ScienceDaily: Top News

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• A new generation of ultra-small and high-precision lasers emerges
• Scar tissue turned into heart muscle without using stem cells
• Study links genes to common forms of glaucoma
• Geneticists identify genes linked to Western African Pygmies' small stature
• 'Warming hole' delayed climate change over eastern United States
• Boron-nitride nanotubes show potential in cancer treatment
• Cells in blood vessel found to cling more tightly in regions of rapid flow
• Hardly any genes are activated in embryonic stem cells
• Structure of a key 'gene silencer' protein discovered: Potential therapeutic targets with 'untapped potential'
• New guide for research on multiblock polymers emerges
• Analytic thinking can decrease religious belief, study shows
• New technique will transform epigenetics research
• Genes shed light on spread of agriculture in Stone Age Europe
• Fetal membrane transplantation helps prevent blindness
• Earliest life forms' operation promises therapies for diseases
• New form of lava flow discovered on Mars
• People with 'balanced time perspective' more likely to call themselves content
• Small molecular bodyguards kill HPV-infected cancer cells by protecting tumor-suppressor
• Breakthrough in understanding macular degeneration
• New insight on molecular motor movement: Mini cargo transporters on a rat run
• How stem cell therapy can keep the immune system under control
• From embryonic stem cells, a sperm replacement and easier path to genetic modification
• Nitric oxide supplementation treats common metabolic disease
• Mechanism that could contribute to problems in Alzheimer's identified
• Mystery of bacterial growth and resistance solved: Findings shed light on how bacteria form protective biofilms
• Slicing mitotic spindle with lasers, nanosurgeons unravel old pole-to-pole theory
• Manipulating molecules in heart protects mice on high-fat diets from obesity, affects metabolism
• Long-held genetic theory, morphogen theory, doesn't quite make the grade, biologists find
• Clues to reverse cognitive deficits in people with neurological disorders
• First evaluation of the Clean Water Act's effects on coastal waters in California reveals major successes
• Women who smoke in pregnancy more likely to have child with high functioning autism
• NASA's WISE catches aging star erupting with dust
• Action videogames change brains, improve visual attention
• Stem cell researchers map new knowledge about insulin production
• Eating more berries may reduce cognitive decline in the elderly
• Smalleye pigmy sharks' bellies shine: They glow for camouflage
• Oil palm surging source of greenhouse gas emissions
• Invisible helpers: How probiotic bacteria protect against inflammatory bowel diseases
• Higher maternal age predicts risk of autism
• Seabirds, a key factor in the dispersal of parasites
• Women have bigger pupils than men
• Seeing inside the nose of an aircraft
• Research breakthrough for drugs via the skin: Outermost layer of skin described in detail
• Heart study suggests city center pollution doubles risk of calcium build-up in arteries
• Rare protozoan from sludge in Norwegian lake does not fit on main branches of tree of life
• Learning mechanism of the adult brain revealed
• Change in attitude may ease chronic pain by aiding sleep, study suggests
• 115 proteins identified that would allow designing new generation anti-cancer drugs
• Almost seven million birds perish at communication towers in North America each year
• Researchers give long look at who benefits from nature tourism

A new generation of ultra-small and high-precision lasers emerges Posted: 26 Apr 2012 02:41 PM PDT Ultra fast, robust, stable, and high precision: these are some of the characteristics of a new laser. The ultra-small laser paves the way for a new generation of highly powerful, ultra-stable integrated lasers.

Scar tissue turned into heart muscle without using stem cells Posted: 26 Apr 2012 02:41 PM PDT Scientists have shown the ability to turn scar tissue that forms after a heart attack into heart muscle cells using a new process that eliminates the need for stem cell transplant.

Study links genes to common forms of glaucoma Posted: 26 Apr 2012 02:41 PM PDT Results from the largest genetic study of glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness and vision loss worldwide, showed that two genetic variations are associated with primary open angle glaucoma, a common form of the disease. The identification of genes responsible for this disease is the first step toward the development of gene-based disease detection and treatment.

Geneticists identify genes linked to Western African Pygmies' small stature Posted: 26 Apr 2012 02:41 PM PDT If Pygmies are known for one trait, it is their short stature: Pygmy men stand just 4'11" on average. Now a study of the Western African Pygmies in Cameroon has identified genes that may be responsible for the Pygmies' relatively small size.

'Warming hole' delayed climate change over eastern United States Posted: 26 Apr 2012 12:51 PM PDT Climate scientists have discovered that particulate pollution in the late 20th century created a "warming hole" over the eastern United States -- that is, a cold patch where the effects of global warming were temporarily obscured. The findings have implications for industrial nations (like China) that have not yet tightened air quality regulations.

Boron-nitride nanotubes show potential in cancer treatment Posted: 26 Apr 2012 12:51 PM PDT A new study has shown that adding boron-nitride nanotubes to the surface of cancer cells can double the effectiveness of "Irreversible Electroporation," a minimally invasive treatment for soft tissue tumors in the liver, lung, prostate, head and neck, kidney and pancreas. Although this research is in the very early stages, it could one day lead to better therapies for cancer.

Cells in blood vessel found to cling more tightly in regions of rapid flow Posted: 26 Apr 2012 12:51 PM PDT The cells that coat the pipes leading to the heart cling more tightly together in areas of fast-flowing blood. The discovery could help to reduce vascular leakage and better treat heart disease.

Hardly any genes are activated in embryonic stem cells Posted: 26 Apr 2012 12:50 PM PDT In naive embryonic stem cells not all genes are active, as previously thought. Rather these genes are "paused", ready for action if needed.

Structure of a key 'gene silencer' protein discovered: Potential therapeutic targets with 'untapped potential' Posted: 26 Apr 2012 12:50 PM PDT Scientists have described a protein that can effectively "silence" a gene by intercepting and slicing the gene's RNA transcripts before they are translated into working proteins.

New guide for research on multiblock polymers emerges Posted: 26 Apr 2012 11:39 AM PDT Thanks to advances in polymer chemistry and a wide variety of monomer constituents to choose from, the world of multiblock polymers is wide open. These polymers can result in an astonishing array of materials, customizable to almost any specification.

Analytic thinking can decrease religious belief, study shows Posted: 26 Apr 2012 11:38 AM PDT A new study finds that analytic thinking can decrease religious belief, even in devout believers. The study finds that thinking analytically increases disbelief among believers and skeptics alike, shedding important new light on the psychology of religious belief.

New technique will transform epigenetics research Posted: 26 Apr 2012 11:38 AM PDT A new technique will significantly improve scientists' ability to perform epigenetics research and help unlock the door to understanding how cells develop and function. Epigenetics is a branch of genetics that studies modifications to the DNA which affect gene activity. The research has important implications for stem cell research and the development of regenerative medicines.

Genes shed light on spread of agriculture in Stone Age Europe Posted: 26 Apr 2012 11:38 AM PDT One of the most debated developments in human history is the transition from hunter-gatherer to agricultural societies. Scientists have now shown that agriculture spread to Northern Europe via migration from Southern Europe.

Fetal membrane transplantation helps prevent blindness Posted: 26 Apr 2012 11:38 AM PDT Transplanting tissue from newborn fetal membranes prevents blindness in patients with a devastating disease called Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a new study has found.

Earliest life forms' operation promises therapies for diseases Posted: 26 Apr 2012 11:38 AM PDT Scientists have discovered that the gas nitric oxide (NO), produced in all cells of the human body for natural purposes, plays a fundamental regulatory role in controlling bacterial function, via a signaling mechanism called S-nitrosylation (SNO), which binds NO to protein molecules. In addition, the researchers discovered a novel set of 150 genes that regulate SNO production and disruption of these genes created bacterial cell damage resembling the cell damage seen in many common human diseases. Collectively these data point to new classes of antibiotics and several new disease treatments.

New form of lava flow discovered on Mars Posted: 26 Apr 2012 11:38 AM PDT High-resolution photos of lava flows on Mars reveal coiling spiral patterns that resemble snail or nautilus shells. Such patterns have been found in a few locations on Earth, but never before on Mars. The discovery was made by a graduate student and published in Science.

People with 'balanced time perspective' more likely to call themselves content Posted: 26 Apr 2012 10:54 AM PDT A new study demonstrates that having a certain "balanced time perspective" can make people feel more vital, more grateful, and more satisfied with their lives.

Small molecular bodyguards kill HPV-infected cancer cells by protecting tumor-suppressor Posted: 26 Apr 2012 10:54 AM PDT Researchers have discovered small molecules that kill cancer cells caused by infection with human papillomavirus. Their results, in both cell and mouse models, demonstrate that the small molecule inhibitors protect a tumor-suppressing protein targeted by viral proteins, thus killing the infected tumor cells. The researchers believe that, with further testing and refinement, their inhibitors could provide a therapeutic for HPV-caused tumors, such as those seen in cervical cancer.

Breakthrough in understanding macular degeneration Posted: 26 Apr 2012 10:54 AM PDT Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding the "dry" form of age-related macular degeneration known as geographic atrophy.

New insight on molecular motor movement: Mini cargo transporters on a rat run Posted: 26 Apr 2012 10:53 AM PDT Kinesins assume a vital function in our cells: The tiny cargo transporters move important substances along lengthy protein fibers and ensure an effective transportation infrastructure. Biophysicists have now discovered how some of these transporters can, like cars on a multi-lane motorway, change lanes.

How stem cell therapy can keep the immune system under control Posted: 26 Apr 2012 10:52 AM PDT A new study outlines the specifics of how autoimmune disorders can be controlled by infusions of mesenchymal stem cells.

From embryonic stem cells, a sperm replacement and easier path to genetic modification Posted: 26 Apr 2012 10:52 AM PDT Not only will the advance make it easier to produce genetically modified mice, but it may also enable genetic modification of animals that can't be modified by today's means. The technique might ultimately be used in assisted human reproduction for those affected by genetic disease, the researchers suggest.

Nitric oxide supplementation treats common metabolic disease Posted: 26 Apr 2012 10:52 AM PDT A team of researchers has discovered a treatment for a common metabolic disorder. The study reports that supplementation of nitric oxide (NO) in mice and man afflicted with argininosuccinic aciduria (ASA), a urea cycle disorder (UCD), results in long-term heart and neuropsychological improvements.

Mechanism that could contribute to problems in Alzheimer's identified Posted: 26 Apr 2012 10:52 AM PDT Scientists have unraveled a process by which depletion of a specific protein in the brain contributes to the memory problems associated with Alzheimer's disease. These findings provide new insights into the disease's development and may lead to new therapies that could benefit the millions of people worldwide suffering from Alzheimer's and other devastating neurological disorders.

Mystery of bacterial growth and resistance solved: Findings shed light on how bacteria form protective biofilms Posted: 26 Apr 2012 10:51 AM PDT Scientists have unraveled a complex chemical pathway that enables bacteria to form clusters called biofilms. Such improved understanding might eventually aid the development of new treatments targeting biofilms, which are involved in a wide variety of human infections and help bacteria resist antibiotics.

Slicing mitotic spindle with lasers, nanosurgeons unravel old pole-to-pole theory Posted: 26 Apr 2012 10:51 AM PDT The mitotic spindle, an apparatus that segregates chromosomes during cell division, may be more complex than the standard textbook picture suggests.

Manipulating molecules in heart protects mice on high-fat diets from obesity, affects metabolism Posted: 26 Apr 2012 10:50 AM PDT Researchers have demonstrated for the first time that the heart can regulate energy balance throughout the body, a finding that may point to more effective treatments for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Long-held genetic theory, morphogen theory, doesn't quite make the grade, biologists find Posted: 26 Apr 2012 10:50 AM PDT Biologists have discovered new mechanisms that control how proteins are expressed in different regions of embryos, while also shedding additional insight into how physical traits are arranged in body plans. Their findings call for reconsideration of a decades-old biological theory.

Clues to reverse cognitive deficits in people with neurological disorders Posted: 26 Apr 2012 10:49 AM PDT The ability to navigate using spatial cues was impaired in mice whose brains were minus a channel that delivers potassium — a finding that may have implications for humans with damage to the hippocampus, a brain structure critical to memory and learning, according to an expert.

First evaluation of the Clean Water Act's effects on coastal waters in California reveals major successes Posted: 26 Apr 2012 10:49 AM PDT Levels of copper, cadmium, lead and other metals in Southern California's coastal waters have plummeted over the past four decades, which researchers attribute to sewage treatment regulations that were part of the Clean Water Act of 1972 and to the phase-out of leaded gasoline in the 1970s and 1980s.

Women who smoke in pregnancy more likely to have child with high functioning autism Posted: 26 Apr 2012 10:49 AM PDT Women who smoke in pregnancy may be more likely to have a child with high-functioning autism, such as Asperger's Disorder, according to preliminary findings.

NASA's WISE catches aging star erupting with dust Posted: 26 Apr 2012 10:45 AM PDT Images from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) reveal an old star in the throes of a fiery outburst, spraying the cosmos with dust. The findings offer a rare, real-time look at the process by which stars like our sun seed the universe with building blocks for other stars, planets and even life.

Action videogames change brains, improve visual attention Posted: 26 Apr 2012 08:43 AM PDT Playing an action videogame, even for a relatively short time, causes differences in brain activity and improvements in visual attention, a new study shows.

Stem cell researchers map new knowledge about insulin production Posted: 26 Apr 2012 08:02 AM PDT Scientists have gained new insight into the signaling paths that control the body's insulin production. This is important knowledge with respect to their final goal: The conversion of stem cells into insulin-producing beta cells that can be implanted into patients who need them.

Eating more berries may reduce cognitive decline in the elderly Posted: 26 Apr 2012 08:02 AM PDT Blueberries and strawberries, which are high in flavonoids, appear to reduce cognitive decline in older adults according to a new study. The study results suggest that cognitive aging could be delayed by up to 2.5 years in elderly who consume greater amounts of the flavonoid-rich berries.

Smalleye pigmy sharks' bellies shine: They glow for camouflage Posted: 26 Apr 2012 07:57 AM PDT Smalleye pigmy sharks have an eye-catching party trick: Their bellies glow. However, instead of being a giveaway, biologists have shown that the fish's shiny undersides probably provide camouflage. They also discovered that the pigmy shark and another glowing fish, the lantern shark, regulate their glow using the similar mechanisms, although the pigmy shark is probably more closely related to their common ancient ancestor.

Oil palm surging source of greenhouse gas emissions Posted: 26 Apr 2012 07:56 AM PDT Continued expansion of industrial-scale oil palm plantations on the island of Borneo will become a leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 unless strong forest and peatland protections are enacted and enforced, according to a new study.

Invisible helpers: How probiotic bacteria protect against inflammatory bowel diseases Posted: 26 Apr 2012 07:56 AM PDT Some lactic acid bacteria can alleviate inflammation and therefore prevent intestinal disorders. Scientists have now decoded the biochemical mechanism that lies behind the protective effect of the bacteria. In experiments with mice, the researchers succeeded in demonstrating that lactocepin – an enzyme produced by certain lactic acid bacteria – selectively degrades inflammatory mediators in diseased tissue. This new evidence might lead to new approaches for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Higher maternal age predicts risk of autism Posted: 26 Apr 2012 07:49 AM PDT Maternal age is linked to autism, a new review of studies suggests. While much research has been done to identify potential genetic causes of autism, this analysis suggests that non-heritable and environmental factors may also play a role in children's risk for autism.

Seabirds, a key factor in the dispersal of parasites Posted: 26 Apr 2012 07:49 AM PDT Due to their capacity to travel long distances, seabirds play an important role in the dispersal and biodiversity of parasites and of the infectious agents these may transmit, a new study shows.

Women have bigger pupils than men Posted: 26 Apr 2012 07:49 AM PDT From an anatomical point of view, a normal, non-pathological eye is known as an emmetropic eye, and has been studied very little until now in comparison with myopic and hypermetropic eyes. The results show that healthy emmetropic women have a wider pupil diameter than men.

Seeing inside the nose of an aircraft Posted: 26 Apr 2012 07:49 AM PDT Radio signals reach pilots on board an aircraft through the "radar dome", the rounded nose of the aircraft. But if errors occur during the production of this "nose", – tiny foreign particles, drops of water or air bubbles – this can impede radio traffic. In the future, a non-destructive testing system will identify just such imperfections during production.

Research breakthrough for drugs via the skin: Outermost layer of skin described in detail Posted: 26 Apr 2012 07:49 AM PDT Scientists have succeeded in describing the structure and function of the outermost layer of the skin – the stratum corneum – at a molecular level. This opens the way not only for the large-scale delivery of drugs via the skin, but also for a deeper understanding of skin diseases.

Heart study suggests city center pollution doubles risk of calcium build-up in arteries Posted: 26 Apr 2012 07:48 AM PDT City center residents who took part in a study were almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery calcification (CAC), which can lead to heart disease, than people who lived in less polluted urban and rural areas, according to new research.

Rare protozoan from sludge in Norwegian lake does not fit on main branches of tree of life Posted: 26 Apr 2012 07:48 AM PDT Humankind's remotest relative is a very rare micro-organism from south-Norway. The discovery may provide an insight into what life looked like on earth almost one thousand million years ago. Biologists all over the world have been eagerly awaiting the results of the genetic analysis of one of the world's smallest known species, hereafter called the protozoan, from a little lake 30 kilometer south of Oslo in Norway. When researchers compared its genes with all other known species in the world, they saw that the protozoan did not fit on any of the main branches of the tree of life. The protozoan is not a fungus, alga, parasite, plant or animal.

Learning mechanism of the adult brain revealed Posted: 26 Apr 2012 07:48 AM PDT They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Fortunately, this is not always true. Researchers have now discovered how the adult brain can adapt to new situations. Their study may be significant in developing treatments of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Change in attitude may ease chronic pain by aiding sleep, study suggests Posted: 26 Apr 2012 07:43 AM PDT Chronic pain sufferers who learn to dwell less on their ailments may sleep better and experience less day-to-day pain, according to results of research conducted on people with chronic face and jaw pain.

115 proteins identified that would allow designing new generation anti-cancer drugs Posted: 25 Apr 2012 04:32 PM PDT Researchers have identified 115 proteins in silico that could be highly relevant to treat colon-rectal cancer, since they would make it possible to define the strategy to design new generation anti-cancer drugs. During the last years, it has been shown that drugs are not as selective as it was thought, and that they actually have an affinity for multiple biological targets. For this reason it is important to develop multi-target drugs, able to attack several targets simultaneously.

Almost seven million birds perish at communication towers in North America each year Posted: 25 Apr 2012 04:30 PM PDT Every year nearly 7 million birds die as they migrate from the United States and Canada to Central and South America, according to a new study. The birds are killed by the 84,000 communication towers that dot North America and can rise nearly 2,000 feet into the sky. Placing that figure in context, the Exxon Valdez oil spill killed 250,000 birds and the Empire State building is 1,250 feet high.

Researchers give long look at who benefits from nature tourism Posted: 25 Apr 2012 04:30 PM PDT Using nature's beauty as a tourist draw can boost conservation in China's valued panda preserves, but it isn't an automatic ticket out of poverty for the human inhabitants, a unique long-term study shows.

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