ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Tuesday, November 1, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Tuesday, November 1, 2011

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World's most efficient flexible organic light-emitting diodes created on plastic (November 1, 2011) -- Researchers have developed the world's most efficient organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) on plastic. This result enables a flexible form factor, not to mention a less costly, alternative to traditional OLED manufacturing, which currently relies on rigid glass. ... > full story

Childhood diet lower in fat and higher in fiber may lower risk for chronic disease in adulthood (November 1, 2011) -- A recent study has found that a childhood behavioral intervention to lower dietary intake of total fat and saturated fat and increase consumption of foods that are good sources of dietary fiber resulted in significantly lower fasting plasma glucose levels and lower systolic blood pressure when study participants were re-evaluated in young adulthood. ... > full story

Gene variation predicts rate of age-related decline in mental performance, study finds (November 1, 2011) -- A tiny difference in the coding pattern of a single gene significantly affects the rate at which men's intellectual function drops with advancing age, researchers have learned. ... > full story

Scientists identify protein form linked to Huntington's disease (November 1, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered how a form of the protein linked to Huntington's disease influences the timing and severity of its symptoms, offering new avenues for treating not only this disease, but also a variety of similar conditions. ... > full story

Vaccine for cattle offers hope to poorest farmers (November 1, 2011) -- A new approach to vaccinating cattle could help farmers worldwide, research suggests. Scientists have developed a technique using a harmless parasite, which lives in cows but has no effect on their health, to carry medicines into the animals' bloodstream. ... > full story

Technical aptitude: Do women score lower because they just aren't interested? (November 1, 2011) -- Boys do better on tests of technical aptitude (for example, mechanical aptitude tests) than girls. The same is true for adults. A new study describes a theory explaining how the difference comes about: the root cause is that boys are just more interested in technical things, like taking apart a bike, than girls are. ... > full story

Savannas and forests in a battle of the biomes (November 1, 2011) -- Climate change, land use and other human-driven factors could pit savannas and forests against each other by altering the elements found by researchers to stabilize the two. Without this harmony, the habitats, or biomes, could increasingly encroach on one other to the detriment of the people and animals that rely on them. ... > full story

Fat cells in abdomen fuel spread of ovarian cancer (November 1, 2011) -- A large pad of abdominal fat cells provides nutrients that promote the spread and growth of ovarian cancer, the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in women. This fatty tissue, extraordinarily rich in energy-dense lipids, serves as a rich fuel source, enabling cancer cells to multiply rapidly. ... > full story

To diagnose heart disease, visualization experts recommend a simpler approach (November 1, 2011) -- A team of computer scientists, physicists, and physicians has developed a simple yet powerful method of visualizing human arteries that may result in more accurate diagnoses of atherosclerosis and heart disease. The prototype tool, called "HemoVis," creates a 2D diagram of arteries that performs better than the traditional 3D, rainbow-colored model. In a clinical setting, the tool has been shown to increase diagnostic accuracy from 39% to 91%. ... > full story

Key to avoiding ankle re-injury may be in the hips and knees (November 1, 2011) -- Nearly all active people suffer ankle sprains at some point in their lives, and a new study suggests that the different ways people move their hip and knee joints may influence the risk of re-injury. ... > full story

New method in spectral analysis: Measuring the distance of processes (November 1, 2011) -- A milestone in the description of complex processes -- for example the ups and downs of share prices -- has been reached by mathematicians. Researchers have developed a new method in spectral analysis, which allows a classical mathematical model assumption, so-called stationarity, to be precisely measured and determined for the first time. The approach also makes it possible to construct statistical tests that are considerably better and more accurate than previous methods. ... > full story

Don't worry, be happy: Understanding mindfulness meditation (November 1, 2011) -- In times of stress, we're often encouraged to pause for a moment and simply be in the 'now.' This kind of mindfulness, an essential part of Buddhist and Indian Yoga traditions, has entered the mainstream as people try to find ways to combat stress and improve their quality of life. ... > full story

From tropics to poles: Study reveals diversity of life in soils (October 31, 2011) -- Microscopic animals that live in soils are as diverse in the tropical forests of Costa Rica as they are in the arid grasslands of Kenya, or the tundra and boreal forests of Alaska and Sweden, according to new research. Scientists have generally accepted that a wider range of species can be found above ground at the equator than at Earth's poles. But this study proves for the first time that the same rules don't apply to the nematodes, mites and springtails living underground. ... > full story

How major signaling pathways are wired to our genome gives new insight into disease processes (October 31, 2011) -- Scientists have determined that master transcription factors determine the genes regulated by key signaling pathways. In this way, signaling pathways are targeted to genes that are most relevant to each cell type and tailor gene expression to control cell state, growth, differentiation, and death. By manipulating signaling pathways, scientists may find new therapies for cancer and other diseases or ways to push cells into more specialized states, such as neurons to treat nerve damage or insulin-producing beta cells for diabetes. ... > full story

A SHARP new microscope for the next generation of biochips (October 31, 2011) -- Scientists are building the world's most advanced extreme-ultraviolet microscope to study and design the photolithography masks, materials, patterns, and architectures essential to the next generation of integrated circuits. ... > full story

Key driver of metastasis identified (October 31, 2011) -- Protein S100A10 is essential for metastatic growth. Macrophages rely upon S100A10 to power movement of tumor cells to new sites. ... > full story

One step closer to dark matter in universe (October 31, 2011) -- Scientists all over the world are working feverishly to find the dark matter in the universe. Now researchers have taken one step closer to solving the enigma with a new method. ... > full story

Do deficits in brain cannabinoids contribute to eating disorders? (October 31, 2011) -- A new report suggests that deficits in endocannabinoid function may contribute to anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Endocannabinoids are substances made by the brain that affect brain function and chemistry in ways that resemble the effects of cannabis derivatives, including marijuana and hashish. These commonly abused drugs are well known to increase appetite, i.e., to cause the "munchies." Thus, it makes sense that deficits in this brain system would be associated with reduced appetite. ... > full story

Meerkats recognize each other from their calls (October 31, 2011) -- Wild meerkats living in the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa recognize group members from their calls, behavior researchers have established for the first time. The researchers assume that meerkats can tell the individual group members apart. ... > full story

Lung stem cells offer therapeutic clues (October 31, 2011) -- Researchers have cloned stem cells from the airways of the human lung and have shown that these cells can form into the lung's alveoli air sac tissue. Mouse models suggest that these same stem cells are deployed to regenerate lung tissue during acute infection, such as during influenza. ... > full story

CSI-style investigation of meteorite hits on Earth (October 31, 2011) -- Volcanologists have forensically reconstructed the impact of a meteorite on Earth and how debris was hurled from the crater to devastate the surrounding region. ... > full story

Healthy mouth bacteria provide ideal conditions for gum disease (October 31, 2011) -- Gum disease can only develop with the help of normal bacteria living in the mouth, new research has revealed. ... > full story

Internet privacy tools are confusing, ineffective for most people (October 31, 2011) -- Internet users who want to protect their privacy by stopping advertisers and other companies from tracking their online behavior will have great difficulty doing so with commonly available "opt-out" tools, researchers report. User testing found that privacy options in popular browsers, as well as online tools or plug-ins for blocking access by certain websites or otherwise opting out of tracking, were hard for the typical user to understand or to configure successfully. ... > full story

Gender differences: Viewing TV coverage of terrorism has more negative effect on women, study finds (October 31, 2011) -- Exposure to television coverage of terrorism causes women to lose psychological resources much more than men, which leads to negative feelings and moodiness. This has been shown in a new study that examined the differences between men and women in a controlled experiment environment. ... > full story

Patterns of new DNA letter in brain suggest distinct function (October 31, 2011) -- In 2009, the DNA alphabet expanded. Scientists discovered that an extra letter or "sixth nucleotide" was surprisingly abundant in DNA from stem cells and brain cells. Now, researchers have mapped the patterns formed by that letter in the brains of mice, observing how its pattern of distribution in the genome changes during development and aging. ... > full story

New findings may help explain high blood pressure in pregnancy (October 31, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered that the infiltration of white blood cells into an expectant mother's blood vessels may explain high blood pressure in pregnancy. ... > full story

Researchers build largest protein interaction map to date (October 31, 2011) -- Researchers have built a map that shows how thousands of proteins in a fruit fly cell communicate with each other. This is the largest and most detailed protein interaction map of a multicellular organism, demonstrating how approximately one third of the proteins cooperate to keep life going. ... > full story

Cigarette smoking's impact lingers after quitting: Current, former smokers may face impaired pancreatic duct cell function, elevated colorectal cancer risk (October 31, 2011) -- Cigarette smoking appears to impair pancreatic duct cell function -- even for those who quit -- putting all smokers at risk of compromised digestive function regardless of age, gender and alcohol intake, according to the results of a new study. ... > full story

Florida Keys ecosystem threatened by multiple stressors (October 31, 2011) -- Scientists have found that pressure from increasing coastal populations, ship and boat groundings, marine debris, poaching, and climate change are critically threatening the health of the Florida Keys ecosystem. ... > full story

Weight gain in college? The freshman 15 is just a myth, U.S. study reveals (October 31, 2011) -- Contrary to popular belief, most college students don't gain anywhere near 15 pounds during their freshman year, according to a new nationwide study. Rather than adding "the freshman 15," as it is commonly called, the average student gains between about 2.5 and 3.5 pounds during the first year of college. ... > full story

Highly efficient oxygen catalyst found: Rechargeable batteries and hydrogen-fuel production could benefit (October 31, 2011) -- A team of researchers has found one of the most effective catalysts ever discovered for splitting oxygen atoms from water molecules -- a key reaction for advanced energy-storage systems, including electrolyzers, to produce hydrogen fuel and rechargeable batteries. This new catalyst liberates oxygen at more than 10 times the rate of the best previously known catalyst of its type. ... > full story

Natural killer cells could be key to anthrax defense (October 31, 2011) -- Researchers have found new allies for the fight against anthrax. Known as natural killer cells, they're a part of the immune system normally associated with eliminating tumor cells and cells infected by viruses. But natural killer cells also attack bacteria -- including anthrax, according to a new study. ... > full story

Elaborate bird plumage due to testosterone? (October 31, 2011) -- In many bird species males have a more elaborate plumage than females. This elaborate plumage is often used to signal body condition, to intimidate rivals or to attract potential mates. In many cases plumage colouration also depends on the hormone testosterone. Researchers have now investigated whether this also holds true for sex role-reversed bird species. ... > full story

Link discovered among spectrum of childhood diseases (October 31, 2011) -- Scientists have identified a genetic mutation that causes a rare childhood disease characterized predominantly by inflammation and fat loss. ... > full story

Human-caused climate change major factor in more frequent Mediterranean droughts (October 31, 2011) -- Wintertime droughts are increasingly common in the Mediterranean region, and human-caused climate change is partly responsible, according to a new analysis. In the last 20 years, 10 of the driest 12 winters have taken place in the lands surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. ... > full story

Influencing craving for cigarettes by stimulating the brain (October 31, 2011) -- Targeted brain stimulation increases cigarette cravings, a new study has found, which may lead to new treatments. Cues such as watching someone else smoke, elicit craving and may provoke relapse. There are many methods that smokers use in an attempt to reduce their craving for cigarettes, including efficacious pharmacologic treatments such as nicotine patches, hypnosis and acupuncture. Scientists have long suspected that these diverse approaches might work through the reduction of activity in a brain circuit that is responsible for cigarette craving. ... > full story

New hybrid technology could bring 'quantum information systems' (October 31, 2011) -- The merging of two technologies under development -- plasmonics and nanophotonics -- is promising the emergence of new "quantum information systems" far more powerful than today's computers. ... > full story

Obese people regain weight after dieting due to hormones, Australian study finds (October 31, 2011) -- Worldwide, there are more than 1.5 billion overweight adults, including 400 million who are obese. Although restriction of diet often results in initial weight loss, more than 80 per cent of obese dieters fail to maintain their reduced weight. Obese people may regain weight after dieting due to hormonal changes, a new study has shown. ... > full story

Study analyzes only known footage of the largest woodpecker that ever lived (October 31, 2011) -- Most believe the imperial woodpecker faded unseen into history in the late 20th century in the high mountains of Mexico. But now the largest woodpecker that ever lived can be seen once more in an 85-second flight that offers us a lesson its behavior, and ours. ... > full story

New therapy shows promise for treating cardiovascular disease (October 31, 2011) -- A new therapy being studied in non-human primates is demonstrating promise as a potential tool for combating cardiovascular disease by increasing good cholesterol and lowering triglycerides in the blood. ... > full story

Global warming target to stay below 2 degrees requires more action this decade, scientists say (October 31, 2011) -- Climate scientists say the world's target to stay below a global warming of 2 degrees, made at the United Nations conference in Copenhagen in 2009 and Cancun 2010 will require decisive action this decade. ... > full story

Betcha won't eat just one: People consume more candies when they're individually wrapped, study shows (October 31, 2011) -- If you believe that good things always come in small packages, a new study may change your mind -- especially this close to Halloween. ... > full story

Planets smashed into dust near supermassive black holes (October 31, 2011) -- Fat doughnut-shaped dust shrouds that obscure about half of supermassive black holes could be the result of high speed crashes between planets and asteroids, according to a new theory from an international team of astronomers. ... > full story

Predicting how cancers will respond to chemo: New test determines whether tumor cells are already 'primed' for death (October 31, 2011) -- Challenging a half-century-old theory about why chemotherapy agents target cancer, scientists have devised a test that can predict how effective the drugs will be by determining whether tumor cells are already "primed" for death. The discovery suggests it may be possible to predict which cancer patients are most likely to benefit from chemotherapy, as well as to make chemotherapy drugs more effective by pushing tumor cells closer to the point of suicide. ... > full story

Different paths to drug resistance in Leishmania: Evolution by changes in gene, region and chromosome number, not by mutation in genes (October 31, 2011) -- Two remarkable discoveries have been revealed by researchers into genome analysis of Leishmania parasites. These results uncovered a surprising level of variation at the genome structure level. ... > full story

Yeast model connects Alzheimer's disease risk and amyloid beta toxicity (October 31, 2011) -- In a development that sheds new light on the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a team of scientists has identified connections between genetic risk factors for the disease and the effects of a peptide toxic to nerve cells in the brains of AD patients. ... > full story

Tropical rainforests original generators of biodiversity (October 31, 2011) -- The tropical rainforests harbor a multitude of living resources. Where, when and how did this wealth of biodiversity appear? To find answers to these fundamental questions, biologists have realized the first evolutionary history of a family of plants characteristic of this ecosystem: palms (Arecaceae or Palmae). ... > full story

Joking, pretending with toddlers gives them head start in life skills (October 31, 2011) -- Parents who joke and pretend with their toddlers are giving their children a head start in terms of life skills. Most parents are naturals at playing the fool with their kids, says a new research project. However parents who feel they may need a little help in doing this can learn to develop these life skills with their tots. ... > full story