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Wednesday, December 2, 2009

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Wednesday, December 2, 2009

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Wednesday, December 2, 2009

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CSI Sharks: New forensic technique gives clues about sharks from bite damage (December 2, 2009) -- Hit-and-run attacks by sharks can be solved with a new technique that identifies the culprits by the unique chomp they put on their victims, according to a University of Florida researcher and shark expert. ... > full story

Scientists identify possible therapy target for aggressive cancer (December 2, 2009) -- Researchers have found that a naturally occurring protein -- transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-ß1) -- which normally suppresses the growth of cancer cells, causes a rebound effect after a prolonged exposure. Cancer cells go into overdrive and become even more aggressive and likely to spread, the researchers report. ... > full story

Scientists reveal malaria parasites' tactics for outwitting our immune systems (December 2, 2009) -- Malaria parasites are able to disguise themselves to avoid the host's immune system, according to new research. ... > full story

Can heart disease treatments combat age-related macular degeneration? (December 2, 2009) -- Can treatments that reduce risks for cardiovascular disease also help combat age-related macular degeneration, an eye disease that affects millions of Americans? CVD and AMD share some risk factors, such as smoking, high blood pressure and inflammation. ... > full story

Artificial refuges created to save the reptiles of Doñana, Spain (December 2, 2009) -- The Aznalcóllar mining accident more than 11 years ago, which contaminated part of the Doñana National Park, also damaged reptile habitat there. Now a team of Spanish researchers, who have been studying the reptile community since 2000, have shown, by setting up artificial refuges, that the disappearance of natural refuges had a serious impact on lizard and snake numbers. ... > full story

Binge drinking youths find getting old a drag (December 2, 2009) -- Young men who believe that happiness declines with age are more likely to engage in risky health behaviors such as binge drinking. Their misguided negative view of the aging process may act as a disincentive to behave 'sensibly' and encourage them to make the most of the present in anticipation of 'miserable' old age, according to new findings. ... > full story

Infections are common in ICUs worldwide, study finds (December 2, 2009) -- An international study that examined the extent of infections in nearly 1,300 intensive care units in 75 countries found that about 50 percent of the patients were considered infected, with infection associated with an increased risk of death in the hospital, according to a new study. ... > full story

Heart failure linked to gene variant affecting vitamin D activation (December 2, 2009) -- Previous studies have shown a link between low vitamin D status and heart disease. Now a new study shows that patients with high blood pressure who possess a gene variant that affects an enzyme critical to normal vitamin D activation are twice as likely as those without the variant to have congestive heart failure. ... > full story

ERK's got rhythm: Protein that controls cell growth found to cycle in and out of cell nucleus (December 2, 2009) -- Time-lapsed video of individual breast tissue cells reveals a never-before-seen event in the life of a cell: a protein that cycles between two major compartments: the nucleus, where genes are turned on and off, and the cell proper, where proteins work together to keep the cell functioning. The results give researchers a more complete view of the internal signals that cause breast tissue cells to grow, events that go awry in cancer. ... > full story

High urea levels in chronic kidney failure might be toxic after all (December 2, 2009) -- It is thought that the elevated levels of urea (the byproduct of protein breakdown that is excreted in the urine) in patients with end-stage kidney failure are not particularly toxic. However, researchers have now generated evidence in mice that high levels of urea are indeed toxic. Blocking the effects of high levels of urea might therefore be of benefit to patients with end-stage kidney disease. ... > full story

GOES-14 (O) moving into on-orbit storage around Earth (December 2, 2009) -- The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite named GOES-14 is being placed in on-orbit storage this month to await its call to duty. ... > full story

New safety concern related to antipsychotic treatment (December 2, 2009) -- Overall, antipsychotic medications are reasonably effective, and fairly well tolerated treatments for mood and psychotic disorders. However, treatment with a number of antipsychotic medications is associated with weight gain, and for some, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. In a new article, researchers discuss this cluster of metabolic side effects and how it may contribute to the risk for diabetes, hypertension, and other medical disorders associated with heart disease. ... > full story

Too much physical activity may lead to arthritis, study suggests (December 1, 2009) -- Middle-aged men and women who engage in high levels of physical activity may be unknowingly causing damage to their knees and increasing their risk for osteoarthritis, according to a new study. ... > full story

Sugary cola drinks linked to higher risk of gestational diabetes (December 1, 2009) -- Researchers have found for the first time that drinking more than 5 servings of sugar- sweetened cola a week prior to pregnancy appears to significantly elevate the risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy. ... > full story

Clinical trials launched for treating most aggressive brain tumor with personalized cell vaccines (December 1, 2009) -- Researchers have launched a series of clinical trials in order to assess the efficacy of an immunotherapy treatment. This approach involves the application of personalized vaccines -- produced from healthy and tumor cells from the patient him or herself -- and designed to combat glioblastomas, one of the most aggressive and frequent malignant tumors. ... > full story

CDC confirms four new cases of oseltamivir (Tamiflu)-resistant H1N1 (December 1, 2009) -- Tests performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the request of infectious disease experts have confirmed that isolates from four patients with H1N1 influenza at Duke University Hospital during October and November were found to be resistant to oseltamivir (Tamiflu). ... > full story

Data from outer space open new frontiers for researchers (December 1, 2009) -- The latest data delivered back to Earth by the Herschel Space Observatory -- launched in May by the European Space Agency -- have opened a new window on galaxies. ... > full story

Facebook profiles capture true personality, according to new psychology research (December 1, 2009) -- Online social networks such as Facebook are being used to express and communicate real personality, instead of an idealized virtual identity, according to new research from psychologists. ... > full story

Resonating feathers produce courtship song in rare bird (December 1, 2009) -- Four years ago, a researcher reported a bizarre example of sexual selection in a rare South American bird: The male attracts the female by rubbing specialized wing feathers -- more than 100 cycles per second -- to create a high hum, similar to a sustained violin note. While the researchers speculated how the sound was created, they have since proven that the club-winged manakin's feathers resonate at a particular frequency to create the tone. ... > full story

New mechanism of blocking HIV-1 from entering cells identified (December 1, 2009) -- Researchers have found a novel mechanism by which drugs block HIV-1 from entering host cells. ... > full story

First comprehensive review of the state of Antarctica's climate (December 1, 2009) -- The first comprehensive review of the state of Antarctica's climate and its relationship to the global climate system has just been published. The review -- Antarctic Climate Change and the Environment -- presents the latest research from the icy continent, identifies areas for future scientific research, and addresses the urgent questions that policy makers have about Antarctic melting, sea-level rise and biodiversity. ... > full story

Elastography reduces unnecessary breast biopsies (December 1, 2009) -- Elastography is an effective, convenient technique that, when added to breast ultrasound, helps distinguish cancerous breast lesions from benign results, according to an ongoing study. ... > full story

Traditional wood-carving craft industry goes high-tech (December 1, 2009) -- Mary and Joseph, the angels, the manger -- at Christmas time, lots of people still decorate their homes with high-quality wooden figures depicting the nativity scene. Now, the wood carvers of South Tyrol are moving over to high-tech production methods. ... > full story

New discoveries about the experience of anger (December 1, 2009) -- Younger people, those with children and less-educated individuals are more likely to experience anger, according to new research that examines one of the most common negative emotions in society. ... > full story

How did flowering plants evolve to dominate Earth? (December 1, 2009) -- Scientists have discovered the evolutionary step which allowed flowering plants to become the most abundant and ecologically successful group of plants on Earth. ... > full story

Will copper keep us safe from the superbugs? (December 1, 2009) -- New research suggests that copper might have a role in the fight against health care-associated infections. ... > full story

Western diets turn on fat genes: Energy-dense foods may activate genes that ultimately make us obese (December 1, 2009) -- Those extra helpings of gravy and dessert at the holiday table are even less of a help to your waistline than previously thought. These foods hit you with a double-whammy as the already difficult task of converting high-fat and high-sugar foods to energy is made even harder because these foods also turn our bodies into "supersized fat-storing" machines. ... > full story

Glucose intolerance in pregnancy associated with postpartum cardiovascular risk (December 1, 2009) -- Women who have gestational glucose intolerance (a condition less severe than gestational diabetes) exhibit multiple cardiovascular risk factors as early as three months after birth, according to a new study. ... > full story

Blushing dusty nebula (December 1, 2009) -- A recent NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image of part of NGC 7023, or the Iris Nebula, highlights a perfect dust laboratory in the sky. ... > full story

Believers' inferences about God's beliefs are uniquely egocentric (December 1, 2009) -- Religious people tend to use their own beliefs as a guide in thinking about what God believes, but are less constrained when reasoning about other people's beliefs, according to a new study. ... > full story

Shape shifters: Researchers create new breed of antennas (December 1, 2009) -- Antennas aren't just for listening to the radio anymore. They're used in everything from cell phones to GPS devices. New research is revolutionizing the field of antenna design -- creating shape-shifting antennas that open the door to a host of new uses in fields ranging from public safety to military deployment. ... > full story

Heavy metal paradox could point toward new therapy for Lou Gehrig's disease (December 1, 2009) -- New discoveries have been made about how an elevated level of lead, which is a neurotoxic heavy metal, can slow the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease -- findings that could point the way to a new type of therapy. ... > full story

New source discovered for generation of nerve cells in brain (December 1, 2009) -- Scientists have made a significant advance in understanding regeneration processes in the brain. The researchers discovered progenitor cells which can form new glutamatergic neurons following injury to the cerebral cortex. ... > full story

New study released on World AIDS Day measures HIV anti-retroviral regimens' safety and efficacy (December 1, 2009) -- A study released on World AIDS Day reports that viral failure, the point at which medication can no longer suppress the HIV infection, was twice as likely and happened sooner among patients initiating anti-retroviral therapy with high viral loads who were given Epzicom when compared to similar patients treated with Truvada. ... > full story

First metallic nanoparticles resistant to extreme heat (December 1, 2009) -- Scientists overcame a major hurdle plaguing the development of nanomaterials such as those that could lead to more efficient catalysts used to produce hydrogen and render car exhaust less toxic. The researchers reported the first demonstration of high-temperature stability in metallic nanoparticles, the vaunted next-generation materials hampered by a vulnerability to extreme heat. ... > full story

Homicide rates linked to trust in government, sense of belonging, study suggests (December 1, 2009) -- When Americans begin routinely complaining about how they hate their government and don't trust their leaders, it may be time to look warily at the homicide rate. A historian tried to make sense of changing homicide rates by sifting through records of tens of thousands of homicides in the United States and western Europe over the past four centuries. ... > full story

Nasa's Fermi telescope peers deep into a 'micro-quasar' (December 1, 2009) -- NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has made the first unambiguous detection of high-energy gamma-rays from an enigmatic binary system known as Cygnus X-3. The system pairs a hot, massive star with a compact object -- either a neutron star or a black hole -- that blasts twin radio-emitting jets of matter into space at more than half the speed of light. ... > full story

Scientists create mouse with key features of HIV infection without being infected with HIV (December 1, 2009) -- A major obstacle to HIV research is the virus's exquisite specialization for its human host -- meaning that scientists' traditional tools, like the humble lab mouse, can deliver only limited information. Now, a team of researchers has made an ingenious assault on this problem by creating a mouse that has key features of HIV infection without being infected with HIV. ... > full story

Brain scan study shows cocaine abusers can control cravings (December 1, 2009) -- A new brain-imaging study shows that active cocaine abusers can suppress drug craving, suggesting new ways to help them quit and avoid relapse. ... > full story

Surgeons offering new procedure for acid reflux, GERD (December 1, 2009) -- Surgeons are now offering patients an incisionless alternative to laparoscopic and traditional surgery for treatment of acid reflux or GERD. ... > full story

There are lasers, and then there are compact, multibeam, multi-wavelength lasers (December 1, 2009) -- Scientists have demonstrated compact, multibeam, and multi-wavelength lasers emitting in the invisible part of the light spectrum (infrared). By contrast, typical lasers emit a single light beam of a well-defined wavelength. The innovative multibeam lasers have potential use in applications related to remote chemical sensing pollution monitoring, optical wireless, and interferometry. ... > full story

Patients say 'no thanks' to risky medical treatments (December 1, 2009) -- A recent study suggests that increasing patient responsibility for making medical decisions may decrease their willingness to accept risky treatment options. ... > full story

Bacteria 'invest' wisely to survive uncertain times, scientists report (December 1, 2009) -- Like savvy Wall Street money managers, bacteria hedge their bets to increase their chances of survival in uncertain times, strategically investing their biological resources to weather unpredictable environments. In a new study, researchers describe how bacteria play the market so well. ... > full story

Stroke and heart disease trigger revealed (December 1, 2009) -- Scientists have identified the trigger that leads to the arteries becoming damaged in the disease atherosclerosis, which causes heart attacks and strokes. The authors of the study say their findings suggest that the condition could potentially be treated by blocking the molecule that triggers the damage. The research also suggests that bacteria may be playing a part in the disease. ... > full story

Hydrogen-powered fuel cell unmanned air vehicle sets 26-hour flight endurance record (December 1, 2009) -- The Naval Research Laboratory's Ion Tiger, a hydrogen-powered fuel cell unmanned air vehicle, has flown 26 hours and 1 minute carrying a 5-pound payload, setting another unofficial flight endurance record for a fuel-cell powered flight. ... > full story

Probiotic found to be effective treatment for colitis in mice (December 1, 2009) -- The probiotic, Bacillus polyfermenticus, can help mice recover from colitis. Mice treated with B.P. during the non-inflammatory period of the disease had reduced rectal bleeding, their tissues were less inflamed and they gained more weight than mice that did not receive the treatment. ... > full story

Evolutionary arms race between bacteria and their viruses in soil (December 1, 2009) -- Viruses of soil bacteria (phages) evolve to improve their ability to infect the bacterial hosts that surround them. This is shown in a new study. Phages appear to be better able to infect bacteria from the same small soil sample than bacteria from just a few centimeters away. Evolution can therefore restructure ecosystems on a very small scale. ... > full story

Beverage can stay-tabs pose swallowing risk (December 1, 2009) -- Three decades ago, a study revealed that beverage can pull-tabs were being swallowed by children, prompting a switch by US manufacturers to stay-tabs. But in a new study, researchers found that the new tabs are still potentially unsafe. ... > full story


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