ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Tuesday, August 9, 2011 ~ techdeck

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Tuesday, August 9, 2011

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'Endurance gene' for Olympic-level athletes: Genetic basis for muscle endurance discovered in animal study (August 9, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a gene for endurance, or more precisely, its negative regulator. Not having the gene relates to greater endurance in the knockout mice that were studied. The investigators also showed that the gene is linked to Olympic-level athletes in endurance sports such as swimming compared to athletes in sprint sports such as the 100-meter dash. The work has implications for improving muscle performance in disease states including metabolic disorders, obesity, and aging. ... > full story

Deep brain stimulation effects may last for 10 years in patients with Parkinson's disease (August 9, 2011) -- One decade after receiving implants that stimulate areas of their brains, patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) appear to sustain improvement in motor function, although part of the initial benefit wore off mainly because of progressive loss of benefit in other functions, according to a new study. ... > full story

Cosmic superbubble carved by stellar winds from bright young stars and supernova shockwaves (August 9, 2011) -- ESO's Very Large Telescope captured a striking view of the nebula around the star cluster NGC 1929 within the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of our own Milky Way. A colossal example of what astronomers call a superbubble dominates this stellar nursery. It is being carved by the winds from bright young stars and the shockwaves from supernova explosions. ... > full story

Blood loss from lab testing associated with hospital-acquired anemia for patients with heart attacks, study finds (August 9, 2011) -- In patients with acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), blood loss from greater use of phlebotomy (blood drawn for diagnostic testing) appears to be independently associated with the development of hospital-acquired anemia (HAA), according to a new study. ... > full story

Putting it all together on Saturn's moon Titan (August 9, 2011) -- Three of the major surface features on Saturn's moon Titan -- dunes, craters and the enigmatic Xanadu -- appear in a new radar image from NASA's Cassini spacecraft. ... > full story

Education affects Americans' religiosity -- but not how you might think (August 9, 2011) -- A new study finds that education has a positive effect on Americans' churchgoing habits, devotional practices, emphasis on religion in daily life and support for religious leaders to weigh in on the issues of the day. ... > full story

Scientist develops virus that targets HIV: Using a virus to kill a virus (August 9, 2011) -- In what represents an important step toward curing HIV, a scientist has created a virus that hunts down HIV-infected cells. ... > full story

Protein unmasks pathogenic fungi to activate immune response (August 9, 2011) -- Researchers have uncovered a novel association between two fungal recognition receptors on the surface of certain immune cells, called macrophages. The interaction of these receptors (dectin-1 and galectin-3) sheds new light on how the innate immune system discriminates between non-pathogenic and pathogenic fungi. Invasive fungal infections are a rising source of morbidity and mortality in healthy individuals, as well as in patients suffering from chronic diseases, such as cancer or AIDS. ... > full story

Live from the scene -- biochemistry in action: New microscope follows single molecules by the millisecond (August 9, 2011) -- Researchers can now watch molecules move in living cells, literally millisecond by millisecond, thanks to a new microscope developed by scientists in Germany. The new technique provides insights into processes that were so far invisible. ... > full story

More frequent visual field testing may lead to earlier detection of glaucoma progression (August 9, 2011) -- In patients with glaucoma, frequent visual field testing may be associated with earlier detection of the condition's progression, according to a new study. ... > full story

Improved electrical conductivity in polymeric composites (August 9, 2011) -- Researchers have studied the electrical percolation of carbon nanotubes in a polymer matrix and shown the percolation threshold - the point at which the polymer composite becomes conductive - can be considerably lowered if small quantities of a conductive polymer latex are added. ... > full story

Most Canadians can be uniquely identified from their date of birth and postal code; New research unveils privacy risks (August 9, 2011) -- There are increasing pressures for health care providers to make individual-level data readily available for research and policy making. But Canadians are more likely to allow the sharing of their personal data if they believe that their privacy is protected. A new report suggests that Canadians can be uniquely identified from their date of birth, postal code, and gender. This means if this triad of data exists in any database, even if it has no names or other identifying information, it would be possible to determine the identity of those individuals. ... > full story

Severe low temperatures devastate coral reefs in Florida Keys (August 8, 2011) -- Increased seawater temperatures are known to be a leading cause of the decline of coral reefs all over the world. Now, researchers have found that extreme low temperatures affect certain corals in much the same way that high temperatures do, with potentially catastrophic consequences for coral ecosystems. ... > full story

Siblings of those with blood clots in leg have higher risk of same disorder (August 8, 2011) -- People with multiple siblings who had potentially life-threatening leg blood clots are 50 times more likely to get the same condition compared to people with healthy siblings. Hereditary factors -- as determined by sibling history -- are significant in determining the risk of venous thromboembolism in men and women between the ages of 10 and 69. VTE is the third most common cardiovascular illness after stroke and heart. ... > full story

Light unlocks fragrance in laboratory (August 8, 2011) -- A research team is working on building organic magnets, as well as systems using light to release chemicals, including fragrances. ... > full story

Soy tablets not associated with reduction in bone loss or menopausal symptoms in women, study finds (August 8, 2011) -- Soy isoflavone tablets do not appear to be associated with a reduction in bone loss or menopausal symptoms in women within the first five years of menopause, according to a new study. ... > full story

Tracking crime in real time (August 8, 2011) -- Professors have developed a high-powered context-based search algorithm to analyze digital data on-the-fly to support ongoing criminal investigations. The research not only gives crime-fighters a new tool, but also may be used for more legitimate location-based marketing. ... > full story

World survey links religion and happiness -- for some (August 8, 2011) -- There may be a few atheists in foxholes, but a new study suggests that in societies under stress, those who are religious outnumber -- and are happier than -- their nonreligious counterparts. Where peace and plenty are the norm, however, religious participation is lower and people are happier whether or not they are religious, the researchers found. ... > full story

Billion-year-old piece of North America traced back to Antarctica (August 8, 2011) -- An international team of researchers has found the strongest evidence yet that parts of North America and Antarctica were connected 1.1 billion years ago, long before the supercontinent Pangaea formed. ... > full story

Early morning smokers have increased risk of lung and head and neck cancers, study finds (August 8, 2011) -- Two new studies have found that smokers who tend to take their first cigarette soon after they wake up in the morning may have a higher risk of developing lung and head and neck cancers than smokers who refrain from lighting up right away. The results may help identify smokers who have an especially high risk of developing cancer and would benefit from targeted smoking interventions to reduce their risk. ... > full story

Puffins 'scout out' best migration route (August 8, 2011) -- Individual Atlantic puffins 'scout out' their own migration routes rather than relying on genetic 'programming' or learning routes from a parent, a new study suggests. ... > full story

New insights into how tumor cells are fed; Shows promise for development of anti-tumor drugs (August 8, 2011) -- Researchers have gained a new understanding of the way in which growing tumors are fed and how this growth can be slowed via angiogenesis inhibitors that eliminate the blood supply to tumors. This represents a step forward towards developing new anti-cancer drug therapies. ... > full story

Researchers use neutrons to spy on the elusive hydronium ion: Unprecedented proof of ion's role in enzymatic process (August 8, 2011) -- A research team has harnessed neutrons to view for the first time the critical role that an elusive molecule plays in certain biological reactions. The effort could aid in treatment of peptic ulcers or acid reflux disease, or allow for more efficient conversion of woody waste into transportation fuels. ... > full story

Many top U.S. scientists wish they had more children, study finds; 25 percent of scientists consider leaving the profession for family life (August 8, 2011) -- Nearly half of all women scientists and one-quarter of male scientists at the United States' top research universities said their career has kept them from having as many children as they had wanted, according to a new study. ... > full story

You can count on this: Math ability is inborn, new research suggests (August 8, 2011) -- We accept that some people are born with a talent for music or art or athletics. But what about mathematics? Do some of us just arrive in the world with better math skills than others? It seems we do, at least according to the results of a new study. The research indicates that math ability in preschool children is strongly linked to their inborn and primitive "number sense," called an "Approximate Number System" or ANS. ... > full story

Cancer biomarker -- detectable by blood test -- could improve prostate cancer detection (August 8, 2011) -- A new study supports the use of a DNA-based "biomarker" blood test as a complement to the prostate-specific antigen test currently offered to screen men for prostate cancer. ... > full story

Endangered river turtle's genes reveal ancient influence of Maya Indians (August 8, 2011) -- A genetic study focusing on the Central American river turtle recently turned up surprising results involved in the conservation of this critically endangered species. Small tissue samples collected from 238 wild turtles at 15 different locations across their range in Southern Mexico, Belize and Guatemala revealed a "surprising lack" of genetic structure. ... > full story

New brain tumor gene identified for meningiomas (August 8, 2011) -- The causes of brain tumors have been hard to discern in most cases. But researchers have previously identified an inherited predisposition for brain tumors. Now, in an international collaboration, they have also discovered a genetic variation that increases the risk of a certain type of brain tumor, called meningiomas. ... > full story

Discovery points way to graphene circuits: Materials scientists find new way to control electronic properties of graphene 'alloys' (August 8, 2011) -- Materials scientists have made a fundamental discovery that could make it easier for engineers to build electronic circuits out of the much-touted nanomaterial graphene. In a new study, the researchers describe the findings that could make it possible for nanoelectronic designers to use well-understood chemical procedures to precisely control the electronic properties of "alloys" that contain mixtures of white and black graphene. ... > full story

Walking around is the simplest way to shorten hospital stay, study finds (August 8, 2011) -- Walking around the ward during hospitalization reduces the length of geriatric patients' stay in internal wards, according to a new study in Israel. ... > full story

'Amino acid time capsule': New way to date the past (August 8, 2011) -- British scientists are using an 'amino acid time capsule' to date the Quaternary period, stretching back nearly three million years. It is the first widespread application of refinements of the 40-year-old technique of amino acid geochronology. The refined method measures the breakdown of a closed system of protein in fossil snail shells, and provides a method of dating archaeological and geological sites. ... > full story

Engineered human T cells can eradicate deadly human ovarian cancer in immune-deficient mice (August 8, 2011) -- Medical researchers have shown for the first time that engineered human T cells can eradicate deadly human ovarian cancer in immune-deficient mice. ... > full story

Flowing structures in soft crystals (August 8, 2011) -- A liquid does not have to be a disordered bunch of particles. Researchers in Austria have discovered intriguing structures formed by tiny particles floating in liquids. Under mechanical strain, particle clusters in liquids can spontaneously form strings and dramatically alter the properties of the liquid. ... > full story

Key molecule that keeps immune cell development on track described (August 8, 2011) -- Researchers have clarified the role of two proteins key to T-cell development. They found that one well-known protein called Notch passes off much of its role during T-cell maturation to another protein called TCF-1. ... > full story

Increase in tornado, hurricane damage brings call for more stringent building standards (August 8, 2011) -- Researchers have examined some of last spring's massive tornado damage and conclude in a new report that more intensive engineering design and more rigorous, localized construction and inspection standards are needed to reduce property damage and loss of life. ... > full story

Increase in public health spending results in healthier people, study suggests (August 8, 2011) -- A recent study suggests that increases in public health spending results in healthier people, especially in communities with fewer resources. ... > full story

New conducting properties discovered in bacteria-produced wires (August 8, 2011) -- The discovery of a fundamental, previously unknown property of microbial nanowires in the bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens that allows electron transfer across long distances could revolutionize nanotechnology and bioelectronics, says a team of physicists and microbiologists. Their findings may one day lead to cheaper, less toxic nanomaterials for biosensors and solid state electronics that interface with biological systems. ... > full story

Mutations not inherited from parents cause more than half the cases of schizophrenia (August 8, 2011) -- Researchers have shown that new, or "de novo," protein-altering mutations -- genetic errors that are present in patients but not in their parents -- play a role in more than 50 percent of "sporadic" -- i.e., not hereditary -- cases of schizophrenia. ... > full story

Hiding vegetables in kids' foods can increase vegetable intake (August 8, 2011) -- Preschool children consumed nearly twice as many vegetables and 11 percent fewer calories over the course of a day when researchers added pureed vegetables to the children's favorite foods. ... > full story

Mutation linked with the absence of fingerprints (August 8, 2011) -- Scientists have identified a mutation that might underlie an extremely rare condition, called "adermatoglyphia," which causes people to be born without any fingerprints. The research not only provides valuable insight into the genetic basis of adermatoglyphia and of typical fingerprint formation but also underscores the usefulness of rare genetic mutations as a tool for investigating unknown aspects of our biology. ... > full story

Montana weather linked to ocean temperatures near Peru (August 8, 2011) -- Researchers analyzed 100 years of data and found a significant link between extreme Montana weather and the ocean temperatures near Peru. ... > full story

Bullying may contribute to lower test scores (August 8, 2011) -- High schools in Virginia where students reported a high rate of bullying had significantly lower scores on standardized tests that students must pass to graduate, according to new research. ... > full story

Cell-based alternative to animal testing? Genomic biomarker signature can predict skin sensitizers, study finds (August 8, 2011) -- European legislation restricts animal testing within the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries and companies are increasingly looking at alternative systems to ensure that their products are safe to use. New research demonstrates that the response of laboratory grown human cells can now be used to classify chemicals as sensitizing, or non-sensitizing, and can even predict the strength of allergic response, so providing an alternative to animal testing. ... > full story

Bypassing stem cells, scientists make neurons directly from human skin (August 8, 2011) -- Researchers have come up with a recipe for making functional neurons directly from human skin cells, including those taken from patients with Alzheimer's disease. The new method may offer a critical short cut for generating neurons for replacement therapies of the future. Already, the converted neurons are beginning to yield insights into what goes wrong in the Alzheimer's brain and how diseased neurons might respond to treatment. ... > full story

Bizarre insect inbreeding signals an end to males (August 8, 2011) -- A bizarre form of inbreeding could spell the end of males in one insect species, according to researchers. The research focused on cottony cushion scales, a hermaphroditic bug species in which females appear to fertilize their own eggs. ... > full story

New resource to unlock the role of microRNAs (August 8, 2011) -- The first mammalian microRNA knockout resource -- mirKO -- will soon be released. This research toolbox of mutant mouse ES cells, in which individual or clustered groups of microRNA genes have been deleted, will help researchers define the role of microRNAs in health and disease. Using these tools researchers can create cells or mice lacking specific microRNAs, study expression using fluorescent markers, or inactivate the gene in specific tissues or at specific times in development. ... > full story

U.S. government urged to rule on consumption of genetically engineered salmon (August 8, 2011) -- Scientists are urging federal officials to decide whether genetically engineered salmon would be allowed for US consumption and arguing that not doing so may set back scientific efforts to increase food production. ... > full story

Brain's map of space falls flat when it comes to altitude (August 8, 2011) -- Animal's brains are only roughly aware of how high-up they are in space, meaning that in terms of altitude the brain's 'map' of space is surprisingly flat, according to new research. ... > full story

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