ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Wednesday, September 21, 2011 ~ techdeck

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Wednesday, September 21, 2011

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Primitive birds shared dinosaurs' fate (September 21, 2011) -- A new study puts an end to the longstanding debate about how archaic birds went extinct, suggesting they were virtually wiped out by the same meteorite impact that put an end to dinosaurs 65 million years ago. ... > full story

Preterm birth associated with higher risk of death in early childhood, young adulthood (September 21, 2011) -- In a study that included more than 600,000 individuals born in Sweden between 1973-1979, those born preterm (less than 37 weeks gestation) had a higher risk of death during early childhood and young adulthood than persons born at term, according to a new study. ... > full story

NASA's Dawn collects a bounty of beauty from asteroid Vesta (September 21, 2011) -- A new video from NASA's Dawn spacecraft takes us on a flyover journey above the surface of the giant asteroid Vesta. The data obtained by Dawn's framing camera, used to produce the visualizations, will help scientists determine the processes that formed Vesta's striking features. It will also help Dawn mission fans all over the world visualize this mysterious world, which is the second most massive object in the main asteroid belt. ... > full story

Human body rids itself of damage when it really matters (September 21, 2011) -- Although the body is constantly replacing cells and cell constituents, damage and imperfections accumulate over time. Cleanup efforts are saved for when it really matters. Researchers in Sweden are able to show how the body rids itself of damage when it is time to reproduce and create new life. ... > full story

Social media for dementia patients (September 21, 2011) -- Research scientists in Norway are developing a "Facebook Light" -- with a user interface suitable for the elderly and people with dementia -- to promote important social contact. Both research and experience show that social contact enables people with dementia to maintain their level of functioning longer. ... > full story

Power corrupts, especially when it lacks status (September 21, 2011) -- In a new study, researchers have found that individuals in roles that possess power but lack status have a tendency to engage in activities that demean others. ... > full story

Scientists turn back the clock on adult stem cells aging (September 21, 2011) -- Researchers have shown they can reverse the aging process for human adult stem cells, which are responsible for helping old or damaged tissues regenerate. The findings could lead to medical treatments that may repair a host of ailments that occur because of tissue damage as people age. ... > full story

Breast cancer: Stress receptor found to stimulate growth and migration of cancer cells (September 21, 2011) -- It's a common belief that there's a link between chronic stress and an increased risk of cancer. In new research, scientists identified a particular neurotransmitter released in response to stress, that stimulates both cancer cell growth and migration in breast cancer. The research was led by Dwayne Jackson of the Departments of Medical Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering. ... > full story

Captive breeding could transform the saltwater aquarium trade and save coral reefs, biologists say (September 21, 2011) -- Marine biologists are developing means to efficiently breed saltwater aquarium fish, seahorses, plankton and invertebrates in captivity in order to preserve the biologically rich ecosystems of the world's coral reefs. These scientists believe their efforts, and those of colleagues around the world, could help shift much of the billion marine ornamental industry toward entrepreneurs who are working sustainably to raise fish for the aquarium trade. ... > full story

Continued treatment for lupus may boost survival of those patients with end-stage kidney disease (September 21, 2011) -- Researchers have shown that close supervision by rheumatologists and the use of immunosuppressant drugs improve the survival of lupus patients with end-stage kidney disease -- a finding that could reverse long-standing clinical practice. ... > full story

Sifting out genetic defects from mounds of data (September 21, 2011) -- Within a decade, a combination of advanced measurement techniques and statistics will enable scientists to develop methods to diagnose serious diseases caused by genetic defects. Ten years after that, there may be medicines available to repair these defects, researchers predict. ... > full story

Depression associated with increased risk of stroke and stroke-related death (September 21, 2011) -- An analysis of nearly 30 studies including more than 300,000 patients finds that depression is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing stroke and dying from stroke, according to a new study. ... > full story

Epigenetic changes often don’t last, probably have limited effects on long-term evolution, research finds (September 20, 2011) -- The first comprehensive inventory of epigenetic changes over several generations shows that these often do not last and therefore probably have limited effects on long-term evolution, according to scientist in Germany. ... > full story

Discovery of gene fusion in ovarian cancer could lead to earlier diagnoses (September 20, 2011) -- About 15 percent of cases of an aggressive, difficult-to-detect form of ovarian cancer contain a unique fusion between two neighboring, normally separate genes, say researchers. Although gene fusions are known to occur in prostate and some blood cancers, they have been notoriously difficult to identify in solid tumors. This is the first recurrent gene fusion found for ovarian cancer. ... > full story

Autonomous car navigates the streets of Berlin (September 20, 2011) -- Researchers from Berlin traveled 80 km in total as passengers during a test drive of their autonomous car "MadeInGermany" over the weekend. The car is driven by computers - the safety driver behind the steering wheel only monitors the car's behavior. The autonomous car is a conventional VW Passat modified for "drive by wire." Electronic commands from the computer are passed directly to the accelerator, the brakes, and the steering wheel of the vehicle. ... > full story

Mild hearing loss linked to brain atrophy in older adults; Early intervention could prevent slide toward speech comprehension difficulties (September 20, 2011) -- A new study shows that declines in hearing ability may accelerate gray mater atrophy in auditory areas of the brain and increase the listening effort necessary for older adults to successfully comprehend speech. ... > full story

Uncertain climate models impair long-term climate strategies: New calibration satellite required to make accurate predictions, say scientists (September 20, 2011) -- A new paper explains weaknesses in our understanding of climate change and how we can fix them. These issues mean predictions vary wildly about how quickly temperatures will rise, resulting in serious implications for long-term political and economic planning, experts argue. ... > full story

Adding cognitive behavioral therapy to drug treatment of pediatric OCD appears to improve symptoms (September 20, 2011) -- Children and teens with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who were receiving some benefit from treatment with medication had a significantly greater reduction in OCD symptoms with the addition of cognitive behavior therapy, according to a new study. ... > full story

Continents influenced ancient human migration, spread of technology (September 20, 2011) -- New research pieces together ancient human migration in North and South America. Researchers have found that technology spread more slowly in the Americas than in Eurasia. Population groups in the Americas have less frequent exchanges than groups that fanned out over Europe and Asia. ... > full story

Lasers light the path to neuron regeneration (September 20, 2011) -- Lasers have been used to fabricate tiny scaffolds to be used as delivery vehicles to drop cells off at damaged locations and help treat diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. ... > full story

Certain heavy metals boost immunity, study suggests (September 20, 2011) -- A new natural defense mechanism against infections has been demonstrated. Zinc, a heavy metal that is toxic at high doses, is used by the cells of the immune system to destroy microbes such as the tuberculosis bacillus or E. coli. This discovery makes it possible to envisage new therapeutic strategies and test new vaccine candidates. ... > full story

Back pain? Patients who followed recommendations to move despite back pain fared better than those that rested in small study (September 20, 2011) -- Patients with acute low back pain who were advised to stay active despite the pain fared better than those who were told to adjust their activity in line with their pain. ... > full story

Shaping up: Controlling a stem cell's form can determine its fate (September 20, 2011) -- New research reinforces the idea that stem cells can be induced to develop into specific types of cells solely by controlling their shape. The results may be important to the design of materials to induce the regeneration of lost or damaged tissues in the body. ... > full story

Stopping smoking boosts everyday memory, research finds (September 20, 2011) -- Giving up smoking isn't just good for your health, it's also good for your memory, according to new research. ... > full story

Researchers create first human heart cells that can be paced with light (September 20, 2011) -- Researchers have for the first time engineered human heart cells that can be paced with light using a technology called optogenetics. In the near term, say the researchers, the advance will provide new insight into heart function. In the long term, however, the development could lead to an era of novel, light-based pacemakers and genetically matched tissue patches that replace muscle damaged by a heart attack. ... > full story

Diabetes may significantly increase the risk of dementia (September 20, 2011) -- People with diabetes appear to be at a significantly increased risk of developing dementia, according to a new study. ... > full story

Researchers make visible the structure of the smallest crystals (September 20, 2011) -- A radical new way of making structures visible at the nano level has now been developed. This new method makes it possible to determine with precision the arrangement of atoms and molecules in a diverse range of materials from cement to pharmaceuticals. The procedure, which is still in its infancy, comes from the field of electron microscopy and can resolve the structure of the tiniest crystals. ... > full story

Natural therapies: Cardiologists examine alternatives to halt high blood pressure (September 20, 2011) -- More and more, patients show up to appointments with hypertension experts carrying bags full of "natural" products that they hope will help lower their blood pressure. And like most physicians, hypertension experts don't always know if these products will do any good, or if they will cause any harm. To better educate physicians and patients, researchers have now conducted the most comprehensive review to date of the evidence behind a range of non-drug interventions. ... > full story

Big step towards redefining the kelvin: Scientists find new way to determine Boltzmann constant (September 20, 2011) -- Scientists in Germany have succeeded in re-determining the Boltzmann constant. Physicists expect that in the next two years they will be able to reduce the uncertainty to such an extent that a redefinition of the kelvin will be possible. The advance represents a major step toward basing the temperature unit on an unchangeable fundamental constant. ... > full story

Autism, intellectual disabilities related to parental age, education and ethnicity, not income, Utah study finds (September 20, 2011) -- New research from Utah shows that the presence or absence of intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) varies with risk factors such as gender, parental age, maternal ethnicity, and maternal level of education. The study also shows that household income level has no association with either ID or ASD, in contrast to what other studies have suggested. ... > full story

NASA's WISE raises doubt about asteroid family believed responsible for dinosaur extinction (September 20, 2011) -- Observations from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) mission indicate the family of asteroids some believed was responsible for the demise of the dinosaurs is not likely the culprit, keeping open the case on one of Earth's greatest mysteries. ... > full story

Scientists disarm HIV in step towards vaccine (September 20, 2011) -- Researchers have found a way to prevent HIV from damaging the immune system, in a new lab-based study. The research could have important implications for the development of HIV vaccines. ... > full story

50-million-year-old clam shells provide indications of future of El Nino phenomenon (September 20, 2011) -- Earth warming will presumably not lead to a permanent El Nino state in the South Pacific Ocean. This is the conclusion drawn by an international team of researchers after it investigated 50-million-year-old clam shells and wood from the Antarctic. The growth rings of these fossils indicate that there was also a climate rhythm over the South Pacific during the last prolonged interglacial phase of the Earth's history resembling the present-day interplay of El Nino and La Nina. ... > full story

One size doesn't fit all for vitamin D and men: African-American men in northern regions especially need high doses of supplements (September 20, 2011) -- African-American men living in areas with low sunlight are up to 3.5 times more likely to have vitamin D deficiency than Caucasian men and should take high levels of Vitamin D supplements, reports a new study. The current general recommendation of 600 international units is way too low for all men in northern regions. Low Vitamin D has been linked to prostate cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. ... > full story

New imaging technique visualizes cancer during surgery (September 20, 2011) -- Scientists have now deployed a new imaging technology using laser light to detect cancer based on molecular signatures, leading to the localization of even small cancer cell nests that surgeons might otherwise overlook during surgery. The technique has now been successfully tested on nine patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer. There are plans to apply this imaging concept also to minimally invasive and endoscopic procedures. ... > full story

TV viewing linked to unhealthy eating (September 20, 2011) -- Spending time in front of the television is linked to an increased consumption of unhealthy snacks and drinks according to a recent review. ... > full story

Not just skin deep: CT study of early humans reveals evolutionary relationships (September 20, 2011) -- CT scans of fossil skull fragments may help researchers settle a long-standing debate about the evolution of Africa's Australopithecus, a key ancestor of modern humans that died out some 1.4 million years ago. The study explains how CT scans shed new light on a classic evolutionary puzzle by providing crucial information about the internal anatomy of the face. ... > full story

Engineers use short ultrasound pulses to reach neurons through blood-brain barrier (September 20, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a new technique to reach neurons through the blood-brain barrier and deliver drugs safely and noninvasively. Up until now, scientists thought long ultrasound pulses, which can inflict collateral damage, were required. This new study shows that extremely short pulses of ultrasound waves can open the blood-brain barrier -- with the added advantages of safety and uniform molecular delivery -- and the molecule injected systemically could reach and highlight the targeted neurons noninvasively. ... > full story

Biodiversity loss may be contributing to amphibian-killing fungal infection (September 20, 2011) -- Researchers have shown that loss of biodiversity may be contributing to a fungal infection that is killing amphibians around the world, and provides more evidence for why biodiversity is important to many ecosystems. ... > full story

Hope for powerful new C. difficile treatment (September 20, 2011) -- Researchers are developing a powerful new antibiotic treatment for resistant infections including the deadly MRSA and Clostridium difficile (C. diff.) bugs. ... > full story

Monitoring patients using intelligent T-shirts (September 20, 2011) -- Scientists in Spain have developed an 'intelligent' T-shirt that monitors the human body (temperature, heart rate, etc.) and locates patients within the hospital, as if it were a GPS system that works in closed spaces. It can even determine if the subject is seated, lying down, walking or running. ... > full story

Negative emotions influence brain activity during anticipation and experience of pain (September 20, 2011) -- Neuroticism -- the tendency to experience negative emotions -- significantly affects brain processing during pain, as well as during the anticipation of pain. ... > full story

More than a sign of sleepiness, yawning may cool the brain (September 20, 2011) -- A new study is the first involving humans to show that yawning frequency varies with the season, a disparity indicating that yawning could serve as a method for regulating brain temperature. ... > full story

Shark compound proves potential as drug to treat human viruses, says researcher (September 20, 2011) -- A compound initially isolated from sharks shows potential as a unique broad-spectrum human antiviral agent. The compound, squalamine, has been in human clinical trials for the treatment of cancer and several eye disorders, and so has a well-known safety profile, suggesting it can be quickly tested as a new class of drugs to treat infections caused by viruses ranging from dengue and yellow fever to hepatitis B, C, and D. ... > full story

Feed your genes: How our genes respond to the foods we eat (September 20, 2011) -- What should we eat? Answers abound in the media, all of which rely on their interpretation of recent medical literature to come up with recommendations for the healthiest diet. But what if you could answer this question at a molecular level -- what if you could find out how our genes respond to the foods we eat, and what this does to the cellular processes that make us healthy -- or not? That's precisely what biologists in Norway have done. ... > full story

Key regulatory genes often amplified in aggressive childhood tumor of the brainstem (September 20, 2011) -- The largest study ever of a rare childhood brain tumor found more than half the tumors carried extra copies of specific genes linked to cancer growth, according to new research. ... > full story

Saving electricity while playing online game (September 20, 2011) -- The federal government of Germany has decided to accelerate change in energy policy. But the transition will succeed only with the help of the consumers. They are called upon to use the energy from renewable resources in a more efficient fashion. A new online game shows how energy can be saved. ... > full story

Black-white marriages increased rapidly since 1980, study finds (September 20, 2011) -- A new study of interracial marriages in the United States since the 1980s suggests that the racial boundary between blacks and whites continues to break down -- but is not yet close to disappearing. Marriages between African Americans and whites increased rapidly between 1980 and 2008, outpacing the rate of unions between whites and other ethnic and racial groups, including Latinos, Asian Americans and American Indians. ... > full story

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