ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Unique study shows efficacy of imaging technology in evaluating heart drug dalcetrapib
• Raising a child doesn't necessarily take a village, study of African villages suggests
• Freeze and desist: Disabling cardiac cells that can cause arrhythmia
• Confronting meaninglessness
• Repeated use of ophthalmic antibiotics among patients undergoing intraocular injection therapy linked to antimicrobial resistance
• Treatment of cardiovascular risk factors appears to improve sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction
• Infections related to cardiovascular implantable electronic devices associated with increased risk of death and increased health care costs
• Association found between long-term use of nonaspirin anti-inflammatory drugs and renal cell cancer
• U.S. public may not be aware of important uncertainties about drug benefits and harms
• Study evaluates intranasal insulin therapy for adults with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s
• Study finds no link between intracerebral hemorrhage and statin use among patients with prior stroke
• Blacks develop high blood pressure one year faster than whites, study finds
• Link between high cholesterol and Alzheimer's disease revealed in new study
• Research offers means to detoxify mycotoxin-contaminated grain intended for ethanol, animal feed
• Novel drug combination offers therapeutic promise for hard-to-treat cancers
• Is smartphone technology the future of US elections?
• Quitting smoking enhances personality change
• Peach specialist unveils CaroTiger, new late-season peach cultivar
• First proof in patients of an improved 'magic bullet' for cancer detection and radio-therapy
• Health fears over CO₂ storage are unfounded, study shows
• Manipulative mothers subdue show-off sons, bird researchers demonstrate
• Fathers wired to provide offspring care; Study confirms that testosterone drops steeply after baby arrives
• Sustainability scientists suggest how countries can cooperate on climate
• Day/night cycle even more important to life than previously suspected
• Enzyme might be target for treating smoking, alcoholism at same time
• Researchers focus on secondary stroke prevention after study reveals room for improvement
• Tinnitus discovery could lead to new ways to stop the ringing: Retraining the brain could reanimate areas that have lost input from the ear
• Oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico claim 139 lives in helicopter crashes; Mechanical failure most common cause, study finds
• X-ray protein probe leads to potential anticancer tactic
• Gene responsible for three forms of childhood neurodegenerative diseases found
• First German genome decoded; Researchers analyze two chromosome sets in the human genome separately for the first time
• Identifying dangerous intersections with help of new computer simulation
• Cognition research aims to reduce medical errors
• High-fat diet and lack of enzyme can lead to heart disease in mice
• Astronomers find 50 new exoplanets: Richest haul of planets so far includes 16 new super-Earths
• Gene therapy kills breast cancer stem cells, boosts chemotherapy
• Stimulation of female genital regions produces strong activation of various brain sites
• Sugar-free polyol gum, lozenges, hard candy: Nonfluoride varnishes help prevent cavities, study finds
• Team finds stable RNA nano-scaffold within virus core
• Polonium poisoning case sheds light on infection control practices
• Nuclear detector: New materials hold promise for better detection of nuclear weapons
• Flu vaccines for nursing home workers effective in reducing outbreaks, study finds
• Evolution keeps sex determination flexible
• Allowing part-time surgeons may help address workforce shortage
• Parabolic mirrors concentrate sunlight to power lasers
• Bursting neurons follow the same beat, sometimes
• Graphene may open the gate to future terahertz technologies
• Researcher launches teen contraceptive website
• Messy better than neat: Tangled coat of nanowires increases solar cell efficiency by absorbing more light
• A tale of (more than) 2 butterflies: Appalachian tiger swallowtail butterfly is hybrid of other swallowtails
• A deep male voice helps women remember
• Astronomers find extreme weather on an alien world: Cosmic oddball may harbor a gigantic storm
• Researchers find way to measure effect of Wi-Fi attacks
• Pressure for positive results puts science under threat, study shows
• Innovating to improve women and children's health
• Fish oil reduces effectiveness of chemotherapy
• Lung cancer signatures in blood samples may aid in early detection
• Protein BVES identified as a suppressor of colorectal cancer progression
• One in five Canadians has metabolic syndrome
• Cardiovascular drug may offer new treatment for some difficult types of leukemia

Unique study shows efficacy of imaging technology in evaluating heart drug dalcetrapib Posted: 12 Sep 2011 04:32 PM PDT Researchers have for the first time used several imaging techniques to prove the efficacy of a promising new treatment for atherosclerosis -- the build-up of plaque in artery walls that can lead to a heart attack.

Raising a child doesn't necessarily take a village, study of African villages suggests Posted: 12 Sep 2011 02:11 PM PDT It doesn't take a village to raise a child after all, according to recent research of African villages in Mali.

Freeze and desist: Disabling cardiac cells that can cause arrhythmia Posted: 12 Sep 2011 02:11 PM PDT Many patients are responding to a new, minimally invasive way of treating irregular heartbeats by freezing out the bad cells. Atrial fibrillation is one such heart rhythm disorder, and it's the most common arrhythmia affecting Americans.

Confronting meaninglessness Posted: 12 Sep 2011 01:44 PM PDT 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.

Repeated use of ophthalmic antibiotics among patients undergoing intraocular injection therapy linked to antimicrobial resistance Posted: 12 Sep 2011 01:40 PM PDT Repeated exposure of the eye to ophthalmic antibiotics appears to be associated with the emergence of resistant strains of microbes among patients undergoing intraocular injection therapy for neovascular retinal disease, according to a new study.

Treatment of cardiovascular risk factors appears to improve sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction Posted: 12 Sep 2011 01:40 PM PDT Lifestyle modifications and pharmaceutical treatment of risk factors for cardiovascular disease are associated with improvement in sexual function among men with erectile dysfunction (ED), according to a new meta-analysis.

Infections related to cardiovascular implantable electronic devices associated with increased risk of death and increased health care costs Posted: 12 Sep 2011 01:40 PM PDT An association has been found between infection associated with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) and increases in mortality and hospital care costs, according to a new study.

Association found between long-term use of nonaspirin anti-inflammatory drugs and renal cell cancer Posted: 12 Sep 2011 01:40 PM PDT 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.

U.S. public may not be aware of important uncertainties about drug benefits and harms Posted: 12 Sep 2011 01:40 PM PDT 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.

Study evaluates intranasal insulin therapy for adults with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s Posted: 12 Sep 2011 01:40 PM PDT 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.

Study finds no link between intracerebral hemorrhage and statin use among patients with prior stroke Posted: 12 Sep 2011 01:40 PM PDT 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.

Blacks develop high blood pressure one year faster than whites, study finds Posted: 12 Sep 2011 01:40 PM PDT 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.

Link between high cholesterol and Alzheimer's disease revealed in new study Posted: 12 Sep 2011 01:40 PM PDT People with high cholesterol may have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study.

Research offers means to detoxify mycotoxin-contaminated grain intended for ethanol, animal feed Posted: 12 Sep 2011 12:32 PM PDT Using barley as the raw material for ethanol production results in an additional product -- dried grains for animal feed. But the presence of a fungal pathogen sometimes found in barley can result in a lethal toxin, called mycotoxin, in the animal feed. Now, researchers have shown that newly developed transgenic yeast used during fermentation will help modify the mycotoxin in the animal feed product to a less toxic form.

Novel drug combination offers therapeutic promise for hard-to-treat cancers Posted: 12 Sep 2011 12:32 PM PDT 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.

Is smartphone technology the future of US elections? Posted: 12 Sep 2011 12:29 PM PDT With more and more Americans upgrading to smartphones, and as smartphone capabilities continue to improve, even the US government is considering innovative ways to harness this advancing technology. Human factors/ergonomics researchers have evaluated the potential benefits of using smartphones to enable online voting in future US elections and will present their findings at an upcoming meeting.

Quitting smoking enhances personality change Posted: 12 Sep 2011 12:29 PM PDT Researchers have found evidence that shows those who quit smoking show improvements in their overall personality.

Peach specialist unveils CaroTiger, new late-season peach cultivar Posted: 12 Sep 2011 12:29 PM PDT Celebrating the end to a successful peach season, peach specialist Desmond Layne announced the naming of a new peach cultivar -- CaroTiger. The fourth in the "Caro" -- for South Carolina -- series, this late-season peach will be available to growers in January 2013.

First proof in patients of an improved 'magic bullet' for cancer detection and radio-therapy Posted: 12 Sep 2011 12:29 PM PDT Oncologists have long sought a powerful "magic bullet" that can find tumors wherever they hide in the body so that they can be imaged and then destroyed.

Health fears over CO<sub>2</sub> storage are unfounded, study shows Posted: 12 Sep 2011 12:29 PM PDT 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.

Manipulative mothers subdue show-off sons, bird researchers demonstrate Posted: 12 Sep 2011 12:29 PM PDT The gaudy plumage and acrobatic displays of birds of paradise are a striking example of sexual selection, Charles Darwin's second great theory of evolution. But new research shows that this powerful process may collapse when mothers can decide whether to have a son or a daughter.

Fathers wired to provide offspring care; Study confirms that testosterone drops steeply after baby arrives Posted: 12 Sep 2011 12:29 PM PDT A new study provides compelling evidence that human males are biologically wired to care for their offspring, conclusively showing for the first time that fatherhood lowers a man's testosterone levels. The effect is consistent with what is observed in many other species in which males help take care of dependent offspring.

Sustainability scientists suggest how countries can cooperate on climate Posted: 12 Sep 2011 12:28 PM PDT 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.

Day/night cycle even more important to life than previously suspected Posted: 12 Sep 2011 12:28 PM PDT Rhythmic gene expression in intertidal mussels turns out to be driven more by the circadian cycle than the tidal cycle.

Enzyme might be target for treating smoking, alcoholism at same time Posted: 12 Sep 2011 12:28 PM PDT An enzyme that appears to play a role in controlling the brain's response to nicotine and alcohol in mice might be a promising target for a drug that simultaneously would treat nicotine addiction and alcohol abuse in people, according to a new study.

Researchers focus on secondary stroke prevention after study reveals room for improvement Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:42 AM PDT A year after hospital discharge, the majority of stroke patients are listening to doctor's orders when it comes to taking their prescribed secondary stroke prevention medications, new data shows. However, there is room for improvement, according to investigators.

Tinnitus discovery could lead to new ways to stop the ringing: Retraining the brain could reanimate areas that have lost input from the ear Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:42 AM PDT 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.

Oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico claim 139 lives in helicopter crashes; Mechanical failure most common cause, study finds Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:42 AM PDT A new study finds that helicopters that service the drilling platforms and vessels in the Gulf of Mexico crash on average more than six times per year resulting in an average of five deaths per year.

X-ray protein probe leads to potential anticancer tactic Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:35 AM PDT 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.

Gene responsible for three forms of childhood neurodegenerative diseases found Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:35 AM PDT An international team has identified the mutated gene responsible for three forms of leukodystrophies, a group of childhood-onset neurodegenerative disorders.

First German genome decoded; Researchers analyze two chromosome sets in the human genome separately for the first time Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:35 AM PDT 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.

Identifying dangerous intersections with help of new computer simulation Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:35 AM PDT Researchers have developed SAFEPED, a computer simulation that integrates robots and driver statistics to identify traffic "black spots" and allows traffic planners to analyze and fix dangerous intersections. Based on a theory of human cognition, SAFEPED is far more true-to-life than other computer traffic models.

Cognition research aims to reduce medical errors Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:35 AM PDT How doctors, nurses and other health care professionals can be better prepared to reduce medical mistakes and improve patient care is the focus of several studies published in a special issue of the American Psychological Association's Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied.

High-fat diet and lack of enzyme can lead to heart disease in mice Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:35 AM PDT It's no secret that a high-fat diet isn't healthy. Now researchers have discovered a molecular clue as to precisely why that is. Mice lacking a gene-expression-controlling enzyme fed a high-fat diet experience rapid thickening of the heart muscle and heart failure. This link -- at least in mice -- has implications for people on so-called Western diets and combating heart disease. Modulating the enzyme's activity could be a new pharmaceutical target.

Astronomers find 50 new exoplanets: Richest haul of planets so far includes 16 new super-Earths Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:35 AM PDT 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.

Gene therapy kills breast cancer stem cells, boosts chemotherapy Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:35 AM PDT Selectively expressing a cell-killing gene in tumors controls breast cancer stem cells, researchers report. The gene therapy approach, now shown to work in breast, lung, liver, pancreatic and ovarian cancers in animal models, is headed for phase I trial.

Stimulation of female genital regions produces strong activation of various brain sites Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:35 AM PDT A new study reveals that for the first time, stimulation of the vagina, cervix or clitoris was shown to activate three separate and distinct sites in the sensory cortex.

Sugar-free polyol gum, lozenges, hard candy: Nonfluoride varnishes help prevent cavities, study finds Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:35 AM PDT A multi-disciplinary expert panel, convened by the American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs, issued a report this month containing clinical recommendations that sugar-free chewing gum, lozenges and hard candy including xylitol or polyol combinations, and a prescription varnish with chlorhexidine and thymol could be beneficial in preventing cavities when used as adjuncts to a comprehensive cavity prevention program which includes the use of fluoride-containing products.

Team finds stable RNA nano-scaffold within virus core Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:34 AM PDT With the discovery of a RNA nano-scaffold that remains unusually stable in the body, researchers have overcome another barrier to the development of therapeutic RNA nanotechnology. The nanoparticle, constructed from a three-way junction (3WJ) motif of packaging RNA (pRNA) molecules, can serve as a platform for building larger, multifunctional nanoparticles -- which can then be injected into the body to deliver therapeutics to targeted cells.

Polonium poisoning case sheds light on infection control practices Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:34 AM PDT A new study uses a famous case of international intrigue and murder to shed new light on the risks health care workers face while treating patients with radiation poisoning.

Nuclear detector: New materials hold promise for better detection of nuclear weapons Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:34 AM PDT Scientists have developed new materials that can detect hard radiation, a very difficult thing to do. The method could lead to a handheld device for detecting nuclear weapons and materials, such as a "nuclear bomb in a suitcase" scenario. The materials perform as well as materials that have emerged from five decades of research and development.

Flu vaccines for nursing home workers effective in reducing outbreaks, study finds Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:34 AM PDT Higher flu vaccination rates for health care personnel can dramatically reduce the threat of flu outbreak among nursing home residents, according to a new study.

Evolution keeps sex determination flexible Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:34 AM PDT There are many old wives' tales about what determines a baby's sex, yet it is the tight controls at the gene level that determine an organism's sex in most species. Researchers have found that even when genetic and genomic mechanisms are disrupted, organisms quickly evolve ways to compensate.

Allowing part-time surgeons may help address workforce shortage Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:34 AM PDT More part-time employment for surgeons, particularly retiring older male or young female surgeons taking time off for their families, may considerably reduce the surgeon shortage in the United States by 2030, according to a new study.

Parabolic mirrors concentrate sunlight to power lasers Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:34 AM PDT Borrowing from modern telescope design, researchers have proposed a way to concentrate sunlight to ramp up laser efficiency.

Bursting neurons follow the same beat, sometimes Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:34 AM PDT Researchers have created a mathematical model that captures the intermittent nature of synchronization in neural networks, lending insight into the mechanisms behind diseases such as Parkinson's.

Graphene may open the gate to future terahertz technologies Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:34 AM PDT Nestled between radio waves and infrared light is the terahertz (THz) portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. By adding a nanoscale bit of graphene, researchers have found a better way to tune radiation for a THz transmitter.

Researcher launches teen contraceptive website Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:34 AM PDT In an attempt to provide a reliable and trustworthy source for reproductive health information for teenagers, one physician-researcher has launched the website Ask A Doc RI.

Messy better than neat: Tangled coat of nanowires increases solar cell efficiency by absorbing more light Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:34 AM PDT Sometimes neatness may not be necessary. Researchers have demonstrated that a tangled coating of randomly positioned nanowires can increase solar cell efficiency by absorbing more light.

A tale of (more than) 2 butterflies: Appalachian tiger swallowtail butterfly is hybrid of other swallowtails Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:34 AM PDT Flitting among the cool slopes of the Appalachian Mountains is a tiger swallowtail butterfly that evolved when two other species of swallowtails hybridized long ago.

A deep male voice helps women remember Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:33 AM PDT Men take note: If you want women to remember, speak to them in a low pitch voice. Then, they may rate you as a potential mate. That's according to a new study. The work shows for the first time that a low masculine voice is important for both mate choice and the accuracy of women's memory.

Astronomers find extreme weather on an alien world: Cosmic oddball may harbor a gigantic storm Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:33 AM PDT A University of Toronto-led team of astronomers has observed extreme brightness changes on a nearby brown dwarf that may indicate a storm grander than any seen yet on a planet. Because old brown dwarfs and giant planets have similar atmospheres, this finding could shed new light on weather phenomena of extra-solar planets.

Researchers find way to measure effect of Wi-Fi attacks Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:33 AM PDT Researchers have developed a way to measure how badly a Wi-Fi network would be disrupted by different types of attacks -- a valuable tool for developing new security technologies.

Pressure for positive results puts science under threat, study shows Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:33 AM PDT Scientific research may be in decline across the globe because of growing pressures to report only positive results, new analysis suggests.

Innovating to improve women and children's health Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:33 AM PDT For less than $100, poor, pregnant women in India can now give birth in a private hospital focusing on low-income families, with comparable quality to expensive, private ones. This is an alternative to overcrowded, poorly staffed government-funded hospitals. Lifespring is a rapidly growing chain of hospitals in India that provides maternity and delivery care. For one low price, as little as $90, it provides complete delivery services. This is one-third to one-half of the fees charged at other hospitals.

Fish oil reduces effectiveness of chemotherapy Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:32 AM PDT The body produces a substance that renders cancer cells insensitive to treatment with widely used chemotherapies. The same substance is also contained in fish oil capsules that are taken by many cancer patients. The Dutch researchers who discovered the substance advise patients undergoing chemotherapy against the use of fish oil and similar products.

Lung cancer signatures in blood samples may aid in early detection Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:32 AM PDT Lung cancer is one of the most common and deadly types of cancer. Mouse models of lung cancer recapitulate many features of the human disease and have provided new insight about cancer development, progression and treatment. Now, a new study identifies protein signatures in mouse blood samples that reflect lung cancer biology in humans.

Protein BVES identified as a suppressor of colorectal cancer progression Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:32 AM PDT Once a cancer gains the ability to invade local tissues and spread to a distant site it becomes much harder to treat. Researchers have now identified the protein BVES as a suppressor of colorectal cancer progression to this dangerous state, leading them to suggest that BVES could be a therapeutic or preventative target in colorectal cancer.

One in five Canadians has metabolic syndrome Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:32 AM PDT Approximately one in five Canadians has metabolic syndrome -- a combination of risk factors for diabetes and heart disease -- according to a new study.

Cardiovascular drug may offer new treatment for some difficult types of leukemia Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:32 AM PDT A drug now prescribed for cardiovascular problems could become a new tool in physicians' arsenals to attack certain types of leukemia that so far have evaded effective treatments, researchers say.

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