ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Friday, February 24, 2012

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Friday, February 24, 2012

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Climate change, increasing temperatures alter bird migration patterns (February 23, 2012) -- Birds in eastern North America are picking up the pace along their yearly migratory paths. The reason, according to researchers, is rising temperatures due to climate change. ... > full story

Earliest horses show past global warming affected body size of mammals (February 23, 2012) -- As scientists continue developing climate change projection models, paleontologists studying an extreme short-term global warming event have discovered direct evidence about how mammals respond to rising temperatures. Researchers have now found a correlation between temperature and body size in mammals by following the evolution of the earliest horses about 56 million years ago: As temperatures increased, their body size decreased. ... > full story

Classic Maya Civilization collapse related to modest rainfall reductions, research suggests (February 23, 2012) -- The disintegration of the Maya Civilization may have been related to relatively modest reductions in rainfall, according to new research. Rather modest rainfall reductions between times when the Classic Maya Civilization flourished and its collapse - between AD 800-950, seems to have caused the collapse. These reductions amount to only 25 to 40 per cent in annual rainfall, but they were large enough for evaporation to become dominant over rainfall, and open water availability was rapidly reduced, researchers say. ... > full story

Illegal orangutan trader prosecuted (February 23, 2012) -- Sumatra has made its first ever successful sentence of an illegal orangutan owner and trader in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. ... > full story

Less is more: Study of tiny droplets could have big impact on industrial applications (February 23, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered rules that govern how liquid spreads along flexible fibers and have found that when it comes to the size of liquid droplets, sometimes less is more. ... > full story

Girls' verbal skills make them better at arithmetic, study finds (February 23, 2012) -- While boys generally do better than girls in science and math, some studies have found that girls do better in arithmetic. A new study finds that the advantage comes from girls' superior verbal skills. ... > full story

Chemical clues on formation of planetary systems: Earth 'siblings' can be different (February 23, 2012) -- Astronomers have discovered that the chemical structure of Earth-like planets can be very different from the bulk composition of Earth. This may have a dramatic effect on the existence and formation of the biospheres and life on Earth-like planets. ... > full story

Impulsive kids play more video games, and kids who play more video games may become more impulsive (February 23, 2012) -- Impulsive children with attention problems tend to play more video games, while kids in general who spend lots of time video gaming may also develop impulsiveness and attention difficulties, according to new research. ... > full story

Making droplets drop faster: New nanopatterned surfaces could improve the efficiency of powerplants and desalination systems (February 23, 2012) -- New research offers important new insights into how water droplets form, and ways to pattern the collecting surfaces at the nanoscale to encourage droplets to form more rapidly. These insights could enable a new generation of significantly more efficient power plants and desalination plants, the researchers say. ... > full story

U.S. urban forests losing ground (February 23, 2012) -- National results indicate that tree cover in urban areas of the United States is declining at a rate of about 4 million trees per year. ... > full story

Bisphenol A exposure linked to increased risk of future onset of heart disease (February 23, 2012) -- Bisphenol A (BPA) is a controversial chemical widely used in the plastics industry. A new study followed people over a 10-year time period and shows that healthy people with higher urine concentrations of BPA were more likely to later develop heart disease. ... > full story

How vitamin D inhibits inflammation (February 23, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered specific molecular and signaling events by which vitamin D inhibits inflammation. Low levels of vitamin D failed to inhibit the inflammatory cascade, while levels considered adequate did inhibit inflammatory signaling. ... > full story

Opinion: H5N1 flu is just as dangerous as feared, now requires action (February 23, 2012) -- The debate about the potential severity of an outbreak of airborne H5N1 influenza in humans needs to move on from speculation and focus instead on how we can safely continue H5N1 research and share the results among researchers, according to experts. ... > full story

A unique on-off switch for hormone production (February 23, 2012) -- Scientists have revealed a new kind of on-off switch in the brain for regulating the production of a main biochemical signal from the brain that stimulates cortisol release in the body. ... > full story

How cells brace themselves for starvation (February 23, 2012) -- Cells that repress their "bad time" pumps when a nutrient is abundant were much more efficient at preparing for starvation and at recovering afterward than the cells that had been genetically engineered to avoid this repression. ... > full story

First ultraluminous source in Andromeda galaxy unmasked as 'normal' stellar mass black hole (February 23, 2012) -- Detailed observations show that the first ultraluminous X-ray source detected in our neighboring Andromeda galaxy is due to a stellar mass black hole swallowing material at very high rates. The emission of the ultraluminous source probably originates from a system similar to X-ray binaries in our galaxy with matter accreting onto a black hole, which is at least 13 times more massive than our Sun. Unlike X-ray binaries in our own Milky Way, however, this source is much less obscured by interstellar gas and dust, allowing detailed investigations also at low X-ray energies. ... > full story

OPERA experiment reports anomaly in flight time of neutrinos from CERN to Gran Sasso (February 23, 2012) -- The OPERA collaboration has informed its funding agencies and host laboratories that it has identified two possible effects that could have an influence on its neutrino timing measurement. These both require further tests with a short pulsed beam. If confirmed, one would increase the size of the measured effect, the other would diminish it. ... > full story

Scientists create potent molecules aimed at treating muscular dystrophy (February 22, 2012) -- While RNA is an appealing drug target, small molecules that can actually affect its function have rarely been found. But now scientists have for the first time designed a series of small molecules that act against an RNA defect directly responsible for the most common form of adult-onset muscular dystrophy. ... > full story

Surprising diversity at a synapse hints at complex diversity of neural circuitry (February 22, 2012) -- A new study reveals a dazzling degree of biological diversity in an unexpected place – a single neural connection in the body wall of flies. ... > full story

If you're afraid of spiders, they seem bigger: Phobia's effect on perception of feared object allows fear to persist (February 22, 2012) -- The more afraid a person is of a spider, the bigger that individual perceives the spider to be, new research suggests. In the context of a fear of spiders, this warped perception doesn't necessarily interfere with daily living. But for individuals who are afraid of needles, for example, the conviction that needles are larger than they really are could lead people who fear injections to avoid getting the health care they need. A better understanding of how a phobia affects the perception of feared objects can help clinicians design more effective treatments for people who seek to overcome their fears, according to the researchers. ... > full story

Memo to pediatricians: Screen all kids for vitamin D deficiency, test those at high risk (February 22, 2012) -- As study after study shows the fundamental role vitamin D plays in disease and health, vitamin D deficiency — which often develops insidiously in childhood — should be on every parent’s and pediatrician’s radar, say physicians. ... > full story

Newly approved drug for metastatic melanoma nearly doubles median survival (February 22, 2012) -- A newly approved drug for patients with metastatic melanoma nearly doubles median survival times, a finding that will change the way this deadly form of skin cancer is treated. ... > full story

Scientists discover likely new trigger for epidemic of metabolic syndrome (February 22, 2012) -- Scientists have uncovered a key suspect in the destructive inflammation that underlies heart disease and diabetes. ... > full story

Even in winter, life persists in Arctic Seas (February 22, 2012) -- Despite brutal cold and lingering darkness, life in the frigid waters off Alaska does not grind to a halt in the winter as scientists previously suspected. Microscopic creatures at the base of the Arctic food chain are not dormant as expected, according to new findings. ... > full story

Controlling protein function with nanotechnology (February 22, 2012) -- A new study is providing important details on how proteins in our bodies interact with nanomaterials. Researchers have developed a new tool to determine the orientation of proteins on different nanostructures. The discovery is a key step in the effort to control the orientation, structure, and function of proteins in the body using nanomaterials. ... > full story

Predator-prey relationships make possible the rich biodiversity of complex ecosystems (February 22, 2012) -- As scientists warn that the Earth is on the brink of a period of mass extinctions, they are struggling to identify ecosystem responses to environmental change. But to truly understand these responses, more information is needed about how the Earth's staggering diversity of species originated. ... > full story

Theory of the 'rotting' Y chromosome dealt a fatal blow (February 22, 2012) -- If you were to discover that a fundamental component of human biology has survived virtually intact for the past 25 million years, you’d be quite confident in saying that it is here to stay. Such is the case for a team of scientists, whose latest research on the evolution of the human Y chromosome confirms that the Y -— despite arguments to the contrary —- has a long, healthy future ahead of it. ... > full story

Low levels of fallout from Fukushima, U.S. study finds (February 22, 2012) -- Fallout from the 2011 Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power facility in Japan was measured in minimal amounts in precipitation in the United States in about 20 percent of 167 sites sampled in a nationwide U.S. study. ... > full story

Is there a general motivation center in the depths of the brain? (February 22, 2012) -- Researchers have identified the part of the brain driving motivation during actions that combine physical and mental effort: the ventral striatum. ... > full story

Faster way to catch cells: New microfluidic device could be used to diagnose and monitor cancer and other diseases (February 22, 2012) -- Separating complex mixtures of cells, such as those found in a blood sample, can offer valuable information for diagnosing and treating disease. However, it may be necessary to search through billions of other cells to collect rare cells such as tumor cells, stem cells or fetal cells. Researchers have now demonstrated a new microfluidic device that can isolate target cells much faster than existing devices. Such technology could be used in applications such as point-of-care diagnostics and personalized medicine. ... > full story

'Miracle material' graphene is thinnest known anti-corrosion coating (February 22, 2012) -- New research has established the "miracle material" called graphene as the world's thinnest known coating for protecting metals against corrosion. ... > full story

New way to tap largest remaining treasure trove of potential new antibiotics (February 22, 2012) -- Scientists are reporting use of a new technology for sifting through the world's largest remaining pool of potential antibiotics to discover two new antibiotics that work against deadly resistant microbes, including the "superbugs" known as MRSA. ... > full story

Birds sing louder amidst the noise and structures of the urban jungle (February 22, 2012) -- Sparrows, blackbirds and the great tit are all birds known to sing at a higher pitch in urban environments. It was previously believed that these birds sang at higher frequencies in order to escape the lower frequencies noises of the urban environment. Now, researchers have discovered that besides noise, the physical structure of cities also plays a role in altering the birds' songs. ... > full story

Researchers take a step forward in transplanting pig cells to regenerate human cartilage (February 22, 2012) -- Researchers have recently studied the response of human NK cells against porcine chondrocytes. The results of the research indicate that these cells, characteristic of the innate immune system, play an important role in the rejection of xenotransplantation of porcine chondrocytes. ... > full story

Exposure to micronutrients pre-pregnancy associated with gene modifications in offspring (February 22, 2012) -- The offspring of women who were given micronutrient supplements (minerals needed in small quantities, such as iron, iodine and vitamin A) before they became pregnant had gene modifications at birth as well as when they were tested at nine months. ... > full story

Disappearing and reappearing superconductivity surprises scientists (February 22, 2012) -- Superconductivity is a rare physical state in which matter is able to conduct electricity -- maintain a flow of electrons -- without any resistance. This phenomenon can only be found in certain materials at low temperatures, or can be induced under chemical and high external pressure conditions. Research to create superconductors at higher temperatures has been ongoing for two decades with the promise of significant impact on electrical transmission. New work demonstrates unexpected superconductivity in a type of compounds called iron selenium chalcogenides. ... > full story

Heart beats to the rhythm of a circadian clock (February 22, 2012) -- Sudden cardiac death -- catastrophic and unexpected fatal heart stoppage -- is more likely to occur shortly after waking in the morning and in the late night. In a new study, an international consortium of researchers explains the molecular linkage between the circadian clock and the deadly heart rhythms that lead to sudden death. ... > full story

World of Warcraft boosts cognitive functioning in older adults (February 22, 2012) -- For some older adults, the online video game World of Warcraft (WoW) may provide more than an opportunity for escapist adventure. Researchers have found that playing WoW boosted cognitive functioning for older adults – particularly those who had scored poorly on cognitive ability tests before playing the game. ... > full story

How cancer cells change once they spread to distant organs (February 22, 2012) -- Oncologists have known that in order for cancer cells to spread, they must transform themselves so they can detach from a tumor and spread to a distant organ. Now, scientists have revealed critical steps in what happens next -- how these cells reverse the process, morphing back into classical cancer that can now grow into a new tumor. ... > full story

What can animals' survival instincts tell us about understanding human emotion? (February 22, 2012) -- Can animals’ survival instincts shed additional light on what we know about human emotion? Neuroscientists pose this question in outlining a pioneering theory, drawn from two decades of research, that could lead to a more comprehensive understanding of emotions in both humans and animals. ... > full story

NASA's Spitzer finds solid buckyballs in space (February 22, 2012) -- Astronomers using data from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope have, for the first time, discovered buckyballs in a solid form in space. Prior to this discovery, the microscopic carbon spheres had been found only in gas form in the cosmos. ... > full story

Earth's clouds are getting lower, NASA satellite finds (February 22, 2012) -- Earth's clouds got a little lower -- about one percent on average -- during the first decade of this century, finds a new NASA-funded university study based on NASA satellite data. The results have potential implications for future global climate. ... > full story

From Bass Strait to the Indian Ocean: Tracking a current (February 22, 2012) -- Deep-diving ocean "gliders" have revealed the journey of Bass Strait water from the Tasman Sea to the Indian Ocean. ... > full story

Tiny, implantable medical device can propel itself through bloodstream (February 22, 2012) -- For 50 years, scientists had searched for the secret to making tiny implantable devices that could travel through the bloodstream. Engineers have now demonstrated a wirelessly powered device that just may make the dream a reality. ... > full story

New twist on nanowires: Technology can control composition and structure of these tiny wires as they grow (February 22, 2012) -- Nanowires -- microscopic fibers that can be "grown" in the lab -- are a hot research topic today, with a variety of potential applications including light-emitting diodes and sensors. Now, researchers has found a way of precisely controlling the width and composition of these tiny strands as they grow, making it possible to grow complex structures that are optimally designed for particular applications. ... > full story

Newly identified oral bacterium linked to heart disease and meningitis (February 22, 2012) -- A novel bacterium, thought to be a common inhabitant of the oral cavity, has the potential to cause serious disease if it enters the bloodstream, according to a new study. ... > full story

Observing single atoms during relaxation toward equilibrium (February 22, 2012) -- Scientists have succeeded for the first time in simulating the dynamic behavior of strongly correlated individual atoms in solids. They were able to string atoms in so-called optical lattices and observe their dynamic behavior, which is determined by complex interactions with other atoms. ... > full story

Fried food risks: Toxic aldehydes detected in reheated oil (February 22, 2012) -- Researchers have been the first to discover the presence of certain aldehydes in food, which are believed to be related to some neurodegenerative diseases and some types of cancer. These toxic compounds can be found in some oils, such as sunflower oil, when heated at a suitable temperature for frying. ... > full story