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• Multiple malaria vaccine offers protection to people most at risk
• Scientists predict faster retreat for Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier; Underwater ridge critical to future flow
• Potential new drug target could stop debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis
• Update to U.S. smart grid framework released
• Quantum computer components 'coalesce' to 'converse'
• Want to resist temptation? Thinking might not always help you, study suggests
• Improved characterization of nanoparticle clusters for environmental and biosensors research
• Future 'comb on a chip': Compact frequency comb could go places
• New tool clears the air on cloud simulations
• Religious, spiritual support benefits men and women facing chronic illness, study finds
• Researchers nurture innovative biofuel crops to reduce our carbon footprint
• Access to legal aid depends a lot on where you live, report says
• Faraway Eris is Pluto's twin
• Source found for immune system effects on learning, memory
• High-quality white light produced by four-color laser source; Diode lasers could challenge LEDs for home and industrial lighting supremacy
• Better estimating vaccine coverage: Vaccination coverage estimates can be improved by combining administrative data with survey data
• Found in the developing brain: Mental health risk genes and gender differences
• Astronomers discover complex organic matter exists throughout the universe
• Human brains are made of the same stuff, despite DNA differences
• Annual screening with chest X-ray does not reduce rate of lung cancer deaths, study finds
• Researchers complete mollusk evolutionary tree
• Infection is an important post-stroke problem
• Controversy over reopening the 'Sistine Chapel' of Stone Age art
• Lab-made skin cells will aid transplantation, cancer, drug discovery research, say scientists
• Genetic basis of human metabolic individuality identified; Research may lead to highly targeted, individualized therapies
• 'Magnetic tongue' ready to help produce tastier processed foods
• Study analyzes only known footage of the largest woodpecker that ever lived
• Advance toward a breath test to diagnose multiple sclerosis
• Boaters' risk of illness on Chicago River similar to other waterways
• Recycling thermal cash register receipts contaminates paper products with BPA
• Food chemical regulations rely heavily on industry self-policing and lack transparency, report finds
• Whipple procedure wound infections cut in half with new measures
• Study shows benefits, limits of therapy for rare inflammatory syndrome
• Testing geoengineering: Models help determine type of testing that might be effective
• Gene responsible for relapses in young leukemia patients
• Inadequate supply of protein building blocks may explain pregnancy failures in bovine cloning experiments
• Chiral metal surfaces may help to manufacture pharmaceuticals; Novel approach could be used in pharmaceutical drug synthesis
• Architects of the brain: How different receptors promote the formation of nerve cell processes
• Teenage girls and senior students suffered highest levels of PTSD after major earthquake, study finds
• Environmental toxin bisphenol A (BPA) can affect newborn brain, mouse study shows
• Hear the one about men being funnier than women? Study shows gender stereotype that men are funnier than women
• Population 'dashboards' offer new ways to visualize data
• Additional investments in youth needed as world population tops 7 billion, states United Nations report
• Compound found in common wart treatment shows promise as leukemia therapy
• Study shows why underrepresented men should be included in binge eating research
• Friendship makes a difference in stress regulation
• Study uncovers clues to young children's aggressive behavior
• Preschoolers' classmates influence their language skills
• Does reading achievement spur independent reading, or vice versa?
• Good relationship with teacher can protect first graders from aggression
• Poverty-related stress affects readiness for school
• Slowing quivering hearts: Promising results from landmark ARISTOTLE trial finds new drug may revolutionize the treatment of atrial fibrillation
• Nanoparticles could help pain-relieving osteoarthritis drugs last longer, study indicates
• Comet Elenin gone and should be forgotten, NASA says
• Land animals, ecosystems walloped after Permian dieoff

Multiple malaria vaccine offers protection to people most at risk Posted: 26 Oct 2011 02:53 PM PDT A new malaria vaccine could be the first to tackle different forms of the disease and help those most vulnerable to infection, a study suggests.

Scientists predict faster retreat for Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier; Underwater ridge critical to future flow Posted: 26 Oct 2011 01:27 PM PDT The retreat of Antarctica's fast-flowing Thwaites Glacier is expected to speed up within 20 years, once the glacier detaches from an underwater ridge that is currently holding it back, according to a new study. The study is the latest to confirm the importance of seafloor topography in predicting how these glaciers will behave in the near future.

Potential new drug target could stop debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis Posted: 26 Oct 2011 01:27 PM PDT Medical researchers in Canada have discovered a potential new drug target for multiple sclerosis that could prevent physical disability associated with the disease, once a new drug is developed.

Update to U.S. smart grid framework released Posted: 26 Oct 2011 01:27 PM PDT An expanded list of standards, new cybersecurity guidance and product testing proposals are among the new elements in an updated roadmap for Smart Grid interoperability released for public comment by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Quantum computer components 'coalesce' to 'converse' Posted: 26 Oct 2011 01:27 PM PDT A team of physicists has shown for the first time how very different types of photons can be made to share "quantum state" information. Such unlike photon links are likely to be an important feature of future quantum computers, where different types of components will need to share information with one another, just like the memory and logic circuits in today's computers.

Want to resist temptation? Thinking might not always help you, study suggests Posted: 26 Oct 2011 01:26 PM PDT Uh oh. Here comes temptation -- for a dieter, it's a sweet treat; an alcoholic, a beer; a married man, an attractive, available woman. How to defeat the impulse to gratify desire and stick to your long-term goals of slimness, sobriety, or fidelity?

Improved characterization of nanoparticle clusters for environmental and biosensors research Posted: 26 Oct 2011 01:26 PM PDT Researchers have demonstrated a method to measure accurately both the distribution of clusters of nanoparticles in solution and how their light absorption spectrum changes with size. The measurements are important to both medical and environmental research on nanoparticles.

Future 'comb on a chip': Compact frequency comb could go places Posted: 26 Oct 2011 01:26 PM PDT Researchers have developed a compact laser frequency comb -- a class of extraordinarily precise tools for measuring frequencies of light. The new tiny comb is a step toward user-friendly and ultimately chip-based combs that could enable new applications in astronomical searches for Earth-like planets, high-capacity telecommunications, and possibly portable versions of the most advanced atomic clocks.

New tool clears the air on cloud simulations Posted: 26 Oct 2011 11:38 AM PDT Climate models have a hard time representing clouds accurately because they lack the spatial resolution necessary to accurately simulate the billowy air masses. But scientists have developed a new tool that will help scientists better represent the clouds observed in the sky in climate models.

Religious, spiritual support benefits men and women facing chronic illness, study finds Posted: 26 Oct 2011 11:38 AM PDT Individuals who practice religion and spirituality report better physical and mental health than those who do not. To better understand this relationship and how spirituality/religion can be used for coping with significant health issues, researchers are examining what aspects of religion are most beneficial and for what populations. Now, researchers have found that religious and spiritual support improves health outcomes for both men and women who face chronic health conditions.

Researchers nurture innovative biofuel crops to reduce our carbon footprint Posted: 26 Oct 2011 11:38 AM PDT Researchers in Israel have found that forests of the hardy salt cedar tree, indigenous to old-world deserts, have the potential to significantly offset the amount of carbon dioxide that human communities produce. What's more, they can flourish when nourished with low-quality waste water, and the trees themselves can be used as "biofuel" crops to reduce dependence on traditional fossil fuels like coal.

Access to legal aid depends a lot on where you live, report says Posted: 26 Oct 2011 11:38 AM PDT Half of Americans are confronting a civil legal problem at any one time, according to one estimate. Without access to legal assistance, they may lose a home, a job, maybe custody of a child. For those with limited means, however, getting those services depends not on their need but where they live, says the lead author of a first-of-its-kind report.

Faraway Eris is Pluto's twin Posted: 26 Oct 2011 11:38 AM PDT Astronomers have measured the diameter of the dwarf planet Eris by catching it as it passed in front of a faint star. This was seen by telescopes in Chile, including the TRAPPIST telescope at the European Southern Observatory's La Silla Observatory. The observations show that Eris is an almost perfect twin of Pluto in size and appears to be covered in a layer of ice.

Source found for immune system effects on learning, memory Posted: 26 Oct 2011 11:38 AM PDT Immune system cells of the brain, which scavenge pathogens and damaged neurons, are also key players in memory and learning, according to new research by neuroscientists. Earlier studies had shown that laboratory rats experiencing an infection at an early age have an aggressive immune response to subsequent infections, which also harms their learning and memory. In a new study, researchers have identified the source of the learning difficulties and traces it back to the immune system itself.

High-quality white light produced by four-color laser source; Diode lasers could challenge LEDs for home and industrial lighting supremacy Posted: 26 Oct 2011 11:37 AM PDT The human eye is as comfortable with white light generated by diode lasers as with that produced by increasingly popular light-emitting diodes, according to new tests. Both technologies pass electrical current through material to generate light, but the simpler LED emits lights only through spontaneous emission. Diode lasers bounce light back and forth internally before releasing it.

Better estimating vaccine coverage: Vaccination coverage estimates can be improved by combining administrative data with survey data Posted: 26 Oct 2011 11:37 AM PDT Immunizations are a valuable tool for controlling infectious diseases among populations both in the U.S. and globally. Routine immunizations and supplemental immunization activities, such as immunization campaigns, are designed to provide immunization coverage to entire populations. Current measurements used to determine the success and rates of immunization can be flawed and inconsistent. According to a new study, estimates of vaccination coverage can be significantly improved by combining administrative data with survey data.

Found in the developing brain: Mental health risk genes and gender differences Posted: 26 Oct 2011 11:37 AM PDT Most genes associated with psychiatric illnesses are expressed before birth in the developing human brain, a massive study has revealed. In addition, hundreds of genetic differences were found between males and females as their brains take shape in the womb.

Astronomers discover complex organic matter exists throughout the universe Posted: 26 Oct 2011 11:37 AM PDT Researchers from Hong Kong report that organic compounds of unexpected complexity exist throughout the Universe. They indicate that an organic substance commonly found throughout the Universe contains a mixture of aromatic and aliphatic components. The results suggest that complex organic compounds are not the sole domain of life but can be made naturally by stars.

Human brains are made of the same stuff, despite DNA differences Posted: 26 Oct 2011 11:37 AM PDT Despite vast differences in the genetic code across individuals and ethnicities, the human brain shows a "consistent molecular architecture," say researchers. The finding is from a pair of studies that have created databases revealing when and where genes turn on and off in multiple brain regions through development. They reveal that rapid gene expression during fetal development switches to much slower rates after birth, levels off in middle age, and surges in the final decades.

Annual screening with chest X-ray does not reduce rate of lung cancer deaths, study finds Posted: 26 Oct 2011 11:37 AM PDT In a trial that included more than 150,000 participants, those who underwent annual chest radiographic screening for up to 4 years did not have a significantly lower rate of death from lung cancer compared to participants who were not screened, according to a new study.

Researchers complete mollusk evolutionary tree Posted: 26 Oct 2011 11:37 AM PDT Researchers have compiled the most comprehensive evolutionary tree for mollusks to date. Their analysis surprisingly places two enigmatic groups, cephalopods and monoplacophorans, as sister clades. The team has also shown that there was a single origin for shelled mollusks.

Infection is an important post-stroke problem Posted: 26 Oct 2011 09:24 AM PDT After a stroke the brain tries to protect itself by blocking all inflammation. However, this also makes the patient highly susceptible to infection which can lead to death. Researchers have now discovered the mechanism behind this response and how to possibly treat it.

Controversy over reopening the 'Sistine Chapel' of Stone Age art Posted: 26 Oct 2011 09:24 AM PDT Plans to reopen Spain's Altamira caves are stirring controversy over the possibility that tourists' visits will further damage the 20,000-year old wall paintings that changed views about the intellectual ability of prehistoric people, according to a new article. The caves are the site of Stone Age paintings so magnificent that experts have called them the "Sistine Chapel of Paleolithic Art."

Lab-made skin cells will aid transplantation, cancer, drug discovery research, say scientists Posted: 26 Oct 2011 09:24 AM PDT Researchers have found a way to create melanocytes from mouse tail cells using embryonic stem cell-like intermediates called inducible pluripotent (iPS) cells. They converted mouse tail-tip fibroblasts into iPS cells, producing pluripotent cells similar to embryonic stem cells, but without the concomitant ethical issues.

Genetic basis of human metabolic individuality identified; Research may lead to highly targeted, individualized therapies Posted: 26 Oct 2011 09:24 AM PDT In what is so far the largest investigation of its kind, researchers uncovered a wide range of new insights about common diseases and how they are affected by differences between two persons' genes. The results from this study could lead to highly targeted, individualized therapies.

'Magnetic tongue' ready to help produce tastier processed foods Posted: 26 Oct 2011 09:24 AM PDT The "electronic nose," which detects odors, has a companion among emerging futuristic "e-sensing" devices intended to replace abilities that once were strictly human-and-animal-only. It is a "magnetic tongue" -- a method used to "taste" food and identify ingredients that people describe as sweet, bitter, sour, etc. Scientists report on use of the method to taste canned tomatoes.

Study analyzes only known footage of the largest woodpecker that ever lived Posted: 26 Oct 2011 09:24 AM PDT Most believe the imperial woodpecker faded unseen into history in the late 20th century in the high mountains of Mexico. But now the largest woodpecker that ever lived can be seen once more in an 85-second flight that offers us a lesson its behavior, and ours.

Advance toward a breath test to diagnose multiple sclerosis Posted: 26 Oct 2011 09:24 AM PDT Scientists are reporting the development and successful tests in humans of a sensor array that can diagnose multiple sclerosis (MS) from exhaled breath, an advance that they describe as a landmark in the long search for a fast, inexpensive and non-invasive test for MS -- the most common neurological disease in young adults.

Boaters' risk of illness on Chicago River similar to other waterways Posted: 26 Oct 2011 09:24 AM PDT According to a new study, canoeing, kayaking, rowing, boating and fishing on the Chicago River pose the same risk of gastrointestinal illness as performing these same activities on other local waters -- a risk that turns out to be higher than that intended for swimmers at Lake Michigan beaches.

Recycling thermal cash register receipts contaminates paper products with BPA Posted: 26 Oct 2011 09:24 AM PDT Bisphenol A (BPA) -- a substance that may have harmful health effects -- occurs in 94 percent of thermal cash register receipts, scientists are reporting. The recycling of those receipts, they add, is a source of BPA contamination of paper napkins, toilet paper, food packaging and other paper products. The report could have special implications for cashiers and other people who routinely handle thermal paper receipts.

Food chemical regulations rely heavily on industry self-policing and lack transparency, report finds Posted: 26 Oct 2011 09:24 AM PDT Safety decisions concerning one-third of the more than 10,000 substances that may be added to human food were made by food manufacturers and a trade association without review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to a new analysis. The report illustrates potential problems with the US food additive regulatory program.

Whipple procedure wound infections cut in half with new measures Posted: 26 Oct 2011 09:24 AM PDT Surgeons have found that a carefully selected surgical care check list of 12 measures reduced Whipple procedure wound infections by nearly 50 percent. Smoking cessation at least two weeks prior to surgery, gown and glove change prior to skin closure, and using clippers over razors to shave the surgical area are some of the measures that helped reduced infection rates, according to the study.

Study shows benefits, limits of therapy for rare inflammatory syndrome Posted: 26 Oct 2011 08:38 AM PDT A study shows that the medication etanercept reduces the frequency and severity of symptoms of TNF receptor-associated periodic syndrome, a rare inherited condition characterized by recurrent fevers, abdominal pain and skin rashes. The study also points out the need for the development of additional therapies to more thoroughly ease symptoms and prevent long-term complications of the disease.

Testing geoengineering: Models help determine type of testing that might be effective Posted: 26 Oct 2011 08:38 AM PDT Solar radiation management is a class of theoretical concepts for manipulating the climate in order to reduce the risks of global warming. But its potential effectiveness and risks are uncertain, and it is unclear whether tests could help narrow these uncertainties. Researchers used modeling to determine the type of testing that might be effective in the future.

Gene responsible for relapses in young leukemia patients Posted: 26 Oct 2011 08:38 AM PDT One of the causes of resistance to cancer treatment in children is now beginning to be elucidated. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients with a particular form of the ATF5 gene are at higher risk of having a relapse when treated with E. coli asparaginase, a key chemotherapy drug for this type of leukemia.

Inadequate supply of protein building blocks may explain pregnancy failures in bovine cloning experiments Posted: 26 Oct 2011 08:36 AM PDT Amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, are essential to support the normal growth of a developing embryo and the placenta. An insufficient supply of amino acids in the mother's uterus caused by abnormal maternal-embryo interactions may explain the developmental abnormalities and complications of pregnancy that result in the death of cloned bovine embryos, according to a new article.

Chiral metal surfaces may help to manufacture pharmaceuticals; Novel approach could be used in pharmaceutical drug synthesis Posted: 26 Oct 2011 07:31 AM PDT New research shows how metal surfaces that lack mirror symmetry could provide a novel approach towards manufacturing pharmaceuticals.

Architects of the brain: How different receptors promote the formation of nerve cell processes Posted: 26 Oct 2011 07:27 AM PDT Neurobiologists have found that certain receptors for the neurotransmitter glutamate determine the architecture of nerve cells in the developing brain. Individual receptor variants lead to especially long and branched processes called dendrites, which the cells communicate with. The researchers also showed that the growth-promoting property of the receptors is linked to how much calcium they allow to flow into the cells.

Teenage girls and senior students suffered highest levels of PTSD after major earthquake, study finds Posted: 26 Oct 2011 07:27 AM PDT Researchers who spoke to nearly 2,000 teenagers three months after an 8.0 earthquake found high level of post-traumatic stress disorder, especially among girls and senior students. The findings underline the need for young people to receive prompt psychological support after major disasters to avoid them developing long-term mental health problems. The study may be of particular interest to journalists doing follow-up pieces on the aftermath of the Turkish earthquake.

Environmental toxin bisphenol A (BPA) can affect newborn brain, mouse study shows Posted: 26 Oct 2011 06:42 AM PDT Newborn mice that are exposed to bisphenol A (BPA) develop changes in their spontaneous behavior and evince poorer adaptation to new environments, as well hyperactivity as young adults, according to researchers. Their study also revealed that one of the brain's most important signal systems, the cholinergic signal system, is affected by bisphenol A and that the effect persisted into adulthood.

Hear the one about men being funnier than women? Study shows gender stereotype that men are funnier than women Posted: 26 Oct 2011 06:42 AM PDT Why do we think that men are funnier than women? And why are men particularly responsive to other men's humor? Women, however, find men funnier because they mistakenly attribute funny things to men. A new article explores the reasons behind the stereotype that men are funnier than women and find scientific proof to support it.

Population 'dashboards' offer new ways to visualize data Posted: 26 Oct 2011 06:24 AM PDT Two interactive dashboards, created for the United Nations Population Fund with business analytics technology from SAP AG and data from the United Nations Population Division and other international sources, have been launched as part of the 7 Billion Actions campaign.

Additional investments in youth needed as world population tops 7 billion, states United Nations report Posted: 26 Oct 2011 06:21 AM PDT In five days, world population is projected to reach 7 billion. How we respond now will determine whether we have a healthy, sustainable and prosperous future or one that is marked by inequalities, environmental decline and economic setbacks, according to The State of World Population 2011 report, published Oct. 26, 2011 by the United Nations Population Fund.

Compound found in common wart treatment shows promise as leukemia therapy Posted: 26 Oct 2011 06:12 AM PDT A new potential leukemia therapy targets only cancer cells, while leaving healthy cells alone. Many current chemotherapy treatments affect cancer cells and healthy cells, causing significant side effects, such as fatigue, hair loss, nausea, anxiety and depression.

Study shows why underrepresented men should be included in binge eating research Posted: 26 Oct 2011 06:12 AM PDT Binge eating is a disorder which affects both men and women, yet men remain underrepresented in research. A new study has found that the medical impact of the disorder is just as damaging to men as it is to women, yet research has shown that the number of men seeking treatment is far lower than the estimated number of sufferers

Friendship makes a difference in stress regulation Posted: 26 Oct 2011 06:12 AM PDT A nationwide Dutch study of 100 fourth graders sought to determine whether victimization and exclusion by peers were related to increases in cortisol (a stress hormone), and whether friendships moderated this association. The study found that children who were excluded by their classmates had elevated levels of cortisol at school, indicating that exclusion is stressful. Victimization by classmates wasn't associated with increased cortisol levels, suggesting that victimization is not as stressful as exclusion.

Study uncovers clues to young children's aggressive behavior Posted: 26 Oct 2011 06:12 AM PDT In a new longitudinal study that moves beyond descriptive findings to explain underlying processes, researchers looked at difficult infant temperament and negative maternal parenting for more than 260 mother and child pairs and found that negative maternal parenting mattered more than difficult infant temperament in putting parent-child pairs at risk for conflict in the toddler period, and then putting children at risk for conduct problems at school age.

Preschoolers' classmates influence their language skills Posted: 26 Oct 2011 06:12 AM PDT A study of 330 ethnically diverse 4-year-olds enrolled in 49 preschool classrooms used beginning- and end-of-year language skills assessments to find that that preschoolers' language growth was associated with the average level of language skills shown by their classmates. Researchers also found that relatively less-skilled pupils seemed to be more affected by their classmates' skills than highly skilled pupils. These findings bring into question the customary practice of tracking within preschool classrooms.

Does reading achievement spur independent reading, or vice versa? Posted: 26 Oct 2011 06:12 AM PDT A study of 436 pairs of identical and same-sex nonidentical twins at age 10 and again a year later at 11 finds that children's reading achievement at age 10 predicted their independent reading at 11, regardless of how much independent reading they were doing at 10. These findings suggest that reading achievement influenced later independent reading. The reverse was not found to be true.

Good relationship with teacher can protect first graders from aggression Posted: 26 Oct 2011 06:12 AM PDT A new study of 217 Canadian seven-year-old twins finds that children who were genetically vulnerable to being aggressive were more likely to be victimized by their classmates than others. However, these children were protected from acting aggressively and being the target of other children's aggression if they had a very good relationship with their teacher. The study included both identical and fraternal twin pairs who were not in the same classroom.

Poverty-related stress affects readiness for school Posted: 26 Oct 2011 06:12 AM PDT Researchers studying 1,300 mostly low-income children looked at demographic characteristics, household environment, parenting quality, and cortisol levels when the children were 7-24 months old and executive functions when the children were 3. They found that children in lower-income homes received less positive parenting and had higher levels of cortisol in their first two years than children in slightly better-off homes, and that higher levels of cortisol were associated with lower levels of executive function abilities.

Slowing quivering hearts: Promising results from landmark ARISTOTLE trial finds new drug may revolutionize the treatment of atrial fibrillation Posted: 26 Oct 2011 06:12 AM PDT New research has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of atrial fibrillation, a condition affecting a quarter of a million Canadians which is expected to strike even more in the coming years, as the Canadian population ages.

Nanoparticles could help pain-relieving osteoarthritis drugs last longer, study indicates Posted: 26 Oct 2011 06:12 AM PDT A novel study demonstrates that using nanoparticles to deliver osteoarthritis drugs to the knee joint could help increase the retention of the drug in the knee cavity, and therefore reduce the frequency of injections patients must receive.

Comet Elenin gone and should be forgotten, NASA says Posted: 26 Oct 2011 06:05 AM PDT Comet Elenin is no more. Latest indications are this relatively small comet has broken into even smaller, even less significant, chunks of dust and ice. This trail of piffling particles will remain on the same path as the original comet, completing its unexceptional swing through the inner solar system this fall.

Land animals, ecosystems walloped after Permian dieoff Posted: 25 Oct 2011 06:09 PM PDT Researchers have concluded the mass extinction that ended the Permian Period was disastrous for land-based animals. In a specimen-by-specimen analysis, the scientists say species were reduced to a handful of forms, called disaster taxa. The low diversity of vertebrates meant that terrestrial ecosystems endured boom-and-bust cycles for up to eight million years before finally stabilizing.

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