ScienceDaily: Top News

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• New small molecule inhibitor could be a safe and first-line treatment for metastatic breast cancer
• One in four physicians uses social media daily
• Scientists identify genes that predict whether trastuzumab will work for breast cancer patients
• Wildfires light up western Australia
• Massive crevasses and bendable ice affect stability of Antarctic ice shelf
• Long-distance solute transport in trees improved by intercellular pathways in living woody tissues
• New chemical reaction could explain how stars form, evolve, and eventually die
• From clawed spiders to deep-sea sharks: 137 new species described by California Academy of Sciences in 2012
• Another muscular dystrophy mystery solved; Scientists inch closer to a therapy for patients
• One gene predicts rapid ALS progression 80 percent of the time
• New strategy to prevent or halt periodontal disease
• Severe morning sickness patients get relief from anti-seizure drug
• Greenland ice sheet carries evidence of increased atmospheric acidity
• Point of light: Light-focusing device may lead to applications in computing, communications, and imaging
• Monkey business: What howler monkeys can tell us about the role of interbreeding in human evolution
• Obesity and overeating during menopause together promote breast tumor growth and progression
• NASA's Van Allen Probes reveal new dynamics of Earth's radiation belts
• Ethiopians and Tibetans thrive in thin air using similar physiology, but different genes
• New antidepressant acts very rapidly and is long lasting
• Haymeadows are good for the environment say researchers
• Hatching order influences birds' behavior
• Patients with ICU delirium more likely to die, analysis finds
• Antibiotic-eating bug unearthed in soil: Newly discovered bacterium degrades an antibiotic both to protect itself and get nutrition
• Winning the battle against leukemia: Positive early results in clinical trial for DNA vaccine
• Diagnosing patients at an early stage
• X-ray vision can reveal moment of birth of violent supernovae
• Genetic cause discovered for rare disorder of motor neurons
• Putting electronic cigarettes to the test
• 'Organic' leaves a bad taste in the mouths of some consumers
• Paradox of aging: The older we get, the better we feel?
• Existing drugs may help more breast cancer patients
• Combining two genome analysis approaches supports immune system contribution to autism
• Cognitive behavioural therapy can reduce depression in those haven't responded to antidepressants
• Lenalidomide offers an effective alternative treatment for cutaneus lupus erythematosus, study suggests
• Fasting may benefit patients with epilepsy
• Severe acute kidney injuries rise rapidly in U.S.

New small molecule inhibitor could be a safe and first-line treatment for metastatic breast cancer Posted: 07 Dec 2012 07:50 PM PST Previous research has shown that a family of genes, proteins and enzymes called the uPA system (for urokinase plasminogen activator) plays an active role in different facets of cancer's biology, including tumor cell invasion, the spread of metastases, and the growth of a primary tumor.

One in four physicians uses social media daily Posted: 07 Dec 2012 07:50 PM PST A new survey shows that about one in four physicians uses social media daily or multiple times a day to scan or explore medical information, and 14 percent use social media each day to contribute new information, according to an oncologist.

Scientists identify genes that predict whether trastuzumab will work for breast cancer patients Posted: 07 Dec 2012 07:50 PM PST Oncologists have discovered 27 genes that are significantly associated with a good outcome with concurrent use of trastuzumab and chemotherapy, as well as five other genes linked to a poor outcome using the same treatment regimen.

Wildfires light up western Australia Posted: 07 Dec 2012 02:45 PM PST Careful observers of the new "Black Marble" images of Earth at night released this week by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have noticed bright areas in the western part of Australia that are largely uninhabited. Why is this area so lit up, many have asked? Away from the cities, much of the night light observed by the NASA-NOAA Suomi NPP satellite in these images comes from wildfires.

Massive crevasses and bendable ice affect stability of Antarctic ice shelf Posted: 07 Dec 2012 02:45 PM PST Massive crevasses and bendable ice affect stability of Antarctic ice shelf, a research team finds.

Long-distance solute transport in trees improved by intercellular pathways in living woody tissues Posted: 07 Dec 2012 02:45 PM PST As large organisms, trees face some remarkable challenges, particularly regarding long-distance transport and communication. In addition to moving water and nutrients from their roots to their leaves, they must also integrate cell-to-cell communication over large areas. Furthermore, to function as a single, cohesive organism, they must be able to effectively and efficiently send vital substances long distances along a network of cells, sieve-tubes, and vessels. But how effective is this cell-to-cell communication and how far can such solutes travel?

New chemical reaction could explain how stars form, evolve, and eventually die Posted: 07 Dec 2012 02:44 PM PST Researchers have discovered a molecular-level interaction that science had puzzled over for decades but had never seen. That discovery, it turns out, may redefine how science views chemical compound formation. It also answers questions about what goes on in places like white dwarfs, the super dense cores of stars nearing the end of their life cycles.

From clawed spiders to deep-sea sharks: 137 new species described by California Academy of Sciences in 2012 Posted: 07 Dec 2012 01:16 PM PST In 2012, researchers at the California Academy of Sciences added 137 new relatives to our family tree, enriching our understanding of the complex web of life on Earth and strengthening our ability to make informed conservation decisions. The new species include 83 arthropods, 41 fishes, seven plants, four sea slugs, one reptile, and one amphibian. They were described by more than a dozen Academy scientists along with several dozen international collaborators.

Another muscular dystrophy mystery solved; Scientists inch closer to a therapy for patients Posted: 07 Dec 2012 01:16 PM PST In a new study, researchers have discovered the missing pieces to a muscular dystrophy puzzle that could ultimately lead to a therapy and, potentially, a longer lifespan for patients suffering from the disease.

One gene predicts rapid ALS progression 80 percent of the time Posted: 07 Dec 2012 01:14 PM PST The debilitating symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, appear to be increased by a lack of inflammation-reducing T cells, and the expression of a gene that controls production of anti-inflammatory T cells (FoxP3) predict how quickly the disease will progress.

New strategy to prevent or halt periodontal disease Posted: 07 Dec 2012 10:32 AM PST By blocking a molecular receptor that bacteria normally target to cause chronic gum disease, or periodontitis, scientists have demonstrated an ability in a mouse model to both prevent periodontitis from developing and halt the progression of the disease once it has already developed.

Severe morning sickness patients get relief from anti-seizure drug Posted: 07 Dec 2012 10:28 AM PST Good news may be on the horizon for Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, and other women stricken with severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, thanks to the work of a professor who is conducting research on a drug that is showing success treating pregnant women with this condition.

Greenland ice sheet carries evidence of increased atmospheric acidity Posted: 07 Dec 2012 10:27 AM PST Studies have shown decreasing levels of the isotope nitrogen-15 in core samples from Greenland ice starting around the time of the Industrial Revolution. New research suggests the decline corresponds to increased acidity in the atmosphere.

Point of light: Light-focusing device may lead to applications in computing, communications, and imaging Posted: 07 Dec 2012 07:17 AM PST Engineers have created a device that can focus light into a point just a few nanometers (billionths of a meter) across -- an achievement they say may lead to next-generation applications in computing, communications, and imaging.

Monkey business: What howler monkeys can tell us about the role of interbreeding in human evolution Posted: 07 Dec 2012 07:16 AM PST Did different species of early humans interbreed and produce offspring of mixed ancestry? Recent genetic studies suggest that Neanderthals may have bred with anatomically modern humans tens of thousands of years ago in the Middle East, contributing to the modern human gene pool. But the findings are not universally accepted, and the fossil record has not helped to clarify the role of interbreeding, which is also known as hybridization. Now a study of interbreeding between two species of modern-day howler monkeys in Mexico is shedding light on why it's so difficult to confirm instances of hybridization among primates -- including early humans -- by relying on fossil remains.

Obesity and overeating during menopause together promote breast tumor growth and progression Posted: 07 Dec 2012 07:16 AM PST Obese women might be able to eliminate their increased risk for postmenopausal breast cancer by taking measures during perimenopause to prevent weight gain and to therapeutically control the metabolic effects of their obesity, according to the results of a preclinical study.

NASA's Van Allen Probes reveal new dynamics of Earth's radiation belts Posted: 07 Dec 2012 07:09 AM PST Just 96 days since their launch, NASA's twin Van Allen Probes have already provided new insights into the structure and behavior of the radiation belts that surround Earth, giving scientists a clearer understanding about the fundamental physical properties of these regions more than half a century after their discovery.

Ethiopians and Tibetans thrive in thin air using similar physiology, but different genes Posted: 07 Dec 2012 06:46 AM PST Scientists have pinpointed genetic changes that allow some Ethiopians to live more than a mile above sea level without getting altitude sickness. The genes differ from those reported previously for high-altitude Tibetans, even though both groups cope with low-oxygen in similar physiological ways. The results may help scientists understand why some people are more vulnerable to low oxygen caused by factors other than altitude -- such as asthma or heart problems -- and point to new treatments.

New antidepressant acts very rapidly and is long lasting Posted: 07 Dec 2012 06:46 AM PST A first-of-its-kind antidepressant drug now tested on adults who have failed other antidepressant therapies has been shown to alleviate symptoms within hours, have good safety and produce positive effects that last for about seven days from a single dose. The novel therapeutic targets brain receptors responsible for learning and memory -- a very different approach from existing antidepressants. The new drug could be helpful in treating other neurological conditions.

Haymeadows are good for the environment say researchers Posted: 07 Dec 2012 06:43 AM PST Traditional haymeadows are much better at supporting biodiversity and preventing water pollution than intensively farmed fields according to new research. This is because haymeadows lose five times less nitrogen from the soil, which is needed for plant growth. However, nitrogen becomes a pollutant if it leaches into rivers and contaminates the water supply.

Hatching order influences birds' behavior Posted: 07 Dec 2012 06:43 AM PST The hatching order of birds influences how they behave in adult life according to new research. Biologists looked at how the birds' behavior was affected by the way their parents cared for them as hatchlings. They found that the youngest members of zebra finch broods are more adventurous than their older siblings in adult life.

Patients with ICU delirium more likely to die, analysis finds Posted: 07 Dec 2012 06:43 AM PST Delirium, a condition developed by many patients in hospital intensive care units (ICU), is associated with higher mortality rates, more complications, longer stays in the ICU, and longer hospitalizations, finds a new meta-analysis.

Antibiotic-eating bug unearthed in soil: Newly discovered bacterium degrades an antibiotic both to protect itself and get nutrition Posted: 07 Dec 2012 06:07 AM PST Canadian and French scientists have uncovered a soil microbe that degrades a common veterinary antibiotic both to protect itself and get nutrition, an ability the researchers suggest could be widespread.

Winning the battle against leukemia: Positive early results in clinical trial for DNA vaccine Posted: 07 Dec 2012 06:05 AM PST Early results of a trial to treat leukemia with a WT1 DNA vaccine, has shown robust vaccine-specific antibody responses in all vaccinated patients evaluated to date. Furthermore, T cell immune responses, including those of the "killer T cells," were detected. Antibody and T cell responses are strong signals of the DNA vaccine's potential to treat the disease.

Diagnosing patients at an early stage Posted: 07 Dec 2012 06:05 AM PST Researchers have developed the world's first sensor capable of measuring individual particles in a blood sample.

X-ray vision can reveal moment of birth of violent supernovae Posted: 07 Dec 2012 06:04 AM PST Astronomers have uncovered new evidence that suggests that X-ray detectors in space could be the first to witness new supernovae that signal the death of massive stars.

Genetic cause discovered for rare disorder of motor neurons Posted: 07 Dec 2012 06:04 AM PST Scientists have identified an underlying genetic cause for a rare disorder of motor neurons, and believe this may help find causes of other related diseases.

Putting electronic cigarettes to the test Posted: 07 Dec 2012 06:04 AM PST Are e-cigarettes harmful to users? An unresolved question. It's harder still to judge the danger to bystanders. How many different substances do e-smokers exhale – and what are they? A new study brings light to the shadows.

'Organic' leaves a bad taste in the mouths of some consumers Posted: 07 Dec 2012 05:55 AM PST Labeling food as "organic" may not always lead to a positive impression, according to a recent study. The research flips the notion of a "halo" effect for ethical food labels.

Paradox of aging: The older we get, the better we feel? Posted: 07 Dec 2012 05:55 AM PST Aging has been viewed as a period of progressive decline in physical, cognitive and psychosocial functioning, and is viewed by many as the "number one public health problem" facing Americans today. This negative view of aging contrasts with results of a comprehensive study of 1,006 older adults in San Diego, Calif.

Existing drugs may help more breast cancer patients Posted: 07 Dec 2012 05:55 AM PST More patients can benefit from highly effective breast cancer drugs that are already available, according to DNA sequencing studies.

Combining two genome analysis approaches supports immune system contribution to autism Posted: 06 Dec 2012 05:34 PM PST Researchers using novel approaches and methodologies of identifying genes that contribute to the development of autism have found evidence that disturbances in several immune-system-related pathways contribute to development of autism spectrum disorders.

Cognitive behavioural therapy can reduce depression in those haven't responded to antidepressants Posted: 06 Dec 2012 05:32 PM PST Antidepressants are the most widely used treatment for people with moderate to severe depression. However, up to two thirds of people with depression don't respond fully to this type of treatment. New findings have shown cognitive behavioral therapy, provided in addition to usual care, can reduce symptoms of depression and help improve patients' quality of life.

Lenalidomide offers an effective alternative treatment for cutaneus lupus erythematosus, study suggests Posted: 06 Dec 2012 05:31 PM PST Although rare there are several treatments available for cutaneus lupus erythematosus (CLE). However other options are needed for people who do not respond to medication or relapse. A new study into the thalidomide derivative lenalidomide shows that treatment with lenalidomide is safe, with patients seeing an improvement in as little as two weeks.

Fasting may benefit patients with epilepsy Posted: 06 Dec 2012 05:31 PM PST Children with persistent and drug-resistant seizures treated with the high-fat, low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet may get an added therapeutic benefit from periodic fasting, according to a small study.

Severe acute kidney injuries rise rapidly in U.S. Posted: 06 Dec 2012 05:31 PM PST Severe acute kidney injuries are becoming more common in the United States, rising 10 percent per year and doubling over the last decade, according to a retrospective study.

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