for Monday, November 10, 2008

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

---

Red-eyed Treefrog Embryos Actively Avoid Asphyxiation Inside Their Eggs (November 9, 2008) -- Red-eyed treefrog embryos react to environmental oxygen concentration before they have blood or muscular movement. These initial responses to the environment may be critical to the frogs' long-term survival. ... > full story

Physicists Create BlackMax To Search For Extra Dimensions In The Universe (November 9, 2008) -- Theoretical and experimental physicists have designed a new black hole simulator called BlackMax to search for evidence that extra dimensions might exist in the universe. ... > full story

When It Comes To Sea Level Changing Glaciers, New NASA Technique Measures Up (November 10, 2008) -- Scientists have used satellite data to make the most precise measurements to date of changes in the mass of mountain glaciers in the Gulf of Alaska, a region expected to be a significant contributor to global sea level rise over the next 50-100 years. ... > full story

New Small-scale Generator Produces Alternating Current By Stretching Zinc Oxide Wires (November 10, 2008) -- Researchers have developed a new type of small-scale electric power generator able to produce alternating current through the cyclical stretching and releasing of zinc oxide wires encapsulated in a flexible plastic substrate with two ends bonded. ... > full story

Researchers Discover New Risk Factor For Cardiovascular Disease, And A Way To Control It (November 10, 2008) -- Scientists have discovered that having high levels of particular protein puts patients at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The results of the study were so conclusive that the clinical trial had to be stopped before its scheduled completion date. ... > full story

Nanoparticles Research Aids Drug Development (November 10, 2008) -- Scientists have developed a new technology which can dramatically improve the effectiveness of antibacterial treatments. ... > full story

Half-broken Gene Is Enough To Cause Cancer (November 10, 2008) -- Tumor suppressor genes do not necessarily require both alleles to be knocked out before disease phenotypes are expressed. Only one allele of SMAD4 has to be damaged to put a person at risk of pancreatic and colorectal cancer. ... > full story

MP3 Headphones Interfere With Implantable Defibrillators, Pacemakers, Study Suggests (November 10, 2008) -- MP3 player headphones can cause potentially dangerous interactions with pacemakers and implantable defibrillators. For safe use, the headphones must be at least 1.2 inches (3 cm) from the implanted devices. Unrelated research did not find adverse reactions to pacemakers and defibrillators from iPods, Bluetooth headsets, iPhones, electric blankets, hand-held airport metal detectors or pills swallowed to perform video endoscopy. ... > full story

Computer Model Can Predict Human Behavior And Learning (November 10, 2008) -- A new computer model can predict how people will complete a controlled task and how the knowledge needed to complete that task develops over time. ... > full story

Simple Brain Mechanisms Explain Arbitrary Human Visual Decisions (November 10, 2008) -- Scientists report that a simple decision-making task does not involve the frontal lobes, where many of the higher aspects of human cognition, including self-awareness, are thought to originate. Instead, the regions that decide are the same brain regions that receive stimuli relevant to the decision and control the body's response to it. ... > full story

Flu Shots May Cut Risk Of Blood Clots Forming In Veins (November 10, 2008) -- Flu shots may reduce the risk of blood clots forming in veins by 26 percent. Flu shots may be more protective before age 52. ... > full story

Intelligent Walker Designed To Assist The Elderly And People Undergoing Medical Rehabilitation (November 10, 2008) -- Researchers have designed an intelligent walker (i-Walker) that goes a step beyond conventional walkers as it can communicate with the user, think for itself and react to the environment. The device can understand a set of voice commands and can be activated by means of simple verbal instructions given by the user (e.g., "take me to the kitchen"). To do this, it includes elements for independent movement and a personalized intelligent software agent. ... > full story

New Research Finds Markers For Esophageal Cancer Before It Develops (November 10, 2008) -- Researchers have identified genetic proteins, also known as biomarkers, capable of distinguishing changes at the microscopic level that can signal a precancerous condition in the esophagus. These markers may help identify patients who are likely to progress to esophageal cancer. ... > full story

Preventing Traffic Accidents Before They Happen? (November 10, 2008) -- A new automotive safety systems will alert drivers to potential hazards by using information from the car, other road users and the roadside infrastructure to predict and prevent traffic accidents. ... > full story

Racial Disparities Increasing For Cancers Unrelated To Smoking, Study Finds (November 10, 2008) -- A new American Cancer Society study finds that recent progress in closing the gap in overall cancer mortality between African-Americans and whites may be due primarily to smoking-related cancers, and that cancer mortality differences related to screening and treatment may still be increasing. ... > full story

Global Warming Predicted To Hasten Carbon Release From Peat Bogs (November 10, 2008) -- Billions of tons of carbon sequestered in the world's peat bogs could be released into the atmosphere in the coming decades as a result of global warming, according to a new analysis of the interplay between peat bogs, water tables, and climate change. ... > full story

Harnessing Nature’s Diagnostic Tools For Disease Prevention (November 10, 2008) -- The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the better the chance of effecting a cure. A revolutionary new hybrid technology offers the possibility of detecting this and other diseases right at inception. ... > full story

DNA Provides 'Smoking Gun' In The Case Of The Missing Songbirds (November 10, 2008) -- DNA evidence shows conclusively that males from a North American warbler species interbred with females from a related species and took over a large part of the other species' range. ... > full story

XDR-TB: Deadlier And More Mysterious Than Ever (November 10, 2008) -- New research has found that extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis is increasingly common and more deadly than previously known. Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis is a growing public health threat that is only just beginning to be understood by medical and public health officials. ... > full story

Plant Virus Spreads By Making Life Easy For Crop Pests (November 10, 2008) -- In 752, Japanese Empress Koken wrote a short poem about the summertime yellowing of a field in what is thought to be the first account of a viral plant disease. More than 1,250 years later, scientists concluded that the virus Koken described was part of the particularly insidious geminivirus family that continues to decimate tomato, tobacco and cotton crops worldwide. ... > full story

Mental Health Linked To Stillbirth And Newborn Deaths (November 10, 2008) -- Women with a history of serious mental illness are much more likely to have babies that are stillborn or die within the first month of life, new research reveals. ... > full story

How Evolution Learns From Past Environments To Adapt To New Environments (November 10, 2008) -- The evolution of novel characteristics within organisms can be enhanced when environments change in a systematic manner, according to a new study. Researchers suggest that in environments that vary over time in a non-random way, evolution can learn the rules of the environment and develop organisms that can readily generate novel useful traits with only a few mutations. ... > full story

Better Treatments For Inherited Form Of Colon Cancer? (November 10, 2008) -- Researchers believe they may be one step closer to understanding how certain forms of colon cancer develop. ... > full story

Project Virtually Rebuilds Lost Architecture Of The Shakers (November 10, 2008) -- The Shakers, a religious group that built 19 communities in the United States during the 1800s, had a prolific and distinct architectural construction and design style. Much of that architecture has been lost; however, a new research project aims to rebuild it -- virtually. ... > full story

Diagnosis Of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Predicts High Risk And Rate Of Further Infection In Teenagers (November 10, 2008) -- A study among Baltimore inner-city teenage girls treated for pelvic inflammatory disease shows they are highly vulnerable to subsequent sexually transmitted infections -- sometimes within a few weeks or months of their treatment. ... > full story

New Technology Promises Cheap Satellite Triple-play (November 10, 2008) -- A new technology promises to dramatically lower the costs of satellite bandwidth, potentially bridging the digital divide and enabling satellites to deliver TV, internet and telephony services via satellite. The technical problems are solved, now the research team is working hard on the business case. ... > full story

Transplant Experts Discuss Organ Trafficking (November 10, 2008) -- With the number of patients in need of organ transplants on the rise, an increasing number of patients are turning to unconventional sources for organs. Individuals are willing to donate their kidneys for financial incentive, particularly in developing countries where the poverty rate is high, resulting in numerous reports of human trafficking as a source of organs. ... > full story

Research Sheds Light On Key Trigger Of Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation (November 10, 2008) -- Clusters of mouse embryonic stem cells called embryoid bodies more closely approximate true embryos in organization and structure than previously thought, according to researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. ... > full story

New Hybrid Plants Could Prompt More Prodigious Pepper Production In Southwest (November 10, 2008) -- To help Southwestern US pepper producers perk up pepper production, scientists and agriculture experts are developing several new adapted pepper plant hybrids. ... > full story

Long-term Benefits Of Morphine Treatment In Infants Confirmed In Rodent Study (November 10, 2008) -- Scientists have demonstrate that administration of preemptive morphine prior to a painful procedure in infancy blocks the long-term negative consequences of pain in adult rodents. These studies have serious implications for the way anesthetics and analgesics are administered to neonates prior to surgery. ... > full story

Polarized Light Guides Cholera-carrying Midges That Contaminate Water Supplies (November 10, 2008) -- Midges harbor the lethal Vibrio cholerae bacteria that spreads cholera, contaminating water supplies with the infection when they lay their eggs. What guides the midges to select particular watercourses when laying their eggs? Scientists have found that the midges are attracted by polarized light reflections from water and suggest that polarized light could be used to control cholera transmission and reduce midge numbers. ... > full story

Emerging Carbon Finance Market Will Play Critical Role In Addressing Climate Change, Experts Say (November 10, 2008) -- Climate change is an unprecedented global problem and an emerging carbon finance market will play a critical role in addressing it, asserts a newly published Yale report. ... > full story

Genetic Study Provides New Insights Into Molecular Basis Of Language Development (November 9, 2008) -- Scientists have identified the first gene that is associated with a common childhood language disorder, known as specific language impairment (SLI). The gene -- CNTNAP2 -- has also been recently implicated in autism, and could represent a crucial genetic link between the two disorders. ... > full story

Smaller Mosquitoes Are More Likely To Be Infected With Viruses Causing Human Diseases (November 9, 2008) -- An entomologist says smaller mosquitoes are more likely to be infected with viruses that cause diseases in humans. ... > full story

Paper Mill Waste May Be Just Right For Reclaiming Mineland (November 9, 2008) -- Paper mill waste can safely be applied at a rate three times higher than the typical rate in Ohio, to reclaim soils of surface-coal mined areas. ... > full story

Consumers Not Ready For Tailor-made Nutrition? (November 9, 2008) -- In the near future it will be possible to customize the food we eat to individual needs, based on the genetic profile of the individual. Researchers suggest that the consumer market is not yet ready for this so-called nutrigenomics. They conclude that many obstacles must be overcome before products based on nutrigenomics become a reality. ... > full story

Carbon Dioxide Levels Already In Danger Zone, Revised Theory Shows (November 9, 2008) -- If climate disasters are to be averted, atmospheric carbon dioxide must be reduced below the levels that already exist today, according to a new study in Open Atmospheric Science Journal. ... > full story

Mitochondria Could Be Target For Therapeutic Strategy For Alzheimer's Disease Patients (November 9, 2008) -- A study in Nature Medicine describes the function and interaction of a critical molecule involved in cell death in Alzheimer's disease patients. These new findings reveal that blocking this molecule, called Cyclophilin D, and development of surrounding mitochondrial targets may be viable therapeutic strategies for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease, according to Shi Du Yan, Ph.D., at Columbia University Medical Center, who led the multi-center research. ... > full story

Record High Performance With New Solar Cells (November 9, 2008) -- Researchers in China and Switzerland are reporting the highest efficiency ever for a promising new genre of solar cells, which many scientists think offer the best hope for making the sun a mainstay source of energy in the future. The photovoltaic cells, called dye-sensitized solar cells or Grätzel cells, could expand the use of solar energy for homes, businesses, and other practical applications, the scientists say. ... > full story

HPV Virus Helps Cervical And Head And Neck Cancers Resist Treatment And Grow And Spread (November 9, 2008) -- The human papillomavirus allows infected cervical and head and neck cancer cells to maintain internal molecular conditions that make the cancers resistant to therapy and more likely to grow and spread, resulting in a poor prognosis for patients. ... > full story

How Plant Cells Synthesize Pharmaceutical Compounds (November 9, 2008) -- A Finnish researcher's work on two plants -- tobacco and Egyptian henbane -- is yielding new information about the functions of genes involved with the biosynthesis of plant secondary metabolites. The results can be used in developing production of valuable pharmaceuticals in plant cell cultures. ... > full story

Forgotten, But Not Gone: Leprosy Still Present In The US (November 9, 2008) -- Long believed to be a disease of biblical times, leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, continues to be seen in the United States. ... > full story

Playing A Game Shows How Personalities Evolved (November 9, 2008) -- Why do some of us always do the right thing while others only seem to be out for themselves? New research offers a new explanation as to why such a wide range of personality traits has evolved in humans and other social species. ... > full story

Friendly Bacteria Reduce Hospital Infections (November 9, 2008) -- A probiotic bacterium, Lactobacillus plantarum 299, has been used to out-compete the dangerous bacteria that cause respiratory illness in ventilated patients. Research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Critical Care describes how applying a bacterial solution in place of normal antiseptics is effective in preventing the most common cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia. ... > full story

New Role For Critical DNA Repair Molecule In Immune System (November 9, 2008) -- The human immune system is a brilliantly adaptable weapon against foreign invaders. But it all depends on the work of specialized cells called lymphocytes that have made a risky evolutionary gambit to mutate their own DNA. New research published in Nature shows for the first time that a molecule devoted to DNA repair plays a broader role in this genetic reshuffling -- called recombination -- than scientists had thought. ... > full story

Smokers See Decline In Ability To Smell, Rise In Laryngitis, And Upper Airway Issues (November 9, 2008) -- New research gives more reasons to kick smoking and smokeless tobacco products. New research shows that cigarette smoking is linked to upper airway symptoms ("smoker's nose") and the loss of smokers' ability to smell common odors. Most alarmingly second-hand smoke plays a role in the rise of cases of "environmental laryngitis." ... > full story

Stretching Silicon: A New Method To Measure How Strain Affects Semiconductors (November 9, 2008) -- Engineers and physicists have developed a method of measuring how strain affects thin films of silicon that could lay the foundation for faster flexible electronics. ... > full story

Students Eat More Whole Grains When It's Gradually Added To School Lunch (November 9, 2008) -- Elementary school students will eat more whole grains when healthier bread products are gradually introduced into their school lunches, a new study shows. ... > full story

Hubble Announces A Major Extrasolar Planet Discovery

.D. Harrington
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-5241
j.d.harrington@nasa.gov

Ray Villard
Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Md.
410-338-4514
villard@stsci.edu

Nov. 07, 2008

MEDIA ADVISORY : M08-227

Hubble Announces A Major Extrasolar Planet Discovery

WASHINGTON -- NASA will hold a Science Update to report on a significant discovery about planets orbiting other stars at 2:30 p.m. EST, Thursday, Nov. 13, in NASA's James E. Webb auditorium. This unique discovery, made by the Hubble Space Telescope's Advance Camera for Surveys instrument, also will be featured in the Nov. 14 issue of the journal Science.

The briefing participants are:
-- Ed Weiler, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington
-- Sara Seager, associate professor of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass.
-- Paul Kalas, assistant adjunct professor, Physics and Astronomy Department, University of California at Berkeley.
-- Mark Clampin, James Webb Space Telescope Observatory project scientist, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
-- Marc Kuchner, exoplanet scientist, Astrophysics Science Division, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.

Reporters attending the event will have an opportunity to ask questions. News media representatives not attending will be able to ask questions via teleconference. To participate in the teleconference, reporters must email a request for dial-in information that includes their media affiliation and telephone number to J.D. Harrington at j.d.harrington@nasa.gov by 1 p.m. EST, Nov. 13.

For more information on the Hubble Space Telescope, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/hubble

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

New Spaceship Force Field Makes Mars Trip Possible (November 5, 2008) -- According to the international space agencies, "space weather" is the single greatest threat to deep space travel. New research in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion shows how knowledge gained from the pursuit of nuclear fusion research may reduce the threat to acceptable levels, making humanity's first mission to Mars a much greater possibility. ... > full story

Fingers, Loops And Bays In The Crab Nebula's Pulsar Wind Viewed By Chandra X-ray Observatory (November 6, 2008) -- NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory has provided the first clear view of the faint boundary of the Crab Nebula's X-ray-emitting pulsar wind nebula. ... > full story

New Therapeutic Target Identified For Rheumatoid Arthritis (November 6, 2008) -- Researchers have identified a potential new therapeutic target that could be used to treat inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs that hit this new target are actually in trials for the treatment of another disease, leukemia. ... > full story

Gene Against Bacterial Attack Unraveled (November 6, 2008) -- Researchers have unraveled a genetic defense mechanism against the lethal bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei. The research is the next step towards a vaccine against this bacterium suitable for bioweapons. ... > full story

Minor Shift In Vaccine Schedule Has Potential To Reduce Infant Illness, Death (November 6, 2008) -- A new study suggests that protecting infants from a common, highly contagious and even deadly disease may be as easy as administering a routine vaccine two weeks earlier than it is typically given. ... > full story

West Nile's North American Spread Described (November 6, 2008) -- Most affected bird species have not yet recovered from the rapid spread of West Nile virus in North America after 1999, and the long-term ecological implications of the pathogen seem likely to be substantial. Annual outbreaks continue, and more research is needed to identify predictive factors that could lead to stepped-up countermeasures in vulnerable areas. ... > full story

War Affects Iraqis' Health More After Fleeing (November 6, 2008) -- The risk of depression is greater among Iraqi soldiers who took part in the Gulf War than among civilians. Surprisingly, on the other hand, neither of these groups showed any signs of post-traumatic stress ten years after that war-­with the exception of those Iraqis who have left Iraq. ... > full story

DNA Chunks, Chimps And Humans: Marks Of Differences Between Human And Chimp Genomes (November 6, 2008) -- Researchers have carried out the largest study of differences between human and chimpanzee genomes, identifying regions that have been duplicated or lost during evolution of the two lineages. The study, the first to compare many human and chimpanzee genomes in the same fashion, shows that particular types of genes are more commonly involved in gain or loss. It also provides new evidence for a gene associated with susceptibility to infection by HIV. ... > full story

Gene Variations Alter Risk Of Esophageal Cancer (November 6, 2008) -- Variations in a common gene pathway may affect esophageal cancer risk, a dangerous and rapidly increasing type of cancer, according to new research. ... > full story

1,000 Tags Reveal Mysteries Of Giant Bluefin Tuna (November 6, 2008) -- A 1,250-pound giant bluefin tuna caught in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada had the honor of being released with the 1000th electronic tracking tag placed on this depleted species by the Tag-A-Giant campaign. ... > full story

Flu Vaccination Rates Lag For At-risk Adolescents (November 6, 2008) -- Influenza vaccination rates are still far too low for adolescents who suffer from asthma and other illnesses that predispose them to complications from the flu. ... > full story

Bare Bones Of Crystal Growth: Biomolecules Enhance Metal Contents In Calcite (November 6, 2008) -- A finding that a hydrophilic peptide significantly enhances the magnesium-content of calcite is especially meaningful for geologists because Mg-content in carbonates is used as a 'paleo thermometer'. The findings also offer new insights for materials synthesis. ... > full story

Alcohol Advice Needs To Play Greater Role In Sex Education For Teenagers, Experts Urge (November 6, 2008) -- Alcohol and attitudes are two of the key factors that health professionals need to be aware of when they are dealing with sexually active teenagers. ... > full story

Extreme Weather Postpones Flowering Time Of Plants (November 5, 2008) -- Extreme weather events have a greater effect on flora than previously presumed. A one-month drought postpones the time of flowering of grassland and heathland plants in Central Europe by an average of 4 days. With this a so-called 100-year drought event equates to approximately a decade of global warming. ... > full story

Double-barreled Immune Cell Approach For Neuroblastoma (November 5, 2008) -- Adding an artificial tumor-specific receptor to immune system cells called T-lymphocytes that target a particular virus extended and improved the cells' ability to fight a form of childhood cancer called neuroblastoma, said researchers. ... > full story

Stressed Older Drivers Are Three Times More Likely To Brake Than Calm Drivers (November 5, 2008) -- Life can be stressful, whether you're an individual watching the stock market crash or a commuter stuck in traffic. A new study, forthcoming in the journal Psychological Science, examines how stress affects decision-making and finds that older adults alter their behavior more than young adults when under stress -- particularly in situations involving risk. ... > full story

How To Stop Winter From Weathering Your Skin (November 5, 2008) -- All winter flakes are not made of snow. Cold weather wreaks havoc on our skin, sometimes making it dry and flaky. Skin dries out if it's deprived of water and this dryness often causes itchiness, resulting in a condition commonly referred to as "winter itch." ... > full story

Biosynthetics Production With Detours (November 5, 2008) -- Scientists have achieved an important advance in better understanding metabolic pathways in bacteria. Using computer models, they calculated the genetic changes that are necessary for increasing the production of biosynthetics in the Pseudomonas putida bacteria. ... > full story

Rates Of Psychosis Higher Among Minority Groups In Britain (November 5, 2008) -- Both first- and second-generation immigrants to the United Kingdom appear to have a higher risk of psychoses than white British individuals, according to a new report. ... > full story

Dried Mushrooms Slow Climate Warming In Northern Forests (November 5, 2008) -- The fight against climate warming has an unexpected ally in mushrooms growing in dry spruce forests covering Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia and other northern regions, a study finds. These findings could influence global climate change predictions and policy. ... > full story

Seizures Following Parasitic Infection Associated With Brain Swelling (November 5, 2008) -- A new study provides strong evidence associating seizures with areas of brain tissue swelling in people infected by a parasitic tapeworm. The swellings, called perilesional edemas, form around dead, calcified cysts that result when larvae of Taenia solium tapeworms lodge in the brain. The illness caused by T. solium infection -- neurocysticercosis -- is the most common cause of adult-onset seizures and epilepsy in developing countries where the tapeworm is endemic. ... > full story

Time Invested In Practicing Pays Off For Young Musicians, Research Shows (November 5, 2008) -- A new study has found that children who study a musical instrument for at least three years outperform children with no instrumental training -- not only in tests of auditory discrimination and finger dexterity (skills honed by the study of a musical instrument), but also on tests measuring verbal ability and visual pattern completion (skills not normally associated with music). ... > full story

Lung Airway Cells Activate Vitamin D And Increase Immune Response (November 5, 2008) -- Essential to good health, vitamin D requires activation to function properly in the body. Until recently, this activation was thought to occur primarily in the kidneys. A new study finds it can occur in lung airway cells. The investigation also links the vitamin D produced in the lung airway cells to activation of infection-fighting genes. ... > full story

Identity Theft Risk: Huge Amount Of Sensitive Data Still On Redundant Computer Hard Disks (November 5, 2008) -- A new report suggests that there is a huge amount of sensitive data still on redundant computer hard disks. These devices are often disposed of or sold into the second-hand market by corporations, organizations, and individuals with the data intact. The report's authors say that this data represents a significant level of risk for commercial sabotage, identity theft, and even political compromise, and suggest that better education is essential to reduce the risk of harm. ... > full story

Measuring 'Inaudible' Sounds To Detect Illegal Nuclear Tests, And Analyze Atmosphere (November 5, 2008) -- By measuring 'inaudible' sounds, events like illegal nuclear tests can be detected. This 'infrasound' can also help us understand more about the upper atmosphere, according to new research. ... > full story

Skeleton Of 12,000-Year-Old Shaman Discovered Buried With Leopard, 50 Tortoises And Human Foot (November 5, 2008) -- The skeleton of a 12,000 year-old Natufian Shaman has been discovered in northern Israel by archaeologists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The burial is described as being accompanied by "exceptional" grave offerings -- including 50 complete tortoise shells, the pelvis of a leopard and a human foot. The shaman burial is thought to be one of the earliest known from the archaeological record and the only shaman grave in the whole region. ... > full story

Moms' Smoking Linked To Increased Risk Of Birth Defects (November 5, 2008) -- The damaging effects of smoking and smoke exposure can be seen at any age. Pediatricians have even noted these negative effects in various stages of infant development. The consequences of maternal smoke exposure during pregnancy can range from higher rates of prematurity to increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Two new studies examine several physical and behavioral effects of cigarette smoke exposure on infants. ... > full story

Low Cost Vehicle Stability Chip Reduces Rollover Risk (November 5, 2008) -- Drivers worldwide soon will be able to navigate dangerous road conditions more safely, due to new sensor technology. The 1.7 millimeter-wide device helps stabilize automobiles, allowing them to pass safely through hazardous conditions such as sharp turns and slippery roads that could result in a rollover. ... > full story

‘Natural Killer’ Immune Cells Reveal Factors For Reproductive Success (November 5, 2008) -- Immune cells known as natural killer (NK) cells are linked with pregnancy problems including pre-eclampsia and recurrent miscarriage. Scientists are illuminating the role that pregnancy-related NK cells play in moderating the biochemical interactions at the boundary between maternal tissues and the developing fetus. Their findings reveal that uterine NK cells are 'armed' with specific receptors, enabling interaction with other molecules to ensure that the placenta develops normally and the pregnancy is successful. ... > full story

Genes That Prevent Changes In Physical Traits Due To Environmental Changes Identified (November 5, 2008) -- Biologists have identified genes that prevent physical traits from being affected by environmental changes. The research, which studied the genetic makeup of baker's yeast, appears in the Public Library of Science's journal, PloS Biology. ... > full story

MRI Reveals Relationship Between Depression And Pain (November 5, 2008) -- The brains of individuals with major depressive disorder appear to react more strongly when anticipating pain and also display altered functioning of the neural network that modifies pain sensitivity, according to a new report. ... > full story

Could Life Have Started In Lump Of Ice? Very Cold Ice Films In Laboratory Reveal Mysteries Of Universe (November 5, 2008) -- The universe is full of water, mostly in the form of very cold ice films deposited on interstellar dust particles, but until recently little was known about the detailed small scale structure. Now the latest quick freezing techniques coupled with sophisticated scanning electron microscopy techniques, are allowing physicists to create ice films in cold conditions similar to outer space and observe the detailed molecular organization, yielding clues to fundamental questions including possibly the origin of life. ... > full story

Vitamin B3 Reduces Alzheimer's Symptoms, Lesions: Clinical Trial On Nicotinamide Effect In Alzheimer's Patients (November 5, 2008) -- An over-the-counter vitamin in high doses prevented memory loss in mice with Alzheimer's disease, and scientists now are conducting a clinical trial to determine its effect in humans. ... > full story

Clue Discovered In Spread Of 'Superbugs' (November 5, 2008) -- Scientists are one step closer to finding a defense against dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria, sometimes called "superbugs." Researchers have obtained the first visual evidence of a key piece in the puzzle of how deadly superbugs spread antibiotic resistance in hospitals and throughout the general population. ... > full story

Anti-VEGF Drugs For Retinal Diseases Could Have Serious Side Effects, Scientists Caution (November 5, 2008) -- Scientists have found that reducing the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is best known as a stimulator of new blood vessel growth, in adult mice causes the death of photoreceptors and Muller glia -- cells of the retina that are essential to visual function. This finding holds implications for the chronic use of promising new anti-VEGF drugs such as Lucentis, which eliminate abnormal and damaging blood vessel growth in the retina by neutralizing VEGF. ... > full story

Ecologists Say Metabolism Accounts For Why Natural Selection Favors Only Some Species (November 5, 2008) -- Why are some species of plants and animals favored by natural selection? And why does natural selection not favor other species similarly? According to a new study, the answer lies in the rate of metabolism of a species - how fast a species consumes energy, per unit mass, per unit time. ... > full story

ADHD As A Serious Driver’s Disability (November 5, 2008) -- If your teen can’t pass a driver’s test, it might not mean more time in driver’s ed is needed. It might be due to ADHD. ... > full story

Drug Mimics Low-cal Diet To Ward Off Weight Gain, Boost Running Endurance (November 5, 2008) -- A drug designed to specifically hit a protein linked to the life-extending benefits of a meager diet can essentially trick the body into believing food is scarce even when it isn't, suggests a new report in Cell Metabolism. ... > full story

New Device Controls, Measures Dynamics Of Chemicals In Live Tissue (November 5, 2008) -- The "chemistrode," a droplet-base microfluidic device, provides new exciting opportunities to study stimulus-response dynamics in chemistry and biology. It will help researchers study any surface that responds to chemical stimulation (cells, tissue, biofilms, catalytic surfaces, etc.). It may also help neurologists, cardiologists, and endocrinologists study and diagnose diseases. Researchers have already used it to measure how a single murine islet responds to glucose. They have applied for a patent on the device. ... > full story

Chronic Headaches? 'Medication Overuse Headaches' Surprisingly Common (November 5, 2008) -- There is a critical need to review current treatment strategies for the increasingly common problem of medication overuse headaches (MOH), according to a new research. ... > full story

Light Weight Hydrogen 'Tank' Could Fuel Hydrogen Economy (November 5, 2008) -- Researchers have shown that an alloy of the metals magnesium, titanium and nickel is excellent at absorbing hydrogen. This light alloy brings us a step closer to the everyday use of hydrogen as a source of fuel for powering vehicles. A hydrogen ‘tank’ using this alloy would have a relative weight that is sixty percent less than a battery pack. ... > full story

Is ADHD More Likely To Affect Movement In Boys Or Girls? (November 5, 2008) -- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder appears to affect movement in boys more than it does in girls, according to a new study. ADHD is one of the most common mental disorders found in children. Symptoms include impulsiveness, hyperactivity, such as not being able to sit still, and inattention or constant daydreaming. Few studies have been done that compare ADHD and movement in both boys and girls. ... > full story

'Junk' DNA Proves Functional; Helps Explain Human Differences From Other Species (November 5, 2008) -- In a new study, scientists in Singapore report that what was previously believed to be "junk" DNA is one of the important ingredients distinguishing humans from other species. ... > full story

Folic Acid, B Vitamins Do Not Appear To Affect Cancer Risk (November 5, 2008) -- A daily supplementation combination that included folic acid and vitamin B6 and B12 had no significant effect on the overall risk of cancer, including breast cancer, among women at high risk of cardiovascular disease, according to new study. ... > full story

Rising Carbon Dioxide Levels 'Will Hit Coral Reefs Harder' (November 5, 2008) -- Rising carbon dioxide levels in the world's oceans could deliver a disastrous blow to the ability of coral reefs to withstand climate change. A major new investigation by Australian scientists has revealed that acidification of the oceans from human carbon dioxide emissions has the potential to worsen the impact of the bleaching and death of reef-building organisms expected to occur under global warming. ... > full story

Steroid Therapies Following Transplant Can Be Eliminated, Study Suggests (November 5, 2008) -- Using modern immunosuppressive drugs eliminates the need for steroid therapy as early as seven days following a transplant surgery while still maintaining kidney function, according to new research. ... > full story

High-performance Steel For Possible Use In ITER Fusion Project Developed (November 5, 2008) -- Researchers have developed a new cast stainless steel that is 70 percent stronger than comparable steels and is being evaluated for use in the huge shield modules required by the ITER fusion device. ... > full story

'Weapons Of Mass Production', I Mean, 'Mass Destruction!' How The Brain Prevents Verbal Errors (November 5, 2008) -- New research illuminates how the brain prevents verbal errors. Our brain is fairly good at preventing mistakes in speech. Unfortunately it does make the odd mistake. George W. Bush, famous for his verbal errors, made the mistake of referring to weapons of 'mass production' instead of 'mass destruction'. Former UK deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, had the same problem when he spoke of solving industrial disputes through 'meditation' instead of 'mediation'. ... > full story

---

ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines

Fingers, Loops And Bays In The Crab Nebula's Pulsar Wind Viewed By Chandra X-ray Observatory (November 6, 2008) -- NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory has provided the first clear view of the faint boundary of the Crab Nebula's X-ray-emitting pulsar wind nebula. ... > full story

New Therapeutic Target Identified For Rheumatoid Arthritis (November 6, 2008) -- Researchers have identified a potential new therapeutic target that could be used to treat inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs that hit this new target are actually in trials for the treatment of another disease, leukemia. ... > full story

Gene Against Bacterial Attack Unraveled (November 6, 2008) -- Researchers have unraveled a genetic defense mechanism against the lethal bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei. The research is the next step towards a vaccine against this bacterium suitable for bioweapons. ... > full story

Minor Shift In Vaccine Schedule Has Potential To Reduce Infant Illness, Death (November 6, 2008) -- A new study suggests that protecting infants from a common, highly contagious and even deadly disease may be as easy as administering a routine vaccine two weeks earlier than it is typically given. ... > full story

West Nile's North American Spread Described (November 6, 2008) -- Most affected bird species have not yet recovered from the rapid spread of West Nile virus in North America after 1999, and the long-term ecological implications of the pathogen seem likely to be substantial. Annual outbreaks continue, and more research is needed to identify predictive factors that could lead to stepped-up countermeasures in vulnerable areas. ... > full story

War Affects Iraqis' Health More After Fleeing (November 6, 2008) -- The risk of depression is greater among Iraqi soldiers who took part in the Gulf War than among civilians. Surprisingly, on the other hand, neither of these groups showed any signs of post-traumatic stress ten years after that war-­with the exception of those Iraqis who have left Iraq. ... > full story

DNA Chunks, Chimps And Humans: Marks Of Differences Between Human And Chimp Genomes (November 6, 2008) -- Researchers have carried out the largest study of differences between human and chimpanzee genomes, identifying regions that have been duplicated or lost during evolution of the two lineages. The study, the first to compare many human and chimpanzee genomes in the same fashion, shows that particular types of genes are more commonly involved in gain or loss. It also provides new evidence for a gene associated with susceptibility to infection by HIV. ... > full story

Gene Variations Alter Risk Of Esophageal Cancer (November 6, 2008) -- Variations in a common gene pathway may affect esophageal cancer risk, a dangerous and rapidly increasing type of cancer, according to new research. ... > full story

1,000 Tags Reveal Mysteries Of Giant Bluefin Tuna (November 6, 2008) -- A 1,250-pound giant bluefin tuna caught in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada had the honor of being released with the 1000th electronic tracking tag placed on this depleted species by the Tag-A-Giant campaign. ... > full story

Flu Vaccination Rates Lag For At-risk Adolescents (November 6, 2008) -- Influenza vaccination rates are still far too low for adolescents who suffer from asthma and other illnesses that predispose them to complications from the flu. ... > full story

Bare Bones Of Crystal Growth: Biomolecules Enhance Metal Contents In Calcite (November 6, 2008) -- A finding that a hydrophilic peptide significantly enhances the magnesium-content of calcite is especially meaningful for geologists because Mg-content in carbonates is used as a 'paleo thermometer'. The findings also offer new insights for materials synthesis. ... > full story

Alcohol Advice Needs To Play Greater Role In Sex Education For Teenagers, Experts Urge (November 6, 2008) -- Alcohol and attitudes are two of the key factors that health professionals need to be aware of when they are dealing with sexually active teenagers. ... > full story

Extreme Weather Postpones Flowering Time Of Plants (November 5, 2008) -- Extreme weather events have a greater effect on flora than previously presumed. A one-month drought postpones the time of flowering of grassland and heathland plants in Central Europe by an average of 4 days. With this a so-called 100-year drought event equates to approximately a decade of global warming. ... > full story

Double-barreled Immune Cell Approach For Neuroblastoma (November 5, 2008) -- Adding an artificial tumor-specific receptor to immune system cells called T-lymphocytes that target a particular virus extended and improved the cells' ability to fight a form of childhood cancer called neuroblastoma, said researchers. ... > full story

Stressed Older Drivers Are Three Times More Likely To Brake Than Calm Drivers (November 5, 2008) -- Life can be stressful, whether you're an individual watching the stock market crash or a commuter stuck in traffic. A new study, forthcoming in the journal Psychological Science, examines how stress affects decision-making and finds that older adults alter their behavior more than young adults when under stress -- particularly in situations involving risk. ... > full story

How To Stop Winter From Weathering Your Skin (November 5, 2008) -- All winter flakes are not made of snow. Cold weather wreaks havoc on our skin, sometimes making it dry and flaky. Skin dries out if it's deprived of water and this dryness often causes itchiness, resulting in a condition commonly referred to as "winter itch." ... > full story

Biosynthetics Production With Detours (November 5, 2008) -- Scientists have achieved an important advance in better understanding metabolic pathways in bacteria. Using computer models, they calculated the genetic changes that are necessary for increasing the production of biosynthetics in the Pseudomonas putida bacteria. ... > full story

Rates Of Psychosis Higher Among Minority Groups In Britain (November 5, 2008) -- Both first- and second-generation immigrants to the United Kingdom appear to have a higher risk of psychoses than white British individuals, according to a new report. ... > full story

Dried Mushrooms Slow Climate Warming In Northern Forests (November 5, 2008) -- The fight against climate warming has an unexpected ally in mushrooms growing in dry spruce forests covering Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia and other northern regions, a study finds. These findings could influence global climate change predictions and policy. ... > full story

Seizures Following Parasitic Infection Associated With Brain Swelling (November 5, 2008) -- A new study provides strong evidence associating seizures with areas of brain tissue swelling in people infected by a parasitic tapeworm. The swellings, called perilesional edemas, form around dead, calcified cysts that result when larvae of Taenia solium tapeworms lodge in the brain. The illness caused by T. solium infection -- neurocysticercosis -- is the most common cause of adult-onset seizures and epilepsy in developing countries where the tapeworm is endemic. ... > full story

Time Invested In Practicing Pays Off For Young Musicians, Research Shows (November 5, 2008) -- A new study has found that children who study a musical instrument for at least three years outperform children with no instrumental training -- not only in tests of auditory discrimination and finger dexterity (skills honed by the study of a musical instrument), but also on tests measuring verbal ability and visual pattern completion (skills not normally associated with music). ... > full story

Lung Airway Cells Activate Vitamin D And Increase Immune Response (November 5, 2008) -- Essential to good health, vitamin D requires activation to function properly in the body. Until recently, this activation was thought to occur primarily in the kidneys. A new study finds it can occur in lung airway cells. The investigation also links the vitamin D produced in the lung airway cells to activation of infection-fighting genes. ... > full story

Identity Theft Risk: Huge Amount Of Sensitive Data Still On Redundant Computer Hard Disks (November 5, 2008) -- A new report suggests that there is a huge amount of sensitive data still on redundant computer hard disks. These devices are often disposed of or sold into the second-hand market by corporations, organizations, and individuals with the data intact. The report's authors say that this data represents a significant level of risk for commercial sabotage, identity theft, and even political compromise, and suggest that better education is essential to reduce the risk of harm. ... > full story

Measuring 'Inaudible' Sounds To Detect Illegal Nuclear Tests, And Analyze Atmosphere (November 5, 2008) -- By measuring 'inaudible' sounds, events like illegal nuclear tests can be detected. This 'infrasound' can also help us understand more about the upper atmosphere, according to new research. ... > full story

Skeleton Of 12,000-Year-Old Shaman Discovered Buried With Leopard, 50 Tortoises And Human Foot (November 5, 2008) -- The skeleton of a 12,000 year-old Natufian Shaman has been discovered in northern Israel by archaeologists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The burial is described as being accompanied by "exceptional" grave offerings -- including 50 complete tortoise shells, the pelvis of a leopard and a human foot. The shaman burial is thought to be one of the earliest known from the archaeological record and the only shaman grave in the whole region. ... > full story

Moms' Smoking Linked To Increased Risk Of Birth Defects (November 5, 2008) -- The damaging effects of smoking and smoke exposure can be seen at any age. Pediatricians have even noted these negative effects in various stages of infant development. The consequences of maternal smoke exposure during pregnancy can range from higher rates of prematurity to increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Two new studies examine several physical and behavioral effects of cigarette smoke exposure on infants. ... > full story

Low Cost Vehicle Stability Chip Reduces Rollover Risk (November 5, 2008) -- Drivers worldwide soon will be able to navigate dangerous road conditions more safely, due to new sensor technology. The 1.7 millimeter-wide device helps stabilize automobiles, allowing them to pass safely through hazardous conditions such as sharp turns and slippery roads that could result in a rollover. ... > full story

‘Natural Killer’ Immune Cells Reveal Factors For Reproductive Success (November 5, 2008) -- Immune cells known as natural killer (NK) cells are linked with pregnancy problems including pre-eclampsia and recurrent miscarriage. Scientists are illuminating the role that pregnancy-related NK cells play in moderating the biochemical interactions at the boundary between maternal tissues and the developing fetus. Their findings reveal that uterine NK cells are 'armed' with specific receptors, enabling interaction with other molecules to ensure that the placenta develops normally and the pregnancy is successful. ... > full story

Genes That Prevent Changes In Physical Traits Due To Environmental Changes Identified (November 5, 2008) -- Biologists have identified genes that prevent physical traits from being affected by environmental changes. The research, which studied the genetic makeup of baker's yeast, appears in the Public Library of Science's journal, PloS Biology. ... > full story

MRI Reveals Relationship Between Depression And Pain (November 5, 2008) -- The brains of individuals with major depressive disorder appear to react more strongly when anticipating pain and also display altered functioning of the neural network that modifies pain sensitivity, according to a new report. ... > full story

Could Life Have Started In Lump Of Ice? Very Cold Ice Films In Laboratory Reveal Mysteries Of Universe (November 5, 2008) -- The universe is full of water, mostly in the form of very cold ice films deposited on interstellar dust particles, but until recently little was known about the detailed small scale structure. Now the latest quick freezing techniques coupled with sophisticated scanning electron microscopy techniques, are allowing physicists to create ice films in cold conditions similar to outer space and observe the detailed molecular organization, yielding clues to fundamental questions including possibly the origin of life. ... > full story

Vitamin B3 Reduces Alzheimer's Symptoms, Lesions: Clinical Trial On Nicotinamide Effect In Alzheimer's Patients (November 5, 2008) -- An over-the-counter vitamin in high doses prevented memory loss in mice with Alzheimer's disease, and scientists now are conducting a clinical trial to determine its effect in humans. ... > full story

Clue Discovered In Spread Of 'Superbugs' (November 5, 2008) -- Scientists are one step closer to finding a defense against dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria, sometimes called "superbugs." Researchers have obtained the first visual evidence of a key piece in the puzzle of how deadly superbugs spread antibiotic resistance in hospitals and throughout the general population. ... > full story

Anti-VEGF Drugs For Retinal Diseases Could Have Serious Side Effects, Scientists Caution (November 5, 2008) -- Scientists have found that reducing the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is best known as a stimulator of new blood vessel growth, in adult mice causes the death of photoreceptors and Muller glia -- cells of the retina that are essential to visual function. This finding holds implications for the chronic use of promising new anti-VEGF drugs such as Lucentis, which eliminate abnormal and damaging blood vessel growth in the retina by neutralizing VEGF. ... > full story

Ecologists Say Metabolism Accounts For Why Natural Selection Favors Only Some Species (November 5, 2008) -- Why are some species of plants and animals favored by natural selection? And why does natural selection not favor other species similarly? According to a new study, the answer lies in the rate of metabolism of a species - how fast a species consumes energy, per unit mass, per unit time. ... > full story

ADHD As A Serious Driver’s Disability (November 5, 2008) -- If your teen can’t pass a driver’s test, it might not mean more time in driver’s ed is needed. It might be due to ADHD. ... > full story

New Spaceship Force Field Makes Mars Trip Possible (November 5, 2008) -- According to the international space agencies, "space weather" is the single greatest threat to deep space travel. New research in Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion shows how knowledge gained from the pursuit of nuclear fusion research may reduce the threat to acceptable levels, making humanity's first mission to Mars a much greater possibility. ... > full story

Drug Mimics Low-cal Diet To Ward Off Weight Gain, Boost Running Endurance (November 5, 2008) -- A drug designed to specifically hit a protein linked to the life-extending benefits of a meager diet can essentially trick the body into believing food is scarce even when it isn't, suggests a new report in Cell Metabolism. ... > full story

New Device Controls, Measures Dynamics Of Chemicals In Live Tissue (November 5, 2008) -- The "chemistrode," a droplet-base microfluidic device, provides new exciting opportunities to study stimulus-response dynamics in chemistry and biology. It will help researchers study any surface that responds to chemical stimulation (cells, tissue, biofilms, catalytic surfaces, etc.). It may also help neurologists, cardiologists, and endocrinologists study and diagnose diseases. Researchers have already used it to measure how a single murine islet responds to glucose. They have applied for a patent on the device. ... > full story

Chronic Headaches? 'Medication Overuse Headaches' Surprisingly Common (November 5, 2008) -- There is a critical need to review current treatment strategies for the increasingly common problem of medication overuse headaches (MOH), according to a new research. ... > full story

Light Weight Hydrogen 'Tank' Could Fuel Hydrogen Economy (November 5, 2008) -- Researchers have shown that an alloy of the metals magnesium, titanium and nickel is excellent at absorbing hydrogen. This light alloy brings us a step closer to the everyday use of hydrogen as a source of fuel for powering vehicles. A hydrogen ‘tank’ using this alloy would have a relative weight that is sixty percent less than a battery pack. ... > full story

Is ADHD More Likely To Affect Movement In Boys Or Girls? (November 5, 2008) -- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder appears to affect movement in boys more than it does in girls, according to a new study. ADHD is one of the most common mental disorders found in children. Symptoms include impulsiveness, hyperactivity, such as not being able to sit still, and inattention or constant daydreaming. Few studies have been done that compare ADHD and movement in both boys and girls. ... > full story

'Junk' DNA Proves Functional; Helps Explain Human Differences From Other Species (November 5, 2008) -- In a new study, scientists in Singapore report that what was previously believed to be "junk" DNA is one of the important ingredients distinguishing humans from other species. ... > full story

Folic Acid, B Vitamins Do Not Appear To Affect Cancer Risk (November 5, 2008) -- A daily supplementation combination that included folic acid and vitamin B6 and B12 had no significant effect on the overall risk of cancer, including breast cancer, among women at high risk of cardiovascular disease, according to new study. ... > full story

Rising Carbon Dioxide Levels 'Will Hit Coral Reefs Harder' (November 5, 2008) -- Rising carbon dioxide levels in the world's oceans could deliver a disastrous blow to the ability of coral reefs to withstand climate change. A major new investigation by Australian scientists has revealed that acidification of the oceans from human carbon dioxide emissions has the potential to worsen the impact of the bleaching and death of reef-building organisms expected to occur under global warming. ... > full story

Steroid Therapies Following Transplant Can Be Eliminated, Study Suggests (November 5, 2008) -- Using modern immunosuppressive drugs eliminates the need for steroid therapy as early as seven days following a transplant surgery while still maintaining kidney function, according to new research. ... > full story

High-performance Steel For Possible Use In ITER Fusion Project Developed (November 5, 2008) -- Researchers have developed a new cast stainless steel that is 70 percent stronger than comparable steels and is being evaluated for use in the huge shield modules required by the ITER fusion device. ... > full story

'Weapons Of Mass Production', I Mean, 'Mass Destruction!' How The Brain Prevents Verbal Errors (November 5, 2008) -- New research illuminates how the brain prevents verbal errors. Our brain is fairly good at preventing mistakes in speech. Unfortunately it does make the odd mistake. George W. Bush, famous for his verbal errors, made the mistake of referring to weapons of 'mass production' instead of 'mass destruction'. Former UK deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, had the same problem when he spoke of solving industrial disputes through 'meditation' instead of 'mediation'. ... > full story

---