the correct cues from conversation or context, something seems to click and we can readily access very rich and vivid memories about the individual. Researchers have shed some light on this mysterious process, discovering that the hippocampus, a brain region in the temporal lobe, is only involved when cues enable us to recall these rich memories. ... > full story
Suzaku catches retreat of a black hole's disk (December 12, 2009) -- Studies of one of the galaxy's most active black-hole binaries reveal a dramatic change that will help scientists better understand how these systems expel fast-moving particle jets. ... > full story
Hyperglycemia: New mechanism underlying cardiovascular disease described (December 12, 2009) -- Hyperglycemia starts a complex chain of events that damages blood vessels and cause cardiovascular disease. Scientists have now been able to demonstrate why this happens, as well as how the destructive chain can be broken. This discovery represents a crucial step towards an efficient treatment of the vascular injuries that will be the cause of death for most diabetes patients. ... > full story
Fast, accurate urine test for pneumonia possible, study finds (December 12, 2009) -- Biochemists have developed a urine test that can rapidly and accurately diagnose the cause of pneumonia-like symptoms. The test should enable doctors to quickly provide appropriate treatments for patients with pneumonia, an illness that is often misdiagnosed using current tests. ... > full story
Decline in breast cancer: Not just because of hormone therapy (December 12, 2009) -- Between 2002 and 2003, American women experienced a 7 percent decline in breast cancer incidence, which scientists attribute to the publicity surrounding results of the Women's Health Initiative. ... > full story
Forest deal at Copenhagen must avoid creating 'carbon refugees,' scientists urge (December 12, 2009) -- Forest dwellers must be included in the design of the upcoming forest deal at Copenhagen in order to avoid a humanitarian crisis, according to a scientist. ... > full story
Women researchers less likely to receive major career funding grants, study shows (December 12, 2009) -- Women were less likely than men to receive major funding for scientific research, according to a new study. ... > full story
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