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Thursday, December 29, 2011

ScienceDaily: Most Popular News

ScienceDaily: Most Popular News


Turn down the iPod to save your hearing

Posted: 28 Dec 2011 10:48 AM PST

A new study clearly demonstrates that harmful music-listening habits among teens could result in hearing problems much earlier than expected from natural aging. She recommends that both schools and parents provide early education on hearing health to stem the risk.

Scientists map susceptibility to type 2 diabetes

Posted: 28 Dec 2011 10:48 AM PST

New research has provided the first proof of molecular risk factors leading to type 2 diabetes, providing an "early warning" sign that could lead to new approaches to treating this and other human disease conditions.

Brain cell malfunction in schizophrenia identified

Posted: 28 Dec 2011 08:17 AM PST

Scientists have discovered that DNA stays too tightly wound in certain brain cells of schizophrenic subjects. The findings suggest that drugs already in development for other diseases might eventually offer hope as a treatment for schizophrenia and related conditions in the elderly.

Weather deserves medal for clean air during 2008 Olympics

Posted: 28 Dec 2011 08:17 AM PST

New research suggests that China's impressive feat of cutting Beijing's pollution up to 50 percent for the 2008 Summer Olympics had some help from Mother Nature. Rain just at the beginning and wind during the Olympics likely contributed about half of the effort needed to clean up the skies, scientists found. The results also suggest emission controls need to be more widely implemented than in 2008 if pollution levels are to be reduced permanently.

New way to ensure effectiveness of TB treatment?

Posted: 28 Dec 2011 08:17 AM PST

A new study using a sophisticated "glass mouse" research model has found that multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is more likely caused in patients by speedy drug metabolism rather than inconsistent doses, as is widely believed.

2012: Fear no supernova

Posted: 28 Dec 2011 05:42 AM PST

Given the incredible amounts of energy in a supernova explosion -- as much as the sun creates during its entire lifetime -- another erroneous doomsday theory is that such an explosion could happen in 2012 and harm life on Earth. However, given the vastness of space and the long times between supernovae, astronomers can say with certainty that there is no threatening star close enough to hurt Earth.

2012: Shadow of the Dark Rift

Posted: 28 Dec 2011 05:40 AM PST

One of the most bizarre theories about 2012 has built up with very little attention to facts. This idea holds that a cosmic alignment of the sun, Earth, the center of our galaxy -- or perhaps the galaxy's thick dust clouds -- on the winter solstice could for some unknown reason lead to destruction. Such alignments can occur but these are a regular occurrence and can cause no harm (and, indeed, will not even be at its closest alignment during the 2012 solstice.)

Improved method for protein sequence comparisons is faster, more accurate, more sensitive

Posted: 25 Dec 2011 04:47 PM PST

Sequence comparisons are an essential tool for the prediction and analysis of the structure and functions of proteins. A new method developed by computational biologists permits sequence comparisons to be performed faster and more accurately than ever before.

A radar for ADAR: Altered gene tracks RNA editing in neurons

Posted: 25 Dec 2011 11:43 AM PST

RNA editing is a key step in gene expression. Scientists now report that they have engineered a gene capable of visually displaying the activity of the key enzyme ADAR in living fruit flies.

MRI scan 'better' for heart patients

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 04:50 PM PST

A magnetic resonance imaging scan for coronary heart disease is better than the most commonly-used alternative, a major UK trial of heart disease patients has shown.

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