ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Sunday, October 2, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Sunday, October 2, 2011

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Galaxy caught blowing bubbles (October 1, 2011) -- Hubble's famous images of galaxies typically show elegant spirals or soft-edged ellipses. But these neat forms are only representative of large galaxies. Smaller galaxies like the dwarf irregular galaxy Holmberg II come in many shapes and types that are harder to classify. This galaxy's indistinct shape is punctuated by huge glowing bubbles of gas. ... > full story

Less is more for common cancer drug, study suggests (October 1, 2011) -- Scientists have found that smaller, less toxic amounts of chemotherapy medicine given frequently to mice with human prostate cancer noticeably slowed tumor growth. ... > full story

Vicious queen ants use mob tactics to reach the top (October 1, 2011) -- Leptothorax acervorum ants' reproductive strategy depends on habitat. Colonies are functionally monogynous (only one queen reproduces) on sun-exposed slopes in Alaska, Hokkaido and the mountains of central Spain. New research demonstrates that queen ants fight by antennal boxing to become the reproductive queen, and that worker ants reinforce queen behavior by feeding dominant females and expelling, or killing, their weaker sisters. ... > full story

Cell-specific mechanism-based gene therapy approach to treat retinitis pigmentosa (October 1, 2011) -- Scientists have achieved temporary functional preservation of photoreceptors in a mouse model for retinitis pigmentosa using novel bipartite gene therapy. ... > full story

Pressurized vascular systems for self-healing materials (October 1, 2011) -- Artificial microvascular systems for self-repair of materials damage, such as cracks in a coating applied to a building or bridge, have relied on capillary force for transport of the healing agents. Now, researchers have demonstrated that an active pumping capability for pressurized delivery of liquid healing agents in microvascular systems significantly improves the degree of healing compared with capillary force methods. ... > full story

How your brain reacts to mistakes depends on your mindset (October 1, 2011) -- "Whether you think you can or think you can't -- you're right," said Henry Ford. A new study finds that people who think they can learn from their mistakes have a different brain reaction to mistakes than people who think intelligence is fixed. ... > full story

Mechanism uncovered for the establishment of vertebrate left–right asymmetry (October 1, 2011) -- A research team has demonstrated a mechanism by which left-right asymmetry in the body is established and maintained. The study offers a new model of how families of genes interact to promote and direct body asymmetry. ... > full story

Scientists discover 'fickle' DNA changes in brain (October 1, 2011) -- Scientists investigating chemical modifications across the genomes of adult mice have discovered that DNA modifications in non-dividing brain cells, thought to be inherently stable, instead underwent large-scale dynamic changes as a result of stimulated brain activity. Their report has major implications for treating psychiatric diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and for better understanding learning, memory and mood regulation. ... > full story

Koalas' bellows boast about size (October 1, 2011) -- Koalas are usually slothful until the mating season when they begin bellowing. Intrigued by the marsupial's strange sound, biologists decided to find out what messages the koalas' bellows may send and discovered that they are boasting about their size. The largest koalas produce deeper resonances than smaller males, and even the smallest males produce resonances that make them sound larger than a bison, which are 100 times their size. ... > full story

'Master key' to unlock new treatments for autoimmune disorders discovered (October 1, 2011) -- Imagine a drug that treats most autoimmune disorders, such as asthma, inflammatory bowel disease and Lupus. New research shows how scientists have discovered a molecule used by the body to prevent unnecessary immune reactions. This molecule, "alpha v beta 6," normally keeps our immune systems from overreacting when food passes through our bodies, and it may unlock an entirely new set of treatments for autoimmune disorders. ... > full story

Hydrogen released to fuel cell more quickly when stored in metal nanoparticles (October 1, 2011) -- Researchers have demonstrated that the size of a metal alloy nanoparticle influences the speed with which hydrogen gas is released when stored in a metal hydride. The smaller the size of the nanoparticle, the greater the speed at which the hydrogen gas makes its way to the fuel cell. ... > full story

Antisocial personality traits predict utilitarian responses to moral dilemmas (October 1, 2011) -- Scientists found that people who endorse actions consistent with an ethic of utilitarianism -- the view that what is the morally right thing to do is whatever produces the best overall consequences -- tend to possess psychopathic and Machiavellian personality traits. ... > full story