ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Tuesday, April 12, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Tuesday, April 12, 2011

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Social wasps show how bigger brains provide complex cognition (April 12, 2011) -- Across many groups of animals, species with bigger brains often have better cognitive abilities. But it's been unclear whether overall brain size or the size of specific brain areas is the key. New findings by neurobiologists suggest that both patterns are important: bigger-bodied social wasps had larger brains and devoted up to three times more of their brain tissue to regions that coordinate social interactions, learning, memory and other complex behaviors. ... > full story

Oral drug for multiple sclerosis significantly reduces disease activity and slows disability, study suggests (April 12, 2011) -- The drug laquinimod reduced the number of relapses for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), in a large, long-term Phase III clinical study. ... > full story

Tissue engineers use new system to measure biomaterials, structures (April 12, 2011) -- As cells assemble into a donut shape and ascend a hydrogel cone, they do work and thereby reveal the total power involved in forming a three-dimensional structure. That measure not only could help tissue engineers understand their living building materials better, but could also add insight to the understanding of natural tissue formation. ... > full story

St. John's wort compound: Potential benefit of synthetic hypericin for recurrent brain tumors (April 12, 2011) -- Researchers have found that a synthetic version of hypericin, a compound naturally found in St. John's wort, may be a promising treatment for patients with recurrent malignant brain tumors. ... > full story

New citrus variety is very sweet, juicy and low-seeded (April 12, 2011) -- Juicy. Extremely Sweet. Visually attractive. Easy to peel. Low seeded. These are the fine qualities that mark "KinnowLS," the latest citrus variety released by researchers at the University of California, Riverside. Large-sized for a mandarin, the fruit has an orange rind color. The rind is thin and extremely smooth. The 10-11 segments in each fruit are fleshy and deep orange in color. "KinnowLS" matures during February through April and does well in hot climates. ... > full story

Treatments for gambling addiction (April 12, 2011) -- Scientists have found that a wide range of drugs can be effective for treating gambling addiction in the short term. ... > full story

'Green energy' advance: Tandem catalysis in nanocrystal interfaces (April 12, 2011) -- In a development that holds intriguing possibilities for green energy technologies such as artificial photosynthesis, researchers have created the first bilayered metal-metal oxide nanocrystals to feature multiple catalytic sites on nanocrystal interfaces. These multiple catalytic sites allow for multiple, sequential catalytic reactions to be carried out selectively and in tandem. ... > full story

Link between inflammation and pancreatic cancer discovered (April 12, 2011) -- Solving part of a medical mystery, researchers have established a link between molecules found in an inflamed pancreas and the early formation of pancreatic cancer -- a discovery that may help scientists identify new ways to detect, monitor and treat this deadly disease. ... > full story

Complex composite materials: Replacement found for rare material indium tin oxide (April 12, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a replacement for indium tin oxide. The replacement material is a transparent, conducting film produced in water, and based on electrically conducting carbon nanotubes and plastic nanoparticles. ... > full story

High levels of vitamin D appear to lower risk of age-related macular degeneration in young women (April 12, 2011) -- High levels of vitamin D in the bloodstream appear to be associated with a decreased risk of developing early age-related macular degeneration among women younger than 75 years, according to a new study. ... > full story

Delhi air quality regulations improve respiratory health (April 12, 2011) -- Scientists have used remote sensing imagery to look directly at the effects of air quality on health. Researchers found that radical regulations to improve air quality in Delhi at the turn of the millennium had a positive impact on the health of the population, especially among low-income men. ... > full story

Why academic start-up companies can fail (April 12, 2011) -- Many academic spin-out companies face significant difficulties in transforming an initial idea into a wealth-creating and sustainable business, according to an empirical analysis of 160 such companies formed in Italy during a five-year period. The research suggests that a lack of entrepreneurial orientation by the researchers promoting and managing the spin-out companies is to blame. ... > full story

Penguins that shun ice still lose big from a warming climate (April 11, 2011) -- Fluctuations in penguin populations in the Antarctic are linked more strongly to the availability of their primary food source than to changes in their habitats, according to a new study. This research indicates that species often considered likely "winners" of changing conditions, such as large-scale ice melting, may actually end up as the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. ... > full story

Light, chemistry, action: New technique to target skin cancers? (April 11, 2011) -- Targeted photodynamic therapy can completely eradicate some models of cancer, according to the new research. ... > full story

Blueberries may inhibit development of fat cells (April 11, 2011) -- The benefits of blueberry consumption have been demonstrated in several nutrition studies, more specifically the cardio-protective benefits derived from their high polyphenol content. Blueberries have shown potential to have a positive effect on everything from aging to metabolic syndrome. Researchers recently examined whether blueberries could play a role in reducing one of the world's greatest health challenges: obesity. ... > full story

Mechanism for esophageal cancer uncovered (April 11, 2011) -- A gene thought to be associated with cancer development can be a tumor suppressor gene in mice, researchers have discovered. Understanding which genes are involved in spreading cancer could lead to future therapies. ... > full story

Diesel-engine exhaust filter reduces harmful particles by 98 percent (April 11, 2011) -- A commercially available particle trap can filter microscopic pollutants in diesel-engine exhaust and prevent about 98 percent of them from reaching the air, according to new research. ... > full story

Sleep issues contribute to cognitive problems in childhood cancer survivors (April 11, 2011) -- Fatigue and sleep problems dramatically reduce the thinking and reasoning abilities of adults who survived childhood cancer, according to new research. Researchers hope the findings will lead to new strategies for improved neurocognitive functioning in this growing population. ... > full story

Squid and octopuses experience massive acoustic trauma from noise pollution in the oceans (April 11, 2011) -- Noise pollution has been shown to cause physical and behavioral changes in marine life, especially in dolphins and whales, which rely on sound for daily activities. Now a new study found that squid, octopus and cuttlefish exhibited massive acoustic trauma in the form of severe lesions in their auditory structures following exposure to low frequency sound. ... > full story

Is the wrist bone connected to heart risk? (April 11, 2011) -- Measuring the wrist bone may be a new way to identify which overweight children and adolescents face an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, according to new research. ... > full story

Fracking controversy: Using water, sand and chemicals to extract natural gas from shale (April 11, 2011) -- The turmoil in oil-producing nations is triggering turmoil at home, as rising oil prices force Americans to pay more at the pump. Meanwhile, there's a growing industry that's promising jobs and access to cheaper energy resources on American soil, but it's not without its controversy. ... > full story

Biologists find another clue to the origins of degenerative diseases (April 11, 2011) -- A research team shows that cell death can also result from the process by which the cell repairs damage that occurs within a repeated CAG/CTG sequence. Their findings increase understanding of how diseases like Huntington's develop in humans. ... > full story

Positioning enzymes with ease (April 11, 2011) -- Scientists have developed a superior method for immobilizing enzymes on surfaces, deftly controlling their orientation, improving their efficiency and rendering them more stable. ... > full story

Women's voices remain steady throughout the month; New study contradicts prior research suggesting hormonal status affects voice (April 11, 2011) -- Studies have suggested women's voices change at different times over the menstrual cycle, with the tone rising as ovulation approaches. A new study finds that changes in hormonal status have no significant impact on eight distinct voice parameters. ... > full story

Electric Yellowstone: Conductivity image hints supervolcano plume is bigger than thought (April 11, 2011) -- Geophysicists have made the first large-scale picture of the electrical conductivity of the gigantic underground plume of hot and partly molten rock that feeds the Yellowstone supervolcano. The image suggests the plume is even bigger than it appears in earlier images made with earthquake waves. ... > full story

Letting there be more mosquitoes may lead to fewer malaria deaths, say researchers (April 11, 2011) -- It may seem counter-intuitive at first but letting mosquitoes grow up and breed may be part of the solution to tackling the devastating impact of malaria. Researchers have used mathematical modeling to examine why conventional insecticides used against the insects that transmit the disease responsible for millions of deaths a year, can quickly become ineffective in areas of intensive use. Their answers may lead to unprecedented advances in malaria control. ... > full story

Vision loss in eye disease slowed using novel encapsulated cell therapy (April 11, 2011) -- A phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of a severe form of age-related macular degeneration called geographic atrophy (GA) has become the first study to show the benefit of a therapy to slow the progression of vision loss for this disease. The results highlight the benefit of the use of a neurotrophic factor to treat GA and provide hope to nearly one million Americans suffering from GA. ... > full story

New technique tracks viral infections, aids development of antiviral drugs (April 11, 2011) -- Scientists have developed a method to rapidly measure thousands of cells and quickly determine the presence of viruses. ... > full story

EPA's draft health assessment for formaldehyde needs improvement, experts say (April 11, 2011) -- A US Environmental Protection Agency draft assessment of the potential health effects associated with formaldehyde exposure needs substantial revision, experts say. ... > full story

Health halo effect: Don't judge a food by its organic label (April 11, 2011) -- Some organic foods shown to be surrounded by a "health halo" that is not based on science. Psychologists have long recognized that how we perceive a particular trait of a person can be influenced by how we perceive other traits of the same individual. An example of this would be judging an attractive person as intelligent, just because he or she is good-looking. A growing literature suggests that the halo effect may also apply to foods, and ultimately influence what and how much we eat. ... > full story

Physicists discover new way to visualize warped space and time (April 11, 2011) -- When black holes slam into each other, the surrounding space and time surge and undulate like a heaving sea during a storm. This warping of space and time is so complicated that physicists haven't been able to understand the details of what goes on -- until now. ... > full story

New mechanism for invasion of tumorous cells discovered (April 11, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered a previously unknown mechanism whereby tumor cells invade normal tissues, spreading cancer through various organs. ... > full story

What sea squirts can teach us about the heart (April 11, 2011) -- Scientists are working to develop better diagnostics and therapies to manage heart defects in newborns. An obscure filter-feeding sea animal holds the promise of helping them unravel the complex mechanisms underlying heart formation and develop new diagnostics for congenital heart defects. ... > full story

Anatomic differences found after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (April 11, 2011) -- Researchers have concluded that the anatomy of the pelvis following robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is considerably different when compared to the anatomy of the pelvis following an open prostatectomy (OP). These findings, which are the first to ever compare pelvic anatomy following RARP and OP surgery, may have implications for patients requiring post-operative radiation. ... > full story

Odd corn plant provides insight into how corn makes hormones (April 11, 2011) -- It's a corn plant only a geneticist could love. Its ears -- if it makes them at all -- resemble small, chubby, lime-green caterpillars, not exactly something you want to dig your teeth into. To top it off, the corn plant stands only about three feet tall, at full maturity, and has few leaves. By using a positional cloning technique and molecular markers, scientists were able to pinpoint the absent gene in this plant, which they named vanishing tassel2 or vt2. The gene encodes an enzyme, called tryptophan aminotransferase, important for making auxin, an important growth hormone in plants. ... > full story

NASA astronaut Cady Coleman, Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson perform first space-Earth flute duet (April 11, 2011) -- Harmony reached new heights recently as NASA astronaut Cady Coleman, circling Earth aboard the International Space Station, and musician Ian Anderson, founder of the rock band Jethro Tull, collaborated for the first space-Earth duet. ... > full story

Saturn's moon Titan shaped by weather, not ice volcanoes? (April 11, 2011) -- Have the surface and belly of Saturn's smog-shrouded moon, Titan, recently simmered like a chilly, bubbling cauldron with ice volcanoes, or has this distant moon gone cold? In a newly published analysis, scientists analyzing data collected by the Cassini spacecraft suggest Titan may be much less geologically active than some scientists have thought. ... > full story

Experimental drug achieves unprecedented weight loss, clinical trial finds (April 11, 2011) -- An investigational combination of drugs already approved to treat obesity, migraine and epilepsy produced up to a 10 percent weight loss in obese individuals participating in a one-year clinical trial, according to researchers. ... > full story

Ozone reduces fungal spoilage of fruits and vegetables (April 11, 2011) -- Storing fruits and vegetables in ozone-enriched environments reduces spoilage. Scientists explain how ozone treatment could be a safe, effective replacement for pesticides as it leaves no residue on foods. ... > full story

Big picture of how interferon-induced genes launch antiviral defenses revealed (April 11, 2011) -- For the first time, scientists have carried out a comprehensive, systematic evaluation of the antiviral activity of interferon-induced factors. The findings are a first step toward unraveling how these naturally occurring molecules work to inhibit viruses. ... > full story

West Antarctic warming triggered by warmer sea surface in tropical Pacific (April 11, 2011) -- New research shows that rising sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific Ocean drive atmospheric circulation that has caused some of the largest shifts in Antarctic climate in recent decades. ... > full story

Increased life expectancy discourages religious participation, research finds (April 11, 2011) -- Churches will continue to attract older congregations as increasing life expectancy encourages people to put off involvement in religion, according to new research. ... > full story

Accelerated lab evolution of biomolecules could yield new generation of medicines (April 11, 2011) -- Scientists have harnessed the prowess of fast-replicating bacterial viruses, also known as phages, to accelerate the evolution of biomolecules in the laboratory. The work could ultimately allow the tailoring of custom pharmaceuticals and research tools from lab-grown proteins, nucleic acids, and other such compounds. ... > full story

Flu helps spread pneumonia (April 11, 2011) -- Bacteria that cause pneumonia and meningitis are only able to spread when individuals are infected with flu, according to an expert. The work could have implications for the management of influenza pandemics and could help reduce incidence of pneumococcal infections in very young children, who are more susceptible to disease. ... > full story

Ancient corals provide insight on the future of Caribbean reefs (April 11, 2011) -- Climate change is already widely recognized to be negatively affecting coral reef ecosystems around the world, yet the long-term effects are difficult to predict. Scientists are now using the geologic record of Caribbean corals to understand how reef ecosystems might respond to climate change expected for this century. ... > full story

Protein thought to protect against oxidative stress also promotes clogging of arteries (April 11, 2011) -- Researchers have found that a protein that plays an important role in some antioxidant therapies may not be as effective due to additional mechanisms that cause it to promote atherosclerosis, or clogging of the arteries. ... > full story

Free software makes computer mouse easier for people with disabilities (April 11, 2011) -- As the population ages, more people are having trouble with motor control, but now scientists have invented two mouse cursors that make clicking targets a whole lot easier. ... > full story

Demystifying meditation: Brain imaging illustrates how meditation reduces pain (April 11, 2011) -- Meditation produces powerful pain-relieving effects in the brain, according to new research. For the study, healthy volunteers who had never meditated learned a meditation technique known as focused attention. Focused attention is a form of mindfulness meditation where people are taught to attend to the breath and let go of distracting thoughts and emotions. ... > full story

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