ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Monday, April 11, 2011
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New genetic study helps solve Darwin's mystery about ancient evolution of flowering plants (April 11, 2011) -- The evolution and diversification of the more than 300,000 living species of flowering plants may have been "jump started" much earlier than previously calculated, according to a new study. The study provides a wealth of new genetic data and is expected to change the way biologists view the family trees of plants in general and flowering plants in particular. ... > full story
Drinking during pregnancy increases risk of premature birth, study finds (April 11, 2011) -- Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight. But there are conflicting reports about how much alcohol, if any, it is safe for a pregnant woman to drink. New research looked at the amounts of alcohol women drank during their early pregnancy and showed the effect this had on their babies. ... > full story
Virtual reality lab focuses on conservation (April 11, 2011) -- Timber! Cutting down a tree in a virtual forest can bring new ideas of conservation crashing down on you If a tree falls in a virtual reality forest, will anyone hear an environmental message? They will, as long as they were the ones who cut down the make-believe redwood. Cutting down a virtual redwood with a virtual chainsaw may lead you to save trees by recycling more paper. That finding is an example of how real-world behavior can be changed by immersing people in virtual reality environments. ... > full story
An earlier start on diagnosing breast, prostate cancers (April 11, 2011) -- Using biological samples taken from patients and state-of-the-art biochemical techniques, researchers are working to identify a variety of "biomarkers" that might provide earlier warnings of the presence of breast and prostate cancers. ... > full story
New research advances understanding of lead selenide nanowires (April 11, 2011) -- Scientists have shown how to control the characteristics of semiconductor nanowires made of a promising material: lead selenide. ... > full story
Women with false-positive mammograms report high anxiety and reduced quality of life (April 11, 2011) -- Doctors are calling for women to receive more information about the pitfalls of breast cancer screening, as well as the benefits, after some women who received false-positive results faced serious anxiety and reduced quality of life for at least a year. The study of 385 women found that the 233 with false-positive results - where the mammogram is abnormal but no cancer is present - had to undergo more diagnostic procedures than women with breast cancer before they were given the all clear. And women who had a tendency to be anxious fared much worse if they received a false-positive - estimated to happen in 60% of abnormal mammograms - than if they were actually diagnosed with breast cancer. ... > full story
Scientists develop 'universal' virus-free method to turn blood cells into 'beating' heart cells (April 11, 2011) -- Scientists have developed a simplified, cheaper, all-purpose method they say can be used by scientists around the globe to more safely turn blood cells into heart cells. The method is virus-free and produces heart cells that beat with nearly 100 percent efficiency, they claim. ... > full story
How marijuana affects the way the brain processes emotional information (April 11, 2011) -- Drugs like marijuana act on naturally occurring receptors in the brain called cannabinoid receptors. However, the mechanisms by which these drugs produce their sensory and mood altering effects within the brain are largely unknown. Researchers have now identified a critical brain pathway responsible for the effects of cannabinoid drugs on how the brain processes emotional information. ... > full story
Are invasive plants a threat to native biodiversity? It depends on the spatial scale (April 11, 2011) -- The phrase "invasive plant species" typically evokes negative images such as broad swaths of kudzu smothered trees along the highway or purple loosestrife taking over wetlands and clogging waterways -- and as such, invasive plants are largely viewed as major threats to native biodiversity. However, research has shown both that invasive species may be one of the most important threats to biodiversity and that plant invasions are rarely the cause for native species extinctions. How can these conflicting pieces of evidence be reconciled? ... > full story
Alarmingly high cardiovascular risk factors found in Mediterranean people (April 11, 2011) -- A study of 2,270 adults has challenged the long-held belief that people in the Mediterranean all enjoy more healthy diets and lifestyles, after discovering alarmingly high cardiovascular risk factors similar to those found in the UK and USA. The research also found strong links between low levels of education and increased risk. Just under 30% of the adults had three or more cardiovascular risk factors that could be modified by changes to their lifestyle or diet. ... > full story
NASA's Jupiter-bound spacecraft arrives in Florida (April 11, 2011) -- NASA's Juno spacecraft has arrived in Florida to begin final preparations for a launch this summer. The spacecraft was shipped from Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Denver, to the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla., on April 8, 2011. The solar-powered Juno spacecraft will orbit Jupiter's poles 33 times to find out more about the gas giant's origins, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere. ... > full story
How children cope with the aftermath of a hurricane (April 11, 2011) -- Living through a natural disaster is a traumatic experience for everyone, but especially for children. A new study indicates that some children who directly experience a devastating hurricane still show signs of post-traumatic stress almost two years after the event. The findings suggest that new models for intervention to help children after a natural disaster are needed. ... > full story
Bullying alters brain chemistry, leads to anxiety, mouse study finds (April 10, 2011) -- Being low mouse on the totem pole is tough on murine self-esteem. It turns out it has measurable effects on brain chemistry, too, according to recent experiments. Researchers found that mice that were bullied persistently by dominant males grew unusually nervous around new company, and that the change in behavior was accompanied by heightened sensitivity to vasopressin, a hormone involved in a variety of social behaviors. The findings suggest how bullying could contribute to long-term social anxiety at the molecular level. ... > full story
'Good cholesterol' nanoparticles seek and destroy cancer cells (April 10, 2011) -- High-density lipoprotein's hauls excess cholesterol to the liver for disposal, but new research suggests "good cholesterol" can also act as a special delivery vehicle of destruction for cancer. ... > full story
New highly efficient way to make reprogrammed stem cells (April 10, 2011) -- Researchers have devised a totally new and far more efficient way of generating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), immature cells that are able to develop into several different types of cells or tissues in the body. The researchers used fibroblast cells, which are easily obtained from skin biopsies, and could be used to generate patient-specific iPSCs for drug screening and tissue regeneration. This method eliminates the use of transcription factors and increases efficiency 100-fold. ... > full story
Scientists to sequence DNA of cystic fibrosis superbug (April 10, 2011) -- Scientists in the UK are using the latest DNA sequencing technology to understand the diversity of a bacterium that causes severe lung infection in cystic fibrosis patients. ... > full story
Avalanche risk: Monitoring system warns of slippery slopes (April 10, 2011) -- As a consequence of climatic changes, the number of avalanche threats has been increasing in the Alps and other alpine regions, with fatal consequences for people and infrastructures. Continuous monitoring of every endangered area has been lacking until now due to high costs. Geological researchers have now developed an inexpensive system, which with the help of several technologies can continuously monitor slopes, assess changes, and provide early warnings to communities potentially affected by landslides. ... > full story
Mum’s the word when it comes to children’s happiness (April 10, 2011) -- Young people's satisfaction with their family situation is clearly related to the quality of relationships with parents and especially their mother's happiness, according to a new study. ... > full story
Ancient fossils hold clues for predicting future climate change (April 10, 2011) -- The study of fossilized mollusks dating back more than 3.5 million years has enabled geoscientists to construct an ancient climate record that holds clues regarding the long-term effects of Earth's current levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, a key contributor to global climate change. ... > full story
Aspirin may lower the risk of pancreatic cancer (April 10, 2011) -- The use of aspirin at least once per month is associated with a significant decrease in pancreatic cancer risk, new research suggests. ... > full story
Bacterial genome may hold answers to mercury mystery (April 10, 2011) -- A newly sequenced bacterial genome could contain clues as to how microorganisms produce a highly toxic form of mercury. Methylmercury, a potent human neurotoxin, appears in the environment when certain naturally occurring bacteria transform inorganic mercury into its more toxic cousin. Few bacterial species are capable of this conversion, and exactly how the transformation takes place has been a matter of debate for decades. ... > full story
Nicotine does not promote lung cancer growth in mouse models, study finds (April 10, 2011) -- Nicotine at doses similar to those found in most nicotine replacements therapies did not increase lung cancer tumor incidence, frequency or size, according to results of a mouse study. ... > full story
Giant batteries for green power (April 10, 2011) -- In the future, the growing amounts of solar and wind energy will need to be stored for dark or low-wind periods. One solution is redox flow batteries that can supply current for up to 2000 households. Scientists are now working on these fluid batteries of the future. ... > full story
People control thoughts better when they see their brain activity (April 10, 2011) -- Researchers find that real-time brain feedback significantly improves people's ability to control their thoughts and effectively "train their brains." The study is the world's first investigation of how real-time functional fMRI feedback from the brain region responsible for higher-order thoughts affects our ability to control these thoughts. ... > full story
Scientists have new measure for species threat (April 10, 2011) -- A new index has been developed to help conservationists better understand how close species are to extinction. ... > full story
Cause and new treatment for common recurrent fever in children identified (April 10, 2011) -- A preliminary study has identified a promising new treatment in children for the most common form of a rare disorder. The syndrome is called periodic fever associated with aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis -- or PFAPA -- and is characterized by monthly flare-ups of fever, accompanied by sore throat, swollen glands and mouth lesions. ... > full story
New insights into predator/prey relationships (April 10, 2011) -- Predator/prey relationships are much more complex than originally thought, according to new research. ... > full story
Outsmarting cancer cells: Scientists learn how they spread (April 10, 2011) -- Researchers have found that a molecule known as CRSBP-1 ligands binds to a receptor on the surface of lymphatic vessels, acting like the token to gain entry into the lymphatic vessel network. ... > full story
Are we only a hop, skip and jump away from controlled molecular motion? (April 10, 2011) -- Scientists may very well be a hop, skip and jump away from controlled molecular motion, according to a new study. Controlling how molecules move on surfaces could be the key to more potent drugs that block the attachment of viruses to cells, and will also speed development of new materials for electronics and energy applications. ... > full story
Happiness, comparatively speaking: How we think about life's rewards (April 10, 2011) -- You win some, you lose some. You get the perfect job -- the one your heart is set on. Or you get snubbed. Such are life's ups and downs. But what if you win and lose at the same time? You land a good job, not a great one. A new study says you'll find a way to be happy anyway. ... > full story
Newly merged black hole eagerly shreds stars (April 9, 2011) -- A galaxy's core is a busy place, crowded with stars swarming around an enormous black hole. When galaxies collide, it gets even messier as the two black holes spiral toward each other, merging to make an even bigger gravitational monster. Once it is created, the monster goes on a rampage. The merger kicks the black hole into surrounding stars. There it finds a hearty meal, shredding and swallowing stars at a rapid clip. ... > full story
Blood biomarker associated with prevalence, severity of Alzheimer's, but not risk of development (April 9, 2011) -- Higher levels in blood of the protein clusterin, also known as apolipoprotein J, are significantly associated with the prevalence and severity of Alzheimer's disease, but not with the risk of onset of new disease, according to a new study. ... > full story
New genetic technique probes the cause of skin cell differentiation in mammals (April 9, 2011) -- A tremendous amount of genetics research has been done in flies and tiny worms, in part because scientists have good tools for tweaking these creatures' DNA. Now, by adapting a powerful method of RNA interference for use in mice, researchers have identified key pathways that cause skin cells to differentiate, eventually forming the flexible but protective outer casing of the body. The work illustrates the potential for performing relatively fast and complex genetic studies in a fellow mammal, and also provides a deeper understanding of cell differentiation in early development. ... > full story
Guidance molecules: New therapy shows novel therapeutic approach to fighting inflammation (April 9, 2011) -- Researchers in Germany have succeeded in finding a new therapeutic approach to certain inflammatory reactions of the body. The approach focuses on guidance molecules, which reduce the body's own immune system to the required level and prevent excessive and damaging inflammation. Possible applications include therapies for inflammation, such as blood poisoning, but also in chronic inflammation and immunological inflammations such as rheumatoid arthritis and organ rejection. ... > full story
Fighting malaria with African plant extracts (April 9, 2011) -- Plants used in traditional African medicine may have an effect on the malaria parasite as well as the mosquitoes that spread the disease. A Norwegian pilot project is now indexing and testing these plants. ... > full story
Frequent shopping prolongs life, study suggests (April 9, 2011) -- A spot of regular 'retail therapy' really does seem to help people live longer, suggests new research. Frequent shopping among the elderly may not always be about buying things, but about seeking companionship or taking exercise, which is easier to do than more formal exercise that usually requires motivation. ... > full story
'Naked' penguins baffle experts (April 9, 2011) -- Researchers are grappling with a wildlife mystery: why are some penguin chicks losing their feathers? The appearance of "naked" penguins -- afflicted with what is known as feather-loss disorder -- in penguin colonies on both sides of the South Atlantic in recent years has scientists puzzled as to what could be causing the condition. ... > full story
New drug shrinks cancer in animals, study shows (April 9, 2011) -- A new study showed in animal studies that new cancer drug compounds they developed shrank tumors, with few side effects. ... > full story
E. coli enzyme must move to function (April 9, 2011) -- Slight oscillations lasting just milliseconds have a huge impact on an enzyme's function, according to a new study. Blocking these movements, without changing the enzyme's overall structure or any of its other properties, renders the enzyme defective in carrying out chemical reactions. ... > full story
New clinical trial approach reduces time and costs of many studies (April 9, 2011) -- Doctors are testing a new kind of clinical trial that's not only less costly but guides doctors to switch to the best treatment even before the trial is completed. The new approach -- called a point-of-care clinical trial -- is an alternative to expensive, lengthy, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials to compare drugs and procedures that are already in regular use. ... > full story
Test moves U.S. Navy a step closer to lasers for ship self-defense (April 9, 2011) -- U.S. Navy researchers have successfully tested a solid-state, high-energy laser from a surface ship, which disabled a small target vessel. ... > full story
Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts: Cookies or careers? (April 9, 2011) -- New research analyzing boy scout and girl scout manuals finds that -- despite positive aspects -- scouts are being fed stereotypical ideas about femininity and masculinity. ... > full story
Is beauty found in the whites of the eyes? 'Red eyes' associated with the sad and unattractive (April 8, 2011) -- Beauty is said to be in the eye of the beholder, but a new study reveals that the reverse is also true; unattractiveness is in the eye of the beheld. Researchers found that people with bloodshot eyes are considered sadder, unhealthier and less attractive than people whose eye whites are untinted, a cue which is uniquely human. ... > full story
Dopamine controls formation of new brain cells, salamander study shows (April 8, 2011) -- A study of the salamander brain has led researchers to discover a hitherto unknown function of the neurotransmitter dopamine. In a new study, they show how in acting as a kind of switch for stem cells, dopamine controls the formation of new neurons in the adult brain. Their findings may one day contribute to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's. ... > full story
Japan earthquake caused a displacement of about two meters (April 8, 2011) -- Researchers have estimated the ground deformation suffered in the area of Sendai, Japan, as a consequence of the earthquake of March 11 and its aftershocks, based on radar observations acquired by the Envisat satellite of the European Space Agency. According to this estimate, obtained over an area of approximately 300 x 100 km around the city of Sendai, the terrain has suffered a co-seismic deformation -- permanent deformation of Earth's surface -- associated with the earthquake of up to 1.69 m. ... > full story
Pancreatic disease: Cells can consume errant molecules to prevent them from eating up organ (April 8, 2011) -- Timing is everything. That's especially true when it comes to the activation of enzymes created by the pancreas to break down food. When the timing is right, those enzymes are activated only when they reach the gut, where they get to work releasing and distributing nutrients that we need to survive. If the timing is wrong and the enzymes are activated too soon, they break down the pancreas itself, which is painful and sometimes fatal. ... > full story
NASA's next Mars rover nears completion (April 8, 2011) -- Assembly and testing of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft is far enough along that the mission's rover, Curiosity, looks very much as it will when it is investigating Mars. ... > full story
Surveys confirm enormous value of science museums, 'free choice' learning (April 8, 2011) -- One of the first studies of its type has confirmed that a science museum can strongly influence the public's knowledge and attitudes about science and technology, and to a surprising degree can cut across racial, ethnic, educational and economic barriers. ... > full story
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