ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Galaxies are the ultimate recyclers, NASA's Hubble confirms
• Training in 'concrete thinking' can be self-help treatment for depression, study suggests
• What bacteria don't know can hurt them
• How Legionnaires' bacteria proliferate, cause disease
• Soybean adoption came early by many cultures, archaeologists say
• World's lightest material is a metal 100 times lighter than styrofoam
• How heart attack can lead to heart rupture
• Scientists identify potential malaria drug candidates
• Ozone from rock fracture could serve as earthquake early warning
• Molecules on branched-polymer surfaces can capture rare tumor cells in blood
• Black hole birth announcement
• Birth of black hole: Longstanding mysteries about object called Cygnus X-1 unravelled
• Smart swarms of bacteria inspire robotics: Adaptable decision-making found in bacteria communities
• Study of flower petals shows evolution at the cellular level
• Bleak future for Bay area tidal marshes?
• Targeting bacterial gas defenses allow for increased efficacy of numerous antibiotics
• In an enzyme critical for life, X-ray emission cracks mystery atom
• Astronomers reveal galaxies' most elusive secrets
• Research cracks puzzle of enzyme critical to food supply
• Microfabrication breakthrough could set piezoelectric material applications in motion
• Dual-acting class of antimalarial compounds discovered with potential to prevent and treat malaria
• Date and rate of Earth's most extreme extinction pinpointed: Results stem from largest ever examination of fossil marine species
• New way to form extracellular vesicles
• Environmental conditions and predators affect Atlantic salmon survival in the Gulf of Maine
• Squid mystery in Mexican waters unraveled by biologist and a class of students
• 'Silent' stroke risk factors for children with sickle cell anemia
• Separating signal and noise in climate warming
• Treatment for juvenile offenders shows shows positive results 22 years later
• Massive volcanoes, meteorite impacts delivered one-two death punch to dinosaurs
• Nanoparticles used as additives in diesel fuels can travel from lungs to liver
• The buzz around beer: Why do flies like beer?
• Job market for college grads braced for slow but steady growth
• Satellite images help species conservation
• Public willing to pay more for greener urban spaces, British study shows
• Paving the way for better prevention and management of delirium
• Heart disease treatment: A new stent design may put patients at risk
• Protecting our brains: Tackling delirium
• Unraveling how a mutation can lead to psychiatric illness
• Rehabilitating vacant lots improves urban health and safety
• New class of antimalarial compounds discovered
• Vultures dying at alarming rate
• World's most difficult chemical experiment: The struggle to discover the secret of super-heavy elements
• Racing to be the first to create the world's heaviest element
• How the fly flies

Galaxies are the ultimate recyclers, NASA's Hubble confirms Posted: 17 Nov 2011 05:29 PM PST New observations by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope are expanding astronomers' understanding of the ways in which galaxies continuously recycle immense volumes of hydrogen gas and heavy elements. This process allows galaxies to build successive generations of stars stretching over billions of years.

Training in 'concrete thinking' can be self-help treatment for depression, study suggests Posted: 17 Nov 2011 05:29 PM PST Research provides the first evidence that depression can be treated by only targeting an individual's style of thinking through repeated mental exercises in an approach called cognitive bias modification. The study suggests an innovative psychological treatment called 'concreteness training' can reduce depression in just two months and could work as a self-help therapy for depression in primary care.

What bacteria don't know can hurt them Posted: 17 Nov 2011 01:37 PM PST Bacteria enter a self-protective mode when they sense nutrients are low. Starving bacteria resist killing by nearly every antibiotic, even ones they have never been exposed to before. By keeping bacteria that have congregated into a biofilm from warning each other of nutrient shortages, scientists increased the infection-fighting effectiveness of currently available antibiotics.

How Legionnaires' bacteria proliferate, cause disease Posted: 17 Nov 2011 01:37 PM PST Scientist have determined for the first time how the bacterium that causes Legionnaires' disease manipulates our cells to generate the amino acids it needs to grow and cause infection and inflammation in the lungs.

Soybean adoption came early by many cultures, archaeologists say Posted: 17 Nov 2011 12:46 PM PST Human domestication of soybeans is thought to have first occurred in central China some 3,000 years ago, but archaeologists now suggest that cultures in even earlier times and in other locations adopted the legume.

World's lightest material is a metal 100 times lighter than styrofoam Posted: 17 Nov 2011 12:46 PM PST Engineers have developed the world's lightest material -- with a density of 0.9 mg/cc -- about 100 times lighter than Styrofoam.

How heart attack can lead to heart rupture Posted: 17 Nov 2011 12:46 PM PST A new study pinpoints a single protein as the key player in the biochemical cascade that leads to cardiac rupture. The findings suggest that blocking the action of this protein, known as CaM kinase, may help prevent cardiac rupture and reduce the risk of death.

Scientists identify potential malaria drug candidates Posted: 17 Nov 2011 12:46 PM PST Researchers have discovered a group of chemical compounds that might one day be developed into drugs that can treat malaria infection in both the liver and the bloodstream.

Ozone from rock fracture could serve as earthquake early warning Posted: 17 Nov 2011 12:46 PM PST New research suggests that ozone gas emitted from fracturing rocks could serve as an indicator of impending earthquakes.

Molecules on branched-polymer surfaces can capture rare tumor cells in blood Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:40 AM PST The removal of rare tumor cells circulating in the blood might be possible with the use of biomolecules bound to dendrimers, highly branched synthetic polymers, which could efficiently sift and capture the diseased cells, according to new research.

Black hole birth announcement Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:40 AM PST New details about the birth of a famous black hole that took place millions of years ago have been uncovered, thanks to a team of scientists who used data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory as well as from radio, optical and other X-ray telescopes.

Birth of black hole: Longstanding mysteries about object called Cygnus X-1 unravelled Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:40 AM PST A precise distance measurement by the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) allowed astronomers to accurately calculate the mass and spin of a famous black hole, thus providing a complete description of the object.

Smart swarms of bacteria inspire robotics: Adaptable decision-making found in bacteria communities Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:40 AM PST Scientists have now discovered how bacteria collectively gather information to learn about their environment and find an optimal path to growth. This research will allow scientists to design a new generation of "smart robots" that can form intelligent swarms and aid in the development of medical micro-robots used to treat diseases in the human body.

Study of flower petals shows evolution at the cellular level Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:40 AM PST A new study of flower petals shows evolution in action, and contradicts more that 60 years of scientific thought. Columbine flowers, known as Aquilegia, evolved several lengths of petal spurs that match the tongue lengths of their pollinators, including bees, hummingbirds and hawkmoths.

Bleak future for Bay area tidal marshes? Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:40 AM PST A new study projects a bleak future for San Francisco Bay's tidal marshes under high sea-level rise scenarios. In the worst case scenario 93 percent of San Francisco Bay's tidal marsh could be lost in the next 50-100 years [with 5.4 feet or 1.65 meters of sea-level rise, low sediment and no significant restoration]. However, restoration currently underway could keep marshes intact as sea-levels rise.

Targeting bacterial gas defenses allow for increased efficacy of numerous antibiotics Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:40 AM PST Although scientists have known for centuries that many bacteria produce hydrogen sulfide (H2S) it was thought to be simply a toxic by-product of cellular activity. Now, researchers have discovered H2S in fact plays a major role in protecting bacteria from the effects of numerous different antibiotics.

In an enzyme critical for life, X-ray emission cracks mystery atom Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:40 AM PST Like a shadowy character just hidden from view, a mystery atom in the middle of a complex enzyme called nitrogenase had long hindered scientists' ability to study the enzyme fully. But now researchers reveal the once-elusive atom.

Astronomers reveal galaxies' most elusive secrets Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:40 AM PST New, high-precision equipment orbiting Earth aboard the Hubble Space Telescope is now sending such rich data back to astronomers, some feel they are crossing the final frontier toward understanding galaxy evolution.

Research cracks puzzle of enzyme critical to food supply Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:40 AM PST Researchers used the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory to identify a key atom inside the part of the nitrogenase enzyme where atmospheric nitrogen is converted into a form that living things can use.

Microfabrication breakthrough could set piezoelectric material applications in motion Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:39 AM PST Integrating a complex, single-crystal material with "giant" piezoelectric properties onto silicon, engineers and physicists can fabricate low-voltage, near-nanoscale electromechanical devices that could lead to improvements in high-resolution 3-D imaging, signal processing, communications, energy harvesting, sensing, and actuators for nanopositioning devices, among others.

Dual-acting class of antimalarial compounds discovered with potential to prevent and treat malaria Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:39 AM PST The discovery of a new class of dual-acting antimalarial compounds that target both liver and blood infections, attacking the Plasmodium parasite at both stages in its reproduction cycle, to publish. Scientists developed a novel assay to determine liver stage activity of candidate small molecules, then used the assay and other tools to identify and optimize a chemical scaffold with activity on both blood- and liver-stage parasites in malaria mouse models.

Date and rate of Earth's most extreme extinction pinpointed: Results stem from largest ever examination of fossil marine species Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:39 AM PST Through the analysis of various types of dating techniques on well-preserved sedimentary sections from South China to Tibet, researchers determined that the mass extinction peaked about 252.28 million years ago and lasted less than 200,000 years, with most of the extinction lasting about 20,000 years. The conclusion of this study says extinctions of most marine and terrestrial life took place at the same time.

New way to form extracellular vesicles Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:12 AM PST Researchers have discovered a protein called TAT-5 that affects the production of extracellular vesicles, small sacs of membrane released from the surface of cells, capable of sending signals to other cells.

Environmental conditions and predators affect Atlantic salmon survival in the Gulf of Maine Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:12 AM PST Atlantic salmon face new challenges in the Gulf of Maine, where changing spring wind patterns, warming ocean temperatures and new predators along migration routes are affecting their survival. Maine is now the only state in the region with wild Atlantic salmon populations. While increasing numbers of smolts are entering the ocean via the Gulf of Maine, few are returning, raising questions as to where these fish are going and what is happening to them at sea.

Squid mystery in Mexican waters unraveled by biologist and a class of students Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:12 AM PST Marine biologists are studying Humboldt squid in Mexico's Sea of Cortez, where the creatures have been spawning at a much younger age and a far smaller size than normal. El Niño is apparently to blame.

'Silent' stroke risk factors for children with sickle cell anemia Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:12 AM PST Factors such as low hemoglobin levels, increased systolic blood pressure, and male gender are linked to a higher risk of silent cerebral infarcts, or silent strokes, in children with sickle cell anemia, according to results from a large, first-of-its-kind study.

Separating signal and noise in climate warming Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:12 AM PST In order to separate human-caused global warming from the "noise" of purely natural climate fluctuations, temperature records must be at least 17 years long, according to climate scientists. To address criticism of the reliability of thermometer records of surface warming, scientists analyzed satellite measurements of the temperature of the lower troposphere and saw a clear signal of human-induced warming of the planet.

Treatment for juvenile offenders shows shows positive results 22 years later Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:12 AM PST A researcher, developed a treatment for juvenile offenders that has become one of the most widely used evidence-based treatments in the world. Now, he has found that the treatment continues to have positive effects on former participants more than 20 years after treatment.

Massive volcanoes, meteorite impacts delivered one-two death punch to dinosaurs Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:12 AM PST A cosmic one-two punch of colossal volcanic eruptions and meteorite strikes likely caused the mass-extinction event at the end of the Cretaceous period that is famous for killing the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, according to two reports that reject the prevailing theory that the extinction was caused by a single large meteorite.

Nanoparticles used as additives in diesel fuels can travel from lungs to liver Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:11 AM PST Recent studies have demonstrated that nanoparticles of cerium oxide -- common diesel fuel additives used to increase the fuel efficiency of automobile engines -- can travel from the lungs to the liver and that this process is associated with liver damage.

The buzz around beer: Why do flies like beer? Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:06 AM PST Ever wondered why flies are attracted to beer? Entomologists have, and offer an explanation. They report that flies sense glycerol that yeasts make during fermentation. Specifically, they found that Gr64e, a receptor associated with neurons located in the fly's mouth-parts, is instrumental in signaling a good taste for beer. Once a fly has settled on beer, Gr64e detects glycerol and transmits this information to the fly's neurons, thus influencing the fly's behavior.

Job market for college grads braced for slow but steady growth Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:06 AM PST After last year's rollercoaster ride, the job market for college graduates has settled down and appears braced for slow but steady growth, according to a new study.

Satellite images help species conservation Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:06 AM PST Organisms living on small islands are particularly threatened by extinction. However, data are often lacking to objectively assess these threats. Researchers have used satellite imagery to assess the conservation status of endangered reptiles and amphibians of the Comoro archipelago in the Western Indian Ocean. The researchers used their results to point out which species are most threatened and to define priorities for future protected areas.

Public willing to pay more for greener urban spaces, British study shows Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:06 AM PST People are willing to pay up to £29.91 per month, or around £360.00 per year, for greener urban spaces, new research shows.

Paving the way for better prevention and management of delirium Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:04 AM PST Important clues to the prevention and management of delirium, a condition affecting an estimated seven million hospitalized Americans, are being ignored, according to a new study.

Heart disease treatment: A new stent design may put patients at risk Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:04 AM PST Some stents that keep blood vessels open to treat heart disease are poorly designed to resist shortening, according to new research.

Protecting our brains: Tackling delirium Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:04 AM PST A new national plan of action provides a roadmap for improving the care of patients with delirium, a poorly understood and often unrecognized brain condition that affects approximately seven million hospitalized Americans each year.

Unraveling how a mutation can lead to psychiatric illness Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:04 AM PST A new study demonstrates how DISC1 variants impair signaling pathways and disrupt brain development.

Rehabilitating vacant lots improves urban health and safety Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:04 AM PST Greening of vacant urban land may affect the health and safety of nearby residents. In a decade-long comparison of vacant lots and improved vacant lots, greening was linked to significant reductions in gun assaults across most of Philadelphia and significant reductions in vandalism in one section of the city. Vacant lot greening was also associated with residents in certain sections of the city reporting significantly less stress and more exercise.

New class of antimalarial compounds discovered Posted: 17 Nov 2011 10:57 AM PST Scientists have discovered a family of chemical compounds that could lead to a new generation of antimalarial drugs capable of not only alleviating symptoms but also preventing the deadly disease.

Vultures dying at alarming rate Posted: 17 Nov 2011 10:57 AM PST Vultures in South Asia were on the brink of extinction until Lindsay Oaks and Richard Watson, from The Peregrine Fund in the US, undertook observational and forensic studies to find out why the number of birds was falling so rapidly. They discovered the vultures were being poisoned by residues of an anti-inflammatory drug (diclofenac) used in cattle and other livestock, whose carcasses they feed on.

World's most difficult chemical experiment: The struggle to discover the secret of super-heavy elements Posted: 17 Nov 2011 05:13 AM PST In order to find the chemical properties of super-heavy elements, chemists must conduct one of the world's most demanding chemical experiments in a matter of seconds.

Racing to be the first to create the world's heaviest element Posted: 17 Nov 2011 05:13 AM PST All heavy elements are created in gigantic supernova explosions. Now scientists are competing to create the world's heaviest element in a laboratory. Production time: less than one atom per month. Lifetime: a few modest microseconds.

How the fly flies Posted: 17 Nov 2011 05:13 AM PST Flies are real flight artists, although they only have small wings compared to their body size. Scientists have recently identified the genetic switch that regulates the formation of flight muscles.

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