ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Thursday, October 20, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Thursday, October 20, 2011

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Young human-specific genes correlated with brain evolution (October 20, 2011) -- Young genes that appeared since the primate branch split from other mammal species are expressed in unique structures of the developing human brain, a new analysis finds. ... > full story

Researchers examine BPA and breast cancer link (October 20, 2011) -- Chronic low-level exposure to a compound found in a variety of plastic household items could pose a threat to women who overproduce a protein linked with breast cancer, say researchers. ... > full story

Key property of potential 'spintronic' material measured (October 20, 2011) -- An advanced material that could help bring about next-generation "spintronic" computers has revealed one of its fundamental secrets to a team of scientists. ... > full story

Delayed vs. immediate coronary stenting (October 20, 2011) -- Medical researchers have published an article on the timing of coronary stenting, a thought-provoking paper that challenges one of the dogmas of acute heart attack management today. ... > full story

Lightning strikes, in the form of bits and bytes (October 20, 2011) -- Scientists are utilizing a superfast computer system for simulating lightning strikes. Their objectives are arriving at better understandings of the effects of lightning strikes on humans and machinery and better predictions of those effects. ... > full story

False starts can sneak by in women's sprinting, analysis finds (October 20, 2011) -- Olympic timing procedures don't accurately detect false starts by female sprinters, according to a new analysis. Under the current rules, a woman can purposely anticipate the gun by up to 20 milliseconds, or one-fiftieth of a second, without getting called for a false start, the researchers say. ... > full story

U.S. rivers and streams saturated with carbon (October 20, 2011) -- Rivers and streams in the United States are releasing substantially more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than previously thought, according to researchers. Their findings could change the way scientists model the movement of carbon among land, water and the atmosphere. ... > full story

X-linked mental retardation protein is found to mediate synaptic plasticity in hippocampus (October 20, 2011) -- Scientists have solved part of a puzzle concerning the relationship between changes in the strength of synapses -- the tiny gaps across which nerve cells in the brain communicate -- and dysfunctions in neural circuits that have been linked with drug addiction, mental retardation and other cognitive disorders. ... > full story

Using new technique, scientists uncover a delicate magnetic balance for superconductivity (October 20, 2011) -- A new imaging technology is giving scientists unprecedented views of the processes that affect the flow of electrons through materials. By modifying a familiar tool in nanoscience -- the scanning tunneling microscope -- researchers have been able to visualize what happens when they change the electronic structure of a "heavy fermion" compound made of uranium, ruthenium and silicon. What they found sheds light on superconductivity -- the movement of electrons without resistance -- which typically occurs at extremely low temperatures and that researchers hope one day to achieve at something close to room temperature, which would revolutionize electronics. ... > full story

Can breastfeeding reduce pain in preterm infants? (October 20, 2011) -- Poorly managed pain in the neonatal intensive care unit has serious short- and long-term consequences, causing physiological and behavioral instability in preterm infants and long-term changes in their pain sensitivity, stress arousal systems, and developing brains. Researchers report that breastfeeding during minor procedures mitigated pain in preterm neonates with mature breastfeeding behaviors. ... > full story

Glowing beacons reveal hidden order in dynamical systems: Experimental confirmation of a fundamental physical theorem (October 20, 2011) -- A dynamical system in which repeated measurements on a single particle yield the same mean result as a single measurement of the whole ensemble is said to be ergodic. The ergodic theorem expresses a fundamental physical principle, and its validity for diffusive processes has now been demonstrated. ... > full story

Physical appearance perfectionism scale developed (October 20, 2011) -- Psychologists have developed a new diagnostic measure to gauge individual differences in people's hopes and concerns about a perfect physical appearance. ... > full story

NASA's Spitzer detects comet storm in nearby solar system (October 19, 2011) -- NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has detected signs of icy bodies raining down in an alien solar system. The downpour resembles our own solar system several billion years ago during a period known as the "Late Heavy Bombardment," which may have brought water and other life-forming ingredients to Earth. ... > full story

Common link suggested between autism and diabetes: Study implicates hyperinsulinemia in increased incidence of autism (October 19, 2011) -- A review of the genetic and biochemical abnormalities associated with autism reveals a possible link between the widely diagnosed neurological disorder and Type 2 diabetes, another medical disorder on the rise in recent decades. ... > full story

Imaging technology might help doctors determine best treatment for Crohn's disease patients (October 19, 2011) -- Ultrasound elasticity imaging, or UEI, could allow doctors to non-invasively make the distinction between intestinal inflammation and fibrosis in Crohn's disease patients, allowing patients to receive more appropriate and timely care. ... > full story

Clue to birth defects in babies of mothers with diabetes (October 19, 2011) -- Researchers have identified the enzyme AMP kinase as key to the molecular mechanism that significantly increases the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida and some heart defects among babies born to women with diabetes. ... > full story

Pollutants linked to 450 percent increase in risk of birth defects in rural China (October 19, 2011) -- Pesticides and pollutants are related to an alarming 450 percent increase in the risk of spina bifida and anencephaly in rural China, according to scientists. ... > full story

Computer games help people with Parkinson's disease, pilot study shows (October 19, 2011) -- Playing computer-based physical therapy games can help people with Parkinson's disease improve their gait and balance, according to a new pilot study. More than half the subjects in the three-month research project showed small improvements in walking speed, balance and stride length. ... > full story

Computing building blocks created from bacteria and DNA (October 19, 2011) -- Scientists have successfully demonstrated that they can build some of the basic components for digital devices out of bacteria and DNA, which could pave the way for a new generation of biological computing devices. ... > full story

Could hypertension drugs help people with Alzheimer's? (October 19, 2011) -- A new study has looked at whether certain types of drugs used to treat high blood pressure, also called hypertension, might have beneficial effects in reducing the number of new cases of Alzheimer's disease each year. ... > full story

Skin's immune peacekeepers discovered (October 19, 2011) -- There are more bacteria living on our skin and in our gut than cells in our body. We need them. But until now no one knew how the immune system could tell that these bacteria are harmless. Researchers in Sydney have discovered a set of peacekeepers -- immune cells in the outer layers of our skin that stop us from attacking friendly bacteria. ... > full story

Timing for clinical trials for stem cell therapy in spinal cord injuries is right, review suggests (October 19, 2011) -- Regenerative medicine in spinal cord injuries (SCI) is proving to help the human body create new cell and nerve connections that are severed during this type of injury. A new review provide evidence that supports researchers moving beyond the lab to conduct human clinical trials for stem cells. ... > full story

Ammonia air pollution from cars and trucks worse in winter (October 19, 2011) -- Motor vehicles and industry are primary producers of ammonia in Houston's atmosphere, and cars and trucks appear to boost their output during the winter, according to a new study. ... > full story

Forgetting is part of remembering (October 19, 2011) -- It's time for forgetting to get some respect, says a psychologist. "We need to rethink how we're talking about forgetting and realize that under some conditions it actually does play an important role in the function of memory," he says. ... > full story

How the Milky Way killed off nearby galaxies (October 19, 2011) -- Researchers have revealed for the first time the existence of a new signature of the birth of the first stars in our galaxy, the Milky Way. More than 12 billion years ago, the intense ultraviolet light from these stars dispersed the gas of our Galaxy's nearest companions, virtually putting a halt to their ability to form stars and consigning them to a dim future. Now astronomers have explained why some galaxies were killed off, while stars continued to form in more distant objects. ... > full story

Cellphones exceed U.S. FCC exposure limits by as much as double for children, study finds (October 19, 2011) -- New research shows that cell phones used in the shirt or pants pocket exceed the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) exposure guidelines and that children absorb twice as much microwave radiation from phones as do adults. ... > full story

New, higher estimates of endangered humpback whales in the North Pacific (October 19, 2011) -- Scientists have increased the estimate on the number of humpback whales in the North Pacific Ocean. The increase follows a refined statistical analysis of data compiled in 2008 from the largest whale survey ever undertaken to assess humpback whale populations throughout the North Pacific. ... > full story

Optimal modulation of ion channels rescues neurons associated with epilepsy (October 19, 2011) -- New research successfully reverses epilepsy-associated pathology by using a sophisticated single-cell modeling paradigm to examine abnormal cell behavior and identify the optimal modulation of channel activity. The study describes a procedure that may be useful for rescuing function in organs with excitable cells, such as the heart and pancreas. ... > full story

Natural disasters: Networking robots and sensor systems to help first responders react more quickly (October 19, 2011) -- Earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes -- natural disasters always catch us by surprise, no matter how many early warning systems are in place. This makes it all the more important for rescue teams to get a quick overview of the situation at hand. Researchers in Germany are working to network the various robots and sensor systems first responders use so that they can react more quickly and efficiently in the case of an emergency to search for victims and survivors. ... > full story

Shift work in teens linked to increased multiple sclerosis risk (October 19, 2011) -- Researchers from Sweden have uncovered an association between shift work and increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). Those who engage in off-hour employment before the age of 20 may be at risk for MS due to a disruption in their circadian rhythm and sleep pattern. ... > full story

Nano funnel used to generate extreme ultraviolet light pulses (October 19, 2011) -- Scientists have successfully concentrated the energy of infrared laser pulses using a nano funnel enabling them to generate extreme ultraviolet light pulses, which repeated 75 million times per second. ... > full story

Protein that fuels lethal breast cancer growth emerges as potential new drug target (October 19, 2011) -- A protein in the nucleus of breast cancer cells that plays a role in fueling the growth of aggressive tumors may be a good target for new drugs, reports a research team. ... > full story

Two new bee species are mysterious pieces in the Panama puzzle (October 19, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered two new, closely related bee species: one from Coiba Island in Panama and another from northern Colombia. Both descended from of a group of stingless bees that originated in the Amazon and moved into Central America, the ancestors of Mayan honeybees. ... > full story

Why steroid treatment for COPD is ineffective (October 19, 2011) -- Corticosteroids do not improve survival nor alter the progression of COPD and may reduce lung symptoms as little as 20 percent. A new study found why corticosteroids do not work well for COPD patients and how additional treatment with sulforaphane -- an ingredient of broccoli and other vegetables -- can improve the effectiveness of corticosteroids. ... > full story

Step toward quantum computers: Using commercial photonic components (October 19, 2011) -- Researchers in Spain have developed a model that provides the basis for the application of commercial photonic components to the field of quantum computers and quantum communications. ... > full story

Babies and toddlers should learn from play, not screens (October 19, 2011) -- A new policy from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping children under age two as "screen-free" as possible. ... > full story

Scientists reveal surprising picture of how powerful antibody neutralizes HIV (October 19, 2011) -- Researchers have uncovered the surprising details of how a powerful anti-HIV antibody grabs hold of the virus. The findings highlight a major vulnerability of HIV and suggest a new target for vaccine development. ... > full story

New discovery in the fight against tuberculosis (October 19, 2011) -- New research may help in the ongoing fight against tuberculosis. Medical researchers have discovered a connection between the development of new lymphoid tissue within the lung and protection against the disease. ... > full story

Efficacy of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma vaccine demonstrated in dogs (October 19, 2011) -- An experimental vaccine is the first veterinary cancer vaccine of its kind that shows an increase in survival time for dogs with spontaneous non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The work shows for the first time the feasibility and therapeutic efficacy of this alternative cell-based vaccine, which could be employed in the treatment of a number of different cancer types. ... > full story

Technology targets genetic disorders linked to X chromosome (October 19, 2011) -- Geneticists have demonstrated a method that enables the routine amplification of all the genes on the X chromosome. The technology allows the rapid and highly accurate sequencing and identification of novel genetic variants affecting X chromosome genes. ... > full story

Industrial by-products upgraded into fuel (October 19, 2011) -- Researchers in Finland have achieved good results in using waste and other excess products from industry to develop new and innovative fuels for transport. The researchers have studied the processing of both biobutanol and biogas into transport fuels. ... > full story

Can we share vampires' appetite for synthetic blood? (October 19, 2011) -- Vampires on the "True Blood" television series are already enjoying the advantages of synthetic blood. While this may seem to be only the imagination on the big screen, the true benefits of blood manufactured from embryonic stem cells may be less than a decade away. ... > full story

The ultimate qPCR based lncRNA profiling platform (October 19, 2011) -- lncRNAs represent an emerging important class of regulatory transcribed elements. The study of lncRNAs is timely and relevant, because of their implication in important cellular processes, through new modes of action. The lncRNA genes are generally low abundant, which is exactly why there is a genuine need for a platform with ultimate sensitivity superseding microarray based platforms. ... > full story

Increased safety using simultaneous techniques for cardiac testing (October 19, 2011) -- Experts have published an article on the safety of cardiac imaging methods. This study is important for patients worried about radiation exposure during X-ray based studies of the heart. X-ray based methods have greatly improved the diagnosis of heart disease, but they can produce significant levels of radiation exposure. ... > full story

New aggression tool predicted violent patients in medical and surgical wards (October 19, 2011) -- Using a specially designed risk assessment tool within 24 hours of admission was an effective way of identifying which hospital patients in medical and surgical units would become violent. Researchers studied more than 2,000 patients admitted to an acute care hospital over a five-month period. As well as identify the traits that were most likely to lead to violence, they found that a disproportionate number of elderly patients and males became violent. ... > full story

Irish hereditary emphysema rates found to be among highest in the world (October 19, 2011) -- RCSI study reveals 90% of people with genetic lung condition are undiagnosed. Researchers have conducted a study which has found that Ireland has one of the highest incidences in the world of a genetic condition that causes severe hereditary emphysema. The study raises the possibility that hundreds of people suffering from chronic lung disease could have this genetic condition but have yet to be diagnosed. ... > full story

Seeing through walls: New radar technology provides real-time video of what’s going on behind solid walls (October 18, 2011) -- The ability to see through walls is no longer the stuff of science fiction, thanks to new radar technology. Researchers have built a system that can see through walls from some distance away, giving an instantaneous picture of the activity on the other side. ... > full story

Tricking resistant cancer cells into committing suicide (October 18, 2011) -- Scientists have found a way to trick resistant cancer cells into committing suicide following oncolytic virus therapy. ... > full story