ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Tuesday, November 29, 2011

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ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Tuesday, November 29, 2011

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How the brain strings words into sentences (November 29, 2011) -- Distinct neural pathways are important for different aspects of language processing, researchers have discovered, studying patients with language impairments caused by neurodegenerative diseases. ... > full story

Most hospitals miss critical window for heart attack transfer patients, study finds (November 29, 2011) -- Most heart attack patients transferred between hospitals for the emergency artery-opening procedure called angioplasty are not transported as quickly as they should be, researchers report in the first national study of "door-in door-out" time for transfer patients. ... > full story

Scientific sleuths pinpoint the guilty coral killers (November 29, 2011) -- The elusive culprits that are killing countless coral reefs around the world can now be nabbed with technology normally used to diagnose human diseases, marine researchers say. Coral researchers and reef managers will be able to identify coral infections using a new method that allows them to classify specific diseases based on the presence of microbes. This could lead to more effective action to reduce the impact of disease on the world's imperiled coral reefs. ... > full story

Nearly 10 percent of patients undergoing procedure such as balloon angioplasty or stent placement readmitted to hospital within 30 days (November 29, 2011) -- In an analysis of the outcomes for more than 15,000 patients who underwent a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; procedures such as balloon angioplasty or stent placement used to open narrowed coronary arteries), nearly one in 10 were readmitted to the hospital within 30 days, and these patients had a higher risk of death within one year, according to a new study. Various factors were associated with hospital readmission, including female sex, Medicare insurance, unstable angina and others. ... > full story

NASA develops new game-changing technology (November 29, 2011) -- Two NASA California centers have been selected to develop new space-aged technologies that could be game-changers in the way we look at planets from above and how we safely transport robots or humans through space and bring them safely back to Earth. ... > full story

Spinal bleeding with brain injury may suggest abuse in young children (November 29, 2011) -- A new study found that spinal bleeding is found often in young children who are victims of abusive trauma. The findings support performing complete spine imaging for children undergoing brain magnetic resonance imaging for moderate or severe traumatic brain injury and suggest a pathway for distinguishing between abusive and accidental injury. ... > full story

Big pest, small genome: Two-spotted spider mite genome decoded (November 29, 2011) -- Biologists have decoded the genetic blueprint of the two-spotted spider mite, raising hope for new ways to attack the major pest, which resists pesticides and destroys crops and ornamental plants worldwide. ... > full story

Key area that could sever communication between brain and heart in disease identified (November 29, 2011) -- A team of neuroscientists and anesthetists, who have been using pioneering techniques to study how the brain regulates the heart, has identified a crucial part of the nervous system whose malfunction may account for an increased risk of death from heart failure. The findings could lead to more targeted therapies to help reduce serious illness and death in cardiovascular disease. ... > full story

Mask-bot: A robot with a human face (November 29, 2011) -- Robotics researchers have developed an ingenious technical solution that gives robots a human face. By using a projector to beam the 3D image of a face onto the back of a plastic mask, and a computer to control voice and facial expressions, the researchers have succeeded in creating Mask-bot, a startlingly human-like plastic head. ... > full story

Among patients with infective endocarditis and heart failure, valvular surgery associated with reduced mortality (November 29, 2011) -- Among patients with infective endocarditis and heart failure, about two-thirds undergo valvular surgery, which is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of death in the hospital and at one year, according to a new study. ... > full story

Carbon mitigation strategy uses wood for buildings first, bioenergy second (November 29, 2011) -- A new study is first to focus on the extra carbon savings that can be squeezed from trees when wood not suitable for long-term building materials is used for bioenergy: Depending on the process used, ethanol from woody biomass emits less greenhouse gas than an equivalent amount of gasoline, between 70 percent and a little over 100 percent less. In contrast, corn ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions 22 percent on average. ... > full story

40 percent of youths attempting suicide make first attempt before high school, study finds (November 29, 2011) -- Thoughts about killing oneself and engaging in suicidal behavior may begin much younger than previously thought. While about one of nine youths attempt suicide by the time they graduate from high school, new findings reveal that a significant proportion make their first suicide attempt in elementary or middle school. ... > full story

Marine biodiversity loss due to global warming and predation, study predicts (November 28, 2011) -- The biodiversity loss caused by climate change will result from a combination of rising temperatures and predation -- and may be more severe than currently predicted, according to a new study. ... > full story

Depression can lead to heart disease, study suggests (November 28, 2011) -- Depression may have more far-reaching consequences than previously believed. Recent data suggests that individuals who suffer from a mood disorder could be twice as likely to have a heart attack compared to individuals who are not depressed. ... > full story

Enzymatic synthesis of pyrrolysine, the mysterious 22nd amino acid (November 28, 2011) -- With few exceptions, all known proteins are built up from only twenty amino acids. 25 years ago scientists discovered a 21st amino acid, selenocysteine and ten years ago a 22nd, the pyrrolysine. However, how the cell produces the unusual building block remained a mystery. Now researchers have elucidated the structure of an important enzyme in the production of pyrrolysine. ... > full story

Biopsy of recurrent breast cancer can alter treatment, new study shows (November 28, 2011) -- A recent clinical research study by breast cancer specialists has again proven that comparing a new biopsy of progressing or recurring cancer with that of the original cancer can dictate a change in treatment. ... > full story

One promising puzzle piece for confirming dark matter now seems unlikely fit (November 28, 2011) -- In 2008, the Italian satellite PAMELA detected a curious excess of antimatter positrons -- a startling discovery that could have been a sign of the existence of dark matter. With assistance from the Earth's magnetic field, the Fermi Gamma-ray Telescope confirms a cosmic excess of antimatter positrons, but not the spike expected if evidence of dark matter. ... > full story

Study looks at the nature of change in our aging, changing brains (November 28, 2011) -- As we get older, our cognitive abilities change, improving when we're younger and declining as we age. Scientists posit a hierarchical structure within which these abilities are organized. There's the "lowest" level -- measured by specific tests, such as story memory or word memory; the second level, which groups various skills involved in a category of cognitive ability, such as memory, perceptual speed, or reasoning; and finally, the "general," or G, factor, a sort of statistical aggregate of all the thinking abilities. What happens to this structure as we age? ... > full story

In the heart of Cygnus, NASA's Fermi reveals a cosmic-ray cocoon (November 28, 2011) -- The constellation Cygnus, now visible in the western sky as twilight deepens after sunset, hosts one of our galaxy's richest-known stellar construction zones. Astronomers viewing the region at visible wavelengths see only hints of this spectacular activity thanks to a veil of nearby dust clouds forming the Great Rift, a dark lane that splits the Milky Way, a faint band of light marking our galaxy's central plane. ... > full story

Aging stem cells may explain higher prevalence of leukemia, infections among elderly (November 28, 2011) -- Human stem cells aren't immune to the aging process, according to scientists. Researchers studied hematopoietic stem cells, which create the cells that comprise the blood and immune system. Understanding when and how these stem cells begin to falter as the years pass may explain why some diseases, such as acute myeloid leukemia, increase in prevalence with age, and also why elderly people tend to be more vulnerable to infections such as colds and the flu. ... > full story

Integrated 3-D imaging facilitates human face transplantation (November 28, 2011) -- By combining conventional medical imaging with some of the same 3-D modeling techniques used in Hollywood blockbusters, researchers are offering new hope to victims of serious facial injuries who may be candidates for human facial transplants. ... > full story

An unexpected player in a cancer defense system (November 28, 2011) -- Researchers have identified a new protein involved in a defense mechanism against cancer. The VCP/p97 complex is best known for its role in protein destruction and is involved in a type of familial dementia and ALS. In a novel study the researchers now describe how this complex also plays an important role in regulating the recruitment of the tumor suppressor protein 53BP1 to damaged DNA -- suggesting an important role for VCP/p97 in our body's defense against cancer. ... > full story

On the road to plasmonics with silver polyhedral nanocrystals: Researchers find simpler approach to making plasmonic materials (November 28, 2011) -- Researchers may have opened the door to a simpler approach for the fabrication of plasmonic materials -- one of the hottest new fields in high tech -- by inducing polyhedral-shaped silver nanocrystals to self-assemble into three-dimensional millimeter-sized supercrystals of the highest possible density. ... > full story

Smoking cessation interventions appear to be effective for some current smokers (November 28, 2011) -- Nicotine replacement therapy and smoking cessation intervention programs are associated with positive outcomes among current smokers, according to new studies. ... > full story

New compound defeats drug-resistant bacteria (November 28, 2011) -- Chemists have synthesized a new compound that makes drug-resistant bacteria susceptible again to antibiotics. The compound -- BU-005 -- blocks pumps that a bacterium employs to expel an antibacterial agent called chloramphenicol. The team used a new and highly efficient method for the synthesis of BU-005 and other C-capped dipetptides. ... > full story

Cleft lip corrected genetically in mouse model (November 28, 2011) -- Scientists have used genetic methods to successfully repair cleft lips in mice embryos specially engineered for the study of cleft lip and cleft palate. The research breakthrough may show the way to prevent or treat the conditions in humans. ... > full story

Herbicide atrazine spurs reproductive problems in many creatures, report finds (November 28, 2011) -- An international team of researchers has reviewed the evidence linking exposure to atrazine -- an herbicide widely used in the US and more than 60 other nations -- to reproductive problems in animals. The team found consistent patterns of reproductive dysfunction in amphibians, fish, reptiles and mammals exposed to the chemical. ... > full story

Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, study finds (November 28, 2011) -- Just one drink per day for women -- two for men -- could lead to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and subsequently cause gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, gas, abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea, according to the results of a new study. ... > full story

New handle makes lifting infant car seats safer, easier (November 28, 2011) -- Engineers have developed a new handle for infant car seats that makes it easier for parents to lift the seat out of a car -- while retaining a firmer grip on the handle -- making it less likely that the seat will be dropped. ... > full story

Creative excuses: Original thinkers more likely to cheat, study finds (November 28, 2011) -- Creative people are more likely to cheat than less creative people, possibly because this talent increases their ability to rationalize their actions, according to new research. ... > full story

First dogs came from East Asia, genetic study confirms (November 28, 2011) -- Researchers say they have found further proof that the wolf ancestors of today's domesticated dogs can be traced to southern East Asia -- findings that run counter to theories placing the cradle of the canine line in the Middle East. ... > full story

Vaccine prototype stronger than traditional vaccines (November 28, 2011) -- Researchers have created a vaccine that is more potent than traditional vaccines available today. The glycoconjugate vaccine prototype is 100 times more effective than traditional glycoconjugate vaccines. ... > full story

Graphene foam detects explosives, emissions better than today's gas sensors (November 28, 2011) -- A new study demonstrates how graphene foam can outperform leading commercial gas sensors in detecting potentially dangerous and explosive chemicals. The discovery opens the door for a new generation of gas sensors to be used by bomb squads, law enforcement officials, defense organizations, and in various industrial settings. ... > full story

Researchers find regulatory T-cell clue to help prevent GVHD (November 28, 2011) -- Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a serious risk in many kinds of cell transplants, including for stem cell transplants carried out when stem cells are partially depleted of conventional T cells, which play an important role in the immune system. Now, researchers have tested a process by which T regulatory cells can be "expanded" to help prevent GVHD. ... > full story

Fifth of global energy could come from biomass without damaging food production, report suggests (November 28, 2011) -- A new report suggests that up to one fifth of global energy could be provided by biomass (plants) without damaging food production. The report reviews more than 90 global studies. ... > full story

Mid-morning snacking may sabotage weight-loss efforts (November 28, 2011) -- Women dieters who grab a snack between breakfast and lunch lose less weight compared to those who abstain from a mid-morning snack, according to a new study. ... > full story

Insect cyborgs may become first responders: Search and monitor hazardous places (November 28, 2011) -- New developments may lead to insects monitoring hazardous situations before humans are sent in. The principal idea is to harvest the insect's biological energy from either its body heat or movements. The device converts the kinetic energy from wing movements of the insect into electricity, thus prolonging the battery life. The battery can be used to power small sensors implanted on the insect (such as a small camera, a microphone or a gas sensor) in order to gather vital information from hazardous environments. ... > full story

Possible therapy for radiation sickness identified (November 28, 2011) -- Researchers found a combination of two drugs may alleviate radiation sickness in people who have been exposed to high levels of radiation, even when the therapy is given 24 hours after the exposure occurred. ... > full story

Playing music alters the processing of multiple sensory stimuli in the brain (November 28, 2011) -- Piano practicing fine tunes the brain circuitries that temporally bind signals from our senses. Over the years pianists develop a particularly acute sense of the temporal correlation between the movements of the piano keys and the sound of the notes played. However, they are no better than non-musicians at assessing the synchronicity of lip movements and speech. Researchers have now discovered that pianists are significantly more accurate than the non-musicians in assessing whether the finger movements on the piano and the sounds heard coincided temporally or not. ... > full story

Adding nurse practitioner reduces unnecessary emergency department visits, study finds (November 28, 2011) -- Adding a nurse practitioner to a busy hospital staff can decrease unnecessary emergency department (ED) visits, according to a new study. Researchers found that the nurse practitioner reduced ED visits by improving the continuity in care and troubleshooting problems for patients. The addition of an NP also resulted in an improved use of resources and financial benefits for the health system. ... > full story

Genome-scale network of rice genes to speed the development of biofuel crops (November 28, 2011) -- Researchers have developed the first genome-scale model for predicting the functions of genes and gene networks in a grass species. Called RiceNet, this systems-level model of rice gene interactions should help speed the development of new crops for the production of advanced biofuels, as well as help boost the production and improve the quality of one of the world's most important food staples. ... > full story

We are what we experience (November 28, 2011) -- Our life experiences -- the ups and downs, and everything in between -- shape us, stay with us and influence our emotional set point as adults, according to a new study. ... > full story

Monarch butterfly genome sequenced (November 28, 2011) -- Each fall, millions of monarch butterflies from across the Eastern United States use a time-compensated sun compass to direct their navigation south, traveling up to 2,000 miles to an overwintering site in a specific grove of fir trees in central Mexico. Scientists have long been fascinated by the biological mechanisms that allow successive generations of these delicate creatures to travel such long distances to a small region roughly 300 square miles in size. To unlock the genetic and regulatory elements important for this remarkable journey neurobiologists have now sequenced and analyzed the monarch butterfly genome. ... > full story

Development of the brain network in the fetus now measurable for the first time in the womb (November 28, 2011) -- Scientists have demonstrated for the first time ever that there are fetal brain developments that can be measured using functional magnetic resonance tomography in the womb. This means that pathological changes to brain development will be detectable earlier than they are currently - and appropriate measures can be taken in good time. ... > full story

Charge separation in a molecule consisting of two identical atoms: Size matters (November 28, 2011) -- Physicists have now shown the first experimental proof of a molecule consisting of two identical atoms that exhibits a permanent electric dipole moment. This observation contradicts the classical opinion described in many physics and chemistry textbooks. ... > full story

Decrease in observed rate of TB at a time of economic recession (November 28, 2011) -- The incidence of tuberculosis in the US is reported as being on the decrease, however untreated infected people act as a reservoir for disease. ... > full story

Mediterranean diet and exercise can reduce sleep apnea symptoms (November 28, 2011) -- Eating a Mediterranean diet combined with physical activity can help to improve some of the symptoms of sleep apnea, according to new research. ... > full story