ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Monday, June 27, 2011 ~ techdeck

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Monday, June 27, 2011

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Ocean currents speed melting of Antarctic ice: A major glacier is undermined from below (June 27, 2011) -- Stronger ocean currents beneath West Antarctica's Pine Island Glacier Ice Shelf are eroding the ice from below, speeding the melting of the glacier as a whole, according to a new study. ... > full story

Scientists expose cancer cells' universal 'dark matter'; Findings reveal chaos in biochemical alterations of cancer cells (June 27, 2011) -- Using the latest gene sequencing tools to examine so-called epigenetic influences on the DNA makeup of colon cancer, a team of researchers says its results suggest cancer treatment might eventually be more tolerable and successful if therapies could focus on helping cancer cells get back to normal in addition to strategies for killing them. ... > full story

What top predators can tell us about ocean ecosystems (June 27, 2011) -- It just takes a pinch. But from a sample of animal fat, a researcher can determine what predators at the top of the food chain are eating, and by extension, how their diet has changed due to changes in ecosystems. ... > full story

New genetic risk factors of lupus found in study of African-American women (June 27, 2011) -- Researchers have found four new genetic variants in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) that confer a higher risk of systemic lupus erythemathosus ("lupus") in African American women. The study is believed to be the first to comprehensively assess the association between genetic variants in the MHC region and risk of lupus in African American women. ... > full story

Fermilab experiment weighs in on neutrino mystery (June 27, 2011) -- Scientists have just announced the results from a search for a rare phenomenon, the transformation of muon neutrinos into electron neutrinos. The result is consistent with and significantly constrains a measurement reported 10 days ago by the Japanese T2K experiment, which announced an indication of this type of transformation. ... > full story

Go for broke: Consumers who set conservative goals feel less satisfied (June 27, 2011) -- Consumers who set conservative goals have a harder time achieving satisfaction than those who set ambitious goals, according to a new study. When cautious consumers meet their goals, they tend to raise the bar and compare themselves to the highest possible standards. ... > full story

Generating 'green' electricity: Waste heat converted to electricity using new alloy (June 27, 2011) -- Engineering researchers have recently discovered a new alloy material that converts heat directly into electricity. This revolutionary energy conversion method is in the early stages of development, but it could have wide-sweeping impact on creating environmentally friendly electricity from waste heat sources. ... > full story

Studies track protein relevant to stem cells, cancer (June 27, 2011) -- Scientists have taken a broad look at the Tet 1 protein's location in the mouse genome, and found a surprising dual function. They are offering the first genome-wide location of the protein and its product, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine -- dubbed the "sixth base" of DNA. ... > full story

New data reveals how storms are triggered in the Sahel (June 27, 2011) -- In the Sahel, the frequency of storms increases when soil moisture varies over a few kilometers. Such contrasts cause air circulation between dry and humid areas, contributing to the development of storms. For the first time, these contrasts have been studied on a small scale. The new data that should help researchers to address the issue of drought in the Sahel. ... > full story

New breast cancer risk model quantifies the impact of risk reduction (June 27, 2011) -- How much can a woman lower her risk of breast cancer by losing weight, drinking less, or exercising more? A study describes a new model to estimate the impact of these lifestyle changes. ... > full story

New tool makes programs more efficient without sacrificing safety functions (June 27, 2011) -- Computer programs are incorporating more and more safety features to protect users, but those features can also slow the programs down by 1,000 percent or more. Researchers have developed a software tool that helps these programs run much more efficiently without sacrificing their safety features. ... > full story

Menthol cigarettes marketed in 'predatory' pattern, study shows (June 27, 2011) -- Tobacco companies increased the advertising and lowered the sale price of menthol cigarettes in stores near California high schools with larger populations of African-American students, according to a new study. ... > full story

In search of the memory molecule, researchers discover key protein complex (June 26, 2011) -- Have a tough time remembering where you put your keys, learning a new language or recalling names at a cocktail party? New research points to a molecule that is central to the process by which memories are stored in the brain. ... > full story

A breath of fresh air for detecting vitamin B12 deficiency (June 26, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a new test to detect the levels of vitamin B12 using your breath, allowing for a cheaper, faster, and simpler diagnosis that could help to avoid the potentially fatal symptoms of B12 deficiency. ... > full story

More than 300 new species discovered in the Philippines (June 26, 2011) -- This spring, scientists conducted the most comprehensive scientific survey effort ever conducted in the Philippines, documenting both terrestrial and marine life forms from the tops of the highest mountains to the depths of the sea. The scientists discovered more than 300 likely new species, including dozens of new insects and spiders, deep-sea armored corals, bizarre new sea urchins, a shrimp-eating swell shark, and over 50 colorful new sea slugs. ... > full story

Young people with type 1 diabetes at risk for heart disease, research shows (June 26, 2011) -- New research shows that adolescents and young adults with type 1 (juvenile) diabetes have thicker and stiffer carotid arteries, also known as atherosclerosis, a risk factor for heart attack and stroke in adults. This research is believed to be the first to examine whether type 1 diabetes has a measurable effect on carotid arteries in this age group. ... > full story

Compulsory cycle helmet legislation linked to 29% reduction in cyclist head injuries, Australian study finds (June 26, 2011) -- Bicycle-related head injuries fell significantly in the months after mandatory helmet legislation came into effect in New South Wales, and recent calls for a repeal of the laws should be rejected, new research based on hospital admissions data shows. The injuries fell by up to 29 percent after the laws were introduced in 1991, according to the study. ... > full story

Are the French becoming bored with wine? (June 26, 2011) -- One of the most familiar aspects of French culture -- its love of wine -- might be lost as successive generations abandon the imaginative representations of wine linked to national identity, according to a new study. The findings suggest that the transmission of French wine heritage to future generations is in terminal decline. ... > full story

Ancient species of mayfly had short, tragic life (June 26, 2011) -- A tiny mayfly that died 100 million years ago, but was preserved for perpetuity in amber, is helping to shed light on ancient ecosystems. ... > full story

Scientists discover how to control fate of stem cells (June 26, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered how the body uses a single communication system to decide the fate of stem cells. The study paves the way for the development of new methods of stem cell therapy with fewer side effects. ... > full story

Space research gives birth to new ultrasound tools for health care in orbit, on Earth (June 26, 2011) -- Space biomedical researchers have developed tools that expand the use of ultrasound to provide better health care for astronauts during flight. The benefits are not just limited to spaceflight, though. These tools are now being used to improve health care around the world, especially in remote and underserved locations. ... > full story

Barrett’s esophagus, often a precursor to esophageal cancer, results from residual, embryonic cells (June 26, 2011) -- Researchers discovered a new mechanism for the origin of Barrett's esophagus, an intestine-like growth in the esophagus that is triggered by acid reflux and often progresses to esophageal cancer. The key finding is that Barrett's esophagus arises not from mutant cells in the esophagus but rather a small group of previously overlooked cells present in all adults that can rapidly expand to cancer precursors when the normal esophagus is damaged by acid. ... > full story

Sand drift in Norway caused by sea-level changes and human activity (June 26, 2011) -- The sand along the south-western coastal rim of Norway has drifted for more than 9000 calendar years. This was triggered by sea-level changes and human activities, new research has found. ... > full story

Sight requires exact pattern of neural activity to be wired in the womb (June 26, 2011) -- The precise wiring of our visual system depends upon the pattern of spontaneous activity within the brain that occurs well before birth, a new study shows. ... > full story

Modern fish communities live fast and die young (June 25, 2011) -- Fish communities in the 21st century live fast and die young. That's the main finding of a recent study that compared fish recently caught in coastal Kenya with the bones of fish contained in ancient Swahili refuse heaps. ... > full story

Chemist solves riddle of killer diseases (June 25, 2011) -- Using the tools of synthetic chemistry, a Copenhagen chemist has copied the endotoxin of bacteria causing diseases such as anthrax. This paves the way for new and efficient antibiotics. ... > full story

'Orca ears' inspire researchers to develop ultrasensitive undersea microphone (June 25, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a microphone that can be used at any depth in the ocean, even under crushing pressure, and is sensitive to a wide range of sounds, from a whisper in a library to an explosion of TNT. They modeled their device after the extraordinarily acute hearing of orcas. ... > full story

Interplay between cancer and aging in mice: Aging due to reduction in cell proliferation, not molecular damage, data suggest (June 25, 2011) -- Cancer risk increases with age, and scientists have long perceived a possible evolutionary tradeoff between longer lifespan and greater risk of cancer. Now, researchers have found direct evidence for that tradeoff in new data showing that expression of a key tumor suppressor protein induces premature aging in mice. ... > full story

Lowering the color of crystals in sugar factories (June 25, 2011) -- Like diamonds, sugar crystals ideally are very pure and low in color. Now studies have provided a better understanding of the source of undesirable color in factory sugar. ... > full story

Life expectancy for those with Type 1 diabetes improving (June 25, 2011) -- The life expectancy of people diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes between 1965 and 1980 dramatically increased, compared to people diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes between 1950 and 1964, according to a new study. ... > full story

'Quantum magic' without any 'spooky action at a distance' (June 25, 2011) -- Quantum mechanical entanglement is at the heart of the famous quantum teleportation experiment and was referred to by Albert Einstein as "spooky action at a distance". Researchers have used a system which does not allow for entanglement, and still found results which cannot be interpreted classically. ... > full story

Drug shows improved kidney function for type 2 diabetics (June 25, 2011) -- A new anti-inflammatory drug used by patients with type 2 diabetes improved their kidney function during a year-long study. ... > full story

Pollinators make critical contribution to healthy diets (June 25, 2011) -- Fruits and vegetables that provide the highest levels of vitamins and minerals to the human diet globally depend heavily on bees and other pollinating animals, according to a new study. ... > full story

Screen developed to identify new anticancer drug targets (June 25, 2011) -- Tumor suppressor genes normally control the growth of cells, but cancer can spring up when these genes are silenced by certain chemical reactions that modify chromosomes. Among the most common culprits responsible for inactivating these genes are histone deacetylases, a class of enzymes that remove acetyl groups from DNA-scaffolding proteins, and DNA methyltransferases, a family of enzymes that add methyl groups to DNA. ... > full story

Tracing cancer back to its source using computer dissection (June 25, 2011) -- A new computer-based system can distinguish between apparently similar secondary tumors and allow a cancer specialist to trace the metastases back to the site of the original cancer in the patient's body. ... > full story

Exposure to parental stress increases pollution-related lung damage in children (June 25, 2011) -- Psychosocial stress appears to enhance the lung-damaging effects of traffic-related pollution in children, according to new research. ... > full story

Artificial pancreas being developed to ease diabetes burden (June 25, 2011) -- Millions of people who have diabetes may soon be free of finger pricks and daily insulin dosing. Researchers are developing an artificial pancreas that will deliver insulin automatically and with an individualized precision never before possible. ... > full story

Common drugs linked to cognitive impairment and possibly to increased risk of death, study suggests (June 25, 2011) -- A large, long-term study confirms that medications with anticholinergic activity, which include many drugs frequently taken by older adults, cause cognitive impairment. The research is also the first to identify a possible link between these drugs -- which include over-the-counter and prescription sleep aids and incontinence treatments -- and risk of death. ... > full story

New insights into the cohesive forces of crystal structures (June 25, 2011) -- A new study has shown that under certain conditions the interactions between carbon-hydrogen (CH) groups, commonly found in organic compounds, may be much stronger than previously thought. ... > full story

Biologist discovers key regulators for biofilm development (June 25, 2011) -- Biologists have discovered that a complex cascade of enhancer binding proteins is responsible for turning on genes that initiate the formation of a biofilm in bacteria. ... > full story

Astronomers reach for the stars to discover new cancer therapy (June 25, 2011) -- Research on celestial bodies may have an impact on the human body. Astronomers are working with medical physicists and radiation oncologists to develop a potential new radiation treatment -- one that is intended to be tougher on tumors, but gentler on healthy tissue. ... > full story

Hidden lives of Baltimore's Irish immigrants unearthed for first time (June 25, 2011) -- Archaeologists are unearthing a unique picture of early Irish immigrants in the Baltimore area -- of city children taught at home to read and write before widespread public education or child labor laws, and insular rural communities defying assimilation. ... > full story

Some captive chimpanzees show signs of compromised mental health, research shows (June 24, 2011) -- A new study finds that serious behavioral abnormalities, some of which could be compared to mental illness in humans, are endemic among captive chimpanzees. While most behavior of zoo-living chimpanzees is 'normal' in that it is typical of their wild counterparts, abnormal behavior is endemic in this population despite enrichment efforts such as social housing, say researchers. ... > full story

Sepsis: Leaking blood vessels may be cause of infection-spreading condition, researchers suggest (June 24, 2011) -- Researchers have put forward a new theory as to what causes sepsis, an often fatal condition that occurs when infection spreads throughout the body. Leaking blood vessels may actually be a cause of sepsis, rather than a symptom as previously thought. ... > full story

Mantis shrimp eye could improve high-definition CDs, DVDs (June 24, 2011) -- The eye of the peacock mantis shrimp has led an international team of researchers to develop a two-part waveplate that could improve CD, DVD, blu-ray and holographic technology, creating even higher definition and larger storage density. ... > full story

Heart valve replacement without opening the chest gives new option for non-operable patients (June 24, 2011) -- An innovative approach for implanting a new aortic heart valve without open-heart surgery offers hope for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are at high-risk or not suitable candidates for open heart valve replacement surgery. ... > full story

High technology, not low taxes, may drive US states' economic growth (June 24, 2011) -- High-tech training may trump tax breaks for creating more jobs and improving a state's economy, according to a new study by economists. ... > full story

Cut down on 'carbs' to reduce body fat, study authors say (June 24, 2011) -- A modest reduction in consumption of carbohydrate foods may promote loss of deep belly fat, even with little or no change in weight, a new study finds. ... > full story

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