ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Tuesday, September 27, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Tuesday, September 27, 2011

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

Changing race by changing clothes? Stereotypes and status symbols impact if a face is viewed as black or white (September 27, 2011) -- Perception of race is altered by cues as simple as the clothes worn. Computerized faces accompanied by business attire were more likely to be seen as white; faces with blue-collar attire were more likely to be seen as black. Tracking study participants' hand movements while using a computer mouse to choose a racial category revealed subtle evidence of bias. ... > full story

High blood pressure is linked to increased risk of developing or dying from cancer (September 27, 2011) -- Raised blood pressure is linked to a higher risk of developing cancer or dying from the disease according to the findings of the largest study to date to investigate the association between the two conditions. There had been contradictory results from previous, smaller studies investigating the link between cancer and blood pressure. However, this new study, which included 289,454 men and 288,345 women, showed that higher than normal blood pressure was statistically significantly associated with a 10-20% higher risk of developing cancer in men, and a higher risk of dying from the disease in both men and women. ... > full story

New method cleans up textile industry’s most dangerous chemicals (September 27, 2011) -- Textile dying is one of the most environmentally hazardous aspects of the textile industry. During dying, harmful chemicals that are difficult to break down are released, all too often into rivers and agricultural land. However, a researcher in Sweden has developed a new, environmentally friendly purification process which leaves only clean water. ... > full story

Chemotherapy during pregnancy does not seem to cause developmental problems in children (September 27, 2011) -- Children born after their mothers were treated with chemotherapy during pregnancy appear to be unaffected by the experience in terms of the development of their mental processes and the normal functioning of their hearts. This is the first time that children of 18 months and older have been examined after chemotherapy during pregnancy. Researchers found that prematurity did affect these children's cognitive development significantly. ... > full story

Wind power: Long-term wind speed changes estimated (September 27, 2011) -- Scientists are taking the first steps to improve estimates of long-term wind speed changes for the fast-growing wind energy sector. The research is intended to identify the risks for generators in a changing climate. ... > full story

Wanna save? Keep it simple, says new research (September 27, 2011) -- If one savings goal is a good thing, two or more should be great, right? Not really. Those who want to save are more apt to keep socking money away and more of it too, if they have just one goal in mind, shows work done in multiple countries. ... > full story

Fossil of an armored dinosaur hatchling: Youngest nodosaur ever discovered (September 27, 2011) -- Researchers with help from an amateur fossil hunter have described the fossil of an armored dinosaur hatchling. It is the youngest nodosaur ever discovered, and a founder of a new genus and species that lived approximately 110 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous Era. Nodosaurs have been found in diverse locations worldwide, but they've rarely been found in the United States. ... > full story

Researchers uncover gene associated with blood cancers; New genetic insights could facilitate screening for mutation (September 27, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a gene frequently mutated in myelodysplasia, one of the most common forms of blood cancer. Patients with a mutation in SF3B1 had a better overall chance of survival compared to those without the mutation, suggesting that the SF3B1 mutations drive a more benign form of myelodysplasia. It is hoped that, in the future, patients could be screened for SF3B1 mutations through a single blood test. ... > full story

Plant 'body clock' observed in tropical rainforest; Research to aid ozone pollution predictions (September 27, 2011) -- Predictions of the ground-level pollutant ozone may be more accurate in the future, thanks to new research into plant circadian rhythms. Ozone is formed in the atmosphere when volatile organic compounds like isoprene -- which is emitted by some plants - react with nitrogen oxides from car engines or industry. Ozone at ground level is very harmful to human health, may decrease crop yields, and is a greenhouse gas. Researchers have now found that the rate at which plants emit isoprene is influenced by their body clock or circadian rhythm. ... > full story

Hip fracture is associated with increased short-term death rates for some older women, study finds (September 27, 2011) -- Hip fracture is associated with an increase in short-term mortality (death within one year) for women ages 65 to 79 years and healthy women ages 80 years and older, although the risk returns to previous levels after one year for women ages 70 years and older, according to a new report. ... > full story

Reducing costs of metal casting with plasma technology (September 27, 2011) -- Researchers in Spain are undertaking the innovation of casting processes with its "plasma torch." This new system enables great precision when heating the metal, thus reducing operational costs, enhancing metallurgical quality and saving energy. ... > full story

Role of gender in workplace negotiations (September 27, 2011) -- A new study finds that while women fare worse economically than men in many distributive negotiations, including salary negotiations, women do not lack the capability or motivation to bargain effectively. Instead, women are simultaneously negotiating social approval in light of gender role expectations. ... > full story

Deep brain stimulation studies show how brain buys time for tough choices (September 26, 2011) -- Some people who receive deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease behave impulsively, making quick, often bad, decisions. New research explains why and shows that under normal circumstances key parts of the brain collaborate to buy time for careful consideration of difficult decisions. ... > full story

Mice stem cells guided into myelinating cells by the trillions (September 26, 2011) -- Scientists have found a way to rapidly produce pure populations of cells that grow into the protective myelin coating on nerves in mice. Their process opens a door to research and potential treatments for multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and other demyelinating diseases afflicting millions of people worldwide. ... > full story

Bimetallic nanoantenna separates colors of light (September 26, 2011) -- Researchers have built a very simple nanoantenna that directs red and blue colors in opposite directions, even though the antenna is smaller than the wavelength of light. The findings can lead to optical nanosensors being able to detect very low concentrations of gases or biomolecules. ... > full story

Zoledronic acid reduces the recurrence of breast cancer in post-menopausal women, study finds (September 26, 2011) -- A trial investigating the use of zoledronic acid to aid chemotherapy for breast cancer has found a significant benefit for post-menopausal women. The overall survival rate in post-menopausal women was 85 percent compared to 79 percent for women who did not receive zoledronic acid. Researchers in the multi-center AZURE trial think it could be the key for a greater understanding of the mechanisms of breast cancer recurrence. ... > full story

Researchers develop optimal algorithm for determining focus error in eyes and cameras (September 26, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered how to extract and use information in an individual image to determine how far objects are from the focus distance, a feat only accomplished by human and animal visual systems until now. ... > full story

Many U.S. physicians believe their own patients are receiving too much care, survey shows (September 26, 2011) -- A survey of U.S. primary care physicians shows that many believe that their own patients are receiving too much medical care and many feel that malpractice reform, realignment of financial incentives and having more time with patients could reduce pressures on physicians to do more than they feel is needed, according to a new report. ... > full story

Salty water and gas sucked into Earth's interior helps unravel planetary evolution (September 26, 2011) -- An international team of scientists has provided new insights into the processes behind the evolution of the planet by demonstrating how salty water and gases transfer from the atmosphere into the Earth's interior. ... > full story

Marker for Alzheimer's disease rises during day and falls with sleep (September 26, 2011) -- A marker for Alzheimer's disease rises and falls in the spinal fluid in a daily pattern that echoes the sleep cycle, researchers have found. The pattern is strongest in healthy young people and reinforces a link between increased Alzheimer's risk and inadequate sleep that had been discovered in animal models. ... > full story

How graphene's electrical properties can be tuned (September 26, 2011) -- Graphene is ideally suited for creating components for semiconductor circuits and computers. Now, an accidental discovery in a physicist's laboratory, provides a unique route for tuning the electrical properties of graphene. The researchers found that stacking up three layers of graphene, like pancakes, significantly modifies the material's electrical properties. This simple and convenient "tuning knob" holds great promise for replacing silicon with graphene in the microchip industry. ... > full story

Cardiac rehabilitation improves heart rate recovery, boosts survival, study suggests (September 26, 2011) -- Cardiac rehabilitation improves the heart's ability to return to a normal rate after exercise. Heart disease patients with normal heart rate recovery live longer than those with slow heart rate recovery. ... > full story

Public image of chemistry: Breaking chemistry's bad rap (September 26, 2011) -- A new show "Breaking Bad" makes chemistry entertaining but is not improving chemistry's tarnished public image, according to a new article. ... > full story

Is gallows humor in medicine wrong? (September 26, 2011) -- Doctors and other medical professionals occasionally joke about their patients' problems. Some of these jokes are clearly wrong, but some joking between medical professionals is not only ethical, it can actually be beneficial, concludes an ne article. ... > full story

Scientists discover an organizing principle for our sense of smell based on pleasantness (September 26, 2011) -- The fact that certain smells cause us pleasure or disgust would seem to be a matter of personal taste. But new research shows that odors can be rated on a scale of pleasantness, and this turns out to be an organizing principle for the way we experience smell. ... > full story

Diabetics' coronary calcium levels strongly linked to heart attack risk (September 26, 2011) -- Notable levels of calcium buildup in coronary arteries can be strong predictors of heart attacks and strokes in people with diabetes and metabolic syndrome, according to a new study. ... > full story

Glow-in-the-dark millipede says 'stay away' (September 26, 2011) -- Entomologists have unraveled the mystery of the world's only millipedes that glow in the dark. Using a clever field study approach, the research team was able to show that emitting a greenish glow helps the multi-legged, nocturnal arthropods fend off natural enemies. ... > full story

Poisonous effect of intestinal bacteria explained: Researchers identify site of action of cytotoxin produced by 'hypervirulent' intestinal flora (September 26, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered the cell receptor for the toxin CDT of the bacterium Clostridium difficile. These germs often cause an inflammation of the colon in patients who have recently received a treatment with antibiotics. ... > full story

Cheap and efficient solar cell made possible by linked nanoparticles (September 26, 2011) -- Researchers have demonstrated that electrons can move freely in layers of linked semiconductor nanoparticles under the influence of light. This new knowledge will be very useful for the development of cheap and efficient quantum dot solar cells. ... > full story

Older fathers no detriment to their children's grades, study suggests (September 26, 2011) -- Children of older fathers do not perform any worse in school than those with fathers in their 30s, as researchers had once feared, a new study has found. ... > full story

Climatic fluctuations drove key events in human evolution, researchers find (September 26, 2011) -- Researchers have found that periods of rapid fluctuation in temperature coincided with the emergence of the first distant relatives of human beings and the appearance and spread of stone tools. ... > full story

People hospitalized with asthma 'less likely to die from swine flu', study finds (September 26, 2011) -- People with asthma who are admitted to hospital with pandemic influenza H1N1 (swine flu) are half as likely to die or require intensive care than those without asthma, according to new research. ... > full story

Better lithium-ion batteries are on the way (September 26, 2011) -- Lithium-ion batteries power everything from smart phones to electric cars, but especially when it comes to lowering the cost and extending the range of all-electric vehicles, they need to store a lot more energy. The critical component for energy storage is the anode, and scientists have developed a new anode material that can absorb eight times the lithium and has far greater energy capacity than today's designs. ... > full story

Breast cancer tumor make-up changes through the course of disease (September 26, 2011) -- New research has found that breast cancer tumors change their hormonal status throughout the course of disease, whereas the decision about the most effective treatment for the patient is usually only based on one biopsy of the primary tumor. For some patients, biopsy verifications of any relapse may completely change their clinical management, according to the first sizable study to look at changes in tumors in multiple relapses in breast cancer patients. ... > full story

Structure of a molecular copy machine: How mitochondrial genes are transcribed (September 26, 2011) -- Mitochondria are compartments within cells and have their own DNA. The key protein required for the expression of the genetic information in this DNA is the mitochondrial RNA polymerase enzyme. Its three-dimensional structure has now been determined in atomic detail. ... > full story

Feathered friends are far from bird-brained when building nests (September 26, 2011) -- Nest-building is not just instinctive but is a skill that birds learn from experience, research suggests. Scientists filmed male Southern Masked Weaver birds in Botswana as they built multiple nests out of grass during a breeding season. Their findings contrast with the commonly-held assumption among scientists that nest-building is an innate ability. ... > full story

Invasion of genomic parasites triggered modern mammalian pregnancy, study finds (September 26, 2011) -- Genetic parasites invaded the mammalian genome more than 100 million years ago and dramatically changed the way mammals reproduce -- transforming the uterus in the ancestors of humans and other mammals from the production of eggs to a nurturing home for developing young, a new study has found. ... > full story

Compound kills highly contagious flu strain by activating antiviral protein (September 26, 2011) -- A newly tested compound destroys several viruses, including the deadly Spanish flu that killed an estimated 30 million people in the worldwide pandemic of 1918. This lead compound -- which acts by increasing the levels of a human antiviral protein -- could potentially be developed into a new drug to combat the flu, a virus that tends to mutate into strains resistant to anti-influenza drugs. ... > full story

Neuroimaging reveals how brain uses objects to recognize scenes (September 26, 2011) -- A new study by psychologists helps to explain how people quickly and accurately recognize complicated scenes such as playgrounds, kitchens and traffic intersections. ... > full story

Cell dysfunction linked to obesity and metabolic disorders (September 26, 2011) -- By measuring the radioactive isotope carbon-14, scientists have revealed an association between lipid cell dysfunction and diseases such as obesity, diabetes and blood lipid disorders. ... > full story

E-textiles get fashion upgrade with memory-storing fiber (September 26, 2011) -- In the future when you upgrade your computer, you may also be upgrading your wardrobe as researchers create novel new textiles that pull double-duty as fabrics and electronics. ... > full story

Non-verbal clues guide doctor-patient relationships, clinical judgments, study finds (September 26, 2011) -- Researchers analyzed video recordings of routine checkups and conducted follow-up interviews with participants to help elucidate signals sent and received by doctors and patients. ... > full story

Asia was settled in multiple waves of migration, DNA study suggests (September 26, 2011) -- Researchers studying DNA patterns from modern and archaic humans has found that the Denisovans, a recently discovered hominin group, contributed genes to several populations in Asia and that modern humans settled Asia in more than one migration. ... > full story

New spin on ibuprofen's actions (September 26, 2011) -- Ibuprofen, naproxen, and related non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) -- the subjects of years of study -- still have some secrets to reveal about how they work. Investigators have discovered surprising new insights into the actions of NSAIDs. Their findings raise the possibility of developing a new class of inflammation- and pain-fighting medicines. ... > full story

Scientists find H1N1 flu virus prevalent in animals in Africa (September 26, 2011) -- Life scientists have discovered the first evidence of the H1N1 virus in animals in Africa. In one village in northern Cameroon, a staggering 89 percent of the pigs studied had been exposed to the H1N1 virus, also known as the swine flu. ... > full story

Cardiac rehabilitation programs benefit patients after mini or mild stroke, study suggests (September 26, 2011) -- Cardiac rehabilitation appears to benefit patients who have had a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mild, non-disabling stroke by lowering risk factors that put them at risk for subsequent stroke. It is feasible, effective and safe for patients who have had a TIA or mild stroke to participate in traditional cardiac rehabilitation programs. ... > full story

Gold nanowires in engineered patches enhance electrical signaling and contraction (September 26, 2011) -- A team of physicians, engineers and materials scientists have used nanotechnology and tiny gold wires to engineer cardiac patches, with cells all beating in time, that could someday help heart attack patients. ... > full story

Amplification of bias found in advice to the unidentified and many (September 26, 2011) -- Professionals often give advice to many anonymous people. For example, financial analysts give public recommendations to buy, hold or sell stock. New research demonstrates that advisers confronting a conflict of interest give more biased advice when there are multiple advice recipients as opposed to just one recipient, and the advice is more biased when the adviser does not know the name of the recipient. ... > full story