ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Tuesday, December 6, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Tuesday, December 6, 2011

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Global winds could explain record rains, tornadoes (December 6, 2011) -- Scientists have proposed a common root for an enormous deluge in western Tennessee in May 2010, and a historic outbreak of tornadoes centered on Alabama in April 2011. Both events seem to be linked to a relatively rare coupling between the polar and the subtropical jet streams. ... > full story

Young women may reduce heart disease risk eating fish with omega 3 fatty acids, study finds (December 6, 2011) -- Women who seldom or never eat fish may be increasing their risk of cardiovascular disease by 50 percent or more, according to the first population-based study among younger women. Those who ate fish most often, especially fish rich in omega 3 fatty acids, had 90 percent lower risk than those who ate little or no fish. The link with cardiovascular disease was evident, even among women in their 30s. ... > full story

'Squeezed' quantum vacuum filled with atoms (December 6, 2011) -- Quantum theory is known for its peculiar concepts that appear to contradict the fundamental principles of traditional physics. Researchers have now succeeded in creating a special quantum state between two mesoscopic gases with approximately 500 atoms. The state is known as a “squeezed“ vacuum, in which measuring one gas affects the results of the measurement on the other. To produce these results the team had to develop a novel detection technique to measure values in atomic gases that were previously unobtainable. ... > full story

Prolonged fatigue for those who had chemotherapy for breast cancer, follow-up study finds (December 6, 2011) -- In a follow-up study, researchers have found that patients who receive chemotherapy for breast cancer might experience prolonged fatigue years after their therapy. The new study is a follow-up to a study on fatigue and chemotherapy and radiotherapy for breast cancer. ... > full story

Efficiency metrics for energy storage devices need standardization (December 6, 2011) -- Solving the mystery of prematurely dead cell phone and laptop batteries may prove to be a vital step toward creating a sustainable energy grid according to researchers. Scientists now call for a new, standardized gauge of performance measurement for energy storage devices. ... > full story

Where is the accurate memory? The eyes have it (December 6, 2011) -- The witness points out the criminal in a police lineup. She swears she'd remember that face forever. Then DNA evidence shows she's got the wrong guy. It happens so frequently that many courts are looking with extreme skepticism at eyewitness testimony. ... > full story

Global carbon emissions reach record 10 billion tons, threatening 2 degree target (December 6, 2011) -- Global carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels have increased by 49 percent in the last two decades, according to the latest figures by an international team of scientists. ... > full story

Neurotransmitter dopamine might improve the treatment of cancer, new study suggests (December 6, 2011) -- A new study found that injections of the neurotransmitter dopamine can improve blood flow to tumors and delivery of an anticancer drug, doubling the amount of drug reaching tumors and increasing its effectiveness. Dopamine also raised tumor oxygen levels, which typically improves the effectiveness of both chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The study suggests a use for dopamine in treating cancer and perhaps other disorders in which normalizing abnormal blood vessels might improve therapeutic responses. ... > full story

'Label-free' imaging tool tracks nanotubes in cells, blood for biomedical research (December 6, 2011) -- Researchers have demonstrated a new imaging tool for tracking structures called carbon nanotubes in living cells and the bloodstream, which could aid efforts to perfect their use in biomedical research and clinical medicine. ... > full story

More young people are becoming nurses; Trend may help ease future nursing shortage in U.S. (December 6, 2011) -- The number of young people becoming registered nurses has grown sharply since 2002, a trend that should ease some of the concern about a looming nursing shortage in the United States. ... > full story

Study of strong ground motion may show need to modify building codes (December 6, 2011) -- New testing conducted in a steep, mountainous region of Utah, using mining induced events, is providing a new set of data necessary for better predictions on building codes, especially when earthquakes are a factor. ... > full story

Prevalence of conduct disorder among families of Mexican migrants in the U.S. examined in new study (December 6, 2011) -- The prevalence of conduct disorder appears to have increased substantially across generations of the Mexican-origin population after migration to the United States, however this increase was observed more for nonaggressive than aggressive symptoms of CD, according to a new study. ... > full story

Giant super-Earths made of diamond are possible, study suggests (December 5, 2011) -- A planet made of diamonds may sound lovely, but you wouldn't want to live there. A new study suggests that some stars in the Milky Way could harbor "carbon super-Earths" – giant terrestrial planets that contain up to 50 percent diamond. But if they exist, those planets are likely devoid of life as we know it. ... > full story

Physical fitness trumps body weight in reducing death risks, study finds (December 5, 2011) -- Maintaining or improving physical fitness is linked to lower death risks even after controlling for BMI change, according to a new study. Becoming less fit is associated with higher death risks, regardless of BMI changes. BMI change was not associated with death risks. ... > full story

Of mice and men, a common cortical connection (December 5, 2011) -- A new study using magnetic resonance imaging data of 406 adult human twins affirms the long-standing idea that the genetic basis of human cortical regionalization -- the organization of the outer brain into specific functional areas -- is similar to and consistent with patterns found in other mammals, indicating a common conservation mechanism in evolution. ... > full story

Preclinical effectiveness of TB drug target validated (December 5, 2011) -- Scientists evaluating new drug targets against tuberculosis recently validated the preclinical effectiveness of a target that could rapidly eliminate infections and potentially shorten treatment time. The new drug target is a protein called DNA gyrase B, found in bacteria that cause TB infections. ... > full story

Dust storms affect subsequent emergency hospital admissions, study finds (December 5, 2011) -- A new study reveals that dust storms have an adverse effect on emergency hospital admission for chronic lung disease, often known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. ... > full story

Post-partum psychiatric episodes associated with increased risk of developing bipolar affective disorder, study finds (December 5, 2011) -- Experiencing a psychiatric episode within the first 30 days post-partum appears to be associated with an increased risk of developing bipolar affective disorder, according to a new study. ... > full story

'Double tsunami' doubled Japan destruction (December 5, 2011) -- Researchers discovered that the destructive tsunami generated by the March 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake was a long-hypothesized "merging tsunami" that doubled in intensity over rugged ocean ridges, amplifying its destructive power before reaching shore. Satellites captured not just one wave front that day, but at least two, which merged to form a single double-high wave far out at sea -- one capable of traveling long distances without losing its power. ... > full story

Defensive measures: Toward a vaccine for Ebola (December 5, 2011) -- Researchers have made progress toward a vaccine against the deadly Ebola virus. They have demonstrated that a plant-derived vaccine for Ebola provided strong immunological protection in a mouse model. If early efforts bear fruit, an Ebola vaccine could be stockpiled for use in the United States, should the country fall victim to a natural outbreak or a bioterrorism event in which a weaponized strain of the virus were unleashed on soldiers or the public. ... > full story

Chemists become molecular sculptors, synthesizing tiny, molecular traps (December 5, 2011) -- Using clever but elegant design, chemists have synthesized tiny, molecular cages that can be used to capture and purify nanomaterials. ... > full story

Headaches after traumatic brain injury highest in adolescents and girls, study finds (December 5, 2011) -- In a new study, researchers analyzed the prevalence of headaches three and 12 months after mild, moderate or severe traumatic brain injury in children ages 5 to 17, and discovered the risk of headache was higher in adolescents (ages 13 to 17) and in girls. ... > full story

Marine predators in trouble (December 5, 2011) -- Iconic marine predators such as sharks, tunas, swordfish, and marlins are becoming increasingly rare under current fishing trends, say researchers. ... > full story

Can companies, political groups or organizations have a single mind? (December 5, 2011) -- News of employee misconduct always creates a whirlwind for the companies involved -- think of Enron, Goldman Sachs and UBS, for example. But are these firms responsible for the actions of their employees? Or do individual members have distinct and independent responsibility separate from a group's actions? ... > full story

When the heat's on, some fish can cope: Certain tropical species have greater capacity to deal with rising sea temperatures than thought (December 5, 2011) -- Australian scientists have discovered that some tropical fish have a greater capacity to cope with rising sea temperatures than previously thought – by adjusting over several generations. The discovery sheds a ray of hope amid the rising concern over the future of coral reefs and their fish under the levels of global warming expected to occur by the end of this century. ... > full story

Autism may involve disordered white matter in the brain (December 5, 2011) -- It's still unclear what's different in the brains of people with autism spectrum disorders, but evidence from genetic and cell studies points to abnormalities in how brain cells, connect to each other. A new study now provides visual evidence associating autism with a disorganized structure of brain connections, as well as defects in myelin -- the fatty, insulating coating that helps nerve fibers conduct signals and that makes up the brain's white matter. ... > full story

Low vitamin D common in spine surgery patients; Deficiency may hinder recovery (December 5, 2011) -- A new study indicates that many patients undergoing spine surgery have low levels of vitamin D, which may delay their recovery. Vitamin D helps with calcium absorption, and patients with a deficiency can have difficulty producing new bone, which can, in turn, interfere with healing following spine surgery. ... > full story

Antibiotics may not be only cause of community-acquired Clostridium difficile infection (December 5, 2011) -- Antibiotics may not be the only risk factor associated with community-acquired Clostridium difficile infection, indicating that other undefined causes of the potentially life-threatening infection may exist and could also predict whether or not a patient will require hospitalization, according to the results of a new study. ... > full story

Laser heating: New light cast on electrons heated to several billion degrees (December 5, 2011) -- A new class of high power lasers can effectively accelerate particles like electrons and ions with very intense, short laser pulses. Physicists have developed a new theoretical model for predicting the density and temperature of hot electrons which surpasses existing models in accurately describing experimental results and simulations. ... > full story

Serendipitous news reading online is gaining prominence, study shows (December 5, 2011) -- New research shows that Internet users often do not make the conscious decision to read news online, but they come across news when they are searching for other information or doing non-news related activities online, such as shopping or visiting social networking sites. ... > full story

NASA's Kepler confirms its first planet in habitable zone outside our solar system (December 5, 2011) -- NASA's Kepler mission has confirmed its first planet in the "habitable zone," the region around a star where liquid water could exist on a planet's surface. Kepler also has discovered more than 1,000 new planet candidates, nearly doubling its previously known count. Ten of these candidates are near-Earth-size and orbit in the habitable zone of their host star. Candidates require follow-up observations to verify they are actual planets. ... > full story

Preoperative aspirin therapy can benefit cardiac surgery patients, study finds (December 5, 2011) -- Aspirin taken within five days of cardiac surgery is associated with a significant decrease in the risk of major postoperative complications, including renal failure, a lengthy intensive care unit stay and even early death, according to a study by researchers at Thomas Jefferson University and UC Davis Medical Center set to appear in the journal Annals of Surgery. ... > full story

How muscle fatigue originates in the head (December 5, 2011) -- Researchers have now studied in detail what sportsmen and women know from experience: The head plays a key role in tiring endurance performances. They have discovered a mechanism in the brain that triggers a reduction in muscle performance during tiring activities and ensures that one’s own physiological limits are not exceeded. For the first time, the study demonstrates empirically that muscle fatigue and changes in the interaction between neuronal structures are linked. ... > full story

Mechanisms cells use to remove bits of RNA from DNA strands (December 5, 2011) -- When RNA component units called ribonucleotides become embedded in genomic DNA, they can cause problems for cells, but not much is known about the fate of these ribonucleotides. A new study identifies two mechanisms cells use to recognize and remove ribonucleotides embedded in genomic DNA, called RNases H and the mismatch repair system. ... > full story

Unique geologic insights from 'non-unique' gravity and magnetic interpretation (December 5, 2011) -- In many fields of applied science, such as geology, there are often tensions and disagreements between scientists who specialize in analyses of problems using mathematical models to describe sets of collected data, and those that rely on on-the-ground observations and empirical analyses. ... > full story

Feasibility of using mycoherbicides to control illicit drug crops is uncertain (December 5, 2011) -- The effectiveness of using specific fungi as mycoherbicides to combat illicit drug crops remains questionable due to the lack of quality, in-depth research, says a new report. ... > full story

Astronomers find fastest rotating star (December 5, 2011) -- The European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope has picked up the fastest rotating star found so far. This massive bright young star lies in our neighboring galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud, about 160,000 light-years from Earth. Astronomers think that it may have had a violent past and has been ejected from a double star system by its exploding companion. ... > full story

Scientists point to link between missing synapse protein and abnormal behaviors (December 5, 2011) -- Although many mental illnesses are uniquely human, animals sometimes exhibit abnormal behaviors similar to those seen in humans with psychological disorders. Such behaviors are called endophenotypes. Now, researchers have found that mice lacking a gene that encodes a particular protein found in the synapses of the brain display a number of endophenotypes associated with schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. ... > full story

New insights into responses of Yellowstone wolves to environmental changes (December 5, 2011) -- A study of the wolves of Yellowstone National Park has improved predictions of how these animals will respond to environmental changes. The study, which is part of the Yellowstone Wolf Project, involved tracking changes in various characteristics of the wolves of Yellowstone National Park ever since these animals were reintroduced to the park in 1995. ... > full story

New way to rate severity of colitis, a common cause of diarrhea (December 5, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a new way to assess a common cause of chronic diarrhea, microscopic colitis, using the Microscopic Colitis Disease Activity Index. The index provides a consistent way to assess the condition's severity. ... > full story

First molybdenite microchip (December 5, 2011) -- After having revealed the electronic advantages of molybdenite, researchers in Switzerland have now taken the next definitive step. The researchers have made a chip, or integrated circuit, confirming that molybdenite can surpass the physical limits of silicon in terms of miniaturization, electricity consumption, and mechanical flexibility. ... > full story

Snakebite victims absent in health system as most consult traditional healers, research finds (December 5, 2011) -- Fatal snakebites are a bigger-than-acknowledged global health problem that has been vastly under-reported, according to new research. A key reason for the low count is that many snakebite victims are treated or die without seeking or reaching health facilities. ... > full story

Rise of atmospheric oxygen more complicated than previously thought (December 5, 2011) -- The appearance of oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere probably did not occur as a single event, but as a long series of starts and stops, according to an international team of researchers who investigated rock cores from the FAR DEEP project. ... > full story

New ADHD gene study points to defects in brain signaling pathways (December 5, 2011) -- Pediatric researchers analyzing genetic influences in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder have found alterations in specific genes involved in important brain signaling pathways. The study raises the possibility that drugs acting on those pathways might offer a new treatment option for patients with ADHD who have those gene variants -- potentially, half a million US children. ... > full story

Substance in cancer medicine could prevent heart attacks, preliminary research suggests (December 5, 2011) -- A substance in medicines for cancer and epilepsy could also prevent heart attacks, according to researchers, who have been using it to stimulate the body's own defense system against blood clots. ... > full story

Cell surface mutation protects against common type of malaria (December 5, 2011) -- A mutation on the surface of human red blood cells provides protection against malaria caused by the parasite Plasmodium vivax, new research shows. The investigators found the change makes it harder for the parasite to lock onto the cell and gain entry. ... > full story

'Graphene earns its stripes': New nanoscale electronic state discovered on graphene sheets (December 5, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered electronic stripes, called ‘charge density waves’, on the surface of the graphene sheets that make up a graphitic superconductor. This is the first time these stripes have been seen on graphene, and the finding is likely to have profound implications for the exploitation of this recently discovered material, which scientists believe will play a key role in the future of nanotechnology. ... > full story

New approach to study depression: Finding may lead to new marker for risk (December 5, 2011) -- Scientists have identified a new target area in the human genome that appears to harbor genes with a major role in the onset of depression. ... > full story