ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines -- for Thursday, March 15, 2012

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

for Thursday, March 15, 2012

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Silicon-carbon electrodes snap, swell, don't pop (March 14, 2012) -- A new study that examines a new type of silicon-carbon nanocomposite electrode reveals details of how they function and how repeated use could wear them down. The study also provides clues to why this material performs better than silicon alone. ... > full story

Health groups issue cervical cancer screening guidelines (March 14, 2012) -- A coalition of three health groups has released new guidelines for the prevention and early detection of cervical cancer. The guidelines generally advise a reduction in the number of tests women get over their lifetime to better ensure that they receive the benefits of testing while minimizing the harms. ... > full story

How to best help your child lose weight: Lose weight yourself (March 14, 2012) -- A parent's weight change is a key contributor to the success of a child's weight loss in family-based treatment of childhood obesity. ... > full story

Killer silk: Making silk fibers that kill anthrax and other microbes in minutes (March 14, 2012) -- A simple, inexpensive dip-and-dry treatment can convert ordinary silk into a fabric that kills disease-causing bacteria -- even the armor-coated spores of microbes like anthrax -- in minutes. Researchers describe a range of potential uses for this new killer silk, including make-shift curtains and other protective coatings that protect homes and other buildings in the event of a terrorist attack with anthrax. ... > full story

Researchers send 'wireless' message using a beam of neutrinos (March 14, 2012) -- Scientists have for the first time sent a message using a beam of neutrinos -- nearly massless particles that travel at almost the speed of light. The message was sent through 240 meters of stone and said simply, "Neutrino." ... > full story

NASA releases new WISE mission catalog of entire infrared sky (March 14, 2012) -- NASA has unveiled a new atlas and catalog of the entire infrared sky showing more than a half billion stars, galaxies and other objects captured by the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) mission. ... > full story

Evolutionary surprise: Developmental 'scaffold' for vertebrate brain found in brainless marine worm (March 14, 2012) -- Scientists report finding some of the genetic processes that regulate vertebrate brain development in the acorn worm, a brainless, burrowing marine invertebrate. ... > full story

Molecular graphene heralds new era of 'designer electrons' (March 14, 2012) -- Researchers have created the first-ever system of "designer electrons" -- exotic variants of ordinary electrons with tunable properties that may ultimately lead to new types of materials and devices. Their first examples were hand-crafted, honeycomb-shaped structures inspired by graphene. ... > full story

Tailored optical material from DNA: Light-modifying nanoparticles (March 14, 2012) -- In the human body genetic information is encoded in double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid building blocks, the so-called DNA. Using artificial DNA molecules, an international team of scientists have produced nanostructured materials that can be used to modify visible light by specification. ... > full story

New study lowers estimate of ancient sea-level rise (March 14, 2012) -- The seas are creeping higher as the planet warms. But how high will they go? In Bermuda and the Bahamas, researchers have gone looking for answers; By pinpointing where shorelines stood during a warm period 400,000 years ago, they hope to narrow the range of projections. After correcting for apparent sinking of the islands, the authors of a new study estimate the seas rose 20 to 43 feet higher than today -- far less than previous estimates, but still drastic. ... > full story

Walking may lessen the influence of genes on obesity by half (March 14, 2012) -- Watching too much TV can worsen your genetic tendency towards obesity, but you can cut the effect in half by walking briskly for an hour a day, researchers report. ... > full story

Researchers identify unexpected player in intestinal immunity (March 14, 2012) -- With every meal, immune cells in the intestine stand like sentries at a citadel, turning away harmful bacteria but allowing vitamins and nutrients to pass. Now, researchers have identified the cells that chaperone food antigens, or proteins, in the intestine so that the immune system doesn’t mount an attack. Their discovery provides scientists with a potential target for therapies against inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease and food allergies. ... > full story

Some mammals used highly complex teeth to compete with dinosaurs (March 14, 2012) -- New research shows that at least one group of small mammals, the multituberculates, actually flourished in the last 20 million years of dinosaurs’ reign and survived their extinction. ... > full story

Biologists uncover surprising connection between breast cancer cells and surrounding tissue (March 14, 2012) -- Biologists had found a previously unknown connection between breast cancer tumor cells and the surrounding healthy tissue. The results provide new information on the earliest stages of breast cancer metastasis. ... > full story

Getting a full picture of an elusive subject: Astronomers map dark matter in 3-D in galaxy cluster (March 14, 2012) -- Two teams of astronomers have used data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and other telescopes to map the distribution of dark matter in a galaxy cluster known as Abell 383, which is located about 2.3 billion light years from Earth. Not only were the researchers able to find where the dark matter lies in the two dimensions across the sky, they were also able to determine how the dark matter is distributed along the line of sight. ... > full story

How salmonella avoids the body's immune response (March 14, 2012) -- Researchers have discovered how salmonella, a bacterium found in contaminated raw foods that causes major gastrointestinal distress in humans, thrives in the digestive tract despite the immune system's best efforts to destroy it. ... > full story

Tiny teeth of long-extinct vertebrate – with tips only two micrometers across -- are sharpest dental structures ever (March 14, 2012) -- The tiny teeth of a long-extinct vertebrate -- with tips only two micrometers across: one twentieth the width of a human hair -- are the sharpest dental structures ever measured, new research has found. ... > full story

Epigenetic signatures direct the repair potential of reprogrammed cells (March 14, 2012) -- A research team has reprogrammed skin cells to identify epigenetic signatures that regulate the expression of a protein critical for repair of non-healing wounds. Identification of these signatures holds promise for future research aimed at applying these cells for personalized tissue regeneration. ... > full story

H. pylori bacteria linked to blood sugar control in adult type II diabetes (March 14, 2012) -- A new study reveals that the presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria is associated with elevated levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), an important biomarker for blood glucose levels and diabetes. The association was even stronger in obese individuals with a higher Body Mass Index (BMI). The results suggest the bacteria may play a role in the development of diabetes in adults. ... > full story

Motivation to be active may lead to impulsive behavior (March 14, 2012) -- Those motivated to actively change bad habits may be setting themselves up for failure, a new study suggests. ... > full story

Astronomers get rare peek at early stage of star formation (March 14, 2012) -- Astronomers are excited to get their first look at a clump of gas they think is about to start forming stars. Unlike others seen, this one is "pristine," unaffected by the violent stellar winds and supernova shocks from other nearby stars. ... > full story

Health and ecosystem issues found with popular pavement sealcoat (March 14, 2012) -- A parking lot at the edge of the University of New Hampshire campus has contributed important research to an emerging concern for the environment and human health. The research has found that one type of pavement sealcoat, common on driveways and parking lots throughout the nation, has significant health and ecosystem implications. ... > full story

'Brain fog' of menopause confirmed (March 14, 2012) -- The difficulties that many women describe as memory problems when menopause approaches are real, according to a new study. The findings won't come as a surprise to millions of women, but the results validate their experiences and provide some clues to what is happening in the brain as women hit menopause. ... > full story

Hiding in plain sight, a new frog species with a 'weird' croak is identified in New York City (March 14, 2012) -- In New York City -- in the midst of some of the world's tallest skyscrapers -- and within view of the Statue of Liberty, scientists have found a new frog species. While the discovery of new species are regularly made in remote rainforests, finding this one in the ponds and marshes of Staten Island, mainland New York, and New Jersey was a big surprise to scientists. ... > full story

Mystery human fossils put spotlight on China (March 14, 2012) -- Fossils from two caves in southwest China have revealed a previously unknown Stone Age people and give a rare glimpse of a recent stage of human evolution with startling implications for the early peopling of Asia. ... > full story

Millions of Americans at risk of flooding as sea levels rise (March 14, 2012) -- Nearly four million Americans, occupying a combined area larger than the state of Maryland, find themselves at risk of severe flooding as sea levels rise in the coming century, new research suggests. Researchers say that with so many communities concentrated on US coasts, the odds for major storm damage get bigger every year. ... > full story

Robotic technology lends more than just a helping hand (March 14, 2012) -- While Robonaut 2 has been busy testing its technology in microgravity aboard the International Space Station, NASA and General Motors have been working together on the ground to find new ways those technologies can be used. ... > full story

Fragrant new biofuel: Researchers develop a new candidate for a cleaner, greener and renewable diesel fuel (March 14, 2012) -- Researchers have identified methyl ketones, chemical compounds known for their fragrance and flavor, as strong biofuel candidates. Methyl ketones produced from glucose by engineered E. coli yielded high cetane numbers -- a diesel fuel rating comparable to the octane number for gasoline. ... > full story

REM sleep disorder doubles risk of mild cognitive impairment, Parkinson's, study finds (March 14, 2012) -- People with symptoms suggesting rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, or RBD, have twice the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment or Parkinson's disease within four years of diagnosis with the sleep problem, compared with people without the disorder, a new study has found. ... > full story

Feeding habits of teenage galaxies (March 14, 2012) -- New observations made with ESO's Very Large Telescope are making a major contribution to understanding the growth of adolescent galaxies. In the biggest survey of its kind astronomers have found that galaxies changed their eating habits during their teenage years -- the period from about 3 to 5 billion years after the Big Bang. At the start of this phase smooth gas flow was the preferred snack, but later, galaxies mostly grew by cannibalising other smaller galaxies. ... > full story

Recycling galaxies caught in the act (March 14, 2012) -- When astronomers add up all the gas and dust contained in ordinary galaxies (like our own Milky Way), they find a discrepancy: there is not nearly enough matter for stars to form at the observed rates for long. As a (partial) solution, a matter cycle on gigantic scales has been proposed. In our local galactic neighborhood, traces of this mechanism had already been found. Now, a new study has found the first direct evidence of such gas flowing back into distant galaxies that are actively forming new stars, validating a key part of "galactic recycling". ... > full story

Few genes control neuronal function (March 14, 2012) -- How are 100 billion cells created, each with specific duties? The human brain is evidence that nature can achieve this. Researchers have now taken a step closer to solving this mystery. ... > full story

Capturing chromosomes during cell division (March 14, 2012) -- Scientists have been successful in elucidating a new mechanism for the error-free segregation of the human genome during cell division. They have been able to show that the enzyme Aurora B and the protein complex Ska play a central role in flawless chromosome segregation. ... > full story

Are silver nanoparticles harmful? (March 14, 2012) -- Silver nanoparticles cause more damage to testicular cells than titanium dioxide nanoparticles, according to a recent study. However, the use of both types may affect testicular cells with possible consequences for fertility. ... > full story

Shyness study examines how human brain adapts to stimuli (March 14, 2012) -- Shyness may be the result of deficits in two areas of the brain, new research finds. ... > full story

Voters favor deep-voiced politicians (March 13, 2012) -- Candidates with lower-pitched voices may get more votes in the 2012 election. A new study by biologists and a political scientist shows that both men and women prefer political candidates with deeper voices. The results also suggest that biology -- not just partisanship or ideology -- can shape voters' choices. ... > full story

Research reveals carbon footprint caused by China's irrigation system (March 13, 2012) -- China’s groundwater irrigation system is responsible for polluting the atmosphere with more than 30 million tonnes of CO2 per year – according to research from the University of East Anglia. ... > full story

Fatty diets may be associated with reduced semen quality (March 13, 2012) -- Men's diets, in particular the amount and type of different fats they eat, could be associated with their semen quality according to the results of a study. The study of 99 men in the USA found an association between a high total fat intake and lower total sperm count and concentration. ... > full story

Losing belly fat, whether from a low-carb or a low-fat diet, helps improve blood vessel function (March 13, 2012) -- Overweight people who shed pounds, especially belly fat, can improve the function of their blood vessels no matter whether they are on a low-carb or a low-fat diet, according to a new study. ... > full story

Cancer epigenetics: Breakthrough in identifying target genes (March 13, 2012) -- Cancer is usually attributed to faulty genes, but growing evidence from the field of cancer epigenetics indicates a key role for the gene "silencing" proteins that stably turn genes off inside the cell nucleus. A new study promises to speed research in the field by rapidly identifying the genes that epigenetic proteins can target for silencing. ... > full story

Rats match humans in decision-making that involves combining different sensory cues (March 13, 2012) -- The next time you set a trap for that rat running around in your basement, here's something to consider: you are going up against an opponent whose ability to assess the situation and make decisions is statistically just as good as yours. A new study has found that just like humans, rodents also combine multisensory information and exploit it in a "statistically optimal" way -- or the most efficient and unbiased way possible. ... > full story

Cool hands may be the key to increasing exercise capacity (March 13, 2012) -- Cooling the palms of the hands while working out could help you stick with a physical activity program, according to a small study. ... > full story

Dietary patterns exist among US adults based on demographics (March 13, 2012) -- Scientists say they have identified five eating patterns for US adults that are strongly influenced by age, race, region, gender, income and education. ... > full story

Treating intestinal E. coli infection with antibiotic may reduce duration of bacterial carriage (March 13, 2012) -- In the E. coli outbreak in Germany in May 2011, treatment with azithromycin was associated with a lower frequency of long-term carriage of the bacteria and shorter duration of shedding of the bacteria in stool specimens, according to a new study. ... > full story

Potential Alzheimer's disease drug slows damage and symptoms in animal model (March 13, 2012) -- A compound that previously progressed to Phase II clinical trials for cancer treatment slows neurological damage and improves brain function in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study. The compound epothilone D is effective in preventing further neurological damage and improving cognitive performance in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The results establish how the drug might be used in early-stage AD patients. ... > full story

Barrier to faster graphene devices identified and suppressed (March 13, 2012) -- Physicists report that they have nailed down the source of the interference inhibiting the rapid flow of electrons through graphene-based devices and found a way to suppress it. ... > full story

Scientists produce eye structures from human blood-derived stem cells (March 13, 2012) -- For the first time, scientists have made early retina structures containing proliferating neuroretinal progenitor cells using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells derived from human blood. ... > full story

Reduced baby risk from another Cesarean (March 13, 2012) -- A major study has found that women who have had one prior cesarean can lower the risk of death and serious complications for their next baby -- and themselves -- by electing to have another cesarean. ... > full story