ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• To 'think outside the box,' think outside the box
• Powerful people feel taller than they are
• Metadynamics technique offers insight into mineral growth and dissolution
• New tool enhances view of muscles
• Molecular structure and function of essential plant hormone could profoundly change our understanding of a key cell process
• Researchers quantify muscle soreness
• Scientists produce world's first magnetic soap
• Neuropathy patients more likely to receive high-cost, low-yield screening instead of more effective tests
• Researchers develop gene therapy that could correct a common form of blindness
• Major study of ocean acidification helps scientists evaluate effects of atmospheric carbon dioxide on marine life
• Cognitive activity linked to brain protein related to Alzheimer disease, study suggests
• Study examines research on overuse of health care services
• Positive affirmation appears to improve medication adherence in hypertensive African-Americans
• Use of iodinated contrast media in imaging procedures appears to affect thyroid function
• Lifelong brain-stimulating habits linked to lower Alzheimer's protein levels
• Ancient domesticated dog skull found in Siberian cave: 33,000 years old
• Study shines light on ways to cut costs for greenhouse growers
• Waiting for Death Valley's big bang: Volcanic explosion crater may have future potential
• Gene therapy cures retinitis pigmentosa in dogs
• How cells dispose of their waste: Researchers reveal the structure of the cellular protein degradation machinery
• Magic mushrooms' effects illuminated in brain imaging studies
• Adult stem cells could improve angioplasy outcome; Study to explore usage
• Strongest solar radiation storm since 2005
• Nurturing mothers rear physically healthier adults
• Ultrafast magnetic processes observed 'live' using an X-ray laser
• Graphene 'invisible' to water: How the extreme thinness of graphene enables near-perfect wetting transparency
• Compounds in mate tea induce death in colon cancer cells, in vitro study shows
• Patterns of antibiotic-resistant bacteria found in Galapagos reptiles
• Easier testing for diabetics? Biochip measures glucose in saliva, not blood
• Patterns of chromosome abnormality: The key to cancer?
• Mighty mesh: Extracellular matrix identified as source of spreading in biofilms
• Women report feeling pain more intensely than men, says study of electronic medical records
• Molecular fingerprint discovered that may improve outcomes for head and neck cancer patients
• Sex no more strenuous than golf, expert says
• New discoveries in cell aging
• Bonobos' unusual success story
• Lessons in coral reef survival from deep time
• Saving the snow leopard with stem cells
• Genes and timing of menopause
• How protein networks stabilize muscle fibers: Same mechanism known for DNA now found for muscle proteins
• Poorest smokers face toughest odds for kicking the habit

To 'think outside the box,' think outside the box Posted: 23 Jan 2012 02:58 PM PST Want to think outside the box? Try actually thinking outside of a box. In a new study, researchers had students think up solutions to problems while acting out various metaphors about creative thinking and found that the instructions actually worked.

Powerful people feel taller than they are Posted: 23 Jan 2012 02:57 PM PST After the huge 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the chairman of BP referred to the victims of the spill as the "small people." He explained it as awkward word choice by a non-native speaker of English, but the authors of a new paper published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, wondered if there was something real behind it.

Metadynamics technique offers insight into mineral growth and dissolution Posted: 23 Jan 2012 02:57 PM PST By using a novel technique to better understand mineral growth and dissolution, researchers are improving predictions of mineral reactions and laying the groundwork for applications ranging from keeping oil pipes clear to sequestering radium.

New tool enhances view of muscles Posted: 23 Jan 2012 02:57 PM PST New research is adding to the arsenal of increasingly sophisticated medical imaging tools with a new signal-processing method for viewing muscle activation details never seen before. A novel method using ultrasound imaging, 3-D motion-capture technology and proprietary data-processing software can scan and capture 3-D maps of the muscle structure in just 90 seconds. Previous methods took 15 minutes -- far too long to ask people to hold a muscle contraction.

Molecular structure and function of essential plant hormone could profoundly change our understanding of a key cell process Posted: 23 Jan 2012 02:57 PM PST A recent study investigating the molecular structure and function of an essential plant hormone could profoundly change our understanding of a key cell process, and might ultimately lead to the development of new drugs for a variety of diseases.

Researchers quantify muscle soreness Posted: 23 Jan 2012 02:57 PM PST Quantifying how sore a person is after a long workout is a challenge for doctors and researchers, but scientists think they may have figured it out.

Scientists produce world's first magnetic soap Posted: 23 Jan 2012 02:48 PM PST Scientists have developed a soap, composed of iron rich salts dissolved in water, that responds to a magnetic field when placed in solution. The soap's magnetic properties were shown to result from tiny iron-rich clumps that sit within the watery solution. The generation of this property in a fully functional soap could calm concerns over the use of soaps in oil-spill clean ups and revolutionize industrial cleaning products.

Neuropathy patients more likely to receive high-cost, low-yield screening instead of more effective tests Posted: 23 Jan 2012 02:48 PM PST Researchers found more efficient diagnostic tools are not always used.

Researchers develop gene therapy that could correct a common form of blindness Posted: 23 Jan 2012 01:34 PM PST A new gene therapy has the potential to treat a common form of blindness that strikes both youngsters and adults. The technique works by replacing a malfunctioning gene in the eye with a normal working copy that supplies a protein necessary for light-sensitive cells in the eye to function. Several complex steps remain before the gene therapy technique can be used in humans, but once at that stage, it has great potential to change lives.

Major study of ocean acidification helps scientists evaluate effects of atmospheric carbon dioxide on marine life Posted: 23 Jan 2012 01:33 PM PST Might a penguin's next meal be affected by the exhaust from your tailpipe? The answer may be yes, when you add your exhaust fumes to the total amount of carbon dioxide lofted into the atmosphere by humans since the industrial revolution. One-third of that carbon dioxide is absorbed by the world's oceans, making them more acidic and affecting marine life.

Cognitive activity linked to brain protein related to Alzheimer disease, study suggests Posted: 23 Jan 2012 01:33 PM PST Individuals who keep their brains active throughout life with cognitively stimulating activities such as reading, writing and playing games appear to have reduced levels of the beta-amyloid protein, which is the major part of the amyloid plaque in Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study.

Study examines research on overuse of health care services Posted: 23 Jan 2012 01:33 PM PST The overuse of health care services in the United States appears to be an understudied problem with research literature limited to a few services and rates of overuse varying widely, according to a new article.

Positive affirmation appears to improve medication adherence in hypertensive African-Americans Posted: 23 Jan 2012 01:33 PM PST Positive affirmation along with patient education appears to help African-American patients with high blood pressure more effectively follow their medication regimen, according to a new study.

Use of iodinated contrast media in imaging procedures appears to affect thyroid function Posted: 23 Jan 2012 01:33 PM PST Exposure to iodinated contrast media during imaging procedures is associated with changes in thyroid function, and increased risk of developing hyperthyroidism, according to a new report.

Lifelong brain-stimulating habits linked to lower Alzheimer's protein levels Posted: 23 Jan 2012 01:33 PM PST People who have made mental engagement a lifelong habit have lower levels of a key protein linked to Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study by neuroscientists. The findings could provide support for cognitive therapies to help prevent the onset of a debilitating disease.

Ancient domesticated dog skull found in Siberian cave: 33,000 years old Posted: 23 Jan 2012 12:25 PM PST A 33,000-year-old dog skull unearthed in a Siberian mountain cave presents some of the oldest known evidence of dog domestication and indicates that modern dogs may be descended from multiple ancestors, with advancing glaciers thwarting early domestication efforts.

Study shines light on ways to cut costs for greenhouse growers Posted: 23 Jan 2012 12:25 PM PST Greenhouse bedding plant growers can save themselves time, money or possibly both by giving cuttings in propagation more light, according to a new study.

Waiting for Death Valley's big bang: Volcanic explosion crater may have future potential Posted: 23 Jan 2012 12:25 PM PST In California's Death Valley, death is looking just a bit closer. Geologists have determined that the half-mile-wide Ubehebe Crater, formed by a prehistoric volcanic explosion, was created far more recently than previously thought -- and that conditions for a sequel may exist today.

Gene therapy cures retinitis pigmentosa in dogs Posted: 23 Jan 2012 12:25 PM PST Scientists have shown that they can prevent, or even reverse, a blinding retinal disease, X-linked Retinitis Pigmentosa, or XLRP, in dogs. The disease in humans and dogs is caused by defects in the RPGR gene and results in early, severe and progressive vision loss. It is one of the most common inherited forms of retinal degeneration in man.

How cells dispose of their waste: Researchers reveal the structure of the cellular protein degradation machinery Posted: 23 Jan 2012 12:20 PM PST Defective proteins that are not disposed of by the body can cause diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. Scientists recently succeeded in revealing the structure of the cellular protein degradation machinery (26S proteasome) by combining different methods of structural biology. The results represent an important step forward in the investigation of the 26S proteasome.

Magic mushrooms' effects illuminated in brain imaging studies Posted: 23 Jan 2012 12:20 PM PST Brain scans of people under the influence of the psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, have given scientists the most detailed picture to date of how psychedelic drugs work. The findings of two new studies identify areas of the brain where activity is suppressed by psilocybin and suggest that it helps people to experience memories more vividly.

Adult stem cells could improve angioplasy outcome; Study to explore usage Posted: 23 Jan 2012 10:36 AM PST A researcher is studying what role adult stem cells might play in repairing damaged coronary arteries, following angioplasty/stenting.

Strongest solar radiation storm since 2005 Posted: 23 Jan 2012 10:11 AM PST NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center -- the nation's official source of warnings and alerts about space weather and its impacts on Earth -- has issued a watch for a geomagnetic storm associated with a bright flare on the sun Sunday evening (Jan. 22, 2012). The storm could arrive Tuesday morning, with possible impacts to navigation, the power grid and satellites.

Nurturing mothers rear physically healthier adults Posted: 23 Jan 2012 09:39 AM PST Nurturing mothers have garnered accolades for rescuing skinned knees on the playground and coaxing their children to sleep with lullabies. Now they're gaining merit for their offspring's physical health in middle age. While children raised in families with low socioeconomic status frequently go on to have high rates of chronic illness in adulthood, a sizable minority remain healthy across the life course, new research shows.

Ultrafast magnetic processes observed 'live' using an X-ray laser Posted: 23 Jan 2012 09:33 AM PST In first-of-their-kind experiments, scientists have been able to precisely follow how the magnetic structure of a material changes. The study was carried out on cupric oxide (CuO). The change of structure was initiated by a laser pulse, and then, with the help of short X-ray pulses, near-instantaneous images were obtained at different points in time for individual intermediate steps during the process.

Graphene 'invisible' to water: How the extreme thinness of graphene enables near-perfect wetting transparency Posted: 23 Jan 2012 09:31 AM PST Graphene is the thinnest material known to science. The nanomaterial is so thin, in fact, water often doesn't even know it's there. Engineering researchers coated pieces of gold, copper, and silicon with a single layer of graphene, and then placed a drop of water on the coated surfaces. Surprisingly, the layer of graphene proved to have virtually no impact on the manner in which water spreads on the surfaces.

Compounds in mate tea induce death in colon cancer cells, in vitro study shows Posted: 23 Jan 2012 08:55 AM PST In a recent study, scientists showed that human colon cancer cells die when they are exposed to the approximate number of bioactive compounds present in one cup of mate tea, which has long been consumed in South America for its medicinal properties.

Patterns of antibiotic-resistant bacteria found in Galapagos reptiles Posted: 23 Jan 2012 08:55 AM PST Land and marine iguanas and giant tortoises living close to human settlements or tourist sites in the Galapagos islands were more likely to harbor antibiotic-resistant bacteria than those living in more remote or protected sites on the islands, researchers report. Many of the reptiles harbor E. coli bacteria that are resistant to ampicillin, doxycycline, tetracycline, and trimethoprin/sulfamethoxazole.

Easier testing for diabetics? Biochip measures glucose in saliva, not blood Posted: 23 Jan 2012 08:55 AM PST Engineers have designed a biological device that can measure glucose concentrations in human saliva. The technique could eliminate the need for diabetics to draw blood to check their glucose levels. The biochip uses plasmonic interferometers and could be used to measure a range of biological and environmental substances.

Patterns of chromosome abnormality: The key to cancer? Posted: 23 Jan 2012 08:55 AM PST Researchers have combined techniques from computer science and statistics to discover that many chromosomal pairs are lost or gained together across various cancer types, such as kidney, skeleton, and liver cancers. Tracking these changes, he says, could aid our understanding of the driving forces of cancer's progress.

Mighty mesh: Extracellular matrix identified as source of spreading in biofilms Posted: 23 Jan 2012 08:55 AM PST New research explains how bacterial biofilms expand to form slimy mats on teeth, pipes, surgical instruments, and crops.

Women report feeling pain more intensely than men, says study of electronic medical records Posted: 23 Jan 2012 08:55 AM PST Women report more intense pain than men in virtually every disease category, according to researchers who mined a huge collection of electronic medical records to establish the broad gender difference to a high level of statistical significance.

Molecular fingerprint discovered that may improve outcomes for head and neck cancer patients Posted: 23 Jan 2012 08:42 AM PST Researchers have found a biomarker in head and neck cancers that can predict whether a patient's tumor will be life threatening. The biomarker is considered particularly promising because it can detect the level of risk immediately following diagnosis.

Sex no more strenuous than golf, expert says Posted: 23 Jan 2012 08:42 AM PST For most heart and stroke patients, it's probably safe to have sex. "For a patient who has sex with a familiar partner in a familiar setting, sexual activity generally is safe and no more strenuous than golf," a cardiologist said.

New discoveries in cell aging Posted: 23 Jan 2012 07:18 AM PST Researchers have quantified the effect of protein aggregation on the cell aging processes using as models the Escherichia coli bacteria and the molecule which is thought to trigger Alzheimer's disease. Scientists have demonstrated that the effect can be predicted before it occurs. Protein aggregation is related to several diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. The research provides a reliable system with which to model and quantify the effect of protein aggregation on the viability, division and aging of cells. It also aids in the further understanding of proteins.

Bonobos' unusual success story Posted: 23 Jan 2012 07:18 AM PST Bonobos are among the closest living relatives of humans. Like other great apes they live in groups made up of several males and females. Unlike other ape species however, male bonobos do not, in general, outrank female individuals and do not dominate them in mating contexts. Scientists have now found that in wild bonobos high-ranking males were more aggressive and their mating success was higher when compared to lower-ranking males.

Lessons in coral reef survival from deep time Posted: 23 Jan 2012 06:48 AM PST Lessons from tens of millions of years ago are pointing to new ways to save and protect today's coral reefs and their myriad of beautiful and many-hued fishes at a time of huge change in the Earth's systems. Today's complex relationship between fishes and corals developed relatively recently in geological terms -- and is a major factor in shielding reef species from extinction, say experts.

Saving the snow leopard with stem cells Posted: 23 Jan 2012 06:47 AM PST The survival of the endangered snow leopard is looking promising thanks to scientists who have, for the first time, produced embryonic stem-like cells from the tissue of an adult leopard.

Genes and timing of menopause Posted: 23 Jan 2012 06:47 AM PST Researchers have discovered 13 new regions of the genome associated with the timing of menopause. These genes shed light on the biological pathways involved in reproductive lifespan and will provide insights into conditions connected to menopause, such as breast cancer and heart disease.

How protein networks stabilize muscle fibers: Same mechanism known for DNA now found for muscle proteins Posted: 23 Jan 2012 06:44 AM PST The same mechanism that stabilizes the DNA in the cell nucleus is also important for the structure and function of vertebrate muscle cells. An enzyme attaches a methyl group to the protein Hsp90, which then forms a complex with the muscle protein titin. When the researchers disrupted this protein network through genetic manipulation in zebrafish the muscle structure partly disintegrated. The scientists have thus shown that methylation also plays a significant role outside the nucleus.

Poorest smokers face toughest odds for kicking the habit Posted: 20 Jan 2012 03:46 PM PST Quitting smoking is never easy. However, when you're poor and uneducated, kicking the habit for good is doubly hard, according to a new study.

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ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Group settings can diminish expressions of intelligence, especially among women
• Plant flavonoid luteolin blocks cell signaling pathways in colon cancer cells
• Advantages of living in the dark: Multiple evolution events of 'blind' cavefish
• Sweeping genetic analysis of rare disease yields common mechanism of hypertension
• Cooling semiconductors by laser light
• Vaccines to boost immunity where it counts, not just near shot site
• Genetic mechanism linked to congenital heart disease identified
• New understanding of chronic pain
• Nanmaterial detects and removes arsenic from drinking water
• Anti-infective drug shortages pose threat to public health and patient care
• Using Hollywood technology to unlock the secret of pianist's sounds
• How well does protective headgear works for small children participating in winter activities?
• Tactile imaging sensor can assist doctors with early identification of tumors
• Abnormal chromosome indicates outcome for rare brain tumor
• Accelerated infant growth increases future asthma symptom risk

Group settings can diminish expressions of intelligence, especially among women Posted: 22 Jan 2012 05:12 PM PST Research has found that small-group dynamics -- such as jury deliberations, collective bargaining sessions, and cocktail parties -- can alter the expression of IQ in some susceptible people.

Plant flavonoid luteolin blocks cell signaling pathways in colon cancer cells Posted: 22 Jan 2012 05:12 PM PST Luteolin is a flavonoid commonly found in fruit and vegetables. This compound has been shown in laboratory conditions to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties but results from epidemiological studies have been less certain. New research shows that luteolin is able to inhibit the activity of cell signaling pathways (IGF and PI3K) important for the growth of cancer in colon cancer cells.

Advantages of living in the dark: Multiple evolution events of 'blind' cavefish Posted: 22 Jan 2012 05:12 PM PST Blind Mexican cavefish have not only lost their sight but have adapted to perpetual darkness by also losing their pigment (albinism) and having altered sleep patterns. New research shows that the cavefish are an example of convergent evolution, with several populations repeatedly, and independently, losing their sight and pigmentation.

Sweeping genetic analysis of rare disease yields common mechanism of hypertension Posted: 22 Jan 2012 12:25 PM PST Analyzing all the genes of dozens of people suffering from a rare form of hypertension, researchers have discovered a new mechanism that regulates the blood pressure of all humans.

Cooling semiconductors by laser light Posted: 22 Jan 2012 12:25 PM PST Researchers have combined two fields -- quantum physics and nano physics -- and this has led to the discovery of a new method for laser cooling semiconductor membranes. Semiconductors are vital components in many electronics, and the efficient cooling of components is important for future quantum computers and ultrasensitive sensors. The new cooling method works quite paradoxically by heating the material. Using lasers, researchers cooled membrane fluctuations to minus 269 degrees C.

Vaccines to boost immunity where it counts, not just near shot site Posted: 22 Jan 2012 12:25 PM PST Researchers have created synthetic nanoparticles that target lymph nodes and greatly boost vaccine responses.

Genetic mechanism linked to congenital heart disease identified Posted: 22 Jan 2012 12:25 PM PST Scientists have identified a finely tuned mechanism by which fetal heart muscle develops into a healthy and fully formed beating heart -- offering new insight into the genetic causes of congenital heart disease and opening the door to one day developing therapies to fight this chronic and potentially fatal disorder.

New understanding of chronic pain Posted: 22 Jan 2012 12:24 PM PST Millions of people worldwide suffer from a type of chronic pain called neuropathic pain, which is triggered by nerve damage. Precisely how this pain persists has been a mystery, and current treatments are largely ineffective. But scientists, using a new approach known as metabolomics, have now discovered a major clue: dimethylsphingosine (DMS), a small-molecule byproduct of cellular membranes in the nervous system. In their new study, the scientists found that DMS is produced at abnormally high levels in the spinal cords of rats with neuropathic pain and appears to cause pain when injected. The findings suggest inhibiting this molecule may be a fruitful target for drug development.

Nanmaterial detects and removes arsenic from drinking water Posted: 21 Jan 2012 01:04 PM PST Scientists have developed a nanomaterial which enables simple detection and removal of arsenic from drinking water.

Anti-infective drug shortages pose threat to public health and patient care Posted: 20 Jan 2012 03:29 PM PST Shortages of key drugs used to fight infections represent a public health emergency and can put patients at risk, according to a new review. Frequent anti-infective shortages can substantially alter clinical care and may lead to worse outcomes for patients, particularly as the development of new anti-infectives has slowed and the prevalence of multidrug-resistant pathogens is increasing.

Using Hollywood technology to unlock the secret of pianist's sounds Posted: 20 Jan 2012 03:29 PM PST University of Southampton academics are pioneering a new way of using motion capture technology to examine the way pianists play the piano. By using a unique kinematic measurement technique, known as HAWK (Hand And Wrist Kinematics), researchers will be able to look at individual pianists' playing technique - giving an insight into the posture of their hands on the keys and the movements they use - hopefully showing how this translates into the unique sound they create.

How well does protective headgear works for small children participating in winter activities? Posted: 20 Jan 2012 03:27 PM PST Researchers find surprising results regarding how much protection helmets afford children participating in winter sports activities.

Tactile imaging sensor can assist doctors with early identification of tumors Posted: 20 Jan 2012 03:24 PM PST A handheld tactile imaging sensor could aid doctors in early identification of cancerous lesions or tumors.

Abnormal chromosome indicates outcome for rare brain tumor Posted: 19 Jan 2012 09:35 PM PST A new trial shows that, in adults with an oligodendroglioma brain tumor, a chromosomal abnormality is associated with a near-doubling of median survival time and better prognosis when combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy is compared to radiation therapy alone.

Accelerated infant growth increases future asthma symptom risk Posted: 19 Jan 2012 09:30 PM PST Accelerated growth in the first three months of life, but not fetal growth, is associated with an increased risk of asthma symptoms in young children, according to a new study.

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ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Sleep vs. cuddling: Study looks at what happens after sex
• Facial symmetry may play a role in 'gaydar'
• Many strategies to increase physical activity for kids lack injury prevention measures
• Health benefits of exercise may depend on cellular degradation
• Autism redefined: New diagnostic criteria more restrictive
• Elusive Z- DNA found on nucleosomes
• Dual-earner families: Mum and Dad share the workload, Norwegian study suggests
• Why do smells make some people sick?
• Chemical in personal care products (phthalates) may contribute to child obesity
• Italian shipwreck threatens to create second disaster at sea
• No More Swabbing: Spit Sampling Gets a Whole Lot Easier
• Catching a comet death on camera
• Gene critical to sense of smell in fruit fly identified
• Are religious people better adjusted psychologically?
• Biodiversity crisis is worse than climate change, experts say
• Researchers engineer a switch to tame aggressive cancers
• Novel iron source: Newly identified iron absorption mechanism suggests that legumes could provide key to treating iron deficiency worldwide
• Low temperatures enhance ozone degradation above the Arctic
• Speed limit for birds: Researchers find critical speed above which birds- and drones- are sure to crash
• 'Senior' runners never stop pushing their limits in marathons

Sleep vs. cuddling: Study looks at what happens after sex Posted: 21 Jan 2012 09:01 AM PST According to a recent study by evolutionary psychologists, the tendency to fall asleep first after sex is associated with greater partner desire for bonding and affection.

Facial symmetry may play a role in 'gaydar' Posted: 21 Jan 2012 09:01 AM PST Researchers examined how perceptions of a person's sexual orientation are influenced by facial symmetry and proportions. Self-identified heterosexuals had facial features that were slightly more symmetrical than homosexuals. And the more likely raters perceived someone as heterosexual, the more symmetrical that person's features were.

Many strategies to increase physical activity for kids lack injury prevention measures Posted: 20 Jan 2012 03:45 PM PST A new study documents a need for increased injury prevention efforts in many of the most popular activities for kids (walking, bicycling, swimming, sports and playground use) in the United States.

Health benefits of exercise may depend on cellular degradation Posted: 20 Jan 2012 03:45 PM PST The health benefits of exercise on blood sugar metabolism may come from the body's ability to devour itself.

Autism redefined: New diagnostic criteria more restrictive Posted: 20 Jan 2012 03:45 PM PST Getting an autism diagnosis could be more difficult in 2013 when a revised diagnostic definition goes into effect. The proposed changes may affect the proportion of individuals who qualify for a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, according to preliminary data.

Elusive Z- DNA found on nucleosomes Posted: 20 Jan 2012 03:30 PM PST New research shows that left-handed Z-DNA, normally only found at sites where DNA is being copied, can also form on nucleosomes. The structure of DNA which provides the blueprint for life has famously been described as a double helix. To save space inside the nucleus, DNA is tightly wound around proteins to form nucleosomes which are then further wound and compacted into chromatin, which is further compacted into chromosomes. But this familiar image of a right handed coil (also called B-DNA) is not the only form of DNA. At sites where DNA is being copied into RNA (the messenger which is used as the instruction to make proteins) the DNA needs to unwind, and, in a process of negative supercoiling, can form a left-handed variety of the DNA double helix (Z-DNA).

Dual-earner families: Mum and Dad share the workload, Norwegian study suggests Posted: 20 Jan 2012 03:29 PM PST For the first time research is being carried out on the degree to which dual-earner families in Norway share paid and unpaid work. It is a key aim of Norwegian policy to promote an equal distribution of paid and unpaid work among dual-earner couples with children. The researchers conclude that roughly 40 per cent of the couples have a gender-equal relationship in that the mother and the father share both unpaid and paid work equally.

Why do smells make some people sick? Posted: 20 Jan 2012 03:29 PM PST Do you get a headache from the perfume of the lady next to you at the table? Do cleaning solutions at work make your nose itch? If you have symptoms prompted by everyday smells, it does not necessarily mean you are allergic but rather that you suffer from chemical intolerance. This hypersensitivity can be the result of an inability to get used to smells.

Chemical in personal care products (phthalates) may contribute to child obesity Posted: 20 Jan 2012 03:27 PM PST Researchers have found an association between exposure to the chemical group known as phthalates and obesity in young children – including increased body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference.

Italian shipwreck threatens to create second disaster at sea Posted: 20 Jan 2012 03:27 PM PST An expert on the protection of threatened marine ecosystems has commented on the potential for ecological disaster posed by the 2,300 tons of fuel oil still aboard the capsized cruise ship Costa Concordia.

No More Swabbing: Spit Sampling Gets a Whole Lot Easier Posted: 20 Jan 2012 03:27 PM PST A new tool will improve the ease of oral fluid collection.

Catching a comet death on camera Posted: 19 Jan 2012 10:06 PM PST On July 6, 2011, a comet was caught doing something never seen before: die a scorching death as it flew too close to the sun. That the comet met its fate this way was no surprise -- but the chance to watch it first-hand amazed even the most seasoned comet watchers.

Gene critical to sense of smell in fruit fly identified Posted: 19 Jan 2012 10:04 PM PST Researchers have discovered that a gene called distal-less is critical to the fly's ability to receive, process and respond to smells.

Are religious people better adjusted psychologically? Posted: 19 Jan 2012 10:04 PM PST Psychological research has found that religious people feel great about themselves, with a tendency toward higher social self-esteem and better psychological adjustment than non-believers. But a new study finds that this is only true in countries that put a high value on religion.

Biodiversity crisis is worse than climate change, experts say Posted: 19 Jan 2012 10:03 PM PST Biodiversity is declining rapidly throughout the world. The challenges of conserving the world's species are perhaps even larger than mitigating the negative effects of global climate change, experts say.

Researchers engineer a switch to tame aggressive cancers Posted: 19 Jan 2012 10:03 PM PST A new imaging platform provides insight into the exact moment when cancer cells turn deadly. The new approach can modulate and monitor how the effects of a particular protein can affect the entire tumor in real-time.

Novel iron source: Newly identified iron absorption mechanism suggests that legumes could provide key to treating iron deficiency worldwide Posted: 19 Jan 2012 09:35 PM PST A groundbreaking study reveals the existence of at least two independent mechanisms for iron absorption from non-meat sources -- and a potential treatment for iron deficiency, the most common nutrient deficiency worldwide. The discovery of an alternative mechanism for iron absorption from vegetables and legumes may provide the key to helping solve iron deficiency by providing an alternative, affordable, and readily available source of iron.

Low temperatures enhance ozone degradation above the Arctic Posted: 19 Jan 2012 10:37 AM PST Extraordinarily cold temperatures in the winter of 2010/2011 caused the most massive destruction of the ozone layer above the Arctic so far: The mechanisms leading to the first ozone hole above the North Pole have now been investigated.

Speed limit for birds: Researchers find critical speed above which birds- and drones- are sure to crash Posted: 19 Jan 2012 10:37 AM PST Researchers find critical speed above which birds -- and drones -- are sure to crash.

'Senior' runners never stop pushing their limits in marathons Posted: 19 Jan 2012 07:20 AM PST Researchers have analyzed changes in participation and performance of runners aged 20 to 80 in the New York marathon over the last 30 years. The results are largely unexpected: the best male marathon runners over 65 and the best female marathon runners over 45 have consistently improved their performance over the last 30 years.

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