ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Blocking the effects of amyloid b in Alzheimer's disease
• Dying of cold: Hypothermia in trauma victims
• A closer look at the consuming gaze
• Offshore use of vertical-axis wind turbines gets closer look
• Mechanism of lung cancer-associated mutations suggests new therapeutic approaches
• Parents can increase children's activity by increasing their own
• Brains are different in people with highly superior autobiographical memory
• New coating evicts biofilms for good
• Stem cells repair hearts early in life, but not in adults
• Stem cell therapy could offer new hope for defects and injuries to head, mouth
• Humpback whales staying in Antarctic bays later into autumn
• One in five streams damaged by mine pollution in southern West Virginia
• Modern culture 44,000 years ago: Human behavior, as we know it, emerged earlier than previously thought
• Later Stone Age got earlier start in South Africa than thought
• Tiny airborne pollutants lead double life
• New genetic target found for diuretic therapy
• Grin and bear it: Smiling facilitates stress recovery
• 250 years of global warming: Berkeley Earth releases new analysis
• Liver cancer cells stop making glucose as they become cancerous
• Eating habits of giant Jurassic age dinosaur discovered
• Infection warning system in cells contains targets for antiviral and vaccine strategies
• In Massachusetts, 'individual mandate' led to decreased hospital productivity
• Sunburn a common result of indoor tanning by college-aged females
• When rules change, brain falters
• Interactive proofs: Ten-year-old problem in theoretical computer science falls
• Emotion detectives uncover new ways to fight-off youth anxiety and depression
• Pollution can make citizens, both rich and poor, go green
• Long-distance distress signal from periphery of injured nerve cells begins with locally made protein
• Archeologists unearth extraordinary human sculpture in Turkey
• Scientists pinpoint genetic changes that spell cancer
• Computer scientists present smile database
• Rapid assessment of plant drought tolerance possible with new method
• What would happen without PSA testing?
• Introduction of Asian ladybugs into Europe serious mistake, experts say
• Mindreading hormone? A better judge of character with nasal spray?
• The atomic nucleus: Fissile liquid or molecule of life?
• Brain development delayed in ADHD, study shows
• Archaeologists discover the tomb of a Mayan prince in Mexico
• A giant step in a miniature world: Electrical charge of nano particles measured
• Cooling, not population loss, led to fewer fires after 1500 in New World
• Cloud seeds and ozone holes
• Lotus leaf inspires fog-free finish for transparent surfaces
• Mathematicians develop new method for describing extremely complicated shapes
• Psychological abuse puts children at risk
• How to avoid traps in plastic electronics

Blocking the effects of amyloid b in Alzheimer's disease Posted: 30 Jul 2012 06:41 PM PDT During Alzheimer's disease, 'plaques' of amyloid beta (Ab) and tau protein 'tangles' develop in the brain, leading to the death of brain cells and disruption of chemical signaling between neurons. This leads to loss of memory, mood changes, and difficulties with reasoning. New research has found that up-regulating the gene Hes1 largely counteracted the effects of Ab on neurons, including preventing cell death, and on GABAergic signaling.

Dying of cold: Hypothermia in trauma victims Posted: 30 Jul 2012 06:41 PM PDT Hypothermia in trauma victims is a serious complication and is associated with an increased risk of dying. A new study has found that the key risk factor was severity of injury. However, environmental conditions and medical care, such as the temperature of the ambulance or temperature of any fluids administered intravenously, also increased risk.

A closer look at the consuming gaze Posted: 30 Jul 2012 05:46 PM PDT But how does where a product is placed on the storeroom shelf influence which option a consumer will ultimately choose? It turns out that the shopper's eye has a very central focus.

Offshore use of vertical-axis wind turbines gets closer look Posted: 30 Jul 2012 05:46 PM PDT Wind energy researchers are re-evaluating vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) to help solve some of the problems of generating energy from offshore breezes.

Mechanism of lung cancer-associated mutations suggests new therapeutic approaches Posted: 30 Jul 2012 02:03 PM PDT Researchers have identified how one of the genes most commonly mutated in lung cancer may promote such tumors. The investigators found that the protein encoded by this gene, called EPHA3, normally inhibits tumor formation, and that loss or mutation of the gene -- as often happens in lung cancer -- diminishes this tumor-suppressive effect, potentially sparking the formation of lung cancer.

Parents can increase children's activity by increasing their own Posted: 30 Jul 2012 02:03 PM PDT New research shows that, when parents increase their daily activity, their children increase theirs as well.

Brains are different in people with highly superior autobiographical memory Posted: 30 Jul 2012 02:03 PM PDT Scientists have discovered intriguing differences in the brains and mental processes of an extraordinary group of people who can effortlessly recall every moment of their lives since about age 10.

New coating evicts biofilms for good Posted: 30 Jul 2012 02:02 PM PDT Biofilms may no longer have any solid ground upon which to stand. Scientists have developed a slick way to prevent the troublesome bacterial communities from ever forming on a surface. Biofilms stick to just about everything, from copper pipes to steel ship hulls to glass catheters. The slimy coatings are more than just a nuisance, resulting in decreased energy efficiency, contamination of water and food supplies, and -- especially in medical settings -- persistent infections. Even cavities in teeth are the unwelcome result of bacterial colonies.

Stem cells repair hearts early in life, but not in adults Posted: 30 Jul 2012 02:01 PM PDT Stem cells can actually replace dead heart tissue after a heart attack very early in life — but those same cells lose that regenerative ability in adults, according to new research. The study, using mice as subjects, found that undifferentiated precursor cells grow new heart cells in a two-day-old mouse, but not in adult mice, settling a decades-old controversy about whether stem cells can play a role in the recovery of the adult mammalian heart following infarction — where heart tissue dies due to artery blockage.

Stem cell therapy could offer new hope for defects and injuries to head, mouth Posted: 30 Jul 2012 02:01 PM PDT In the first human study of its kind, researchers found that using stem cells to re-grow craniofacial tissues—mainly bone—proved quicker, more effective and less invasive than traditional bone regeneration treatments.

Humpback whales staying in Antarctic bays later into autumn Posted: 30 Jul 2012 12:50 PM PDT Large numbers of humpback whales are remaining in bays along the Western Antarctic Peninsula to feast on krill late into the austral autumn, long after scientists thought their annual migrations to distant breeding grounds would begin, according to a new study.

One in five streams damaged by mine pollution in southern West Virginia Posted: 30 Jul 2012 12:50 PM PDT Water pollution from surface coal mining has degraded more than 22 percent of streams and rivers in southern West Virginia to the point they may now qualify as impaired under state criteria, according to a new study.

Modern culture 44,000 years ago: Human behavior, as we know it, emerged earlier than previously thought Posted: 30 Jul 2012 12:50 PM PDT An international team of researchers, including scientists from Wits University, have substantially increased the age at which we can trace the emergence of modern culture, all thanks to the San people of Africa.

Later Stone Age got earlier start in South Africa than thought Posted: 30 Jul 2012 12:50 PM PDT The Later Stone Age emerged in South Africa more than 20,000 years earlier than previously believed -- about the same time humans were migrating from Africa to the European continent, says a new study.

Tiny airborne pollutants lead double life Posted: 30 Jul 2012 12:50 PM PDT Researchers have provided visual evidence that atmospheric particles separate into distinct chemical compositions during their life cycle. Observations could have important implications for modeling global climate change and predicting air quality conditions.

New genetic target found for diuretic therapy Posted: 30 Jul 2012 12:50 PM PDT Researchers have identified a new genetic target for diuretic therapy in patients with fluid overload -- like those with congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis or kidney failure.

Grin and bear it: Smiling facilitates stress recovery Posted: 30 Jul 2012 12:01 PM PDT Just grin and bear it! At some point, we have all probably heard or thought something like this when facing a tough situation. But is there any truth to this piece of advice? Feeling good usually makes us smile, but does it work the other way around? Researchers have now examined how different types of smiling, and the awareness of smiling, affects our ability to recover from episodes of stress.

250 years of global warming: Berkeley Earth releases new analysis Posted: 30 Jul 2012 11:25 AM PDT According to a new Berkeley Earth study released July 29, the average temperature of Earth's land has risen by 1.5 °C over the past 250 years. The good match between the new temperature record and historical carbon dioxide records suggests that the most straightforward explanation for this warming is human greenhouse gas emissions.

Liver cancer cells stop making glucose as they become cancerous Posted: 30 Jul 2012 11:16 AM PDT Research has shown that as liver cancer develops, tumor cells lose the ability to produce and release glucose into the bloodstream. The change might aid cancer-cell growth and proliferation by helping to maintain high levels of glycolysis under conditions of drastically reduced mitochondrial respiration, also known as the Warburg effect. The findings suggest that reversing this process might offer a new treatment for the most common form of liver cancer.

Eating habits of giant Jurassic age dinosaur discovered Posted: 30 Jul 2012 11:16 AM PDT Scientists have discovered the eating habits of Diplodocus using a three-dimensional model of the dinosaur's skull.

Infection warning system in cells contains targets for antiviral and vaccine strategies Posted: 30 Jul 2012 11:16 AM PDT Scientists seeking to help the body better defend itself against hepatitis C, West Nile, and other serious virus infections are studying pattern recognition molecules inside living cells, called RIG-I-like receptors. When these receptors detect virus invasions, they alert the immune system to fight infection. Scientists have discovered ways certain proteins interact with RIG-I receptors to more efficiently emit signals in response to viral threats and to recruit killer T-cells. Therapeutics might be designed to mimic these actions.

In Massachusetts, 'individual mandate' led to decreased hospital productivity Posted: 30 Jul 2012 10:44 AM PDT As the "individual mandate" of the Affordable Care Act moves forward, debate and speculation continue as to whether universal health insurance coverage will lead to significant cost savings for hospitals. The assumption is that providing appropriate primary care will improve the overall health of the population, resulting in less need for hospital services and less severe illness among hospitalized patients. Findings from a recent study challenge that assumption.

Sunburn a common result of indoor tanning by college-aged females Posted: 30 Jul 2012 10:44 AM PDT Controversy remains over the risks involved with indoor tanning, especially in children and young adults. Since sunburn serves as a marker for excessive and skin-cell damaging UV exposure -- which can eventually lead to the development of skin cancer -- investigators took a closer look at a college-aged sample of females and their indoor tanning habits. What they found was that sunburn was a frequently reported experience by these young women when they engaged in this activity.

When rules change, brain falters Posted: 30 Jul 2012 09:42 AM PDT For the human brain, learning a new task when rules change can be a surprisingly difficult process marred by repeated mistakes, according to a new study.

Interactive proofs: Ten-year-old problem in theoretical computer science falls Posted: 30 Jul 2012 09:42 AM PDT Interactive proofs -- mathematical games that underlie much modern cryptography -- work even if players try to use quantum information to cheat. Computer scientists show there are multiprover interactive proofs that hold up against entangled respondents.

Emotion detectives uncover new ways to fight-off youth anxiety and depression Posted: 30 Jul 2012 09:42 AM PDT Emotional problems in childhood are common. Approximately 8 to 22 percent of children suffer from anxiety, often combined with other conditions such as depression. However, most existing therapies are not designed to treat coexisting psychological problems and are therefore not very successful in helping children with complex emotional issues.

Pollution can make citizens, both rich and poor, go green Posted: 30 Jul 2012 08:21 AM PDT Nothing inspires environmentalism quite like a smog-filled sky or a contaminated river, according to a new study that also indicates that environmentalism isn't just for the prosperous.

Long-distance distress signal from periphery of injured nerve cells begins with locally made protein Posted: 30 Jul 2012 08:21 AM PDT New research is one of the strongest indicators yet of molecular signaling from end to end in peripheral nerve cells. The new discoveries may help scientists better understand nerve cells' distress signals and nerve cell repair, so they can eventually control and enhance the process to speed up recovery from nerve injuries.

Archeologists unearth extraordinary human sculpture in Turkey Posted: 30 Jul 2012 08:21 AM PDT A beautiful and colossal human sculpture is one of the latest cultural treasures unearthed by an international team at the Tayinat Archaeological Project excavation site in southeastern Turkey.

Scientists pinpoint genetic changes that spell cancer Posted: 30 Jul 2012 08:20 AM PDT By studying fruit flies, scientists have successfully devised a fast and cost-saving way to uncover genetic changes that have a higher potential to cause cancer. With this new approach, researchers will now be able to rapidly distinguish the range of genetic changes that are causally linked to cancer (i.e. "driver" mutations) versus those with limited impact on cancer progression. This study could help advance the development of personalized medicine in cancer care and treatment.

Computer scientists present smile database Posted: 30 Jul 2012 08:17 AM PDT What exactly happens to your face when you smile spontaneously, and how does that affect how old you look? Computer scientists recorded the smiles of hundreds of people, thus creating the most comprehensive smile database ever. The research also shows that you look younger when you smile, but only if you are over forty. If you are under forty, you should look neutral if you want to come across younger.

Rapid assessment of plant drought tolerance possible with new method Posted: 30 Jul 2012 06:53 AM PDT Life scientists have discovered a new method to quickly assess plants' drought tolerance that works for many diverse species growing around the world.

What would happen without PSA testing? Posted: 30 Jul 2012 06:49 AM PDT A new analysis has found that doing away with PSA (prostate specific antigen) testing for prostate cancer would likely cause three times as many men to develop advanced disease that has spread to other parts of the body before being diagnosed. The study suggests that PSA testing and early detection may prevent approximately 17,000 men each year from having such advanced prostate cancer at diagnosis.

Introduction of Asian ladybugs into Europe serious mistake, experts say Posted: 30 Jul 2012 06:49 AM PDT In retrospect, introducing the Asian ladybird (ladybug) into Europe was a serious mistake. The insect was introduced some twenty years ago in a conscious attempt to combat aphids. But new research into the invasion of this foreign insect has shown that the disadvantages far outweigh this single advantage. The Asian species is displacing the native European ladybird and has become a pest that can contaminate homes and spoil the taste of wine.

Mindreading hormone? A better judge of character with nasal spray? Posted: 30 Jul 2012 06:49 AM PDT Ingesting the hormone oxytocin via nasal spray improves the ability to read people's facial expressions. These findings hold great promise for treatment of mental health disorders and drug addiction. In other contexts, oxytocin is already well-known as the "bliss hormone". The hormone is secreted upon stimulation by touch and is known to result in a feeling of calm and physical relaxation. It is also used to induce labor in childbirth and as an aid for women experiencing difficulties in breastfeeding.

The atomic nucleus: Fissile liquid or molecule of life? Posted: 30 Jul 2012 06:49 AM PDT A new view of the nucleus that unifies its liquid and molecule-like aspects has now been put forward.  By making an analogy with neutron stars, the researchers have for the first time demonstrated one of the necessary conditions for the formation of molecule-like behavior within the atomic nucleus. Such molecule-like behavior makes it possible to understand the synthesis of elements that are key to the appearance of life.

Brain development delayed in ADHD, study shows Posted: 30 Jul 2012 06:48 AM PDT Is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) due to a delay in brain development or the result of complete deviation from typical development? Psychologists found that the development of the cortical surface is delayed in frontal brain regions in children with ADHD.

Archaeologists discover the tomb of a Mayan prince in Mexico Posted: 30 Jul 2012 06:48 AM PDT Researchers have been digging for four years together with Mexican antiquity authorities from the Mayan city of Uxul in Campeche, Mexico. The aim of the excavation project is to research the process of centralization and collapse of hegemonic state structures in the Mayan Lowlands using the example of the mid-sized archeological site (Uxul) and its ties to the supraregional center (Calakmul). Archaeologists have now discovered the tomb of a Mayan prince.

A giant step in a miniature world: Electrical charge of nano particles measured Posted: 30 Jul 2012 06:48 AM PDT Scientists have developed a new method that measures not only the size of the particles but also their electrostatic charge. Up until now it has not been possible to determine the charge of the particles directly. This unique method, which is the first of its kind in the world, is just as important for the manufacture of drugs as in basic research.

Cooling, not population loss, led to fewer fires after 1500 in New World Posted: 30 Jul 2012 06:41 AM PDT After Columbus' voyage, burning of New World forests and fields diminished significantly – a phenomenon some have attributed to decimation of native populations. But a new study suggests global cooling resulted in fewer fires because both preceded Columbus in many regions worldwide.

Cloud seeds and ozone holes Posted: 30 Jul 2012 06:41 AM PDT New findings on the growth of ice clusters in polar stratospheric clouds could help clarify the process of ozone depletion in the atmosphere.

Lotus leaf inspires fog-free finish for transparent surfaces Posted: 30 Jul 2012 06:41 AM PDT Chinese scientists use silica nanoparticles resembling raspberries to create a water-repellent, fog-free, self-cleaning finish for glass and other transparent surfaces.

Mathematicians develop new method for describing extremely complicated shapes Posted: 30 Jul 2012 06:41 AM PDT Building a bridge between topology and fractals may lead to a new way of describing tiny defects in metal or the froth of a breaking wave.

Psychological abuse puts children at risk Posted: 30 Jul 2012 06:41 AM PDT Psychological abuse may be the most challenging and prevalent form of child abuse and neglect, experts say in position statement on psychological maltreatment.

How to avoid traps in plastic electronics Posted: 30 Jul 2012 06:41 AM PDT Plastic electronics hold the promise of cheap, mass-produced devices. But plastic semiconductors have an important flaw: the electronic current is influenced by "charge traps" in the material. New research reveals a common mechanism underlying these traps and provides a theoretical framework to design trap-free plastic electronics.

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