ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Tuesday, September 13, 2011 ~ pulaskitech

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Tuesday, September 13, 2011

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Tinnitus discovery could lead to new ways to stop the ringing: Retraining the brain could reanimate areas that have lost input from the ear (September 13, 2011) -- People with tinnitus -- a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears -- can take heart from a new study by neuroscientists that points to several new strategies for alleviating the problem. In experiments on rats, researchers have shown that tinnitus results from decreased inhibition in the auditory cortex. Thus, training that boosts inhibition or drugs that increase the levels of inhibitory neurotransmitter may alleviate the symptoms. ... > full story

Study evaluates intranasal insulin therapy for adults with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s (September 13, 2011) -- Intranasal insulin therapy appears to provide some benefit for cognitive function in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease, according to a new study. ... > full story

The breathtaking dance of plants: How plants space out the pores through which they breathe (September 13, 2011) -- The way in which plants space out the pores through which they breathe depends on keeping a protein active during stem cell growth, according to new research. The research could help scientists to tailor the number and arrangement of stomata to different environments. This could regulate the efficiency at which plants absorb carbon dioxide or diffuse water vapor. ... > full story

Association found between long-term use of nonaspirin anti-inflammatory drugs and renal cell cancer (September 13, 2011) -- Long-term use of nonaspirin anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with an increased risk of renal cell cancer (RCC), according to a report in the Sept. issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. ... > full story

Taming light: Mastering the fine structuring of ultrashort light fields (September 13, 2011) -- Physicists have generated for the first time “white” light pulses. They are able to control their field on a time scale shorter than an optical oscillation. These new tools hold promise for unprecedented control of the motion of electrons. ... > full story

U.S. public may not be aware of important uncertainties about drug benefits and harms (September 13, 2011) -- Many U.S. adults believe that only extremely effective drugs without serious adverse effects are approved, but providing explanations to patients highlighting uncertainties about drug benefits may affect their choices, according to a new study. ... > full story

Recycling fat might help worms live longer (September 13, 2011) -- Scientists found that two cellular processes -- lipid metabolism and autophagy -- work together to influence lifespan in C. elegans worms. Autophagy, a mechanism cells use to recycle their own contents, has been implicated in many human diseases, including cancer. This study provides a more detailed understanding of the roles autophagy and lipid metabolism play in aging. ... > full story

Gene responsible for three forms of childhood neurodegenerative diseases found (September 13, 2011) -- An international team has identified the mutated gene responsible for three forms of leukodystrophies, a group of childhood-onset neurodegenerative disorders. ... > full story

Newly hatched chicks of African honeyguide birds bite to death their foster siblings to eliminate competition (September 13, 2011) -- Only a few days old and still blind and naked, chicks of the African greater honeyguide kill their newly hatched foster siblings in order to eliminate competition for parental care, new research has found. ... > full story

First German genome decoded; Researchers analyze two chromosome sets in the human genome separately for the first time (September 13, 2011) -- Errors in the copying and reading of genes can have very serious consequences. Fortunately human genetic material is available in duplicate as everyone inherits a complete genome from both their mother and father. However, the two genomes are different: researchers refer to the different variants of the gene sequence on the individual chromosomes as "haplotypes" and the complete analysis of the genome requires detailed knowledge of both haplotypes. Scientists have now comprehensively decoded both sets of chromosomes from a human genome separately for the first time. This step is essential for gaining a deeper understanding of human biology, the analysis of disease risks and, accordingly, the development of new and more individualised strategies for the prevention and treatment of diseases. The genome fully decoded is also the first completely sequenced genome of a German individual. ... > full story

Fast, cheap, and accurate: Detecting CO<sub>2</sub> with a fluorescent twist (September 13, 2011) -- Detecting specific gases in the air is possible using a number of different existing technologies, but typically all of these suffer from one or more drawbacks including high energy cost, large size, slow detection speed, and sensitivity to humidity. Overcoming these deficiencies with a unique approach, scientists have designed an inexpensive new material capable of quick and accurate detection of a specific gas under a wide variety of circumstances. ... > full story

Confronting meaninglessness (September 13, 2011) -- You've just finished an amazing dinner at your favorite restaurant and you are ready to put on your comfy pajamas and slip into sweet slumber. You arrive at your doorstep and find the front door ajar. Your heart beats wildly in your chest and you peer in, only to discover that your house has been ransacked. Researchers explore the possibility that different threat-reduction approaches can be adaptive in different situations. ... > full story

Endangered horse has ancient origins and high genetic diversity, new study finds (September 12, 2011) -- An endangered species, Przewalski's horse, is much more distantly related to the domestic horse and has a much more diverse gene pool than researchers previously had hypothesized, researchers report. The new study's findings could be used to inform conservation efforts to save the endangered species, of which only 2,000 individuals remain in parts of China and Mongolia, and in wildlife reserves in California and the Ukraine. ... > full story

Novel drug combination offers therapeutic promise for hard-to-treat cancers (September 12, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a new combination of targeted therapies that, together, may treat two aggressive tumor types that until now have not had effective treatments. ... > full story

X-ray protein probe leads to potential anticancer tactic (September 12, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a new type of potential anticancer drug. The compound, named FOBISIN, targets 14-3-3 proteins, important for the runaway growth of cancer cells. The researchers were using X-rays to see how FOBISIN fits into the clamp-shaped 14-3-3 protein structure. Unexpectedly, the X-rays induced the compound to be permanently bonded to the protein. ... > full story

Study finds no link between intracerebral hemorrhage and statin use among patients with prior stroke (September 12, 2011) -- Among patients who have had an ischemic stroke, use of cholesterol-lowering statin medications is not associated with subsequent intracerebral hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain), according to a new study. ... > full story

Sustainability scientists suggest how countries can cooperate on climate (September 12, 2011) -- Experts suggest using game theory and a scalable method of rewards and punishments (called linear compensation) to help develop strategies that encourage all nations to participation fully in greenhouse gas mitigation programs. ... > full story

Pain relievers could calm dementia patients, study suggests (September 12, 2011) -- Many dementia patients are being treated with antipsychotic medications, but a new study by researchers in Norway and the UK shows that simple pain relievers may be a better alternative. ... > full story

New species of ancient predatory fish discovered (September 12, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered a new species of large predatory fish that prowled ancient North American waterways during the Devonian Period, before backboned animals existed on land. ... > full story

Link between high cholesterol and Alzheimer's disease revealed in new study (September 12, 2011) -- People with high cholesterol may have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study. ... > full story

Health fears over CO<sub>2</sub> storage are unfounded, study shows (September 12, 2011) -- Capturing carbon dioxide from power stations and storing it deep underground carries no significant threat to human health, despite recently voiced fears that it might, a new study shows. Researchers found that the risk of death from poisoning as a result of exposure to CO2 leaks from underground rocks is about one in 100 million -- far less than the chances of winning the lottery jackpot. ... > full story

Blacks develop high blood pressure one year faster than whites, study finds (September 12, 2011) -- Blacks at risk of having high blood pressure develop the condition one year before whites and have a 35 percent greater chance of progressing from pre-hypertension to high blood pressure, according to a new study. More aggressive treatment of pre-hypertension could narrow the gap in hypertension rates between blacks and whites. ... > full story

Nanopatterning technique throws new light on photovoltaics (September 12, 2011) -- Do better with less. That is the challenge that Swiss researchers have set for themselves. Their specialty: manufacturing solar cells that are one thousand times thinner than conventional cells. In order to boost the output of the cells, they have developed a new nanopatterning technique. ... > full story

Raising a child doesn't necessarily take a village, study of African villages suggests (September 12, 2011) -- It doesn't take a village to raise a child after all, according to recent research of African villages in Mali. ... > full story

'Trojan Horse' particle sneaks chemotherapy in to kill ovarian cancer cells (September 12, 2011) -- A common chemotherapy drug has been successfully delivered to cancer cells inside tiny microparticles using a method inspired by our knowledge of how the human immune system works. The drug, delivered in this way, reduced ovarian cancer tumors in an animal model by 65 times more than using the standard method. This approach is now being developed for clinical use. ... > full story

Breast cancer patients with BRCA gene diagnosed almost eight years earlier than generation before (September 12, 2011) -- Women with a deleterious gene mutation are diagnosed with breast cancer almost eight years earlier than relatives of the previous generation who also had the disease and/or ovarian cancer, according to new research. ... > full story

New method could help prevent osteoarthritis (September 12, 2011) -- A new method is set to help doctors diagnose osteoarthritis at such an early stage that it will be possible to delay the progression of the disease by many years, or maybe even stop it entirely. ... > full story

New clues to molecular understanding of autism (September 12, 2011) -- The first transgenic mouse model of a rare and severe type of autism called Timothy Syndrome is improving the scientific understanding of autism spectrum disorder in general and may help researchers design more targeted interventions and treatments. ... > full story

Physicist detects movement of macromolecules engineered into our food (September 12, 2011) -- Toxin proteins are genetically engineered into our food because they kill insects by perforating body cell walls, and now researchers studying membrane proteins have detected the molecular mechanism involved. ... > full story

Social contacts, self-confidence crucial to successful recovery through Alcoholics Anonymous, study finds (September 12, 2011) -- Among the many ways that participation in Alcoholics Anonymous helps its members stay sober, two appear to be most important -- spending more time with individuals who support efforts towards sobriety and increased confidence in the ability to maintain abstinence in social situations. Researchers now report the first study to examine the relative importance of behavior changes associated with participation in AA on successful recovery. ... > full story

Astronomers find 50 new exoplanets: Richest haul of planets so far includes 16 new super-Earths (September 12, 2011) -- Astronomers using the European Southern Observatory's world-leading exoplanet hunter HARPS have announced a rich haul of more than 50 new exoplanets, including 16 super-Earths, one of which orbits at the edge of the habitable zone of its star. By studying the properties of all the HARPS planets found so far, the team has found that about 40% of stars similar to the Sun have at least one planet lighter than Saturn. ... > full story

Exposure to 'white' light LEDs appears to suppress body's production of melatonin more than certain other lights, research suggests (September 12, 2011) -- Exposure to the light of 'white' LED bulbs appears to suppress melatonin five times more than exposure to the light of high pressure sodium bulbs that give off an orange-yellow light, according to new research. ... > full story

Airplanes: New tool analyzes black-box data for flight anomalies (September 12, 2011) -- Scientists have created a new tool that analyzes black-box data for flight anomalies. An airplane's digital flight-data recorder, or "black box," holds massive amounts of data, documenting the performance of engines, cockpit controls, hydraulic equipment and GPS systems, typically at regular one-second intervals throughout a flight. Inspectors use such data to reconstruct the final moments of an accident, looking for telltale defects that may explain a crash. More recently, analysts have probed black-box data in an effort to prevent such accidents from ever occurring. Using software tools that can rapidly search data, operators can flag problem areas and determine whether a plane needs to be pulled off the line to be physically inspected, or if there are problems with flight procedures. ... > full story

Hyperventilation may trigger febrile seizures in children; Controlling acid-base status could lead to novel treatment strategies (September 12, 2011) -- New research shows that febrile seizures in children may be linked to respiratory alkalosis, indicated by elevated blood pH and low carbon dioxide levels caused by hyperventilation, and independent of the underlying infection severity. Febrile seizures were not observed in susceptible children with fevers brought on by gastroenteritis, suggesting that low blood pH levels (acidosis) may have a protective effect. ... > full story

Breath and sweat used to detect trapped humans (September 12, 2011) -- Molecules in their breath, sweat and skin have been used to detect humans in a simulation of a collapsed building, raising the prospect of portable sensors for use in real-life situations, such as the devastating aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and more recent disasters in New Zealand and Japan. ... > full story

Fast-paced, fantastical television shows may compromise learning, behavior of young children (September 12, 2011) -- Young children who watch fast-paced, fantastical television shows may become handicapped in their readiness for learning, according to a new study. ... > full story

Have we met before? Direct connections found between areas of brain responsible for voice and face recognition (September 12, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered direct connections between the areas of the brain responsible for voice and face recognition. Recent findings indicate that voice and face recognition are much more closely related than previously thought. ... > full story

Scientists successfully expand bone marrow-derived stem cells in culture (September 12, 2011) -- All stem cells -- regardless of their source -- share the remarkable capability to replenish themselves by undergoing self-renewal. Yet, so far, efforts to grow and expand scarce hematopoietic (or blood-forming) stem cells in culture for therapeutic applications have been met with limited success. Now, researchers have teased apart the molecular mechanisms enabling stem cell renewal in hematopoietic stem cells isolated from mice and successfully applied their insight to expand cultured hematopoietic stem cells a hundredfold. ... > full story

Hubble to target 'Hot Jupiters' (September 12, 2011) -- An international team of astronomers has set out on the largest program to date exploring the alien atmospheres of "Hot Jupiters" -- massive planets in solar systems far away from our own. ... > full story

New complex offers potentially safer alternative for gene therapy delivery (September 12, 2011) -- Spontaneous ordering of DNA fragments in a special matrix holds the key to creating non-toxic gene therapy delivery vectors, according to a new study. ... > full story

Physicists report progress in understanding high-temperature superconductors (September 12, 2011) -- Although high-temperature superconductors are widely used in technologies such as MRI machines, explaining the unusual properties of these materials remains an unsolved problem for theoretical physicists. Major progress in this important field has now been reported by physicists in California. ... > full story

99-cent pricing may not be worth the penny, says expert (September 12, 2011) -- Just-below pricing, or 99-cent endings, is a common marketing tool used to attract customers looking to get bang for their buck. But an expert says that, in some cases, a penny saved doesn't always translate into a penny earned for retailers. ... > full story

Mitosis: New techniques expose surprises in cell division (September 12, 2011) -- Researchers have obtained the first high-resolution, three-dimensional images of a cell with a nucleus undergoing cell division. The observations, made using a powerful imaging technique in combination with a new method for slicing cell samples, indicate that one of the characteristic steps of mitosis is significantly different in some cells. ... > full story

Genome-wide hunts reveal new regulators of blood pressure; Genetic variants linked to increased risk of hypertension, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases (September 12, 2011) -- A study involving more than 200,000 people worldwide has identified 29 DNA sequence variations in locations across the human genome that influence blood pressure. These genes, whose sequence changes are associated with alterations in blood pressure and are linked to heart disease and stroke, were found with the help of decades' worth of population data that were pooled and analyzed by a large international consortium. ... > full story

Gypsy moth caterpillars hormonal slaves to virus gene (September 12, 2011) -- Gypsy moth caterpillars infected with baculovirus forfeit safety and stay in the treetops during the day because a virus gene manipulates their hormones to eat continuously and forgo molting, according to entomologists. The caterpillars die where they climb and infect other gypsy moth caterpillars. ... > full story

Scientists offer way to address 'age-old' questions (September 12, 2011) -- Scientists have devised a method to measure the impact of age on the growth rates of cellular populations, a development that offers new ways to understand and model the growth of bacteria, and could provide new insights into how genetic factors affect their life cycle. ... > full story

Acoustic tests verify Orion’s sound engineering (September 12, 2011) -- Engineers have successfully completed the first of a series of acoustic tests on the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) ground test vehicle, which consists of two major components of the Orion spacecraft: the crew module and the launch abort system. Built to spaceflight specifications, the Orion MPCV ground test vehicle is the first full-scale spacecraft built to support the development of the final human space flight vehicle, which is slated for its first orbital flight test in about two years. ... > full story