ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Plant flavonoid luteolin blocks cell signaling pathways in colon cancer cells
• Advantages of living in the dark: Multiple evolution events of 'blind' cavefish
• Sweeping genetic analysis of rare disease yields common mechanism of hypertension
• Cooling semiconductors by laser light
• Vaccines to boost immunity where it counts, not just near shot site
• Genetic mechanism linked to congenital heart disease identified
• New understanding of chronic pain
• Nanmaterial detects and removes arsenic from drinking water
• Tactile imaging sensor can assist doctors with early identification of tumors
• Accelerated infant growth increases future asthma symptom risk

Plant flavonoid luteolin blocks cell signaling pathways in colon cancer cells Posted: 22 Jan 2012 05:12 PM PST Luteolin is a flavonoid commonly found in fruit and vegetables. This compound has been shown in laboratory conditions to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties but results from epidemiological studies have been less certain. New research shows that luteolin is able to inhibit the activity of cell signaling pathways (IGF and PI3K) important for the growth of cancer in colon cancer cells.

Advantages of living in the dark: Multiple evolution events of 'blind' cavefish Posted: 22 Jan 2012 05:12 PM PST Blind Mexican cavefish have not only lost their sight but have adapted to perpetual darkness by also losing their pigment (albinism) and having altered sleep patterns. New research shows that the cavefish are an example of convergent evolution, with several populations repeatedly, and independently, losing their sight and pigmentation.

Sweeping genetic analysis of rare disease yields common mechanism of hypertension Posted: 22 Jan 2012 12:25 PM PST Analyzing all the genes of dozens of people suffering from a rare form of hypertension, researchers have discovered a new mechanism that regulates the blood pressure of all humans.

Cooling semiconductors by laser light Posted: 22 Jan 2012 12:25 PM PST Researchers have combined two fields -- quantum physics and nano physics -- and this has led to the discovery of a new method for laser cooling semiconductor membranes. Semiconductors are vital components in many electronics, and the efficient cooling of components is important for future quantum computers and ultrasensitive sensors. The new cooling method works quite paradoxically by heating the material. Using lasers, researchers cooled membrane fluctuations to minus 269 degrees C.

Vaccines to boost immunity where it counts, not just near shot site Posted: 22 Jan 2012 12:25 PM PST Researchers have created synthetic nanoparticles that target lymph nodes and greatly boost vaccine responses.

Genetic mechanism linked to congenital heart disease identified Posted: 22 Jan 2012 12:25 PM PST Scientists have identified a finely tuned mechanism by which fetal heart muscle develops into a healthy and fully formed beating heart -- offering new insight into the genetic causes of congenital heart disease and opening the door to one day developing therapies to fight this chronic and potentially fatal disorder.

New understanding of chronic pain Posted: 22 Jan 2012 12:24 PM PST Millions of people worldwide suffer from a type of chronic pain called neuropathic pain, which is triggered by nerve damage. Precisely how this pain persists has been a mystery, and current treatments are largely ineffective. But scientists, using a new approach known as metabolomics, have now discovered a major clue: dimethylsphingosine (DMS), a small-molecule byproduct of cellular membranes in the nervous system. In their new study, the scientists found that DMS is produced at abnormally high levels in the spinal cords of rats with neuropathic pain and appears to cause pain when injected. The findings suggest inhibiting this molecule may be a fruitful target for drug development.

Nanmaterial detects and removes arsenic from drinking water Posted: 21 Jan 2012 01:04 PM PST Scientists have developed a nanomaterial which enables simple detection and removal of arsenic from drinking water.

Tactile imaging sensor can assist doctors with early identification of tumors Posted: 20 Jan 2012 03:24 PM PST A handheld tactile imaging sensor could aid doctors in early identification of cancerous lesions or tumors.

Accelerated infant growth increases future asthma symptom risk Posted: 19 Jan 2012 09:30 PM PST Accelerated growth in the first three months of life, but not fetal growth, is associated with an increased risk of asthma symptoms in young children, according to a new study.

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