ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Wednesday, December 30, 2009
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Born in beauty: Proplyds in the Orion Nebula (December 30, 2009) -- A collection of 30 never-before-released images of embryonic planetary systems in the Orion Nebula are the highlight of the longest single Hubble Space Telescope project ever dedicated to the topic of star and planet formation. Also known as proplyds, or protoplanetary discs, these modest blobs surrounding baby stars are shedding light on the mechanism behind planet formation. ... > full story
Ginkgo biloba does not appear to slow rate of cognitive decline (December 30, 2009) -- Older adults who used the herbal supplement Ginkgo biloba for several years did not have a slower rate of cognitive decline compared to adults who received placebo, according to a new study. ... > full story
Nanoscale changes in collagen are a tipoff to bone health (December 30, 2009) -- Using a technique that provides detailed images of nanoscale structures, researchers have discovered changes in the collagen component of bone that directly relate to bone health. ... > full story
What Part Do Relapses Play In Severe Disability For People With MS? (December 30, 2009) -- People with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have relapses within the first five years of onset appear to have more severe disability in the short term compared to people who do not have an early relapse, according to a new study. The study is one of the first to examine how MS relapses affect people during different time periods of the disease. ... > full story
Mapping Nutrient Distributions Over The Atlantic Ocean (December 30, 2009) -- Large-scale distributions of two important nutrient pools -- dissolved organic nitrogen and dissolved organic phosphorus have been systematically mapped for the first time over the Atlantic Ocean in a new study. The findings have important implications for understanding nitrogen and phosphorus biogeochemical cycles and the biological carbon pump in the Atlantic Ocean. ... > full story
Energy Gap Useful Tool For Successful Weight Loss Maintenance Strategy (December 30, 2009) -- The term energy gap was coined to estimate the change in energy balance (intake and expenditure) behaviors required to achieve and sustain reduced body weight outcomes in individuals and populations. In a new commentary, researchers more precisely clarify the concept of the energy gap (or energy gaps) and discuss how the concept can be properly used as a tool to help understand and address obesity. ... > full story
Brain scans show distinctive patterns in people with generalized anxiety disorder (December 30, 2009) -- Scrambled connections between the part of the brain that processes fear and emotion and other brain regions could be the hallmark of a common anxiety disorder, according to a new study. The findings could help researchers identify biological differences between types of anxiety disorders as well as such disorders as depression. ... > full story
Common mechanism underlies many diseases of excitability (December 30, 2009) -- Inherited mutations in voltage-gated sodium channels are associated with many different human diseases, including genetic forms of epilepsy and chronic pain. New research has now determined the functional consequence of three such mutations. These results suggest that there might be a common mechanism underlying diseases caused by mutations in voltage-gated sodium channels. ... > full story
Drought Resistance Explained: Protein Structure Reveals How Plants Respond To Water Shortages (December 30, 2009) -- Scientists have discovered that the key to plants' responses to drought lies in the structure of a protein called PYR1 and how it interacts with the plant hormone abscisic acid. Their study could open up new approaches to increasing crops' resistance to water shortage. ... > full story
New Genetic Cause Of A Fatal Immune Disorder (December 30, 2009) -- Familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL) is an inherited, fatal, immune disorder. Disease-causing mutations have been identified in several genes. Now, researchers have added a new gene to this list by determining that two distinct mutations in the gene that generates syntaxin-binding protein 2 cause disease in a subset of patients with FHL. ... > full story
Perfectly Proportioned: Evenly Distributed Powder Density For Manufacturing Parts (December 30, 2009) -- The manufacture of parts by compaction and sintering involves filling a die with metal powder. Research scientists have simulated this process for the first time to achieve an evenly distributed powder density. This improves the cost-efficiency of sintering. ... > full story
Couples Say Relationships Damaged By Stroke (December 30, 2009) -- Suffering a stroke can lead to significant changes in how couples relate to each other on both a physical and emotional level, according to new University of Ulster research. ... > full story
First molars provide insight into evolution of great apes, humans (December 29, 2009) -- Scientists have gained new insights into the timing of molar emergence and its relation to growth and reproduction in apes. "We can use the same techniques to calculate ages at first molar emergence from the fossils of early hominids that just happened to die while their first molars were erupting," researchers report. ... > full story
Disinfectants may promote growth of superbugs (December 29, 2009) -- Using disinfectants could cause bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics as well as the disinfectant itself, according to new research. The findings could have important implications for how the spread of infection is managed in hospital settings. ... > full story
How calorie-restricted diets fight obesity and extend life span (December 29, 2009) -- Scientists searching for the secrets of how calorie-restricted diets increase longevity are reporting discovery of proteins in the fat cells of human volunteers that change as pounds drop off. The proteins could become markers for monitoring or boosting the effectiveness of calorie-restricted diets -- the only scientifically proven way of extending life span in animals. ... > full story
Exposure to tobacco smoke in childhood home associated with early emphysema in adulthood (December 29, 2009) -- Children regularly exposed to tobacco smoke at home were more likely to develop early emphysema in adulthood. The finding suggests that the lungs may not recover completely from the effects of early-life exposures to tobacco smoke. ... > full story
Molecular chaperone keeps bacterial proteins from slow-dancing to destruction (December 29, 2009) -- Just like teenagers at a prom, proteins are tended by chaperones whose job it is to prevent unwanted interactions among immature clients. And at the molecular level, just as at the high school gym level, it's a job that usually requires a lot of energy. ... > full story
Lighting can influence how wine tastes (December 29, 2009) -- Researchers demonstrate that the color of ambient lighting can have an effect on how a wine is judged. ... > full story
Superatoms mimic elements: Research gives new perspective on periodic table (December 29, 2009) -- Researchers have shown that certain combinations of elemental atoms have electronic signatures that mimic the electronic signatures of other elements. The findings could lead to much cheaper materials for widespread applications such as new sources of energy, methods of pollution abatement, and catalysts on which industrial nations depend heavily for chemical processing. ... > full story
'Fountain of youth' for stem cells? (December 29, 2009) -- Stems cells used for transplantation in the nervous system to provide neural regeneration are fragile, but can be kept "forever young" during implantation through the use of self-assembling nanofiber scaffolds (SAPNS), a nanotechnology application for implanting young cells. By manipulating cell density and SAPNS concentration, researchers used SAPNS as templates and guides to slow cell growth, differentiation and proliferation, thereby creating a protective nanoenvironment for a variety of neural cells destined for implantation. ... > full story
Mystery solved: How fine particulates are formed in the air (December 29, 2009) -- Particulates make us ill, and particulates affect the climate. The direct combustion of wood and other fuels is only partially responsible for producing fine particulates – the rest evolve from a variety of substances, within the atmosphere itself. ... > full story
Enzyme necessary for development of healthy immune system (December 29, 2009) -- Mice without the deoxycytidine kinase enzyme have defects in their adaptive immune system, producing very low levels of both T and B lymphocytes, the major players involved in immune response, according to a new study. ... > full story
Divide and conquer: Splitting fluorescent protein helps image clusters in live cells (December 29, 2009) -- Half a protein is better than none, and in this case, it's way better than a whole one. Researchers have discovered that dividing a particular fluorescent protein and using it as a tag is handy for analyzing the workings of live cells, particularly in the way they employ iron-sulfur clusters. ... > full story
There may be a 'party' in your genes (December 29, 2009) -- Genetics play a pivotal role in shaping how individual's identify with political parties , according to new research. ... > full story
Cockroaches offer inspiration for running robots (December 29, 2009) -- The sight of a cockroach scurrying for cover may be nauseating, but the insect is also a biological and engineering marvel, and is providing researchers with what they call "bioinspiration" in a quest to build the world's first legged robot that is capable of running effortlessly over rough terrain. ... > full story
Citrus surprise: Vitamin C boosts the reprogramming of adult cells into stem cells (December 29, 2009) -- Famous for its antioxidant properties and role in tissue repair, vitamin C is touted as beneficial for illnesses ranging from the common cold to cancer and perhaps even for slowing the aging process. Now, a new study uncovers an unexpected new role for this natural compound: facilitating the generation of embryonic-like stem cells from adult cells. ... > full story
Schizophrenia mouse model should improve understanding and treatment of the disorder (December 29, 2009) -- Scientists have created what appears to be a schizophrenic mouse by reducing the inhibition of brain cells involved in complex reasoning and decisions about appropriate social behavior. ... > full story
Dispatcher-assisted bystander CPR best choice for possible cardiac arrest signs (December 29, 2009) -- Dispatchers should give CPR instructions to bystanders of all suspected cardiac arrest victims, researchers said. The benefit of CPR to those having a cardiac arrest far outweighs the risk of injury to those who aren't. During 9-1-1 calls, dispatchers help bystanders correctly identify patients in cardiac arrest about half the time. Of 1,700 patients studied, three who incorrectly received CPR had minor injuries linked to chest compressions. ... > full story
Climate Wizard makes large databases of climate information visual, accessible (December 29, 2009) -- A Web tool that generates color maps of projected temperature and precipitation changes using 16 of the world's most prominent climate-change models is being demonstrated in Copenhagen, Denmark, in conjunction with the climate summit underway there. It also is the subject of a presentation Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the American Geophysical Union meeting in San Francisco. ... > full story
Accurate taste perception relies on a properly functioning olfactory system (December 29, 2009) -- As anyone suffering through a head cold knows, food tastes wrong when the nose is clogged, an experience that leads many to conclude that the sense of taste operates normally only when the olfactory system is also in good working order. Evidence that the taste system influences olfactory perception, however, has been vanishingly rare -- until now. ... > full story
Seeing without looking: Brain structure crucial for moving the mind's spotlight (December 29, 2009) -- Like a spotlight that illuminates an otherwise dark scene, attention brings to mind specific details of our environment while shutting others out. A new study shows that the superior colliculus, a brain structure that primarily had been known for its role in the control of eye and head movements, is crucial for moving the mind's spotlight. ... > full story
Alzheimer's Disease: Amyloid Precursor Protein -- Good, Bad Or Both? (December 29, 2009) -- New data about amyloid precursor protein, or APP, a protein implicated in development of Alzheimer's disease, suggests it also may have a positive role -- directly affecting learning and memory during brain development. So is APP good or bad? Researchers say both, and that a balance of APP is critical. ... > full story
Researchers design a tool to induce controlled suicide in human cells (December 29, 2009) -- Researchers in Spain have designed a new tool to study rescue signaling pathways and cell suicide in depth. ... > full story
Relatives of boys with sexual birth defects not at risk for testicular germ cell cancer (December 29, 2009) -- Boys with the sexual birth defects known as hypospadias and cryptorchidism are at risk for developing testicular germ cell cancer, but their relatives are not, according to a new study. ... > full story
Study links real-time data to flu vaccine strategies (December 29, 2009) -- Adaptive vaccination strategies, based on age patterns of hospitalizations and deaths monitored in real-time during the early stages of a pandemic, outperform seasonal influenza vaccination allocation strategies, according to a new article. ... > full story
Scientists isolate new antifreeze molecule in Alaska beetle (December 29, 2009) -- Scientists have identified a novel antifreeze molecule in a freeze-tolerant Alaska beetle able to survive temperatures below minus 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Unlike all previously described biological antifreezes that contain protein, this new molecule, called xylomannan, has little or no protein. It is composed of a sugar and a fatty acid and may exist in new places within the cells of organisms. ... > full story
Afib Triggered By A Cell That Resembles A Pigment-producing Skin Cell (December 29, 2009) -- The source and mechanisms underlying the abnormal heart beats that initiate atrial fibrillation (Afib), the most common type of abnormal heart beat, have not been well determined. Researchers have now identified a population of cells that are like pigment-producing cells in the skin in the atria of the heart and pulmonary veins of mice and humans, and uncovered evidence in mice that these cells contribute to Afib. ... > full story
Deep sea anchors for offshore installations (December 29, 2009) -- A 13 meter-long, 80-ton anchor is currently being tested as a new mooring concept for offshore installations. ... > full story
RORalpha, the orchestrator of neuron protection (December 29, 2009) -- How do the brain cells called astrocytes ensure the protection of neurons? By studying the protagonists in the protection and satisfactory functioning of neurons, scientists have found a mechanism that clarifies the role of astrocytes. Crucial to this mechanism, RORalpha protein is revealed as an essential regulator of inflammatory factors. This discovery constitutes a new path for research on novel drugs in the event of cerebral lesions (e.g. neurodegenerative diseases or trauma). ... > full story
Researchers develop drug information interface to save lives (December 29, 2009) -- A new drug information interface system has been shown to help in dealing with visual and motor impairments, which can make sorting, holding and identifying pills a challenge as we age. ... > full story
Football (soccer) fights depression (December 29, 2009) -- Despite being a significant risk group, young men are amongst those least likely to seek professional help when mentally distressed or suicidal. The 'Back of the Net' program, a pilot initiative using football (called soccer in the U.S.) and cognitive behavioral based techniques was effective in decreasing symptoms of depression in young men. ... > full story
Why some continue to eat when full: Researchers find clues (December 28, 2009) -- New research in mice suggest that ghrelin might also work in the brain to make some people keep eating "pleasurable" foods when they're already full. ... > full story
One step closer to closure: Neuroscientists discover key to spinal cord defects (December 28, 2009) -- Spinal cord disorders like spina bifida arise during early development when future spinal cord cells growing in a flat layer fail to roll up into a tube. Researchers now report a never-before known link between protein transport and mouse spinal cord development, a discovery that opens new doors for research on all spinal defects. ... > full story
Seeing how evolutionary mechanisms yield biological diversity (December 28, 2009) -- A international team of scientists has discovered how changes in both gene expression and gene sequence led to the diversity of visual systems in African cichlid fish. ... > full story
Genetic causes identified for disturbances in lipid metabolism; implications for diabetes (December 28, 2009) -- Scientists have identified new gene variants associated with disturbances in the lipid metabolism. Some of these common human gene variants are already known to be risk factors for diabetes mellitus. ... > full story
Adjusting acidity with impunity (December 28, 2009) -- How do individual cells or proteins react to changing pH levels? Researchers have now developed a technique for ‘gently’ adjusting pH: in other words, without damaging biomolecules. This should soon allow them to measure the activity of a single enzyme as a function of pH. ... > full story
Couples are better able to cope with health shocks than singles, study finds (December 28, 2009) -- Marital status plays a significant role in how individuals cope economically with disability and health shocks, according to new research. ... > full story
Ladder-walking locusts use vision to climb, show big brains aren't always best (December 28, 2009) -- Scientists have shown for the first time that insects, like mammals, use vision rather than touch to find footholds. They made the discovery thanks to high-speed video cameras that they used to film desert locusts stepping along the rungs of a miniature ladder. The study sheds new light on insects' ability to perform complex tasks, such as visually guided limb control, usually associated with mammals. ... > full story
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