ScienceDaily: Most Popular News

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• Researchers set sights on new era in neuroprotection
• New rapid and point of care hepatitis C tests could be global game changers
• New light shed on cancer risks associated with night work
• Can vaccines be delivered via the lungs instead of by injection?
• Even your fat cells need sleep, according to new research
• NASA's WISE colors in unknowns on Jupiter asteroids
• Calling Miss Congeniality: Do attractive people have attractive traits and values?
• People with severe psoriasis nearly twice at risk for diabetes
• Compounds that could thwart post-traumatic stress disorder identified
• Weight loss surgery may be associated with increased substance use following surgery
• Men diagnosed with ADHD as children had worse outcomes as adults, study suggests
• Does motherhood dampen cocaine’s effects?
• A better way to prevent deadly blood clots?
• Plaque build-up in your brain may be more harmful than having Alzheimer's gene
• Do re mi fa ... How do you know what comes next?
• Freezing electrons in flight: Physicists catch electrons getting knocked out of atoms
• Gold nanoparticle prostate cancer treatment found safe in dogs, study shows
• Stem cell model for hereditary disease developed
• Ebola antibody treatment, produced in plants, protects monkeys from lethal disease
• Language structure arises from balance of clear and effective communication, study finds
• Intermittent binge drinking could cause significant brain impairment within months, study suggests
• Genetic 'remix' key to evolution of bee behavior, researchers find
• Evolution mostly driven by brawn, not brains, analysis finds
• Tropical cyclones are occurring more frequently than before, study shows
• New research moves scientists closer to lung cancer blood test
• Halloween candy: How much is too much?
• Researcher pieces together AML prognosis puzzle
• Neuroscientists find the molecular 'when' and 'where' of memory formation
• Circumbinary planet in quadruple star system discovered by astronomers aided by volunteer 'Planet Hunters'
• Additive effect of small gene variations can increase risk of autism spectrum disorders
• 'Biggest Loser' study finds modest diet and exercise can sustain weight loss
• Research team develops single-crystal pump for miniaturized DNA forensics
• New way to mimic the color and texture of butterfly wings
• Strengthening a billion-dollar gene in soybeans
• Researchers find new way to prevent cracking in nanoparticle films
• Fearful flyers willing to pay more and alter flight plans, according to travel study
• Scientists provide window on space radiation hazards
• Mystery of nematode pest-resistant soybeans cracked: Gene also correlates with human diseases
• Higher-dose use of certain statins often best for cholesterol issues
• Early exposure to cigarette smoke leads to greater risk for respiratory disease
• Social contact can ease pain related to nerve damage, animal study suggests
• Suicide attempts by poisoning found to be less likely around major holidays
• Another advance on the road to spintronics: Researchers unlock ferromagnetic secrets of promising materials
• Study sheds light on role of exercise and androgens such as testosterone on nerve damage repair
• 'Mother's kiss' safe and effective for removing foreign objects from children's noses
• Bicycle helmets prevent fatal head injuries, study finds
• Climate change: Circulation of Atlantic Ocean was faster during last Ice Age than today
• Drug-eluting angioplasty treatment for peripheral artery disease shows promise
• Bacterial protein in house dust spurs asthma, study finds
• Using food for comfort and coping leads to unwanted holiday pounds
• Mice at risk of asthma, allergies can fight off skin cancer
• Immunosuppressive drug could delay the onset of neurodegenerative diseases
• Protein could be key for drugs that promote bone growth
• Aggregation of proteins in cells may result in diseases
• New techniques stretch carbon nanotubes, make stronger composites
• Dire drought ahead, may lead to massive tree death
• Primates in peril: Conservationists reveal the world's 25 most endangered primates
• Fall spawning by Atlantic sturgeon in Virginia river
• Space station and space flight gravity influence immune system development
• DNA method can provide more effective treatment of childhood cancer

Researchers set sights on new era in neuroprotection Posted: 15 Oct 2012 03:24 PM PDT A research team has identified a set of experimental drugs called LRRK2 inhibitors that may go beyond symptom relief to directly counter the inflammation and nerve cell death at the root of Parkinson's disease. At least, these effects have been suggested in mouse and cell culture studies meant to approximate human disease.

New rapid and point of care hepatitis C tests could be global game changers Posted: 15 Oct 2012 02:13 PM PDT Timely screening and diagnosis is critical to the success of new treatments and ultimately to the survival of hepatitis C patients. A new study is the first to show that hepatitis C rapid and point of care tests with a quick turnaround time are highly accurate and reliable as conventional first-line laboratory tests.

New light shed on cancer risks associated with night work Posted: 15 Oct 2012 02:13 PM PDT Night work can increase cancer risk in men, according to a new study. The study is one of the first in the world to provide evidence among men of a possible association between night work and the risk of prostate, colon, lung, bladder, rectal, and pancreatic cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Can vaccines be delivered via the lungs instead of by injection? Posted: 15 Oct 2012 02:10 PM PDT In addition to the obvious benefit of eliminating the need for an injection, new vaccine delivery methods via the lungs offer particular advantages for protecting against infectious agents that enter the body through the respiratory track.

Even your fat cells need sleep, according to new research Posted: 15 Oct 2012 02:08 PM PDT Challenging the old notion that the function of sleep is to rest the brain, researchers show that not getting enough sleep can harm fat cells, reducing by 30 percent their ability to respond to insulin, a hormone that regulates energy. This is the first description of a molecular mechanism directly connecting sleep loss to the disruption of energy regulation.

NASA's WISE colors in unknowns on Jupiter asteroids Posted: 15 Oct 2012 01:35 PM PDT Scientists using data from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, have uncovered new clues in the ongoing mystery of the Jovian Trojans -- asteroids that orbit the sun on the same path as Jupiter. Like racehorses, the asteroids travel in packs, with one group leading the way in front of the gas giant, and a second group trailing behind. The observations are the first to get a detailed look at the Trojans' colors: both the leading and trailing packs are made up of predominantly dark, reddish rocks with a matte, non-reflecting surface. What's more, the data verify the previous suspicion that the leading pack of Trojans outnumbers the trailing bunch.

Calling Miss Congeniality: Do attractive people have attractive traits and values? Posted: 15 Oct 2012 01:24 PM PDT It's difficult to resist the temptation of assuming that a person's outward appearance reflects something meaningful about his or her inner personality. Research shows that people tend to perceive attractive adults as more social, successful, and well-adjusted than less attractive adults, a phenomenon that's been termed the "what is beautiful is good" stereotype. But is this really true? A new article investigates whether the stereotype holds up in the real world.

People with severe psoriasis nearly twice at risk for diabetes Posted: 15 Oct 2012 01:24 PM PDT An analysis of 27 studies linking psoriasis in 314,000 individuals with diabetes has found strong correlation between the scaly skin rash and the blood sugar disorder that predisposes patients to heart disease.

Compounds that could thwart post-traumatic stress disorder identified Posted: 15 Oct 2012 01:24 PM PDT A brain pathway that is stimulated by traumatic or fearful experiences can be disrupted by two compounds that show promise for preventing post-traumatic stress disorder, researchers have reported.

Weight loss surgery may be associated with increased substance use following surgery Posted: 15 Oct 2012 01:24 PM PDT Patients who undergo bariatric weight loss surgery may be at increased risk for substance use (drug use, alcohol use and cigarette smoking) following surgery, particularly among patients who undergo laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery who appear to be at increased risk for alcohol use following surgery.

Men diagnosed with ADHD as children had worse outcomes as adults, study suggests Posted: 15 Oct 2012 01:24 PM PDT Men who were diagnosed as children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) appeared to have significantly worse educational, occupational, economic and social outcomes in a 33-year, follow-up study that compared them with men without childhood ADHD.

Does motherhood dampen cocaine’s effects? Posted: 15 Oct 2012 01:19 PM PDT Mother rats respond much differently to cocaine than female rats that have never given birth, according to new research that looks at both behavior and brain chemistry. The findings may help lay the groundwork for more tailored human addiction treatment.

A better way to prevent deadly blood clots? Posted: 15 Oct 2012 01:19 PM PDT A computerized checklist system designed to help physicians identify and use the best methods of preventing potentially deadly blood clots in hospitalized trauma patients dramatically reduced the number of these dangerous venous thromboembolisms (VTEs), new research suggests.

Plaque build-up in your brain may be more harmful than having Alzheimer's gene Posted: 15 Oct 2012 01:19 PM PDT A new study shows that having a high amount of beta amyloid or "plaques" in the brain associated with Alzheimer's disease may cause steeper memory decline in mentally healthy older people than does having the APOE [4 allele, also associated with the disease.

Do re mi fa ... How do you know what comes next? Posted: 15 Oct 2012 01:18 PM PDT How do you remember a song -- and why is it that a beginning pianist who forgets the middle of a melody needs to start over again to recall the tune? The answer, say researchers, is that two different areas of the brain are used -- one to learn a sequence and another to recall it -- and that higher motor areas participate in both.

Freezing electrons in flight: Physicists catch electrons getting knocked out of atoms Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:45 PM PDT Using the world's fastest laser pulses, which can freeze the ultrafast motion of electrons and atoms, physicists have caught the action of molecules breaking apart and electrons getting knocked out of atoms. Their research helps us better understand molecular processes and ultimately be able to control them in many possible applications.

Gold nanoparticle prostate cancer treatment found safe in dogs, study shows Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:20 PM PDT Scientists have demonstrated that a new form of prostate cancer treatment that uses radioactive gold nanoparticles is safe to use in dogs.

Stem cell model for hereditary disease developed Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:20 PM PDT Scientists have reprogrammed stem cells to develop into cells that are genetically similar to and react to drugs in a similar way as cells from patients with Gaucher disease. The stem cells will allow the scientists to test potential new therapies in a dish, accelerating the process toward drug discovery, according to a new article.

Ebola antibody treatment, produced in plants, protects monkeys from lethal disease Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:20 PM PDT A new Ebola virus study has shown promising preliminary results, preventing disease in infected nonhuman primates using monoclonal antibodies. When treatment was administered one hour after infection, all animals survived. Two-thirds of the animals were protected even when the treatment, known as MB-003, was administered 48 hours after infection.

Language structure arises from balance of clear and effective communication, study finds Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:20 PM PDT When learning a new language, we automatically organize words into sentences that will be both clearly understood and efficient (quick) to communicate. That's the finding of a new study that challenges opposing theories on why and how languages come to be organized the way they are.

Intermittent binge drinking could cause significant brain impairment within months, study suggests Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:20 PM PDT A study of binge-drinking rodents suggests that knocking back a few drinks every few days may swiftly reduce one's capacity to control alcohol intake. Scientists found signs of cognitive impairment in rats similar to that seen in established alcoholism after the animals had only a few months of intermittent access to alcohol. Remarkably, these impairments did not appear at all in rats with 24/7 access to alcohol, whose alcohol intake remained stable.

Genetic 'remix' key to evolution of bee behavior, researchers find Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:20 PM PDT Worker bees have become a highly skilled work force because the genes that determine their behavior are shuffled frequently, helping natural selection to build a better bee, research suggests. A new study sheds light on how worker bees -- who are sterile -- evolved charismatic and cooperative behaviors. Researchers discovered that the genes associated with worker behavior were found in areas of the genome that have the highest rate of recombination.

Evolution mostly driven by brawn, not brains, analysis finds Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:20 PM PDT The most common measure of intelligence in animals, brain size relative to body size, may not be as dependent on evolutionary selection on the brain as previously thought, according to a new analysis by scientists.

Tropical cyclones are occurring more frequently than before, study shows Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:20 PM PDT Are there more tropical cyclones now than in the past -- or is it just something we believe because we now hear more about them through media coverage and are better able detect them with satellites? New research shows that there is an increasing tendency for cyclones when the climate is warmer, as it has been in recent years.

New research moves scientists closer to lung cancer blood test Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:12 PM PDT Early signs of lung cancer could be diagnosed using a simple blood test following a new discovery.

Halloween candy: How much is too much? Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:11 PM PDT As we enter the sweet season, parents are worried kids might indulge their way to obesity by gobbling up too many Halloween candy. But having a little fun with candy once a year will not lead to childhood obesity, says a pediatrics expert.

Researcher pieces together AML prognosis puzzle Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:11 PM PDT When patients suffering from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) express high levels of the gene, MN1, an already aggressive leukemia is accelerated and shortens survival time. While that's a known fact, the mechanisms involved aren't well understood -- which is why a researcher decided to take a closer look.

Neuroscientists find the molecular 'when' and 'where' of memory formation Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:11 PM PDT Neuroscientists have isolated the "when" and "where" of molecular activity that occurs in the formation of short-, intermediate-, and long-term memories. Their findings offer new insights into the molecular architecture of memory formation and, with it, a better road map for developing therapeutic interventions for related afflictions.

Circumbinary planet in quadruple star system discovered by astronomers aided by volunteer 'Planet Hunters' Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:00 PM PDT A joint effort of citizen scientists and professional astronomers has led to the first reported case of a planet orbiting twin suns that in turn is orbited by a second distant pair of stars. Only six planets are known to orbit two stars, according to researchers, and none of these are orbited by distant stellar companions.

Additive effect of small gene variations can increase risk of autism spectrum disorders Posted: 15 Oct 2012 11:24 AM PDT An increased risk of autism spectrum disorders could result from an accumulation of many small, common gene genetic variations rather than large-effect, rare changes in the genetic code, according to a multi-center team. Their findings provide new insights into the genetic factors that underlie the neurodevelopmental condition.

'Biggest Loser' study finds modest diet and exercise can sustain weight loss Posted: 15 Oct 2012 11:24 AM PDT Exercise and healthy eating reduce body fat and preserve muscle in adults better than diet alone, according to a new study.

Research team develops single-crystal pump for miniaturized DNA forensics Posted: 15 Oct 2012 11:20 AM PDT A research team has developed a new type of micro pump that can be used in forensic DNA profiling. The pump represents a giant leap in miniaturization.

New way to mimic the color and texture of butterfly wings Posted: 15 Oct 2012 10:25 AM PDT The colors of a butterfly's wings are unusually bright and beautiful and are the result of an unusual trait; the way they reflect light is fundamentally different from how color works most of the time. A team of researchers has found a way to generate this kind of "structural color" that has the added benefit of another trait of butterfly wings: super-hydrophobicity, or the ability to strongly repel water.

Strengthening a billion-dollar gene in soybeans Posted: 15 Oct 2012 10:25 AM PDT Soybean cyst nematode does hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of damage each year. Crop sciences researchers think they may have found a way to strengthen plant resistance.

Researchers find new way to prevent cracking in nanoparticle films Posted: 15 Oct 2012 10:25 AM PDT Making uniform coatings is a common engineering challenge, and, when working at the nanoscale, even the tiniest cracks or defects can be a big problem. New research has shown a new way of avoiding such cracks when depositing thin films of nanoparticles.

Fearful flyers willing to pay more and alter flight plans, according to travel study Posted: 15 Oct 2012 10:18 AM PDT Fearful flyers seek flight attributes that may be primarily reassuring, such as schedule, aircraft size and carrier origin, but have little effect on the low, actual risk, according to a new study.

Scientists provide window on space radiation hazards Posted: 15 Oct 2012 10:18 AM PDT Astrophysicists have created the first online system for predicting and forecasting the radiation environment in near-Earth, lunar, and Martian space environments. The near real-time tool will provide critical information as preparations are made for potential future manned missions to the moon and Mars.

Mystery of nematode pest-resistant soybeans cracked: Gene also correlates with human diseases Posted: 15 Oct 2012 10:18 AM PDT The secrets of nematode resistant soybean plants are finally coming to light. Surprisingly, one of the genes related to nematode resistance in soybeans also has been associated with human diseases including lymphocytic leukemia, spina bifida and cardiovascular disease, according to a team of researchers.

Higher-dose use of certain statins often best for cholesterol issues Posted: 15 Oct 2012 10:15 AM PDT A comprehensive new review on how to treat high cholesterol and other blood lipid problems suggests that intensive treatment with high doses of statin drugs is usually the best approach. But some statins work much better for this than others, the review concluded, and additional lipid-lowering medications added to a statin have far less value.

Early exposure to cigarette smoke leads to greater risk for respiratory disease Posted: 15 Oct 2012 10:15 AM PDT New research reveals cigarette smoke adversely affects the developing human airway, especially in prematurity. Fetuses and premature babies exposed to cigarette smoke are at greater risk for developing childhood respiratory diseases, such as asthma.

Social contact can ease pain related to nerve damage, animal study suggests Posted: 15 Oct 2012 10:15 AM PDT Companionship has the potential to reduce pain linked to nerve damage, according to a new study. This animal research suggests that the social contact had both behavioral and physiological influences.

Suicide attempts by poisoning found to be less likely around major holidays Posted: 15 Oct 2012 09:24 AM PDT A new study has found that major holidays are associated with a lower number of suicide attempts by poisoning. The study found holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving may actually be protective against attempts, possibly due to the increased family or support structures present. In contrast, New Year's Day had significantly higher numbers of suicide attempts by overdose.

Another advance on the road to spintronics: Researchers unlock ferromagnetic secrets of promising materials Posted: 15 Oct 2012 09:24 AM PDT Using a new technique called HARPES, for Hard x-ray Angle-Resolved PhotoEmission Spectroscopy, researchers have unlocked the ferromagnetic secrets of dilute magnetic semiconductors, materials of great interest for spintronic technology.

Study sheds light on role of exercise and androgens such as testosterone on nerve damage repair Posted: 15 Oct 2012 09:22 AM PDT A new study has found that the beneficial effects daily exercise can have on the regeneration of nerves also require androgens such as testosterone in both males and females. It is the first report of both androgen-dependence of exercise on nerve regeneration and of an androgenic effect of exercise in females.

'Mother's kiss' safe and effective for removing foreign objects from children's noses Posted: 15 Oct 2012 09:22 AM PDT A technique called the "mother's kiss" for removing foreign objects from the nasal passages of young children appears to be a safe and effective approach, a new study finds.

Bicycle helmets prevent fatal head injuries, study finds Posted: 15 Oct 2012 09:21 AM PDT Cyclists who died of a head injury were three times as likely to not be wearing a helmet compared with those who died of other injuries, according to a new study.

Climate change: Circulation of Atlantic Ocean was faster during last Ice Age than today Posted: 15 Oct 2012 09:19 AM PDT Heat transport in the Atlantic Ocean during the last Ice Age was not weaker, as long assumed, but in fact stronger than it is today. Scientists used ultra-precise measurements of natural radionuclides in ocean sediments to study the ocean's strength of circulation and uncovered new information about the past of the "Atlantic heat pump."

Drug-eluting angioplasty treatment for peripheral artery disease shows promise Posted: 15 Oct 2012 09:17 AM PDT Use of balloon angioplasty and placement of stents to widen clogged arteries have become standard medical procedure. Further advancing this treatment, drug-eluting devices are now delivering medication directly to the site where it can be most effective. While this technique has met with success in coronary arteries, its use in peripheral arteries is still under study.

Bacterial protein in house dust spurs asthma, study finds Posted: 15 Oct 2012 09:17 AM PDT A bacterial protein in common house dust may worsen allergic responses to indoor allergens, according to new research. The finding is the first to document the presence of the protein flagellin in house dust, bolstering the link between allergic asthma and the environment.

Using food for comfort and coping leads to unwanted holiday pounds Posted: 15 Oct 2012 09:17 AM PDT Many people use food to deal with stress. Doing this only leads to seriously weight gain, especially this time of year.

Mice at risk of asthma, allergies can fight off skin cancer Posted: 15 Oct 2012 09:17 AM PDT A molecule involved in asthma and allergies has now been shown to make mice resistant to skin cancer, according to scientists.

Immunosuppressive drug could delay the onset of neurodegenerative diseases Posted: 15 Oct 2012 08:28 AM PDT Rapamycin, a drug used to prevent rejection in transplants, could delay the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, according to a new study.

Protein could be key for drugs that promote bone growth Posted: 15 Oct 2012 08:28 AM PDT Researchers have developed a mouse that errs on the side of making bone rather than fat, which could eventually lead to better drugs to treat inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Aggregation of proteins in cells may result in diseases Posted: 15 Oct 2012 08:28 AM PDT Changes in the structure of proteins can lead to various diseases, such as Alzheimer's, type 2 diabetes and corneal dystrophy. A research team from Denmark has now discovered how a particular protein can damage cells. These results may lead to the development of drugs to treat corneal dystrophy in the future.

New techniques stretch carbon nanotubes, make stronger composites Posted: 15 Oct 2012 08:27 AM PDT Researchers have developed new techniques for stretching carbon nanotubes and using them to create carbon composites that can be used as stronger, lighter materials in everything from airplanes to bicycles.

Dire drought ahead, may lead to massive tree death Posted: 15 Oct 2012 08:14 AM PDT New evidence suggests recent droughts could be the new normal. This is especially bad news for America's forests.

Primates in peril: Conservationists reveal the world's 25 most endangered primates Posted: 15 Oct 2012 08:08 AM PDT Humankind's closest living relatives -- the world's apes, monkeys, lemurs and other primates -- are on the brink of extinction and in need of urgent conservation measures, according to a report released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The report, announced by some of the world's leading primate experts every two years, reveals those species most in danger of becoming extinct from destruction of tropical forests, illegal wildlife trade and commercial bush meat hunting.

Fall spawning by Atlantic sturgeon in Virginia river Posted: 15 Oct 2012 06:39 AM PDT Scientists studying the Atlantic sturgeon, one of the oldest species of fish in the world, have found evidence that the James River population in Virginia spawns in the fall.

Space station and space flight gravity influence immune system development Posted: 15 Oct 2012 06:37 AM PDT Immune system development is affected by gravity changes, according to new research. Astronauts are exposed to stresses, during launch and landing, which disrupts their body's natural defenses against infection. Changes to the immune system need to be investigated before astronauts undergo longer space missions, experts say.

DNA method can provide more effective treatment of childhood cancer Posted: 15 Oct 2012 06:37 AM PDT After leukemia and brain tumors, neuroblastoma is the most common form of cancer to affect children. Researchers have now studied a DNA method which is now used for all cases of neuroblastoma in Sweden, and which has led to more effective treatment at individual level.

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