ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Thursday, July 7, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Thursday, July 7, 2011

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Beauty is in the medial orbito-frontal cortex of the beholder (July 7, 2011) -- A region at the front of the brain 'lights up' when we experience beauty in a piece of art or a musical excerpt, according to new research. The study goes some way to supporting the views of David Hume and others that beauty lies in the beholder rather than in the object. ... > full story

Cheap, common drug could dramatically reduce malaria transmission in Africa (July 7, 2011) -- A cheap, common heartworm medication that is already being used to fight other parasites in Africa could also dramatically interrupt transmission of malaria, potentially providing an inexpensive tool to fight a disease that kills almost 800,000 people each year, according to a new study. ... > full story

Being small has its advantages -- if you are a leaf (July 7, 2011) -- The size of leaves can vary by a factor of 1,000 across plant species; until now, the reason why has remained a mystery. A new study by an international team of scientists goes a long way toward solving it. ... > full story

Combination therapy as good as old regimen to prevent full-blown TB in people with/without HIV (July 7, 2011) -- Scientists have further compelling evidence that new, simpler and shorter treatments with antibiotic drugs could dramatically help prevent tens of millions of people worldwide already infected with the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis, and especially those co-infected with HIV, from developing full-blown TB. ... > full story

Baseball cheaters can't hide from the laws of physics (July 7, 2011) -- Some baseball superstitions are accepted as cold, hard truth. But in the world of physics, the most accepted verities are subject to experimentation. A corked bat hits the ball further? Not in Lloyd Smith's lab. Baseballs today are livelier than in the past? See above. A humidor can curb home run production? Yes, but only because Smith has fired the balls through a cannon and measured their bounciness as they hit a bat. ... > full story

Healthy lifestyle associated with low risk of sudden cardiac death in women (July 7, 2011) -- Adhering to a healthy lifestyle, including not smoking, exercising regularly, having a low body weight and eating a healthy diet, appears to lower the risk of sudden cardiac death in women, according to a new study. ... > full story

Mechanical micro-drum cooled to quantum ground state (July 7, 2011) -- Scientists have demonstrated a flexible, broadly usable technique for steadily calming the vibrations of an engineered mechanical object down to the quantum "ground state," the lowest possible energy level. ... > full story

Diabetes drug side effects traced to fat action (July 7, 2011) -- For better or worse, a popular class of anti-diabetic drugs does more than lower blood sugar. One known as rosiglitazone (trade name Avandia) has been in the spotlight for its possible link to increased cardiovascular events, but it also seems to come with unexplained vascular benefits and an unwelcome tendency for weight gain. Now, two separate studies explore those other effects of the drugs known collectively as thiazolidinediones (TZDs), both of which stem from their activity in fat. ... > full story

Natural iron fertilization influences deep-sea ecosystems off the Crozet Islands (July 7, 2011) -- Geo-engineering schemes aimed at tackling global warming through artificial iron fertilization of the oceans would significantly affect deep-sea ecosystems, according to new research. ... > full story

Blood pressure drug shows some muscle: Researchers discover losartan protects against loss of old or damaged muscle (July 7, 2011) -- Using geriatric mice, a research team has shown that losartan, a commonly used blood pressure drug, not only improves regeneration of injured muscle but also protects against its wasting away from inactivity. ... > full story

Branch offices: New family of gold-based nanoparticles could serve as biomedical 'testbed' (July 7, 2011) -- Researchers have demonstrated a sort of gold nanoparticle "testbed" to explore how the tiny particles behave in biological systems. ... > full story

Post-traumatic stress disorder common following significant orthopedic trauma (July 7, 2011) -- Although most commonly associated with military combat, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur in civilians, too -- and with consequences that are just as serious, according to a new review article. PTSD is a type of anxiety disorder that occurs after a person experiences a traumatic event involving physical injury, and occurs in 20 to 51 percent of patients with an orthopedic injury. ... > full story

Rhesus monkeys appear to have a form of self-awareness not previously attributed to them, research suggests (July 6, 2011) -- In the first study of its kind in an animal species that has not passed a critical test of self-recognition, a cognitive psychologist has demonstrated that rhesus monkeys appear to have a sense of self-agency -- the ability to understand that they are the cause of certain actions -- and possess a form of self-awareness previously not attributed to them. ... > full story

Celecoxib may prevent lung cancer in former smokers (July 6, 2011) -- Celecoxib may emerge as a potent chemopreventive agent for lung cancer, according to a recent study. Researchers tested celecoxib, a COX-2 inhibitor, among patients who were former smokers and found a significant benefit in bronchial health as measured by the Ki-67 labeling index, a marker of cellular proliferation or growth, as well as a number of other biomarkers. The findings follow a previous report that showed a similar effect on Ki-67 among former smokers and current smokers. ... > full story

Dealing with pollution, James Bond style (July 6, 2011) -- A new safe soil tester, a portable lab with a satellite link, offers an efficient and cost-effective way to test for a safe environment. The high-tech tester uses micro-organisms to detect toxicity of soils within minutes and maps the toxic hotspots with high precisions using its link to EU’s Galileo satellite system. ... > full story

Researchers link genetic marker to rectal cancer treatment (July 6, 2011) -- A team of researchers has identified a genetic marker that may predict which patients with rectal cancer can be cured by certain chemotherapies when combined with surgery. The discovery brings doctors closer to customizing cancer treatment to individual patients. ... > full story

NMR/MRI applied to microfluidic chromatography (July 6, 2011) -- By pairing a remote-detection version of NMR/MRI technology with a unique version of chromatography specifically designed for microfluidic chips, researchers have opened the door to a portable system for highly sensitive multi-dimensional chemical analysis that would be impractical if not impossible with conventional technologies. ... > full story

Thinking globally to improve mental health (July 6, 2011) -- The Grand Challenges in Global Mental Health Initiative, led by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases, has identified the top 40 barriers to better mental health around the world. This initiative seeks to build a community of funders dedicated to supporting research that will significantly improve the lives of people living with mental, neurological, and substance use disorders within the next 10 years. ... > full story

Cassini captures images and sounds of Saturn storm (July 6, 2011) -- Scientists analyzing data from NASA's Cassini spacecraft now have the first-ever, up-close details of a Saturn storm that is eight times the surface area of Earth. ... > full story

Those aching joints could be in your genes (July 6, 2011) -- A study of 2,500 identical and fraternal twins reveals that genetic factors affect both spine degeneration and lower back pain. The discovery could revolutionize both the study and the treatment of the debilitating complaint. ... > full story

Surprising culprits behind cell death from fat and sugar overload (July 6, 2011) -- Excess nutrients, such as fat and sugar, don't just pack on the pounds but can push some cells in the body over the brink. Unable to tolerate this "toxic" environment, these cells commit suicide. Now, scientists have discovered three unexpected players that help a cell overloaded with fat initiate its own demise. ... > full story

Vitamin D can help elderly women survive, review suggests (July 6, 2011) -- Giving vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) to predominantly elderly women, mainly in institutional care, seems to increase survival. These women are likely to be vitamin D deficient with a significant risk of falls and fractures, according to a systematic review. ... > full story

A look back: Scientists raced to estimate oil flow from Deepwater Horizon Macondo well (July 6, 2011) -- The first two weeks of June 2010 were a blur for six Berkeley Lab scientists. As the world focused on the ongoing crisis in the Gulf of Mexico after the blowout of BP's Deepwater Horizon Macondo well, the scientists dropped everything to estimate how much oil was flowing from the mangled wellhead. Their research is recounted in a new article. ... > full story

Distract yourself or think it over? Two ways to deal with negative emotions (July 6, 2011) -- A big part of coping with life is having a flexible reaction to the ups and downs. Now, a new study finds that people choose to respond differently depending on how intense an emotion is. ... > full story

New force driving Earth's tectonic plates (July 6, 2011) -- Bringing fresh insight into long-standing debates about how powerful geological forces shape the planet, from earthquake ruptures to mountain formations, scientists have identified a new mechanism driving Earth's massive tectonic plates. ... > full story

Higher daily dose of aspirin could play key role in preventing heart attacks for those with diabetes (July 6, 2011) -- A new study has shed light on the use of aspirin as a preventative measure for cardiovascular disease and reoccurrence in patients with diabetes. The study collected data from clinical trials that looked at whether taking aspirin as a course of treatment would prevent a first or recurrent heart attack or stroke. ... > full story

Mercury vapor released from broken compact fluorescent light bulbs can exceed safe exposure levels for humans, study finds (July 6, 2011) -- Once broken, a compact fluorescent light bulb continuously releases mercury vapor into the air for weeks to months, and the total amount can exceed safe human exposure levels in a poorly ventilated room, according to a new study. ... > full story

A mother's salt intake could be key to prenatal kidney development (July 6, 2011) -- New animal study has drawn an association between pregnant mothers' sodium intake and their newborn's kidney development. ... > full story

You are what you tweet: Tracking public health trends with Twitter (July 6, 2011) -- Computer scientists have sifted through two billion 'tweets' for information on where people are sick, what ails them, and what they're doing about it. ... > full story

Socioeconomic status as child dictates response to stress as adult (July 6, 2011) -- When faced with threat, people who grew up poor are more likely to make risky financial choices in search of a quick windfall, according to new research. ... > full story

Hydrogen peroxide found in space (July 6, 2011) -- Molecules of hydrogen peroxide have been found for the first time in interstellar space. The discovery gives clues about the chemical link between two molecules critical for life: water and oxygen. On Earth, hydrogen peroxide plays a key role in the chemistry of water and ozone in our planet's atmosphere, and is familiar for its use as a disinfectant or to bleach hair blonde. Now it has been detected in space by astronomers using the European Southern Observatory-operated APEX telescope in Chile. ... > full story

Eggs' antioxidant properties may help prevent heart disease and cancer, study suggests (July 6, 2011) -- One of nature's most perfect foods may be even better for us than previously thought. While eggs are well known to be an excellent source of proteins, lipids, vitamins and minerals, researchers recently discovered they also contain antioxidant properties, which helps in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer. ... > full story

Unique gel capsule structure enables co-delivery of different types of drugs (July 6, 2011) -- Chemists have designed a multiple-compartment gel capsule that can simultaneously deliver hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. The microcapsules could be used for the treatment of diseases like cancer, which is often treated using combination chemotherapy. ... > full story

What causes brain cancer? Understanding glioblastoma at the genetic, molecular level (July 6, 2011) -- Glioblastoma is the most common and most lethal form of brain tumor in people. New research offers a novel way to determine what biological functions go awry when the tumor first begins to form. Understanding the problems at the molecular level might one day reveal the underlying mechanism of carcinogenesis in glioblastoma and ultimately lead to treatments or even preventative measures. ... > full story

Cod stick to their own shipwreck (July 6, 2011) -- Adult cod have, one would think, the entire ocean at their disposal, and yet apparently each individual cod still chooses 'their own' local shipwreck, which they swim back to faithfully day after day. This is just one of the fascinating results from research using acoustic tags which has yielded new insights into what cod get up to below the surface of the sea. ... > full story

Bigger than football: Study shows sports can help communities recover from disaster (July 6, 2011) -- A new study shows that organized sports can be a powerful tool for helping to rebuild communities in the wake of disasters. The research focused specifically on the role of professional football in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. ... > full story

Termites' digestive system could act as biofuel refinery (July 6, 2011) -- One of the peskiest household pests, while disastrous to homes, could prove to be a boon for cars, according to a new study. ... > full story

Researchers flip the switch between development and aging in C. elegans (July 6, 2011) -- When researchers dialed back activity of a specific mRNA translation factor in adult nematode worms they saw an unexpected genome-wide response that effectively increased activity in specific stress response genes that could help explain why the worms lived 40 percent longer under this condition. The study highlights the importance of mRNA translation in the aging process. ... > full story

New technology makes textiles permanently germ-free (July 6, 2011) -- Researchers have invented a new technology that can inexpensively render medical linens and clothing, face masks, paper towels -- and yes, even diapers, intimate apparel and athletic wear, including smelly socks -- permanently germ-free. ... > full story

Metabolic shift may offer early cancer clue (July 6, 2011) -- Cancer cells are well known for their altered metabolisms, which may help them generate the energy they need for rapid growth. Using an emerging imaging technology, researchers have discovered that those metabolic shifts actually develop even before detectable tumors form. By the same token, the studies in mice with liver cancer show that the altered tumor metabolism shifts back before established tumors shrink. ... > full story

Researchers push the boundary with high carbon emission scenarios (July 6, 2011) -- Researchers have, for the first time, modeled a climate system with extremely high carbon emissions in an attempt to test the boundaries of the current computer simulation programs that inform us. ... > full story

How the body learns to make accurate movements: In motor learning, it's actions -- not intentions -- that count (July 6, 2011) -- Albert Einstein defined insanity as "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Practicing the same task repetitively, though, tends to be the default procedure when trying to learn a new motor skill. A new study suggests that simple task repetition may not be the most efficient way for the brain to learn a new move. ... > full story

Naked mole-rat genome: Scientists sequence DNA of cancer-resistant rodent (July 6, 2011) -- Scientists have generated the first whole-genome sequencing data of the naked mole-rat, a rodent that is resistant to cancer and lives for more than 30 years. The naked mole-rat is native to the deserts of East Africa and has unique physical traits that allow it to survive in harsh environments for many years. It has a lack of pain sensation in its skin and has a low metabolic rate that allows it to live underground with limited oxygen supply. ... > full story

High folate intake may reduce risk of colorectal cancer (July 6, 2011) -- Intake of high levels of folate may reduce colorectal cancer risk, according to a new study. Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin that occurs naturally in food. ... > full story

New salmonella-based 'clean vaccines' aid the fight against infectious disease (July 6, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a technique to make recombinant attenuated salmonella vaccines safer and more effective. The group demonstrated that a modified strain of salmonella showed a five-fold reduction in virulence in mice, while preserving strong immunogenic properties. ... > full story

Botulinum toxin does not cure common forms of neck pain (July 6, 2011) -- There is no evidence that Botulinum toxin injections reduce chronic neck pain or associated headaches, says a group of scientists who reviewed nine trials involving a total of 503 participants. ... > full story

Sounding rockets study how winds in space drive currents in the upper atmosphere (July 6, 2011) -- This July, scientists will launch four rockets for a five-minute journey some 100 miles up into the atmosphere. The rockets will collect data on the charged particles as well as winds of neutral particles that sweep through the lower ionosphere and how each affects the other, ultimately causing these dynamo currents. ... > full story

Air pollution linked to learning and memory problems, depression (July 6, 2011) -- Long-term exposure to air pollution can lead to physical changes in the brain, as well as learning and memory problems and even depression, new research in mice suggests. While other studies have shown the damaging effects of polluted air on the heart and lungs, this is one of the first long-term studies to show the negative impact on the brain. ... > full story