ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Thursday, November 3, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Thursday, November 3, 2011

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Tactic to delay age-related disorders (November 3, 2011) -- Researchers have shown that eliminating cells that accumulate with age could prevent or delay the onset of age-related disorders and disabilities. The study, performed in mouse models, provides the first evidence that these "deadbeat" cells could contribute to aging and suggests a way to help people stay healthier as they age. ... > full story

Evolution offers clues to leading cause of death during childbirth (November 3, 2011) -- Unusual features of the human placenta may be the underlying cause of postpartum hemorrhage, the leading cause of maternal deaths during childbirth, according to evolutionary research. ... > full story

Watching the birth of an iceberg (November 3, 2011) -- After discovering an emerging crack that cuts across the floating ice shelf of Pine Island Glacier in Antarctica, NASA's Operation IceBridge has flown a follow-up mission and made the first-ever detailed airborne measurements of a major iceberg calving in progress. ... > full story

Latitude variation in incidence of chronic digestive diseases (November 3, 2011) -- New research points to a potential role for UV light exposure and vitamin D levels in chronic digestive conditions; Crohn's disease, a serious inflammatory condition in the small intestine; and ulcerative colitis, which similarly affects the colon. ... > full story

Studying random structures with confetti (November 3, 2011) -- Chance and probability play a natural role in statistical physics. Inspired by confetti, researchers in Sweden are gaining better understanding of random phenomena and refine the tools that can be used to study them. ... > full story

Architecture and design help the brain recover (November 3, 2011) -- How does the hospital environment affect our rehabilitation? New research from Sweden into how the space around us affects the brain reveals that well-planned architecture, design and sensory stimulation increase patients' ability to recover both physically and mentally. Digital textiles and multisensory spaces can make rehabilitation more effective and reduce the amount of time spent in care. ... > full story

Jawbone found in England is from the earliest known modern human in northwestern Europe (November 3, 2011) -- A piece of jawbone excavated from a prehistoric cave in England is the earliest evidence for modern humans in Europe, according to an international science team. New dating of the bone, which shows that it is between 44,000 and 41,000 years old, is expected to help scientists pin down how quickly modern humans spread across Europe during the last Ice Age. It also helps to confirm the much-debated theory that early humans coexisted with Neanderthals. ... > full story

Chantix unsuitable for first-line smoking cessation use, study finds (November 3, 2011) -- The poor safety profile of the smoking-cessation drug varenicline (Chantix) makes it unsuitable for first-line use, according to a new study. Varenicline, which already carries a "black box warning" from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, showed a substantially increased risk of reported depression or suicidal behavior compared to other smoking-cessation treatments, according to researchers. ... > full story

Discovery helps explain progression of Lou Gehrig's disease, offers new therapy approach (November 3, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered a previously unknown type of neural cell that appears to be closely linked to the progression of amytrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease, that they believe will provide an important new approach to therapies. There is now no treatment for this disease, which causes progressive death of motor neurons, serious debility, paralysis and ultimately death within a few years. ... > full story

Exenatide (Byetta) has rapid, powerful anti-inflammatory effect, study shows (November 3, 2011) -- Exenatide, a drug commonly prescribed to help patients with Type 2 diabetes improve blood sugar control, also has a powerful and rapid anti-inflammatory effect, a new study has shown. ... > full story

Molecular depth profiling modeled using buckyballs and low-energy argon (November 3, 2011) -- The strengths and weaknesses of a new method of molecular depth profiling -- a technique used to analyze the surface of ultra-thin materials such as human tissue, nanoparticles, and other substances -- have been revealed by a new computer-simulation study, which may help future researchers to choose when to use the new method of probing ultra-thin materials. ... > full story

More years to life and life to years through increased motivation for an active life (November 3, 2011) -- Regular physical activity is associated with a lower risk of suffering depression in old age. This is shown by one of the largest studies on elderly Europeans to have been carried out. Research also shows that self-determined motivation and perceived competence are important factors in persuading elderly people to exercise more. ... > full story

Maternal separation stresses the baby, research finds (November 2, 2011) -- A woman goes into labor, and gives birth. The newborn is swaddled and placed to sleep in a nearby bassinet, or taken to the hospital nursery so that the mother can rest. Despite common practice, new research provides new evidence that separating infants from their mothers is stressful to the baby. ... > full story

Blood vessel mapping reveals four new 'ZIP codes'; Targeting specific addresses could help fight cancer, obesity and other diseases (November 2, 2011) -- A research team has discovered four new "ZIP codes" in their quest to map the vast blood vessel network of the human body. The study brings science one step closer to the goal of using the vascular system to personalize cancer therapy, as well as fight obesity, heart disease and other disorders. Researchers also found that some addresses are shared in vasculature across the board instead of always being organ-specific. ... > full story

Ocean water salinity and color herald El Niño events (November 2, 2011) -- El Niño and La Niña, the climate’s two 'enfants terribles,' arise with the onset of eastward migration of the tropical western Pacific’s immense warm-water reservoir, the “warm pool”. Researchers recently found two parameters useful for observing the way this pool moves: water salinity and color. ... > full story

First ever multi-cellular model of rare disease developed (November 2, 2011) -- Research groups worldwide have tried to develop a simple model of a rare, fatal disease called Zellweger's syndrome but none has succeeded, until researchers finally did so in fruit flies. ... > full story

Are global honey bee declines caused by diesel pollution? (November 2, 2011) -- Scientists are investigating a possible link between tiny particles of pollution found in diesel fumes and the global collapse of honey bee colonies. ... > full story

Finding relief in ritual: A healthy dose of repetitive behavior reduces anxiety, says researcher (November 2, 2011) -- Repetitive behavior can be observed in captive animals, basketball players, and patients with OCD. Now a researcher has found that in all three cases, this behavior developed as a way to manage stress caused by our unpredictable and uncontrollable environments. ... > full story

'Zombie' worms found in Mediterranean fossil (November 2, 2011) -- Traces of bizarre, bone-eating 'zombie' worms have been found on a 3-million-year-old fossil whale bone from Tuscany in Italy. It is the first time the genus Osedax has been found in the Mediterranean, and suggests Osedax were widespread throughout the world's oceans 6 million years ago. ... > full story

Viral vector designed to treat a genetic form of blindness (November 2, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a viral vector designed to deliver a gene into the eyes of people born with an inherited, progressive form of blindness that affects mainly males. The vector is being tested in a clinical trial investigating the use of gene therapy to cure choroideremia, a disease that affects an estimated 100,000 people worldwide. ... > full story

Bilateral hand transplant performed (November 2, 2011) -- For the first time in the Delaware Valley region, a patient has undergone a complex and intricate transplant procedure that could significantly enhance the quality-of-life for persons with multiple limb loss. ... > full story

Obesity hormone adiponectin increases the risk of osteoporosis in the elderly, study finds (November 2, 2011) -- While obesity is a well-known cause of cardiovascular disease, research from Sweden has now revealed that one of the body's obesity-related hormones -- adiponectin -- is also linked to osteoporosis and an increased risk of fractures. ... > full story

Manufacturing microscale medical devices for faster tissue engineering (November 2, 2011) -- Researchers have modified a manufacturing technique called two-photon polymerization to create finely detailed micro-structures, such as scaffolds for tissue engineering, more quickly and efficiently than was previously possible. The new technique could help pave the way to more widespread clinical use of microscale medical devices. ... > full story

Overweight teens want to lose weight, going about it the wrong way (November 2, 2011) -- While a majority of teens report wanting to lose weight, many engage in behavior that's counterproductive to that goal, according to new research. ... > full story

Did life once exist below Red Planet's surface? NASA study of clays suggests watery Mars underground (November 2, 2011) -- A new NASA study suggests if life ever existed on Mars, the longest lasting habitats were most likely below the Red Planet's surface. A new interpretation of years of mineral-mapping data, from more than 350 sites on Mars examined by European and NASA orbiters, suggests Martian environments with abundant liquid water on the surface existed only during short episodes. These episodes occurred toward the end of a period of hundreds of millions of years during which warm water interacted with subsurface rocks. This has implications about whether life existed on Mars and how the Martian atmosphere has changed. ... > full story

Dopamine release in human brain tracked at microsecond timescale reveals decision-making (November 2, 2011) -- The first rapid measurements of dopamine release in a human brain have provided preliminary evidence that the neurotransmitter can be tracked in its movement between brain cells while a subject expresses decision-making behavior. ... > full story

Wetlands: Drying intensifying wildfires, carbon release ninefold, study finds (November 2, 2011) -- Drying of northern wetlands has led to much more severe peatland wildfires and nine times as much carbon released into the atmosphere, according to new research. ... > full story

'Protein microarrays' may reveal new weapons against malaria (November 2, 2011) -- A new research technology is revealing how humans develop immunity to malaria, and could assist programs aimed at eradicating this parasitic disease. ... > full story

Crowdsourcing nutrition in a snap: Counting calories in photos, PlateMate proves the wisdom of the (well-managed) crowd (November 2, 2011) -- If keeping a food diary seems like too much effort, despair not: Computer scientists ahave devised a tool that lets you snap a photo of your meal and let the crowd do the rest. PlateMate's calorie estimates have proved, in tests, to be just as accurate as those of trained nutritionists, and more accurate than the user's own logs. ... > full story

Doctors' own alcohol consumption colors advice to patients (November 2, 2011) -- Doctors who drink more themselves are more liberal in their advice to patients on alcohol consumption. They set higher thresholds for what is harmful, and while men who are heavy drinkers get to continue drinking, women are often advised to stop altogether, reveals new research. ... > full story

Babies understand thought process of others at 10 months old, research suggests (November 2, 2011) -- New research indicates that at 10 months, babies start to understand another person's thought process, providing new insights on how humans acquire knowledge and how communication develops. ... > full story

Findings offer new clues into the addicted brain (November 2, 2011) -- What drives addicts to repeatedly choose drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, overeating, gambling or kleptomania, despite the risks involved? Neuroscientists have pinpointed the exact locations in the brain where calculations are made that can result in addictive and compulsive behavior. ... > full story

Using math and light to detect misshapen red blood cells (November 2, 2011) -- Researchers have pioneered a technique that will allow doctors to ascertain the healthy shape of red blood cells in just a few seconds, by analyzing the light scattered off hundreds of cells at a time. ... > full story

Poor sleep quality in first, third trimesters linked to preterm births (November 2, 2011) -- Significant risk for preterm birth found in women reporting sleep disruptions during their first and third trimesters, even after medical risk factors and income levels were accounted for. However, it's inexpensive and uncomplicated to assess, and requires only a change in behavior to help reduce risk when intervened early enough. ... > full story

Mapping the formation of an underwater volcano (November 2, 2011) -- On Oct. 9, 2011, an underwater volcano started to emerge in waters off El Hierro Island in the Canaries, Spain. Researchers only needed 15 days to map its formation in high resolution. The volcanic cone has reached a height of 100 m and the lava tongue flows down its side, even though its activity has slowed down in the past few days. ... > full story

Caveman politics: Has our violent history led to an evolved preference for physically strong political leaders? (November 2, 2011) -- New research into evolutionary psychology suggests that physical stature affects our preferences in political leadership. The article reveals that a preference for physically formidable leaders, or caveman politics, may have evolved to ensure survival in ancient human history. ... > full story

Eastern U.S. forests not keeping pace with climate change, large study finds (November 2, 2011) -- More than half of eastern US tree species examined in a massive new study aren't adapting to climate change as quickly or consistently as predicted. ... > full story

Recipients of organ transplants at increased risk for broad range of cancers, study finds (November 2, 2011) -- Patients who have received a solid organ transplant, such as kidney, liver, heart or lung, have an overall cancer risk that is double that of the general population, with an increased risk for many different types of malignancies, according to a new study. ... > full story

New drug shows promise against multiple sclerosis (November 2, 2011) -- An experimental drug called Ocrelizumab has shown promise in a phase two clinical trial involving 220 people with multiple sclerosis, an often debilitating, chronic autoimmune disease that affects an increasing number of people in North America. It usually strikes young adults and is more common in women than in men. ... > full story

Low levels of alcohol consumption associated with small increased risk of breast cancer, study finds (November 2, 2011) -- Consumption of three to six alcoholic drinks per week is associated with a small increase in the risk of breast cancer, and consumption in both earlier and later adult life is also associated with an increased risk, according to a new study. ... > full story

Gecko-inspired tank robot scales walls (November 2, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a tank-like robot that has the ability to scale smooth walls, opening up a series of applications ranging from inspecting pipes, buildings, aircraft and nuclear power plants to deployment in search and rescue operations. ... > full story

How lonely you are may impact how well you sleep, research shows (November 2, 2011) -- Study of adults in tight-knit South Dakota community shows lonely feelings associated with compromised sleep -- that is, the stronger the loneliness, the more disruptions during the night, with potentially negative consequences on wellness. Results agree with 2002 study of college students, indicating that individuals young and old, in big towns and small, need to feel secure in their social setting to get a healthy night's rest. ... > full story

Switching senses: Leeches shift the way they locate prey in adulthood (November 2, 2011) -- Many meat-eating animals have unique ways of hunting down a meal using their senses. To find a tasty treat, bats use echolocation, snakes rely on infrared vision, and owls take advantage of the concave feathers on their faces, the better to help them hear possible prey. Leeches have not just one but two distinct ways of detecting dinner and, according to new findings, their preferred method changes as they age. ... > full story

Research into unexplained miscarriages could impact heart and stroke treatment (November 2, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a potential new cause for unexplained miscarriages in mice. ... > full story

Hormone in birth control shot linked to memory loss (November 2, 2011) -- The birth control shot Depo Provera offers a convenient alternative for women who don't want to remember to take a daily pill. Ironically, new research has shown the shot actually may impair a person's memory. ... > full story

Age no longer a barrier to stem cell transplantation for older patients (November 2, 2011) -- Age alone no longer should be considered a defining factor when determining whether an older patient with blood cancer is a candidate for stem cell transplantation. That's the conclusion of the first study summarizing long-term outcomes from a series of prospective clinical trials of patients age 60 and over who were treated with the mini-transplant, a "kinder, gentler" form of allogeneic (donor cell) stem cell transplantation. ... > full story

New form of lighting rolled out: Newspaper-style printing process (November 2, 2011) -- In a new article, researchers describe a way of creating thin, flexible sheets of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) using a cheap, newspaper-style "roll-to-roll" printing process. ... > full story

People rationalize situations they're stuck with, but rebel when they think there's an out (November 2, 2011) -- People who feel like they're stuck with a rule or restriction are more likely to be content with it than people who think that the rule isn't definite. The authors of a new study say this conclusion may help explain everything from unrequited love to the uprisings of the Arab Spring. ... > full story