ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Wednesday, November 16, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Welcome to another edition of ScienceDaily's email newsletter. You can change your subscription options or unsubscribe at any time.

Erratic, extreme day-to-day weather puts climate change in new light (November 16, 2011) -- Researchers report the first climate study to focus on variations in daily weather conditions, which found that day-to-day weather has grown increasingly erratic and extreme, with significant fluctuations in sunshine and rainfall affecting more than a third of the planet. These swings could have consequences for ecosystem stability and the control of pests and diseases; industries such as agriculture and solar-energy production; and could affect what scientists can expect to see as the Earth's climate changes. ... > full story

Delayed cord clamping protects newborn babies from iron deficiency, research finds (November 16, 2011) -- Waiting for at least three minutes before clamping the umbilical cord in healthy newborns improves their iron levels at four months, according to new research. ... > full story

In new quantum-dot LED design, researchers turn troublesome molecules to their advantage (November 16, 2011) -- By nestling quantum dots in an insulating egg-crate structure, researchers have demonstrated a robust new architecture for quantum-dot light-emitting devices (QD-LEDs). Quantum dots are very tiny crystals that glow with bright, rich colors when stimulated by an electric current. QD-LEDs are expected to find applications in television and computer screens, general light sources, and lasers. ... > full story

Research provides clues to neurodevelopemental disorders (November 16, 2011) -- Scientists are finding new tools to help understand neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and fragile X syndrome. Studies show in new detail how the brain's connections, chemicals, and genes interact to affect behavior. ... > full story

Making chemicals from biogas instead of burning it (November 16, 2011) -- Combustible gases generated by organic matter in landfill sites or from biomass are commonly burned to generate electricity. However, Finnish researchers suggest that such biogas might be more usefully used as an alternative feedstock for the chemical industry. They explain that using biogas in this way would reduce our dependency on oil and gas-derived products and is commercially and technically viable. ... > full story

Watching less TV, being more active and sleeping more is linked to a healthy body weight in young children (November 16, 2011) -- Getting enough sleep can help children maintain a healthy weight, new research reveals. Similarly, the more time children spend in front of the TV or their computers (screen time), the higher their body weight. ... > full story

Ionized plasmas as cheap sterilizers for developing world (November 15, 2011) -- Devices that create ionized plasmas could be life-savers in the developing world or on the battlefield, providing an inexpensive way to sterilize water and medical instruments. Researchers have created low-temperature plasma devices that sterilize water and keep it antimicrobial for at least a week. A new report finds that the hydrogen peroxide and nitrites produced by the plasma discharge are not the source of long-term antimicrobial activity. ... > full story

Uncovering a key player in metastasis (November 15, 2011) -- About 90 percent of cancer deaths are caused by secondary tumors, known as metastases, which spread from the original tumor site. Cancer biologists are determining how platelets in the bloodstream help cancer cells form new tumors. ... > full story

Supervolcanoes: Not a threat for 2012 (November 15, 2011) -- The geological record holds clues that throughout Earth's 4.5-billion-year lifetime massive supervolcanoes, far larger than Mount St. Helens or Mount Pinatubo, have erupted. However, despite the claims of those who fear 2012, there's no evidence that such a supereruption is imminent. ... > full story

Study helps eliminate causes for joint pain linked to commonly used breast cancer drugs (November 15, 2011) -- Researchers exploring why some women who take a common breast cancer drug develop serious joint pain have eliminated two possible causes: Inflammatory arthritis and autoimmune disease. Because of these findings, researchers say women should be encouraged to continue taking the medication to gain its full benefit. ... > full story

U.S. Marines test new energy-efficient weapon in the war on trash (November 15, 2011) -- U.S. Marines are testing a high-tech trash disposal system that can reduce a standard 50-gallon bag of waste to a half-pint jar of harmless ash. Called the Micro Auto Gasification System, the unit is currently undergoing evaluation by US Marine Corps Forces, Pacific as a possible solution to help Marines win their daily battle against the increasing trash at remote forward operating bases. ... > full story

The brain acts fast to reappraise angry faces (November 15, 2011) -- If you tell yourself that someone who's being mean is just having a bad day -- it's not about you -- you may actually be able to stave off bad feelings, according to a new study. ... > full story

Ancient stars shed light on the prehistory of the Milky Way (November 15, 2011) -- Some of Milky Way's 'stellar fossils' -- our galaxy's oldest stars -- contain abnormally large amounts of heavy elements like gold, platinum and uranium. This has been a mystery, since it's usually seen in much later generations of stars. Researchers have been studying these ancient stars and with recent observations they have concluded how they could have been formed in the early history of the Milky Way. ... > full story

Milk thistle extract stops lung cancer in mice, study shows (November 15, 2011) -- A new study shows that the milk thistle extract, silibinin, interferes with cell signaling that otherwise leads to the production of tumor-causing enzymes COX2 and iNOS. ... > full story

To ditch dessert, feed the brain (November 15, 2011) -- Brain imaging scans show that when glucose levels drop, an area of the brain known to regulate emotions and impulses loses the ability to dampen desire for high-calorie food. ... > full story

Teeth crowded in seniors, as jaws shrink (November 15, 2011) -- The size of our jaws decreases with age. This is shown in a unique study from Sweden that followed a cohort of dentists throughout their adult lives. ... > full story

Protecting Houston from the next big hurricane (November 15, 2011) -- To protect Houston and Galveston from future hurricanes, experts recommends building a floodgate across the Houston Ship Channel, adding new levees to protect densely populated areas on east Galveston Island and west Galveston Bay and creating an 130-mile-long coastal recreation area to preserve wetlands that act as a natural flood barrier. The recommendations follow a two-year study by more than a dozen experts at universities in Texas and Louisiana. ... > full story

Hepatitis transmission risk needs to be studied in nail salons, barbershops, analysis suggests (November 15, 2011) -- The risk of hepatitis transmission through non-single use instruments -- such as nail files, nail brushes, finger bowls, foot basins, buffers, razors, clippers, and scissors -- during nail salon and barbershop visits cannot be excluded, according to the results of a new report. ... > full story

Mimicking the brain -- in silicon: New computer chip models how neurons communicate with each other at synapses (November 15, 2011) -- For decades, scientists have dreamed of building computer systems that could replicate the human brain's talent for learning new tasks. Researchers have now taken a major step toward that goal by designing a computer chip that mimics how the brain's neurons adapt in response to new information. This phenomenon, known as plasticity, is believed to underlie many brain functions, including learning and memory. ... > full story

New heart cells increase by 30 percent after stem cell infusion (November 15, 2011) -- Researchers have demonstrated have new heart cells can be regenerated in a stem cell therapy potentially applicable to patients suffering from heart dysfunction arising from insufficient blood flow to the heart. ... > full story

Bats, dolphins, and mole rats inspire advances in ultrasound technology (November 15, 2011) -- Researchers are using a unique method to interpret and manipulate the pings and echoes that bats, dolphins, and mole rats use for learning about their environments and capturing their prey. With this knowledge, he's created mathematical models that may significantly improve the accuracy of existing medical and navigational technologies. ... > full story

Multidrug-resistant acinetobacter baumannii found growing in nearly half of infected patient rooms (November 15, 2011) -- Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR-AB) was found in the environment of 48 percent of the rooms of patients colonized or infected with the pathogen, according to a new study. ... > full story

New biosensor benefits from melding of carbon nanotubes, DNA (November 15, 2011) -- Scientists have developed a method for stacking synthetic DNA and carbon nanotubes onto a biosensor electrode, a development that may lead to more accurate measurements for research related to diabetes and other diseases. ... > full story

Is a stranger trustworthy? You'll know in 20 seconds (November 15, 2011) -- There's definitely something to be said for first impressions. New research suggests it can take just 20 seconds to detect whether a stranger is genetically inclined to being trustworthy, kind or compassionate. The findings reinforce that healthy humans are wired to recognize strangers who may help them out in a tough situation. They also pave the way for genetic therapies for people who are not innately sympathetic, researchers said. ... > full story

The strange rubbing boulders of the Atacama (November 15, 2011) -- A geologist's sharp eyes and upset stomach has led to the discovery, and almost too-close encounter, with an otherworldly geological process operating in a remote corner of northern Chile's Atacama Desert. ... > full story

Intensive diabetes therapy protects Type 1 diabetics' kidneys, study shows (November 15, 2011) -- Scientists looked to see if intensive diabetes therapy aimed at reducing blood sugar as close to the normal range as possible might protect Type 1 diabetics' kidney function. ... > full story

Catching camels in the Gobi (November 15, 2011) -- Veterinary scientists have successfully attached GPS satellite collars to endangered wild Bactrian camels in the Mongolian desert. Their efforts are part of the long-term Gobi Research Project on wild horses, Asiatic wild asses, and other animals that make this unique environment their home. ... > full story

Anti-clotting drugs do not increase bleeding risk in GI procedure, study finds (November 15, 2011) -- Patients with recent use of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or anti-clotting drugs such as clopidogreal do not appear to have an increased risk of bleeding during or after removal of precancerous lesions in the digestive tract, according to new results. ... > full story

Using photons to manage data (November 15, 2011) -- Managing light to carry computer data, such as text, audio and video, is possible today with laser light beams that are guided along a fiber-optic cable. These waves consist of countless billions of photons, which carry information down the fiber across continents. A research team wants to refine the optical transmission of information by using a single photon, the fundamental building block of light that can allow unprecedented applications in optical information transfer. ... > full story

Depression: Combination of environmental, psychological and genetic factors (November 15, 2011) -- Problems like anxiety and depression are caused by psychological and environmental factors, and are known to be influenced by genetic proclivities. However, it is still not clear how each factor affects the brain's functions to induce anxious and depressive symptoms. To shed light on these interactions, scientists have investigated the amygdala, a part of the brain that is hyperactive in individuals suffering from anxiety and depression. The researchers have shown that its activity can be modulated depending on the subject's genetic makeup, personal history and cognition. These results suggest that the effects of psychotherapies on the cerebral activity of patients could vary according to their genetic traits. ... > full story

Born to roar: Lions' and tigers' fearsome roars are due to their unusual vocal cords (November 15, 2011) -- When lions and tigers roar loudly and deeply -- terrifying every creature within earshot -- they are somewhat like human babies crying for attention, although their voices are much deeper. So says the senior author of a new study that shows lions' and tigers' loud, low-frequency roars are predetermined by physical properties of their vocal fold tissue -- namely, the ability to stretch and shear -- and not by nerve impulses from the brain. ... > full story

Contraceptive pill associated with increased prostate cancer risk worldwide, study finds (November 15, 2011) -- Use of the contraceptive pill is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer around the globe, new research finds. ... > full story

Potential new NASA mission would reveal the hearts of undead stars (November 15, 2011) -- Neutron stars have been called the zombies of the cosmos, shining on even though they're technically dead, and occasionally feeding on a neighboring star if it gets too close. They are born when a massive star runs out of fuel and collapses under its own gravity, crushing the matter in its core and blasting away its outer layers in a supernova explosion that can outshine a billion suns. A proposed mission called the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) would unveil the dark heart of a neutron star. ... > full story

Story of lymphatic system expands to include chapter on valve formation (November 15, 2011) -- Scientists have shown that a gene essential for normal development of the lymphatic system also plays a critical role in forming the valves that help maintain the body’s normal fluid balance. ... > full story

Storm chasers of Utah (November 15, 2011) -- A truck-mounted radar dish often used to chase Midwest tornadoes is getting a workout in Utah this month as meteorologists use it to get an unprecedented look inside snow and rain storms over the Salt Lake Valley and the surrounding Wasatch and Oquirrh mountains. ... > full story

High childhood IQ linked to subsequent illicit drug use, research suggests (November 15, 2011) -- A high childhood IQ may be linked to subsequent illegal drug use, particularly among women, new research suggests. ... > full story

Whiskers marked milestone in evolution of mammals from reptiles (November 15, 2011) -- New research comparing rats and mice with their distance relatives the marsupial, suggests that moveable whiskers were an important milestone in the evolution of mammals from reptiles. ... > full story

Novel nanocrystals with advanced optical properties developed for use as luminescent biomarkers (November 15, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a synthesis that yields lanthanide-doped nanocrystals with advanced light-control properties, leading to potential applications in cancer diagnostics, medical imaging and therapeutic delivery. ... > full story

Long-term carbon storage in Ganges basin may portend global warming worsening (November 15, 2011) -- Scientists have found that carbon is stored in the soils and sediments of the Ganges-Brahmaputra basin for a surprisingly long time, making it likely that global warming could destabilize the pool of carbon there and in similar places on Earth, potentially increasing the rate of CO2 release into the atmosphere. ... > full story

Eating fish can reduce the risk of diabetes, study suggests (November 15, 2011) -- A study analyses the dietary patterns of the adult Spanish population with high cardiovascular risk. The results reveal a high consumption of both red meat and fish. However, whilst eating lots of cured meats is associated with greater weight gain and a higher obesity rate, the consumption of fish is linked to lower glucose concentrations and a smaller risk of developing diabetes. ... > full story

Battered Tharsis Tholus volcano on Mars (November 15, 2011) -- The latest image released from Mars Express reveals a large extinct volcano that has been battered and deformed over the eons. By Earthly standards, Tharsis Tholus is a giant, towering 8 kilometers above the surrounding terrain, with a base stretching over 155 x 125 km. Yet on Mars, it is just an average-sized volcano. What marks it out as unusual is its battered condition. ... > full story

Obesity and depression independently increase health costs (November 15, 2011) -- Obesity and depression both dramatically increase health care costs, but they mainly act separately, according to a new study. ... > full story

Archeologists discover huge ancient Greek commercial area on island of Sicily (November 15, 2011) -- The Greeks were not always in such dire financial straits as today. German archeologists have discovered a very large commercial area from the ancient Greek era during excavations on Sicily. ... > full story

Self-organized pituitary-like tissue from mouse ES cells (November 15, 2011) -- The possibility that functional, three-dimensional tissues and organs may be derived from pluripotent cells, such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), represents one of the grand challenges of stem cell research, but is also one of the fundamental goals of the emerging field of regenerative medicine. New research has shown that when ES cells are cultured under the appropriate conditions, they can be driven to self-organize into complex, three-dimensional tissue-like structures that closely resemble their physiological counterparts, a remarkable advance for the field. ... > full story

Diseased hearts to heal themselves in future (November 15, 2011) -- Oncostatin M regulates the reversion of heart muscle cells into precursor cells and is vitally important for the self-healing powers of the heart. Scientists have identified a protein which fulfils a central task in this reversion process by stimulating the regression of individual heart muscle cells into their precursor cells. They now plan to improve the self-healing powers of the heart with the help of this protein. ... > full story

Drugs used to tackle hospital-acquired infections can increase post-op complications (November 15, 2011) -- The introduction of new antibiotic regimes to tackle hospital-acquired infections, such as C. difficile, must take into account the possibility of increased infections following specific surgical procedures. Researchers have studied 709 consecutive patients over 20 months. Patients undergoing a standard surgical procedure to diagnose prostate cancer developed more than five times as many infective complications when a new standard antibiotic regime was introduced in line with national guidance. These included a number of cases of sepsis and one case of septic shock. ... > full story

Galaxy DNA-analysis software is now available 'in the cloud' (November 15, 2011) -- Galaxy -- an open-source, web-based platform for data-intensive biomedical and genetic research -- is now available as a "cloud computing" resource. The new technology will help scientists and biomedical researchers to harness such tools as DNA-sequencing and analysis software, as well as storage capacity for large quantities of scientific data. ... > full story

Digital media a factor in ferocity of political campaigns (November 15, 2011) -- A new study of recent political blogs indicates politics are getting nastier due to digital media, which are segmenting people into polarized interest groups. The researcher recommends a balanced approach to finding information in order to return civility to political discourse, which is at the heart of democracy. ... > full story