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Sunday, April 17, 2011

ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Sunday, April 17, 2011

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Sunday, April 17, 2011

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Neurological basis for embarrassment described (April 16, 2011) -- Recording people belting out an old Motown tune and then asking them to listen to their own singing without the accompanying music seems like an unusually cruel form of punishment. But for a team of scientists, this exact Karaoke experiment has revealed what part of the brain is essential for embarrassment. ... > full story

MRI may help detect Alzheimer's at early stage, study suggests (April 16, 2011) -- New research suggests that magnetic resonance imaging could help detect Alzheimer's disease at an early stage, before irreversible damage has occurred. ... > full story

Vitamin D may help reduce heart risk in African-Americans (April 16, 2011) -- New research indicates that supplementation with the "sunshine vitamin" may be particularly beneficial for overweight African-American adults, a population at increased risk for both CVD and vitamin D deficiency. ... > full story

Stigma weighs heavily on obese people, contributing to greater health problems (April 16, 2011) -- The discrimination that obese people feel, whether it is poor service at a restaurant or being treated differently in the workplace, may have a direct impact on their physical health, according to new research. ... > full story

Therapeutically promising new findings for combating hypertension and cardiovascular disease (April 16, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered a promising new avenue they strongly believe can be further developed to treat hypertension and cardiovascular disease. ... > full story

Non-lethal way of switching off essential genes in mice perfected (April 16, 2011) -- Switching off an essential gene to study its function is problematic because shutting off its activity permanently will kill the organism before the gene's function can be determined. Researchers have overcome this problem by using RNAi technology to temporarily turn off any essential gene in adult mice and then turn it back on before the change kills the animals. ... > full story

Combined use of three markers for kidney disease may help predict risk of kidney failure, death (April 16, 2011) -- Combining the chronic kidney disease markers of creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio with the biomarker cystatin C was associated with improved prediction of end-stage kidney disease and all-cause death, according to a new study. ... > full story

Doctors lax in monitoring potentially addicting drugs, study suggests (April 16, 2011) -- Few primary care physicians pay adequate attention to patients taking prescription opioid drugs -- despite the potential for abuse, addiction and overdose, according to a new study. The study found lax monitoring even of patients at high risk for opioid misuse, such as those with a history of drug abuse or dependence. ... > full story

Africa the birthplace of human language, analysis suggests (April 15, 2011) -- A new study by a New Zealand researcher provides strong evidence for Africa as the birthplace of human language. An analysis of languages from around the world suggests that, like our genes, human speech originated -- just once -- in sub-Saharan Africa. The research studied the phonemes, or the perceptually distinct units of sound that differentiate words, used in 504 human languages today and found that the number of phonemes is highest in Africa and decreases with increasing distance from Africa. ... > full story

'Thunder' protein regulates memory formation (April 15, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered in mice a molecular wrecking ball that powers the demolition phase of a cycle that occurs at synapses -- those specialized connections between nerve cells in the brain -- and whose activity appears critical for both limiting and enhancing learning and memory. ... > full story

Whole-exome sequencing of skin cancer completed: Most comprehensive view of melanoma's genetic landscape (April 15, 2011) -- Researchers have made the first systematic survey of the landscape of the melanoma genome, the DNA code of the deadliest form of skin cancer. The researchers have made surprising new discoveries using whole-exome sequencing, an approach that decodes the 1-2 percent of the genome that contains protein-coding genes. ... > full story

Childhood eczema and hay fever leads to adult allergic asthma, study finds (April 15, 2011) -- Children who have eczema, particularly when occurring with hay fever, are nine times more likely to develop allergic asthma in their 40s, a new study reveals. ... > full story

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ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Sunday, April 17, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Sunday, April 17, 2011

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

New elastic material changes color in UV light (April 16, 2011) -- Researchers have created a range of soft, elastic gels that change color when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light -- and change back when the UV light is removed or the material is heated up. ... > full story

Online calculator allows households to track carbon footprint (April 16, 2011) -- A new analysis of the carbon footprints of households around the U.S. shows that consumers need different strategies in different cities to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. An online "carbon calculator" helps consumers decide how to change their lifestyles for the maximum reduction in their footprints. ... > full story

Solar activity heats up: Sunspots finally return (April 16, 2011) -- As 2011 unfolds, sunspots have returned and they are crackling with activity. On February 15 and again on March 9, Earth orbiting satellites detected a pair of "X-class" solar flares -- the most powerful kind of X-ray flare. ... > full story

Dietary yeast extracts tested as alternative to antibiotics in poultry (April 16, 2011) -- A dietary yeast extract could be an effective alternative to antibiotics for poultry producers, according to a new study. Microbiologists have been studying the effects of yeast extract as an immune stimulant and alternative to antibiotics in conventional turkeys. Non-pharmaceutical remedies and preventatives are particularly needed for organic poultry production. ... > full story

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Saturday, April 16, 2011

ScienceDaily Environment Headlines -- for Saturday, April 16, 2011

ScienceDaily Environment Headlines

for Saturday, April 16, 2011

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US meat and poultry is widely contaminated with drug-resistant Staph bacteria, study finds (April 15, 2011) -- Drug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria linked to a wide range of human diseases, are present in meat and poultry from US grocery stores at unexpectedly high rates, according to a new study. ... > full story

Forest byproducts, shells may be key to removing radioactive contaminants from drinking water (April 15, 2011) -- A combination of forest byproducts and crustacean shells may be the key to removing radioactive materials from drinking water, researchers have found. ... > full story

The eyes have it: Dinosaurs hunted by night (April 15, 2011) -- The movie Jurassic Park got one thing right: those velociraptors hunted by night while the big plant-eaters browsed around the clock, according to a new study of the eyes of fossil animals. ... > full story

Humpback whale songs spread eastward like the latest pop tune (April 15, 2011) -- Humpback whales have their own version of the hit single, according to a new study. At any given time within a population, male humpbacks all sing the same mating tune. But the pattern of the song changes over time, with the new and apparently catchy versions of the song spreading repeatedly across the ocean, almost always traveling from west to east. ... > full story

Studies of marine animals aim to help prevent rejection of transplanted organs (April 15, 2011) -- Studies of the small sea squirt may ultimately help solve the problem of rejection of organ and bone marrow transplants in humans, according to scientists. ... > full story

Sensor determines if packaged meat has spoiled (April 15, 2011) -- When it comes to packaged fish or meat, it is nearly impossible to distinguish between fresh goods and their inedible counterparts. Researchers have now developed a sensor film that can be integrated into the package itself, where it takes over the role of quality control. And if the food has spoiled, it changes color to announce the fact. ... > full story

Pig stem cell transplants: The key to future research into retina treatment (April 15, 2011) -- Scientists studying the role of stem cells in repairing damaged retina tissue have found that pigs represent an effective proxy species to research treatments for humans. The study demonstrates how stem cells can be isolated and transplanted between pigs, overcoming a key barrier to the research. ... > full story

Changes in 'good' fatty acid concentration of inner organs might be largely independent of diet (April 15, 2011) -- We are all encouraged to eat polyunsaturated fatty acids, as these are "good for us". The (relative) levels of particular classes of polyunsaturated fatty acids have been associated with a plethora of human illnesses. New research suggests that changes in fatty acid concentration of inner organs might be largely independent from diet composition. ... > full story

DNA nanoforms: Miniature architectural forms -- some no larger than viruses -- constructed through DNA origami (April 14, 2011) -- Miniature architectural forms -- some no larger than viruses -- have been constructed through a revolutionary technique known as DNA origami. Now, scientists have expanded the capability of this method to construct arbitrary, two and three-dimensional shapes, mimicking those commonly found in nature. ... > full story

Recent census in war-torn DR Congo finds gorillas have survived, even increased (April 14, 2011) -- A census team has announced some encouraging news from a region plagued by warfare and insecurity: a small population of Grauer's gorillas has not only survived, but also increased since the last census. ... > full story

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ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Saturday, April 16, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Saturday, April 16, 2011

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

Novel ionic liquid batteries (April 15, 2011) -- Limits imposed by using corrosive electrolytes often result in severe restrictions to battery geometry and the need for special corrosive-resistant battery containers. The use of reactive ionic liquids in non-aqueous cells replace the more hazardous highly alkaline electrolytes. ... > full story

Long-term users of ecstasy risk structural brain damage, study suggests (April 15, 2011) -- Long term users of the popular recreational drug ecstasy risk structural brain damage, suggests preliminary research. ... > full story

New spin on graphene makes it magnetic (April 15, 2011) -- Scientists have found a way to make wonder material graphene magnetic, opening up a new range of opportunities for the world's thinnest material in the area of spintronics. ... > full story

How DNA changes: Newly revealed process has implications for understanding cancers, psychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases (April 15, 2011) -- Using human kidney cells and brain tissue from adult mice, scientists have uncovered the sequence of steps that makes normally stable DNA undergo the crucial chemical changes implicated in cancers, psychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. The process may also be involved in learning and memory, the researchers say. ... > full story

Parents' 'um's' and 'uh's' help toddlers learn new words, cognitive scientists find (April 15, 2011) -- A team of cognitive scientists has good news for parents who are worried that they are setting a bad example for their children when they say "um" and "uh." A new study shows that toddlers actually use their parents' stumbles and hesitations (technically referred to as disfluencies) to help them learn language more efficiently. ... > full story

Heart needs work after heart attack: New study challenges the notion that the heart must rest (April 15, 2011) -- A new study shows that for best results in stable patients after heart attack, early exercise as well as prolonged exercise is the key to the best outcomes. The study found that stable patients who have suffered heart attacks get more benefits for heart performance when starting an exercise program one week after the heart attack, than waiting a month or longer to begin rehabilitation. ... > full story

A bicycle built for none: Riderless bike helps researchers learn how balance rolls along (April 15, 2011) -- In a discovery that could lead to better and safer bicycle design, researchers have shown that long-accepted "gyro" and "caster" effects are not needed to make a bike balance itself. In fact, it's a mixture of complicated physical effects -- linked to the distribution of mass -- that allows a bicycle to remain up when moving. ... > full story

Stronger regulations of in vitro fertilization may save lives, new study finds (April 15, 2011) -- Couples struggling with infertility often use assisted reproductive technologies, like in vitro fertilization (IVF), to get pregnant. This can increase the risk of multiple pregnancies, which are often caused by transferring more than one embryo. Twins and triplets are likely to be born prematurely, and, as a result, many have medical complications. A new study finds a major decrease in risk, as well as cost, if single embryo transfers are mandated for IVF. ... > full story

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ScienceDaily Health Headlines -- for Saturday, April 16, 2011

ScienceDaily Health Headlines

for Saturday, April 16, 2011

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

Patients' own cells yield new insights into the biology of schizophrenia (April 15, 2011) -- After a century of studying the causes of schizophrenia -- the most persistent disabling condition among adults -- the cause of the disorder remains unknown. Now induced pluripotent stem cells generated from schizophrenic patients have brought researchers a step closer to a fundamental understanding of the biological underpinnings of the disease. ... > full story

Illusion can halve the pain of osteoarthritis, scientists say (April 15, 2011) -- A serendipitous discovery by academics has shown that a simple illusion can significantly reduce -- and in some cases even temporarily eradicate -- arthritic pain in the hand. ... > full story

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ScienceDaily Technology Headlines -- for Saturday, April 16, 2011

ScienceDaily Technology Headlines

for Saturday, April 16, 2011

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

Carbon fiber used to reinforce buildings; protect from explosion (April 15, 2011) -- Most buildings are not constructed to withstand an unexpected explosion or impact. Now, a researcher is working with the US Army to test a method of retrofitting buildings to protect them in the case of a terrorist attack. ... > full story

Fast-rotating asteroid winks for astronomer's camera (April 15, 2011) -- Video imaging of newly discovered asteroid 2011 GP59 shows the object appearing to blink on and off about once every four minutes. ... > full story

WISE delivers millions of galaxies, stars, asteroids (April 15, 2011) -- Astronomers across the globe can now sift through hundreds of millions of galaxies, stars and asteroids collected in the first bundle of data from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) mission. ... > full story

Search for dark matter moves one step closer to detecting elusive particle (April 15, 2011) -- Dark matter, the mysterious substance that may account for nearly 25 percent of the universe, has so far evaded direct observation. But researchers participating in the international XENON collaboration say they are now closer than ever before. ... > full story

NASA's next generation space telescope marks key milestone (April 15, 2011) -- The first six of 18 segments that will form NASA's James Webb Space Telescope's primary mirror for space observations will begin final round-the-clock cryogenic testing this week. These tests will confirm the mirrors will respond as expected to the extreme temperatures of space prior to integration into the telescope's permanent housing structure. ... > full story

Lights and flat-panel displays: Researchers 'brighten' the future of organic light-emitting diode technology (April 15, 2011) -- A one-atom thick sheet of the element chlorine is set to revolutionize the next generation of flat-panel displays and lighting technology. Scientists have found a simple method of using chlorine to drastically reduce traditional organic light-emitting diode (OLED) device complexity and dramatically improve its efficiency all at the same time. ... > full story

NASA announces new homes for shuttle orbiters after retirement (April 15, 2011) -- After 30 years of spaceflight, more than 130 missions, and numerous science and technology firsts, NASA's space shuttle fleet will retire and be on display at institutions across the country to inspire the next generation of explorers and engineers. ... > full story

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