ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Tuesday, May 17, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Tuesday, May 17, 2011

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Smoke-related chemical discovered in the atmosphere could have health implications (May 17, 2011) -- Cigarette smoking, forest fires and woodburning can release a chemical that may be at least partly responsible for human health problems related to smoke exposure, according to a new study. "We found isocyanic acid in a number of places, from air in downtown Los Angeles and air downwind of a Colorado wildfire, to cigarette smoke," said the lead author. ... > full story

New protein could prove powerful target for cholesterol lowering drugs (May 17, 2011) -- A protein has been discovered that may have a profound effect on cholesterol metabolism. That discovery raises the possibility that the protein, dubbed IDOL, could be a powerful target for cholesterol-lowering drugs, researchers say. ... > full story

Digital imaging software to create a 'Google Earth' view of the bladder (May 17, 2011) -- A more automated approach to bladder exams could be cheaper, more comfortable and more convenient. The system would use an ultrathin laser endoscope, which is like a thin piece of cooked spaghetti, in combination with software that automatically creates a 3-D panorama of the bladder interior. ... > full story

Surgical procedure appears to enhance smiles in children with facial paralysis (May 17, 2011) -- Transferring a segment of muscle from the thigh appears to help restore the ability to smile in children with facial paralysis just as it does in adults, according to new study. ... > full story

Macrophage activation syndrome: Clues to calming a cytokine storm (May 17, 2011) -- By analyzing complex interactions of the immune system in an animal study, pediatric researchers have found potential tools for controlling a life-threatening condition called a cytokine storm that may strike children who have juvenile arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. The study is a first step toward developing new treatments for a condition called macrophage activation syndrome. ... > full story

No objective evidence of skin infestation apparent in patients with diagnosis of delusional infestation (May 17, 2011) -- Among patients with a diagnosis of delusional skin infestation, neither biopsies nor patient-provided specimens provided objective evidence of skin infestation, according to a new study. ... > full story

Zebrafish regrow fins using multiple cell types, not identical stem cells (May 17, 2011) -- What does it take to regenerate a limb? Biologists have long thought that organ regeneration in animals like zebrafish and salamanders involved stem cells that can generate any tissue in the body. But new research suggests that cells capable of regenerating a zebrafish fin do not revert to stem cells that can form any tissue. Instead, the individual cells retain their original identities and only give rise to more of their own kind. ... > full story

Protein could offer target to reduce lung damage from smoking-caused emphysema (May 17, 2011) -- An international research team has identified a lung protein that appears to play a key role in smoking-related emphysema and have crafted an antibody to block its activity. ... > full story

Child-size mannequin: Hands-on training spares real patients (May 17, 2011) -- Bioengineering students have modified a child-size training mannequin to give medical students hands-on pediatric experience so that real patients can be spared further stress and pain. ... > full story

Patients referred to dermatologists skin lesions evaluations also found to have other skin cancers (May 17, 2011) -- Among patients referred by non-dermatologists to dermatologists for evaluation of skin lesions suspected of being malignant, only apparently one-fifth were found to be cancerous, although dermatologists identified and biopsied other incidental lesions, approximately half of which were malignant, according to a new study. ... > full story

Third of tested plastic products found to leach toxic substances in Swedish study (May 17, 2011) -- Many plastic products contain hazardous chemicals that can leach to the surroundings. In studies conducted in Sweden, a third of the tested plastic products released toxic substances, including five out of 13 products intended for children. ... > full story

Childhood physical abuse linked to chronic fatigue syndrome, study suggests (May 17, 2011) -- Childhood physical abuse is associated with significantly elevated rates of functional somatic syndromes such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and multiple chemical sensitivities among women, according to new findings. ... > full story

Striking ecological impact on Canada's Arctic coastline linked to global climate change (May 16, 2011) -- Scientists have uncovered startling new evidence of the destructive impact of global climate change on North America's largest Arctic delta. ... > full story

How a person remembers a touch (May 16, 2011) -- Neuroscientists have now been able for the first time to document deliberate control of touch sensations in human working memory. ... > full story

Secrets of plague unlocked with stunning new imaging techniques (May 16, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a super-resolution microscopy technique that is answering long-held questions about exactly how and why a cell's defenses fail against some invaders, such as plague, while successfully fending off others like E.coli. The approach is revealing never-before-seen detail of the cell membrane, which could open doors to new diagnostic, prevention and treatment techniques. ... > full story

Researchers find new treatment for constipation (May 16, 2011) -- Constipation is definitely not a glamorous topic. In reality, it affects nearly 30 million Americans and costs more than billion annually to evaluate and treat. While not often life threatening, the pain, bloating, discomfort, and straining associated with constipation lead sufferers to focus on one thing -- relief. Researchers recently had success in the clinical trial of a new medication shown to provide relief from constipation. ... > full story

When is it worth remanufacturing? Sometimes it saves energy, sometimes it doesn’t — and sometimes it makes things worse (May 16, 2011) -- It seems like a no-brainer: Remanufacturing products rather than making new ones from scratch -- widely done with everything from retread tires to refilled inkjet cartridges to remanufactured engines -- should save a lot of energy, right? Not so fast, says a new study. ... > full story

Personality affects how likely we are to take our medication, Swedish study finds (May 16, 2011) -- Results of a unique study from Sweden show that personality has an impact on how likely people are to take their medication. ... > full story

Biophysics of snakebites: How do venomous snakes inject venom into victim's wound? (May 16, 2011) -- Most snakes do not inject venom into their victims bodies using hollow fangs, contrary to common misconceptions. The fact is that most snakes and many other venomous reptiles have no hollow fangs. Physicists have now uncovered the tricks these animals use to force their venom under the skin of their victims. ... > full story

Stem cells reverse disease in a model of Parkinson's disease (May 16, 2011) -- Researchers have compared the ability of cells derived from different types of human stem cell to reverse disease in a rat model of Parkinson disease and identified a stem cell population that they believe could be clinically relevant. ... > full story

New SETI survey focuses on Kepler's top Earth-like planets (May 16, 2011) -- Astronomers are searching for evidence of intelligent life on planets identified by the Kepler space telescope team as having Earth-like environments. This search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) targets 86 stars with possible planetary systems. ... > full story

Inhaling hydrogen may help reduce lung damage in critically ill patients, animal study suggests (May 16, 2011) -- Inhaling small amounts of hydrogen in addition to concentrated oxygen may help stem the damage to lung tissue that can occur when critically ill patients are given oxygen for long periods of time, according to a new rat model study. The study also found hydrogen initiates activation of heme-oxygenase (HO-1), an enzyme that protects lung cells. ... > full story

Patterns of ancient croplands give insight into early Hawaiian society, research shows (May 16, 2011) -- A pattern of earthen berms, spread across a northern peninsula of the big island of Hawaii, is providing archeologists with clues to exactly how residents farmed in paradise long before Europeans arrived at the islands. The findings suggest that simple, practical decisions made by individual households were eventually adopted by the ruling class as a means to improve agricultural productivity. ... > full story

Using war games to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (May 16, 2011) -- Soldiers may benefit from virtual reality applications for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A new study reviews how virtual reality applications are being designed and implemented across various points in the military deployment cycle, to prevent, identify and treat combat-related PTSD. ... > full story

Sections of retinas regenerated and visual function increased with stem cells from skin (May 16, 2011) -- Scientists have now regenerated large areas of damaged retinas and improved visual function using IPS cells derived from skin. The results of their study hold great promise for future treatments and cures for diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases that affect millions worldwide. ... > full story

Stopping HIV transmission with a molecular barrier? (May 16, 2011) -- Using a technique that silences genes promoting infection, researchers have developed a novel, topically-applied molecular microbicide capable of preventing HIV transmission. The microbicide is predicted to have long-lasting effects in mice, opening the door to developing an intravaginal microbicide that could protect women against HIV infection potentially for weeks at a time and bolster public health efforts to halt the spread of HIV/AIDS. ... > full story

Penguins continue diving long after muscles run out of oxygen (May 16, 2011) -- Emperor penguins routinely dive for tens of minutes before returning to the surface, but about 5.6 minutes into a dive, the birds switch from oxygen-fueled aerobic metabolism to anaerobic metabolism. So what causes this change? Researchers show that emperor penguins' dive muscles trigger the switch to anaerobic metabolism and set the aerobic dive limit when they run out of oxygen. ... > full story

Common anti-inflammatory coaxes liver cancer cells to commit suicide (May 16, 2011) -- The anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib, known by the brand name Celebrex, triggers liver cancer cell death by reacting with a protein in a way that makes those cells commit suicide, according to a new study. Researchers also found that the combination of celecoxib with each of two chemotherapy drugs killed more liver cancer cells in culture, making those combinations more effective than either drug on its own. ... > full story

Energy harvesters transform waste into electricity (May 16, 2011) -- Billions of dollars lost each year as waste heat from industrial processes can be converted into electricity with a new technology under development. ... > full story

Sleepiness in children linked to obesity, asthma (May 16, 2011) -- Obese, asthmatic, anxious or depressed children are more likely to experience excessive daytime sleepiness according to sleep researchers. ... > full story

First habitable exoplanet? Climate simulation reveals new candidate that could support Earth-like life (May 16, 2011) -- The planetary system around the red dwarf Gliese 581, one of the closest stars to the Sun in the galaxy, has been the subject of several studies aiming to detect the first potentially habitable exoplanet. Two candidates have already been discarded, but a third planet, Gliese 581d, can be considered the first confirmed exoplanet that could support Earth-like life, according to a team of scientists in France. ... > full story

Obesity linked to higher risk of prostate cancer progression (May 16, 2011) -- Even when treated with hormone therapy to suppress tumor growth, obese men face an elevated risk of their prostate cancer worsening, researchers have found. ... > full story

Seaports need a plan for weathering climate change, researchers say (May 16, 2011) -- A warming planet could mean a rising ocean and more storm activity, but seaports are not prepared for the expensive construction they will need to protect themselves, according a global survey of ports. Researchers have just created a computer model that will help ports with their planning. ... > full story

Plasticity of hormonal response permits rapid gene expression reprogramming: Gene expression reprogramming may allow cancer cell growth as well as normal differentiation (May 16, 2011) -- Gene expression is the process of converting the genetic information encoded in DNA into a final gene product such as a protein or any of several types of RNA. Scientists have long thought that the gene programs regulated by different physiological processes throughout the body are robustly pre-determined and relatively fixed for every specialized cell. But a new study reveals the unsuspected plasticity of some of these gene expression programs. ... > full story

Successful first test drive of 'sighted' wheelchair (May 16, 2011) -- Research on an electric wheelchair that can sense it's environment and transmit information to a person who is visually impaired, has just been tested. One of the researchers, himself visually impaired, made the first public test. ... > full story

Mind/body program increases pregnancy rates in IVF treatment, study finds (May 16, 2011) -- A new study shows that women who participate in a mind/body program for stress reduction while undergoing IVF treatment have a significantly higher pregnancy rate than those who do not (52 percent versus 20 percent). ... > full story

Tiny variation in one gene may have led to crucial changes in human brain (May 16, 2011) -- The human brain has yet to explain the origin of one its defining features -- the deep fissures and convolutions that increase its surface area and allow for rational and abstract thoughts. Scientists may have just discovered humanity's beneficiary -- a tiny variation within a single gene that determines the formation of brain convolutions. ... > full story

Researchers identify DNA region linked to depression (May 16, 2011) -- Researchers have independently identified DNA on chromosome 3 that appears to be related to depression. Major depression affects approximately 20 percent of people at some point during their lives, and family studies have long suggested that depression risk is influenced by genetics. The new studies identify a DNA region containing up to 90 genes. ... > full story

Seals sense shapes using their whiskers to feel wakes (May 16, 2011) -- Seals whiskers are remarkably sensitive. They can even pick up a fish's trail up to 35 seconds after it passed. Now a team of scientists in Germany has discovered that seals can tell differently shaped objects apart by sensing the objects' wake structures with their whiskers. This ability could help seals to identify prey before investing in a costly pursuit. ... > full story

Next generation gamers: Computer games aid recovery from stroke (May 16, 2011) -- Computer games are not just for kids. New research shows that computer games can speed up and improve a patient's recovery from paralysis after a stroke. ... > full story

'Computer synapse' analyzed at the nanoscale (May 16, 2011) -- Researchers have analyzed in unprecedented detail the physical and chemical properties of an electronic device that computer engineers hope will transform computing. ... > full story

Persuasive speech: The way we, um, talk sways our listeners (May 16, 2011) -- Want to convince someone to do something? A new study has some intriguing insights drawn from how we speak. Researchers found that interviewers who engaged in frequent short pauses were more successful than those who were perfectly fluent. ... > full story

Alzheimer's risk gene disrupts brain's wiring 50 years before disease hits (May 16, 2011) -- Researchers report that a recently discovered Alzheimer's gene possessed by most people impairs the development of myelin, the protective covering around the neuron's axons, making it weaker and more vulnerable to the onset of Alzheimer's much later in life. ... > full story

New understanding of brain chemistry could prevent brain damage after injury (May 16, 2011) -- A protective molecule has been identified in the brain which, if used artificially, may prevent brain damage from the likes of stroke, head injury and Alzheimer's. ... > full story

The atom and its quantum mirror image: Physicists experimentally produces quantum-superpositions, simply using a mirror (May 16, 2011) -- A team of physicists experimentally produces quantum-superpositions, simply using a mirror. ... > full story

New clues to understanding insulin sensitivity (May 16, 2011) -- Researchers have identified that the removal of cholesterol by a key enzyme called CEH can attenuate inflammation and subsequently affect the development of diabetes, paving the way for new target therapies that may one day prevent diabetes and help predict a patient's susceptibility to the disease. ... > full story

Scientists looking to burst the superconductivity bubble (May 16, 2011) -- Bubbles are blocking the current path of one of the most promising high-temperature superconducting materials, new research suggests. ... > full story

Practice, not loss of sight, improves sense of touch in the blind (May 16, 2011) -- New research may answer a controversial question: Do the blind have a better sense of touch because the brain compensates for vision loss or because of heavy reliance on their fingertips? The study suggests daily dependence on touch is the answer. ... > full story