ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• NASA satellite observes unusually hot July in the U.S. Great Plains
• Medicinal chemists modify sea bacteria byproduct for use as potential cancer drug
• Tasmanian tiger's jaw was too small to attack sheep, study shows
• New culprit in Alzheimer’s disease: Too many blood vessels
• Adjuvant therapy perhaps not necessary for older breast cancer patients, study suggests
• Humans shaped stone axes 1.8 million years ago: Advanced tool-making methods pushed back in time
• World's largest cardiac arrest trial suggests longer initial paramedic CPR provides no benefit
• Malaria discovery gives hope for new drugs and vaccines
• Choice of seizure drug for brain tumor patients may affect survival
• 'Plastic bottle' solution for arsenic-contaminated water threatening 100 million people
• Cutting soot emissions: Fastest, most economical way to slow global warming?
• Potatoes reduce blood pressure in people with obesity and high blood pressure
• Trust in your neighbors could benefit your health
• How white blood cell promotes growth and spread of cancer
• New insight into how disordered solids deform
• Commonly used defibrillators raise risk of problems, study suggests
• Computer model for testing heart-disease drugs: Simulations solve decades-old mystery of failed anti-arrhythmia therapy
• Manufacturing method paves way for commercially viable quantum dot-based LEDs
• Marshmallow test points to biological basis for delayed gratification
• Bone marrow stem cell therapy safe for acute stroke, study suggests
• Down to the wire: Inexpensive technique for making high quality nanowire solar cells
• Pretreatment, proper harvest time boost ethanol from switchgrass
• All for the grandkids: Promiscuity in female birds results in genetic 'trade-up,' more offspring, research finds
• 'Gene overdose' causes extreme thinness
• Research gives new hope to those with rare vascular cancer
• First lizard genome sequenced: Green anole lizard's genome sheds light on vertebrate evolution
• Scientists discover blood factors that appear to cause aging in brains of mice
• Bedrock nitrogen may help forests buffer climate change, study finds
• Dangerous arrhythmia analyzed in a heartbeat
• The star that should not exist
• Study of metabolites reveals health implications from small molecules
• Resistance to antibiotics is ancient
• A step toward a saliva test for cancer
• Not tonight deer: A new birth control vaccine helps reduce urban deer damage
• A 'nano,' environmentally friendly, and low toxicity flame retardant protects fabric
• Hospitalized children who carry MRSA at risk for full-blown infections
• Extreme 2010 Russian fires and Pakistan floods linked meteorologically, study suggests
• Mild hearing loss linked to brain atrophy in older adults; Early intervention could prevent slide toward speech comprehension difficulties
• Scientists unravel the cause of rare genetic disease: Goldman-Favre Syndrome explained
• Tiny oxygen generators boost effectiveness of anticancer treatment
• 'Pink ribbon dollars' help fill financial gaps for breast cancer programs
• Sandfly saliva provides important clues for new Leishmaniasis treatments
• Federal investment in electronic health records likely to reap returns in quality of care, study finds
• Word association: Study matches brain scans with complex thought
• Solar industry responsible for lead emissions in developing countries, research finds
• Ion armageddon: Measuring the impact energy of highly charged ions
• Iron 'veins' are secret of promising new hydrogen storage material
• Researchers expand capabilities of miniature analyzer for complex samples
• Record-low error rate for quantum information processing with one qubit
• Successful rainwater harvesting systems should combine new technology with old social habits
• Scientists reveal new survival mechanism for neurons
• Hot flashes may be fewer in older, heavier women
• Smoking after menopause may increase sex hormone levels: Elevated sex hormone levels associated with chronic disease risk
• Guidelines for treating pneumonia in children
• Hydrogen powered prototype vessel for inland waterways: Canal boat runs on fuel cell drive
• Hubble movies provide unprecedented view of supersonic jets from young stars
• A contemporary 'copier' of a XIX century mural
• Doctors' and nurses' hospital uniforms contain dangerous bacteria a majority of the time, study shows
• Great tits sing low to be loved or high to be heard
• Cracking cellulose: A step into the biofuels future

NASA satellite observes unusually hot July in the U.S. Great Plains Posted: 31 Aug 2011 06:01 PM PDT Much of the United States sweated through an unusually humid heat wave during July, a month that brought record-breaking temperatures to many areas across the Great Plains. As temperatures soared, NASA satellites observed the unusual weather from above.

Medicinal chemists modify sea bacteria byproduct for use as potential cancer drug Posted: 31 Aug 2011 06:01 PM PDT Scientists have modified a toxic chemical produced by tiny marine microbes and successfully deployed it against laboratory models of colon cancer. More work is needed before a human treatment can be considered, but it appears to be a novel way to kill tumor cells.

Tasmanian tiger's jaw was too small to attack sheep, study shows Posted: 31 Aug 2011 06:00 PM PDT Australia's iconic thylacine, or Tasmanian tiger, was hunted to death in the early Twentieth century for allegedly killing sheep; however, a new study has found that the tiger had such weak jaws that its prey was probably no larger than a possum.

New culprit in Alzheimer’s disease: Too many blood vessels Posted: 31 Aug 2011 06:00 PM PDT Scientists may have uncovered a new explanation for how Alzheimer's disease destroys the brain -- a profusion of blood vessels. They suggest that the growth of capillaries leads to a breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, allowing amyloid beta, the hallmark of the neurodegenerative disease, to be deposited in the brain tissue.

Adjuvant therapy perhaps not necessary for older breast cancer patients, study suggests Posted: 31 Aug 2011 05:59 PM PDT Breast cancer patients over the age of 60 with early-stage, hormone-responsive small tumors who forgo adjuvant endocrine, also called hormonal therapy, are not at an increased risk of mortality compared to women of the same age without breast cancer, according to a new study.

Humans shaped stone axes 1.8 million years ago: Advanced tool-making methods pushed back in time Posted: 31 Aug 2011 05:59 PM PDT A new study suggests that Homo erectus, a precursor to modern humans, was using advanced toolmaking methods in East Africa 1.8 million years ago, at least 300,000 years earlier than previously thought. The study raises new questions about where these tall and slender early humans originated and how they developed sophisticated tool-making technology.

World's largest cardiac arrest trial suggests longer initial paramedic CPR provides no benefit Posted: 31 Aug 2011 05:59 PM PDT A study involving nearly 10,000 cardiac arrest patients from 10 North American regions has shown that extending the period of initial cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by paramedics and firefighters from one to three minutes provides no benefit. The study resolves a worldwide controversy about cardiac arrest care.

Malaria discovery gives hope for new drugs and vaccines Posted: 31 Aug 2011 05:59 PM PDT An investigation into the mysterious inner workings of the malaria parasite has revealed that it survives and proliferates in the human bloodstream thanks in part to a single, crucial chemical that the parasite produces internally.

Choice of seizure drug for brain tumor patients may affect survival Posted: 31 Aug 2011 05:59 PM PDT New research suggests brain tumor patients who take the seizure drug valproic acid on top of standard treatment may live longer than people who take other kinds of epilepsy medications to control seizures.

'Plastic bottle' solution for arsenic-contaminated water threatening 100 million people Posted: 31 Aug 2011 05:59 PM PDT With almost 100 million people in developing countries exposed to dangerously high arsenic levels in their drinking water, and unable to afford purification technology, scientists described a simple, inexpensive method for removing arsenic based on chopped up pieces of plastic beverage bottles coated with a nutrient found in many foods and dietary supplements.

Cutting soot emissions: Fastest, most economical way to slow global warming? Posted: 31 Aug 2011 05:59 PM PDT A new study of dust-like particles of soot in the air -- now emerging as the second most important, but previously overlooked, factor in global warming -- provides fresh evidence that reducing soot emissions from diesel engines and other sources could slow melting of sea ice in the Arctic faster and more economically than any other quick fix.

Potatoes reduce blood pressure in people with obesity and high blood pressure Posted: 31 Aug 2011 05:59 PM PDT The potato's stereotype as a fattening food for health-conscious folks to avoid is getting another revision as scientists report that just a couple servings of spuds a day reduces blood pressure almost as much as oatmeal without causing weight gain. The research was done on a group of overweight people with high blood pressure.

Trust in your neighbors could benefit your health Posted: 31 Aug 2011 01:02 PM PDT A new study shows that increasing trust in neighbors is associated with better self-reported health.

How white blood cell promotes growth and spread of cancer Posted: 31 Aug 2011 01:02 PM PDT Scientists have shown that a particular white blood cell plays a direct role in the development and spread of cancerous tumors.

New insight into how disordered solids deform Posted: 31 Aug 2011 01:02 PM PDT In solid materials with regular atomic structures, figuring out weak points where the material will break under stress is relatively easy. But for disordered solids, like glass or sand, their disordered nature makes such predictions much more daunting tasks. Now, a collaboration combining a theoretical model with a first-of-its kind experiment has demonstrated a novel method for identifying "soft spots" in such materials.

Commonly used defibrillators raise risk of problems, study suggests Posted: 31 Aug 2011 01:02 PM PDT With defibrillators, simpler may be better, according to a new study. The group reviewed more than 100,000 records of cardiac patients. They found that there was more chance of surgical problems and death with devices that require electrical leads to be attached to two chambers of the heart compared to those that work on one chamber.

Computer model for testing heart-disease drugs: Simulations solve decades-old mystery of failed anti-arrhythmia therapy Posted: 31 Aug 2011 01:02 PM PDT Researchers have developed an accurate computer model to test the effects of medications for arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm, before they are used in patients.

Manufacturing method paves way for commercially viable quantum dot-based LEDs Posted: 31 Aug 2011 01:02 PM PDT Researchers may help resolve the public debate over our future light source of choice: Edison's incandescent bulb or the more energy efficient compact fluorescent lamp. It could be neither. Instead, our future lighting needs may be supplied by a new breed of light emitting diode, or LED, that conjures light from the invisible world of quantum dots.

Marshmallow test points to biological basis for delayed gratification Posted: 31 Aug 2011 01:02 PM PDT A landmark study in the late 1960s and early 1970s used marshmallows and cookies to assess the ability of preschool children to delay gratification. A newly published follow-up revisits some of the same children, now adults.

Bone marrow stem cell therapy safe for acute stroke, study suggests Posted: 31 Aug 2011 01:02 PM PDT Using a patient's own bone marrow stem cells to treat acute stroke is feasible and safe, according to the results of a ground-breaking Phase I trial.

Down to the wire: Inexpensive technique for making high quality nanowire solar cells Posted: 31 Aug 2011 01:00 PM PDT Researchers have developed a solution-based technique for fabricating core/shell nanowire solar cells using the semiconductors cadmium sulfide for the core and copper sulfide for the shell. These inexpensive and easy-to-make nanowire solar cells hold great promise for future solar cell technology.

Pretreatment, proper harvest time boost ethanol from switchgrass Posted: 31 Aug 2011 01:00 PM PDT Adding a pretreatment step would allow producers to get more ethanol from switchgrass harvested in the fall, according to a new study.

All for the grandkids: Promiscuity in female birds results in genetic 'trade-up,' more offspring, research finds Posted: 31 Aug 2011 01:00 PM PDT It's all about the grandkids! That's what a team of biologists has learned about promiscuous female birds and why they mate outside their social pair.

'Gene overdose' causes extreme thinness Posted: 31 Aug 2011 01:00 PM PDT Scientists have discovered a genetic cause of extreme thinness for the first time. The research shows that people with extra copies of certain genes are much more likely to be very skinny. In one in 2000 people, part of chromosome 16 is duplicated, making men 23 times and women five times more likely to be underweight.

Research gives new hope to those with rare vascular cancer Posted: 31 Aug 2011 01:00 PM PDT A specific genetic alteration has been discovered as a defining feature of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, a rare but devastating vascular cancer. These findings have also been used to develop a new diagnostic test for this blood vessel disease.

First lizard genome sequenced: Green anole lizard's genome sheds light on vertebrate evolution Posted: 31 Aug 2011 01:00 PM PDT The green anole lizard is an agile and active creature, and so are elements of its genome. This genomic agility and other new clues have emerged from the full sequencing of the lizard's genome and may offer insights into how the genomes of humans, mammals, and their reptilian counterparts have evolved since mammals and reptiles parted ways 320 million years ago.

Scientists discover blood factors that appear to cause aging in brains of mice Posted: 31 Aug 2011 12:53 PM PDT In a study to be published Sept. 1 in Nature, Stanford University School of Medicine scientists have found substances in the blood of old mice that makes young brains act older. These substances, whose levels rise with increasing age, appear to inhibit the brain's ability to produce new nerve cells critical to memory and learning.

Bedrock nitrogen may help forests buffer climate change, study finds Posted: 31 Aug 2011 12:53 PM PDT For the first time, researchers have demonstrated that forest trees have the ability to tap into nitrogen found in rocks, boosting the trees' growth and their ability to pull more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. If trees can access more nitrogen than previously thought, that could lead to more storage of carbon on land and less carbon remaining in the atmosphere.

Dangerous arrhythmia analyzed in a heartbeat Posted: 31 Aug 2011 12:53 PM PDT One second, one heartbeat. That's what is needed for a new, noninvasive functional imaging technology, to record data for locating the source in the heart of a dangerous cardiac arrhythmia called ventricular tachycardia (VT). Researchers in biomedical engineering and medicine report that the technique would far more quickly find the source and type of VT, saving hours of mapping.

The star that should not exist Posted: 31 Aug 2011 12:53 PM PDT A team of European astronomers has used the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT) to track down a star in the Milky Way that many thought was impossible. They discovered that this star is composed almost entirely of hydrogen and helium, placing it in the "forbidden zone" of a widely accepted theory of star formation, meaning that it should never have come into existence.

Study of metabolites reveals health implications from small molecules Posted: 31 Aug 2011 12:53 PM PDT Researchers have discovered 37 new genetic variants associated with concentrations of metabolites in the blood: many of these match variants associated with diseases such as kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. The team looked for genetic influences on levels of more than 250 compounds in blood, including lipids, sugars, and amino acids. The effects of variants discovered in genome-wide association analyses can be modest and biological understanding poor: this new approach can overcome these problems.

Resistance to antibiotics is ancient Posted: 31 Aug 2011 12:53 PM PDT New research findings show antibiotic resistance is a natural phenomenon that predates the modern clinical antibiotic use. The breakthrough will have important impact on the understanding of antibiotic resistance.

A step toward a saliva test for cancer Posted: 31 Aug 2011 12:53 PM PDT A new saliva test can measure the amount of potential carcinogens stuck to a person's DNA -- interfering with the action of genes involved in health and disease -- and could lead to a commercial test to help determine risks for cancer and other diseases, scientists report.

Not tonight deer: A new birth control vaccine helps reduce urban deer damage Posted: 31 Aug 2011 12:53 PM PDT A new birth control vaccine for white-tailed deer -- a growing nuisance in urban areas for gardens and landscaping -- eliminates the dangerous reproductive behavior behind the annual autumn surge in automobile-deer collisions. The vaccine is just becoming commercially available in some U.S. states.

A 'nano,' environmentally friendly, and low toxicity flame retardant protects fabric Posted: 31 Aug 2011 12:53 PM PDT The technology in "fire paint" used to protect steel beams in buildings and other structures has found a new life as a first-of-its-kind flame retardant for children's cotton sleepwear, terrycloth bathrobes and other apparel, according to new report.

Hospitalized children who carry MRSA at risk for full-blown infections Posted: 31 Aug 2011 09:01 AM PDT A study of more than 3,000 hospitalized children shows that those colonized but not sick with the antibiotic-resistant bacterium MRSA are at considerable risk for developing full-blown infections.

Extreme 2010 Russian fires and Pakistan floods linked meteorologically, study suggests Posted: 31 Aug 2011 09:00 AM PDT Two of the most destructive natural disasters of 2010 were closely linked by a single meteorological event, even though they occurred 1,500 miles (2,414 km) apart and were of completely different natures, a new NASA study suggests.

Mild hearing loss linked to brain atrophy in older adults; Early intervention could prevent slide toward speech comprehension difficulties Posted: 31 Aug 2011 08:59 AM PDT A new study shows that declines in hearing ability may accelerate gray mater atrophy in auditory areas of the brain and increase the listening effort necessary for older adults to successfully comprehend speech.

Scientists unravel the cause of rare genetic disease: Goldman-Favre Syndrome explained Posted: 31 Aug 2011 08:59 AM PDT New research will help ophthalmologists and scientists understand a genetic disease that causes increased susceptibility to blue light, night blindness, and decreased vision called Enhanced S-Cone Syndrome or Goldman-Favre Syndrome. Scientists found that the expression of genes responsible for healthy renewal of rods and cones in the retina was reduced and that this problem originates in the photoreceptors instead of the retinal pigment epithelial layer as once thought.

Tiny oxygen generators boost effectiveness of anticancer treatment Posted: 31 Aug 2011 08:59 AM PDT Researchers have created and tested miniature devices that are implanted in tumors to generate oxygen, boosting the killing power of radiation and chemotherapy.

'Pink ribbon dollars' help fill financial gaps for breast cancer programs Posted: 31 Aug 2011 08:59 AM PDT A new study shows that donations collected by check boxes on state income tax forms, fees from license plates and revenue from state lottery tickets have raised millions for breast cancer research and prevention programs across the country.

Sandfly saliva provides important clues for new Leishmaniasis treatments Posted: 31 Aug 2011 08:59 AM PDT For millions threatened with Leishmania infection, new research points to breakthroughs preventing these parasites from taking hold in the body or reducing the severity of infections. A new report shows specific molecules found in saliva of the sandfly allow for Leishmania to evade neutrophils and live within human hosts. Along with providing new targets for drug development, this discovery may help doctors accurately gauge the severity of infections.

Federal investment in electronic health records likely to reap returns in quality of care, study finds Posted: 31 Aug 2011 08:59 AM PDT New research gives cause for optimism that federal investments in electronic health records (EHRs) could reap major benefits in better patient care and health outcomes. A new study involving more than 27,000 adults with diabetes found that those in physician practices using EHRs were significantly more likely to have health care and outcomes that align with accepted standards than those where doctors rely on paper records.

Word association: Study matches brain scans with complex thought Posted: 31 Aug 2011 08:59 AM PDT Researchers have for the first time matched images of brain activity with categories of words related to the concepts a person is thinking about. The results could lead to a better understanding of how people consider meaning and context when reading or thinking.

Solar industry responsible for lead emissions in developing countries, research finds Posted: 31 Aug 2011 08:59 AM PDT Solar power heavily reliant on lead batteries has the potential to release more than 2.4 million tons of lead pollution in China and India, according to new research.

Ion armageddon: Measuring the impact energy of highly charged ions Posted: 31 Aug 2011 08:58 AM PDT Much like a meteor impacting a planet, highly charged ions hit really hard and can do a lot of damage, albeit on a much smaller scale. And much like geologists determine the size and speed of the meteor by looking at the hole it left, physicists can learn a lot about a highly charged ion's energy by looking at the divots it makes in thin films. Researchers have now measured the energy of highly charged ion impacts on a thin film surface for the first time in detail.

Iron 'veins' are secret of promising new hydrogen storage material Posted: 31 Aug 2011 08:58 AM PDT Scientists have a new approach to the problem of safely storing hydrogen in future fuel-cell powered cars -- molecular scale 'veins' of iron permeating grains of magnesium like a network of capillaries.

Researchers expand capabilities of miniature analyzer for complex samples Posted: 31 Aug 2011 08:58 AM PDT A research team has extended the capabilities a a novel microfluidic lab-on-a-chip system for analyzing the chemical components of complex biological samples.

Record-low error rate for quantum information processing with one qubit Posted: 31 Aug 2011 08:58 AM PDT Physicists have achieved a record-low probability of error in quantum information processing with a single quantum bit (qubit) -- the first published error rate small enough to meet theoretical requirements for building viable quantum computers.

Successful rainwater harvesting systems should combine new technology with old social habits Posted: 31 Aug 2011 08:58 AM PDT A combination of modern engineering and ancient social principles makes large-scale rainwater harvesting feasible in a time of drought, and could reduce deadly flash flooding common to parts of Texas, a new article argues.

Scientists reveal new survival mechanism for neurons Posted: 31 Aug 2011 06:39 AM PDT Nerve cells that regulate everything from heart muscle to salivary glands send out projections known as axons to their targets. By way of these axonal processes, neurons control target function and receive molecular signals from targets that return to the cell body to support cell survival. Now, researchers have revealed a molecular mechanism that allows a signal from the target to return to the cell body and fulfill its neuron-sustaining mission.

Hot flashes may be fewer in older, heavier women Posted: 31 Aug 2011 06:39 AM PDT A recent study found that among women aged 60 and above, heavier women have fewer hot flashes than their leaner counterparts. The inverse association between body size and hot flashes was observed only among the older women.

Smoking after menopause may increase sex hormone levels: Elevated sex hormone levels associated with chronic disease risk Posted: 31 Aug 2011 06:39 AM PDT A recent study found that postmenopausal women who smoke have higher androgen and estrogen levels than non-smoking women, with sex hormone levels being highest in heavy smokers.

Guidelines for treating pneumonia in children Posted: 31 Aug 2011 06:39 AM PDT Immunizations, including a yearly flu vaccine, are the best way to protect children from life-threatening pneumonia, according to new guidelines.

Hydrogen powered prototype vessel for inland waterways: Canal boat runs on fuel cell drive Posted: 31 Aug 2011 06:39 AM PDT Researchers have been operating a canal boat with a fuel cell drive for three years now. In the world of shipbuilding, however, different rules apply than those in the automobile manufacturing industries. Weight is of practically no significance, but the propulsion plant must have an operating lifetime as long as that of the boat itself. The hydride storage system -- the hydrogen tank -- must meet this challenging requirement.

Hubble movies provide unprecedented view of supersonic jets from young stars Posted: 31 Aug 2011 06:39 AM PDT Astronomers have combined two decades of Hubble observations to make unprecedented movies revealing never-before-seen details of the birth pangs of new stars. This sheds new light on how stars like the Sun form.

A contemporary 'copier' of a XIX century mural Posted: 31 Aug 2011 06:39 AM PDT There was a time when, lacking skyscrapers from which to view great vistas, it was fashionable to paint panoramic murals. These were mural paintings on paper that represented anything from a city's monuments to countryside landscapes, including hunting scenes and other events. One of the decisive moments of this artistic expression took place in France in the first third of the XIX century, with xylography (wood engraving).

Doctors' and nurses' hospital uniforms contain dangerous bacteria a majority of the time, study shows Posted: 31 Aug 2011 06:34 AM PDT More than 60 percent of hospital nurses' and doctors' uniforms tested positive for potentially dangerous bacteria, according to a new study.

Great tits sing low to be loved or high to be heard Posted: 31 Aug 2011 05:17 AM PDT Male great tits of this species try to sound sexy to females by singing complex or high performance songs, but may find their attempts hindered by human-generated noise. Birds have been found to adjust their songs when confronted with urban noise, which seems an effective strategy to deal with masking interference. However, such change may come at a cost of reduced attractiveness.

Cracking cellulose: A step into the biofuels future Posted: 31 Aug 2011 05:16 AM PDT Scientists from the University of York have played a pivotal role in a discovery which could finally unlock the full potential of waste plant matter to replace oil as a fuel source.

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