ScienceDaily: Top News

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• Insulin plus growth factor inhibitor limits vision damage in diabetic mice
• Hypertension traced to source in brain, triggering new paradigm for hypertension treatment
• Density of invasive reed, Phragmites australis, mapped in Great Lakes
• People with HIV hospitalized less often since combination antiretroviral drug therapy introduced
• Scientists decode three bacterial strains common to grapevines and sugarcane
• Study estimates prevalence of pediatric caustic ingestion injuries
• Two cups of milk a day ideal for children's health, new research shows
• Plumes across the Pacific deliver thousands of microbial species to North American West Coast
• Chances seen rising for chikungunya outbreaks in NYC, Atlanta, Miami
• Scientists developing quick way to ID people exposed to ionizing radiation
• Farm soil determines environmental fate of phosphorus
• Synthetic biology research: Could fuel for cars or household power supplies be created from naturally-occurring fatty acids?
• Autoimmune disease: Retraining white blood cells
• Genetic manipulation of urate alters neurodegeneration in mouse model of Parkinson's disease
• New immune therapy successfully treats brain tumors in mice
• Radio waves to kidneys lower persistent high blood pressure
• 'Gusty winds' in space turbulence: First direct measurement of its kind in the lab
• Rise in New Jersey autism prevalence documented in new study
• Environmental threat map highlights Great Lakes restoration challenges
• Plant sniffs out danger to prepare defenses against pesky insect
• Hybrid tunnel may help guide severed nerves back to health
• Chronic worriers at higher risk for PTSD, research finds
• Nanofibers clean sulfur from fuel
• New technology may enable earlier cancer diagnosis: Nanoparticles amplify tumor signals, making them much easier to detect in urine
• New window on Parkinson's disease: Metallic probe proves able to detect fibrils from misfolded proteins in real time
• Major breakthrough in indoor positioning research
• To revert breast cancer cells, give them the squeeze
• Re-engineered optogenetic switches allow direct measurement of complex cellular systems
• Immune cells use tethered slings to avoid being swept away
• Fitting 'smart' mobile phone with magnifying optics creates 'real' cell phone
• Rare, lethal childhood disease tracked to failure to degrade nerve cells' filaments
• Changes in progenitor cell population in breast may be overlooked factor in breast cancer
• Neurons die in Alzheimer's because of faulty cell cycle control before plaques and tangles appear
• Novel role for protein linked to obesity and development of type 2 diabetes identified
• New form of cell division found: Natural back-up mechanism during faulty cell division
• Extreme climate predicted in Eastern U.S.: Storms, heat waves with global warming
• Investigating ocean currents using uranium-236 from the 1960s
• Regulator of healthy life span uncovered
• Perceived stress may predict future coronary heart disease risk
• New molecule linked to late-stage breast cancer
• Muscle weakness in Down syndrome: New study offers insights
• A layer of cool, healthy air: Stratum ventilation systems may reduce spread of airborne diseases
• Boreal bird species of conservation concern affected by climate change
• Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders in children
• CERN: First Large Hadron Collider (LHC) protons run ends with new milestone
• Role of oxidative stress in diseases needs to be re-evaluated: Preventive detention for oxidizing agents
• Genome of rare fruit fly, Drosophila mauritiana, sequenced: New method measures genetic variability of populations
• Brain imaging identifies bipolar disorder risk in adolescents
• Genetic defect in sex cells may predispose to childhood leukemia
• Injured coral? Expect less sex
• Biological pathway that controls the leakiness of blood vessels unraveled
• Math formula gives new glimpse into the magical mind of Ramanujan
• Why are kids in asthma hotspots in NYC more likely to visit the ER? Exercise may be a factor
• Mechanism used by BRCA1 to suppress tumors uncovered
• Flexing fingers for micro-robotics: Scientists create a powerful, microscale actuator
• Snack attack: Eating unhealthy snack foods may affect cancer risk in patients with Lynch syndrome
• New technology allows scientists to capture and preserve cancer cells circulating in the bloodstream
• Do-it-yourself viruses: How viruses self assemble
• Worries about dementia: How hospitalization affects the elderly
• Nanoscale impulse radar measures depth of snow and ice for alpine ski slopes

Insulin plus growth factor inhibitor limits vision damage in diabetic mice Posted: 17 Dec 2012 04:06 PM PST A new therapeutic approach to diabetes that combines insulin and an inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) betacellulin could limit the progression of diabetic macular edema (DME), researchers report.

Hypertension traced to source in brain, triggering new paradigm for hypertension treatment Posted: 17 Dec 2012 02:09 PM PST A new study traces hypertension to a newfound cellular source in the brain and shows that treatments targeting this area can reverse the disease.

Density of invasive reed, Phragmites australis, mapped in Great Lakes Posted: 17 Dec 2012 01:25 PM PST Scientists have used satellite technologies to map the location and density of Phragmites australis, an invasive species of reed, in the coastal wetlands of all five Great Lakes.

People with HIV hospitalized less often since combination antiretroviral drug therapy introduced Posted: 17 Dec 2012 01:24 PM PST People with HIV are being hospitalized in Ontario significantly less often than they were 15 years ago when combination antiretroviral drug therapy was introduced, new research has found.

Scientists decode three bacterial strains common to grapevines and sugarcane Posted: 17 Dec 2012 01:24 PM PST Scientists have sequenced one of the first bacterial genomes associated with Jamaican sugarcane. The team also decoded two bacteria linked to Riesling grapevines. Studying the effects of organisms on crops is gaining attention as the world populations increases and concerns about food production and protection grow.

Study estimates prevalence of pediatric caustic ingestion injuries Posted: 17 Dec 2012 01:24 PM PST The annual economic burden of pediatric caustic ingestion injuries was estimated at nearly $23 million with an estimated prevalence of injuries requiring hospitalization for 807 children in 2009.

Two cups of milk a day ideal for children's health, new research shows Posted: 17 Dec 2012 12:27 PM PST New research has answered one of the most common questions parents ask their doctors: How much milk should I be giving my children? The answer is two cups per day.

Plumes across the Pacific deliver thousands of microbial species to North American West Coast Posted: 17 Dec 2012 12:27 PM PST Microorganisms -- 99 percent more kinds than had been reported in findings published just four months ago -- are leaping the biggest gap on the planet. Hitching rides in the upper troposphere, they're making their way from Asia across the Pacific Ocean and landing in North America.

Chances seen rising for chikungunya outbreaks in NYC, Atlanta, Miami Posted: 17 Dec 2012 12:27 PM PST Global travel and climate warming could be creating the right conditions for outbreaks of a new virus in this country, according to a new computer model that predicts outbreaks of chikungunya, a painful virus transported by travelers and spread by the invasive Asian tiger mosquito, could occur in 2013 in New York City during August and September, in Atlanta from June through September, and year-round in Miami.

Scientists developing quick way to ID people exposed to ionizing radiation Posted: 17 Dec 2012 12:27 PM PST A new study could lead to a blood test that detects if a person has been exposed to radiation, measures their dose, and separates people suffering from inflammation injuries -- all in a matter of hours. They identified eight DNA-repair genes in human blood whose expression responses change more than twofold soon after blood is exposed to radiation.

Farm soil determines environmental fate of phosphorus Posted: 17 Dec 2012 12:26 PM PST Brazil's soybean yields have become competitive with those of the United States and Argentina, but the soil demands a lot of phosphorus, which is not renewable. In the United States, meanwhile, historical applications of the fertilizer have polluted waterways. What accounts for these problems? It's the soils, according to a new study comparing agriculture in the three countries.

Synthetic biology research: Could fuel for cars or household power supplies be created from naturally-occurring fatty acids? Posted: 17 Dec 2012 12:26 PM PST Scientists have identified a biocatalyst which could produce chemicals found in ice-cream and household items such as soap and shampoo – possibly leading to the long-term replacement of chemicals derived from fossil fuels. This development could mean fuel for cars or household power supplies could be created from naturally-occurring fatty acids.

Autoimmune disease: Retraining white blood cells Posted: 17 Dec 2012 12:26 PM PST Symptoms of an autoimmune disease disappeared after a team of scientists retrained the white blood cells involved using a specially engineered protein. This method is extremely promising for treating diseases such as type I diabetes and multiple sclerosis.

Genetic manipulation of urate alters neurodegeneration in mouse model of Parkinson's disease Posted: 17 Dec 2012 12:26 PM PST Investigators report that mice with a genetic mutation increasing urate levels were protected against the kind of neurodegeneration that underlies Parkinson's disease, while the damage was worse in animals with abnormally low urate. Their findings add further support to the possibility that increasing levels of urate may protect against Parkinson's disease.

New immune therapy successfully treats brain tumors in mice Posted: 17 Dec 2012 12:26 PM PST Using an artificial protein that stimulates the body's natural immune system to fight cancer, a research team has engineered a lethal weapon that kills brain tumors in mice while sparing other tissue. If it can be shown to work in humans, it would overcome a major obstacle that has hampered the effectiveness of immune-based therapies.

Radio waves to kidneys lower persistent high blood pressure Posted: 17 Dec 2012 12:25 PM PST A minimally invasive procedure lowered blood pressure in patients whose condition failed to respond to medication. Catheter-based renal denervation was found to be safe and effective in lowering blood pressure up to one year after starting treatment, and did not show any lasting harm to the kidneys or heart. The procedure ultimately may offer a new treatment alternative for reducing high blood pressure, a global public health epidemic.

'Gusty winds' in space turbulence: First direct measurement of its kind in the lab Posted: 17 Dec 2012 12:25 PM PST Imagine riding in an airplane as the plane is jolted back and forth by gusts of wind that you can't prove exist but are there nonetheless. Similar turbulence exists in space, and a research team has directly measured it for the first time in the laboratory.

Rise in New Jersey autism prevalence documented in new study Posted: 17 Dec 2012 12:25 PM PST In a study of 58 communities in four New Jersey counties, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence is found to have risen from 10.6 per thousand in 2002, to 17.4 per thousand in 2006.

Environmental threat map highlights Great Lakes restoration challenges Posted: 17 Dec 2012 12:25 PM PST A comprehensive map three years in the making is telling the story of humans' impact on the Great Lakes, identifying how "environmental stressors" stretching from Minnesota to Ontario are shaping the future of an ecosystem that contains 20 percent of the world's fresh water.

Plant sniffs out danger to prepare defenses against pesky insect Posted: 17 Dec 2012 11:07 AM PST A plant may start to prime its defenses as soon as it gets a whiff of a male fly searching for a mate, according to entomologists.

Hybrid tunnel may help guide severed nerves back to health Posted: 17 Dec 2012 11:07 AM PST Building a tunnel made up of both hard and soft materials to guide the reconnection of severed nerve endings may be the first step toward helping patients who have suffered extensive nerve trauma regain feeling and movement, according to a biomedical engineers.

Chronic worriers at higher risk for PTSD, research finds Posted: 17 Dec 2012 11:07 AM PST People who worry constantly are at greater risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, according to new research.

Nanofibers clean sulfur from fuel Posted: 17 Dec 2012 11:07 AM PST Sulfur compounds in petroleum fuels have met their nano-structured match. Researchers developed mats of metal oxide nanofibers that scrub sulfur from petroleum-based fuels much more effectively than traditional materials. Sulfur has to be removed because it emits toxic gasses and corrodes catalysts. Such efficiency could lower costs and improve performance for fuel-based catalysis, advanced energy applications and toxic gas removal.

New technology may enable earlier cancer diagnosis: Nanoparticles amplify tumor signals, making them much easier to detect in urine Posted: 17 Dec 2012 11:07 AM PST Finding ways to diagnose cancer earlier could greatly improve the chances of survival for many patients. One way to do this is to look for specific proteins secreted by cancer cells, which circulate in the bloodstream. However, the quantity of these biomarkers is so low that detecting them has proven difficult. A new technology may help to make biomarker detection much easier. Researchers have developed nanoparticles that can home to a tumor and interact with cancer proteins to produce thousands of biomarkers, which can then be easily detected in the patient's urine.

New window on Parkinson's disease: Metallic probe proves able to detect fibrils from misfolded proteins in real time Posted: 17 Dec 2012 11:06 AM PST Scientists discover a new molecular probe to track aggregated fibroids inside living cells that cause Parkinson's disease.

Major breakthrough in indoor positioning research Posted: 17 Dec 2012 11:06 AM PST Researchers have recently developed a new method to build a WiFi radio map that does not require GPS signals.

To revert breast cancer cells, give them the squeeze Posted: 17 Dec 2012 11:05 AM PST Researchers have found that compression can guide malignant breast cells back to a normal growth pattern. The findings demonstrate the influence of mechanical forces on a cell's destiny.

Re-engineered optogenetic switches allow direct measurement of complex cellular systems Posted: 17 Dec 2012 11:05 AM PST A chemical biology lab has re-engineered optogenetic switches so that switches run backward, firing bursts of fluorescent light that reveal newly detailed patterns of electrical activity in neural networks, beating cardiac cells and developing embryos.

Immune cells use tethered slings to avoid being swept away Posted: 17 Dec 2012 11:05 AM PST Neutrophils, critical components of the immune system's response to bacteria and other pathogens, throw out tube-like tethers that act as anchor points, controlling their speed as they roll along the walls of blood vessels during extremely fast blood flow en route to an infection site.

Fitting 'smart' mobile phone with magnifying optics creates 'real' cell phone Posted: 17 Dec 2012 11:05 AM PST By fitting a "smart" mobile phone with magnifying optics, researchers created a real "cell" phone. a diagnostic-quality microscope for clinics in developing countries as well as American biology classrooms.

Rare, lethal childhood disease tracked to failure to degrade nerve cells' filaments Posted: 17 Dec 2012 11:05 AM PST A defective protein explains why a failure in protein degradation would lead to the massive aggregations of a class of filaments that disrupt the functioning of neurons of children with the rare, untreatable genetic disease giant axonal neuropathy. Discovery may have implications for more common types of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

Changes in progenitor cell population in breast may be overlooked factor in breast cancer Posted: 17 Dec 2012 11:05 AM PST DNA mutations that accumulate as women age are not the sole contributor to higher frequency of breast cancer in women over 50. In breast cancer and aging, changes in the populations of progenitor cells in breast tissue may be a powerful and until now overlooked factor.

Neurons die in Alzheimer's because of faulty cell cycle control before plaques and tangles appear Posted: 17 Dec 2012 11:05 AM PST The two infamous proteins, amyloid-beta and tau, that characterize advanced Alzheimer's disease, start healthy neurons on road to cell death long before appearance of deadly plaques and tangles by working together to reactivate supposedly blocked cell cycle in brain cells, according to new research.

Novel role for protein linked to obesity and development of type 2 diabetes identified Posted: 17 Dec 2012 11:04 AM PST Researchers have taken another step toward better understanding the metabolic functions of obesity and its connection to type 2 diabetes.

New form of cell division found: Natural back-up mechanism during faulty cell division Posted: 17 Dec 2012 11:03 AM PST Researchers have discovered a new form of cell division in human cells. They believe it serves as a natural back-up mechanism during faulty cell division, preventing some cells from going down a path that can lead to cancer.

Extreme climate predicted in Eastern U.S.: Storms, heat waves with global warming Posted: 17 Dec 2012 09:17 AM PST From extreme drought to super storms, many wonder what the future holds for the climate of the eastern United States. A new study does away with the guessing.

Investigating ocean currents using uranium-236 from the 1960s Posted: 17 Dec 2012 09:16 AM PST New research has identified the bomb-pulse of uranium-236 in corals from the Caribbean Sea for the first time. 236U was distributed world-wide in the period of atmospheric nuclear testing in the 1960s. Readily dissolved in seawater it is an ideal tool for investigating ocean currents.

Regulator of healthy life span uncovered Posted: 17 Dec 2012 09:14 AM PST A new series of studies in mouse models uncovered that the aging process is characterized by high rates of whole-chromosome losses and gains in various organs, including heart, muscle, kidney and eye, and demonstrate that reducing these rates slows age-related tissue deterioration and promotes a healthier life span.

Perceived stress may predict future coronary heart disease risk Posted: 17 Dec 2012 09:14 AM PST Are you stressed? Results of a new meta-analysis of six studies involving nearly 120,000 people indicate that the answer to that question may help predict one's risk of incident coronary heart disease (CHD) or death from CHD.

New molecule linked to late-stage breast cancer Posted: 17 Dec 2012 09:14 AM PST Researchers have identified a molecule linked to more aggressive forms of breast cancer -- a discovery that could point the way to potential cures.

Muscle weakness in Down syndrome: New study offers insights Posted: 17 Dec 2012 09:14 AM PST Study led by researchers at Syracuse University offers insights into role of muscle weakness in Down syndrome.

A layer of cool, healthy air: Stratum ventilation systems may reduce spread of airborne diseases Posted: 17 Dec 2012 08:07 AM PST Stratum ventilation systems have been touted as a much more energy efficient system for cooling buildings such as school rooms and offices in hotter climes based on the provisions of the recent ANSI/ASHRAE 55-2010. They may also reduce the risk of the spread of airborne diseases according to a new study.

Boreal bird species of conservation concern affected by climate change Posted: 17 Dec 2012 08:07 AM PST A new study shows that species of conservation concern show contrasting population trends in boreal protected areas in Finland. In general, population densities of southern species have increased while densities of northern species have decreased.

Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders in children Posted: 17 Dec 2012 08:06 AM PST More than one in every ten schoolchildren suffers from a transient tic disorder, and 1% have a particular type of tic disorder known as Tourette syndrome. Researchers report on various modes of diagnosis and treatment for these disorders.

CERN: First Large Hadron Collider (LHC) protons run ends with new milestone Posted: 17 Dec 2012 08:06 AM PST CERN has completed the first Large Hadron Collider (LHC) proton run. The remarkable first three-year run of the world's most powerful particle accelerator was crowned by a new performance milestone. The space between proton bunches in the beams was halved to further increase beam intensity.

Role of oxidative stress in diseases needs to be re-evaluated: Preventive detention for oxidizing agents Posted: 17 Dec 2012 07:26 AM PST Oxidative stress is believed to cause a number of diseases. Up to now, it has been common practice to measure oxidative stress levels by determining the oxidation state of a small molecule called glutathione in cell extracts. Scientists have now discovered that cells under stress deposit their oxidized glutathione in a cellular waste repository. This protects cells from oxidative stress – and questions the validity of the conventional measuring method.

Genome of rare fruit fly, Drosophila mauritiana, sequenced: New method measures genetic variability of populations Posted: 17 Dec 2012 07:26 AM PST In the twentieth century the sequencing of an entire genome of a higher (eukaryotic) organism was a truly exceptional event -- by the end of the year 2000, only four such sequences were available. Since then, technological advances have put whole-genome sequencing within the reach of many more groups and new sequences have appeared at regular intervals. Now the genome of the fruit fly Drosophila mauritiana, a close relative of the well-known (and previously sequenced) Drosophila melanogaster has been sequenced.

Brain imaging identifies bipolar disorder risk in adolescents Posted: 17 Dec 2012 07:26 AM PST Australian researchers have used brain imaging technology to show that young people with a known risk of bipolar (but as yet have no signs of the condition) have clear and quantifiable differences in brain activity when compared to controls.

Genetic defect in sex cells may predispose to childhood leukemia Posted: 17 Dec 2012 07:25 AM PST Researchers have found a possible heredity mechanism that predisposes children to acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common type of blood cancer in children. The presence of a genetic defect in the egg or sperm from which children having ALL arise may be a prerequisite for the disease to develop.

Injured coral? Expect less sex Posted: 17 Dec 2012 07:25 AM PST Researchers have found that damaged coral colonies can take years to recover their reproductive prowess. Coral colonies that suffered tissue damage in the Bahamas were still producing low numbers of eggs four years after the injuries occurred.

Biological pathway that controls the leakiness of blood vessels unraveled Posted: 17 Dec 2012 07:25 AM PST Scientists have decoded the entire pathway that regulates leakiness of blood vessels — a condition that promotes a wide number of disorders, such as heart disease, cancer growth and spread, inflammation and respiratory distress.

Math formula gives new glimpse into the magical mind of Ramanujan Posted: 17 Dec 2012 06:16 AM PST Dec. 22 marks the 125th anniversary of the birth of Srinivasa Ramanujan, an Indian mathematician renowned for intuiting extraordinary numerical patterns without the use of proofs or modern mathematical tools. A mathematician has now solved one of the greatest puzzles left behind by the enigmatic Indian genius with the development of a formula for mock modular forms that may prove useful to physicists who study black holes.

Why are kids in asthma hotspots in NYC more likely to visit the ER? Exercise may be a factor Posted: 17 Dec 2012 06:15 AM PST Asthmatic children living in asthma hotspots in New York City were twice as likely to have experienced symptoms after exercise and more likely to have visited their doctor in a hurry or an ER because of breathing problems.

Mechanism used by BRCA1 to suppress tumors uncovered Posted: 17 Dec 2012 06:15 AM PST A new reveals how a well-known tumor suppressor gene may be functioning to stop cancer cell growth. The findings focus on the gene BRCA1.

Flexing fingers for micro-robotics: Scientists create a powerful, microscale actuator Posted: 17 Dec 2012 06:15 AM PST Researchers have developed an elegant and powerful new microscale actuator that can flex like a tiny beckoning finger. Based on an oxide material that expands and contracts dramatically in response to a small temperature variation, the actuators are smaller than the width of a human hair and are promising for microfluidics, drug delivery, and artificial muscles.

Snack attack: Eating unhealthy snack foods may affect cancer risk in patients with Lynch syndrome Posted: 17 Dec 2012 06:15 AM PST A new analysis has found that loading up on snack foods may increase cancer risk in individuals with an inborn susceptibility to colorectal and other cancers. The study suggests that an eating pattern low in snack foods could help these individuals -- who have a condition called Lynch syndrome -- lower their risk.

New technology allows scientists to capture and preserve cancer cells circulating in the bloodstream Posted: 17 Dec 2012 06:15 AM PST Scientists have developed a new nanoscale Velcro-like device that captures and releases tumor cells that have broken away from primary tumors and are circulating in the bloodstream. This new nanotechnology could be used for cancer diagnosis and give insight into the mechanisms of how cancer spreads throughout the body.

Do-it-yourself viruses: How viruses self assemble Posted: 17 Dec 2012 06:13 AM PST A new model of the how the protein coat (capsid) of viruses assembles  shows that the construction  of intermediate structures prior to final capsid production (hierarchical assembly) can be more efficient than constructing the capsid protein by protein (direct assembly). The capsid enveloping a virus is essential for protection and propagation of the viral genome. Many viruses have evolved a self-assembly method which is so successful that the viral capsid can self assemble even when removed from its host cell.

Worries about dementia: How hospitalization affects the elderly Posted: 17 Dec 2012 06:13 AM PST Older people often worry about dementia and while some risks are known, for example alcoholism or stroke, the effects of illness are less clear. New research looks at illness requiring hospitalization and treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) and finds that infection or severe sepsis, neurological dysfunction, such as delirium, or acute dialysis are all independently associated with an increased risk of a subsequent diagnosis of dementia.

Nanoscale impulse radar measures depth of snow and ice for alpine ski slopes Posted: 17 Dec 2012 06:13 AM PST Snow is the be-all and end-all for alpine ski resorts. Now a tiny sensor has been developed to determine how much cold gold there is on the slopes and how much more should be produced. The sensor is based on Norwegian radar technology and is no larger than a match head.

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