ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Tuesday, July 12, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Tuesday, July 12, 2011

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

Most of world's 'missing species' live in known hotspots, study finds (July 12, 2011) -- Most of the world's "missing" or undiscovered species live in regions already identified by scientists as conservation priorities, according to a new study. ... > full story

Scientists solve mystery of nerve disease genes; Findings may lead to new therapies for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and other conditions (July 12, 2011) -- For several years, scientists have been pondering a question about a genetic disease called Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease type 2D: how can different types of mutations, spread out across a gene, produce the same condition? Now, a team of scientists may have found the answer. ... > full story

E. coli can survive in streambed sediments for months (July 12, 2011) -- Scientists have confirmed that the presence of Escherichia coli pathogens in surface waters could result from the pathogen's ability to survive for months in underwater sediments. ... > full story

Arthroscopic treatment of common hip problem improves range of motion, study finds (July 12, 2011) -- Arthroscopic treatment of a common hip problem that leads to arthritis is successful in terms of restoring range of motion, according to results from a recent study. ... > full story

'Automotive Internet': New app reduces motorway pile-ups by 40 percent (July 12, 2011) -- What do you do if you're driving down the motorway and 500 meters ahead of you there is an accident? Now there is an app that tells your car to stop. It does it in half the time of any of the applications, and in contrast to the systems already available on the market, not only does it act on what can be seen from your car but also on what is happening miles away. ... > full story

Smoking does not keep you slim, Swedish research shows (July 12, 2011) -- You might think that you will gain weight if you quit smoking. But it’s not that simple. Research from Sweden shows that smoking doesn’t help you get thinner. ... > full story

Deformed limbs one of several birth defects linked to smoking in pregnancy (July 12, 2011) -- Missing or deformed limbs, clubfoot, facial disorders and gastrointestinal problems are some of the most common birth defects found to be associated with smoking during pregnancy, according to a major new report. ... > full story

Mutations can spur dangerous identity crisis in cells (July 12, 2011) -- A new study brings scientists one step closer to developing treatments for issues associated with aging or chronic diseases in which cells lose their ability to maintain a stable pattern of gene expression. ... > full story

Telomeres: Two genes linked to why they stretch in cancer cells (July 12, 2011) -- Scientists have provided more clues to one of the least understood phenomena in some cancers: why the "ends caps" of cellular DNA, called telomeres, lengthen instead of shorten. ... > full story

Vitamin D insufficiency prevalent among psoriatic arthritis suffers (July 12, 2011) -- New research reports a high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency among patients with psoriatic arthritis. Seasonal variation in vitamin D levels was not observed in patients in southern or northern locations. The findings also show no association between disease activity and vitamin D level. ... > full story

LiquidText software supports active reading through fingertip manipulation of text (July 12, 2011) -- Researchers have developed innovative software for active reading, an activity that involves highlighting, outlining and taking notes on a document. Taking advantage of touch-screen tablet computers, LiquidText enables active readers to interact with documents using finger motions. LiquidText can significantly enhance the experiences of active readers, a group that includes students, lawyers, managers, corporate strategists and researchers. ... > full story

Satisfaction with the components of everyday life appears protective against heart disease (July 12, 2011) -- While depression and anxiety have long been recognized as risk factors for heart disease, there is less certainty over the beneficial effects of a "positive" psychological state, Now, following a study of almost 8,000 British civil servants, researchers say that a satisfying life is indeed good for the heart. ... > full story

Owl study expands understanding of human stereovision (July 11, 2011) -- Using owls as a model, a new research study reveals the advantage of stereopsis, commonly referred to as stereovision, is its ability to discriminate between objects and background, not in perceiving absolute depth. The findings show that owls see in stereo much like humans do. ... > full story

Key role of microRNAs in melanoma metastasis identified (July 11, 2011) -- Researchers have identified for the first time the key role specific microRNAs (miRNAs) play in melanoma metastasis to simultaneously cause cancer cells to invade and immunosuppress the human body's ability to fight abnormal cells. ... > full story

When viruses infect bacteria: Looking in vivo at virus-bacterium associations (July 11, 2011) -- Viruses are the most abundant parasites on Earth. Well known viruses, such as the flu virus, attack human hosts, while viruses such as the tobacco mosaic virus infect plant hosts. More common, but less understood, are cases of viruses infecting bacteria known as bacteriophages, or phages. In part, this is due to the difficulty of culturing bacteria and viruses that have been cut off from their usual biological surroundings in a process called in vitro. Researchers have now used a clever technique to look at virus-bacterium interactions in vivo, that is, within an organism's normal state. ... > full story

More oxygen in eyes of African-Americans may help explain glaucoma risk (July 11, 2011) -- Measuring oxygen during eye surgery, investigators have discovered a potential reason that African-Americans are at higher risk of getting glaucoma than Caucasians. They found that oxygen levels are significantly higher in the eyes of African-Americans with glaucoma than in Caucasians. ... > full story

First student hydrogen racing car revealed (July 11, 2011) -- A student team in the Netherlands has revealed its hydrogen-powered racing car. With this car, the students will be making their first appearance in Formula Student, a worldwide competition among 500 universities. The Delft DUT Racing Team will also be participating in the Formula Student race in the electric racing car they unveiled in June. ... > full story

Mortality rises, efficiency declines at teaching hospitals, due to 'July Effect' (July 11, 2011) -- Year-end changeovers in medical trainees are associated with increased mortality and decreased efficiency at teaching hospitals during the month of July, according to a new article. ... > full story

Physicists discover new way to produce antimatter-containing atom (July 11, 2011) -- Physicists report that they have discovered a new way to create positronium, an exotic and short-lived atom that could help answer what happened to antimatter in the universe, why nature favored matter over antimatter at the universe's creation. The method works at almost any temperature -- including very low temperatures. ... > full story

Do-it-yourself brain repair following stroke (July 11, 2011) -- Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability and death in the United States. New research has now identified a way to exploit one of the brain's self-repair mechanisms to protect nerve cells and enhance brain repair in rodent models of stroke. The authors of the research suggest that this approach could provide a nontoxic treatment for stroke. ... > full story

Genetic basis of rare human diseases described (July 11, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered how genetic mutations cause a number of rare human diseases, which include Meckel syndrome, Joubert syndrome and several other disorders. ... > full story

PXR: A stepping stone from environmental chemical to cancer? (July 11, 2011) -- Several chemicals that can accumulate to high levels in our body (for example, BPA and some pesticides) have been recently linked to an increased risk of cancer and/or impaired responsiveness to anticancer drugs. Researchers have now identified a potential mechanistic link between environmental exposure to these foreign chemicals (xenogens) and cancer drug therapy response and survival. ... > full story

California groundwater management trickles up from local sources (July 11, 2011) -- In a typical year, California gets about 30 percent of its water from groundwater wells. Yet when it comes to managing this precious resource, the state of California relies on a mixed bag of more than 2,000 local water agencies with varying degrees of authority. But some water districts have moved forward with innovative ideas on conservation -- even without state leadership. ... > full story

Resilience amongst the long term ill (July 11, 2011) -- People who have a long term debilitating physical illness demonstrate mental resilience, according to the world’s largest longitudinal household study. The first findings reveal that people diagnosed with cancer, diabetes, respiratory or cardiovascular disease report similar mental health scores to those without physical illness. The survey’s findings suggest that those people who may not be able to function well physically because of an illness do not necessarily suffer problems with their mental health -- for example, with their concentration, confidence and feelings of strain. ... > full story

Genetic switch for limbs and digits found in primitive fish: Before animals first walked on land, fish carried gene program for limbs (July 11, 2011) -- Genetic instructions for developing limbs and digits were present in primitive fish millions of years before their descendants first crawled on to land, researchers report. The successful swap suggests that the recipe for limb development is conserved in species separated by 400 million years of evolution. ... > full story

Epigenetic pathway and new drug show promise in reversing a hard-to-treat childhood cancer (July 11, 2011) -- A difficult-to-treat form of childhood leukemia relies on changes in the structure of DNA -- so-called epigenetic changes -- to wreak genomic havoc within white blood cells, according to one of two new studies. Researchers also showed that a new drug that blocks these changes could deactivate cancer-promoting genes and halt the growth of this cancer. ... > full story

Just add water and treat brain cancer: Freeze-dried gene therapy system avoids virus, potential complications (July 11, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a technique that delivers gene therapy into human brain cancer cells using nanoparticles that can be freeze-dried and stored for up to three months prior to use. The shelf-stable particles may obviate the need for virus-mediated gene therapy, which has been associated with safety concerns. ... > full story

'BPA-free' bottles live up to manufacturers' claims, new study suggests (July 11, 2011) -- Scientists have found that stainless steel- and/or co-polyester lined-aluminum bottles did not release BPA; however, aluminum bottles lined with epoxy-based resins still resulted in BPA contamination of liquids. ... > full story

Biofilters reduce carbon footprint of old landfill sites (July 11, 2011) -- Researchers in the US are testing biofilter systems as a viable alternative to releasing methane from passive landfill vents into the atmosphere. The technology could reduce the overall impact of old landfills on global warming. ... > full story

Just like teens, parents get personal on Facebook (July 11, 2011) -- They may not dress like Justin Bieber or Selena Gomez, but parents are a whole lot like their teenagers when it comes to their behavior on Facebook. ... > full story

Underwater Antarctic volcanoes discovered in the Southern Ocean (July 11, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered previously unknown volcanoes in the ocean waters around the remote South Sandwich Islands. Using ship-borne sea-floor mapping technology during research cruises onboard the RRS James Clark Ross, the scientists found 12 volcanoes beneath the sea surface -- some up to 3 km high. They found 5 km diameter craters left by collapsing volcanoes and seven active volcanoes visible above the sea as a chain of islands. ... > full story

Large human study links phthalates, BPA and thyroid hormone levels (July 11, 2011) -- A link between chemicals called phthalates and thyroid hormone levels was recently confirmed in the first large-scale and nationally representative study of phthalates and BPA in relation to thyroid function in humans. ... > full story

'Unnatural' chemical allows researchers to watch protein action in brain cells (July 11, 2011) -- Researchers have been able to genetically incorporate "unnatural" amino acids, such as those emitting green fluorescence, into neural stem cells, which then differentiate into brain neurons with the incandescent "tag" intact. ... > full story

Fight against sepsis: Fibrin, a product of the blood clotting process, is key to protection during gram-negative sepsis (July 11, 2011) -- New research may help to explain why anticoagulant therapies have largely failed to extend the lives of patients with sepsis. The study shows that fibrin, a key product of the blood clotting process, is critical for host defense against Yersinia enterocolitica, a gram-negative bacterium that causes sepsis in humans and experimental mice. ... > full story

Natural pain relief from poisonous shrub? (July 11, 2011) -- An extract of the poisonous shrub Jatropha curcas acts as a strong painkiller and may have a mode of action different from conventional analgesics, such as morphine and other pharmaceuticals. ... > full story

The truth about cats and dogs: Pets are good for mental health of 'everyday people' (July 11, 2011) -- Pets can serve as important sources of social and emotional support for "everyday people," not just individuals facing significant health challenges, according to new research. ... > full story

Researchers build an antenna for light (July 11, 2011) -- Researchers have derived inspiration from the photosynthetic apparatus in plants to engineer a new generation of nanomaterials that control and direct the energy absorbed from light. ... > full story

Scientists discover first gonorrhea strain resistant to all available antibiotics (July 11, 2011) -- An international research team has discovered a strain of gonorrhea resistant to all currently available antibiotics. This new strain is likely to transform a common and once easily treatable infection into a global threat to public health. ... > full story

High-resolution imaging technology reveals cellular details of coronary arteries (July 11, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a one-micrometer-resolution version of the intravascular imaging technology optical coherence tomography that can reveal cellular and subcellular features of coronary artery disease. ... > full story

Male smokers less likely to need joint replacement surgery of hip or knee (July 11, 2011) -- Surprising results from a new study revealed that men who smoke had less risk of undergoing total joint replacement surgery than those who never smoked. Researchers also reported that men who were overweight, or who engaged in vigorous physical activity were more likely to need arthroplasty. ... > full story

The perfect connection between guitar and computer (July 11, 2011) -- Guitar virtuosos have to master all kinds of playing techniques. But how can the intricate process of playing the instrument be captured digitally? A special thin film on the tailpiece has the answer. Functioning as a sensor, it converts the tension on the string into digital control signals. ... > full story

Out-of-body experiences linked to neural instability and biases in body representation (July 11, 2011) -- Although out-of-body experiences (OBEs) are typically associated with migraine, epilepsy and psychopathology, they are quite common in healthy and psychologically normal individuals as well. However, they are poorly understood. A new study has linked these experiences to neural instabilities in the brain’s temporal lobes and to errors in the body’s sense of itself – even in non clinical populations. ... > full story

Climate change reducing ocean's carbon dioxide uptake, new analysis shows (July 11, 2011) -- How deep is the ocean's capacity to buffer against climate change? As one of the planet's largest single carbon absorbers, the ocean takes up roughly one-third of all human carbon emissions, reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide and its associated global changes. But whether the ocean can continue mopping up human-produced carbon at the same rate is still up in the air. In a new analysis, researchers identify a likely source of many of those inconsistencies and provide some of the first observational evidence that climate change is negatively impacting the ocean carbon sink. ... > full story

New genetic clues for schizophrenia; De novo mutations more frequent, study finds (July 11, 2011) -- De novo mutations -- genetic errors that are present in patients but not in their parents -- are more frequent in schizophrenic patients than in normal individuals, according to an international group of scientists. ... > full story

Ant colonies: Behavioral variability wins (July 11, 2011) -- They attack other colonies, plunder and rob, kill other colonies' inhabitants or keep them as slaves: Ants are usually regarded as prototypes of social beings that are prepared to sacrifice their lives for their community, but they can also display extremely aggressive behavior towards other nests. Evolutionary biologists in Germany have found that ant colonies are more productive and raise more offspring when the workers in the colony display considerable variation in their levels of aggression. This variation in aggression is possibly part of their division of labor, which is regarded as the basis of the success of social insect societies. ... > full story

Vitamin D lower in NFL football players who suffered muscled injuries, study suggests (July 11, 2011) -- Vitamin D deficiency has been known to cause an assortment of health problems. Now, a new study suggests that lack of the vitamin might also increase the chance of muscle injuries in athletes, specifically NFL football players. ... > full story

A flash of insight: Chemist uses lasers to see proteins at work (July 11, 2011) -- Scientists think they have an important brain transport protein -- glutamate transporter -- figured out. And they are using a novel approach to spy on them by taking aim with lasers. ... > full story

Ethnic, gender stereotypes bias treatment of Parkinson's disease (July 11, 2011) -- Cultural, ethnic and gender stereotypes can significantly distort clinical judgments about "facially masked" patients with Parkinson's disease, according to a newly published study. ... > full story