ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Conflict of interest declarations in off-label drug use inadequate, experts say
• New non-toxic disinfectant could tackle hospital infections
• Planting the seeds of defense: Stress triggers widespread epigenetic changes that aid in disease resistance
• Orbiter images NASA's latest additions to Martian landscape
• Can nature parks save biodiversity?
• Thinner diabetics face higher death rate
• Cholesterol levels appear to be improving among US youths
• Shedding new light on how jaws evolve
• Control of devastating cassava virus in Africa demonstrated
• Diseased trees new source of climate gas
• New pathway for invasive species -- science teachers
• Chemists advance clear conductive thin films
• Drug successfully halts fibrosis in animal model of liver disease
• Nanoparticle discovery opens door for pharmaceuticals
• California's hydropower stations to generate less electricity in summer as climate warms
• Composite nanofibers open next chapter in orthopaedic biomaterials
• Genetic analyses reveal novel mutations as causes of startle disease
• Searching for tumors or handguns can be like looking for food
• New gene linked to PTSD identified
• Division of labor offers insight into the evolution of multicellular life
• Corticosteroids not effective for treating acute sinusitis, study suggests
• A simple way to help cities monitor traffic more accurately
• TRPM7 protein key to breast cancer metastasis in animal models
• Using millions of years of cell evolution in fight against cancer
• The economic cost of increased temperatures: Warming episodes hurt poor countries and limit long-term growth
• Should young men be vaccinated against human papilloma virus?
• What makes Paris look like Paris? Software finds stylistic core
• Advance in X-ray imaging shines light on nanomaterials
• Higgs transition of north and south poles of electrons in a magnet
• Health insurance: Those who are covered, recover
• Lower risk of serious side-effects in trials of new targeted drugs, study suggests
• Dyslexia caused by faulty signal processing in brain; Finding offers clues to potential treatments
• Preserving an icon: Impact of historical domestic cattle hybridization with American bison revealed
• Study finds with vacant lots greened, residents feel safer
• High risk of bleeding from brain blood vessel abnormalities during pregnancy
• Cholesterol-lowering drugs may be linked to increased cataract risk
• Birds do better in 'agroforests' than on farms
• Paddlefish's doubled genome may question theories on limb evolution
• Why do infants get sick so often? Cell signaling prevents growth of essential immune cells, study shows
• Depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts found in former finasteride users
• Holy bat detector! Ecologists develop first Europe-wide bat ID tool
• Few kids use recommended safety restraints in cars
• Eco-computer with a natural wood look
• Using wastewater as fertilizer
• Cannabis as painkiller
• Bruce Willis couldn’t save us from asteroid doom
• Astronomers crack mystery of the 'monster' stars
• Epileptic fits are like raging thunderstorms: Astrocytes help reduce long-term damage, surprising new research shows
• 2012 the hottest year on record for Northeast, US
• New metamaterials device focuses sound waves like a camera lens
• Children's healthy diets linked to higher IQ
• New Mars rover beams back images showing its descent
• A 'learning health system' moves from idea to action
• Mothers, children underestimate obesity in China
• The scientific side of steroid use and abuse
• Implantable defibrillators lead to decrease in cardiac arrests
• Long-term use of blood pressure meds promoting sun sensitivity may raise lip cancer risk

Conflict of interest declarations in off-label drug use inadequate, experts say Posted: 07 Aug 2012 04:42 PM PDT Conflict-of-interest statements made by physicians and scientists in their medical journal articles after they had been allegedly paid by pharmaceutical manufacturers as part of off-label marketing programs are often inadequate, highlighting the deficiencies in relying on author candidness and the weaknesses in some journal practices in ensuring proper disclosure, according to a new study.

New non-toxic disinfectant could tackle hospital infections Posted: 07 Aug 2012 04:40 PM PDT A new disinfectant, Akwaton, that works at extremely low concentrations could be used in healthcare settings to help control persistent hospital-acquired infections such as Clostridium difficile. Researchers tested the new compound, Akwaton, against bacterial spores that attach to surfaces and are difficult to destroy. Previous work has shown Akwaton is also effective at low concentrations against strains of Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

Planting the seeds of defense: Stress triggers widespread epigenetic changes that aid in disease resistance Posted: 07 Aug 2012 04:40 PM PDT It was long thought that methylation, a crucial part of normal organism development, was a static modification of DNA that could not be altered by environmental conditions. New findings, however, suggest that the DNA of organisms exposed to stress undergo changes in DNA methylation patterns that alter how genes are regulated.

Orbiter images NASA's latest additions to Martian landscape Posted: 07 Aug 2012 03:30 PM PDT Late Monday night, an image from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera aboard NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured the Curiosity rover and the components that helped it survive its seven-minute ordeal from space to its present location in Mars' Gale Crater.

Can nature parks save biodiversity? Posted: 07 Aug 2012 01:10 PM PDT As human activities put increasing pressures on natural systems and wildlife to survive, 200 scientists around the world carved up pieces of the puzzle to present a clearer picture of reality and find ways to mitigate the destructive forces at work.

Thinner diabetics face higher death rate Posted: 07 Aug 2012 01:10 PM PDT American adults of a normal weight with new-onset diabetes die at a higher rate than overweight/obese adults with the same disease, according to a new study.

Cholesterol levels appear to be improving among US youths Posted: 07 Aug 2012 01:10 PM PDT In a study involving more than 16,000 U.S. children and adolescents, there has been a decrease in average total cholesterol levels over the past 2 decades, although almost 1 in 10 had elevated total cholesterol in 2007-2010.

Shedding new light on how jaws evolve Posted: 07 Aug 2012 12:13 PM PDT If you're looking for information on the evolution and function of jaws, a new integrative research program has some answers. Scientists are investigating major adaptive and morphological transformations in the mammalian musculoskeletal system during development and across higher-level groups.

Control of devastating cassava virus in Africa demonstrated Posted: 07 Aug 2012 12:13 PM PDT Scientists recently demonstrated progress in protecting cassava against cassava brown streak disease (CBSD), a serious virus disease, in a confined field trial in Uganda using an RNA interference technology.

Diseased trees new source of climate gas Posted: 07 Aug 2012 12:13 PM PDT Diseased trees in forests may be a significant new source of methane that causes climate change, according to researchers.

New pathway for invasive species -- science teachers Posted: 07 Aug 2012 12:13 PM PDT A survey of teachers from the United States and Canada found that one out of four educators who used live animals as part of their science curriculum released the organisms into the wild after they were done using them in the classroom.

Chemists advance clear conductive thin films Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:23 AM PDT Thin, conductive films are useful in displays and solar cells. A new solution-based chemistry for making indium tin oxide films could allow engineers to employ a much simpler and cheaper manufacturing process.

Drug successfully halts fibrosis in animal model of liver disease Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:23 AM PDT A potential new NADPH oxidase inhibitor therapy for liver fibrosis, a scarring process associated with chronic liver disease that can lead to loss of liver function.

Nanoparticle discovery opens door for pharmaceuticals Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:23 AM PDT What a student thought was a failed experiment has led to a serendipitous discovery hailed by some scientists as a potential game changer for the mass production of nanoparticles.

California's hydropower stations to generate less electricity in summer as climate warms Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:23 AM PDT California's hydropower is vulnerable to climate change, a scientist has advised policymakers. According to the scientist, if California loses snowpack under climate warming, high-elevation hydropower-plant reservoirs may not be able to store enough water for hydropower generation in summer months when the demand is much higher and hydropower is priced higher.

Composite nanofibers open next chapter in orthopaedic biomaterials Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:23 AM PDT Scientists have developed and validated a new technology in which composite nanofibrous scaffolds provide a loose enough structure for cells to colonize without impediment, but still can instruct cells how to lay down new tissue.

Genetic analyses reveal novel mutations as causes of startle disease Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:22 AM PDT Two new studies identify genetic mutations that play important roles in the condition commonly referred to as startle disease. Startle disease is characterized by an exaggerated response to noise and touch, which can interfere with breathing, cause catastrophic falls and even result in death. The newly identified genetic mutations affect how the signaling molecule glycine, which is responsible for sending messages between nerve cells, is both moved around and used in these cells.

Searching for tumors or handguns can be like looking for food Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:22 AM PDT If past experience makes you think there's going to be one more cashew at the bottom of the bowl, you're likely to search through those mixed nuts a little longer. But what keeps the attention of a radiologist or baggage screener who can go hours without finding anything? The answer may be to make those professional searchers believe there are more targets to be found.

New gene linked to PTSD identified Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:22 AM PDT Investigators have identified a new gene linked to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The findings indicate that a gene known to play a role in protecting brain cells from the damaging effects of stress may also be involved in the development of PTSD.

Division of labor offers insight into the evolution of multicellular life Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:22 AM PDT Dividing tasks among different individuals is a more efficient way to get things done, whether you are an ant, a honeybee or a human. A new study suggests that this efficiency may also explain a key transition in evolutionary history, from single-celled to multi-celled organisms.

Corticosteroids not effective for treating acute sinusitis, study suggests Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:22 AM PDT Corticosteroids, frequently prescribed to alleviate acute sinusitis, show no clinical benefit in treating the condition, according to a randomized controlled trial.

A simple way to help cities monitor traffic more accurately Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:20 AM PDT New software helps in-road traffic detectors count cars more accurately -- and save city planners money.

TRPM7 protein key to breast cancer metastasis in animal models Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:20 AM PDT The protein transient receptor potential melastatin-like 7 (TRPM7) is a critical determinant of breast cancer cell metastasis, according to new study.

Using millions of years of cell evolution in fight against cancer Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:20 AM PDT Researchers are focusing on ways to fight cancer by attacking defective genes before they are able to make proteins. They are studying micro RNAs (miRNAs), a class of small RNAs that interact with messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that have been linked to a number of diseases, including cancer. Scientists placed two different miRNAs (MiR-7 and MiR-128) into ovarian cancer cells and watched how they affected the gene system.

The economic cost of increased temperatures: Warming episodes hurt poor countries and limit long-term growth Posted: 07 Aug 2012 08:33 AM PDT Even temporary rises in local temperatures significantly damage long-term economic growth in the world's developing nations, according to a new study.

Should young men be vaccinated against human papilloma virus? Posted: 07 Aug 2012 08:33 AM PDT Vaccination against human papilloma virus (HPV) is recommended for young women to protect them from HPV infection and cervical cancer. Male HPV immunization is increasingly a topic of debate in the medical community.

What makes Paris look like Paris? Software finds stylistic core Posted: 07 Aug 2012 08:33 AM PDT Paris is one of those cities that has a look all its own, something that goes beyond landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame. Researchers have developed visual data mining software that can automatically detect these sometimes subtle features, such as street signs, streetlamps and balcony railings, that give Paris and other cities a distinctive look.

Advance in X-ray imaging shines light on nanomaterials Posted: 07 Aug 2012 08:33 AM PDT A new advance in X-ray imaging has revealed the dramatic three-dimensional shape of gold nanocrystals, and is likely to shine a light on the structure of other nano-scale materials.

Higgs transition of north and south poles of electrons in a magnet Posted: 07 Aug 2012 08:32 AM PDT Minimal evidence of a Higgs transition;1 of north and south poles of electron spins was observed in a magnet Yb2Ti2O7 at the absolute temperature;2 0.21 K. A fractionalization of these monopoles from electron spins was observed on cooling to 0.3 K. On further cooling below 0.21 K, the material showed the ferromagnetism to be understood as a superconductivity of monopoles. The work is reported in an online science journal "Nature Communications" in UK on August 7, by an international collaboration team of Dr. Shigeki Onoda (Condensed Matter Theory Lab., RIKEN Advanced Science Institute), Dr. Lieh-Jeng Chang (Quantum Beam Science Dictorate, Japan Atomic Energy Agency and Dept. of Physics, National Cheng Kung Univ.), and Dr. Yixi Su (Jülich Center for Neutron Science JCNS-FRM II, Forschungszentrum Jülich), and coworkers.

Health insurance: Those who are covered, recover Posted: 07 Aug 2012 08:32 AM PDT Underinsured CVD patients die sooner than patients with private insurance, irrespective of race.

Lower risk of serious side-effects in trials of new targeted drugs, study suggests Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:49 AM PDT Patients in early clinical trials of new-style targeted cancer therapies appear to have a much lower risk of the most serious side-effects than with traditional chemotherapy. Researchers analyzed data from 36 Phase I trials. The study found the overall risk to patients of suffering a life-threatening side-effect was around seven times less than for traditional cytotoxic agents.

Dyslexia caused by faulty signal processing in brain; Finding offers clues to potential treatments Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:49 AM PDT Researchers have made a major step forward in understanding the cause of dyslexia. The scientists have discovered an important neural mechanism underlying dyslexia and shown that many difficulties associated with dyslexia can potentially be traced back to a malfunction of the medial geniculate body in the thalamus. The results provide an important basis for developing potential treatments.

Preserving an icon: Impact of historical domestic cattle hybridization with American bison revealed Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:48 AM PDT Plains bison are an iconic symbol of America on everything from coins to state flags. Now scientists are exploring how the cross-breeding of bison with domestic cattle in the late 1800s may still have unwanted effects on modern populations of the species.

Study finds with vacant lots greened, residents feel safer Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:47 AM PDT Greening vacant lots may make neighborhood residents feel safer and may be associated with reductions in certain gun crimes, according to a new study. Results show that residents living near greened vacant lots feel safer than those near non-greened sites.

High risk of bleeding from brain blood vessel abnormalities during pregnancy Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:47 AM PDT A new study supports what neurosurgeons have long suspected —- that pregnancy is an important risk factor for bleeding from arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in the brain.

Cholesterol-lowering drugs may be linked to increased cataract risk Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:47 AM PDT Patients using cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may be at increased risk of developing age-related cataracts, according to a study.

Birds do better in 'agroforests' than on farms Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:13 AM PDT Compared with open farmland, wooded "shade" plantations that produce coffee and chocolate promote greater bird diversity, although a new study says forests remain the best habitat for tropical birds. The findings suggest that as open farmland replaces forests and "agroforests" -- where crops are grown under trees – reduced number of bird species and shifts in the populations of various types of birds may hurt "ecosystem services" that birds provide to people, such as eating insect pests, spreading seeds and pollinating crops.

Paddlefish's doubled genome may question theories on limb evolution Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:13 AM PDT The American paddlefish -- known for its bizarre, protruding snout and eggs harvested for caviar -- duplicated its entire genome about 42 million years ago, according to a new study. This finding may add a new twist to the way scientists study how fins evolved into limbs since the paddlefish is often used as a proxy for a more representative ancestor shared by humans and fishes.

Why do infants get sick so often? Cell signaling prevents growth of essential immune cells, study shows Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:13 AM PDT Babies can get sick often, but parents shouldn't take the blame. A new study shows essential immune cells that help fight infections don't develop until adulthood.

Depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts found in former finasteride users Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:13 AM PDT Men who developed persistent sexual side effects while on finasteride (Propecia), a drug commonly used for male pattern hair loss, have a high prevalence of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts.

Holy bat detector! Ecologists develop first Europe-wide bat ID tool Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:12 AM PDT Just as differences in song can be used to distinguish one bird species from another, the pips and squeaks bats use to find prey can be used to identify different species of bat. Now, for the first time, ecologists have developed a Europe-wide tool capable of identifying bats from their echolocation calls.

Few kids use recommended safety restraints in cars Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:12 AM PDT Despite the fact that car crashes are the leading cause of death for children older than three years in the U.S. and send more than 140,000 children to the emergency room each year, new research has found that low proportions of U.S. children are using age-appropriate safety restraints and many are placed at risk by riding in the front seat.

Eco-computer with a natural wood look Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:12 AM PDT Surfing for hours on the Internet consumes a lot of electricity and is harmful to the environment. However, a new ecological PC saves energy as it operates: It produces about 70 percent less CO2 than conventional computers.

Using wastewater as fertilizer Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:12 AM PDT Sewage sludge, wastewater and liquid manure are valuable sources of fertilizer for food production. Researchers have now developed a chemical-free, eco-friendly process that enables the recovered salts to be converted directly into organic food for crop plants.

Cannabis as painkiller Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:12 AM PDT Cannabis-based medications have been demonstrated to relieve pain. Cannabis medications can be used in patients whose symptoms are not adequately alleviated by conventional treatment. The indications are muscle spasms, nausea and vomiting as a result of chemotherapy, loss of appetite in HIV/Aids, and neuropathic pain, experts say.

Bruce Willis couldn’t save us from asteroid doom Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:12 AM PDT According to the internet hysteria surrounding the ancient Mayan calendar, an asteroid could be on its way to wipe out the world on December 21, 2012. Obviously this is pretty unlikely -- but if an asteroid really is on its way, could we take a cue from the disaster movie Armageddon in order to save the planet? According to new research the answer is definitely "no."

Astronomers crack mystery of the 'monster' stars Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:12 AM PDT In 2010 scientists discovered four 'monster' sized stars, with the heaviest more than 300 times as massive as our Sun. Despite their incredible luminosity, these exotic objects, located in the giant star cluster R136 in the nearby galaxy the Large Magellanic Cloud; have oddly so far been found nowhere else. Now a group of astronomers have a new explanation: the ultramassive stars were created from the merger of lighter stars in tight binary systems.

Epileptic fits are like raging thunderstorms: Astrocytes help reduce long-term damage, surprising new research shows Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:12 AM PDT Epileptic fits are like thunderstorms raging in the brain: Nerve cells excite each other in an uncontrolled way so that strong, rhythmic electrical discharges sweep over whole brain regions. In the wake of such a seizure, the nerve cells are severely affected, and permanent damage is possible. The glia, a class of cells that surround the neurons in the brain, was long suspected to contribute to the damaging effects of epilepsy. Quite the opposite is the case, researchers show for the first time.

2012 the hottest year on record for Northeast, US Posted: 07 Aug 2012 06:57 AM PDT The Northeast's seven-month average (January through July) of 49.9 degrees was the warmest such period since 1895, the year such record keeping began.

New metamaterials device focuses sound waves like a camera lens Posted: 07 Aug 2012 06:57 AM PDT Researchers have designed and computationally tested a type of humanmade metamaterial capable for the first time of manipulating a variety of acoustic waves with one simple device.

Children's healthy diets linked to higher IQ Posted: 07 Aug 2012 06:57 AM PDT Children fed healthy diets in early age may have a slightly higher IQ, while those on heavier junk food diets may have a slightly reduced IQ, according to new research.

New Mars rover beams back images showing its descent Posted: 07 Aug 2012 04:24 AM PDT Just hours after NASA's Curiosity rover landed on Mars, a select group of images taken by the onboard Mars Descent Imager, or MARDI, were beamed back to Earth. The 297 color, low-resolution images, provide a glimpse of the rover's descent into Gale Crater. They are a preview of the approximately 1,504 images of descent currently held in the rover's onboard memory. When put together in highest resolution, the resulting video is expected to depict the rover's descent from the moment the entry system's heat shield is released through touchdown.

A 'learning health system' moves from idea to action Posted: 06 Aug 2012 02:13 PM PDT In the United States, clinicians are struggling to provide better and more affordable health care to more people -- while keeping up with new scientific developments. The idea of a "learning health system" is one proposed solution for rapidly applying the best available scientific evidence in real-time clinical practice. Experts now describe the experience of turning this intriguing concept into action.

Mothers, children underestimate obesity in China Posted: 06 Aug 2012 01:19 PM PDT Childhood obesity is on the rise in China, and children and parents there tend to underestimate body weight, according to Penn State health policy researchers.

The scientific side of steroid use and abuse Posted: 06 Aug 2012 01:19 PM PDT Scientists are investigating the cellular basis for behavioral changes seen with the abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids. New research looks at three major behavioral systems typically associated with steroid abuse -- reproduction, aggression in males, and anxiety in both sexes. Studies have shown there are "critical periods" -- periods of time during adolescence when exposure to steroids can impose permanent changes in both brain organization and function.

Implantable defibrillators lead to decrease in cardiac arrests Posted: 06 Aug 2012 01:19 PM PDT Researchers estimate that implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) account for a third of the decrease in cardiac arrests caused by ventricular fibrillation (VF). The incidence of VF-related cardiac arrest dropped significantly between 1995 and 2008. In greater Amsterdam, ICDs prevented 81 cardiac arrests between 2005 and 2008.

Long-term use of blood pressure meds promoting sun sensitivity may raise lip cancer risk Posted: 06 Aug 2012 01:19 PM PDT Long-term use of commonly used blood pressure medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight is associated with an increased risk of lip cancer in non-Hispanic whites, according to a new study.

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