ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Monday, September 19, 2011 ~ techdeck

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Monday, September 19, 2011

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Quantum behavior with a flash: Laser pulses can reveal quantum features of large objects (September 19, 2011) -- Just as a camera flash illuminates unseen objects hidden in darkness, a sequence of laser pulses can be used to study the elusive quantum behavior of a large "macroscopic" object, scientists report. This method enables experiments that push the boundaries of the quantum world to larger and larger scales. ... > full story

Scientists generate first detailed map of human neuroreceptor (September 19, 2011) -- For the first time, scientists have mapped out a neuroreceptor. This scientific breakthrough promises to revolutionize the engineering of drugs used to treat ailments such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. ... > full story

Amateur botanists in Brazil discover a genuflexing plant (September 19, 2011) -- A new plant species that buries its seeds -- the first in its family -- was discovered in the Atlantic forest of Bahia, Brazil, by an international team of amateur and professional scientists. ... > full story

Study finds protein critical to breast cancer cell proliferation, migration (September 19, 2011) -- Researchers have found that a protein linked to cell division and migration and tied to increased cell proliferation in ovarian tumors is also present at high levels in breast cancer specimens and cell lines. The protein, dubbed "UNC-45A," was also determined to be more active in breast cancer cells than in normal breast cells. ... > full story

Ground glass solution for cleaner water (September 19, 2011) -- British science has led to a use for waste glass that cannot be recycled that could help clean up polluted waterways by acting as an ion-exchange filter to remove lead, cadmium and other toxic metals. ... > full story

People born after World War II are more likely to binge drink, develop alcohol disorders, study finds (September 19, 2011) -- Drinking can be influenced by both personal and societal factors, the latter leading to "drinking cultures." Researchers have completed a review of 31 studies on birth-cohort and gender differences in drinking. Analysis shows that people born after World War II are more likely to binge drink and develop alcohol use disorders, and that women are "catching up" to men in terms of alcohol problems. ... > full story

Desert beetles shelter broods from attacking parasitic wasps under stacks of dummy eggs (September 18, 2011) -- Seed beetles often will stack their eggs, using them as shields to protect the bottom egg from attacks by parasitic wasps, reveals new research. ... > full story

Newest cancer therapies multi-task to eliminate tumors (September 18, 2011) -- Some of the newest therapies in the war on cancer remove the brakes cancer puts on the immune system, researchers report. ... > full story

New light on detection of bacterial infection: Polymers fluoresce in the presence of bacteria (September 18, 2011) -- Researchers have developed polymers that fluoresce in the presence of bacteria, paving the way for the rapid detection and assessment of wound infection using ultra-violet light. ... > full story

Low-fat yogurt intake when pregnant linked to increased risk of child asthma and hay fever, study suggests (September 18, 2011) -- Eating low-fat yogurt while pregnant can increase the risk of your child developing asthma and allergic rhinitis (hay fever), according to recent findings. Researchers suggest that non-fat related nutrient components in the yogurt may play a part in increasing this risk. They are also looking at the possibility that low-fat yogurt intake may serve as a marker for other dietary and lifestyle factors. ... > full story

Safer skies: New algorithm could help prevent midair collisions (September 18, 2011) -- The FAA has mandated that by 2020, all aircrafts must be equipped with a new tracking system that broadcasts GPS data, providing more accurate location information than ground-based radar. Researchers now have early result of an investigation, a new algorithm that uses data from the tracking system to predict and prevent collisions between small aircraft. ... > full story

Cycling fast: Vigorous daily exercise recommended for a longer life (September 18, 2011) -- A study conducted among cyclists in Copenhagen, Denmark showed that it is the relative intensity and not the duration of cycling which is of most importance in relation to all-cause mortality and even more pronounced for coronary heart disease mortality. ... > full story

Lasers could be used to detect roadside bombs (September 18, 2011) -- Scientists have just developed a laser that could detect roadside bombs. The laser potentially has the sensitivity and selectivity to canvas large areas and detect improvised explosive devices -- weapons that account for around 60 percent of coalition soldiers' deaths. ... > full story

Children with autism and gastrointestinal symptoms have altered digestive genes (September 18, 2011) -- Researchers report that children with autism and gastrointestinal disturbances have altered expression of genes involved in digestion. These variations may contribute to changes in the types of bacteria in their intestines. ... > full story

Restoring reefs: Study underway in underwater lab may help manage seaweed-eating fish that protect coral reefs (September 18, 2011) -- A team of researchers is using the Aquarius underwater laboratory off the coast of Florida to study how the diversity of seaweed-eating fish affects endangered coral reefs. ... > full story

Targeting PTEN may prevent skin cancer (September 18, 2011) -- The tumor suppressor PTEN played key role in radiation damage repair. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. ... > full story

3-D face models that give animators intuitive control of expressions (September 18, 2011) -- Flashing a wink and a smirk might be second nature for some people, but computer animators can be hard-pressed to depict such an expression realistically. Now scientists have created computerized models derived from actors' faces that reflect a full range of natural expressions while also giving animators the ability to manipulate facial poses. ... > full story

When it comes to pursuing your goals, let your unconscious be your guide (September 18, 2011) -- A new study says when it comes to goal setting, your unconscious mind can be a great motivator. Researchers say that unconscious feelings about objects in the environment influence the pursuit of long-term goals. Their study explores how the unconscious mind responds to objects in relation to an individual's goals -- and how the unconscious continues to influence feelings about these objects once the goals are reached -- whether or not the outcome has been successful. ... > full story

Mother tongue comes from your prehistoric father (September 17, 2011) -- Language change among our prehistoric ancestors came about via the arrival of immigrant men -- rather than women -- into new settlements, according to new research. ... > full story

Drug may increase cognition for people with Down syndrome (September 17, 2011) -- A researcher is conducting a clinical trial with a drug that may increase cognition in those with Down syndrome. ... > full story

Opportunity on verge of new discovery: Mars rover poised on rock that may yield yet more evidence of a wet Red Planet (September 17, 2011) -- The Mars rover Opportunity, which was designed to operate for three months and to rove less than a mile, has now journeyed more than seven years crossing more than 21 miles. Today, it is poised at the edge of a heavily eroded impact basin, the possible location of clay minerals formed in low-acid wet conditions on the red planet. ... > full story

T cells making brain chemicals may lead to better treatments for inflammation, autoimmune diseases (September 17, 2011) -- Scientists have identified a surprising new role for a new type of T cell in the immune system: some of them can be activated by nerves to make a neurotransmitter (acetylcholine) that blocks inflammation. The discovery of these T cells is novel and suggests that it may be possible to treat inflammation and autoimmune diseases by targeting the nerves and the T cells. ... > full story

Invasive amphibians, reptiles in Florida outnumber world, study finds (September 17, 2011) -- Florida has the world's worst invasive amphibian and reptile problem, and a new 20-year study verifies the pet trade as the No. 1 cause of the species' introductions. ... > full story

New insight into impulse control (September 17, 2011) -- How the brain controls impulsive behavior may be significantly different than psychologists have thought for the last 40 years. ... > full story

Are genes our destiny? Scientists discover 'hidden' code in DNA evolves more rapidly than genetic code (September 17, 2011) -- A 'hidden' code linked to the DNA of plants allows them to develop and pass down new biological traits far more rapidly than previously thought, according to new findings. ... > full story

Potential molecular target to prevent growth of cancer cells identified (September 17, 2011) -- Researchers have shown for the first time that the protein fortilin promotes growth of cancer cells by binding to and rendering inert protein p53, a known tumor suppressor. ... > full story

Gamma-ray bursts shed light on the nature of dark energy (September 17, 2011) -- Dark energy is the basic constituent of the today's Universe, one that is responsible for its accelerated expansion. Although astronomers observe the cosmological effects of the impact of dark energy, they still do not know exactly what it is. A new method for measuring the largest distances in the Universe helps solve the mystery. A key role is played by the most powerful cosmic explosions -- gamma-ray bursts. ... > full story

MRI research demonstrates ALS attacks multiple parts of the brain (September 17, 2011) -- Medical researchers demonstrate that ALS -- known as Lou Gehrig's disease -- damages neurons in parts of the brain responsible for cognition and behavior. The scientists provide evidence that ALS affects more than just the motor cortex, the part of the brain responsible for motor function. ... > full story

New threat closes in on iconic Galápagos wildlife (September 17, 2011) -- Renewed vigilance over the biosecurity of the Galápagos Islands is needed, based on new research on the risk posed by West Nile virus. ... > full story

Moms who eat high-fat diet before, during pregnancy 'program' babies to be fat, at risk, mouse study shows (September 17, 2011) -- New research in mice indicates that babies born to moms who eat a high-fat diet before and during pregnancy have a higher fat mass and smaller livers than babies whose moms consume low-fat fare, according to scientists. ... > full story

How single stars lost their companions (September 16, 2011) -- Not all stars are loners. In our home galaxy, the Milky Way, about half of all stars have a companion and travel through space in a binary system. But explaining why some stars are in double or even triple systems while others are single has been something of a mystery. Now a team of astronomers think they have the answer -- different stellar birth environments decide whether a star holds on to its companion. ... > full story

Switch that controls stem cell pluripotency discovered (September 16, 2011) -- Scientists have found a control switch that regulates stem cell "pluripotency," the capacity of stem cells to develop into any type of cell in the human body. The discovery reveals that pluripotency is regulated by a single event in a process called alternative splicing. ... > full story

It’s all in the head: Songbirds with bigger brains have benefited from the end of communism (September 16, 2011) -- The abundance of songbirds with relatively large brains in Eastern Germany and the Czech Republic has increased since 1989/1990. The increase in large-brained songbirds is attributed to the better cognitive abilities of the species enabling them better adaption to the socio-economic changes affecting habitats after the end of communism. ... > full story

Yellow patches around eyelids predict risk of heart problems, study finds (September 16, 2011) -- Raised yellow patches of skin (xanthelasmata) around the upper or lower eyelids are markers of an individual's increased risk of having a heart attack or suffering from heart disease, a new study finds. ... > full story

Biochemical cell signals quantified: Data capacity much lower than expected, scientists find (September 16, 2011) -- Just as cell phones and computers transmit data through electronic networks, the cells of your body send and receive chemical messages through molecular pathways. The term "cell signaling" was coined more than 30 years ago to describe this process. For the first time, scientists have quantified the data capacity of a biochemical signaling pathway and found a surprise -- it's lower than a dial-up modem. ... > full story

Number of children poisoned by medication rising dramatically, study says (September 16, 2011) -- The number of young children admitted to hospitals or seen in emergency departments because they unintentionally took a potentially toxic dose of medication has risen dramatically in recent years, according to a new study. The rise in exposure to prescription products has been so striking that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has established the PROTECT Initiative, intended to prevent unintended medication overdoses in children. ... > full story

Shake, rattle and … power up? New device generates energy from small vibrations (September 16, 2011) -- Today's wireless-sensor networks can do everything from supervising factory machinery to tracking environmental pollution to measuring the movement of buildings and bridges. Working together, distributed sensors can monitor activity along an oil pipeline or throughout a forest, keeping track of multiple variables at a time. While uses for wireless sensors are seemingly endless, there is one limiting factor to the technology -- power. A new tiny energy harvester picks up a wider range of vibrations than current designs, and is able to generate 100 times the power of devices of similar size. ... > full story

New class of stem cell-like cells discovered offers possibility for spinal cord repair (September 16, 2011) -- Scientists have announced the discovery of a new class of cells in the spinal cord that act like neural stem cells, offering a fresh avenue in the search for therapies to treat spinal cord injury and disease. ... > full story

Resistance to antibiotics is ancient (September 16, 2011) -- New research findings show antibiotic resistance is a natural phenomenon that predates the modern clinical antibiotic use. The breakthrough will have important impact on the understanding of antibiotic resistance. ... > full story

Prenatal exposure to stress linked to accelerated cell aging (September 16, 2011) -- Young adults whose mothers experienced psychological trauma during their pregnancies show signs of accelerated aging, a new study has found. The researchers discovered that this prenatal exposure to stress affected the development of chromosome regions that control cell aging processes. ... > full story

Smartphone battery life could dramatically improve with new invention (September 16, 2011) -- A new "subconscious mode" for smartphones and other WiFi-enabled mobile devices could extend battery life by as much as 54 percent for users on the busiest networks. ... > full story

Cities to grab lands equaling size of Mongolia In next 20 years, study predicts (September 16, 2011) -- In the next 20 years, more than 590,000 square miles of land globally -- more than twice the size of Texas -- will be gobbled up by cities, a trend that shows no signs of stopping and one that could pose threats on several levels, a new study suggests. ... > full story

Tree resin captures evolution of feathers on dinosaurs and birds (September 16, 2011) -- A researcher found treasure trove of Cretaceous feathers trapped in tree resin. The resin turned to resilient amber, preserving some 80 million-year-old protofeathers, possibly from non-avian dinosaurs, as well as plumage that is very similar to modern birds, including those that can swim under water. ... > full story

Targeting cholesterol to fight deadly brain cancers (September 16, 2011) -- Blocking the uptake of large amounts of cholesterol into brain cancer cells could provide a new strategy to battle glioblastoma, one of the most deadly malignancies, researchers have found. ... > full story

Electronic bucket brigade could boost solar cell voltages (September 16, 2011) -- Some ferroelectric materials can develop extremely high voltages when light falls on them, which might greatly improve solar cells if scientists could figure out how they do it. Researchers have solved the mystery for one ferroelectric, bismuth ferrite, revealing a principle that should apply to other materials too. The secret is an electronic "bucket brigade" that passes electrons stepwise from one electrically polarized region to the next. ... > full story

Genetic differences distinguish stomach cancers, treatment response (September 16, 2011) -- Stomach cancer is actually two distinct disease variations based on its genetic makeup, and each responds differently to chemotherapy, according to an international team of scientists. ... > full story

Carbon nanoparticles break barriers -- and that may not be good (September 16, 2011) -- In a new study, researchers studied cellular alterations in the urine-blood barrier in the kidney caused by repeated exposure to low concentrations of carbon nanoparticles. Among the first to study concentrations of these tiny particles that are low enough to mimic the actual exposure of an ordinary individual, researchers say this is the initial step to understanding the assault on the human body of accidental exposure to CNPs. ... > full story

New approach to tracking the dangers of designer drug meow meow (September 16, 2011) -- Experts from the UK have devised a new questionnaire to detect behavior such as mephedrone use. The aim is to pinpoint exactly how widespread the abuse of substances like mephedrone, commonly called meow meow, is by using a method of data collection that aims to filter out respondents who might not be telling the truth. ... > full story

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