ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Tuesday, November 8, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Tuesday, November 8, 2011

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Tropical forests fertilized by nitrogen air pollution, scientists find (November 7, 2011) -- Scientists braved ticks and a tiger to discover how human activities have perturbed the nitrogen cycle in tropical forests. Studies at two remote Smithsonian Institution Global Earth Observatory sites in Panama and Thailand show the first evidence of long-term effects of nitrogen pollution in tropical trees. ... > full story

New technology to monitor brain aneurysms (November 7, 2011) -- Researchers have developed new technology for monitoring brain aneurysms – an approach that is potentially less invasive and more accurate than current methods, and one that is simple enough for patients to use at home for frequent monitoring. ... > full story

Millisecond pulsar in spin mode: Gamma radiation of rapidly rotating neutron star casts doubt on origin models (November 7, 2011) -- Astronomers have tracked down the first gamma-ray pulsar in a globular cluster of stars. It is around 27,000 light years away and thus also holds the distance record in this class of objects. Moreover, its high luminosity indicates that J1823-3021A is the youngest millisecond pulsar found to date, and that its magnetic field is much stronger than theoretically predicted. This therefore suggests the existence of a new population of such extreme objects. ... > full story

Young women with rheumatoid arthritis at more risk for broken bones, study finds (November 7, 2011) -- Women under 50 with rheumatoid arthritis are at greater risk of breaking bones than women without the condition, according to a new study. ... > full story

Flash forward 100 years: Climate change scenarios in California's Bay-Delta (November 7, 2011) -- Scientists investigated how California's interconnected San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (the Bay-Delta system) is expected to change from 2010 to 2099 in response to both fast and moderate climate warming scenarios. Results indicate that this area will feel impacts of global climate change in the next century with shifts in its biological communities, rising sea level, and modified water supplies. ... > full story

How we create false memories: Assessing memory performance in older adults (November 7, 2011) -- A new study addresses the influence of age-related stereotypes on memory performance and memory errors in older adults. ... > full story

Brain parasite directly alters brain chemistry (November 7, 2011) -- A research group from the University of Leeds has shown that infection by the brain parasite Toxoplasma gondii, found in 10-20 percent of the UK's population, directly affects the production of dopamine, a key chemical messenger in the brain. ... > full story

Novel technique switches triple-negative breast cancer cells to hormone-receptor positive cells (November 7, 2011) -- Within many hormone-receptor positive breast cancers lives a subpopulation of receptor-negative cells – knock down the hormone-receptor positive cells with anti-estrogen drugs and you may inadvertently promote tumor takeover by more dangerous, receptor-negative cells. A new study describes how to switch these receptor-negative cells back to a state that can be targeted by existing hormone therapies. ... > full story

2-D electron liquid solidifies in a magnetic field (November 7, 2011) -- Physicists have developed a theory that describes, in a unified manner, the coexistence of liquid and pinned solid phases of electrons in two dimensions under the influence of a magnetic field. ... > full story

CT scans can help detect gout cases traditional tests miss, study finds (November 7, 2011) -- X-ray images known as CT scans can help confirm gout in patients who are suspected of having the painful condition but receive negative results from traditional tests, a Mayo Clinic study has found. ... > full story

Why oxygen becomes the undoing of proteins (November 7, 2011) -- Scientists have published a new study explaining why enzymes used for the production of hydrogen are so sensitive to oxygen. They used spectroscopic methods to investigate the time course of the processes that lead to the inactivation of the enzyme's iron center. ... > full story

Vintage leather football helmets often as protective as modern helmets in common, game-like hits (November 7, 2011) -- Old-fashioned "leatherhead" football helmets from the early 1900s are often as effective as -- and sometimes better than -- modern football helmets at protecting against injuries during routine, game-like collisions, according to researchers. ... > full story

Erasing signs of aging in human cells now a reality (November 7, 2011) -- Scientists have recently succeeded in rejuvenating cells from elderly donors (aged over 100). These old cells were reprogrammed in vitro to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and to rejuvenated and human embryonic stem cells (hESC): cells of all types can again be differentiated after this genuine "rejuvenation" therapy. ... > full story

Colorectal cancer: Jumping gene named Sleeping Beauty plays vital role in investigating cancer pathway (November 7, 2011) -- A jumping gene has helped to unlock vital clues for researchers investigating the genetics of colorectal cancer. In a new study, researchers used DNA transposon system to profile the repertoire of genes that can drive colorectal cancer in a mouse model, identifying many more than previously thought. Around one third of these genes are mutated in human cancer, which provides strong evidence that they are driver mutations in human tumours. ... > full story

Hospital tests reveal the secrets of an Egyptian mummy (November 7, 2011) -- An ancient Egyptian mummy has had quite an afterlife, traveling more than 6,000 miles, spending six decades in private hands, and finally, in 1989, finding a home at the World Heritage Museum (now the Spurlock Museum) at the University of Illinois. The mummy's travels did not end there, however. It has made two trips to a local hospital -- once in 1990 and again this year -- for some not-so-routine medical exams. ... > full story

Most women with lupus can have successful pregnancy outcomes, study finds (November 7, 2011) -- Promising research may offer hope for women with lupus who once thought that pregnancy was too risky. ... > full story

Not one, not two, not three, but four clones: First quantum cloning machine to produce four copies (November 7, 2011) -- Scientists in China have produced a theory for a quantum cloning machine able to produce several copies of the state of a particle at atomic or sub-atomic scale, or quantum state. The advance could have implications for quantum information processing methods used, for example, in message encryption systems. ... > full story

First-time divorce rate tied to education, race (November 7, 2011) -- New research shows there is substantial variation in the first-time divorce rate when it is broken down by race and education. But, there is also evidence that a college degree has a protective effect against divorce among all races. ... > full story

Scientists find evidence of ancient megadrought in southwestern U.S. (November 7, 2011) -- A new study has revealed a previously unknown multi-decade drought period in the second century A.D. The findings give evidence that extended periods of aridity have occurred at intervals throughout our past. Almost 900 years ago, in the mid-12th century, the southwestern U.S. was in the middle of a multi-decade megadrought. It was the most recent extended period of severe drought known for this region. But it was not the first. The second century A.D. saw an extended dry period of more than 100 years characterized by a multi-decade drought lasting nearly 50 years, according to the study. ... > full story

HIV study identifies key cellular defence mechanism (November 7, 2011) -- Scientists have moved a step closer to understanding how one of our body’s own proteins helps stop the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) in its tracks. ... > full story

Volunteers end simulated mission to Mars (November 7, 2011) -- The record-breaking simulated mission to Mars has ended with smiling faces after 17 months. Mars500's six brave volunteers stepped out of their 'spacecraft' Nov. 4, 2011 to be welcomed by the waiting scientists -- happy that the venture had worked even better than expected. Mars500, the first full-length, high-fidelity simulation of a human mission to our neighbouring planet, started 520 days earlier, on 3 June 2010, at the Institute of Biomedical Problems in Moscow. ... > full story

Model of enzyme's structure could spur new therapies (November 7, 2011) -- Scientists have determined the structure of an enzyme complex that regulates vital cell functions. Disregulation of such complexes is associated with diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's. The new work provides drug developers with a specific and unique new target to consider in their efforts to find new treatments. ... > full story

Engineers solve energy puzzle: How energy levels align in a critical group of advanced materials (November 7, 2011) -- Materials science and engineering researchers have demonstrated for the first time the key mechanism behind how energy levels align in a critical group of advanced materials. This discovery is a significant breakthrough in the development of sustainable technologies such as dye-sensitized solar cells and organic light-emitting diodes. ... > full story

Convenient election day voting centers can improve voter turnout (November 7, 2011) -- The convenience of election day voting centers can increase voter turnout, according to a new article. ... > full story

Sequencing 1,000 fungal genomes (November 7, 2011) -- A 79-year-old collection of fungal cultures will aid in the sequencing 1,000 fungal genomes in the next 5 years. ... > full story

Carbon-based organic 'carriers' in interstellar dust clouds? Newly discovered diffuse interstellar bands (November 6, 2011) -- The discovery of 13 diffuse interstellar bands with the longest wavelengths to date could someday solve a 90-year-old mystery. Astronomers have now discovered new bands using data collected by the Gemini North telescope of stars in the center of the Milky Way. The new findings support recent ideas about the presence of large, possibly carbon-based organic molecules -— “carriers” —- hidden in interstellar dust clouds. ... > full story

Meningitis may be eradicated: New vaccine brings hope (November 6, 2011) -- Outbreaks of meningitis can quickly reach epidemic proportions across a number of African countries, afflicting tens of thousands of people. Now a new vaccine appears capable of completely eradicating the disease. ... > full story

Biologists use flies and mice to get to the heart of Down syndrome (November 6, 2011) -- A novel study involving fruit flies and mice has allowed biologists to identify two critical genes responsible for congenital heart defects in individuals with Down syndrome, a major cause of infant mortality and death in people born with this genetic disorder. ... > full story

More radionuclide therapy is better for prostate cancer patients, study suggests (November 6, 2011) -- For prostate cancer patients with bone metastases, repeated administrations of radionuclide therapy with 188Re-HEDP are shown to improve overall survival rates and reduce pain, according to new research. ... > full story

World record in 3-D imaging of porous rocks: Stack of 35 million megapixel-photos (November 6, 2011) -- Physicists have established a world record in the field of three-dimensional imaging of porous materials. The scientists have generated the largest and most precise three-dimensional image of the pore structure of sandstone. The image was generated within a project of the Simulation Technology Cluster of Excellence, and contains more than 35 trillion (a number with thirteen digits) voxels. ... > full story

Physicians who play Mozart while performing colonoscopy may improve adenoma detection rate (November 6, 2011) -- Physicians who listen to Mozart while performing colonoscopy may increase their detection rates of precancerous polyps, according to the results of a new study. ... > full story

It takes two: Brains come wired for cooperation, neuroscientists discover (November 6, 2011) -- The brain was built for cooperative activity, whether it be dancing on a TV reality show, building a skyscraper or working in an office, according to new research by neuroscientists. ... > full story

Protein could prevent secondary damage after stroke, neuroscientist says (November 6, 2011) -- A neuroscientist says a protein that regulates nerve cells and assists in overall brain function may be key to preventing the long-term damage of stroke and hopes her work leads to the development of an effective therapeutic intervention. ... > full story

Dirt prevents allergy, Danish research suggests (November 6, 2011) -- If infants encounter a wide range of bacteria they are less at risk of developing allergic disease later in life, new research from Denmark suggests. ... > full story

Conjoined twin toddlers successfully separated (November 6, 2011) -- Angelica and Angelina Sabuco, twins who were born conjoined at the chest and abdomen, are now separate little girls. The 2-year-olds were separated Nov. 1 in a 10-hour surgery. The operation was the culmination of several months of complex planning involving specialists from nearly every part of the hospital. ... > full story

Cyber war might never happen (November 6, 2011) -- Cyber war, long considered by many experts within the defense establishment to be a significant threat, if not an ongoing one, may never take place according to one expert. He argues that cyber warfare has never taken place, nor is it currently doing so and it is unlikely to take place in the future. ... > full story

Increased use of bikes for commuting offers economic, health benefits (November 6, 2011) -- Cutting out short auto trips and replacing them with mass transit and active transport would yield major health benefits, according to a new study. The biggest health benefit was due to replacing half of the short trips with bicycle trips during the warmest six months of the year, saving about .8 billion per year from avoided mortality and reduced health care costs for conditions like obesity and heart disease. ... > full story

Hubble directly observes the disk around a black hole (November 5, 2011) -- Scientists have observed a quasar accretion disk -- a glowing disk of matter that is slowly being sucked into its galaxy's central black hole. Their study makes use of a novel technique that uses gravitational lensing to give an immense boost to the power of the telescope. The precision of the method has allowed astronomers to directly measure the disk's size and temperature across different parts of the disk. ... > full story

Why measles spreads so quickly (November 5, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered why measles, perhaps the most contagious viral disease in the world, spreads so quickly. ... > full story

When our neurons remain silent so that our performances may improve (November 5, 2011) -- Why do we "turn off" our neurons at times when we need them most? Scientists have just demonstrated that a network of specific neurons, referred to as "the default-mode network" works on a permanent basis even when we are doing nothing. ... > full story

Unraveling Batten disease (November 5, 2011) -- Scientists reveal the actions of a gene implicated in Batten disease, a rare, degenerative childhood disorder. ... > full story

NASA airborne mission maps remote, deteriorating glaciers (November 5, 2011) -- NASA's airborne expedition over Antarctica this October and November has measured the change in glaciers vital to sea level rise projections and mapped others rarely traversed by humans. ... > full story

Psychological traumas experienced over lifetime linked to adult irritable bowel syndrome (November 5, 2011) -- The psychological and emotional traumas experienced over a lifetime -- such as the death of a loved one, divorce, natural disaster, house fire or car accident, physical or mental abuse -- may contribute to adult irritable bowel syndrome, according to the results of a new study. ... > full story

City lights could reveal E.T. civilization (November 4, 2011) -- In the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, astronomers have hunted for radio signals and ultra-short laser pulses. Astronomers suggest a new technique for finding aliens: Look for their city lights. ... > full story

New ways to image and therapeutically target melanoma using nanomedicine? (November 4, 2011) -- Because the incidence of malignant melanoma is rising faster than any other cancer in the US, medical researchers are working overtime to develop new technologies to aid in both malignant melanoma diagnosis and therapy. A tool of great promise comes from the world of nanomedicine. ... > full story

Skin 'sees' UV light, starts producing pigment (November 4, 2011) -- Biologists report that melanocyte skin cells detect ultraviolet light using a photosensitive receptor previously thought to exist only in the eye. This eye-like ability of skin to sense light triggers the production of melanin within hours, more quickly than previously thought, in an apparent rush to protect against damage to DNA. ... > full story

Brain probe that softens after insertion causes less scarring (November 4, 2011) -- A hard probe inserted in the cerebral cortex of a rat model turns nearly as pliable as the surrounding gray matter in minutes, and induces less of the tough scarring that walls off hard probes that do not change, researchers have found. ... > full story

New International Space Station camera reveals the cosmic shore (November 4, 2011) -- Part of human fascination with space is the chance to look back at our own planet from afar. The unique vantage from the International Space Station affords a vista both breathtaking and scientifically illuminating. ... > full story