ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Wednesday, September 7, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Wednesday, September 7, 2011

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Novel magnetic, superconducting material opens new possibilities in electronics (September 7, 2011) -- Scientists have reached a crucial milestone that could lead to a new class of materials with useful electronic properties. A research team has sandwiched two nonmagnetic insulators together and discovered a startling result: The layer where the two materials meet has both magnetic and superconducting regions -- two properties that normally can't co-exist. ... > full story

Poorer movement skills at seven months in children at risk of autism, study finds (September 7, 2011) -- Researchers report that poorer movement skills detected as early as 7 months old are observed in children at a higher risk of developing autistic spectrum disorder than children in the general population. ... > full story

Fetal tissue plays pivotal role in formation of insulin-producing cells; Mysterious mesenchyme is key piece of pancreatic puzzle (September 7, 2011) -- A somewhat mysterious soft tissue found in the fetus during early development in the womb plays a pivotal role in the formation of mature beta cells the sole source of the body's insulin. The discovery may lead to new ways of addressing Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. ... > full story

Hospitalized children who carry MRSA at risk for full-blown infections (September 7, 2011) -- A study of more than 3,000 hospitalized children shows that those colonized but not sick with the antibiotic-resistant bacterium MRSA are at considerable risk for developing full-blown infections. ... > full story

'Proton flux hypothesis' offers new explanation for effects of ocean acidification on coral reefs (September 7, 2011) -- A researcher in Hawaii has come up with a new explanation for the effects of ocean acidification on coral reefs: the "proton flux hypothesis" is that calcification of coral skeletons are dependent on the passage of hydrogen ions between the water column and the coral tissue. ... > full story

Cognitive changes may predict Alzheimer's disease development more accurately than biomarkers (September 7, 2011) -- Compared with changes in biomarkers, changes in cognitive abilities appear to be stronger predictors of whether an individual with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) will develop Alzheimer's disease, according to a new report. ... > full story

Breakthrough could double wireless capacity with no new towers (September 7, 2011) -- Engineering researchers have made a breakthrough that could allow wireless phone companies to double throughput on their networks without adding a single cell tower. The new "full-duplex" technology allows wireless devices like cell phones and electronic tablets to both "talk" and "listen" to wireless cell towers on the same frequency -- something that requires two frequencies today. ... > full story

Chondroitin sulfate improves hand function, relieves morning stiffness caused by osteoarthritis, study finds (September 7, 2011) -- New research shows that chondroitin sulfate significantly decreased pain and improved hand function in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand compared with those in the placebo group. Results of the clinical trial also show that chondroitin sulfate improves grip strength and relieves morning stiffness. ... > full story

When it comes to speaking out, cells wait their turn: Revealing how cells communicate, research could lead to new cancer drugs and more (September 7, 2011) -- New research has uncovered the mechanism that allows cells to switch from sender to receiver mode, inhibiting their own signals while receiving information from other cells. With this knowledge, researchers may be able to develop new cancer drugs that specifically target these transactions, potentially stopping cancer's uncontrollable proliferation. ... > full story

Scientists unravel the cause of rare genetic disease: Goldman-Favre Syndrome explained (September 7, 2011) -- New research will help ophthalmologists and scientists understand a genetic disease that causes increased susceptibility to blue light, night blindness, and decreased vision called Enhanced S-Cone Syndrome or Goldman-Favre Syndrome. Scientists found that the expression of genes responsible for healthy renewal of rods and cones in the retina was reduced and that this problem originates in the photoreceptors instead of the retinal pigment epithelial layer as once thought. ... > full story

Pretreatment, proper harvest time boost ethanol from switchgrass (September 7, 2011) -- Adding a pretreatment step would allow producers to get more ethanol from switchgrass harvested in the fall, according to a new study. ... > full story

Grief reactions subside in most children and teens whose parent dies suddenly, but may persist or increase in some cases (September 7, 2011) -- When a parent dies suddenly, most children and teens experience grief that fades over time, but some have increased or prolonged grief reactions that may increase the risk of depression and inability to function normally, according to a new report. ... > full story

Neurosurgeons use adult stem cells to grow neck vertebrae (September 6, 2011) -- Neurosurgery researchers have used a new, leading-edge stem cell therapy to promote the growth of bone tissue following the removal of cervical discs -- the cushions between the bones in the neck -- to relieve chronic, debilitating pain. ... > full story

Loss of key estrogen regulator may lead to metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis (September 6, 2011) -- Researchers have demonstrated that the loss of a key protein that regulates estrogen and immune activity in the body could lead to aspects of metabolic syndrome, a combination of conditions that can cause Type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis and cancer. ... > full story

Neutrinos: Ghostly particles with unstable egos (September 6, 2011) -- Neutrinos are known to be able to change their "flavors," or identities. But the rules that these fundamental particles follow when they alter their identity are not completely understood. A new study now suggests a non-zero value for one of the parameters governing the oscillation of neutrinos. Finding this neutrino property could ultimately help explain why matter formed in the early Universe. ... > full story

Children who have their adenoids out do not get fewer upper respiratory infections, study finds (September 6, 2011) -- Children who have their adenoids surgically removed do not get fewer upper respiratory tract infections such as sinusitis and colds, new research finds. ... > full story

Researchers pioneer novel technique to make plasmonic nanogap arrays (September 6, 2011) -- In the quest to exploit unique properties at the nanoscale, scientists have developed a novel technique for creating uniform arrays of metallic nanostructures. A team of researchers used methods from holographic lithography to demonstrate a new approach for scaling up the fabrication of plasmonic nanogap arrays while simultaneously reducing costs and infrastructure. ... > full story

Unconscious race and social bias among medical students: Study examines prevalence (September 6, 2011) -- A majority of first-year medical students at a single medical school who were surveyed regarding race and social class preferences had scores consistent with an unconscious preference towards white people and upper social class, although when presented with various clinical scenarios, these biases were not associated with the students' clinical assessments or decision making, according to a new study. ... > full story

Microbes generate electricity while cleaning up nuclear waste (September 6, 2011) -- Researchers have unraveled the mystery of how microbes generate electricity while cleaning up nuclear waste and other toxic metals. The implications could eventually benefit sites forever changed by nuclear contamination. ... > full story

Major advance in sleeping sickness drug (September 6, 2011) -- A new study presents a key advance in developing a safer cure for sleeping sickness. Researchers have created a version of the drug most commonly used to treat sleeping sickness which can be administered orally in pill form. ... > full story

Circadian clocks in a blind fish (September 6, 2011) -- Do animals that have evolved underground, completely isolated from the day-night cycle, still "know" what time it is? Does a normal circadian clock persist during evolution under constant darkness? A new study tackles these questions by investigating a species of cavefish which has lived for 2 million years beneath the Somalian desert, finding that it has an unusual circadian clock; it ticks with a period of up to 47 hours, and is completely blind. ... > full story

Immunogene therapy combined with standard treatment is safe for patients with brain tumors, study suggests (September 6, 2011) -- An early phase clinical trial has shown that a form of gene therapy is safe even when combined with radiation therapy for treating brain tumors such as glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and dangerous form of brain cancer. The novel treatment uses an adenovirus vector that is taken up by cancer cells where it activates a drug that kills the cells. ... > full story

People communicate in bursts: Rhythms of communication revealed in study of 9 billion phone calls (September 6, 2011) -- A new study, which has analyzed around 9 billion phone calls throughout almost a one-year period, is among the first to identify details of features of the communication process and to quantify their impact in the diffusion of information. The study found that people communicate in bursts. ... > full story

Window fall-related injuries among youth examined (September 6, 2011) -- Approximately 5,200 children and adolescents 17 years of age and younger were treated in US emergency departments each year from 1990 through 2008 for injuries sustained due to falls from windows. This translates to approximately 14 children being injured as the result of a window fall every day in the US. ... > full story

Milky Way galaxy might hold thousands of ticking 'time bombs' (September 6, 2011) -- In the Hollywood blockbuster "Speed," a bomb on a bus is rigged to blow up if the bus slows down below 50 miles per hour. The premise -- slow down and you explode -- makes for a great action movie plot, and also happens to have a cosmic equivalent. New research shows that some old stars might be held up by their rapid spins, and when they slow down, they explode as supernovae. Thousands of these "time bombs" could be scattered throughout our Galaxy. ... > full story

Lifetime 'dose' of excess weight linked to risk of diabetes (September 6, 2011) -- A new study shows the amount of extra weight carried by teens and young adults and how long they carry the extra weight impacts their risk for diabetes later in life. Researchers have revealed the risk is higher for blacks and Hispanics and their study shows another important reason for controlling obesity early in life. ... > full story

Study sharpens picture of how much oil and gas flowed in Deepwater Horizon spill (September 6, 2011) -- In a detailed assessment of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, researchers have determined that the blown-out Macondo well spewed oil at a rate of about 57,000 barrels a day, totaling nearly 5 million barrels of oil released from the well between Apr. 20 and July 15, 2010, when the leak was capped. In addition, the well released some 100 million standard cubic feet per day of natural gas. ... > full story

No link betweem menopause and increased risk of fatal heart, research suggests (September 6, 2011) -- Contradicting the long-held medical belief that the risk of cardiovascular death for women spikes sharply after menopause, new research suggests instead that heart disease mortality rates in women progress at a constant rate as they age. ... > full story

Foam that lasts and lasts and lasts, and disappears when you want (September 6, 2011) -- There’s nothing special about foaming soap solutions; however, a soap foam that lasts several months, even at 60°C, is unusual. Especially if the foam is made from a natural substance and can quickly be destroyed or restored only by changing ambient temperature. This research allows for new applications that will be of interest to manufacturers of cosmetics and detergents. ... > full story

Mother’s postpartum oxycodone use: No safer for breastfed infants than codeine, study suggests (September 6, 2011) -- Doctors have been prescribing codeine for postpartum pain management for many years, and, until recently, it was considered safe to breastfeed while taking the opioid. But the death of an infant exposed to codeine through breast milk has many health care providers questioning the safety of the drug when used by breastfeeding mothers. Because of the potential risks, some doctors have begun the practice of prescribing oxycodone as an alternative to codeine; however, a new study finds that oxycodone is no safer for breastfed infants than codeine. ... > full story

In more socially engaging environment, white fat turns to brown, mouse study suggests (September 6, 2011) -- When mice are given a more engaging place to live with greater opportunities for social stimulation, some of their energy-storing white fat is transformed to energy-burning brown fat. As a result, the animals expend more energy and lose weight even as they eat more. The findings point to the powerful effect that animals' social and physical environments can have on their metabolisms. ... > full story

Anti-inflammatory drugs taken in early pregnancy more than double risk of miscarriage, study finds (September 6, 2011) -- The risk of miscarriage is 2.4 times greater for women who took any type and dosage of non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in early pregnancy, according to a new study. ... > full story

Sharper views of Apollo 12, 14, 17 sites in new images from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (September 6, 2011) -- Researchers overseeing the imaging system on board NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter have released the sharpest images ever taken from space of the Apollo 12, 14 and 17 sites, more clearly showing the paths made when the astronauts explored these areas. ... > full story

Orchestrator of waste removal rescues cells that can't manage their trash (September 6, 2011) -- Just as we must take out the trash to keep our homes clean and safe, it is essential that our cells have mechanisms for dealing with wastes and worn-out proteins. When these processes are not working properly, unwanted debris builds up in the cell and creates a toxic environment. Now, a new study describes a master regulator of the intracellular recycling and waste removal process and suggests an alternative strategy for treatment of metabolic disorders associated with the abnormal accumulation of waste in the cell. ... > full story

Adaptation secrets of the 'desert bacterium' (September 6, 2011) -- Scientists have analyzed the genome of the bacterium Ramlibacter tataouinensis TTB310, also known as the "desert bacterium". Decoding of the genome revealed the presence of kaiC, a gene with a function that had previously been found only in certain photosynthetic bacteria. ... > full story

Aging eyes linked to sleepless nights, new study shows (September 6, 2011) -- A natural yellowing of the eye lens that absorbs blue light has been linked to sleep disorders in a group of test volunteers. The connection could help explain why sleep disorders become more frequent with increasing age. ... > full story

Couch potatoes explained? Missing key genes may be cause for lack of resolve to exercise, researchers find (September 6, 2011) -- You may think your lack of resolve to get off the couch to exercise is because you're lazy, but researchers have discovered it may be you are missing key genes. ... > full story

Even mild cognitive impairment appears to substantially increase risk for death, study suggests (September 6, 2011) -- Cognitive impairment, even when detected at an early, mild stage, is a significant predictor of decreased life expectancy, according to a long-term study by researchers. ... > full story

Record-low error rate for quantum information processing with one qubit (September 6, 2011) -- Physicists have achieved a record-low probability of error in quantum information processing with a single quantum bit (qubit) -- the first published error rate small enough to meet theoretical requirements for building viable quantum computers. ... > full story

A step toward a saliva test for cancer (September 6, 2011) -- A new saliva test can measure the amount of potential carcinogens stuck to a person's DNA -- interfering with the action of genes involved in health and disease -- and could lead to a commercial test to help determine risks for cancer and other diseases, scientists report. ... > full story

Crowd-sourcing the E. coli O104:H4 outbreak (September 6, 2011) -- Ten variants of the deadly Escherichia coli strain that hit Germany in May 2011 have been sequenced across the world. The unprecedented level of collaboration across the scientific community should give insight into how the outbreak arose, say scientists. ... > full story

A father's stress may affect his unborn children (September 6, 2011) -- Does Dad's stress affect his unborn children? According to the results of a new study, it seems the answer may be "yes, but it's complicated." ... > full story

Ancient humans were mixing it up: Anatomically modern humans interbred with more archaic hominin forms while in Africa (September 6, 2011) -- Anatomically modern humans interbred with more archaic hominin forms even before they migrated out of Africa, a team of researchers has found. The discovery suggests genetic exchange with their more morphologically diverged neighbors was more widespread than previously thought and all humans today may carry genes from now-extinct Homo species. ... > full story

Why men's ring fingers are longer than their index fingers: Male-female ring finger proportions tied to sex hormones in embryo (September 6, 2011) -- Providing a genetic explanation for a raft of studies that link finger proportions with traits ranging from sperm counts and musical ability to health problems such as autism, depression and heart attack, researchers have found that male and female digit proportions are determined by the balance of sex hormones during early embryonic development. ... > full story

Research gives crystal clear temperature readings from toughest environments (September 6, 2011) -- Researchers in the UK have developed a form of crystal that can deliver highly accurate temperature readings, down to individual milli-kelvins, over a very broad range of temperatures: from -120 to +680 degrees centigrade. ... > full story

New HIV vaccine approach targets desirable immune cells (September 6, 2011) -- Researchers have demonstrated an approach to HIV vaccine design that uses an altered form of HIV's outer coating or envelope protein. ... > full story

Tiny wires change behavior at nanoscale (September 6, 2011) -- Thin gold wires often used in high-end electronic applications are wonderfully flexible as well as conductive. But those qualities don't necessarily apply to the same wires at the nanoscale. A new study finds gold wires less than 20 nanometers wide can become "brittle-like" under stress. ... > full story

The emotional brain in youth: Research suggests how to diagnose and treat mood disorders in children and adolescents (September 6, 2011) -- In recent years, a considerable increase in the number of children and adolescents evaluated, diagnosed and treated for bipolar disorder has been noted. Bipolar-like symptoms are quite frequent in prepubertal children, but the age at which bipolar disorder can first be diagnosed remains controversial. Current neurobiological findings have advanced our understanding of emotional function and dysfunction in youth. ... > full story