ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Sunday, March 4, 2012

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Sunday, March 4, 2012

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Oxygen detected in atmosphere of Saturn's moon Dione: Discovery could mean ingredients for life are abundant on icy space bodies (March 2, 2012) -- An international research team has discovered molecular oxygen ions (O2+) in the upper-most atmosphere of Dione, one of the 62 known moons orbiting the ringed planet. The research was made possible via instruments aboard NASA's Cassini spacecraft. ... > full story

The future of plant science: A technology perspective (March 2, 2012) -- Plant science is key to addressing the major challenges facing humanity in the 21st Century, according to experts. Researchers argue that the development of new technology is key to transforming plant biology in order to meet human needs. ... > full story

Unexpected crustacean diversity discovered in northern freshwater ecosystems (March 2, 2012) -- Freshwater ecosystems in northern regions are home to significantly more species of water fleas than traditionally thought, adding to evidence that regions with vanishing waters contain unique animal life. ... > full story

Exploding stars: Important clue uncovered for origins of Type Ia supernovae (March 2, 2012) -- The origin of an important type of exploding stars -- Type Ia supernovae -- have now been discovered. Studying supernovae of this type helps researchers measure galaxy distances and can lead to important astronomical discoveries. ... > full story

When our eyes serve our stomach (March 2, 2012) -- Our senses aren't just delivering a strict view of what's going on in the world; they're affected by what's going on in our heads. A new study finds that hungry people see food-related words more clearly than people who've just eaten. ... > full story

Gasoline worse than diesel when it comes to some types of air pollution (March 2, 2012) -- The exhaust fumes from gasoline vehicles contribute more to the production of a specific type of air pollution-secondary organic aerosols -than those from diesel vehicles, according to a new study. ... > full story

Squeezing silicone polymers produces chemical energy, but raises doubts about implant safety (March 2, 2012) -- Scientists turned to squeezed polymers and free radicals in a search for new energy sources. They found both promise and problems. The researchers demonstrated that radicals from compressed polymers generate significant amounts of energy that can power chemical reactions in water. They also discovered that a silicone polymer commonly used in medical implants releases a large quantity of harmful free radicals when the polymer is under only a moderate amount of pressure. ... > full story

Helping protect vulnerable birds from impacts of climate change (March 2, 2012) -- Scientists have completed an innovative study of the effects of climate change on bird species of greatest concern. This novel study prioritizes which birds are most at risk and will help guide conservation measures in California. Endangered species and wetland birds are two highly vulnerable groups. ... > full story

Atomic view of a histone chaperone (March 2, 2012) -- Researchers have gained insights into the function of a member of a family of specialized proteins called histone chaperones. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography, they have determined the 3-D structure and interactions of the histone chaperone Rtt106 down to the atomic details. ... > full story

New computers respond to students' emotions, boredom (March 2, 2012) -- Emotion-sensing computer software that models and responds to students' cognitive and emotional states -- including frustration and boredom -- has now been developed. ... > full story

World's best measurement of W boson mass points to Higgs mass and tests Standard Model (March 2, 2012) -- The latest measurement of the mass of the W boson from the Tevatron experiments. The new combined result is twice as precise as the previous world average, and places limits on the mass of the Higgs consistent with the limits from direct searches at the LHC and Tevatron. ... > full story

Lifestyle choices made in your 20s can impact your heart health in your 40s (March 2, 2012) -- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle from young adulthood into your 40s is strongly associated with low cardiovascular disease risk in middle age, according to a new study. ... > full story