ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Monday, December 19, 2011

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Monday, December 19, 2011

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Novel device removes heavy metals from water (December 18, 2011) -- Engineers have developed a system that cleanly and efficiently removes trace heavy metals from water. In experiments, the researchers showed the system reduced cadmium, copper, and nickel concentrations, returning contaminated water to near or below federally acceptable standards. The technique is scalable and has viable commercial applications, especially in the environmental remediation and metal recovery fields. ... > full story

Simple clip could increase quality of life for thousands of patients with a common heart problem (December 18, 2011) -- The interventional cardiology team recently conducted the first clinical procedure in Canada using the MitraClip system, which is designed to treat patients suffering from mitral valve failure, a very common heart defect that affects an estimated one out five people to various extents starting at the age of 55. ... > full story

Rapid rise in wildfires in large parts of Canada? Ecologists find threshold values for natural wildfires (December 18, 2011) -- Large forest regions in Canada are apparently about to experience rapid change. Based on models, scientists can now show that there are threshold values for wildfires just like there are for epidemics. Large areas of Canada are apparently approaching this threshold value and may in future exceed it due to climate change. As a result both the area burnt down annually and the average size of the fires would increase, researchers say. ... > full story

Penicillin doses for children should be reviewed, say experts (December 18, 2011) -- A team of scientists and clinicians are calling for a review of penicillin dosing guidelines for children, as the current guidelines have remained unchanged for nearly 50 years. The research indicates some children may not be receiving effective doses, which could potentially lead to failed treatment and contribute to antibiotic resistance. ... > full story

Protecting confidential data with math (December 18, 2011) -- With the computerization of databases in healthcare, forensics, telecommunications, and other fields, ensuring security for such databases has become increasingly important. Researchers have now analyzed a new security-control model for statistical databases. ... > full story

Traumatic experiences may make you tough (December 18, 2011) -- Your parents were right: Hard experiences may indeed make you tough. Psychological scientists have found that, while going through many experiences like assault, hurricanes, and bereavement can be psychologically damaging, small amounts of trauma may help people develop resilience. ... > full story

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

Tiny protein helps bacteria 'talk' and triggers defensive response in plants (December 16, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered a new signal that helps invading bacteria communicate but also helps targeted rice plants coordinate defensive attacks on the disease-causing invaders, a finding that could lead to new methods of combating infection not just in plants, but in humans. ... > full story

Peptide 'cocktail' elicits immune response to multiple myeloma (December 16, 2011) -- Scientists have created a "cocktail" of immune-stimulating peptides they believe could provoke the body's defenses to attack multiple myeloma in its early "smoldering" phase and slow or prevent the blood cancer. ... > full story

The physics behind great white shark attacks on seals (December 16, 2011) -- A new study examines the complex and dynamic interactions between white sharks and Cape fur seals in False Bay, South Africa; Offers new insights on physical and biological factors underlying predator-prey interactions in marine environment. ... > full story

Therapy improves stem cell engraftment in umbilical cord blood transplant recipients, study suggests (December 16, 2011) -- A therapy involving a natural compound may improve the ability of stem cells from umbilical cord blood to engraft in patients receiving a stem cell transplant for cancer or other diseases, a phase I clinical trial indicates. ... > full story

Twisting molecules by brute force: A top-down approach (December 16, 2011) -- Researchers have found they can use a macroscopic brute force to impose and induce a twist in an otherwise non-chiral molecule. ... > full story

Potential explanation for mechanisms of associative memory (December 16, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered that a chemical compound in the brain can weaken the synaptic connections between neurons in a region of the brain important for the formation of long-term memories. The findings may also provide a potential explanation for the loss of memory associated with Alzheimer's. ... > full story

Discovery of a 'dark state' could mean a brighter future for solar energy (December 16, 2011) -- The efficiency of conventional solar cells could be significantly increased, according to new research on the mechanisms of solar energy conversion. ... > full story

Immunity against the cold (December 16, 2011) -- Throughout the interior spaces of humans and other warm-blooded creatures is a special type of tissue known as brown fat, which may hold the secret to diets and weight-loss programs of the future. ... > full story

'Fantastic voyage' through the body, with precision control (December 16, 2011) -- Scientists have devised a method to guide endoscopic "capsules" on a more precise course through the small intestine to detect difficult-to-diagnose tumors or wounds, or allow for biopsies or drug delivery. The ability to manipulate the capsule, he says, will not only lead to better diagnosis capabilities, but a less invasive and quicker procedure as well. ... > full story

Low iron levels in blood raises blood clot risk, new research suggests (December 16, 2011) -- People with low levels of iron in the blood have a higher risk of dangerous blood clots, according to new research. ... > full story

Researchers assess effects of a world awash in nitrogen (December 16, 2011) -- Humans are having an effect on Earth's ecosystems but it's not just the depletion of resources and the warming of the planet we are causing. Now you can add an over-abundance of nitrogen as another "footprint" humans are leaving behind. The only question is how large of an impact will be felt. ... > full story

Less knowledge, more power: Uninformed can be vital to democracy, study finds (December 16, 2011) -- Uninformed individuals -- as in those with no prior knowledge or strong feelings on a situation's outcome -- can actually be vital to achieving a democratic consensus, according to new research. These individuals tend to side with and embolden the numerical majority and dilute the influence of powerful minority factions who would otherwise dominate everyone else. ... > full story

How granular materials become solid: Discovery may be boon to engineers, manufacturers (December 16, 2011) -- What is it is that makes granular materials change from a flowing loose state to a "jammed," or solid, state? Researchers can now explain how granular materials are transformed when force is applied at a particular angle, a process known as shearing. ... > full story

Blood test might predict how well a depressed patient responds to antidepressants (December 16, 2011) -- Researchers are reporting what could become the first reliable method to predict whether an antidepressant will work on a depressed patient. ... > full story

Tool detects patterns hidden in vast data sets (December 16, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a tool that can tackle large data sets in a way that no other software program can. Part of a suite of statistical tools called MINE, it can tease out multiple patterns hidden in health information, statistics amassed from a season of major league baseball, data on the changing bacterial landscape of the gut, and more. ... > full story

Malaria during pregnancy: New study assesses risks during first trimester (December 16, 2011) -- The largest ever study to assess the effects of malaria and its treatment in the first trimester of pregnancy has shown that the disease significantly increases the risk of miscarriage, but that treating with antimalarial drugs is relatively safe and reduces this risk. ... > full story

Lead levels in drinking water spike when copper and lead pipes joined: Levels linked to galvanic corrosion, disinfectants, pH (December 16, 2011) -- Lead pipes once used routinely in municipal water distribution systems are a well-recognized source of dangerous lead contamination, but new research suggests that the partial replacement of these pipes can make the problem worse. The research shows that joining old lead pipes with new copper lines using brass fittings spurs galvanic corrosion that can dramatically increase the amount of lead released into drinking water supplies. ... > full story

Second-guessing one's decisions leads to unhappiness, psychology researcher finds (December 16, 2011) -- You're in search of a new coffee maker, and the simple quest becomes, well, an ordeal. After doing copious amounts of research and reading dozens of consumer reviews, you finally make a purchase, only to wonder: "Was this the right choice? Could I do better? What is the return policy?" ... > full story

Close family ties keep cheaters in check: Why almost all multicellular organisms begin life as a single cell (December 16, 2011) -- Any multicellular animal poses a special difficulty for the theory of evolution. Most of its cells will die without reproducing, and only a privileged few will pass their genes. Given the incentive for cheating, how is cooperation among the cells enforced? Evolutionary biologists suggest the answer is frequent population bottlenecks that restart populations from a single cell. ... > full story

Key genetic error found in family of blood cancers (December 16, 2011) -- Scientists have uncovered a critical genetic mutation in some patients with myelodysplastic syndromes -- a group of blood cancers that can progress to a fatal form of leukemia. ... > full story

Birds caught in the act of becoming a new species (December 16, 2011) -- A study of South American songbirds has shown that these birds differ dramatically in color and song yet show very little genetic differences, indicating they are on the road to becoming a new species. ... > full story

How cells limit inflammation in lung injury (December 16, 2011) -- Researchers have found in an animal model of acute lung injury a molecular mechanism that allows cells of the immune system to reduce tissue damage from inflammation. ... > full story

New research could lead to enhanced MRI scans (December 16, 2011) -- New research could lead to enhanced MRI scans, producing brighter and more precise images, and potentially allowing the detection of cancerous cells before they cause health problems. ... > full story

Patient isolation associated with hospital delirium (December 16, 2011) -- A new study finds that patients who are moved into isolation during a hospital stay are nearly twice as likely to develop delirium, a potentially dangerous change in mental status that often affects hospital patients. Patients who began their stay in isolation were not at increased risk. ... > full story

First low-mass star detected in globular cluster (December 16, 2011) -- Even the most powerful high-tech telescopes are barely able to record remote low-mass and thus faint stars. Astrophysicists have now detected a low-mass star in globular cluster M22 for the first time through microlensing. The result indicates that the overall mass of globular clusters might well be explained without enigmatic dark matter. ... > full story

Less blood clot damage with extra treatment, research suggests (December 16, 2011) -- Pain, swelling, itching, eczema and venous ulcers are characteristic signs of post-thrombotic syndrome, a condition developed by roughly half the patients who have experienced serious deep vein thrombosis, or blood clots in the leg. It has been demonstrated for the first time that a treatment to dissolve blood clots prevented such complications in a substantial number of patients. The treatment is called catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy. ... > full story

New genetic program converts static cells into mobile invasive cells (December 16, 2011) -- Researchers have identified the gene GATA 6 as responsible for epithelial cells -which group together and are static- losing adhesion and moving towards a new site. This process, which is common to developing organisms, is very similar to one that occurs in metastasis, when tumor cells escape from the original tumor and invade new tissue. ... > full story

Researchers identify genetic mutation responsible for most cases of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (December 16, 2011) -- Scientists have identified a gene mutation that underlies the vast majority of cases of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, a rare form of lymphoma that has eluded all previous efforts to find a genetic cause. ... > full story

Global forests are overlooked as water suppliers, study shows (December 16, 2011) -- The forests of the world supply a significant amount of moisture that creates rain. A new study reveals how this important contribution of forests to the hydrologic cycle is often overlooked in water resource policy, such as that of the EU. ... > full story

Report on human subjects protection (December 16, 2011) -- The Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues has issued its report concerning U.S. federally sponsored research involving human volunteers, concluding that current rules and regulations provide adequate safeguards to mitigate risk. ... > full story