Space Season: Feb 11, 2011

Friday, February 11, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Friday, February 11, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Friday, February 11, 2011

Welcome to another edition of ScienceDaily's email newsletter. You can change your subscription options or unsubscribe at any time.

How much information is there in the world? (February 11, 2011) -- Think you're overloaded with information? Not even close. A new study calculates how much information humankind can handle. ... > full story

Circulating blood antibodies are not required for HIV protection, study suggests (February 11, 2011) -- A vaccine which stimulates production of specific anti-HIV antibodies in the vaginal tissue was sufficient to protect monkeys from exposure to live virus, according to a new study. The results may also help to explain why a few individuals who lack anti-HIV antibodies in the blood are able to resist infection, even when they are repeatedly exposed to HIV. ... > full story

Discovery may lead to turning back the clock on ovarian cancer (February 11, 2011) -- Cancer researchers have discovered that a type of regulatory RNA may be effective in fighting ovarian cancer. This new discovery may allow physicians to turn back the clock of the tumor's life cycle to a phase where traditional chemotherapy can better do its job. ... > full story

Study examines relationship between autoimmune skin disease and neurologic disorders (February 11, 2011) -- Individuals with the autoimmune skin disease bullous pemphigoid appear more likely to have a diagnosis of neurologic disease, such as dementia and cerebrovascular disease, according to a new report. ... > full story

Pollution controls used during China Olympics could save lives if continued, study concludes (February 11, 2011) -- The air pollution control measures that were put in place in Beijing during the 2008 Olympic Games -- if continued -- would cut almost in half the lifetime risk of lung cancer for the area's residents from certain inhaled pollutants, a new study concludes. ... > full story

Handwriting problems affect children with autism into the teenage years (February 11, 2011) -- A new study suggests that the handwriting problems that affect children with autism are likely to continue into their teenage years. ... > full story

Gene mutations linked to high blood pressure (February 11, 2011) -- Scientists have identified two novel genetic mutations that can trigger hypertension in up to a third of patients suffering from a common cause of severe high blood pressure. ... > full story

Preventing heart failure and increasing survival rates in cancer patients (February 11, 2011) -- New research could help reduce heart failure in cancer patients around the world, and ultimately increase survival rates. Scientists have discovered the role of an enzyme which, when a patient receives chemotherapy, can cause life-threatening damage to the heart. This has, until now, restricted the amount of chemotherapy doses a patient can receive, thereby diluting the chemotherapy's effectiveness in destroying cancerous tumors. ... > full story

Vietnam’s biodiversity has deep roots in Earth’s past (February 11, 2011) -- Southeast Asia is a global biodiversity hotspot with a very high number of animal and plant species, many of which are only found there. Despite its highly endangered terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, Vietnam makes a significant contribution to this biological diversity. Scientists now demonstrate for the first time that North Vietnam was already a hotspot of biodiversity about 30 million years ago. ... > full story

Study examines surgeons' stress related to surgery and night duty (February 11, 2011) -- A small study of Japanese surgeons suggests that duration of surgery and the amount of blood loss are associated with increased stress scores, and that night duty is associated with reduced stress arousal scores, according to a new study. ... > full story

New method for reporting solar data (February 11, 2011) -- A straightforward new way to calculate, compile, and graphically present solar radiation measurements in a format that is accessible to decision makers and the general public has been developed. ... > full story

Larger cities drive growing wage gap between the rich and the poor, study shows (February 11, 2011) -- Why in the United States are the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer? A new study shows that our larger cities are responsible for up to one-third of the growth in the wage gap. And it's the soaring salaries of many urban dwellers that is causing the mega income gap in megacities. ... > full story

Los Angeles Basin long overdue for major earthquake: Lake-effect theory sinks, but quake timing questions go on (February 10, 2011) -- A chronology of 1,000 years of earthquakes at the southern end of the San Andreas Fault nixes the idea that lake changes in the now-dry region caused past quakes. However, researchers say, the timeline pulled from sediment in three deep trenches confirms that this portion of the fault is long past the expected time for a major temblor that would strongly shake the Los Angeles Basin. ... > full story

Surprising view of brain formation: Discovery of a new mechanism may have implications for a host of diseases (February 10, 2011) -- A new study has unveiled a surprising mechanism that controls brain formation. The findings have implications for understanding a host of diseases, including some forms of mental retardation, epilepsy, schizophrenia and autism. ... > full story

Folic acid may increase the risk of asthma, study suggests (February 10, 2011) -- Recent Norwegian research suggests that there may be a connection between high levels of folic acid in pregnant mothers and the development of asthma in their children. However, the researchers stress that pregnant women should continue to take folic acid supplements. ... > full story

Unappreciated dynamism of blood cell production (February 10, 2011) -- The bone marrow stem cells responsible for generating new blood cells are less fixed and more flexible than previously thought, according to a new article. ... > full story

Robot therapy can improve arm, shoulder mobility after stroke (February 10, 2011) -- Robotic-assisted rehabilitation therapy, combined with standard rehabilitation, can improve upper extremity mobility in stroke patients with paralysis on one side. Patients with severe paralysis were more likely to be aided by robotic therapy. ... > full story

Choices -- not discrimination -- determine success for women scientists, experts argue (February 10, 2011) -- It's an incendiary topic in academia -- the belief that women are underrepresented in science, math and engineering fields because they face discrimination in the interviewing, hiring, and grant and manuscript review processes. But two social scientists now say it's not discrimination, but rather differences in resources attributable to career and family-related choices, that set women back. ... > full story

Extra testosterone reduces your empathy, researchers find (February 10, 2011) -- Placing testosterone under the tongue of volunteers negatively affects a person's ability to 'mind read', an indication of empathy. One implication of the new study is that current levels of testosterone directly affect the ability to read someone else's mind. This may help explain why, on average, women perform better on such tests than men, since men on average produce more testosterone than women. ... > full story

Salivary glands as organs of immunity: New research makes oral immunization easier to swallow (February 10, 2011) -- If you don't like shots or needles, you're in luck. New research gives the development of new oral vaccinations a shot in the arm. ... > full story

Success of male bustards is measured by their 'beards' (February 10, 2011) -- Up until now it was unknown whether males of the great bustard (Otis tarda), an emblematic bird in Spain and endangered at a global level, transmit information on their weight, size, and age through their plumage. For the first time a study shows that the 'beards' and the design of the neck are "reliable" indicators of the weight and age of their bearers, and are used to both avoid fights with competitors and to attract females. Published on 'Ethology' ... > full story

Long- and short-sleeved physician workwear receive same amount of bacterial and MRSA contamination (February 10, 2011) -- Governmental agencies in the United Kingdom recently instituted guidelines banning physicians' white coats and the wearing of long-sleeved garments to decrease the transmission of bacteria within hospitals due to the belief that cuffs of long-sleeved shirts carry more bacteria. However, a new study shows that after an eight-hour day, there is no difference in contamination of long- and short-sleeved shirts, or on the skin at the wearers' wrists. ... > full story

Plant's immune defense revs up for the morning attack (February 10, 2011) -- Timing is everything in the long-standing arms race between the flowering plant Arabidopsis and Hyaloperonospora, a downy mildew pathogen. Researchers have found that the little mustard plant cranks up its immune system in the morning to prepare for the greatest onslaught of infectious spores released by the mildew. ... > full story

Spring break: College students and risky behaviors (February 10, 2011) -- College students who arrange with friends to "get their backs" are less likely to engage in risky Spring Break behavior. ... > full story

Weather extremes are growing trend in Northern Australia, corals show (February 10, 2011) -- The extreme rain events that have caused flooding across northern Australia may become an increasingly familiar occurrence, new research suggests. The study uses the growth patterns in near-shore corals to determine which summers brought more rain than others, creating a centuries-long rainfall record for northern Australia. ... > full story

Motorcycle helmets reduce spine injuries after collisions; Helmet weight as risk to neck called a 'myth' (February 10, 2011) -- Motorcycle helmets, long known to dramatically reduce the number of brain injuries and deaths from crashes, appear to also be associated with a lower risk of cervical spine injury, new research suggests. ... > full story

Newly discovered deep sea lobster (February 10, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered a rare new genus of deep water lobster. The lobster has movable, well-developed eyestalks and an inverted T-plate in front of its mouth. But its most striking feature is a mighty claw with a short, bulbous palm and extremely long, spiny fingers for capturing prey. ... > full story

When first-time mothers are induced, breaking the amniotic membrane shortens delivery time (February 10, 2011) -- Researchers have found that by performing an amniotomy on first time mothers in situations when labor has to be induced, that delivery time can be shortened by more than 10 percent. ... > full story

Revolutionary microchip technology? (February 10, 2011) -- Scientists have made the world’s first junctionless transistor even smaller. The transistor is the building block of the microchip. ... > full story

Neural mechanisms linked with vulnerability to anxiety (February 10, 2011) -- New research examines the anxious brain during a fear conditioning task and provides insight into why some individuals may be more or less prone to anxiety disorders. The study reveals neural mechanisms that may contribute to resilience against pathological fear and anxiety. The findings may help to direct therapeutic strategies for individuals who suffer from chronic anxiety as well as strategies that could help "at risk" individuals avoid developing anxiety disorders. ... > full story

Simple marine worms distantly related to humans (February 10, 2011) -- Two groups of lowly marine worms are related to complex species including vertebrates (such as humans) and starfish, according to new research. Previously thought to be an evolutionary link between simple animals such as jellyfish and the rest of animal life -- the worms' surprising promotion implies that they have not always been as simple as they now appear. ... > full story

Common insecticide used in homes associated with delayed mental development of young children (February 10, 2011) -- In the first study to examine the effects of pyrethroid insecticides on humans and the first evaluation of their potential toxicity to the developing fetal brain, scientists have found a significant association between piperonyl butoxide, a common additive in pyrethroid formulations, measured in personal air collected during the third trimester of pregnancy, and delayed mental development at 36 months. ... > full story

Rowdy residents warn crustaceans away from perilous reefs (February 10, 2011) -- Coral reefs present a treacherous wall of mouths to flea-sized planktonic crustaceans, but the clamor generated by animals on the reef may act like a foghorn to warn them away from danger. ... > full story

Immune system genes associated with increased risk of mental illness, new research suggests (February 10, 2011) -- Genes linked to the immune system can affect healthy people’s personality traits as well as the risk of developing mental illness and suicidal behavior, reveals new research from Sweden. ... > full story

Engineers study hybrid systems to design robust unmanned vehicles (February 10, 2011) -- Aerospace and mechanical engineers are studying bird and bee flight to develop unmanned vehicles that stay aloft longer and cope with sudden and severe changes in airflow. ... > full story

Looking at your body reduces pain (February 10, 2011) -- Simply looking at your body reduces pain, according to new research. The research shows that viewing your hand reduces the pain experienced when a hot object touches the skin. Furthermore, the level of pain depends on how large the hand looked -- the larger the hand the greater the effect of pain reduction. ... > full story

Diet soda may raise odds of vascular events; Salt linked to stroke risk (February 10, 2011) -- Drinking diet soda daily is linked to a higher risk of stroke, heart attack and vascular-related deaths, according to new research. High salt intake may double the risk of ischemic stroke, independent of sodium's role in hypertension. ... > full story

Skin cells used to develop possible heart defect treatment in first-of-its-kind study (February 10, 2011) -- Using skin cells from young patients who have a severe genetic heart defect, scientists have generated beating heart cells that carry the same genetic mutation. The newly created human heart cells -- cardiomyocytes -- allowed the researchers for the first time to examine and characterize the disorder at the cellular level. ... > full story

Race against time to find Apollo 14's lost voyagers: 'Moon trees' (February 10, 2011) -- In communities all across the US, travelers that went to the moon and back with the Apollo 14 mission are living out their quiet lives. The voyagers in question are not astronauts. They're "moon trees." ... > full story

Experimental approach may improve healing of diabetic wounds and bed sores (February 10, 2011) -- Researchers are reporting on a promising new approach to treating diabetic wounds, bed sores, chronic ulcers and other slow-to-heal wounds. It may be possible to speed healing by suppressing certain immune system cells. ... > full story

Paperweight for platinum: Bracing catalyst in material makes fuel cell component work better and last longer (February 10, 2011) -- A new combination of nanoparticles and graphene results in a more durable catalytic material for fuel cells, according to new research. The catalytic material is not only hardier but more chemically active as well. The researchers are confident the results will help improve fuel cell design. ... > full story

Crocodile tears don't fool us all: Study gives behavioral clues to spot fabricated versus genuine displays of remorse (February 10, 2011) -- How easy is it to fake remorse? Not so easy if your audience knows what to look for. In the first investigation of the nature of true and false remorse, researchers show that those who fake remorse show a greater range of emotional expressions and swing from one emotion to another very quickly -- a phenomenon referred to as emotional turbulence -- as well as speak with more hesitation. These findings have important implications for judges and parole board members, who look for genuine remorse when they make their sentencing and release decisions. ... > full story

Nanonets give rust a boost as agent in water splitting's hydrogen harvest (February 10, 2011) -- Coating a lattice of tiny wires called Nanonets with iron oxide creates an economical and efficient platform for the process of water splitting -- an emerging clean fuel method that harvests hydrogen from water, researchers report. ... > full story

Photodynamic therapy against cancer (February 10, 2011) -- Researchers investigated whether eradicating tumor-associated lymphatic vessels and the tumor cells they contain using photodynamic therapy could reduce tumor metastasis. The results were promising. Previously, the cells in metastatic transit in tumor-draining lymphatic vessels have not been given much attention; so the findings are new and exciting. ... > full story

Chocolate is a 'super fruit': Rich source of antioxidants (February 10, 2011) -- It is widely known that fruit contains antioxidants which may be beneficial to health. New research demonstrates that chocolate is a rich source of antioxidants and contains more polyphenols and flavanols than fruit juice. ... > full story

Human and mouse studies sharpen focus on cause of celiac disease (February 10, 2011) -- Blocking a factor that can activate the human immune response against intestinal bacteria or certain foods could prevent the development of celiac disease. ... > full story

New method takes snapshots of proteins as they fold (February 10, 2011) -- Using a sophisticated version of the stroboscopic photography Eadweard Muybridge used to prove in 1877 that a horse takes all four hooves off the ground when it gallops, scientists have now caught proteins in the act of folding, a process that can take less than thousandths of a second. ... > full story

Behavioral problems linked to cortisol levels: Study finds intervention needed as soon as behavioral problems appear (February 10, 2011) -- Researchers may have resolved the cortisol paradox. In a groundbreaking study, they link cortisol levels not simply to behavior problems, but to the length of time individuals have experienced behavior problems. ... > full story

This message was sent to positiv111.space@blogger.com from:

ScienceDaily | 1 Research Court, Suite 450 | Rockville, MD 20850

Email Marketing by

Update Profile | Forward To a Friend

ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Friday, February 11, 2011

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Friday, February 11, 2011

Welcome to another edition of ScienceDaily's email newsletter. You can change your subscription options or unsubscribe at any time.

'Gene desert' on chromosome 9 is hotspot for coronary artery disease risk (February 10, 2011) -- The discovery that a "gene desert" on chromosome 9 was a hotspot for coronary artery disease risk was among the highlights of findings produced recently by genome-wide association studies, which compare the genomes of many people for genetic variations and have been broadly used in the past few years to study hundreds of diseases and complex traits. Gene deserts are large genomic segments devoid of genes. Now scientists have developed a novel approach to detect long-distance chromosomal interactions and have applied this method to the chromosome 9 gene desert, revealing that the association results from an altered inflammatory signaling response in individuals with increased CAD risk. ... > full story

Advanced macular degeneration is associated with an increased risk of bleeding stroke, study finds (February 10, 2011) -- In the first study to examine stroke subtypes in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), older people with late-stage AMD appear to be at increased risk of bleeding stroke, but not a stroke caused by a blood clot in the brain. However the findings are preliminary and earlier stage AMD was not linked with any type of stroke. ... > full story

Key to better health care may be a walk in the park (February 10, 2011) -- The payoff for investing in public parks and recreation sites may be healthier, more physically fit residents and a less strained health-care system, according to researchers. ... > full story

New technology in human trials to spot cardiac disease, cancer, drug abuse: Diagnostic chip may help hearts, cut costs (February 10, 2011) -- Heart disease is a silent killer, but new microchip technology is expected to advance the art of diagnosis. ... > full story

Everolimus improves progression-free survival for patients with rare pancreatic cancer, study finds (February 10, 2011) -- In an international Phase III randomized study, everolimus, an inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), has shown to dramatically improve progression-free survival for patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET), according to researchers. ... > full story

Stroke in Mexican-Americans expected to rise 350 percent in next 40 years (February 10, 2011) -- Strokes among Mexican-Americans are expected to rise 350 percent from 2010 to 2050, according to new research. Strokes among non-Hispanic whites are expected to rise 75 percent from 2010 to 2050. ... > full story

Foot bone suggests Lucy's kin had arched foot, for walking (February 10, 2011) -- Researchers have found proof that arches existed in a predecessor to the human species that lived more than 3 million years ago. This discovery could change scientists' views of human evolution. ... > full story

Fetal surgery takes a huge step forward in treating children with spina bifida (February 9, 2011) -- Performing delicate surgery in the womb, months before birth, can substantially improve outcomes for children with a common, disabling birth defect of the spine. A new landmark study shows that fetal surgery for spina bifida greatly reduces the need to divert fluid from the brain, improves mobility and improves the chances that a child will be able to walk independently. ... > full story

How omega-3 fatty acids help prevent several forms of blindness (February 9, 2011) -- New research reveals exactly how omega-3 fatty acids work in preventing several forms of blindness. ... > full story

Poorer patients have more severe ischemic strokes, study indicates (February 9, 2011) -- Poorer patients have more severe ischemic strokes, or strokes resulting from blockages in blood vessels in the brain, according to new research. ... > full story

Public sector research responsible for many new drug discoveries, researchers find (February 9, 2011) -- New research shows that public-sector research has had a more immediate effect on improving public health than was previously realized. ... > full story

Microsponges from seaweed may save lives (February 9, 2011) -- Microsponges derived from seaweed may help diagnose heart disease, cancers, HIV and other diseases quickly and at far lower cost than current clinical methods. ... > full story

Stockpiled avian flu vaccine could protect against potential pandemic (February 9, 2011) -- A stockpiled vaccine designed to fight a strain of avian flu that circulated in 2004 can be combined with a vaccine that matches the current strain of bird flu to protect against a potential pandemic, researchers have found. The findings suggest public health officials can get a jump on fighting a pandemic caused by avian flu virus because they won't have to wait for a vaccine that exactly matches the current strain of bird flu to be manufactured. ... > full story

Toward a fast, simple test for detecting cholera rampaging in 40 countries (February 9, 2011) -- With cholera on the rampage in Haiti and almost 40 other countries, scientists are reporting the development of a key advance that could provide a fast, simple test to detect the toxin that causes the disease. Cholera affects more than 200,000 people annually, mainly in developing countries, and causes about 5,000 deaths. Many involve infants, children, and the elderly. ... > full story

Girls' interest in computing science piqued by making video games (February 9, 2011) -- For high-school girls the fun is in making video games, not just playing them, according to a new study. Their study shows that if you want to get more females interested in computing science, you have to rewrite the program, so to speak. ... > full story

Primates' unique gene regulation mechanism: Little-understood DNA elements serve important purpose (February 9, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered a new way genes are regulated that is unique to primates. Long-known, but little-understood DNA elements serve important purpose, according to new research. The newly identified mechanism involves Alu elements, repetitive DNA elements that spread throughout the genome as primates evolved. While scientists have known about the existence of Alu elements for many years, their function, if any, was largely unknown. This unique regulatory mechanism could prove to be a valuable treatment target as researchers seek to manipulate gene expression to improve human health. ... > full story

This message was sent to positiv111.space@blogger.com from:

ScienceDaily | 1 Research Court, Suite 450 | Rockville, MD 20850

Email Marketing by

Update Profile | Forward To a Friend

ScienceDaily Environment Headlines -- for Friday, February 11, 2011

ScienceDaily Environment Headlines

for Friday, February 11, 2011

Welcome to another edition of ScienceDaily's email newsletter. You can change your subscription options or unsubscribe at any time.

Single-cell marine predator's unique survival mechanisms revealed (February 10, 2011) -- Researchers have uncovered the unique survival mechanisms of a marine organism that may be tiny, but in some ways has surpassed sharks in its predatory efficiency. ... > full story

Understanding patterns of seafloor biomass (February 10, 2011) -- Analysis of a comprehensive database has revealed strong links between biological productivity in the surface oceans and patterns of biomass and abundance at the seafloor, helping to explain large regional differences. ... > full story

Taurus XL ready to launch Glory spacecraft (February 10, 2011) -- The Glory spacecraft and its Taurus XL launch vehicle are coming together at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California as NASA gets ready to launch its first Launch Services Program mission of 2011. Researchers are looking for more puzzle pieces to fill out the picture of Earth's climate and Glory was designed to give them the pieces relating to the role tiny particles known as aerosols play in the planet's weather. The spacecraft, about the size of a refrigerator, is also equipped with an instrument to measure the sun's impact on Earth's conditions. Glory is to lift off Feb. 23 at 5:09 a.m. EST. ... > full story

New solar cell self-repairs like natural plant systems (February 10, 2011) -- Researchers are creating a new type of solar cell designed to self-repair like natural photosynthetic systems in plants by using carbon nanotubes and DNA, an approach aimed at increasing service life and reducing cost. ... > full story

Invasive comb jellyfish pose no direct threat to Baltic cod eggs and larvae, Danish study finds (February 10, 2011) -- The direct threat from the killer warty comb jellyfish to the Baltic cod population has been shown not to be so serious after all, according to new research from Denmark. Even though the invasive killer jelly feeds constantly, cod eggs seem not to be on the menu. In fact, if they accidentally swallow an egg, they even throw it up again. ... > full story

Soil science: Healing our planet's ills from the ground up (February 9, 2011) -- Soil depletion hastened the collapse of at least one society, the Greeks, and contributed to economic hardship as recently as the last century in the Great Plains of the United States. With climate change and population growth affecting the services provided by soil, a team of scientists say more attention should be paid to protecting and rejuvenating soil. Strategies for doing so include refocusing and boosting research, and communicating its importance to the public. ... > full story

Western Australia's incredible underground orchid (February 9, 2011) -- Rhizanthella gardneri is a cute, quirky and critically endangered orchid that lives all its life underground. It even blooms underground, making it virtually unique amongst plants. Last year, using radioactive tracers, scientists showed that the orchid gets all its nutrients by parasitizing fungi associated with the roots of broom bush, a woody shrub of the Western Australia outback. Now, with less than 50 individuals left in the wild, scientists have made a timely and remarkable discovery about its genome. ... > full story

A green way to cap an old landfill (February 9, 2011) -- Researchers are researching alternative ways to cap landfills. One idea was to cap or seal the old landfill with trees and shrubs, planted in a mix of topsoil and compost, instead of the traditional clay caps. Vegetative caps are gaining acceptance from state agencies as a sustainable practice. ... > full story

Greener process for key ingredient for everything from paint to diapers (February 9, 2011) -- Scientists are reporting discovery of an environmentally friendly way to make a key industrial material -- used in products ranging from paints to diapers -- from a renewable raw material without touching the traditional pricey and increasingly scarce petroleum-based starting material. ... > full story

Ancient teeth raise new questions about origins of modern humans (February 9, 2011) -- Eight small teeth found in a cave near Rosh Haain, central Israel, are raising big questions about the earliest existence of humans and where we may have originated, say anthropologists. ... > full story

Telomere length as an indicator of life expectancy for the southern giant petrel (February 9, 2011) -- The length of telomeres, the DNA fragments that protect the ends of chromosomes from deterioration, could be an indicator of life expectancy in the southern giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus), an emblematic species of the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions, according to a new article. ... > full story

Dramatic improvement in Parkinson disease symptoms following intranasal delivery of stem cells to rat brains (February 9, 2011) -- Successful intranasal delivery of stem cells to the brains of rats with Parkinson disease yielded significant improvement in motor function and reversed the dopamine deficiency characteristic of the disease. The promising findings highlight the potential for a noninvasive approach to cell therapy delivery in Parkinson disease -- a safer and effective alternative to surgical transplantation of stem cells. ... > full story

Next large central US earthquake may not be along New Madrid fault lines (February 9, 2011) -- This December marks the bicentennial of the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-12, which are the biggest earthquakes known to have occurred in the central US. Now, based on the earthquake record in China, a researcher says that mid-continent earthquakes tend to move among fault systems, so the next big earthquake in the central US may actually occur someplace else other than along the New Madrid faults. ... > full story

Recognizing gibbons from their regional accents (February 9, 2011) -- Crested gibbons live in dense Asian rainforest, specifically in China, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, and, because of their environment, they communicate with other gibbons by singing. New research describes how gibbon song can be used to identify not only which species of gibbon is singing but the area it is from. ... > full story

New explanation for heart-healthy benefits of chocolate (February 9, 2011) -- In time for the chocolate-giving and chocolate-eating fest on Valentine's Day, scientists are reporting discovery of how this treat boosts the body's production of the "good" form of cholesterol that protects against heart disease. Polyphenols in chocolate rev up the activity of certain proteins, including proteins that attach to the genetic material DNA in ways that boost "good" cholesterol levels. ... > full story

Border patrol: Immune cells protect body from invaders (February 9, 2011) -- Barrier sites -- the skin, gut, lung -- limit the inner body's exposure to allergens, pollutants, viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Understanding how the immune system works in these external surfaces has implications for understanding such inflammatory diseases as asthma, psoriasis, IBD, and food allergies, all of which occur at the body's barriers. Researchers have identified an immune cell population that acts as the body's border patrol with the outside world. ... > full story

Jatropha: Green biodiesel from African tree (February 9, 2011) -- Jatropha has been championed as a major environmental opportunity for developing countries with a semi-arid climate and marginal soil. Scientists have been investigating whether this small, hardy and relatively pest-free tree lives up to its billing. ... > full story

Earth warming unevenly: Tropical Atlantic sees weaker trade winds and more rainfall (February 9, 2011) -- Earth is gradually warming, but not evenly. Efforts to pin down regional climate impacts of this warming have been hampered by biased wind observations over the oceans. Developing a new technique to remove the bias, scientists found that during the last 60 years the tropical Atlantic trade winds weakened, ocean temperature patterns shifted, and Amazon and Guinea Coast rainfall increased. ... > full story

Using mining by-products to reduce algal blooms (February 9, 2011) -- Researchers in Australia have shown that some mining by-products can be effective in preventing nutrients from entering river systems, thereby reducing the potential for algal blooms. ... > full story

Challenges for biofuels: New life cycle assessment report (February 9, 2011) -- A new report presents seven grand challenges for addressing the social, economic and environmental issues that must be confronted before advanced biofuels can replace gasoline on a widescale basis. ... > full story

Biogeochemistry at core of global environmental solutions: Coupled-cycles framework key to balancing human needs with Earth's health (February 9, 2011) -- If society wants to address big picture environmental problems, like global climate change, acid rain, and coastal dead zones, we need to pay closer attention to the Earth's coupled biogeochemical cycles, according to a new report. ... > full story

Turning bacteria against themselves (February 8, 2011) -- Bacteria often attack with toxins designed to hijack or even kill host cells. To avoid self-destruction, bacteria have ways of protecting themselves from their own toxins. Now, researchers have described one of these protective mechanisms, potentially paving the way for new classes of antibiotics that cause the bacteria's toxins to turn on themselves. ... > full story

Why leatherback turtles linger in South Pacific Gyre, and why it matters (February 8, 2011) -- Tagging and tracking leatherback sea turtles has produced new insights into the turtles' behavior in a part of the South Pacific Ocean long considered an oceanic desert. The new data will help researchers predict the turtles' movements in the ever-changing environment of the open ocean, with the goal of reducing the impact of fishing on the endangered leatherback population. ... > full story

Detecting pathogens in waterways: An improved approach (February 8, 2011) -- U.S. scientists have come up with a way to detect pathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella bacteria in waterways at lower levels than any previous method. Similar methods have been developed to detect pathogenic E. coli in meat products, but this latest approach represents a first for waterways. ... > full story

Tool makes search for Martian life easier: Red Planet a good fit for laser-ion funnel mass spectrometry (February 8, 2011) -- Newly developed ion funnel technology could make finding life on Mars's surface easier when coupled with a laser and a mass spectrometer that are placed directly on the robotic arm of a space rover. ... > full story

Figuring out fetal alcohol syndrome in fruit flies (February 8, 2011) -- Drinking excess alcohol while pregnant can harm an unborn baby, often causing fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) or even death. FAS is the leading cause of congenital mental retardation in the Western world, resulting in severe behavioral problems and stunted growth. However, despite its harmful effects, alcohol consumption during pregnancy is common. Researchers now show that a simple experimental system -- the fruit fly -- can be used to study how alcohol causes damage during development. ... > full story

Home and away: How do invasive plant species dominate native species? (February 8, 2011) -- Invasive plant species present a serious environmental, economic and social problem worldwide as their abundance can lead to lost native biodiversity and ecosystem functions, such as nutrient cycling. Despite substantial research, little is known about why some species can dominate new habitats over native plants that technically should have the advantage. ... > full story

Polar bear births could plummet with climate change (February 8, 2011) -- Researchers have studied the reproductive ecology of polar bears in Hudson Bay and have linked declining litter sizes with loss of sea ice. ... > full story

Processed food diet in early childhood may lower subsequent IQ (February 8, 2011) -- A diet, high in fats, sugars and processed foods in early childhood may lower IQ, while a diet packed full of vitamins and nutrients may do the opposite, suggests new research. ... > full story

This message was sent to positiv111.space@blogger.com from:

ScienceDaily | 1 Research Court, Suite 450 | Rockville, MD 20850

Email Marketing by

Update Profile | Forward To a Friend