ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Wednesday, May 4, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Wednesday, May 4, 2011

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Robots learn to share: Why we go out of our way to help one another (May 4, 2011) -- Using simple robots to simulate genetic evolution over hundreds of generations, Swiss scientists provide quantitative proof of kin selection and shed light on one of the most enduring puzzles in biology: Why do most social animals, including humans, go out of their way to help each other? ... > full story

Agent selectively targets malignant B cells in chronic leukemia, study shows (May 4, 2011) -- A new experimental drug called PCI-32765 selectively kills the cancer cells that cause chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), according to a new study. The study shows that the agent selectively kills the malignant B lymphocytes that cause CLL. This is important, the researchers say, because current CLL therapies kill T lymphocytes along with the cancerous B lymphocytes. A drug that kills malignant B lymphocytes and spares T lymphocytes could dramatically improve outcomes for CLL patients. ... > full story

Curtains that block noise (May 4, 2011) -- Researchers have developed lightweight, translucent curtain materials, which are excellent at absorbing sound. This is a combination that has been lacking until now in modern interior design. ... > full story

Many new drugs did not have comparative effectiveness information available at time of FDA approval, study finds (May 4, 2011) -- Only about half of new drugs approved in the last decade had comparative effectiveness data available at the time of their approval by the US Food and Drug Administration, and approximately two-thirds of new drugs had this information available when alternative treatment options existed, according to a new study. ... > full story

Explaining the behavior of latest high-temp superconductors (May 4, 2011) -- Physicists now describe how the magnetic properties of electrons in two dissimilar families of iron-based high-temperature superconductors could give rise to superconductivity. The researchers examine similar behaviors in two families of materials called "pnictides," including a new variety created late last year in China that has sparked renewed interest in the mysterious phenomenon of high-temperature superconductivity. ... > full story

Bin Laden's attacks among the most lethal, according to study (May 4, 2011) -- Under Osama bin Laden's leadership, al-Qaida has been one of the most lethal terrorist organization in the world, responsible for more than 10,000 deaths and injuries in a dozen years, according to a new analysis. ... > full story

First rainforests arose when plants solved plumbing problem (May 4, 2011) -- A team of scientists has discovered that leaves of flowering plants in the world's first rainforests had more veins per unit area than leaves ever had before. They suggest that this increased the amount of water available to the leaves, making it possible for plants to capture more carbon and grow larger. A better plumbing system may also have radically altered water and carbon movement through forests, driving environmental change. ... > full story

Researchers demonstrate why DNA breaks down in cancer cells (May 4, 2011) -- Damage to normal DNA is a hallmark of cancer cells. Although it had previously been known that damage to normal cells is caused by stress to their DNA replication when cancerous cells invade, the molecular basis for this remained unclear. ... > full story

Tiger-parrots show their true evolutionary stripes (May 4, 2011) -- New genetic research is helping scientists better understand how Australian birds evolved. ... > full story

High risks associated with egg donation to women with Turner’s syndrome, research reveals (May 4, 2011) -- Pregnancy via egg donation for women with Turner’s syndrome is potentially risky, both for the mother and the child, according to a multi-center study. ... > full story

Rotational grazing in native pasturelands benefits wildlife (May 4, 2011) -- Rotational grazing of cattle in native pasturelands in Brazil's Pantanal and Cerrado regions can benefit both cattle and wildlife, according to a new study. ... > full story

Dependency and passivity: You can have one without the other (May 4, 2011) -- Think of a dependent person, and you think of someone who's needy, high-maintenance, and passive. That's how many psychologists and therapists think of them, too; passivity is key. But dependency is actually more complex and can even have active, positive aspects, according to a new article. ... > full story

Why the eye is better than a camera at capturing contrast and faint detail simultaneously (May 3, 2011) -- The discovery nearly 50 years ago of lateral inhibition -- that the cones in the eye inhibit their neighbors by way of negative feedback -- explained the keen edge detail we see, but never accounted for the fact that we can see faint detail near these edges and in the shadows. Neurobiologists have discovered positive feedback among the cones that completes the picture. ... > full story

Breast cancers found between mammograms more likely to be aggressive (May 3, 2011) -- Breast cancers that are first detectable in the interval between screening mammograms are more likely to be aggressive, fast-growing tumors according to a new study. ... > full story

Keeping oysters, clams and mussels safe to eat (May 3, 2011) -- Eating raw or undercooked mollusks may pose a safety hazard if they are harvested from waters polluted with pathogenic microbes, so scientists are studying ways to enhance the food safety of these popular shellfish. For example, a molecular biologist in Dover is exploring new techniques that will decontaminate mollusks while protecting the seafood's flavor, texture and color. ... > full story

Popular diabetes drugs' cardiovascular side effects explained (May 3, 2011) -- Drugs known as thiazolidinediones, or TZDs for short, are widely used in diabetes treatment, but they come with a downside. The drugs have effects on the kidneys that lead to fluid retention as the volume of plasma in the bloodstream expands. Now researchers report that those negative consequences arise in more than one way. The findings may lead to the development of improved diabetes therapies. ... > full story

Formidable fungal force counters biofuel plant pathogens (May 3, 2011) -- An international team of researchers has compared two rust fungal genomes to identify the characteristics by which these pathogens can invade their plant hosts and to develop biocontrol methods. ... > full story

Narrow brands make you want to buy (May 3, 2011) -- If you want a beer at the beach bar, the Mexican brand Corona quickly springs to mind. Brands characterised by few, but strong associations, perform better than brands with many associations, new research shows. ... > full story

Rice's origins point to China, genome researchers conclude (May 3, 2011) -- Rice originated in China, a team of genome researchers has concluded in a study tracing back thousands of years of evolutionary history through large-scale gene re-sequencing. Their findings indicate that domesticated rice may have first appeared as far back as approximately 9,000 years ago in the Yangtze Valley of China. ... > full story

Molecular movements of neural transporters unveiled (May 3, 2011) -- Scientists have shed light on the molecular workings of transporter proteins, molecular machines embedded in the cell membranes of neurons that modulate the transfer of signals between cells and recycle neurotransmitters. ... > full story

Saving the Asiatic wild ass in the Mongolian Gobi (May 3, 2011) -- Considerable attention is currently being paid to the conservation of migratory birds, as such species may face threats not only in their breeding and wintering areas but also en route between them. But many mammals are also migratory and because most of them are unable to fly they face a number of additional challenges to survive. ... > full story

Scientists track evolution and spread of deadly fungus, one of the world's major killers (May 3, 2011) -- New research has shed light on the origins of a fungal infection which is one of the major causes of death from AIDS-related illnesses. The study shows how the more virulent forms of Cryptococcus neoformans evolved and spread out of Africa and into Asia. ... > full story

Early history of genetics revised: New light shed on 'rediscovery' of Mendel's laws of heredity (May 3, 2011) -- The early history of genetics has to be re-written in the light of new findings, new research suggests. Scientists in Europe have found out that the traditional history of the 'rediscovery' of Gregor Johann Mendel's laws of heredity in 1900 has to be adjusted and some facets have to be added. ... > full story

'Fatting in': Immigrant groups eat high-calorie American meals to fit in, study finds (May 3, 2011) -- Immigrants to the United States and their US-born children gain more than a new life and new citizenship. They gain weight. Now psychologists show that it's not simply the abundance of high-calorie American junk food that causes weight gain. Instead, members of U.S. immigrant groups choose typical American dishes as a way to show that they belong and to prove their "American-ness." ... > full story

Shootingstars provide clues to likely response of plants to global warming (May 3, 2011) -- Researchers delved into the post-Pleistocene history of two rare species of shootingstars (Dodecatheon), thinking that their response to post-glacial warming might provide clues to the response of plants to global warming. They found that one species was a glacial relict but the other was an ecotype, or variant, of a widespread species that had adapted to the cooler cliff habitat. ... > full story

Regenerating nerve cells: Research offers hope in new treatment for spinal cord injuries (May 3, 2011) -- Scientists have developed a chemically synthesized siRNA molecule that allows regeneration of nerve cells. ... > full story

Receptor for Ebola virus identified (May 3, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a cellular protein that acts as a receptor for Ebola virus and Marburg virus. Furthermore, the team showed that an antibody, which binds to the receptor protein, is able to block infection by both viruses. The results suggest that a human-compatible version of the antibody might provide a way to prevent initial infection during an outbreak. ... > full story

Webcam technology used to measure medications' effects on the heart (May 3, 2011) -- A common component in webcams may help drug makers and prescribers address a common side-effect of drugs called cardiotoxicity, an unhealthy change in the way the heart beats. Researchers have used the basic webcam technology to create a tool to look at the effects of medications in real time on heart cells, called cardiomyocytes. ... > full story

'Apple a day' advice rooted in science (May 3, 2011) -- Daily apple consumption shows long-term cardioprotective effects in postmenopausal women. ... > full story

How grown children cope with pain may be traced back to the way their family copes with pain (May 3, 2011) -- Could adult children's strategies for coping with pain come from watching their parents react to and deal with pain? According to researchers, a family may have a specific cognitive style of coping with pain. ... > full story

Hydrogen fuel tech gets boost from low-cost, efficient catalyst (May 3, 2011) -- Scientists have engineered a cheap, abundant alternative to the expensive platinum catalyst and coupled it with a light-absorbing electrode to make hydrogen fuel from sunlight and water. The discovery is an important development in the worldwide effort to mimic the way plants make fuel from sunlight, a key step in creating a green energy economy. ... > full story

New genetic cause of neurodegeneration discovered (May 3, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered two mutations responsible for a devastating neurological condition they first identified 15 years ago. ... > full story

Minor cause, major effect: Interactions in ecosystems can intensify impact of climate change (May 3, 2011) -- Marine biologists show that highly complex interactions in ecosystems can intensify the impact of climate change within a relatively short period of time. ... > full story

Following cancer prevention guidelines lowers risk of death from cancer, heart disease, all causes (May 3, 2011) -- A study of more than 100,000 men and women over 14 years finds nonsmokers who followed recommendations for cancer prevention had a lower risk of death from cancer, cardiovascular disease, and all-causes. ... > full story

Researchers find more efficient way to steer laser beams (May 3, 2011) -- For many practical applications involving lasers, it's important to be able to control the direction of the laser beams. Researchers have come up with a very energy-efficient way of steering laser beams that is precise and relatively inexpensive. ... > full story

Think it's easy to be macho? Psychologists show how 'precarious' manhood is (May 3, 2011) -- Manhood is a "precarious" status -- difficult to earn and easy to lose. And when it's threatened, men see aggression as a good way to hold onto it, according to new research. ... > full story

Lichen evolved on two tracks, like marsupials and mammals (May 3, 2011) -- Lichen -- those drab, fuzzy growths found on rocks and trees -- aren't as cuddly and charismatic as kangaroos or intriguing as opossums, but they could be a fungal equivalent, at least evolutionarily. ... > full story

Statins may stave off septic lung damage, new research finds (May 3, 2011) -- Statins may be best known for their ability to reduce cholesterol, but a new research report shows that these same drugs could also play a crucial role in the reduction of lung damage resulting from severe abdominal sepsis and infection. ... > full story

'Small fry' fish just as vulnerable to population plunges as sharks or tuna (May 3, 2011) -- Sharks, tuna, billfish and other oceanic top predators have suffered major population declines in recent decades, causing many researchers to consider them the species at the highest risk of extinction. But now researchers have found that anchovies, sardines and other small fishes are at an equal or greater risk of suffering a collapse. ... > full story

Research demonstrates link between H1N1 and low birth weight (May 3, 2011) -- In 2009, the United States was gripped by concern for a new winter threat: the H1N1 strain of influenza. According to research conducted through that winter, pregnant women were right to be concerned. ... > full story

An atomic electrical field sensor (May 3, 2011) -- Electrical fields play a pivotal role in numerous cases in both nature and technical areas: by changing the electrical field, impulses of nerves are transmitted and modern data storage operates by saving electrical charges in flash memory devices. An ultra-precise reading of electrical fields, however, is still a challenge for physical measurement techniques. Researchers have succeeded in measuring electrical fields with the aid of one single defect center in diamond. ... > full story

Kids who specialize in one sport may have higher injury risk (May 3, 2011) -- Competitive young athletes are under increasing pressure to play only one sport year round, but such specialization could increase the risk of injuries, a new study has found. ... > full story

No nuts for 'Nutcracker Man': Early human relative apparently chewed grass instead (May 3, 2011) -- For decades, a 2.3-million- to 1.2-million-year-old human relative named Paranthropus boisei has been nicknamed Nutcracker Man because of his big, flat molar teeth and thick, powerful jaw. But a definitive new study shows that Nutcracker Man didn't eat nuts, but instead chewed grasses and possibly sedges -- a discovery that upsets conventional wisdom about early humanity's diet. ... > full story

HIV drugs can also target tropical parasites, study suggests (May 3, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered that drugs used to treat HIV may also one day become lifesaving drugs targeted at parasitic diseases such as leishmaniasis and malaria. Scientists have now identified the target of action for some anti-HIV drugs with known abilities to kill serious pathogenic parasites. While scientists have long known that these HIV drugs can kill parasites, exactly how they work was previously unknown. ... > full story

Brain enlargement in autism due to brain changes occurring before age 2 (May 3, 2011) -- A new study finds that children with autism who had enlarged brains at age 2 continued to have enlarged brains at ages 4 and 5. However, this increased brain growth did not continue beyond age 2, and the changes detected at age 2 were due to overgrowth prior to that time point. ... > full story

Device measures brain temperature non-invasively: Monitoring could be critical in life-saving cooling therapy (May 3, 2011) -- Doctors have long sought a way to directly measure the brain's temperature without inserting a probe through the skull. Now researchers have developed a way to get the brain's precise temperature with a device the diameter of a poker-chip that rests on a patient's head, according to new findings. ... > full story

Global warming won't harm wind energy production, climate models predict (May 3, 2011) -- The production of wind energy in the US over the next 30-50 years will be largely unaffected by upward changes in global temperature, say a pair of scientists who analyzed output from several regional climate models to assess future wind patterns in America's lower 48 states. ... > full story

Secondhand smoke may increase vulnerability to nicotine addiction (May 3, 2011) -- Exposure to secondhand smoke, such as a person can get by riding in an enclosed car while someone else smokes, has a direct, measurable impact on the brain -- and the effect is similar to what happens in the brain of the person doing the smoking. In fact, exposure to this secondhand smoke evokes cravings among smokers, according to a new study. ... > full story