ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Thursday, January 19, 2012

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Thursday, January 19, 2012

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Saving dogs with spinal cord injuries (January 19, 2012) -- Dogs with spinal cord injuries may soon benefit from an experimental drug currently being tested by researchers — work that they hope will one day help people with similar injuries. ... > full story

Diabetic mice provide a surprising breakthrough for multiple sclerosis research (January 19, 2012) -- Scientists have discovered that when mice with diabetes are injected with a specific protein, they experience the same brain lesions and disabilities that occur in human MS patients. Monitoring this brain lesion process through magnetic resonance imaging, scientists say they're on the path to treating MS more effectively. ... > full story

Computer simulations revealing how methane and hydrogen pack into gas hydrates could enlighten alternative fuel production and carbon dioxide storage (January 19, 2012) -- For some time, researchers have explored flammable ice for low-carbon or alternative fuel or as a place to store carbon dioxide. Now, a computer analysis of the ice and gas compound, known as a gas hydrate, reveals key details of its structure. The results show that hydrates can hold hydrogen at an optimal capacity of 5 weight-percent, a value that meets the goal of a U.S. Department of Energy standard and makes gas hydrates practical and affordable. ... > full story

Novel gene mutations associated with bile duct cancer (January 19, 2012) -- Investigators have identified a new genetic signature associated with bile duct cancer, a usually deadly tumor for which effective treatment currently is limited. ... > full story

Songbird brain synapses and glial cells capable of synthesizing estrogen (January 19, 2012) -- A biology professor has detailed previously undiscovered ways songbirds can produce estrogen in their brains. ... > full story

Unhappy at work? The boss or the company may be to blame (January 19, 2012) -- If our psychological needs at work are met, we are more likely to be happy. If you are unhappy at work, it could be partly due to your boss' management style, according to a new study. Both over-controlling managers who use threats as a way to motivate employees, and organizations that do not appear to value individuals' contributions, frustrate our basic needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness (how we relate to others). This, in turn, is likely to have a negative impact on our well-being at work. ... > full story

Tortoise species thought to be extinct still lives, genetic analysis reveals (January 19, 2012) -- Dozens of giant tortoises of a species believed extinct for 150 years may still be living at a remote location in the Galápagos Islands, a genetic analysis reveals. ... > full story

Explaining heart failure as a cause of diabetes (January 19, 2012) -- Either heart failure or diabetes alone is bad enough, but oftentimes the two conditions seem to go together. Now, researchers appear to have found the culprit that leads from heart failure to diabetes and perhaps a novel way to break that metabolic vicious cycle. ... > full story

Hydrogen advances graphene use (January 19, 2012) -- A dose of hydrogen or helium can render the "super material" graphene even more useful, as shown by physicists. ... > full story

Important gene-regulation proteins pinpointed by new method (January 19, 2012) -- A novel technique precisely pinpoints the location of proteins that read and regulate chromosomes. The order of these proteins determines whether a brain cell, a liver cell, or a cancer cell is formed. Until now, it has been exceedingly difficult to determine exactly where such proteins bind to the chromosome, and therefore how they work. The new technique has the potential to take high-resolution snapshots of proteins as they regulate or miss-regulate an entire genome. ... > full story

Good parents are predictable, at least when it comes to corn (January 19, 2012) -- According to a relatively new insight in plant research, there is no single gene strongly controlling growth. Nevertheless, in order to breed new varieties of corn with a higher yield faster than ever before, researchers are relying on a trick: early selection of the most promising parent plants based on their chemical and genetic makeup, as well as on new statistical analysis procedures. ... > full story

Alarm clock monitors brain and wakes you in a time window when you will rouse easily (January 19, 2012) -- Researchers have developed an alarm clock that monitors your brain activity and triggers its alarm within a time window you set in advance but only when your brain is in a more easily roused state rather than deep sleep. ... > full story

First physical evidence of tobacco in Mayan container (January 18, 2012) -- Anthropologists and other scientists have used ultra-modern chemical analysis technology to analyze ancient Mayan pottery for proof of tobacco use in the ancient culture. They discovered the first physical evidence of tobacco in a Mayan container. Their discovery represents new evidence on the ancient use of tobacco in the Mayan culture and a new method to understand the ancient roots of tobacco use in the Americas. ... > full story

Study maps destructive path from cigarette to emphysema (January 18, 2012) -- Scientists described the track the toxic smoke takes through the tissues and how they accomplish their destructive work. ... > full story

Ice age findings forecast problems: Data from end of last Ice Age confirm effects of climate change on oceans (January 18, 2012) -- The first comprehensive study of changes in the oxygenation of oceans at the end of the last Ice Age has implications for the future of our oceans under global warming. The study looked at marine sediment and found that that the dissolved oxygen concentrations in large parts of the oceans changed dramatically during the relatively slow natural climate changes at the end of the last Ice Age. ... > full story

Genetic predisposition to disease common in two supercentenarians (January 18, 2012) -- The first-ever published whole-genome sequences of not just one, but two supercentenarians, aged more than 114 years, reveal that both unusual and common genetic phenomena contribute to the genetic background of extreme human longevity. Data from the study will be available to researchers around the world at the NIH data repository. ... > full story

New device creates lipid spheres that mimic cell membranes (January 18, 2012) -- A new way of manipulating fluids on microscopic levels brings us one step closer to "bottom-up" artificial cell constructs. ... > full story

Good intentions ease pain, add to pleasure (January 18, 2012) -- A nurse's tender loving care really does ease the pain of a medical procedure, and grandma's cookies really do taste better, if we perceive them to be made with love -- suggests newly published research. The findings have many real-world applications, including in medicine, relationships, parenting and business. ... > full story

Ancient popcorn discovered in Peru (January 18, 2012) -- People living along the coast of Peru were eating popcorn 1,000 years earlier than previously reported and before ceramic pottery was used there, according to a new article. ... > full story

Nicotine patch shows benefits in mild cognitive impairment, study suggests (January 18, 2012) -- Using a nicotine patch may help improve mild memory loss in older adults, according to a new study. ... > full story

'Quantum critical' theory gets experimental boost (January 18, 2012) -- New evidence supports a theory developed five years ago to explain the electrical properties of unconventional superconductors and other classes of materials that have long vexed scientists. Physicists say the new findings represent an important step toward the ultimate goal of creating a unified theoretical description of quantum effects in electronic materials at the border of magnetism and superconductivity. ... > full story

No walk in the park: Factors that predict walking difficulty in elderly (January 18, 2012) -- Researchers have found that the likelihood of becoming disabled with age increases with the following factors: having a chronic condition or cognitive impairment; low physical activity; slower gross motor coordination; having poor lower-extremity function; and being hospitalized. Women are also more likely than men to become disabled in their later years. ... > full story

Faster-than-fast Fourier transform (January 18, 2012) -- Researchers have developed a new algorithm that, in a large range of practically important cases, improves on the fast Fourier transform. Under some circumstances, the improvement can be dramatic -- a tenfold increase in speed. The new algorithm could be particularly useful for image compression, enabling, say, smartphones to wirelessly transmit large video files without draining their batteries or consuming their monthly bandwidth allotments. ... > full story

'Women worse at math than men' explanation scientifically incorrect, experts say (January 18, 2012) -- Researchers have conducted a review that casts doubt on the accuracy of a popular theory that attempted to explain why there are more men than women in top levels of mathematical fields. The researchers found that numerous studies claiming that the stereotype, "men are better at math" – believed to undermine women's math performance – had major methodological flaws, utilized improper statistical techniques, and many studies had no scientific evidence of this stereotype. ... > full story

Prehistoric predators with supersized teeth had beefier arm bones (January 18, 2012) -- The toothiest prehistoric predators also had beefier arm bones, according to results of a new study. Saber-toothed tigers may come to mind, but these extinct cats weren't the only animals with fearsome fangs. Take the false saber-toothed cats -- also known as nimravids -- and their catlike cousins, a family of carnivores called the barbourofelids. ... > full story

Scientists create novel RNA repair technology (January 18, 2012) -- Scientists have identified a compound that can help repair a specific type of defect in RNA, a type of genetic material. The methods in the new study could accelerate the development of therapeutics to treat a variety of incurable diseases such as Huntington’s disease, Spinocerebellar ataxia, and Kennedy disease. ... > full story

Quantum uncertainty: Are you certain, Mr. Heisenberg? (January 18, 2012) -- Heisenberg's Uncertainty principle is arguably one of the most famous foundations of quantum physics. It says that not all properties of a quantum particle can be measured with unlimited accuracy. Until now, this has often been justified by the notion that every measurement necessarily has to disturb the quantum particle, which distorts the results of any further measurements. This, however, turns out to be an oversimplification, researchers now say. ... > full story

Contact lenses provide extended pain relief to laser eye surgery patients (January 18, 2012) -- Scientists are reporting development of contact lenses that could provide a continuous supply of anesthetic medication to the eyes of patients who undergo laser eye surgery -- an advance that could relieve patients of the burden of repeatedly placing drops of medicine into their eyes every few hours for several days. ... > full story

Climate balancing: Sea-level rise vs. surface temperature change rates (January 18, 2012) -- Engineering our way out of global climate warming may not be as easy as simply reducing the incoming solar energy, according to a climate scientists. Designing the approach to control both sea level rise and rates of surface air temperature changes requires a balancing act to accommodate the diverging needs of different locations. ... > full story

Broken arm? Brain shifts quickly when using a sling or cast (January 18, 2012) -- Using a sling or cast after injuring an arm may cause your brain to shift quickly to adjust, according to a new study. The study found increases in the size of brain areas that were compensating for the injured side, and decreases in areas that were not being used due to the cast or sling. ... > full story

World's most extreme deep-sea vents revealed: Deeper than any seen before, and teeming with new creatures (January 18, 2012) -- Scientists have revealed details of the world's most extreme deep-sea volcanic vents, five kilometers down in a rift in the Caribbean seafloor. The undersea hot springs, which lie 0.8 kilometers deeper than any seen before, may be hotter than 450 °C and are shooting a jet of mineral-laden water more than a kilometer into the ocean above. ... > full story

First link between potentially toxic PFCs in office air and in office workers' blood (January 18, 2012) -- In a first-of-its-kind study, scientists are reporting that the indoor air in offices is an important source of worker exposure to potentially toxic substances released by carpeting, furniture, paint and other items. Their report documents a link between levels of these so-called polyfluorinated compounds in office air and in the blood of workers. ... > full story

Ulcer-causing bacteria baffled by mucus: Researchers discover impact of viscoelasticity on collective behavior of swimming microorganisms (January 18, 2012) -- A new study demonstrates how introducing certain polymers—like those found in human mucus and saliva—into an aquatic environment makes it significantly more difficult for ulcer-causing bacteria and other microorganisms to coordinate. ... > full story

Nicotine replacement therapies may not be effective in helping people quit smoking (January 18, 2012) -- Nicotine replacement therapies designed to help people stop smoking, specifically nicotine patches and nicotine gum, do not appear to be effective in helping smokers quit long-term, even when combined with smoking cessation counseling, according to a new study. ... > full story

Advance made in light-slowing techniques (January 18, 2012) -- Scientists have made a significant advance in the field of light-slowing techniques applied to microwave photonics, which open the door to integrating multiple functionalities into optical chips in the short and medium term. ... > full story

Lack of sleep makes your brain hungry (January 18, 2012) -- New research shows that a specific brain region that contributes to a person’s appetite sensation is more activated in response to food images after one night of sleep loss than after one night of normal sleep. Poor sleep habits can therefore affect people’s risk of becoming overweight in the long run. ... > full story

Biologists replicate key evolutionary step (January 18, 2012) -- More than 500 million years ago, single-celled organisms on the Earth's surface began forming multicellular clusters that ultimately became plants and animals. Just how that happened is a question that has eluded evolutionary biologists. ... > full story

Diet counts: Iron intake in teen years can impact brain in later life (January 18, 2012) -- Researchers have found that a lack of iron in the diet during the teenage years can have a negative impact on the brain years later, making the brain more susceptible to such disorders as Alzheimer's. Further, the researchers have identified a common set of genes that influence both iron and brain structure. ... > full story

Particle-free silver ink prints small, high-performance electronics (January 18, 2012) -- Materials scientists have developed a new reactive silver ink for printing high-performance electronics on ubiquitous, low-cost materials such as flexible plastic, paper or fabric substrates. The reactive ink has several advantages over particle-based inks: low processing temperature, high conductivity, and the ability to print very small features. ... > full story

Researchers map potential genetic origins, pathways of lung cancer in never-smokers (January 18, 2012) -- Researchers have begun to identify which mutations and pathway changes lead to lung cancer in never-smokers -- a first step in developing potential therapeutic targets. ... > full story

Some nearby young stars may be much older than previously thought (January 18, 2012) -- New research concludes that the stars of Upper Scorpius are twice as old as previously thought. ... > full story

How the brain puts the brakes on negative impact of cocaine (January 18, 2012) -- New research provides fascinating insight into a newly discovered brain mechanism that limits the rewarding impact of cocaine. The study describes protective delayed mechanism that turns off the genes that support the development of addiction-related behaviors. The findings may lead to a better understanding of vulnerability to addiction and as well as new strategies for treatment. ... > full story

Ten-second dance of electrons is step toward exotic new computers (January 18, 2012) -- Scientists have achieved a 100-fold increase in the ability to maintain control the spins of electrons in a solid material, a key step in the development of ultrafast quantum computers. ... > full story

Why coffee drinking reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes (January 18, 2012) -- Why do heavy coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, a disease on the increase around the world that can lead to serious health problems? Scientists are now offering a new solution to that long-standing mystery, ... > full story

Evidence of past Southern hemisphere rainfall cycles related to Antarctic temperatures (January 18, 2012) -- Geoscientists have published the first evidence that warm-cold climate oscillations well known in the Northern Hemisphere over the most recent glacial period also appear as tropical rainfall variations in the Amazon Basin of South America. It is the first clear expression of these cycles in the Southern hemisphere. ... > full story

Increase dietary fiber, decrease disease (January 18, 2012) -- We should all be eating more dietary fiber to improve our health -- that's the message from a health review by scientists in India. Researchers suggest fruit, vegetables, whole-grain foods, such as muesli and porridge, beans and pulses, as readily available foods rich in dietary fiber. ... > full story

Nano research could impact flexible electronic devices (January 18, 2012) -- A new discovery shows that the flexibility and durability of carbon nanotube films and coatings are intimately linked to their electronic properties and could impact flexible electronic devices such as solar cells and wearable sensors. ... > full story

Gossip can have social and psychological benefits (January 18, 2012) -- For centuries, gossip has been dismissed as salacious, idle chatter that can damage reputations and erode trust. But a new study suggests rumor-mongering can have positive outcomes such as helping us police bad behavior, prevent exploitation and lower stress. ... > full story