ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Monday, June 13, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Monday, June 13, 2011

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New genetic technique converts skin cells into brain cells (June 13, 2011) -- A research breakthrough has proven that it is possible to reprogram mature cells from human skin directly into brain cells, without passing through the stem cell stage. The unexpectedly simple technique involves activating three genes in the skin cells; genes which are already known to be active in the formation of brain cells at the fetal stage. ... > full story

Immune cells link pregnancy and tumor spread (June 13, 2011) -- Individuals with cancer often do not die as a result of their initial tumor but as a result of tumors at distant sites that are derived from the initial tumor. Pregnancy is a condition that seems to be permissive for tumor dissemination. New research in mice has now uncovered a possible reason for this. ... > full story

A molecule that switches on and off (June 13, 2011) -- Researchers in France have developed a single molecule whose charge state and shape can be changed at will. The advance should prove a key advantage in the race for miniaturization. In addition to controlling its charge in a completely reversible way, the researchers have revealed a link between the molecule's charge and its geometrical shape, effectively making it usable as a bit of information or an electromechanical system on a nanometric scale. This perfectly controllable back-and-forth motion at the molecular level holds great promise for the creation of ultra-dense digital memory or nanomotors. ... > full story

What happens in the brain as it loses consciousness: 3-D movie constructed (June 13, 2011) -- For the first time, researchers have been able to watch what happens to the brain as it loses consciousness. Using sophisticated imaging equipment, they have constructed a 3-D movie of the brain as it changes while an anesthetic drug takes effect. ... > full story

Tuning 'metasurface' with fluid in new concept for sensing and chemistry (June 13, 2011) -- Researchers have demonstrated a unique fluid-tuned "metasurface," a concept that may be useful in biomedical sensors and microwave-assisted chemistry. ... > full story

Silver from the Americas may have entered the Spanish economy later than thought (June 13, 2011) -- European metal dominated Spanish silver coinage up until the reign of Philippe III (1578-1621) and it was only in the 18th century that it was completely replaced by Mexican metal. Using mass spectrometry analyses, researchers have succeeded in determining the provenance of coinage circulating in Spain after 1492. These results call into question the hypothesis according to which the massive influx of metals from the New World was directly responsible for the inflation that occurred in Spain in the 16th and 17th centuries. ... > full story

New supernova remnant lights up: SN1987A shines again (June 13, 2011) -- Light from an exploding star in a neighboring galaxy has suddenly begun to glow brighter as the shock wave and X-rays hit surrounding debris. What we are witnessing the the change from an active supernova to a supernova remnant. ... > full story

Chronic marijuana smoking affects brain chemistry, molecular imaging shows (June 13, 2011) -- Definitive proof of an adverse effect of chronic marijuana use could lead to potential drug treatments and aid other research involved in cannabinoid receptors, a neurotransmission system receiving a lot of attention. ... > full story

Raising the International Space Station: ATV Johannes Kepler conducts the 'Big Boost' (June 13, 2011) -- It's the International Space Station's biggest increase in altitude to date, and, thanks to European Space Agency's ATV Johannes Kepler, it will significantly improve the 417-tonne Station's orbital mileage through the next decade of scientific research. During three intensive reboost manoeuvres, ATV Johannes Kepler is raising the ISS altitude from around 345 km to 380 km, where it will use far less fuel to maintain its orbit and cutting the amount of fuel that must be sent up in the coming years by almost half. ... > full story

New method for measuring Parkinson's disease prevalence reveals sharp increase in Israel (June 13, 2011) -- In a new study, Israeli researchers report that by tracking pharmacy purchases of anti-Parkinson drugs they could estimate the number of Parkinson's disease (PD) cases in a large population. The study identified a sharp rise in PD prevalence from 170/100,000 in 2000 to 256/100,000 in 2007 in Israel, which warrants further investigation. ... > full story

Walking microdroplets collect viruses and bacteria (June 13, 2011) -- A barely visible, electric field-controlled droplet moves on an appropriately prepared surface, harvesting viruses, bacteria and protein molecules deposited on it. This is how a novel method of collecting bioparticles looks like in real life. The method has been for the first time successfully tested by a team of researchers Poland and France. The results of the tests have implications for the development of microsystems for chemical analyses, especially those dedicated to monitoring bioparticles present in the air. ... > full story

Glioblastoma in the 21st century: Wealthier patients living longer than poorer patients (June 13, 2011) -- Survival rates of wealthier patients and those younger than 70 with glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive malignant brain tumor, have improved since 2000, whereas rates for those living in poorer areas and older than 70 have remained stagnant, according to new research. ... > full story

Chemistry with sunlight: Combining electrochemistry and photovoltaics to clean up oxidation reactions (June 12, 2011) -- Researchers can make the oxidation reactions used in the synthesis of organic molecules cleaner by hitching photovoltaics to electrochemistry. The idea is simple and yet it has huge implications. To underscore the simplicity of the idea, researchers used a solar cell sold on the Internet and intended to power toy cars to run a variety of chemical reactions. If their suggestion were widely adopted by the chemical industry, it would eliminate the toxic byproducts currently produced by a class of reactions commonly used in chemical synthesis -- and with them the environmental and economic damage they cause. ... > full story

Cancer-seeking 'smart bombs' target kidney cancer cells (June 12, 2011) -- Researchers are halting kidney cancer with a novel form of radioimmunotherapy that zeroes in on antigens associated with renal cell carcinoma. Patients with progressive kidney cancer receiving up to three doses of the therapy show dramatic slowing of cancer growth and stabilization of their disease. ... > full story

Non-alcoholic wheat beer boosts athletes' health, sport doctors say (June 12, 2011) -- Amateur athletes have long suspected what sports medicine researchers in Germany have now made official: evidence, gathered during the world's largest study of marathons, that consumption of non-alcoholic weissbier, or wheat beer, has a positive effect on athletes' health. ... > full story

Groundbreaking male infertility test could 'bring hope to millions' (June 12, 2011) -- A groundbreaking new test for male infertility, which will save time, money and heartache for couples around the world, has been developed. The medical breakthrough, known as the SpermComet, has resulted from more than a decade's research. ... > full story

Citrate key in bone's nanostructure (June 12, 2011) -- Scientists have identified the composition that gives bone its outstanding properties and the important role citrate plays, work that may help science better understand and treat or prevent bone diseases such as osteoporosis. ... > full story

Childhood trauma linked to higher rates of mental health problems (June 12, 2011) -- New research has shown that children's risk for learning and behavior problems and obesity rises in correlation to their level of trauma exposure, says a psychiatrist. ... > full story

Using waste heat from automobile exhaust (June 12, 2011) -- With the completion of a successful prototype, engineers have made a major step toward addressing one of the leading problems in energy use around the world today -- the waste of half or more of the energy produced by cars, factories and power plants. New technology is being developed to capture and use the low-to-medium grade waste heat that's now going out the exhaust pipe of millions of automobiles, diesel generators, or being wasted by factories and electrical utilities. ... > full story

Eight substances added to U.S. Report on Carcinogens, including formaldehyde, may increase cancer risk (June 12, 2011) -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services had added eight substances to its Report on Carcinogens, a science-based document that identifies chemicals and biological agents that may put people at increased risk for cancer. The industrial chemical formaldehyde and a botanical known as aristolochic acids are listed as known human carcinogens. Six other substances -- captafol, cobalt-tungsten carbide (in powder or hard metal form), certain inhalable glass wool fibers, o-nitrotoluene, riddelliine, and styrene -- are added as substances that are reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens. ... > full story

Nighttime lights clarify economic activity: Combining lights and statistics may yield high-resolution global economic data (June 12, 2011) -- The glow of lights in a city at night means different things to different people. For some, the amazing hues along Broadway, the Las Vegas Strip or the Sunset Strip in Hollywood mean a fun night out. For an economist, these dazzling lights signify people's pockets are flush with cash; and in fact, a new study confirms it. ... > full story

Researchers link cell division and oxygen levels; Findings also solve long-standing paradox (June 12, 2011) -- Cells grow abundant when oxygen is available, and generally stop when it is scarce. Although this seems straightforward, no direct link ever has been established between the cellular machinery that senses oxygen and that which controls cell division. Now, researchers report that the MCM proteins, which promote cell division, also directly control the oxygen-sensing HIF-1 protein. ... > full story

Chasing EHEC via computer: Scientists in Germany provide free access to enteric pathogen's genetic regulation data (June 12, 2011) -- Just a few genes make enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) extremely dangerous to humans. If it were not for these genes, EHEC would hardly differ from harmless enteric bacteria. Bioinformatics scientists from Germany want to exploit this similarity to find starting points for effective drugs against the EHEC pathogen. In a very short time, the scientists have constructed EhecRegNet, a database and analysis platform that incorporates all known interactions between enteric E. coli genes. Using integrated simulations, genetic switches for the dangerous EHEC genes can be identified much faster and used medically. The virtual laboratory will thus help biomedical scientists and pharmacists all over the world to develop new drugs. ... > full story

An egalitarian Internet? Not so, study finds (June 12, 2011) -- The Internet is often thought of as a forum that enables egalitarian communication among people from diverse backgrounds and political persuasions, but a new study reveals that online discussion groups display the same hierarchical structure as other large social groups. ... > full story

Physicists apply Einstein's general theory of relativity to superconducting circuits (June 11, 2011) -- Using Einstein's general theory of relativity, scientists have demonstrated that the Josephson junction could be reproduced. The Josephson junction, a device that was first discovered by Brian David Josephson in the early 1960's, is a main ingredient in applications of superconductivity. ... > full story

Circulating levels of a lung protein found to be 'strongly predictive' of cardiovascular disease (June 11, 2011) -- A blood protein known as surfactant protein-D (SP-D), which is mainly synthesized in the lungs, has been described as "a good predictor" of cardiovascular disease following a large study in North America. ... > full story

Hormone test helps predict success in IVF (June 11, 2011) -- In a new study, women with high levels of the hormone AMH produced more eggs for in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures, and pregnancies were more likely to occur than in women with low levels. The finding could aid counseling and give doctors a new tool to adjust treatment. ... > full story

Strength training for grandma and grandpa (June 11, 2011) -- People lose 30 percent of their muscle strength between the ages of 50 and 70 years. However, maintaining muscle strength in old age is enormously important in order to maintain mobility and to be able to lead an independent life and manage everyday tasks independently. Scientists conclude that progressive strength (resistance) training counteracts muscular atrophy in old age. ... > full story

Photosynthesis mechanics: Tapping into plants is the key to combat climate change, says scientist (June 11, 2011) -- The mechanics behind photosynthesis in plants could be used in the fight against climate change, according to one scientist. ... > full story

Will psych majors make the big bucks? (June 11, 2011) -- A new crop of college graduates have just landed on the job market. Right now they're probably just hoping to get any job, if at all. However, for psychology majors, the salary outlook in both the short and long term is particularly poor, according to a new study. ... > full story

Nearby galaxy boasts two monster black holes, both active (June 11, 2011) -- A study using NASA's Swift satellite and the Chandra X-Ray Observatory has found a second supersized black hole at the heart of an unusual nearby galaxy already known to be sporting one. The galaxy, which is known as Markarian 739 or NGC 3758, lies 425 million light-years away toward the constellation Leo. Only about 11,000 light-years separate the two cores, each of which contains a black hole gorging on infalling gas. ... > full story

Molecular imaging for Alzheimer's disease may be available in hospitals within a year, studies suggest (June 11, 2011) -- Researchers the world over are advancing positron emission tomography as an effective method of early detection for Alzheimer's disease, a currently incurable and deadly neurological disorder. Three studies are providing new insights into the development of Alzheimer's disease while opening the door to future clinical screening and treatments. ... > full story

Ultrathin copper-oxide layers behave like quantum spin liquid (June 11, 2011) -- Magnetic studies of ultrathin slabs of copper-oxide materials reveal that at very low temperatures, the thinnest, isolated layers lose their long-range magnetic order and instead behave like a "quantum spin liquid" -- a state of matter where the orientations of electron spins fluctuate wildly. This unexpected discovery may offer support for the idea that this novel condensed state of matter is a precursor to the emergence of high-temperature superconductivity -- the ability to carry current with no resistance. ... > full story

Key function of enzyme involved in RNA processing described (June 11, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a cellular mechanism that is critical in maintaining normal cell function. They examined the function of TRAMP, a protein complex involved in the processing of RNA or ribonucleic acid within the cell. They identified a key function for the protein Mtr4p in a process that initiates the degradation of select RNAs, a necessary step in preserving normal cell function. ... > full story

'Super varieties' of wheat expected to boost yields and block deadly threat to food security (June 11, 2011) -- Five years after the launch of a global effort to protect the world's most important food crop from variants of Ug99, a new and deadly form of wheat rust, scientists say they are close to producing super varieties of wheat that will resist the potent pathogen, while boosting yields by as much as 15 percent. ... > full story

Communicating in a crisis: Researchers devise new technique to help rescuers communicate after terrorist attacks (June 11, 2011) -- In the aftermath of the London bombings mobile phones and radios stopped working making the already tricky rescue operation even more difficult. Now experts have developed a solution to ensure breakdowns in communication are a thing of the past for emergency workers responding to disasters. ... > full story

Nanotechnology circuits for wireless devices: First wafer-scale graphene integrated circuit smaller than a pinhead (June 11, 2011) -- Scientists have achieved a milestone in creating a building block for the future of wireless devices. In a new paper, IBM researchers announced the first integrated circuit fabricated from wafer-size graphene, and demonstrated a broadband frequency mixer operating at frequencies up to 10 gigahertz (10 billion cycles/second). ... > full story

New animal study shows promise for development of Parkinson's disease drug (June 11, 2011) -- Few treatments for Parkinson's disease (PD) restore function for extended periods. In a new study, an international group of researchers reports that platelet-derived growth factor-BB restored function in rodents and shows promise as a clinical candidate drug for treatment of PD. ... > full story

Earth from space: A gush of volcanic gas (June 11, 2011) -- A new image shows the huge plume of sulphur dioxide that spewed from Chile’s Puyehue-Cordón Caulle Volcanic Complex, which lies in the Andes about 600 km south of Santiago. ... > full story

Signaling pathways point to vulnerability in breast cancer stem cells (June 11, 2011) -- Researchers have identified signals impinging on breast epithelial cells that can induce those cells to acquire and stably display migratory and self-renewing characteristics. These signals appear to be responsible for maintaining both normal mammary epithelial stem cells and the stem cells in breast carcinomas. Interrupting these and other extracellular signals strips the various types of stem cells of the migratory and self-renewal abilities used by cancer stem cells to seed new tumors. ... > full story

New constellations of species change ecosystems (June 11, 2011) -- Human activities that are causing global climate changes and destroying habitats in nature are leading to the extinction of many species from Earth's ecosystems. At the same time, many species are expanding the range of their habitat. In a new article, scientists offer suggestions for how research can get better at understanding species loss and the simultaneous gain of new species and how this affects the function of the ecosystem. ... > full story

Gender differences in risk pathways for adolescent substance abuse and early adult alcoholism (June 11, 2011) -- According to a recent Finnish study, boys and girls with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may differ from each other in their vulnerability to substance use problems. Inattentiveness and hyperactivity may be more predictive of alcohol use disorders and maladaptive patterns of alcohol and illicit drug use among girls than boys. ... > full story

Internal bleeding higher with popular heart device than earlier model, studies find (June 11, 2011) -- The incidence of internal bleeding was higher in the HeartMate II left ventricular assist device than the earlier HeartMate I XVE, according to two recent studies. Although there were more instances of intracranial and gastrointestinal bleeding in the newer model, there was no increase in mortality. ... > full story

Physicists hit on mathematical description of superfluid dynamics (June 10, 2011) -- A century after the discovery of superfluids, scientists using a powerful supercomputer have devised a theoretical framework that explains the real-time behavior of superfluids. ... > full story

Simple test could hold key to early diagnosis of cancers (June 10, 2011) -- Cancers of the gut, stomach and pancreas could be detected much sooner with a simple urine test, research suggests. Researchers have identified key proteins in the urine of patients with advanced cancers. ... > full story

Biologists uncover regulatory mechanism for gene expression in the visual system (June 10, 2011) -- Biologists have uncovered a key regulatory mechanism used for gene expression in the visual system. Their findings offer new insights into the complexity behind the genetic make-up of biological systems. ... > full story

Two isolates from E. coli outbreak sequenced (June 10, 2011) -- An outbreak of Escherichia coli causing a severe illness called hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) began in Germany on May 2, 2011 and has killed more than 20 people and sickened more than 2,000. The organism causing the outbreak has been identified as a strain of E. coli O104:H4 that produces a Shiga toxin and causes an illness similar to infection with E. coli O157:H7. Two isolates from this outbreak have been sequenced. Both strains, TY-2482 and LB226692, have been annotated. ... > full story

Landsat satellite images compare before and after Massachusetts tornado (June 10, 2011) -- Satellites provide a lot of useful information and the Landsat 5 satellite captured an image of the long damage track created on June 1, 2011, when a tornado tracked from Springfield to Sturbridge, Mass. An earlier image is now available from 2010 that enables people to more clearly see the damage path the June 2011 twister created on its eastward track. ... > full story