ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Friday, November 4, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Friday, November 4, 2011

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Observations of gamma-ray burst reveal surprising ingredients of early galaxies (November 4, 2011) -- Astronomers have used the brief but brilliant light of a distant gamma-ray burst as a probe to study the make-up of very distant galaxies. Surprisingly the new observations revealed two galaxies in the young Universe that are richer in the heavier chemical elements than the Sun. The two galaxies may be in the process of merging. Such events in the early Universe will drive the formation of many new stars and may be the trigger for gamma-ray bursts. ... > full story

Exercise provides clue to deadly ataxia (November 4, 2011) -- When researchers prescribed mild exercise for mice with a neurodegenerative disorder called spinocerebellar ataxia 1, they did not know what to expect. What they found was the mice that exercised lived longer than those that had not. ... > full story

Scientists identify gene critical for cell responses to oxygen deprivation (November 4, 2011) -- Scientists have identified a protein that kick-starts the response to low levels of oxygen, suggesting new lines of research relevant to a variety of potentially fatal disorders associated with diminished oxygen supply, including cancer, heart disease, stroke and other neurological conditions that affect millions of people worldwide. ... > full story

Report calls for creation of a biomedical research and patient data network for more accurate classification of diseases, move toward 'precision medicine' (November 4, 2011) -- A new data network that integrates emerging research on the molecular makeup of diseases with clinical data on individual patients could drive the development of a more accurate classification of disease and ultimately enhance diagnosis and treatment. ... > full story

New process for manufacturing nanocellulose: Using nanocellulose to create novel composite materials (November 4, 2011) -- For some time now nanocellulose has been at the focus of a good deal of industrial and scientific interest as a novel biomaterial. Potential applications range from the creation of new kinds of commercially useful materials and uses in medical technology all the way to the food and pharmaceutical industries. Swiss researchers have now developed a manufacturing process for nanocellulose powder, the raw material for creating polymer composites which can be used, for example, in lightweight structures for the car industry or as membrane and filter material for biomedicinal applications. ... > full story

Impulsive versus controlled men: Disinhibited brains and disinhibited behavior (November 4, 2011) -- Impulsive individuals tend to display aggressive behavior and have challenges ranging from drug and alcohol abuse, to problem gambling and difficult relationships. They are less able to adapt to different social situations. Impulsivity is also a common feature of psychiatric disorders. New research shows that people may react this way, in part, because they have lower levels of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter, in a specific part of their brain involved in regulating self-control. ... > full story

Evolution during human colonizations: Selective advantage of being there first (November 4, 2011) -- The first individuals settling on new land are more successful at passing on their genes than those who did not migrate, according to new research. ... > full story

X marks the spot: TBL1X gene involved in autism spectrum disorder (November 4, 2011) -- Autism spectrum disorder affects about one in 100 children resulting in a range of problems in language, communication and understanding other people's emotional cues, all of which can lead to difficulties in social situations. New research used genome wide association study data to find a variation in the gene for transducin beta-like 1X-linked (TBL1X) which is associated with increased risk of ASD in boys. ... > full story

Dormant malaria parsites in red blood cells may contribute to treatment failure, study suggests (November 4, 2011) -- Researchers have shown for the first time in a rodent model that the earliest form of malaria parasites can lay dormant in red blood cells and "wake up," or recover, following treatment with the antimalarial drug artesunate. ... > full story

Study identifies an expanded role for PKM2 in helping cancer cells survive (November 4, 2011) -- In recent years, the field of cancer metabolism has found that cancer cells can manipulate the PKM2 enzyme to grow and thrive. Now a new study finds that cancers also use PKM2 to withstand oxidative stress. ... > full story

Experts recommend the inclusion of rainwater-collection systems in cities (November 4, 2011) -- Plain, sloping roofs can collect up to 50 percent more rainwater than flat roofs with gravel. This water is also of higher quality. These are the conclusions of a study conducted by researchers in Spain that suggests the incorporation of systems to collect rainwater in urban planning. The water collected can be used to water streets and gardens, wash floors or vehicles and fill cisterns. ... > full story

Fast-food dining is most popular for those with middle incomes (November 4, 2011) -- A new national study of eating out and income shows that fast-food dining becomes more common as earnings increase from low to middle incomes, weakening the popular notion that fast food should be blamed for higher rates of obesity among the poor. ... > full story

Brain cells responsible for keeping us awake identified (November 3, 2011) -- Researchers have identified the group of neurons that mediates whether light arouses us and keeps us awake, or not. They report that the cells necessary for a light induced arousal response are located in the hypothalamus, an area at the base of the brain responsible for, among other things, control of the autonomic nervous system, body temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue -- and sleep. ... > full story

Newborn period may be crucial time to prevent later diabetes, animal study suggests (November 3, 2011) -- Pediatric researchers who tested newborn animals with an existing human drug used in adults with diabetes report that this drug, when given very early in life, prevents diabetes from developing in adult animals. If this finding can be repeated in humans, it may become a way to prevent at-risk infants from developing Type 2 diabetes. ... > full story

Scientists study 'galaxy zoo' using Google Maps and thousands of volunteers (November 3, 2011) -- The reddest galaxies with the largest central bulb show the largest bars -- gigantic central columns of stars and dark matter -- according to a scientific study that used Google Maps to observe the sky. A group of volunteers of more than 200,000 participants of the galaxy classification project Galaxy Zoo contributed to this research. ... > full story

Thousands of lives could be saved if rest of UK adopted average diet in England, study concludes (November 3, 2011) -- Around 4,000 deaths could be prevented every year if the UK population adopted the average diet eaten in England, new research concludes. ... > full story

Thousand-color sensor reveals contaminants in earth and sea: Technology spots environmental hazards (November 3, 2011) -- A researcher has developed a special camera that can detect more than 1,000 colors -- and can diagnose contaminants and other environmental hazards in real time. ... > full story

Family-based intervention: Study shows promise for teen suicide prevention (November 3, 2011) -- A new study shows that a family-based intervention done while a suicidal youth is still being treated in the emergency room as successful in linking troubled youths to outpatient treatment, with the goal of ending further life-threatening attempts. ... > full story

Astrobiologists discover 'sweet spots' for the formation of complex organic molecules in the galaxy (November 3, 2011) -- Scientists have compiled years of research to help locate areas in outer space that have extreme potential for complex organic molecule formation. The scientists searched for methanol, a key ingredient in the synthesis of organic molecules that could lead to life. Their results have implications for determining the origins of molecules that spark life in the cosmos. ... > full story

Adolescent amphetamine use linked to permanent changes in brain function and behavior (November 3, 2011) -- Amphetamine use in adolescence can cause neurobiological imbalances and increase risk-taking behavior, and these effects can persist into adulthood, even when subjects are drug free. These are the conclusions of a new study using animal models. The study is one of the first to shed light on how long-term amphetamine use in adolescence affects brain chemistry and behavior. ... > full story

Fertilized oocytes digest paternal mitochondria (November 3, 2011) -- During fertilization, the entire spermatozoon enters the oocyte. However, most of its organelles, including mitochondria, are not transmitted to the offspring. A new study demonstrates for the first time how the spermatozoon organelles are digested by the oocyte shortly after fertilization. These findings could improve cloning and medically-assisted reproductive technology and help to better understand the evolutionary origin of the elimination of paternal mitochondria. ... > full story

Unsaturated fat breakdown leads to complications of acute pancreatitis in obese patients (November 3, 2011) -- The toxic breakdown products of unsaturated fats contribute to the higher likelihood of severe inflammation, cell death and multi-system organ failure among acute pancreatitis patients who are obese, say researchers Their findings provide new insight into how fat can induce complications after sudden inflammatory, non-infectious illnesses. ... > full story

Australian technology aims to make storing radioactive waste safer (November 3, 2011) -- Australian researchers have developed new technology capable of removing radioactive material from contaminated water and aiding clean-up efforts following nuclear disasters. ... > full story

Get lost easily? The cerebellum is your navigation assistant (November 3, 2011) -- The cerebellum is far more intensively involved in helping us navigate than previously thought. To move and learn effectively in spatial environments our brain, and particularly our hippocampus, creates a "cognitive" map of the environment. The cerebellum contributes to the creation of this map through altering the chemical communication between its neurons. If this ability is inactivated, the brain is no longer able to to create an effective spatial representation and thus navigation in an environment becomes impaired, new research shows. ... > full story

NASA's Fermi finds youngest millisecond pulsar, 100 pulsars to-date (November 3, 2011) -- An international team of scientists using NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has discovered a surprisingly powerful millisecond pulsar that challenges existing theories about how these objects form. ... > full story

Gene therapy shows promise as hemophilia treatment in animal studies (November 3, 2011) -- For the first time, researchers have combined gene therapy and stem cell transplantation to successfully reverse the severe, crippling bleeding disorder hemophilia A in large animals, opening the door to the development of new therapies for human patients. ... > full story

Nine new gamma pulsars brings known gamma-ray pulsars to over 100 (November 3, 2011) -- Pulsars are the lighthouses of the universe. These compact and fast-rotating neutron stars flash many times per second in the radio or gamma-ray band. Pure gamma-ray pulsars are extremely difficult to find despite their high energy because they radiate very few photons per unit of time. Using an improved analysis algorithm, scientists have now discovered a number of previously unknown gamma-ray pulsars with low luminosity in data from the Fermi satellite. These pulsars had been missed using conventional methods. The number of known gamma-ray pulsars has thus grown to over 100. ... > full story

Chromosomal 'breakpoints' linked to canine cancer (November 3, 2011) -- Researchers have uncovered evidence that evolutionary "breakpoints" on canine chromosomes are also associated with canine cancer. Mapping these "fragile" regions in dogs may also have implications for the discovery and treatment of human cancers. ... > full story

Discovery of new gene could improve efficiency of molecular factories (November 3, 2011) -- The discovery of a new gene is helping researchers envision more-efficient molecular factories of the future. ... > full story

High blood pressure may lead to missed emotional cues (November 3, 2011) -- Your ability to recognize emotional content in faces and texts is linked to your blood pressure, according to new research. ... > full story

Fruit fly intestine may hold secret to fountain of youth: Long-lived fruit flies offer clues to slowing human aging and fighting disease (November 3, 2011) -- One of the few reliable ways to extend an organism's lifespan, be it a fruit fly or a mouse, is to restrict calorie intake. Now, a new study in fruit flies is helping to explain why such minimal diets are linked to longevity and offering clues to the effects of aging on stem cell behavior. ... > full story

Continuous use of nitroglycerin increases severity of heart attacks, study shows (November 3, 2011) -- When given for hours as a continuous dose, the heart medication nitroglycerin backfires -- increasing the severity of subsequent heart attacks, according to a study of the compound in rats. ... > full story

NASA studying ways to make 'tractor beams' a reality (November 3, 2011) -- Tractor beams -- the ability to trap and move objects using laser light -- are the stuff of science fiction, but a team of NASA scientists has won funding to study the concept for remotely capturing planetary or atmospheric particles and delivering them to a robotic rover or orbiting spacecraft for analysis. ... > full story

Scientists outline steps toward Epstein-Barr virus vaccine (November 3, 2011) -- Epstein-Barr virus infects nine out of ten people worldwide at some point during their lifetimes. Infections in early childhood often cause no disease symptoms, but people infected during adolescence or young adulthood may develop infectious mononucleosis, a disease characterized by swollen lymph nodes, fever and severe fatigue. ... > full story

iPhone turned into spiPhone: Smartphone senses nearby keyboard vibrations and deciphers sentences (November 3, 2011) -- Engineers have discovered how to program a smartphone to sense nearby keyboard vibrations and decipher complete sentences with up to 80 percent accuracy. ... > full story

Rich club in the human brain? (November 3, 2011) -- Just as the Occupy Wall Street movement has brought more attention to financial disparities between the haves and have-nots in American society, researchers are highlighting the disproportionate influence of so called "rich clubs" within the human brain. One researcher described the select, highly connected brain regions as the "G8 summit of our brain." ... > full story

Humans and climate contributed to extinctions of large Ice Age mammals, new study finds (November 3, 2011) -- Both climate change and humans were responsible for the extinction of some large mammals, according to research that is the first of its kind to use genetic, archeological, and climatic data together to infer the population history of large Ice Age mammals. The large international team's research is expected to shed light on the possible fates of living species of mammals as our planet continues its current warming cycle. ... > full story

Nicotine as a gateway drug: Biological mechanism in mice identified (November 3, 2011) -- A landmark study in mice identifies a biological mechanism that could help explain how tobacco products could act as gateway drugs, increasing a person's future likelihood of abusing cocaine and perhaps other drugs as well, according to researchers. The study is the first to show that nicotine might prime the brain to enhance the behavioral effects of cocaine. ... > full story

Physicists identify room temperature quantum bits in widely used semiconductor (November 3, 2011) -- Physicists may have earned silicon carbide –– a semiconductor commonly used by the electronics industry –– a role at the center of a new generation of information technologies designed to exploit quantum physics for tasks such as ultrafast computing and nanoscale sensing. ... > full story

New material for air cleaner filters that captures flu viruses (November 3, 2011) -- With flu season just around the corner, scientists are reporting development of a new material for the fiber in face masks, air conditioning filters and air cleaning filters that captures influenza viruses before they can get into people's eyes, noses and mouths and cause infection. ... > full story

Fast high precision eye-surgery robot developed (November 3, 2011) -- A researcher in The Netherlands has developed a smart eye-surgery robot that allows eye surgeons to operate with increased ease and greater precision on the retina and the vitreous humor of the eye. The system also extends the effective period during which ophthalmologists can carry out these intricate procedures. ... > full story

Rude people have better credit scores, study suggests (November 3, 2011) -- Researchers have showcased the link between credit ratings and an individual's personality, and shown no connection between poor credit scores and theft. ... > full story

'Saber-toothed squirrel': First known mammalian skull from Late Cretaceous in South America (November 3, 2011) -- Paleontologists have discovered two skulls from the first known mammal of the early Late Cretaceous period of South America. The fossils break a roughly 60 million-year gap in the currently known mammalian record of the continent and provide new clues on the early evolution of mammals. ... > full story

New medication effectively treats underlying cause of cystic fibrosis in some patients, study shows (November 3, 2011) -- A new study has confirmed that the drug, ivacaftor (VX-770), significantly improves lung function in some people with cystic fibrosis. The oral medicine targets the defective protein produced by the gene mutation called G551D that causes CF. Researchers found that patients carrying G551D -- approximately four per cent of all CF patients -- who were treated with VX-770 showed a 17 per cent relative improvement in lung function that was sustained over the course of 48 weeks. ... > full story

Solar power could get boost from new light absorption design (November 3, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a new material that absorbs a wide range of wavelengths and could lead to more efficient and less expensive solar technology. ... > full story

Women's chin, abdomen are good indicators of excessive hair growth (November 3, 2011) -- Examining the chin and upper and lower abdomen is a reliable, minimally invasive way to screen for excessive hair growth in women, a key indicator of too much male hormone, researchers report. ... > full story

Kicking hybrids out of carpool lanes backfires, slowing traffic for all, study finds (November 3, 2011) -- The end of a California program granting free access to carpool lanes by solo drivers of hybrid cars has unintentionally slowed traffic in all lanes, according to a new report. It turns out that when regular-use lanes became more congested with the addition of more hybrids, the carpool lanes slowed down as well. ... > full story

Autistic people superior in multiple areas: Scientists must stop emphasizing autistics' shortcomings, expert urges (November 3, 2011) -- We must stop considering the different brain structure of autistic individuals to be a deficiency, as research reveals that many autistics -- not just "savants" -- have qualities and abilities that may exceed those of people who do not have the condition, according to a provocative new article. ... > full story