ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Monday, June 6, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Monday, June 6, 2011

Welcome to another edition of ScienceDaily's email newsletter. You can change your subscription options or unsubscribe at any time.

Major step in improving forecasts of weather extremes such as floods and droughts (June 6, 2011) -- Moisture and heat fluctuations from the land surface to the atmosphere form a critical nexus between surface hydrology and atmospheric processes, especially those relevant to rainfall. While current theory has suggested that soil moisture has had a positive impact on precipitation, there have been very few large-scale observations of this. Now, a team of researchers has demonstrated that evaporation from the land surface is able to modify summertime rainfall east of the Mississippi and in the monsoonal region in the southern U.S. and Mexico. ... > full story

Obesity raises breast cancer survivors' risk of dying of the cancer, study finds (June 6, 2011) -- Women with a healthy body weight before and after diagnosis of breast cancer are more likely to survive the disease long term, a new study finds. ... > full story

Big city holds empty promise for bats (June 6, 2011) -- In the treeless, flat Prairie, you'd think a city would provide a good home for bats who like to snuggle up and roost in trees and buildings. But researchers made the surprising discovery that the urban landscape is far from ideal for these animals. ... > full story

Leucine deprivation proves deadly to malignant melanoma cells (June 6, 2011) -- Researchers have found that depriving human melanoma cells of the amino acid leucine can be lethal to the cells, suggesting a possible strategy for therapeutic intervention. The researchers observed the effect in melanoma cells with a mutation in the RAS/MEK signaling pathway -- the most common mutation found in the deadliest form of skin cancer. ... > full story

It all depends on the coffee: The eco-balance of coffee capsules (June 6, 2011) -- Exactly how environmentally friendly are the various capsule systems and other ways of making coffee? Swiss researchers have taken a close look at the ecological balances of the various systems currently in use. The result: it all depends on the contents. The choice of coffee has a much stronger effect on the environmental friendliness than the capsule system, type of machine or method of preparation. ... > full story

Is the description-experience gap in risky choice limited to rare events? (June 6, 2011) -- Researchers have found people confronted with risky choices respond differently when they rely on past experiences, rather than when they just focus on the odds of winning or losing. ... > full story

Early light refines brain's circuitry for vision: Studies show importance of visual stimulation in wiring up species' brains to see (June 6, 2011) -- Creatures are not born hardwired to see. Instead, they depend on electrical activity in the retina to refine the complex circuits that process visual information. Two new studies in different species using different techniques show how nascent animal brains use light to wire up or construct their central vision system. ... > full story

Surgery-related weight loss in men reverses testosterone deficiency, study finds (June 6, 2011) -- Low testosterone levels and symptoms of male sexual dysfunction due to obesity may be reversible with weight loss after bariatric surgery, a new study finds. ... > full story

What the margins of Spain's Ebro river basin looked like 6 million years ago (June 6, 2011) -- A Spanish research team, using 3-D reflection seismology, has for the first time mapped the geomorphological features of the Ebro river basin 5 to 6 million years ago. The images obtained show that the surface analyzed is today 2.5 or 3 kilometres below the sea bed. ... > full story

Breast cancer surgery patients benefit from adding radiation therapy, study suggests (June 6, 2011) -- Additional radiation treatment improves disease free survival lessening the chance of cancer recurring in women with early breast cancer who have had breast conserving surgery (lumpectomy), interim results of a new study found. ... > full story

Optical control of magnetic effects at the nanoscale (June 6, 2011) -- Magneto-optical effects, which exploit the interaction between light and magnetic materials, have only been relevant for fundamental research and up to now rarely used for applications. Plasmons – electronic excitations in metals with dimensions at the nanoscale – recently opened a new way to concentrate light at nanoscale. ... > full story

History shows that all-boy classrooms might actually benefit girls (June 6, 2011) -- New research is both a refutation of the idea that boys' academic disadvantages can be solved just by removing girls from the equation and a criticism of the present level of discourse. ... > full story

Neuroscientists map a new target to wipe pain away (June 5, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered a peptide that short circuits a pathway for chronic pain. Unlike current treatments this peptide does not exhibit deleterious side effects such as reduced motor coordination, memory loss, or depression, according to a new study. ... > full story

New generation asthma drug could improve metabolism, research suggests (June 5, 2011) -- Formoterol, a new generation asthma medication, shows great promise for improving fat and protein metabolism, say Australian researchers, who have tested this effect in a small sample of men. ... > full story

New study provides global analysis of seagrass extinction risk (June 5, 2011) -- Scientists have completed the first-ever study of the risk of extinction for individual seagrass species around the world. The new study shows that 10 of the 72 known seagrass species (14 percent) are at an elevated risk of extinction, while 3 species qualify as endangered. ... > full story

Flaxseed no cure for hot flashes during breast cancer or menopause, study finds (June 5, 2011) -- Flaxseed provides no benefit in easing hot flashes among breast cancer patients and postmenopausal women, according to a new study. ... > full story

Robotic mine vehicles successfully reanimated by engineering students using industry support (June 5, 2011) -- Engineering students, with some help from regional industry, rebuilt and successfully tested autonomous robotic vehicles for eventual use in remote areas or underground mines where conditions are too extreme for human workers. ... > full story

Yoga helps older stroke victims improve balance, endurance, study suggests (June 5, 2011) -- A recent study that exposed older veterans with stroke to yoga produced promising results as researchers explore whether this popular mind-body practice can help stroke victims cope with their increased risk for painful and even deadly falls. A range of balance items measured by the Berg Balance Scale and Fullerton Advance Balance Scale improved by 17 percent and 34 percent respectively, participants had more confidence in their balance -- and they enjoyed the practice. ... > full story

Physicists store antimatter atoms for 1,000 seconds -- and still counting (June 5, 2011) -- Physicists with the international ALPHA Collaboration at CERN in Geneva have succeeded in storing a total of 309 antihydrogen atoms, some for as long as 1,000 seconds (almost 17 minutes) or even longer -- more than enough time to perform meaningful scientific experiments on confined anti-atoms. ... > full story

Fighting cancer with cancer: Researchers find promising use for thyroid cancer gene (June 5, 2011) -- A mutant gene long thought to accelerate tumor growth in thyroid cancer patients actually inhibits the spread of malignant cells, showing promise for novel cancer therapies, a new study has found. ... > full story

How muscle develops: A dance of cellular skeletons (June 5, 2011) -- Revealing another part of the story of muscle development, researchers have shown how the cytoskeleton from one muscle cell builds finger-like projections that invade into another muscle cell's territory, eventually forcing the cells to combine. ... > full story

Fetal programming of disease risk to next generation depends on parental gender (June 5, 2011) -- Overexposure to stress hormones in the womb can program the potential for adverse health effects in those children and the next generation, but effects vary depending on whether the mother or father transmits them, a new animal study suggests. ... > full story

Noise research to combat 'wind turbine syndrome' (June 5, 2011) -- Australian acoustics researchers are investigating the causes of wind turbine noise with the aim of making them quieter and solving "wind turbine syndrome." ... > full story

Identifying toddlers at risk for autism (June 5, 2011) -- Parents and health care providers can't always tell whether toddlers display signs of autism syndrome disorder, but new research shows that a significant portion of at-risk children between 14-24 months can be identified through systematic screening by autism experts and providers working together. ... > full story

Could a birth control pill for men be on the horizon? Retinoic acid receptor antagonist interferes with sperm production (June 5, 2011) -- Researchers are honing in on the development of what may be the first non-steroidal, oral contraceptive for men. Tests of low doses of a compound that interferes with retinoic acid receptors showed that it caused sterility in male mice. ... > full story

Exemestane reduces breast cancer in high-risk women, researchers show (June 5, 2011) -- A major announcement that the drug exemestane significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer in high-risk, postmenopausal women is the result of an international, randomized double-blind phase III clinical trial. ... > full story

Developing advanced biofuels: Researchers counteract biofuel toxicity in microbes (June 5, 2011) -- Researchers have created a library of microbial efflux pumps that reduce toxicity and boost production of biofuels in engineered strains of microbes. This library and the bioprospecting strategy behind it should serve as valuable new tools for the development of advanced biofuels and other areas of biotechnology as well. ... > full story

Combination antibody therapy shows promise in metastatic melanoma (June 5, 2011) -- A duo of monoclonal antibodies -- ipilimumab and bevacizumab -- each targeting a prime survival strategy of tumors, can be safely administered and are potentially more effective than either drug alone for advanced, inoperable melanomas, according to a phase 1 clinical trial. ... > full story

Greenhouse gas reduction strategy may be safe for soil animals (June 5, 2011) -- A new study has found that an emerging tool for combating climate change may cause less harm to some soil animals than initial studies suggested. ... > full story

People with disabilities: Experts call for changing how research is done (June 5, 2011) -- When it first passed 20 years ago, the American Disabilities Act offered hope for closing the health-disparities gap for people with disabilities, but differences still exist. Barring people with limiting physical issues from research studies may bear some of the blame, and a group of researchers wants to change that restriction. ... > full story

CERN experiment traps antimatter atoms for 1000 seconds (June 5, 2011) -- In a new paper, the ALPHA experiment at CERN reports that it has succeeded in trapping antimatter atoms for over 16 minutes: long enough to begin to study their properties in detail. ALPHA is part of a broad programme at CERN’s antiproton decelerator investigating the mysteries of one of nature’s most elusive substances. ... > full story

CERN group traps antihydrogen atoms for more than 16 minutes (June 5, 2011) -- The ALPHA experiment at CERN last year reported trapping 38 antihydrogen atoms for 0.1 seconds each. They've gotten better. In a run late last year, they captured more than 100 for up to 1,000 seconds each, enough to start long-awaited experiments to determine the energy levels of antiatoms. They also plan gravitational experiments to see if matter and antimatter have the same properties. ... > full story

Upping the anti: Canadian researchers instrumental in game-changing antimatter study (June 5, 2011) -- Science fiction is fast approaching science fact as researchers are progressing rapidly toward "bottling" antimatter. Physicists with the ALPHA experiment at CERN report that they have succeeded in storing antimatter atoms for over 16 minutes. ... > full story

Similar one-year survival for catheter-based aortic valve replacement (AVR) and open AVR in high-risk patients (June 5, 2011) -- Less invasive catheter-based aortic valve replacement and open valve-replacement surgery have a similar one-year survival for patients at high risk for surgery, according to a recent study. ... > full story

DNA can discern between two quantum states, research shows (June 4, 2011) -- Do the principles of quantum mechanics apply to biological systems? Until now, both biologists and physicists have considered quantum systems and biological molecules to be like apples and oranges. But new research shows that a biological molecule -- DNA -- can discern between quantum states known as spin. ... > full story

Eating dirt can be good for the belly, researchers find (June 4, 2011) -- Most of us never considered eating the mud pies we made as kids, but for many people all over the world, dining on dirt is nothing out of the ordinary. Now an extensive meta-analysis helps explain why. ... > full story

Again, but faster! The spectacular courtship dance of a tiny bird (June 4, 2011) -- A small male bird called a golden-collared manakin performs a difficult, elaborate, physically demanding courtship dance. In new research, scientists report that female golden-collared manakins select mates based on subtle differences in motor performance during these courtship dances. ... > full story

New drug target for squamous cell carcinoma (June 4, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered a new drug target for squamous cell carcinoma -- the second most common form of skin cancer. Scientists have found that a protein called alpha-catenin acts as a tumor suppressor and they also have unlocked the mechanism by which this protein controls cell proliferation. ... > full story

Coping with climate change: Can we predict which species will be able to move far or fast enough to adapt? (June 4, 2011) -- As global temperatures rise, suitable sites for many plants and animals are shifting to cooler and higher ground. Can we predict which species will be able to move far or fast enough to keep up? A new study says the secrets to success in the face of a warming world are still elusive. ... > full story

When stressed, men charge ahead, women more careful, study finds (June 4, 2011) -- Stress causes men and women to respond differently to risky decision making, with men charging ahead for small rewards and women taking their time, according to a new study. Under stress, men and women also have different brain activation patterns during decision making. ... > full story

Ocean acidification leaves clownfish deaf to predators (June 4, 2011) -- Baby clownfish use hearing to detect and avoid predator-rich coral reefs during the daytime, but new research demonstrates that ocean acidification could threaten this crucial behavior within the next few decades. ... > full story

Scientists reactivate immune cells exhausted by chronic HIV (June 4, 2011) -- Scientists have demonstrated why certain immune cells chronically exposed to HIV shut down, and how they can be reactivated. ... > full story

From pre-gut cells to glory: Researchers discover a genomic control system that regulates gut formation in sea-urchin embryos (June 4, 2011) -- For all animals, development begins with the embryo. It is here that uniform cells divide and diversify, and blueprints are laid for structures, like skeletal and digestive systems. Although biologists have known for some time that signaling processes exist, there has not been a clear framework explanation of how it all comes together. Now, a research team has outlined exactly how specific sets of cells in sea-urchin embryos differentiate to become the endoderm. ... > full story

Miniature ventilator may help COPD patients improve mobility (June 4, 2011) -- A miniature, easy-to-carry ventilation system with a simple nasal mask may help patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) become more active, according to research conducted at medical centers in California and Utah. The compact design offers an attractive alternative to currently available larger, less comfortable ventilators and masks. ... > full story

Similarities cause protein misfolding (June 4, 2011) -- A large number of illnesses stem from misfolded proteins, molecules composed of amino acids. Researchers have now studied protein misfolding using a special spectroscopic technique. Misfolding is more frequent if the sequence of the amino acids in the neighboring protein domains is very similar. ... > full story

Helping the aged during natural disasters (June 4, 2011) -- When earthquake, tsunami, tornado or flood strike, among the most vulnerable group are the elderly. Researchers in New Zealand suggest that emergency response plans must take into account the age-related needs of adults with regards to the personal and social resources they have available. ... > full story

Protein from bones of 600,000-year-old mammoth extracted successfully (June 4, 2011) -- Researchers from the University of York and Manchester have successfully extracted protein from the bones of a 600,000-year-old mammoth, paving the way for the identification of ancient fossils. ... > full story

Genetic mutation causing excessive hair growth discovered (June 4, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered a chromosomal mutation responsible for a very rare condition in which people grow excess hair all over their bodies. Investigators hope the finding ultimately will lead to new treatments for this and less severe forms of excessive hair growth as well as baldness. ... > full story