Space Season: ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Thursday, April 14, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Thursday, April 14, 2011

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Star formation linked to sonic booms (April 14, 2011) -- Nearby interstellar clouds contain networks of tangled gaseous filaments, according to new observations. Intriguingly, each filament is approximately the same width, hinting that they may result from interstellar sonic booms throughout our Galaxy. ... > full story

Experimental treatment for COPD in development (April 14, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a non-steroid based strategy for improving the lung's innate immune defense and decreasing inflammation that can be a problem for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In a study, researchers targeted the Nrf2 pathway using sulforaphane, an ingredient that is present in broccoli in a precursor form, to enhance the Nrf2 pathway in the lung that mediates the uptake of bacteria. ... > full story

Lightning-fast materials testing using ultrasound (April 14, 2011) -- For years, ultrasound has proven to be a valuable tool in non-destructive materials testing. However, the demands of modern production conditions are increasing all the time. Researchers have now developed a new, more reliable process that delivers testing results at a rate that is up to a hundredfold higher. ... > full story

Increase in deaths in men with type 2 diabetes and testosterone deficiency may be prevented by testosterone replacement, study suggests (April 14, 2011) -- A new study on men with type 2 diabetes shows that those with low levels of testosterone may die sooner unless they are given testosterone replacement therapy. ... > full story

New fracture resistance mechanisms provided by graphene (April 14, 2011) -- Graphene can be used to enhance the toughness of ceramics, new research shows. This discovery -- which increased the resulting ceramic composite's fracture resistance by over 200 percent -- could potentially be used to enhance toughness for a wide range of high performance ceramic materials for aerospace and other applications. ... > full story

A judge's willingness to grant parole can be influenced by breaks (April 14, 2011) -- A judge's willingness to grant parole can be influenced by the time between their latest break and their current hearing. ... > full story

Loch fossils show life harnessed sun and sex early on (April 14, 2011) -- Remote lochs along the west coast of Scotland are turning up new evidence about the origins of life on land. A team of scientists exploring rocks around Loch Torridon have discovered the remarkably preserved remains of organisms that once lived on the bottom of ancient lake beds as long as a billion years ago. ... > full story

Possible new approach to treating deadly leukemia in babies (April 14, 2011) -- A new study points to a promising new approach to treating an aggressive and usually fatal leukemia in babies. The study involved a type of leukemia called mixed lineage leukemia, or MLL. Only 25 to 50 percent of babies diagnosed with MLL leukemia survive the disease. ... > full story

Low intensity treadmill exercise is best to improve walking in Parkinson's, study suggests (April 14, 2011) -- Researchers found that Parkinson's patients who walked on a treadmill at a comfortable speed for a longer duration (low-intensity exercise) improved their walking more than patients who walked for less time but at an increased speed and incline (high-intensity exercise). ... > full story

Comprehensive study reveals patterns in firefighter fatalities (April 14, 2011) -- Researchers found that cultural factors in the work environment that promote getting the job done as quickly as possible with whatever resources available lead to an increase in line-of-duty firefighter fatalities. ... > full story

Ocean drilling deep into the Pacific crust (April 14, 2011) -- From April 13 to June 3, an international team is setting off for the East Pacific to carry out an ocean drilling campaign off the coast of Costa Rica. The expedition's goal is to drill down for the first time next to a superfast-spreading mid-ocean ridge, to reach the gabbro that lies around 2 km beneath the ocean floor. Obtaining samples of these magmatic rocks, which result from slower cooling than the basalts found on the ocean floor, will enable scientists to better understand the structure of the crust and test models for its formation in the specific context of fast-spreading ridges. ... > full story

Stillbirths: The invisible public health problem (April 14, 2011) -- Some 2.6 million third trimester stillbirths worldwide occur every year, according to the first comprehensive set of stillbirth estimates. ... > full story

Vehicle pollution significantly damages the brain, mouse study suggests (April 13, 2011) -- If mice commuted, their brains might find it progressively harder to navigate the maze of Los Angeles freeways. A new study reveals that after short-term exposure to vehicle pollution, mice showed significant brain damage -- including signs associated with memory loss and Alzheimer's disease. ... > full story

Multiple sclerosis: Risk factors in children (April 13, 2011) -- A new study identifies a particular gene involved in the immune response that puts certain children at a higher risk of developing multiple sclerosis. ... > full story

Low doses of penta-brominated diphenyl ether flame retardants alter gene expression (April 13, 2011) -- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are chemicals that have been widely used as flame retardants and are persistent organic pollutants. Human health concerns have arisen based on studies with laboratory animals exposed to high levels of PBDEs, not typical of human exposures. In this study, oral ingestion of a relatively low dose of PBDE mixture DE-71 by pregnant and lactating rats was found to increase thyroid hormones in female offspring and increase gonadal osteopontin gene expression. ... > full story

HIV rate in San Francisco could be cut sharply with expanded treatment, study predicts (April 13, 2011) -- If HIV-infected adults in San Francisco began taking antiretroviral treatments as soon as they were diagnosed, the rate of new HIV infections among men who have sex with men would be cut by almost 60 percent over five years, according to a new study. ... > full story

Scientists give computers 'hindsight' to anticipate the future: Useful in online auctions (April 13, 2011) -- Scientists have developed an algorithm to measure variables on the fly and minimize the amount of "virtual regret" a computer program might experience. This research could have an effect on the decision-making processes of computers as they manage online auctions. ... > full story

To students, music piracy and shoplifting are worlds apart (April 13, 2011) -- College undergrads in a new study said they thought shoplifting was immoral, but also weren't motivated to follow laws governing digital music piracy. ... > full story

Bitterness induces nausea, swallowing not required (April 13, 2011) -- The mere taste of something extremely bitter -- even if you don't swallow it at all -- is enough to cause that dreaded feeling of nausea and to set your stomach churning, according to a new study. ... > full story

Short-term, high-fat diet may initiate protection during heart attack (April 13, 2011) -- A new study shows that short-term, high-fat "splurges" within one's diet could elicit cardioprotective properties during a heart attack. ... > full story

Death -- not just life -- important link in marine ecosystems (April 13, 2011) -- Tiny crustaceans called copepods rule the world, at least when it comes to oceans and estuaries. The most numerous multi-cellular organisms in the seas, copepods are an important link between phytoplankton and fish in marine food webs. ... > full story

Treatment found for rare lung disease, study suggests (April 13, 2011) -- A new study has revealed a drug approved to prevent rejection in organ transplant patients helped treat a rare lung disease in women. ... > full story

Children victims of most eye injuries from aerosols (April 13, 2011) -- A new estimate of emergency room visits for eye injuries related to aerosol spray cans finds that children account for more than half the cases. Infants and toddlers are the most common age segment affected, leading researchers to emphasize prevention. ... > full story

Cultural differences are evident deep in the brain of Caucasian and Asian people (April 13, 2011) -- People in different cultures make different assumptions about the people around them, according to a new study. The researchers studied the brain waves of people with Caucasian and Asian backgrounds and found that cultural differences in how we think about other people are embedded deep in our minds. Cultural differences are evident very deep in the brain, challenging a commonsense notion that culture is skin deep. ... > full story

Mechanism of long-term memory identified (April 13, 2011) -- Using advanced imaging technology, scientists have identified a change in chemical influx into a specific set of neurons in the common fruit fly that is fundamental to long-term memory. ... > full story

Neurosurgeons test new device for placing brain implants (April 13, 2011) -- A new MRI device that guides surgeons as they implant electrodes into the brains of people with Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders could change the way this surgery, called deep brain stimulation, is performed. ... > full story

Ceramic coatings may protect jet engines from volcanic ash (April 13, 2011) -- Last year's billion shutdown of European airspace following a volcanic eruption in Iceland alerted everyone to the danger that ash clouds can pose to aircraft engines. Now, researchers have discovered that a new class of ceramic coatings could offer jet engines special protection against volcanic ash damage in the future. ... > full story

New drug shows potential for treatment-resistant leukemia (April 13, 2011) -- Researchers have found a novel drug that shows promise for treating leukemia patients who have few other options because their disease has developed resistance to standard treatment. The study is the first published report showing that the drug, DCC-2036, fights chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in a mouse model of the disease and is effective against human leukemia cells. ... > full story

Giant fire-bellied toad's brain brims with powerful germ-fighters (April 13, 2011) -- Frog and toad skins already are renowned as cornucopias of hundreds of germ-fighting substances. Now a new report reveals that the toad brains also may contain an abundance of antibacterial and antiviral substances that could inspire a new generation of medicines. ... > full story

Men fuel rebound in plastic surgery: Sizeable increases in facelifts and other surgical procedures for men (April 13, 2011) -- New research shows that more men are now going under the knife to look good. Overall cosmetic plastic surgery procedures in men were up 2 percent in 2010 compared to 2009. The new statistics show that many male surgical procedures increased significantly. Facelifts for men rose 14 percent in 2010 while male liposuction increased 7 percent. ... > full story

Birds inherited strong sense of smell from dinosaurs (April 13, 2011) -- Birds are known more for their senses of vision and hearing than smell, but new research suggests that millions of years ago, the winged critters also boasted a better sense for scents. ... > full story

Weight loss improves memory, according to researchers (April 13, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered a link between weight loss and improved memory and concentration. The study shows that bariatric surgery patients exhibited improved memory function 12 weeks after their operations. ... > full story

Honey can reverse antibiotic resistance, study suggests (April 13, 2011) -- Manuka honey could be an efficient way to clear chronically infected wounds and could even help reverse bacterial resistance to antibiotics, according to new research. ... > full story

Natural gas from shale contributes to global warming, researchers find (April 13, 2011) -- Natural gas extracted from shale formations has a greater greenhouse gas footprint -- in the form of methane emissions -- than conventional gas, oil and coal over a 20 year period. This calls into question the logic of its use as a climate-friendly alternative to fossil fuels, according to researchers. ... > full story

Psychologists closing in on causes of claustrophobic fear (April 13, 2011) -- We all move around in a protective bubble of "near space," more commonly known as "personal space." But not everyone's bubble is the same size. People who project their personal space too far beyond their bodies, or the norm of arm's reach, are more likely to experience claustrophobic fear, a new study finds. The study is one of the first to focus on the perceptual mechanisms of claustrophobic fear. ... > full story

Volcanoes reveal the cooling of Mars (April 13, 2011) -- The mantle of Mars is possibly cooling by 30-40°C every billion years. Based on satellite observations of the composition of the planet's volcanic rocks, researchers have reached this conclusion after reconstructing for the first time the thermal evolution of the planet over the past 4 billion years. These values indicate that cooling is slower than on Earth (70-100°C per billion years) and highlight the specific nature of our planet, where thermal evolution is affected by plate tectonics. ... > full story

New compounds show promise against hepatitis C infection (April 13, 2011) -- Two bioflavonoids, catechin and naringenin, have displayed antiviral activity on tissue culture infected with Hepatitis C. ... > full story

Potential new strategy to reduce catheter blockage (April 13, 2011) -- Bacterial genes that make urine less acidic could be good targets to prevent catheter blockage, according to new research. The findings could lead to new strategies to prevent serious infections, particularly in long-term catheterization patients. ... > full story

Heart disease risk factors linked to some cognitive decline (April 13, 2011) -- Older adults at risk for stroke have significantly increased risk for some types of cognitive decline, according to a multicenter study. ... > full story

Device proves solar cell potential of high bandgap inorganic nanowire arrays (April 13, 2011) -- Proving a theoretical concept for improving the light absorption capabilities of a class of semiconductor materials long-considered impractical for solar energy collection, a team of researchers has successfully fabricated and tested an array of "quantum coaxial cables" -- nanowires structured from inorganic materials that can be fabricated cost-effectively to produce a durable and efficient solar cell. ... > full story

Smokers believe 'silver', 'gold' and 'slim' cigarettes are less harmful (April 13, 2011) -- Despite current prohibitions on the words 'light' and 'mild', smokers in Western countries continue falsely to believe that some cigarette brands may be less harmful than others. ... > full story

New species of dinosaur bridges gap in dinosaur family tree (April 13, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered a fossilized dinosaur skull and neck vertebrae that not only reveal a new species, but also an evolutionary link between two groups of dinosaurs. The new species, Daemonosaurus chauliodus, was discovered at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. ... > full story

New target for developing effective anti-depressants (April 13, 2011) -- For the first time in a human model, scientists have discovered how anti-depressants make new brain cells. This means that researchers can now develop better and more efficient drugs to combat depression. ... > full story

Eco-friendly treatment for blue jeans offers alternative to controversial 'sandblasting' (April 13, 2011) -- Blue denim jeans are one of the most popular and iconic fashion items in the world; now a study reveals a cheaper, more efficient and eco-friendly method for treating dyed denim. The process of 'surface activation' used to wash-down the denim following dyeing could also offer an alternative to the dangerous, and internationally banned, sandblasting technique. ... > full story

Tool predicts disability timeline for progressive multiple sclerosis patients (April 13, 2011) -- Many patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) worry how quickly the disease will progress. Now, by noting the presence of certain markers in a commonly performed diagnostic test, researchers can predict whether patients will suffer a faster onset of disability and counsel them to help ease anxiety. ... > full story

Combating plant diseases is key for sustainable crops (April 13, 2011) -- Climate change is likely to make plants more vulnerable to infectious disease, which will threaten crop yield and impact on the price and availability of food. Researchers explain how exploiting diversity in crops is the best option to improve food security in a changing climate. ... > full story

Media's focus on ideal body shape can boost women's body satisfaction, for a while (April 13, 2011) -- When researchers had college-age women view magazines for five straight days that only included images of women with thin, idealized body types, something surprising happened: the readers' own body satisfaction improved. But the boost in body image came with a catch. Those women whose body satisfaction improved the most also were more likely to report that they engaged in dieting behaviors such as skipping meals or cutting carbohydrates during the course of the study. ... > full story

Antibiotic resistance spreads rapidly between bacteria (April 13, 2011) -- The part of bacterial DNA that often carries antibiotic resistance is a master at moving between different types of bacteria and adapting to widely differing bacterial species, say researchers in Sweden. ... > full story