ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Friday, November 18, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Friday, November 18, 2011

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New class of antimalarial compounds discovered (November 17, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered a family of chemical compounds that could lead to a new generation of antimalarial drugs capable of not only alleviating symptoms but also preventing the deadly disease. ... > full story

Discovery may help fight late-stage ovarian cancer (November 17, 2011) -- A potential breakthrough in treating late-stage ovarian cancer has come from researchers who have discovered a peptide that shrinks advanced tumors and improves survival rates for this deadly but often undetected disease. ... > full story

Chemists develop compounds capable of forming heath-resistant, economic and biocompatible gels (November 17, 2011) -- Eating a yogurt or a jelly, using a pharmaceutical or cosmetic cream or shampoo are just some of the numerous everyday actions in which we use gels developed through a process of gelation. Researchers have now developed a new family of compounds that enables to develop gels more resistant to high temperatures with a higher level of biocompatibility and able to work with a variety of organic solvents, and all this with an easy synthesis, scalable and low cost. This family of compounds has significant applications in industries such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics or food industry, among others. ... > full story

Predicting how individuals differ from their genome sequences (November 17, 2011) -- Researchers have predicted how individuals vary from the complete sequences of their genomes, using yeast as a model. The study has important implications for personalized medicine. The authors show that when we have a good understanding of the genes important for a process, it is possible to make accurate predictions about the biology of individuals. ... > full story

French digitial kitchen is a recipe for success (November 17, 2011) -- An innovative kitchen that gives step-by-step cooking instructions in French could spark a revolution in language learning in the UK. ... > full story

Future-Directed Therapy helps depression patients cultivate optimistic outlook (November 17, 2011) -- Patients with major depression do better by learning to create a more positive outlook about the future, rather than by focusing on negative thoughts about their past experiences, researchers say after developing a new treatment that helps patients do this. ... > full story

Galaxies are the ultimate recyclers, NASA's Hubble confirms (November 17, 2011) -- New observations by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope are expanding astronomers' understanding of the ways in which galaxies continuously recycle immense volumes of hydrogen gas and heavy elements. This process allows galaxies to build successive generations of stars stretching over billions of years. ... > full story

Molecules on branched-polymer surfaces can capture rare tumor cells in blood (November 17, 2011) -- The removal of rare tumor cells circulating in the blood might be possible with the use of biomolecules bound to dendrimers, highly branched synthetic polymers, which could efficiently sift and capture the diseased cells, according to new research. ... > full story

Research cracks puzzle of enzyme critical to food supply (November 17, 2011) -- Researchers used the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory to identify a key atom inside the part of the nitrogenase enzyme where atmospheric nitrogen is converted into a form that living things can use. ... > full story

The fat-burning zone: News on burning fat (November 17, 2011) -- Obesity-related diseases are an increasing health problem. Researchers have now uncovered a central component of fat metabolism. ... > full story

Unusual liquid crystal structures on water surface (November 17, 2011) -- Some liquid crystals form monolayers on water surface. When compressed from sides, such films of monomolecular thickness can wrinkle like fabric on a flat, smooth table, pulled together with palms simultaneously from both sides. With increasing surface pressure, the wrinkles of the monolayer fold up and form subsequent layers. New mechanisms of multilayer formation are responsible for creation of liquid crystal films with a structure that has never been observed before. ... > full story

Brain study reveals how successful students overcome math anxiety (November 17, 2011) -- Using brain-imaging technology for the first time with people experiencing mathematics anxiety, scientists have gained new insights into how some students are able to overcome their fears and succeed in math. For the highly math anxious, researchers found a strong link between math success and activity in a network of brain areas in the frontal and parietal lobes involved in controlling attention and regulating negative emotional reactions. ... > full story

World's lightest material is a metal 100 times lighter than styrofoam (November 17, 2011) -- Engineers have developed the world's lightest material -- with a density of 0.9 mg/cc -- about 100 times lighter than Styrofoam. ... > full story

Cancer's sweet tooth may be its weak link (November 17, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered that cancer cells tap into a natural recycling system to obtain the energy they need to keep dividing. In a study with potential implications for cancer treatments, researchers used genetic manipulation to turn off this recycling system within the walls of cells and stop both tumor growth and metastasis (cancer spread). ... > full story

Frogs' amazing leaps due to springy tendons (November 17, 2011) -- The secret to frogs' superlative jumping lies in their tendons. Researchers, filming frogs jumping at 500 frames per second with special X-ray technology, show that the frog's tendon stretches as it readies its leap and then recoils, much like a spring, when the frog jumps. The finding could explain how other animals are exceptional leapers. ... > full story

Neurological and executive function impairment associated with breast cancer (November 17, 2011) -- Women who survive breast cancer show significant neurological impairment, and outcomes appear to be significantly poorer for those treated with chemotherapy, according to a new report. ... > full story

Biodiversity can promote survival on a warming planet, mathematical model shows (November 17, 2011) -- Whether a species can evolve to survive climate change may depend on the biodiversity of its ecological community, according to a new mathematical model that simulates the effect of climate change on plants and pollinators. ... > full story

Serotonin system in women's brains is damaged more readily by alcohol than that in men’s brains, study finds (November 17, 2011) -- After only four years of problem drinking, a significant decrease in the function of the serotonin system in women’s brains can be seen. This is the system that regulates such functions as impulse control and mood. It takes 12 years before a corresponding decrease is seen in men. ... > full story

Massive volcanoes, meteorite impacts delivered one-two death punch to dinosaurs (November 17, 2011) -- A cosmic one-two punch of colossal volcanic eruptions and meteorite strikes likely caused the mass-extinction event at the end of the Cretaceous period that is famous for killing the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, according to two reports that reject the prevailing theory that the extinction was caused by a single large meteorite. ... > full story

Alcohol consumption by adolescents may increase breast cancer risk in those with a family history of the disease (November 17, 2011) -- Breast cancer patients often wonder what their daughters might do to reduce their risk of also developing cancer. Are there dietary intakes or behaviors that can be modified by their daughters to lower their own chances of getting the disease? A new study sought information relevant to this question. ... > full story

Dramatic diversity of columbine flowers explained by a simple change in cell shape (November 17, 2011) -- Columbine flowers are recognizable by the long, trailing nectar spurs that extend from the bases of their petals, tempting the taste buds of their insect pollinators. New research helps to explain how columbines have achieved a rapid radiation of approximately 70 species, with flowers apparently tailored to the length of their pollinators' tongues. ... > full story

Vascular risk linked to long-term antiepileptic drug therapy (November 17, 2011) -- New research reveals that patients with epilepsy who were treated for extended periods with older generation antiepileptic drugs may be at increased risk for developing atherosclerosis, a common disorder known as hardening of the arteries. According to the findings, the vascular risk is significantly associated with the duration of AED monotherapy. ... > full story

The secret of the best foie gras (November 17, 2011) -- Defying common sense, ducks that plump up less produce the finest foie gras -- that rich, buttery French delicacy made from goose or duck livers and sometimes eaten as slices atop lightly toasted bread -- scientists are reporting. ... > full story

U.S. population on track to getting even fatter (November 17, 2011) -- In 2020, the vast majority of adults in America will be overweight or obese and more than half will suffer from diabetes or pre-diabetic conditions, according to new projections. ... > full story

Magnetic fields set stage for birth of new stars (November 17, 2011) -- Astronomers have, for the first time, measured the alignment of magnetic fields in gigantic clouds of gas and dust in a distant galaxy. Their results suggest that such magnetic fields play a key role in channeling matter to form denser clouds, and thus in setting the stage for the birth of new stars. ... > full story

New drug combo targets multiple cancers: Sugar molecule primes cancer cells for early death from second compound (November 17, 2011) -- Researchers say a novel combination of a specific sugar molecule with a pair of cell-killing drugs prompts a wide variety of cancer cell types to kill themselves, a process called apoptosis or programmed cell death. ... > full story

Chimps play like humans: Playful behavior of young chimps develops like that of children (November 17, 2011) -- Playful behavior is widespread in mammals, and has important developmental consequences. A recent study of young chimpanzees shows that these animals play and develop much the same way as human children. The work can therefore also shed light on the role of human play behavior. ... > full story

Fleas collected from Norway rats in downtown Los Angeles carry human pathogen (November 17, 2011) -- Most fleas collected from rats trapped in downtown Los Angeles, California carried microbes from the genus Bartonella, many of which are human pathogens, according to a new study. ... > full story

Trees adapt to poor levels of sunlight to effectively process carbon, study shows (November 17, 2011) -- In Europe, forests appear evergreen even in the cloudiest conditions, while the lush interiors of Asian jungles are typically overshadowed by a dense canopy. The ability of trees to adapt to light conditions, and even increase their intake of carbon for photosynthesis in poor light, has been explored by Czech researchers. ... > full story

Everybody can become a better a reader, Swedish research suggests (November 17, 2011) -- Students with cognitive impairments may learn to comprehend written texts much better than commonly thought, according to researchers in Sweden. ... > full story

Better batteries: New technology improves both energy capacity and charge rate in rechargeable batteries (November 17, 2011) -- Engineers have created an electrode for lithium-ion batteries that allows the rechargeable batteries to hold a charge up to 10 times greater than current technology. The batteries also can charge 10 times faster than current batteries. The researchers combined two chemical engineering approaches to address two major battery limitations -- energy capacity and charge rate -- in one fell swoop. The technology could pave the way for better batteries for cellphones, iPods and electric cars. ... > full story

Stop signal discovered for skin cancer (November 17, 2011) -- An extraordinary breakthrough in understanding what stops a common form of skin cancer from developing could make new cancer treatments and prevention available to the public in five years. ... > full story

Predicting future threats for global amphibian biodiversity (November 17, 2011) -- Amphibian populations are declining worldwide, and their declines far exceed those of other animal groups: more than 30% of all species are listed as threatened according to experts. Multiple factors threaten global amphibian diversity but the spatial distribution of these threats and their interactions are poorly known. A new study indicates that areas of greatest amphibian species richness are the areas subject to the greatest threat. ... > full story

External capsule protects gum disease-causing bacteria from immune response (November 17, 2011) -- The capsule of Porphyromonas gingivalis, the bacterium that causes gum disease, provides stealth, boosting the bacterium's virulence, according to new study. Call it a sugar coating, if you will, for in fact, the capsule is made from sugar molecules, which do not ordinarily elicit immunity. Thus it hides the bacterium's proteins within, preventing immune response. ... > full story

Why solar wind is rhombic-shaped: Temperature and energy equipartition in cosmic plasmas explained (November 17, 2011) -- Why the temperatures in the solar wind are almost the same in certain directions, and why different energy densities are practically identical, was until now not clear. With a new approach to calculating instability criteria for plasmas, researchers have solved both problems at once. They were the first to incorporate the effects of collisions of the solar wind particles in their model. This explains experimental data significantly better than previous calculations and can also be transferred to cosmic plasmas outside our solar system. ... > full story

Poor sleep habits linked to increased risk of fibromyalgia in women (November 17, 2011) -- Researchers from Norway have uncovered an association between sleep problems and increased risk of fibromyalgia in women. The risk of fibromyalgia increased with severity of sleep problems, and the association was stronger among middle-aged and older women than among younger women. ... > full story

Pristine reptile fossil holds new information about aquatic adaptations (November 17, 2011) -- Extinct animals hide their secrets well, but an exceptionally well-preserved fossil of an aquatic reptile, with traces of soft tissue present, is providing scientists a new window into the behavior of these ancient swimmers. ... > full story

Stem cell researchers uncover mechanism that regulates human pluripotent stem cell metabolism (November 17, 2011) -- Human pluripotent stem cells, which can develop into any cell type in the body, rely heavily on glycolysis, or sugar fermentation, to drive their metabolic activities. ... > full story

Acid pollution in rain decreased with emissions, long-term study shows (November 17, 2011) -- Emissions regulations do have an environmental impact, according to a long-term study of acidic rainfall. A report detailing trends in acidic rainfall frequency and concentration over 25 years found that as sulfur and nitrogen emissions have dropped in response to the Clean Air Act, acid ions in rainwater have dropped by similar magnitudes. ... > full story

Increasing dosage of clopidogrel for patients with genetic variation improves response to medication (November 17, 2011) -- Among patients with stable cardiovascular disease who have a genetic variation that diminishes the response to the antiplatelet drug clopidogrel, tripling the standard daily dosage of this medication resulted in improved platelet reactivity, according to a new study. ... > full story

Five rare wild cat species caught on camera in Sumatra (November 17, 2011) -- After an amazing five of the seven wild cat species found on the Indonesian island of Sumatra were recently caught on camera in tract of forest being rapidly lost to deforestation, the World Wildlife Fund in Indonesia is urging companies and authorities to take immediate steps to save the valuable area. ... > full story

Gene impedes recovery from alcoholism, Swedish research finds (November 17, 2011) -- People who are alcohol-dependent and who also carry a particular variant of a gene run an increased risk of premature death, according to research from Sweden. ... > full story

Deforestation causes cooling in Northern U.S., Canada, study finds (November 17, 2011) -- The impact of deforestation on global warming varies with latitude, according to new research from a team of scientists representing 20 institutions from around the world. The finding calls for new climate-monitoring strategies, researchers say. ... > full story

Researchers uncover steps in synapse building, pruning (November 17, 2011) -- The brain is constantly building networks of synapses, while pruning out redundant or unneeded synapses. Researchers have discovered a factor in synapse-building, also showing that the building and pruning processes occur independent of each other. ... > full story

Genome sequence sheds new light on how plants evolved nitrogen-fixing symbioses (November 17, 2011) -- The genome of Medicago, a close relative of alfalfa and a long-established model for the study of legume biology, has been sequenced by an international team of scientists, capturing around 94 percent of its genes. The research gives new insights into the evolution of nitrogen fixing symbioses. The scientists also found more resistance genes than in any other plant genome to date. ... > full story

Mycophenolate is superior to azathioprine as treatment for lupus nephritis, study finds (November 17, 2011) -- A new large, international study finds that the immunosuppressant drug mycophenolate mofetil is superior to azathioprine, an older immunosuppressant, as a maintenance therapy for lupus nephritis. ... > full story

NASA extends MESSENGER Mission orbiting Mercury (November 17, 2011) -- NASA has announced that it will extend the MESSENGER mission for an additional year of orbital operations at Mercury beyond the planned end of the primary mission on March 17, 2012. The MESSENGER probe became the first spacecraft to orbit the innermost planet on March 18, 2011. ... > full story

Telephone-based therapy and exercise appear effective for reducing chronic widespread pain (November 17, 2011) -- Telephone-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy and an exercise program, both separately and combined, are associated with short-term positive outcomes for patients with chronic widespread pain, and may offer benefits for patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia, according to a new report. ... > full story