ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Tuesday, January 24, 2012

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Tuesday, January 24, 2012

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Women report feeling pain more intensely than men, says study of electronic medical records (January 24, 2012) -- Women report more intense pain than men in virtually every disease category, according to researchers who mined a huge collection of electronic medical records to establish the broad gender difference to a high level of statistical significance. ... > full story

Tactile imaging sensor can assist doctors with early identification of tumors (January 24, 2012) -- A handheld tactile imaging sensor could aid doctors in early identification of cancerous lesions or tumors. ... > full story

Major study of ocean acidification helps scientists evaluate effects of atmospheric carbon dioxide on marine life (January 24, 2012) -- Might a penguin's next meal be affected by the exhaust from your tailpipe? The answer may be yes, when you add your exhaust fumes to the total amount of carbon dioxide lofted into the atmosphere by humans since the industrial revolution. One-third of that carbon dioxide is absorbed by the world's oceans, making them more acidic and affecting marine life. ... > full story

Study pinpoints and plugs mechanism of AML cancer cell escape (January 24, 2012) -- Turning off the gene that codes for WEE1 sensitizes acute myeloid leukemia cells to chemotherapy, a new study shows. ... > full story

Solar Dynamics Observatory helps measure magnetic fields on the sun's surface (January 24, 2012) -- A subset of data that helps map out the sun's magnetic fields was recently released from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Observations that measure the strength and direction of magnetic fields on the solar surface -- known as vector magnetograms -- play a crucial role in understanding how those fields change over time and trigger giant eruptions off the surface of the sun such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). ... > full story

'Senior' runners never stop pushing their limits in marathons (January 24, 2012) -- Researchers have analyzed changes in participation and performance of runners aged 20 to 80 in the New York marathon over the last 30 years. The results are largely unexpected: the best male marathon runners over 65 and the best female marathon runners over 45 have consistently improved their performance over the last 30 years. ... > full story

Researchers develop gene therapy that could correct a common form of blindness (January 24, 2012) -- A new gene therapy has the potential to treat a common form of blindness that strikes both youngsters and adults. The technique works by replacing a malfunctioning gene in the eye with a normal working copy that supplies a protein necessary for light-sensitive cells in the eye to function. Several complex steps remain before the gene therapy technique can be used in humans, but once at that stage, it has great potential to change lives. ... > full story

New culprit in atherosclerosis (January 24, 2012) -- Researchers have identified a new culprit that leads to atherosclerosis, the accumulation of fat and cholesterol that hardens into plaque and narrows arteries. The research explains why cholesterol-laden, coronary artery disease-causing cells called macrophages, accumulate in artery plaques. ... > full story

Metadynamics technique offers insight into mineral growth and dissolution (January 24, 2012) -- By using a novel technique to better understand mineral growth and dissolution, researchers are improving predictions of mineral reactions and laying the groundwork for applications ranging from keeping oil pipes clear to sequestering radium. ... > full story

Use of iodinated contrast media in imaging procedures appears to affect thyroid function (January 24, 2012) -- Exposure to iodinated contrast media during imaging procedures is associated with changes in thyroid function, and increased risk of developing hyperthyroidism, according to a new report. ... > full story

New tool enhances view of muscles (January 24, 2012) -- New research is adding to the arsenal of increasingly sophisticated medical imaging tools with a new signal-processing method for viewing muscle activation details never seen before. A novel method using ultrasound imaging, 3-D motion-capture technology and proprietary data-processing software can scan and capture 3-D maps of the muscle structure in just 90 seconds. Previous methods took 15 minutes -- far too long to ask people to hold a muscle contraction. ... > full story

Mast from classic racing yacht holds one of the keys to sustainable biofuels (January 24, 2012) -- The mast from a classic racing yacht and samples from a breeding trial have played a key role in the search for sustainable biofuels. ... > full story

Waiting for Death Valley's big bang: Volcanic explosion crater may have future potential (January 23, 2012) -- In California's Death Valley, death is looking just a bit closer. Geologists have determined that the half-mile-wide Ubehebe Crater, formed by a prehistoric volcanic explosion, was created far more recently than previously thought -- and that conditions for a sequel may exist today. ... > full story

Patterns of chromosome abnormality: The key to cancer? (January 23, 2012) -- Researchers have combined techniques from computer science and statistics to discover that many chromosomal pairs are lost or gained together across various cancer types, such as kidney, skeleton, and liver cancers. Tracking these changes, he says, could aid our understanding of the driving forces of cancer's progress. ... > full story

Ultrafast magnetic processes observed 'live' using an X-ray laser (January 23, 2012) -- In first-of-their-kind experiments, scientists have been able to precisely follow how the magnetic structure of a material changes. The study was carried out on cupric oxide (CuO). The change of structure was initiated by a laser pulse, and then, with the help of short X-ray pulses, near-instantaneous images were obtained at different points in time for individual intermediate steps during the process. ... > full story

Anti-infective drug shortages pose threat to public health and patient care (January 23, 2012) -- Shortages of key drugs used to fight infections represent a public health emergency and can put patients at risk, according to a new review. Frequent anti-infective shortages can substantially alter clinical care and may lead to worse outcomes for patients, particularly as the development of new anti-infectives has slowed and the prevalence of multidrug-resistant pathogens is increasing. ... > full story

Saving the snow leopard with stem cells (January 23, 2012) -- The survival of the endangered snow leopard is looking promising thanks to scientists who have, for the first time, produced embryonic stem-like cells from the tissue of an adult leopard. ... > full story

Walking and texting at the same time? Study says think again (January 23, 2012) -- Talking on a cell phone or texting while walking may seem natural and easy, but it could be dangerous and result in walking errors and interfere with memory recall. Researchers found this to be the case in a study of young people walking and using their cell phones. ... > full story

Revisiting the 'Pillars of Creation' (January 23, 2012) -- In 1995, NASA's Hubble Space Telescope took an iconic image of the Eagle nebula, dubbed the "Pillars of Creation," highlighting its finger-like pillars where new stars are thought to be forming. Now, the Herschel Space Observatory has a new, expansive view of the region captured in longer-wavelength infrared light. ... > full story

New understanding of chronic pain (January 23, 2012) -- Millions of people worldwide suffer from a type of chronic pain called neuropathic pain, which is triggered by nerve damage. Precisely how this pain persists has been a mystery, and current treatments are largely ineffective. But scientists, using a new approach known as metabolomics, have now discovered a major clue: dimethylsphingosine (DMS), a small-molecule byproduct of cellular membranes in the nervous system. In their new study, the scientists found that DMS is produced at abnormally high levels in the spinal cords of rats with neuropathic pain and appears to cause pain when injected. The findings suggest inhibiting this molecule may be a fruitful target for drug development. ... > full story

Patterns of antibiotic-resistant bacteria found in Galapagos reptiles (January 23, 2012) -- Land and marine iguanas and giant tortoises living close to human settlements or tourist sites in the Galapagos islands were more likely to harbor antibiotic-resistant bacteria than those living in more remote or protected sites on the islands, researchers report. Many of the reptiles harbor E. coli bacteria that are resistant to ampicillin, doxycycline, tetracycline, and trimethoprin/sulfamethoxazole. ... > full story

How the brain senses nutrient balance (January 23, 2012) -- Now, a research study discovers intriguing new information about how dietary nutrients influence brain cells that are key regulators of energy balance in the body. The study suggests a cellular mechanism that may allow brain cells to translate different diets into different patterns of activity. ... > full story

Charges going astray: New transfer paths for electrons discovered (January 23, 2012) -- In the development of materials for energy production and distribution, knowledge of molecular processes in electrical charge transfer is fundamental. Scientists have once more discovered that nature provides interesting templates for long-range electron transfer. ... > full story

Easier testing for diabetics? Biochip measures glucose in saliva, not blood (January 23, 2012) -- Engineers have designed a biological device that can measure glucose concentrations in human saliva. The technique could eliminate the need for diabetics to draw blood to check their glucose levels. The biochip uses plasmonic interferometers and could be used to measure a range of biological and environmental substances. ... > full story

New process could advance use of healthy cells or stem cells to treat disease (January 23, 2012) -- In a discovery that may help speed use of "cell therapy" -- with normal cells or stem cells infused into the body to treat disease -- scientists are reporting development of a way to deliver therapeutic human cells to diseased areas within the body using a simple magnetic effect. ... > full story

Mighty mesh: Extracellular matrix identified as source of spreading in biofilms (January 23, 2012) -- New research explains how bacterial biofilms expand to form slimy mats on teeth, pipes, surgical instruments, and crops. ... > full story

How well does protective headgear works for small children participating in winter activities? (January 23, 2012) -- Researchers find surprising results regarding how much protection helmets afford children participating in winter sports activities. ... > full story

Bucky balls for next-generation spintronics devices (January 23, 2012) -- The beauty of an electron’s spin is that it responds very rapidly to small magnetic fields. Such external magnetic fields can be used to reverse the direction of spin. In this way, information can be carried by a flow of electrons. ... > full story

Nurturing mothers rear physically healthier adults (January 23, 2012) -- Nurturing mothers have garnered accolades for rescuing skinned knees on the playground and coaxing their children to sleep with lullabies. Now they're gaining merit for their offspring's physical health in middle age. While children raised in families with low socioeconomic status frequently go on to have high rates of chronic illness in adulthood, a sizable minority remain healthy across the life course, new research shows. ... > full story

Graphene 'invisible' to water: How the extreme thinness of graphene enables near-perfect wetting transparency (January 23, 2012) -- Graphene is the thinnest material known to science. The nanomaterial is so thin, in fact, water often doesn’t even know it’s there. Engineering researchers coated pieces of gold, copper, and silicon with a single layer of graphene, and then placed a drop of water on the coated surfaces. Surprisingly, the layer of graphene proved to have virtually no impact on the manner in which water spreads on the surfaces. ... > full story

Accelerated infant growth increases future asthma symptom risk (January 23, 2012) -- Accelerated growth in the first three months of life, but not fetal growth, is associated with an increased risk of asthma symptoms in young children, according to a new study. ... > full story

Strongest solar radiation storm since 2005 (January 23, 2012) -- NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center -- the nation's official source of warnings and alerts about space weather and its impacts on Earth -- has issued a watch for a geomagnetic storm associated with a bright flare on the sun Sunday evening (Jan. 22, 2012). The storm could arrive Tuesday morning, with possible impacts to navigation, the power grid and satellites. ... > full story

Compounds in mate tea induce death in colon cancer cells, in vitro study shows (January 23, 2012) -- In a recent study, scientists showed that human colon cancer cells die when they are exposed to the approximate number of bioactive compounds present in one cup of mate tea, which has long been consumed in South America for its medicinal properties. ... > full story

Multiple partners not the only way for corals to stay cool (January 23, 2012) -- For the first time scientists have shown that corals hosting a single type of zooxanthellae can have different levels of thermal tolerance -– a feature that was only known previously for corals with a mix of zooxanthellae. This finding is important because many species of coral are dominated by a single type of zooxanthellae. ... > full story

Autism redefined: New diagnostic criteria more restrictive (January 23, 2012) -- Getting an autism diagnosis could be more difficult in 2013 when a revised diagnostic definition goes into effect. The proposed changes may affect the proportion of individuals who qualify for a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, according to preliminary data. ... > full story

Worm seeks worm: Chemical cues drive aggregation in nematodes (January 23, 2012) -- Scientists have long seen evidence of social behavior among many species of animals. Dolphins frolic together and lions live in packs. And, right under our feet, it appears that nematodes are having their own little gatherings in the soil. Until recently, it was unknown how the worms communicate to one another when it's time to come together. Now, researchers have identified, for the first time, the chemical signals that promote aggregation. ... > full story

Vaccines to boost immunity where it counts, not just near shot site (January 23, 2012) -- Researchers have created synthetic nanoparticles that target lymph nodes and greatly boost vaccine responses. ... > full story

Rare Miller's grizzled langur rediscovered in Borneo (January 23, 2012) -- Scientists have found one of the rarest and least known primates in Borneo, Miller’s Grizzled Langur, a species which was believed to be extinct or on the verge of extinction. The findings confirms the continued existence of this endangered monkey and reveals that it lives in an area where it was previously not known to exist. ... > full story

Plant flavonoid luteolin blocks cell signaling pathways in colon cancer cells (January 23, 2012) -- Luteolin is a flavonoid commonly found in fruit and vegetables. This compound has been shown in laboratory conditions to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties but results from epidemiological studies have been less certain. New research shows that luteolin is able to inhibit the activity of cell signaling pathways (IGF and PI3K) important for the growth of cancer in colon cancer cells. ... > full story

Nanmaterial detects and removes arsenic from drinking water (January 23, 2012) -- Scientists have developed a nanomaterial which enables simple detection and removal of arsenic from drinking water. ... > full story

Group settings can diminish expressions of intelligence, especially among women, study finds (January 23, 2012) -- Research has found that small-group dynamics -- such as jury deliberations, collective bargaining sessions, and cocktail parties -- can alter the expression of IQ in some susceptible people. ... > full story

Speed limit for birds: Researchers find critical speed above which birds -- and drones -- are sure to crash (January 23, 2012) -- The northern goshawk is one of nature's diehard thrill-seekers. The formidable raptor preys on birds and small mammals, speeding through tree canopies and underbrush to catch its quarry. While speed is a goshawk's greatest asset, researchers say the bird must observe a theoretical speed limit if it wants to avoid a crash. The researchers found that, given a certain density of obstacles, there exists a speed below which a bird -- and any other flying object -- has a fair chance of flying collision-free. Any faster, and a bird or aircraft is sure to smack into something, no matter how much information it has about its environment. ... > full story

Researchers engineer a switch to tame aggressive cancers (January 23, 2012) -- A new imaging platform provides insight into the exact moment when cancer cells turn deadly. The new approach can modulate and monitor how the effects of a particular protein can affect the entire tumor in real-time. ... > full story

Researchers' refinement increases solar concentrator efficiency (January 23, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered that changing the shape of a solar concentrator significantly increases its efficiency, bringing its use closer to reality. ... > full story

No more swabbing: Spit sampling gets a whole lot easier (January 23, 2012) -- A new tool will improve the ease of oral fluid collection. ... > full story

Flaky graphene makes reliable chemical sensors (January 23, 2012) -- Researchers have demonstrated that films made of randomly stacked graphene flakes can detect lower concentrations of some chemicals than films made of graphene crystals. ... > full story

Synesthesia: Brain study explores what makes colors and numbers collide (January 23, 2012) -- Someone with the condition known as grapheme-color synesthesia might experience the number 2 in turquoise or the letter S in magenta. Now, researchers have shown that those individuals also show heightened activity in a brain region responsible for vision. ... > full story

Cooling semiconductors by laser light (January 23, 2012) -- Researchers have combined two fields -- quantum physics and nano physics -- and this has led to the discovery of a new method for laser cooling semiconductor membranes. Semiconductors are vital components in many electronics, and the efficient cooling of components is important for future quantum computers and ultrasensitive sensors. The new cooling method works quite paradoxically by heating the material. Using lasers, researchers cooled membrane fluctuations to minus 269 degrees C. ... > full story