ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Friday, June 10, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Friday, June 10, 2011

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Discovery may pave way to quitting smoking without gaining weight (June 10, 2011) -- Smokers tend to die young, but they tend to die thinner than non-smokers. A team of scientists has discovered exactly how nicotine suppresses appetite -- findings that suggest that it might be possible to develop a drug that would help smokers, and non-smokers, stay thin. ... > full story

Fragile X protein acts as toggle switch in brain cells (June 10, 2011) -- New research shows how the protein missing in fragile X syndrome -- the most common inherited form of intellectual disability -- acts as a molecular toggle switch in brain cells. ... > full story

Saving wildlife with forensic genetics (June 10, 2011) -- Using forensic genetics techniques, the University of Arizona's Conservation Genetics Lab is working to protect wild animals and catch the criminals in cases of wildlife crime. ... > full story

Deaths and major morbidity from asbestos-related diseases in Asia likely to surge in next 20 years, experts warn (June 10, 2011) -- An alarming new article issues a serious warning of massive rises in deaths from asbestos-related lung diseases in Asia. Asian countries accounted for 64% of the global consumption of asbestos in the period of 2001-2007, a striking increase from 14% between 1920 and 1970. This is a result of unregulated asbestos import and use in many Asian countries. ... > full story

NASA goes below the surface to understand salinity (June 10, 2011) -- When NASA's Aquarius mission launches, its radiometer instruments will take a "skin" reading of the oceans' salt content at the surface. From these data of salinity in the top 0.4 inch (1 centimeter) of the ocean surface, Aquarius will create weekly and monthly maps of ocean surface salinity all over the globe for at least three years. To better understand what's driving changes and fluctuations in salinity -- and how those changes relate to an acceleration of the global water cycle and climate change -- scientists will go deeper. ... > full story

Banning U.S. federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research would derail related work, experts argue (June 10, 2011) -- Banning U.S. federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research would have "disastrous consequences" on the study of a promising and increasingly popular new stem cell type that is not derived from human embryos, experts argue in a new article. ... > full story

Large-scale early education linked to higher living standards and crime prevention 25 years later (June 10, 2011) -- High-quality early education has a strong, positive impact well into adulthood, according to new research. The study is the longest follow-up ever of an established large-scale early childhood program. ... > full story

B-cell lymphoma: New research provides breakthrough in understanding common cancer (June 10, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered valuable insight into how people develop B-cell lymphoma, one of the most common cancers. The team found that a mechanism different to that previously thought to be the cause of lymphoma may be responsible for the development of the disease. ... > full story

Genome sequence could reveal 'Achilles' heels' of important wheat disease (June 10, 2011) -- New research provides insights into how an important fungal disease is able to evade wheat's defenses. The researchers hope that the study, which reveals the fungus' complete genome sequence, will enable them to breed resistant crop plants or improve the use of pesticides. ... > full story

The cellular root of colorectal cancers? (June 10, 2011) -- Researchers have found a marker called ABCB5 that both tags a small proportion of cells within colorectal cancers and fuels resistance in those cells to standard treatments. The results indicate that eliminating ABCB5-expressing cells is crucial for successful colorectal cancer treatment, while adding to the growing body of evidence for a theory of cancer growth called the cancer stem cell hypothesis. ... > full story

Mars Exploration Rover heads toward 'Spirit Point' (June 10, 2011) -- When NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity reaches the rim of a large crater it is approaching, its arrival will come with an inspiring reminder. This crater, Endeavour, became the rover's long-term destination nearly three years ago. Opportunity has driven about 11 miles (18 kilometers) since climbing out of Victoria crater in August 2008, with Endeavour crater beckoning to the southeast. The rover has about 2 miles (about 3 kilometers) to go before reaching the rim of Endeavour. ... > full story

The downside -- and surprising upside –- of microcredit (June 10, 2011) -- Microcredit, which involves giving small loans to very small businesses in an effort to promote entrepreneurship, has been widely touted as a way to reduce poverty and stimulate economic growth. But in a new study, researchers find that the practice may not be an efficient tool in promoting business growth or improving the lives of its beneficiaries, but could instead have just the opposite effect. However, they did discover other surprising advantages. ... > full story

Why animals don't have infrared vision: Source of the visual system's 'false alarms' discovered (June 9, 2011) -- On rare occasion, the light-sensing photoreceptor cells in the eye misfire and signal to the brain as if they have captured photons, when in reality they haven't. For years this phenomenon remained a mystery. Neuroscientists have now discovered that a light-capturing pigment molecule in photoreceptors can be triggered by heat, as well, giving rise to these false alarms. ... > full story

Eating a high-fat diet may rapidly injure brain cells that control body weight (June 9, 2011) -- Obesity among people who eat a high-fat diet may involve injury to neurons, or nerve cells, in a key part of the brain that controls body weight, according to the authors of a new animal study. ... > full story

Huntington's disease breakthrough: New research offers promise of medical intervention (June 9, 2011) -- Medical researchers may have uncovered a novel approach to treat an incurable and ultimately fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects hundreds of thousands of people. Two international studies hold out promise for slowing down the development of Huntington's disease -- and potentially, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The research, which is in its early stages, represents an important milestone in understanding these debilitating conditions. ... > full story

Swine flu spread was much wider than first thought, scientists say (June 9, 2011) -- The swine flu outbreak of winter 2009-2010 was much more widespread than was previously realized, research suggests. ... > full story

Early agricultural piracy informs the domestication of rice (June 9, 2011) -- Researchers are casting new light on the origins of rice. By reconciling two theories, scientists show that the domestication of rice occurred at least twice independently but with extensive "borrowing" between the two subspecies. ... > full story

Sucking up to the boss may move you up and keep you healthy (June 9, 2011) -- Savvy career minded individuals have known for some time that ingratiating oneself to the boss and others – perhaps more commonly known as ‘sucking up’– can help move them up the corporate ladder more quickly. However, a recent study suggests that politically savvy professionals who use ingratiation as a career aid may also avoid the psychological distress that comes to others who are less cunning about their workplace behavior. ... > full story

New driving force for chemical reactions (June 9, 2011) -- Chemists have shown for the first time that a mechanism called tunneling control may drive chemical reactions in directions unexpected from traditional theories. ... > full story

Nicotine triggered appetite suppression site identified in brain (June 9, 2011) -- A new study uncovers a brain mechanism that could be targeted for new medications designed to help people quit smoking without gaining weight. ... > full story

Study confirms safety, cancer-targeting ability of nutrient in broccoli, other vegetables, researchers say (June 9, 2011) -- Sulforaphane, one of the primary phytochemicals in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables that helps them prevent cancer, has been shown for the first time to selectively target and kill cancer cells while leaving normal prostate cells healthy and unaffected. The findings are another important step forward for the potential use of sulforaphone in cancer prevention and treatment. ... > full story

Genetic link between emphysema, lung cancer uncovered (June 9, 2011) -- A gene linked to emphysema also can be a factor for developing lung cancer unrelated to cigarette smoking, new research indicates. Smoking was the only known risk factor previously associated with both diseases. ... > full story

Unique 'portrait' of shuttle and International Space Station released (June 9, 2011) -- Newly-released portraits show the International Space Station together with the space shuttle, the vehicle that helped build the complex during the last decade. The pictures are the first taken of a shuttle docked to the station from the perspective of a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. ... > full story

Fathers' use of restaurants affect children more than mothers' use (June 9, 2011) -- This Father's Day, dad's choice of where to eat could literally tip the scales on his children's health. A father's use of restaurants and his perceptions of family meals carry more weight, so to speak, than mothers', according to a new study. ... > full story

Magnetic bubbles reside at solar system edge, NASA probes suggest (June 9, 2011) -- Observations from NASA's Voyager spacecraft, humanity's farthest deep space sentinels, suggest the edge of our solar system may not be smooth, but filled with a turbulent sea of magnetic bubbles. ... > full story

Cancer protein discovery may aid radiation therapy: Blocking cyclin D1 might help sensitize tumors to radiation (June 9, 2011) -- Scientists have uncovered a new role for a key cancer protein, cyclin D1, a finding that could pave the way for more-effective radiation treatment of a variety of tumors. They discovered that cyclin D1 can help cancer cells to quickly repair DNA damage caused by radiation treatments, making the tumors resistant to the therapy. ... > full story

Genes provide landmarks on the roadmap of autism (June 9, 2011) -- A new interactome -- or protein interaction network -- for autism spectrum disorders developed by researchers demonstrates how protein pathways converge, diverge and interact to arrive at the same devastating condition. ... > full story

How killer immune cells avoid killing themselves (June 9, 2011) -- After eight years of work, researchers have unearthed what has been a well-kept secret of our immune system's success. The findings offer an explanation for how specialized immune cells are able to kill infected or cancerous cells without killing themselves in the process. ... > full story

'Biological circuit' components developed; New microscope technique for measuring them (June 9, 2011) -- Electrical engineers have long been toying with the idea of designing biological molecules that can be directly integrated into electronic circuits. Researchers have developed a way to form these structures so they can operate in open-air environments, and, more important, have developed a new microscope technique that can measure the electrical properties of these and similar devices. ... > full story

Canine connection: Study explores how dogs think and learn about human behavior (June 9, 2011) -- Dog owners often attest to their canine companion's seeming ability to read their minds. How do dogs learn to beg for food or behave badly primarily when we're not looking? According to one research team, the way that dogs come to respond to the level of people’s attentiveness tells us something about the ways dogs think and learn about human behavior. Their research suggests it is down to a combination of specific cues, context and previous experience. ... > full story

Historic first images of rod photoreceptors in the living human eye (June 9, 2011) -- Scientists have reported that the tiny light-sensing cells known as rods have been clearly and directly imaged in the living eye for the first time. Using adaptive optics, scientists can see through the murky distortion of the outer eye, revealing the eye's cellular structure with unprecedented detail. This innovation will help doctors diagnose degenerative eye disorders sooner. ... > full story

Shingles may be related to elevated risk of multiple sclerosis (June 9, 2011) -- Taiwanese investigators have found that there can be a significantly higher risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) occurring in the year following a shingles, or herpes zoster, attack. The findings support a long-held view on how MS may develop. ... > full story

Barefoot running: To ditch the shoes or not? (June 9, 2011) -- A hot issue among runners is whether running in bare feet reduces or increases the risk of injury. Experts say for some runners it could do both. The reason it could do both has to do with whether you grew up running in standard athletic shoes. The feet of runners land differently, depending on whether one is running in bare feet or in athletic shoes with a big cushion under the heel. ... > full story

Size, strength of heart's right side differs by age, gender, race/ethnicity (June 9, 2011) -- The size and pumping ability of the right side of the heart differs by age, gender and race/ethnicity, according to the first large imaging study of the right ventricle. Defining the right ventricular norms for different populations could aid in identifying abnormal right ventricle size and function. Abnormal right ventricle function may be a sign of conditions that involve both the heart and lungs. ... > full story

Huge ancient language dictionary finished after 90 years (June 9, 2011) -- An ambitious project to identify, explain and provide citations for the words written in cuneiform on clay tablets and carved in stone by Babylonians, Assyrians and others in Mesopotamia between 2500 B.C. and A.D. 100 has been completed after 90 years of labor. ... > full story

No such thing as a red or blue state, study finds (June 9, 2011) -- Believe it or not, the odds are nearly 50/50 that a random person from a "red state" would be more liberal on political issues than if you took a random resident of a "blue state." ... > full story

Researchers discover superatoms with magnetic shells (June 9, 2011) -- A team of scientists has discovered a new class of 'superatoms' -- a stable cluster of atoms that can mimic different elements of the periodic table -- with unusual magnetic characteristics. ... > full story

Progress in tissue engineering to repair joint damage in osteoarthritis (June 9, 2011) -- Medical scientists now have "clear" evidence that the damaged cartilage tissue in osteoarthritis and other painful joint disorders can be encouraged to regrow and regenerate, and are developing tissue engineering technology that could help millions of patients with those disorders. That's the conclusion of a new analysis of almost 100 scientific studies on the topic. ... > full story

First Images from the VLT Survey Telescope with with huge 268-megapixel camera (June 9, 2011) -- The VLT Survey Telescope (VST), the latest addition to the European Southern Observatory's Paranal Observatory, has made its first release of impressive images of the southern sky. The VST is a state-of-the-art 2.6-metre telescope, with the huge 268-megapixel camera OmegaCAM at its heart, which is designed to map the sky both quickly and with very fine image quality. It is a visible-light telescope that perfectly complements ESO's VISTA infrared survey telescope. New images of the Omega Nebula and the globular cluster Omega Centauri demonstrate the VST's power. ... > full story

Smoking, even for a short time, significantly increases a woman's risk for peripheral artery disease, study finds (June 9, 2011) -- A prospective study of initially healthy women aged 45 and over found that smoking is a potent risk factor for symptomatic peripheral artery disease, or PAD. PAD is a serious, often debilitating disorder, caused by narrowing of the arteries in the lower extremities. Symptoms of PAD include pain in the legs with normal activity and a feeling of tiredness in the leg muscles. ... > full story

Aircraft systems in the environmental chamber (June 9, 2011) -- How can air transport be made more environmentally compatible, economical and sustainable? A flight test facility in Germany is soon to be expanded with the installation of a thermal test bench for aircraft systems, with the aim of achieving efficient energy management onboard. ... > full story

Competition between females leads to infanticide in some primates (June 9, 2011) -- An international team of scientists has shed light on cannibalism and infanticide carried out by primates, documenting these acts for the first time in the mustached tamarin (Saguinus mystax). The mothers, which cannot raise their infants without help from male group members, commit infanticide in order to prevent the subsequent death of their offspring if they are stressed and in competition with other females. ... > full story

Can evolution outpace climate change? Tiny seashore animal suggests not (June 9, 2011) -- Animals and plants may not be able to evolve their way out of the threat posed by climate change, according to a new study of a tiny seashore animal. ... > full story

Breast cancer drug pushes colon cancer cells to their death (June 9, 2011) -- A new treatment for colon cancer that combines a chemotherapy agent approved to treat breast cancer and a cancer-fighting antibody is ready for clinical trials, according to researchers. ... > full story

An alternative to antibiotics (June 9, 2011) -- Antibiotics are among the greatest achievements of medical science. But lately the former multipurpose weapon fails in the battle against infectious diseases. Bacteria are increasingly developing resistance to antibiotics. Researchers have now found a therapeutic equivalent which could replace penicillin and related pharmaceuticals. ... > full story

Bone cancer, from the lab to the clinic (June 9, 2011) -- A new study into osteosarcoma -- cancer of the bone -- will use advances in genomic research to identify new genes that give rise to the cancer and to create personalized blood tests for children and young adults. The hope is that the project will improve monitoring in patients with cancer and guide the best drug treatment for the cancer in each patient. ... > full story

Ecology biased against non-native species? (June 9, 2011) -- Nineteen eminent ecologists issue a call to "end the bias against non-native species" in a new commentary. Often called aliens, hitchhikers or invasives, non-native species could just as easily be coined "abductees" whose transport links to activities by humans, some scientists say. ... > full story

Older adults with mild cognitive impairment may also have some functional impairment, study finds (June 9, 2011) -- Difficulty remembering important dates and medications, and gathering paperwork, is more common in older individuals with mild cognitive impairment than in those with no cognition problems, according to a new report. ... > full story