ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Sunday, December 18, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Sunday, December 18, 2011

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Meteorite shockwaves trigger dust avalanches on Mars (December 17, 2011) -- Dust avalanches around impact craters on Mars appear to be the result of the shock wave preceding the actual impact, according to a new study. Small impacts might therefore be more important in shaping the Martian surface than previously thought. ... > full story

Scientists may be able to double efficacy of radiation therapy (December 17, 2011) -- Scientists may have a way to double the efficacy and reduce the side effects of radiation therapy. ... > full story

Let's do the twist: Spiral proteins are efficient gene delivery agents (December 17, 2011) -- Clinical gene therapy may be one step closer, thanks to a new twist on an old class of molecules. Researchers have demonstrated that short spiral-shaped proteins can efficiently deliver DNA segments to cells, with well-controlled toxicity. Their helical polypeptides far exceeded random-coil polypeptide and even outstripped commercial agents in efficiency, even on some of the hardest cells to transfect: stem cells and fibroblast cells. ... > full story

Childhood cancer drugs cure now, may cause problems later, research shows (December 17, 2011) -- Will a drug used to treat childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and other pediatric cancers cause heart problems later in life? A professor of pharmaceutical sciences, who sees his work as a bridge between research and clinical practice, has focused recent efforts on trying to answer this question. ... > full story

Functionalized graphene oxide plays part in next-generation oil-well drilling fluids (December 17, 2011) -- Graphene's star is rising as a material that could become essential to efficient, environmentally sound oil production. Researchers are taking advantage of graphene's outstanding strength, light weight and solubility to enhance fluids used to drill oil wells. ... > full story

Researchers urge caution when buying noisy toys (December 17, 2011) -- While Road Rippers Lightning Rods, Let's Rock Elmo and the I Am T-Pain musical microphone might be sought-after gifts this holiday season, parents should ensure that their children don't risk permanent hearing damage by misusing them. ... > full story

Detecting the 'heartbeat' of smallest black hole candidate (December 16, 2011) -- Astronomers have identified a candidate for the smallest-known black hole using data from NASA's Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE). The evidence comes from a specific type of X-ray pattern, nicknamed a "heartbeat" because of its resemblance to an electrocardiogram. The pattern until now has been recorded in only one other black hole system. ... > full story

Cholesterol-lowering drugs may reduce mortality for influenza patients (December 16, 2011) -- Statins, traditionally known as cholesterol-lowering drugs, may reduce mortality among patients hospitalized with influenza, according to a new study. ... > full story

Barracuda babies: Novel study sheds light on early life of prolific predator (December 16, 2011) -- Marine biologists shed light on the larval stage of the barracuda, as well as several other closely related species. ... > full story

Gene discovered for Weaver syndrome (December 16, 2011) -- Scientists have found a gene that causes Weaver syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that typically causes large size at birth, tall stature, developmental delay during childhood, and intellectual disability. The discovery means that testing the EZH2 gene for mutations could help families who are seeking a diagnosis for their child. ... > full story

Study of skates and sharks questions assumptions about 'essential' genes (December 16, 2011) -- Biologists have long assumed that all jawed vertebrates possess a full complement of nearly identical genes for critical aspects of their development. But new research shows that elasmobranchs, a subclass of cartilaginous fishes, lack a cluster of genes, HoxC, formerly thought to be essential for proper development. ... > full story

New strain of lab mice mimics human alcohol consumption patterns (December 16, 2011) -- A line of laboratory mice drinks more alcohol than other animal models and consumes it in a fashion similar to humans: choosing alcohol over other options and binge drinking. ... > full story