ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Tuesday, January 31, 2012

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Tuesday, January 31, 2012

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Severe python damage to Florida's native Everglades animals documented in new study (January 30, 2012) -- Precipitous declines in formerly common mammals in Everglades National Park in Florida have been linked to the presence of invasive Burmese pythons, according to new research. The study, the first to document the ecological impacts of this invasive species, strongly supports that animal communities in the 1.5-million-acre park have been markedly altered by the introduction of pythons within 11 years of their establishment as an invasive species. Mid-sized mammals are the most dramatically affected, but some Everglades pythons are as large as 16 feet long, and their prey have included animals as large as deer and alligators. ... > full story

Learning-based tourism an opportunity for industry expansion (January 30, 2012) -- New research suggests that major growth in the travel, leisure and tourism industry in the coming century may be possible as more people begin to define recreation as a learning and educational opportunity -- a way to explore new ideas and cultures, art, science and history. The expansion of tourism in much of the 20th century was often focused on amusement parks and tropical resorts. ... > full story

Inherited risk factors for childhood leukemia are more common in Hispanic patients, study finds (January 30, 2012) -- Hispanic children are more likely than those from other racial and ethnic backgrounds to be diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and are more likely to die of their disease. Scientists have now pinpointed genetic factors behind the grim statistics. ... > full story

New probiotic bacteria shows promise for use in shellfish aquaculture (January 30, 2012) -- The use of probiotic bacteria, isolated from naturally occurring bacterial communities, is gaining in popularity in the aquaculture industry as the preferred, environmentally friendly management alternative to the use of antibiotics and other antimicrobials for disease prevention. Known to the public for their use in yogurt and other foods to improve human digestion and health, probiotic bacteria isolated from other sources can also be used to improve survival, nutrition and disease prevention in larvae grown in shellfish hatcheries. ... > full story

Earth's energy budget remained out of balance despite unusually low solar activity, study finds (January 30, 2012) -- A new NASA study underscores the fact that greenhouse gases generated by human activity -- not changes in solar activity -- are the primary force driving global warming. The study offers an updated calculation of Earth's energy imbalance, the difference between the amount of solar energy absorbed by Earth's surface and the amount returned to space as heat. The researchers' calculations show that, despite unusually low solar activity between 2005 and 2010, the planet continued to absorb more energy than it returned to space. ... > full story

Ferroelectric switching discovered for first time in soft biological tissue (January 30, 2012) -- The walls of the aorta, the largest blood vessel carrying blood from the heart, exhibits a response to electric fields known to exist in inorganic and synthetic materials. The discovery could have implications for treating human heart disease. ... > full story

Was the Little Ice Age triggered by massive volcanic eruptions? (January 30, 2012) -- Scientists suggest that the Little Ice Age was triggered by an unusual, 50-year episode of four massive volcanic eruptions. This led to an expansion of sea ice and a related weakening of Atlantic currents that caused the cool period to persist for centuries. ... > full story

Smart paint could revolutionize structural safety of bridges, mines and more (January 30, 2012) -- An innovative low-cost smart paint that can detect microscopic faults in wind turbines, mines and bridges before structural damage occurs is being developed. ... > full story

Divorce hurts health more at earlier ages (January 30, 2012) -- Divorce at a younger age hurts people's health more than divorce later in life, according to a new study. ... > full story

Chirality of a nanotube controls growth: Armchair nanotubes grow fastest (January 30, 2012) -- Scientists have experimentally confirmed a theory that foretold a pair of interesting properties about nanotube growth: That the chirality of a nanotube controls the speed of its growth, and that armchair nanotubes should grow the fastest. ... > full story

Chimp 'X factor': Extensive adaptive evolution specifically targeting the X chromosome of chimpanzees (January 30, 2012) -- Genetic mutations that boost an individual's adaptability have greater chances of getting through to X chromosomes -- at least in chimpanzees, according to new Danish research. An analysis of the genes of 12 chimpanzees has now demonstrated that the chimpanzee X chromosome plays a very special role in the animal's evolutionary development. ... > full story

Cutting off the oxygen supply to serious diseases (January 30, 2012) -- A new family of proteins which regulate the human body’s ‘hypoxic response’ to low levels of oxygen has been discovered. ... > full story

Warming in the Tasman Sea, near Australia, a global warming hot spot (January 30, 2012) -- Oceanographers have identified a series of ocean hotspots around the world generated by strengthening wind systems that have driven oceanic currents, including the East Australian Current, polewards beyond their known boundaries. ... > full story

Genetic breakthrough for brain cancer in children (January 30, 2012) -- Scientists have made a major genetic breakthrough that could change the way pediatric cancers are treated in the future. The researchers identified two genetic mutations responsible for up to 40 per cent of glioblastomas in children. The mutations were found to be involved in DNA regulation, which could explain the resistance to traditional treatments, and may have significant implications on the treatment of other cancers. ... > full story

Sun unleashes an X1.8 class flare on Jan. 27, 2012 (January 30, 2012) -- The sun unleashed an X1.8 class flare that began at 1:12 PM ET on January 27, 2012 and peaked at 1:37. The flare immediately caused a strong radio blackout at low-latitudes, which was rated an R3 on NOAA's scale from R1-5. The blackout soon subsided to a minor R1 storm. Models from NASA's Goddard Space Weather Center predict that the CME is traveling at over 1500 miles per second. It does not initially appear to be Earth-directed, but Earth may get a glancing blow. ... > full story

Need muscle for a tough spot? Turn to fat stem cells (January 30, 2012) -- Stem cells derived from fat have a surprising trick up their sleeves: Encouraged to develop on a stiff surface, they undergo a remarkable transformation toward becoming mature muscle cells. The new cells remain intact and fused together even when transferred to an extremely stiff, bone-like surface, which has bioengineers intrigued. These cells, they suggest, could hint at new therapeutic possibilities for muscular dystrophy. ... > full story

Processes leading to acute myeloid leukemia discovered (January 30, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered a molecular pathway that may explain how a particularly deadly form of cancer develops. The discovery may lead to new cancer therapies that reprogram cells instead of killing them. ... > full story

Oxygen molecule survives to enormously high pressures (January 30, 2012) -- Using computer simulations, researchers have shown that the oxygen molecule (O2) is stable up to pressures of 1.9 terapascal, which is about nineteen million times higher than atmosphere pressure. Above that, it polymerizes, i.e. builds larger molecules or structures. ... > full story

Long-term response plan for possible Cuban oil spill (January 30, 2012) -- Researchers are working on long-term sustainability study to prepare for an oil spill that could catastrophically impact Florida. ... > full story

Lifelong payoff for attentive kindergarten kids (January 29, 2012) -- Attentiveness in kindergarten accurately predicts the development of "work-oriented" skills in school children, according to a new study. ... > full story

What do killer whales eat in the Arctic? (January 29, 2012) -- Killer whales are the top marine predator. The increase in hunting territories available to killer whales in the Arctic due to climate change and melting sea ice could seriously affect the marine ecosystem balance. New research has combined scientific observations with Canadian Inuit traditional knowledge to determine killer whale behavior and diet in the Arctic. ... > full story

Stealthy leprosy pathogen evades critical vitamin D-dependent immune response (January 29, 2012) -- Researchers discovered that the leprosy pathogen Mycobacterium leprae was able to evade immune activity that is dependent on vitamin D, a natural hormone that plays an essential role in the body's fight against infections. A better understanding of how these pathogens can escape the immune system may be helpful in designing more effective therapies. ... > full story

That which does not kill yeast makes it stronger: Stress-induced genomic instability facilitates rapid cellular adaption in yeast (January 29, 2012) -- Cells trying to keep pace with constantly changing environmental conditions need to strike a fine balance between maintaining their genomic integrity and allowing enough genetic flexibility to adapt to inhospitable conditions. In their latest study, researchers were able to show that under stressful conditions yeast genomes become unstable, readily acquiring or losing whole chromosomes to enable rapid adaption. ... > full story

Grasslands soils offer some insurance against climate change (January 29, 2012) -- The earth beneath our feet plays an important role in carbon storage – a key factor in climate change – and new research shows that in times of drought some types of soil perform better than others. ... > full story

Body clock receptor linked to diabetes in new genetic study (January 29, 2012) -- Scientists have found new evidence for a link between the body clock hormone melatonin and type 2 diabetes. The study found that people who carry rare genetic mutations in the receptor for melatonin have a much higher risk of type 2 diabetes. ... > full story

Cancer sequencing initiative discovers mutations tied to aggressive childhood brain tumors (January 29, 2012) -- A cancer sequencing initiative has discovered mutations tied to aggressive childhood brain tumors. Early evidence suggests the alterations play a unique role in other aggressive pediatric brain tumors as well. ... > full story

Want your enemies to trust you? Put on your baby face (January 29, 2012) -- Do baby-faced opponents have a better chance of gaining your trust? By subtly altering fictional politicians' faces, researchers examined whether minor changes in appearance can affect people's judgment about "enemy" politicians and their offer to make peace. In the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the research showed that peace offers from baby-faced politicians had a better chance of winning over the opposing population than the exact same offer coming from more mature-looking leaders. ... > full story

Genetic regulation of metabolomic biomarkers: Paths to cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes (January 29, 2012) -- Scientists have revealed eleven new genetic regions associated with the blood levels of the metabolites, including new loci affecting well-established risk markers for cardiovascular disease and potential biomarkers for type 2 diabetes. The findings may help in elucidating the processes leading to common diseases. ... > full story

How bacteria behind serious childhood disease evolve to evade vaccines (January 29, 2012) -- Genetics has provided surprising insights into why vaccines used in both the UK and US to combat serious childhood infections can eventually fail. The study, which investigates how bacteria change their disguise to evade the vaccines, has implications for how future vaccines can be made more effective. ... > full story

Astronomers solve mystery of vanishing electrons in Earth's outer radiation belt (January 29, 2012) -- Researchers have explained the puzzling disappearing act of energetic electrons in Earth's outer radiation belt using data collected from a fleet of orbiting spacecraft. ... > full story

NASA sees a weakening Cyclone Funso's 'closed eye' (January 27, 2012) -- Powerful Cyclone Funso's eye has been clear in NASA satellite imagery over the last several days until NASA's Aqua satellite noticed it had "closed" and become filled with high clouds on January 27. ... > full story

NASA eyes cyclone Iggy's threat to western Australia (January 27, 2012) -- NASA satellites are providing valuable data to forecasters as Tropical Cyclone Iggy nears Western Australia. NASA's Aqua satellite provided visible and infrared data on Iggy, observing colder cloud tops and strengthening storm. Iggy has already triggered warnings and watches along coastal areas. ... > full story

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor: Finding may have implications for Rett Syndrome, other neurological disorders (January 27, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered that a molecule critical to the development and plasticity of nerve cells -- brain-derived neurotrophic factor -- is severely lacking in brainstem neurons in mutations leading to Rett syndrome, a neurological developmental disorder. The finding has implications for the treatment of neurological disorders, including Rett syndrome that affects one in 10,000 baby girls. ... > full story

'Dabbling' in hard drugs in middle age linked to increased risk of death (January 27, 2012) -- Data could lead to better advice for primary-care doctors struggling with a rising tide of older adult patients still in throes of youthful bad habits. ... > full story

Space weather center to add world's first 'ensemble forecasting' capability (January 27, 2012) -- Leaner, greener flying machines for the year 2025 are on the drawing boards of three industry teams under contract to the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate's Environmentally Responsible Aviation Project. ... > full story

New ideas sharpen focus for greener aircraft (January 27, 2012) -- Leaner, greener flying machines for the year 2025 are on the drawing boards of three industry teams under contract to the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate's Environmentally Responsible Aviation Project. ... > full story

NASA study solves case of Earth's 'missing energy' (January 27, 2012) -- Two years ago, scientists released a study claiming that inconsistencies between satellite observations of Earth's heat and measurements of ocean heating amounted to evidence of "missing energy" in the planet's system. Where was it going? Or, they wondered, was something wrong with the way researchers tracked energy as it was absorbed from the sun and emitted back into space? An international team of atmospheric scientists and oceanographers set out to investigate the mystery. ... > full story

Mars-bound instrument detects solar burst's effects: RAD measures radiation from solar storm (January 27, 2012) -- The largest solar particle event since 2005 hit Earth, Mars and the Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft traveling in-between, allowing the onboard Radiation Assessment Detector to measure the radiation a human astronaut could be exposed to en route to the Red Planet. ... > full story

NuSTAR spacecraft arrives in California (January 27, 2012) -- NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, mission arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California Jan. 27 after a cross-country trip by truck from the Orbital Sciences Corporation's manufacturing plant in Dulles, Va. The mission is scheduled to launch from Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean on March 14. ... > full story

The pupils are the windows to the mind (January 27, 2012) -- The eyes are the window into the soul -- or at least the mind, according to a new article. ... > full story

The amygdala and fear are not the same thing (January 27, 2012) -- In a 2007 episode of the television show Boston Legal, a character claimed to have figured out that a cop was racist because his amygdala activated – displaying fear, when they showed him pictures of black people. ... > full story

Mind over matter: Patients' perceptions of illness make a difference (January 27, 2012) -- Whenever we fall ill, there are many different factors that come together to influence the course of our illness. Additional medical conditions, stress levels, and social support all have an impact on our health and well-being, especially when we are ill. But a new report suggests that what you think about your illness matters just as much, if not more, in determining your health outcomes. ... > full story

Are we bad at forecasting our emotions? It depends on how you measure accuracy (January 27, 2012) -- How will you feel if you fail that test? Awful, really awful, you say. Then you fail the test and, yes, you feel bad -- but not as bad as you thought you would. This pattern holds for most people, research shows. The takeaway message: People are lousy at predicting their emotions. ... > full story

New information for flu fight: Researchers study RNA interference to determine host genes used by influenza for virus replication (January 27, 2012) -- Influenza virus can rapidly evolve from one form to another, complicating the effectiveness of vaccines and anti-viral drugs used to treat it. By first understanding the complex host cell pathways that the flu uses for replication, researchers are finding new strategies for therapies and vaccines, according to a new study. ... > full story

For diabetics not on insulin, self-monitoring blood sugar has no benefit, study suggests (January 27, 2012) -- For type 2 diabetics who are not on insulin, monitoring their blood sugar does little to control blood sugar levels over time and may not be worth the effort or expense, according to a new evidence review. ... > full story

Most people fudge numbers on weight and height surveys (January 27, 2012) -- When people in the U.S. are asked to provide their weight for research surveys, they underestimate their weight and overestimate their height, despite numerous public reports about increasing rates of obesity. Whites are more likely to do so than Blacks or Hispanics, finds a new study. ... > full story

Teens have fewer behavioral issues when parents stay involved (January 27, 2012) -- When parents of middle school students participate in school-based, family interventions, it can reduce problem behavior, according to new research. ... > full story

Making memories last: Prion-like protein plays key role in storing long-term memories (January 27, 2012) -- Memories in our brains are maintained by connections between neurons called "synapses." But how do these synapses stay strong and keep memories alive for decades? Neuroscientists have discovered a major clue from a study in fruit flies: Hardy, self-copying clusters or oligomers of a synapse protein are an essential ingredient for the formation of long-term memory. ... > full story