ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Monday, October 24, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Monday, October 24, 2011

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Biggest ever study shows no link between mobile phone use and tumors (October 23, 2011) -- There is no link between long-term use of mobile phones and tumors of the brain or central nervous system, according to new research. In what is described as the largest study on the subject to date, Danish researchers found no evidence that the risk of brain tumors was raised among 358,403 mobile phone subscribers over an 18-year period. ... > full story

Complexities of DNA repair discovered (October 23, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered that DNA repair in cancer cells is not a one-way street as previously believed. ... > full story

Giant flakes make graphene oxide gel: Discovery could boost metamaterials, high-strength fibers (October 23, 2011) -- Slices of graphene oxide in a solution arrange themselves into a nematic liquid crystal. At a sufficient concentration, giant flakes will form a gel, a precursor to manufacturing metamaterals and fibers. ... > full story

Biomarker detects graft-versus-host-disease in cancer patients after bone marrow transplant (October 23, 2011) -- A team of researchers has found a biomarker they believe can help rapidly identify one of the most serious complications in cancer patients after a bone marrow transplant. ... > full story

Plate tectonics may control reversals in Earth's magnetic field (October 23, 2011) -- Earth's magnetic field has reversed many times at an irregular rate throughout its history. Long periods without reversal have been interspersed with eras of frequent reversals. What is the reason for these reversals and their irregularity? Researchers have shed new light on the issue by demonstrating that, over the last 300 million years, reversal frequency has depended on the distribution of tectonic plates on the surface of the globe. This result does not imply that terrestrial plates themselves trigger the switch over of the magnetic field. Instead, it establishes that although the reversal phenomenon takes place, in fine, within Earth's liquid core, it is nevertheless sensitive to what happens outside the core and more specifically in Earth's mantle. ... > full story

Decision-making: What you want vs. how you get it (October 23, 2011) -- New research reveals how we make decisions. Birds choosing between berry bushes and investors trading stocks are faced with the same fundamental challenge -- making optimal choices in an environment featuring varying costs and benefits. ... > full story

Billions of dollars at stake as Canada comes to grips with soaring heart failure costs (October 23, 2011) -- Heart failure (HF) costs are headed for the economic stratosphere, even as researchers come up with simple tests and strategies to bring them back to earth. An assessment of the growing problem and a new initiative to curb costs and increase efficacy in dealing with heart failure patients when they present to emergency departments were the subject of two major studies presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2011. ... > full story

Brain scans support findings that IQ can rise or fall significantly during adolescence (October 22, 2011) -- IQ, the standard measure of intelligence, can increase or fall significantly during our teenage years, according to new research, and these changes are associated with changes to the structure of our brains. The findings may have implications for testing and streaming of children during their school years. ... > full story

First Ebola-like virus native to Europe discovered (October 22, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered a new Ebola-like virus -- Lloviu virus -- in bats from northern Spain. Lloviu virus is the first known filovirus native to Europe. Filoviruses, which include well-known viruses like Ebola and Marburg, are among the deadliest pathogens in humans and non-human primates, and are generally found in East Africa and the Philippines. The findings thus expand the natural geographical distribution of filoviruses. ... > full story

West Nile virus transmission linked to land use patterns and 'super-spreaders' (October 22, 2011) -- After its initial appearance in New York in 1999, West Nile virus spread across the United States in just a few years and is now well established throughout North and South America. Researchers have found that in most places only a few key species of bird "hosts" and mosquito "vectors" are important in transmission of the virus. ... > full story

Preventing cancer development inside the cell cycle (October 22, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a cell cycle-regulated mechanism behind the transformation of normal cells into cancerous cells. The study results suggest that inhibition of the CK1 enzyme may be a new therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer cells formed as a result of a malfunction in the cell's mTOR signaling pathway. ... > full story

Fluoride shuttle increases storage capacity: Researchers develop new concept for rechargeable batteries (October 22, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a new concept for rechargeable batteries. Based on a fluoride shuttle -- the transfer of fluoride anions between the electrodes -- it promises to enhance the storage capacity reached by lithium-ion batteries by several factors. Operational safety is also increased, as it can be done without lithium. ... > full story

Simple lifestyle changes can add a decade or more healthy years to the average lifespan, Canadian study shows (October 22, 2011) -- Health prevention strategies to help people achieve their optimal health potential could add a decade or more of healthy years to the average lifespan and save the economy billions of dollars as a result of reduced cardiovascular disease. ... > full story

Burden of osteoporotic fractures increases dramatically in the Middle East and Africa (October 22, 2011) -- Osteoporosis is a serious and growing problem throughout the Middle East and parts of Africa, according to new research. Gathering data from 17 countries in the region as well as Turkey, "The Middle East & Africa Regional Audit" is a landmark report examining epidemiology, costs and burden in individual countries as well as collectively across the region. ... > full story

Cooling the warming debate: Major new analysis confirms that global warming is real (October 21, 2011) -- Global warming is real, according to a major new study. Despite issues raised by climate change skeptics, the Berkeley Earth Surface Temperature study finds reliable evidence of a rise in the average world land temperature of approximately 1 degree Celsius since the mid-1950s. ... > full story

Blood-pressure-lowering drug after stroke aids recovery, study suggests (October 21, 2011) -- A commonly prescribed blood pressure-lowering medication appears to kick start recovery in the unaffected brain hemisphere after a stroke by boosting blood vessel growth, a new study has found. ... > full story

Biologists describe key mechanism in early embryo development (October 21, 2011) -- Biologists have identified a key mechanism controlling early embryonic development that is critical in determining how structures such as appendages -- arms and legs in humans -- grow in the right place and at the right time. ... > full story

Are acid-suppressing drugs prescribed too often in infants? (October 21, 2011) -- Frequent spitting up, irritability, and unexplained crying in infants can be very distressing to parents. Pediatricians often prescribe acid-suppressing drugs for these symptoms in an effort to treat infants for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); however, GERD is an uncommon cause of these symptoms in otherwise thriving infants. Experts now caution against the over-diagnosis of GERD and over-prescription of acid-suppressing drugs in infants. ... > full story

SideBySide projection system enables projected interaction between mobile devices (October 21, 2011) -- Researchers have devised a system called SideBySide that enables animated images from two separate handheld projectors to interact with each other on the same surface. The system, suitable for games, education and a variety of other applications, is self-contained in special handheld devices. No external cameras or other sensors are required, which enables people to use the projectors to interact with each other anywhere and at anytime. ... > full story

Improved living environments can reduce health problems for women and children (October 21, 2011) -- Low-income women with children who moved from high-poverty to lower-poverty neighborhoods experienced notable long-term improvements in aspects of their health; namely, reductions in diabetes and extreme obesity, according to a new study. ... > full story

New evidence for the oldest oxygen-breathing life on land (October 21, 2011) -- New research shows the first evidence that oxygen-breathing bacteria occupied and thrived on land 100 million years earlier than previously thought. ... > full story

Can aromatherapy produce harmful indoor air pollutants? (October 21, 2011) -- Spas that offer massage therapy using fragrant essential oils, called aromatherapy, may have elevated levels of potentially harmful indoor air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ultrafine particles, according to a new article. ... > full story

Bolivia's jaguars set a record (October 21, 2011) -- In a new camera trap survey in the world's most biologically diverse landscape, researchers have identified more individual jaguars than ever before. ... > full story

Women can self-test for HPV, easily and accurately, study suggests (October 21, 2011) -- A team of German researchers has shown that women can accurately test themselves for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, the most common cause of cervical cancer. ... > full story

Electrochemistry controlled with a plasma electrode (October 21, 2011) -- Engineers have made an electrochemical cell that uses a plasma for an electrode, instead of solid pieces of metal. The technology may open new pathways for battery and fuel cell design and manufacturing, making hydrogen fuel and synthesizing nanomaterials and polymers. ... > full story

A new discipline emerges: The psychology of science (October 21, 2011) -- You've heard of the history of science, the philosophy of science, maybe even the sociology of science. But how about the psychology of science? ... > full story

Viruses coaxed to form synthetics with microstructures akin to those of corneas, teeth and skin (October 21, 2011) -- Using a simple, single-step process, engineers and scientists have recently developed a technique to direct benign, filamentous viruses called M13 phages to serve as structural building blocks for materials with a wide range of properties. ... > full story

Inflammation is controlled differently in brain and other tissues (October 21, 2011) -- Scientists have identified a new metabolic pathway for controlling brain inflammation, suggesting strategies for treating it. ... > full story

TapSense: Touchscreen technology distinguishes taps by parts of finger (October 21, 2011) -- Smartphone and tablet computer owners have become adept at using finger taps, flicks and drags to control their touchscreens. But researchers have found that this interaction can be enhanced by taking greater advantage of the finger's anatomy and dexterity. By attaching a microphone to a touchscreen, the scientists have shown they can tell the difference between the tap of a fingertip, the pad of the finger, a fingernail and a knuckle. This technology, called TapSense, enables richer touchscreen interactions. ... > full story

Preeclampsia: New blood test to assess risk of imminent delivery can reduce complications for mother and child, study suggests (October 21, 2011) -- A blood test can help to assess whether a pregnant woman who suffers from pregnancy-induced hypertension, so-called preeclampsia, is at risk for an imminent delivery. This knowledge can be used to determine the due date as well as avoid complications for mother and child. ... > full story

The eyes have it: Computer-inspired creativity (October 21, 2011) -- Constraints on creativity imposed by computer-aided design tools are being overcome, thanks to a novel system that incorporates eye-tracking technology. ... > full story

Autistic facial characteristics identified (October 21, 2011) -- Researchers have found distinct differences between the facial characteristics of children with autism compared to those of typically developing children. This knowledge could help researchers understand the origins of autism. ... > full story

Astronomers explain blue stragglers: How do mysterious stars stay so young? (October 21, 2011) -- Mysterious "blue stragglers" are old stars that appear younger than they should be: they burn hot and blue. Several theories have attempted to explain why they don't show their age, but, until now, scientists have lacked the crucial observations with which to test each hypothesis. Armed with such observational data, astronomers now report that a mechanism known as mass transfer explains the origins of the blue stragglers. ... > full story

Neuroscientists unlock shared brain codes between people (October 21, 2011) -- Scientists have found that different individuals' brains use the same, common neural code to recognize complex visual images. Researchers have developed a new method called hyperalignment to create this common code and the parameters that transform an individual's brain activity patterns into the code. ... > full story

NASA, Japan release improved topographic map of Earth (October 21, 2011) -- NASA and Japan released a significantly improved version of the most complete digital topographic map of Earth on Oct. 17, produced with detailed measurements from NASA's Terra spacecraft. The map, known as a global digital elevation model, was created from images collected by the Japanese Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer, or ASTER, instrument aboard Terra. So-called stereo-pair images are produced by merging two slightly offset two-dimensional images to create the three-dimensional effect of depth. The first version of the map was released by NASA and Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in June 2009. ... > full story

Alternating training improves motor learning: Study suggests varying practice sessions may benefit people with motor disorders (October 21, 2011) -- Learning from one's mistakes may be better than practicing to perfection, according to new research. A study found that forcing people to switch from a normal walking pattern to an unusual one -- and back again -- made them better able to adjust to the unusual pattern the following day. The findings may help improve therapy for people relearning how to walk following stroke or other injury. ... > full story

Number of Facebook friends linked to size of brain regions, study suggests (October 21, 2011) -- Scientists have found a direct link between the number of "Facebook friends" a person has and the size of particular brain regions. In a new study researchers also showed that the more Facebook friends a person has, the more "real-world" friends they are likely to have. ... > full story

Reading a book versus a screen: Different reading devices, different modes of reading? (October 21, 2011) -- A book or a screen – which of these two offers more reading comfort? There are no disadvantages to reading from electronic reading devices compared with reading printed texts, according to a new study. ... > full story

First North American hunters 1,000 years earlier than previously thought, speared mastodon fossil shows (October 21, 2011) -- A new and astonishing chapter has been added to North American prehistory in regards to the first hunters and their hunt for the now extinct giant mammoth-like creatures -- the mastodons. New research has shown that the hunt for large mammals occurred at least 1,000 years before previously assumed. ... > full story

Novel therapeutic target identified to decrease triglycerides and increase 'good' cholesterol (October 21, 2011) -- Researchers have shown for the first time the inhibition of both microRNA-33a and microRNA-33b with chemically modified anti-miR oligonucleotides markedly suppress triglyceride levels and cause a sustained increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol "good" cholesterol. ... > full story

'Microring' device could aid in future optical technologies (October 21, 2011) -- Researchers have created a device small enough to fit on a computer chip that converts continuous laser light into numerous ultrashort pulses, a technology that might have applications in more advanced sensors, communications systems and laboratory instruments. ... > full story

Human norovirus in groundwater remains infective after two months (October 21, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered that norovirus in groundwater can remain infectious for at least 61 days. ... > full story

Magnetic attraction: Microchip demonstrates concept of 'MRAM for biomolecules' (October 21, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a low-power microchip that uses a combination of microfluidics and magnetic switches to trap and transport magnetic beads. The novel transport chip may have applications in biotechnology and medical diagnostics. ... > full story

High to moderate levels of stress lead to higher mortality rate (October 21, 2011) -- A new study concludes that men who experience persistently moderate or high levels of stressful life events over a number of years have a 50 percent higher mortality rate. In general, the researchers found only a few protective factors against these higher levels of stress -- people who self-reported that they had good health tended to live longer and married men also fared better. Moderate drinkers also lived longer than non-drinkers. ... > full story

Significant ozone hole remains over Antarctica (October 21, 2011) -- The Antarctic ozone hole, which yawns wide every Southern Hemisphere spring, reached its annual peak on Sept. 12, stretching 10.05 million square miles, the ninth largest on record. Above the South Pole, the ozone hole reached its deepest point of the season on Oct. 9 when total ozone readings dropped to 102 Dobson units, tied for the 10th lowest in the 26-year record. ... > full story

New drug strategies for Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis (October 21, 2011) -- Researchers are recommending a new strategy for developing drugs to treat cancer, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's and cardiovascular diseases. ... > full story

Medical researchers breath new life into fight against primary killer of premature infants (October 21, 2011) -- A new discovery might explain why some premature infants fail to respond to existing treatments for a deadly respiratory distress syndrome and offers clues for new ways to treat the breathing disorder. ... > full story

New insights into insulin resistance could lead to better drugs for diabetics (October 21, 2011) -- New research moves us closer to developing drugs that could mitigate diabetes. Diabetes afflicts an estimated 26 million Americans, while 79 million have prediabetes. In other words, one in three Americans confronts this disease. Diabetes raises the risk of heart disease and stroke by as much as fourfold, and it is the leading cause of blindness among adults 20-74. It is also the leading cause of kidney failure. ... > full story