ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Sulfur finding may hold key to Gaia theory of Earth as living organism
• Hidden lives of elephant seals: Record-setting dive more than a mile deep
• Ancient sea reptile with gammy jaw suggests dinosaurs got arthritis too
• Mixed bacterial communities evolve to share resources, not compete
• New look at prolonged radiation exposure: At low dose-rate, radiation poses little risk to DNA, study suggests
• Air pollution level changes in Beijing linked with biomarkers of cardiovascular disease
• Drugs from gila monster lizard saliva reduces cravings for chocolate and ordinary food
• Elusive capacity of networks: Calculating data network's total capacity notoriously difficult, but theorists making some headway
• This is your brain on sugar: Study in rats shows high-fructose diet sabotages learning, memory
• A supernova cocoon breakthrough
• Timely discovery: Physics research sheds new light on quantum dynamics
• People see sexy pictures of women as objects, not people; sexy-looking men as people
• Mystery gene reveals new mechanism for anxiety disorders
• Statistical analysis projects future temperatures in North America
• Chronic child abuse strong indicator of negative adult experiences
• New 'metamaterial' practical for optical advances
• Ultrasensitive biosensor promising for medical diagnostics
• Tiny plants could cut costs, shrink environmental footprint
• Juggling with air pollutant data
• Surgeons restore some hand function to quadriplegic patient
• Beyond the high-speed hard drive: Topological insulators open a path to room-temperature spintronics
• Looks matter more than reputation when it comes to trusting people with our money
• Mice with big brains provide insight into brain regeneration and developmental disorders
• Arctic seabirds adapt to climate change
• Black holes turn up the heat for the Universe
• Female terrorists' bios belie stereotypes, study finds
• Delivery system for gene therapy may help treat arthritis
• Key genes and prototype predictive test for schizophrenia identified
• Animal disease research misses the human perspective, say researchers
• Scientists discover clues to muscle stem cell functions
• Early Biomarker for Pancreatic Cancer Identified
• Cross-reactivity between peanuts and other legumes can lead to serious allergic reactions
• A practical guide to green products and services
• Watching the 'birth' of an electron: Ionization viewed with 10 attosecond resolution
• New research could mean faster computers and better smart phones
• Playful games promote reading development
• How to minimize damage from strokes, according to experts
• Genetic test identifies eye cancer tumors likely to spread
• Breakthrough in bile duct cancer with discovery of new gene mutations
• First ever record of insect pollination from 100 million years ago
• Superbug spreads from big city hospitals to regional health centers, study suggests
• The gut could reveal effect of climate change on fish
• New species of fish in Sweden
• Locating lice as they hitch-hike with birds for life

Sulfur finding may hold key to Gaia theory of Earth as living organism Posted: 15 May 2012 05:31 PM PDT Is Earth really a sort of giant living organism as the Gaia hypothesis predicts? A new discovery may provide a key to answering this question. This key of sulfur could allow scientists to unlock heretofore hidden interactions between ocean organisms, atmosphere, and land -- interactions that might provide evidence supporting this famous theory.

Hidden lives of elephant seals: Record-setting dive more than a mile deep Posted: 15 May 2012 05:30 PM PDT The same researchers who pioneered the use of satellite tags to monitor the migrations of elephant seals have compiled one of the largest datasets available for any marine mammal species, revealing their movements and diving behavior at sea in unprecedented detail.

Ancient sea reptile with gammy jaw suggests dinosaurs got arthritis too Posted: 15 May 2012 05:30 PM PDT Imagine having arthritis in your jaw bones ... if they're over 2 meters long! A new study has found signs of a degenerative condition similar to human arthritis in the jaw of a pliosaur, an ancient sea reptile that lived 150 million years ago. Such a disease has never been described before in fossilized Jurassic reptiles.

Mixed bacterial communities evolve to share resources, not compete Posted: 15 May 2012 05:30 PM PDT New research shows how bacteria evolve to increase ecosystem functioning by recycling each other's waste. The study provides some of the first evidence for how interactions between species shape evolution when there is a diverse community.

New look at prolonged radiation exposure: At low dose-rate, radiation poses little risk to DNA, study suggests Posted: 15 May 2012 03:12 PM PDT A new study suggests that the guidelines governments use to determine when to evacuate people following a nuclear accident may be too conservative.

Air pollution level changes in Beijing linked with biomarkers of cardiovascular disease Posted: 15 May 2012 01:54 PM PDT During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, changes in air pollution were associated with changes in biomarkers of systemic inflammation and thrombosis (formation of blood clot) as well as measures of cardiovascular physiology in healthy young persons, according to a new study.

Drugs from gila monster lizard saliva reduces cravings for chocolate and ordinary food Posted: 15 May 2012 01:54 PM PDT A drug made from the saliva of the Gila monster lizard is effective in reducing the craving for food. Researchers have tested the drug on rats, who after treatment ceased their cravings for both food and chocolate.

Elusive capacity of networks: Calculating data network's total capacity notoriously difficult, but theorists making some headway Posted: 15 May 2012 01:53 PM PDT In its early years, information theory was dominated by research on error-correcting codes: How do you encode information so as to guarantee its faithful transmission, even in the presence of the corrupting influences engineers call "noise"? Recently, one of the most intriguing developments in information theory has been a different kind of coding, called network coding, in which the question is how to encode information in order to maximize the capacity of a network as a whole. For information theorists, it was natural to ask how these two types of coding might be combined: If you want to both minimize error and maximize capacity, which kind of coding do you apply where, and when do you do the decoding?

This is your brain on sugar: Study in rats shows high-fructose diet sabotages learning, memory Posted: 15 May 2012 12:09 PM PDT A new study is the first to show how a diet steadily high in fructose slows the brain, hampering memory and learning -- and how omega-3 fatty acids can minimize the damage.

A supernova cocoon breakthrough Posted: 15 May 2012 10:17 AM PDT Astronomers have the first X-ray evidence of a supernova shock wave breaking through a cocoon of gas surrounding the star that exploded. This discovery may help astronomers understand why some supernovas are much more powerful than others.

Timely discovery: Physics research sheds new light on quantum dynamics Posted: 15 May 2012 10:17 AM PDT Physicists have made a breakthrough that improves understanding of matter-light interactions. Their research allows double ionization events to be observed at the time scale of attoseconds and shows that these ionization events occur earlier than thought -- a key factor to improve knowledge of correlated electron dynamics.

People see sexy pictures of women as objects, not people; sexy-looking men as people Posted: 15 May 2012 10:17 AM PDT Perfume ads, beer billboards, movie posters: everywhere you look, women's sexualized bodies are on display. A new study finds that both men and women see images of sexy women's bodies as objects, while they see sexy-looking men as people.

Mystery gene reveals new mechanism for anxiety disorders Posted: 15 May 2012 10:17 AM PDT A novel mechanism for anxiety behaviors, including a previously unrecognized inhibitory brain signal, may inspire new strategies for treating psychiatric disorders, researchers report. By testing the controversial role of a gene called Glo1 in anxiety, scientists uncovered a new inhibitory factor in the brain: The metabolic by-product methylglyoxal. The system offers a tantalizing new target for drugs designed to treat conditions such as anxiety disorder, epilepsy, and sleep disorders.

Statistical analysis projects future temperatures in North America Posted: 15 May 2012 10:16 AM PDT For the first time, researchers have been able to combine different climate models using spatial statistics -- to project future seasonal temperature changes in regions across North America.

Chronic child abuse strong indicator of negative adult experiences Posted: 15 May 2012 10:13 AM PDT Child abuse or neglect are strong predictors of major health and emotional problems, but little is known about how the chronicity of the maltreatment may increase future harm apart from other risk factors in a child's life. Scientist have now taken a closer look at how chronic maltreatment has impacted the future health and behavior of children and adults.

New 'metamaterial' practical for optical advances Posted: 15 May 2012 07:47 AM PDT Researchers have taken a step toward overcoming a key obstacle in commercializing "hyperbolic metamaterials," structures that could bring optical advances including ultrapowerful microscopes, computers and solar cells.

Ultrasensitive biosensor promising for medical diagnostics Posted: 15 May 2012 07:47 AM PDT Researchers have created an ultrasensitive biosensor that could open up new opportunities for early detection of cancer and "personalized medicine" tailored to the specific biochemistry of individual patients.

Tiny plants could cut costs, shrink environmental footprint Posted: 15 May 2012 07:46 AM PDT Tall, waving corn fields that line Midwestern roads may one day be replaced by dwarfed versions that require less water, fertilizer and other inputs, thanks to a fungicide commonly used on golf courses.

Juggling with air pollutant data Posted: 15 May 2012 07:45 AM PDT Models integrating air quality and climate change data will help reaching compliance with new emission targets.

Surgeons restore some hand function to quadriplegic patient Posted: 15 May 2012 07:45 AM PDT Surgeons have restored some hand function in a quadriplegic patient with a spinal cord injury at the C7 vertebra, the lowest bone in the neck. Instead of operating on the spine itself, the surgeons rerouted working nerves in the upper arms. These nerves still "talk" to the brain because they attach to the spine above the injury.

Beyond the high-speed hard drive: Topological insulators open a path to room-temperature spintronics Posted: 15 May 2012 06:41 AM PDT Theorists and experimenters have explored the unique properties of topological insulators, where electrons may flow on the surface without resistance, with spin orientations and directions intimately related. Recent research opens exciting prospects for practical new room-temperature spintronic devices that can exploit control of electron spin as well as charge.

Looks matter more than reputation when it comes to trusting people with our money Posted: 15 May 2012 06:41 AM PDT Our decisions to trust people with our money are based more on how they look then how they behave, according to new research.

Mice with big brains provide insight into brain regeneration and developmental disorders Posted: 15 May 2012 06:41 AM PDT Scientists have discovered that mice that lack a gene called Snf2l have brains that are 35 percent larger than normal. The research could lead to new approaches to stimulate brain regeneration and may provide important insight into developmental disorders such as autism and Rett syndrome.

Arctic seabirds adapt to climate change Posted: 15 May 2012 06:39 AM PDT The planet is warming up, especially at the poles. How do organisms react to this rise in temperatures? Biologists have now shown that little auks, the most common seabirds in the Arctic, are adapting their fishing behavior to warming surface waters in the Greenland Sea. So far, their reproductive and survival rates have not been affected. However, further warming could threaten the species.

Black holes turn up the heat for the Universe Posted: 15 May 2012 06:39 AM PDT Astrophysicists have just discovered a new heating source in cosmological structure formation. Until now, astrophysicists thought that super-massive black holes could only influence their immediate surroundings. Scientists have now discovered that diffuse gas in the universe can absorb luminous gamma-ray emission from black holes, heating it up strongly. This surprising result has important implications for the formation of structures in the universe.

Female terrorists' bios belie stereotypes, study finds Posted: 15 May 2012 06:39 AM PDT Much like their male counterparts, female terrorists are likely to be educated, employed and native residents of the country where they commit a terrorist act, according to new research.

Delivery system for gene therapy may help treat arthritis Posted: 15 May 2012 04:04 AM PDT A DNA-covered submicroscopic bead used to deliver genes or drugs directly into cells to treat disease appears to have therapeutic value just by showing up, researchers report.

Key genes and prototype predictive test for schizophrenia identified Posted: 15 May 2012 04:04 AM PDT Medical researchers have identified and prioritized a comprehensive group of genes most associated with schizophrenia that together can generate a score indicating whether an individual is at higher or lower risk of developing the disease.

Animal disease research misses the human perspective, say researchers Posted: 15 May 2012 04:03 AM PDT Animal disease research concentrates too much on the behavior of micro organisms while ignoring the role played by human beings; we need to take more account of the human dimension if the work of scientists is to be translated effectively into policy, according to experts.

Scientists discover clues to muscle stem cell functions Posted: 15 May 2012 04:03 AM PDT Scientists have identified how skeletal muscle stem cells respond to muscle injury and may be stimulated to improve muscle repair in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a severe inherited disease of muscle that causes weakness, disability and, ultimately, heart and respiratory failure.

Early Biomarker for Pancreatic Cancer Identified Posted: 15 May 2012 04:03 AM PDT Researchers have identified a new biomarker and therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer, an often-fatal disease for which there is currently no reliable method for early detection or therapeutic intervention.

Cross-reactivity between peanuts and other legumes can lead to serious allergic reactions Posted: 15 May 2012 02:25 AM PDT Food allergies pose a serious and growing problem in the West. Many foods can lead to allergic reactions and this situation is further complicated by so-called cross-reactions, whereby an allergy to one particular food can trigger allergic reactions to another food. There are no treatments available for food allergies, but the establishment of two mouse models can be used to develop and test new forms of treatment, for example vaccines.

A practical guide to green products and services Posted: 15 May 2012 02:25 AM PDT A new report provides key information for policy makers and business managers on how to assess the environmental impacts of products and services. It helps to pave the way towards a resource-efficient Europe and aims to help design more sustainable products, which are indispensable in a world of 7 billion people and limited resources.

Watching the 'birth' of an electron: Ionization viewed with 10 attosecond resolution Posted: 15 May 2012 02:25 AM PDT A strong laser beam can remove an electron from an atom – a process which takes place almost instantly. This phenomenon could now be studied with a time resolution of less than ten attoseconds (ten billionths of a billionth of a second). Scientists succeeded in watching an atom being ionized and a free electron being "born".  These measurements yield valuable information about the electrons in the atom, which up until now  hasn't been experimentally accessible, such as the time evolution of the electron's quantum phase – the beat to which the quantum waves oscillate.

New research could mean faster computers and better smart phones Posted: 15 May 2012 02:23 AM PDT Graphene and carbon nanotubes could improve the electronics used in computers and mobile phones, reveals new research.

Playful games promote reading development Posted: 15 May 2012 02:23 AM PDT Short but intense training sessions in the form of structured language games from the age of four can stimulate children's early language development and may also make it easier for children to learn to read. Previous research has shown that children's reading development can be stimulated with structured and playful language games from the age of six. In a current three-year study, researchers are exploring the effects of having children as young as four participate in such games.

How to minimize damage from strokes, according to experts Posted: 14 May 2012 05:39 PM PDT Following a stroke, factors as varied as blood sugar, body temperature and position in bed can affect patient outcomes, researchers report.

Genetic test identifies eye cancer tumors likely to spread Posted: 14 May 2012 05:39 PM PDT Researchers have developed a genetic test that can accurately predict whether the most common form of eye cancer will spread to other parts of the body, particularly the liver. The test successfully classified tumors more than 97 percent of the time.

Breakthrough in bile duct cancer with discovery of new gene mutations Posted: 14 May 2012 12:31 PM PDT Scientists have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the cause of bile duct cancer, a deadly type of liver cancer. By identifying several new genes frequently mutated in bile duct cancers, researchers are paving the way for better understanding of how bile duct cancers develop.

First ever record of insect pollination from 100 million years ago Posted: 14 May 2012 12:31 PM PDT Amber from the Cretaceous period found in Spain has revealed the first ever fossil record of insect pollination. Scientists discovered and studied with X-rays at the ESRF a specimen of a tiny insect covered with pollen grains. This is the first record of pollen transport and social behavior in this group of animals.

Superbug spreads from big city hospitals to regional health centers, study suggests Posted: 14 May 2012 12:31 PM PDT Hospitals in large cities act as breeding grounds for the superbug MRSA prior to it spreading to smaller hospitals, a study suggests. Researchers found evidence that shows for the first time how the superbug spreads between different hospitals throughout the country.

The gut could reveal effect of climate change on fish Posted: 14 May 2012 11:47 AM PDT As sea temperatures rise, stocks of some fish species can decline while others may grow, reveals new research looking at gastrointestinal function in fish.

New species of fish in Sweden Posted: 14 May 2012 10:43 AM PDT Reticulated dragonet have been found in Väderöarna -- "Weather Islands" -- off the west coast of Sweden. It is not often that a new species of fish is discovered in Sweden.

Locating lice as they hitch-hike with birds for life Posted: 14 May 2012 10:42 AM PDT Although chewing lice spend their entire lives as parasites on birds, it is difficult to predict patterns of lice distribution, new research reveals.

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