ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Tuesday, August 16, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Tuesday, August 16, 2011

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Measurements reveal extent of leakage from Japan's damaged Fukushima reactor (August 16, 2011) -- From distance of 5,800 miles, researchers calculated how much radiation leaked from damaged fuel at the Fukushima nuclear reactor after an earthquake and tsunami disabled normal cooling systems. Nuclear reactions in the seawater used to douse overheating fuel created a pulse of radioactive sulfur dioxide gas and sulfate particles that revealed the magnitude of the leak. This labeled sulfur will also help researchers to trace sulfur in the atmosphere, an important factor for understanding climate change. ... > full story

Pre-pregnancy overweight may program teen asthma symptoms (August 16, 2011) -- Moms who are overweight or obese when they become pregnant may be programming their children to have asthma -- like respiratory symptoms during adolescence, suggests new research. ... > full story

Researchers discover freshwater mussel species thought to be extinct (August 16, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered fresh remains of a freshwater mussel species thought to be extinct in Texas. ... > full story

New anti-inflammatory agents silence overactive immune response (August 16, 2011) -- A new way to fight inflammation uses molecules called polymers to mop up the debris of damaged cells before the immune system becomes abnormally active, researchers report. ... > full story

New device exposes explosive vapors (August 16, 2011) -- Researchers have designed an ultra-portable device to detect trace amounts of explosives such as TNT. The prototype is sensitive and inexpensive, and may one day be adapted to help clear dangerous landmines. ... > full story

The nag factor: How do children convince their parents to buy unhealthy foods? (August 16, 2011) -- To better understand the media's impact on children's health, a team of researchers examined the "nag factor." The "nag factor" is the tendency of children, who are bombarded with marketers' messages, to unrelentingly request advertised items. ... > full story

Biologists confirm sunflower domesticated in eastern North America (August 16, 2011) -- New genetic evidence confirms what is now the eastern United States as the single geographic domestication site of modern sunflowers. ... > full story

Salmonella stays deadly with a 'beta' version of cell behavior (August 16, 2011) -- Salmonella cells have hijacked the protein-building process to maintain their ability to cause illness, new research suggests. Scientists say that these bacteria have modified what has long been considered typical cell behavior by using a beta form of an amino acid -- as opposed to an alpha form -- during the act of making proteins. ... > full story

Enzyme found disrupting nerve cell communication in Alzheimer's disease (August 16, 2011) -- Researchers have found that beta-amyloid-induced destruction of synapses -- connections that mediate communication between nerve cells -- is driven by a chemical modification to the enzyme Cdk5. This altered form of Cdk5 (SNO-Cdk5) was prevalent in human Alzheimer's disease brains, but not in normal brains, suggesting that SNO-Cdk5 could be targeted for the development of new Alzheimer's disease therapies. ... > full story

Stem cells central to pathogenesis of mature lymphoid tumors (August 16, 2011) -- New research suggests that blood stem cells can be involved in the generation of leukemia, even when the leukemia is caused by the abnormal proliferation of mature cells. The study may guide future strategies aimed at identifying therapeutic targets for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. ... > full story

Pathogen research inspires robotics design for medicine and military (August 16, 2011) -- Researchers have made significant findings about the swimming and attachment of the microorganism Giardia. The findings can aid in designs for drug discovery and underwater vehicles. ... > full story

Jailhouse phone calls reveal why domestic violence victims recant (August 16, 2011) -- A new study uses -- for the first time -- recorded jailhouse telephone conversations between men charged with felony domestic violence and their victims to help reveal why some victims decide not to follow through on the charges. Researchers listened to telephone conversations between 17 accused male abusers in a Washington state detention facility and their female victims, all of whom decided to withdraw their accusations of abuse.  ... > full story

E. coli, Salmonella may lurk in unwashable places in produce (August 15, 2011) -- Sanitizing the outside of produce may not be enough to remove harmful food pathogens, according to a new study that demonstrated that Salmonella and E. coli can live inside plant tissues. ... > full story

Molecular delivery truck serves gene therapy cocktail (August 15, 2011) -- In a kind of molecular gymnastics, scientists have devised a gene therapy cocktail that has the potential to treat some inherited diseases associated with "misfolded" proteins. ... > full story

Astronomy: A spectacular spiral in Leo (August 15, 2011) -- A new picture shows NGC 3521, a spiral galaxy located about 35 million light years away in the constellation of Leo (The Lion). Spanning about 50,000 light-years, this spectacular object has a bright and compact nucleus, surrounded by richly detailed spiral structure. ... > full story

How excess alcohol depresses immune function (August 15, 2011) -- Alcoholism suppresses the immune system, resulting in a high risk of serious, and even life-threatening infections. A new study shows that this effect stems largely from alcohol's toxicity to immune system cells called dendritic cells. These cells play a critical role in immune function, responding to danger signals by searching for unfamiliar antigens within the body that would be coming from invading microbes, and presenting such antigens to T cells, thus activating them to seek and destroy cells containing these antigens. ... > full story

Assessing global status of tuna and billfish stocks (August 15, 2011) -- A global study quantifies the threat to tuna and billfish populations around the world. The seven threatened species are southern bluefin tuna, Atlantic bluefin tuna, bigeye tuna, blue marlin, white marlin, and two species of Spanish mackerels. Researchers says two main factors contribute to these fishes' troubled status: the tunas' high dollar value leads to heavy fishing pressure, and all the species are slow to reach sexual maturity, prolonging any recovery from over-fishing. ... > full story

Inflexibility may give pupils with autism problems in multitasking (August 15, 2011) -- Young people with autism may find it difficult to multitask because they stick rigidly to tasks in the order they are given to them, according to new research. ... > full story

Rapid evolution within single crop-growing season increases insect pest numbers (August 15, 2011) -- New research shows that evolution can occur so rapidly in organisms that its impact on population numbers and other aspects of biology can be seen within just a few generations. Working on aphids, the researchers found that even without human interference natural selection acting on aphid populations caused rapid evolution. The research can improve scientists' ability to predict the growth and spread of endangered species, invasive species, and disease epidemics. ... > full story

Inhibiting key enzymes kills difficult tumor cells in mice (August 15, 2011) -- Tumors that do not respond to chemotherapy are the target of a cancer therapy that prevents the function of two enzymes in mouse tumor cells, according to medical researchers. ... > full story

Disorder is key to nanotube mystery (August 15, 2011) -- Researchers have observed that water spontaneously flows into extremely small tubes of graphite or graphene, called carbon nanotubes. However, no one has managed to explain why. Now, using a novel method to calculate the dynamics of water molecules, researchers believe they have solved the mystery. It turns out that entropy, a measurement of disorder, has been the missing key. ... > full story

Scientists find easier, cheaper way to make a sought-after chemical modification to pharmaceuticals (August 15, 2011) -- Scientists have devised a much easier technique for performing a chemical modification used widely in the synthesis of drugs and other products. ... > full story

Staying in shape: How the Internet architecture got its hourglass shape and what that means for future Internet architectures (August 15, 2011) -- A new computer model that describes the evolution of the Internet's architecture suggests that a process similar to natural evolution took place to determine which protocols survived and which ones became extinct. Understanding the evolution may help the designers of future Internet architectures. ... > full story

Psychologists interrupt the miserable cycle of social insecurity (August 15, 2011) -- Tom likes Susan but he fears she does not like him. Expecting to be rejected, he's cold toward Susan. And guess what? She snubs him back. His prophesy is self-fulfilled, his social insecurity reinforced. The miserable cycle continues. ... > full story

Profound reorganization in brains of adults who stutter: Auditory-motor integration located in different part of brain (August 15, 2011) -- Hearing Beethoven while reciting Shakespeare can suppress even a King's stutter, as recently illustrated in the movie "The King's Speech". This dramatic but short-lived effect of hiding the sound of one's own speech indicates that the integration of hearing and motor functions plays some role in the fluency (or dysfluency) of speech. New research has shown that in adults who have stuttered since childhood the processes of auditory-motor integration are indeed located in a different part of the brain to those in adults who do not stutter. ... > full story

Pathway of infection for a common, potentially life-threatening respiratory virus described (August 15, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a new treatment target for a virus that causes severe lung infections and an estimated 10 percent of common colds. ... > full story

First data from Daya Bay: Closing in on a neutrino mystery (August 15, 2011) -- The international Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment in southern China has just begun collecting data on the elusive final measurement needed before the masses of the different kinds of neutrinos can be determined. ... > full story

New insight into the regulation of stem cells and cancer cells (August 15, 2011) -- Scientists have gained new insight into the delicate relationship between two proteins that, when out of balance, can prevent the normal development of stem cells in the heart and may also be important in some types of cancer. ... > full story

Acoustic cloaking device echoes advances in optical cloaking (August 15, 2011) -- Sound waves that would normally bounce and scatter off objects may be coaxed into slipping past them as if they weren't there, according to a new study that suggests the potential of an acoustical cloaking device. ... > full story

Conflict levels don't change much over course of marriage (August 15, 2011) -- Think about how much you fight and argue with your spouse today. A new study suggests that your current level of conflict probably won't change much for the remainder of your marriage. That may be good news for the 16 percent of couples who report little conflict or even the 60 percent who have only moderate levels of conflict. But it's not such happy news for the 22 percent of couples who say they fight and argue with each other a lot. ... > full story

Increased tropical forest growth could release carbon from the soil (August 15, 2011) -- A new study shows that as climate change enhances tree growth in tropical forests, the resulting increase in litterfall could stimulate soil microorganisms leading to a release of stored soil carbon. ... > full story

Exercise may help prevent brain damage caused by Alzheimer's disease (August 15, 2011) -- Regular exercise could help prevent brain damage associated with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, according to new research. ... > full story

A cosmic inkblot test: Spitzer captures view of Dumbbell Nebula (August 15, 2011) -- If this were an inkblot test, you might see a bow tie or a butterfly depending on your personality. An astronomer would likely see the remains of a dying star scattered about space -- precisely what this is. NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope captured this infrared view of what's called a planetary nebula, which is a cloud of material expelled by a burnt out star, called a white dwarf. This object is named the Dumbbell Nebula after its resemblance to the exercise equipment in visible-light views. ... > full story

Maternal IV fluids linked to newborns' weight loss (August 15, 2011) -- A newborn baby's weight loss is often used to determine how well a baby is breastfeeding. However, many women receive IV fluids during labor, and new research shows that some of a newborn's initial weight loss may be due to the infant regulating its hydration and not related to a lack of breast milk. ... > full story

New nanostructured glass for imaging and recording (August 15, 2011) -- Researchers have developed new nano-structured glass optical elements, which have applications in optical manipulation and will significantly reduce the cost of medical imaging. ... > full story

Women's quest to be 'romantically desirable' can conflict with scientific pursuits, study suggests (August 15, 2011) -- Four new studies have found that when a woman's goal is to be romantically desirable, she distances herself from academic majors and activities related to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). ... > full story

Mysterious fossils provide new clues to insect evolution (August 15, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered a new insect order from the Lower Cretaceous of South America. The spectacular fossils were named Coxoplectoptera by their discoverers and represent extinct relatives of modern mayflies. ... > full story

New clue to Parkinson's: Shape of key protein surprises researchers (August 15, 2011) -- Alpha-synuclein -- a protein that forms clumps in the brains of patients with Parkinson's -- has likely been mischaracterized. Scientists have long assumed that alpha-synuclein occurs in healthy cells as a single, randomly-coiled chain of chemical building blocks. This study, however, demonstrates that alpha-synuclein occurs in healthy cells as a tidy package assembled from four identical chains with orderly folds. The finding opens the door to a new therapeutic approach. ... > full story

Worldwide map identifies important coral reefs exposed to stress (August 15, 2011) -- Marine researchers have created a map of the world's corals and their exposure to stress factors, including high temperatures, ultra-violet radiation, weather systems, sedimentation, as well as stress-reducing factors such as temperature variability and tidal dynamics. ... > full story

A VIP for normal brain development (August 15, 2011) -- New research has identified a signaling pathway key for normal brain development in mice. Of paramount importance, the data generated suggest that environmental factors, including maternal ones, can influence the final size of the brain. ... > full story

Forecasting and preventing pipe fractures (August 15, 2011) -- A computer model that tests automobile components for crashworthiness could also be of use to the oil and gas industry, according to researchers, who are now using their simulations of material deformation in car crashes to predict how pipes may fracture in offshore drilling accidents. ... > full story

Male acts of bravery increase accidental death: Effects of male aggression in response to insult most felt in states with 'culture of honor', study suggests (August 15, 2011) -- Men sometimes prove themselves by taking risks that demonstrate their toughness and bravery. Putting yourself in peril might establish manliness, but it can also lead to high rates of accidental death, particularly among men who live in states with a "culture of honor," according to a new study. ... > full story

Effortless sailing with fluid flow cloak (August 15, 2011) -- Engineers have already shown that they can "cloak" light and sound, making objects invisible. Now, they have demonstrated the theoretical ability to significantly increase the efficiency of ships by tricking the surrounding water into staying still. ... > full story

New discovery may eliminate potentially lethal side effect of stem cell therapy (August 15, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a way to remove these pluripotent human embryonic stem cells from their progeny before the differentiated cells are used in humans. ... > full story

Bolstering genetic diversity among cheetahs (August 15, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered why older females are rarely able to reproduce -- and hope to use this information to introduce vital new genes into the pool. Scientists analyzed hormones, eggs and the uteri of 34 cheetahs at eight institutions, and determined that while the hormones and eggs of cheetahs older than 8 years appear normal, the animals' uterine tracks tend to suffer from abnormal cell growth, infections and cysts that prevent pregnancy. ... > full story

Use of CT scans in emergency rooms increased 330 percent in 12 years, U.S. study shows (August 15, 2011) -- A review of national U.S. data from 1996 through 2007 reveals a sharp uptick in the use of computed tomography, or CT, scans to diagnose illnesses in emergency departments, a new study finds. The rate of CT use grew 11 times faster than the rate of ED visits during the study period. ... > full story

Avatar-based Virtual Co-driver System replaces vehicle owner's manuals (August 15, 2011) -- Flashing signal lamps and unfamiliar control elements tend to worry car drivers. Scientists in Germany in cooperation with engineers at Audi AG have developed an Avatar-based Virtual Co-driver System (AviCoS) to support the driver with explicit information on the vehicle in a natural-language dialog -- supported by images and videos -- making cumbersome paging through owner's manuals a thing of the past. ... > full story

TV time: Why children watch multi-screens (August 15, 2011) -- New research examines the relationship children have with electronic viewing devices and their habits of interacting with more than one at a time. ... > full story