ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Scientists look to microbes to unlock Earth's deep secrets
• Lake Erie algae and ice make a nice mix in winter
• Fish offspring grow best at same temperature as parents
• Astronomers pinpoint launch of 'bullets' in a black hole's jet
• Before they were stars: New image shows space nursery
• Marijuana smoke not as damaging to lungs as cigarette smoke, study suggests
• Healing the iPhone's wounds
• Gut microbe networks differ from norm in obese people, systems biology approach reveals
• New hope to save hemlock trees from attack
• Cosmetic chemical hinders brain development in tadpoles
• Satellite imagery detects thermal 'uplift' signal of underground nuclear tests
• Pinpointing a black hole's outburst
• Quick-cooking nanomaterials in microwave to make tomorrow's air conditioners
• Who's wealthy? Beyond net worth, asset and debt levels change our perceptions
• The path less traveled: Research is driving solutions to improve unpaved roads
• El Gordo: A 'fat' distant galaxy cluster
• Dramatic links found between climate change, elk, plants, and birds
• Unexpected discovery opens up new opportunities for targeting cancer
• Early-stage breast cancer patients lack knowledge; may not receive treatment they prefer
• Diabetes study shines spotlight on lifestyle interventions
• Renewable fuel: Clearing a potential road block to bisabolane
• Disruption of biological clocks causes neurodegeneration, early death, study suggests
• Reuse of municipal wastewater has potential to augment future drinking water supplies
• An apple a day isn't enough: Many people not eating enough fruits and vegetables
• Scientists paint new picture of dance between protein and binding partners
• Molecular 'culprit' in rise of planetary oxygen
• Novel anti-viral immune pathway discovered in mosquito
• Backing out of the nanotunnel
• 'Tiger mothers' should tame parenting approach, expert says
• Swallow a pill and let your doctor tour your insides
• New hope for better treatment of psoriasis
• Helping chemistry become more environmentally-friendly
• Fusion plasma research helps neurologists to hear above the noise
• Increased risk of developing asthma by age of three after Cesarean
• Farthest developing galaxy cluster ever found
• Metal oxide simulations could help green technology
• Protein changes identified in early-onset Alzheimer's
• Brain activity linked to delusion-like experience
• Predicting which lung cancer drugs are most likely to work
• Cancer cells feed on sugar-free diet
• 3-D modeling software benefits kids with autism
• Comprehensive picture of the fate of oil from Deepwater Horizon spill
• Stem cell therapy reverses diabetes: Stem cells from cord blood used to re-educate diabetic's own T cells
• Bacteria in the gut of autistic children different from non-autistic children
• New strategy in fight against infectious diseases

Scientists look to microbes to unlock Earth's deep secrets Posted: 10 Jan 2012 04:39 PM PST Of all the habitable parts of our planet, one ecosystem still remains largely unexplored and unknown to science: The igneous ocean crust. This rocky realm of hard volcanic lava exists beneath ocean sediments that lie at the bottom of much of the world's oceans. While scientists have estimated that microbes living in deep ocean sediments may represent as much as one-third of Earth's total biomass, the habitable portion of the rocky ocean crust may be 10 times as great.

Lake Erie algae and ice make a nice mix in winter Posted: 10 Jan 2012 04:27 PM PST Scientists have studied Lake Erie over the past five winters during mid-winter, a time when the lake is more than 70 percent covered by ice. They've documented very high concentrations of algae thriving in the water below the ice -- even in the ice itself.

Fish offspring grow best at same temperature as parents Posted: 10 Jan 2012 04:27 PM PST Fish parents can pre-condition their offspring to grow fastest at the temperature they experienced, according to new research.

Astronomers pinpoint launch of 'bullets' in a black hole's jet Posted: 10 Jan 2012 02:34 PM PST Astronomers have identified the moment when a black hole in our galaxy launched super-fast knots of gas into space. Racing outward at about one-quarter the speed of light, these "bullets" of ionized gas are thought to arise from a region located just outside the black hole's event horizon, the point beyond which nothing can escape.

Before they were stars: New image shows space nursery Posted: 10 Jan 2012 01:34 PM PST The stars we see today weren't always as serene as they appear, floating alone in the dark of night. Most stars, likely including our sun, grew up in cosmic turmoil -- as illustrated in a new image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. The image shows one of the most active and turbulent regions of star birth in our galaxy, a region called Cygnus X.

Marijuana smoke not as damaging to lungs as cigarette smoke, study suggests Posted: 10 Jan 2012 01:34 PM PST Using marijuana carries legal risks, but the consequences of occasionally lighting up do not include long-term loss of lung function, according to a new study. In the study in which participants had repeated measurements of lung function over 20 years, occasional and low cumulative marijuana use was not associated with adverse effects on pulmonary function.

Healing the iPhone's wounds Posted: 10 Jan 2012 12:17 PM PST Scientists propose a "repair-and-go" approach to fixing malfunctions caused by small-surface cracks on any digital device or part before it hits store shelves.

Gut microbe networks differ from norm in obese people, systems biology approach reveals Posted: 10 Jan 2012 12:17 PM PST People harbor more than 100 trillion microbes. These microbes live in various habitats on and within the human anatomy; the gut houses the densest population of all, containing hundreds of bacterial species. Scientists detected organizational shifts away from the normal lean state in the gut flora of people who were obese. The differences relate to how the microbial community interacts with the human gut environment, rather than variations in its core energy-use processes.

New hope to save hemlock trees from attack Posted: 10 Jan 2012 12:17 PM PST Thousands of broken trees line the banks of the Chattooga River. The dead gray stabs were once evergreen monsters offering shade to trout and picturesque views to visitors. These Eastern hemlocks are dying rapidly, and researchers are working to save them.

Cosmetic chemical hinders brain development in tadpoles Posted: 10 Jan 2012 12:17 PM PST A new study finds that low concentrations of the chemical methylisothiazolinone has subtle but measurable negative effects on the neural development of tadpoles. The chemical is found in some cosmetics, although the study does not provide any evidence that cosmetics are unsafe for humans.

Satellite imagery detects thermal 'uplift' signal of underground nuclear tests Posted: 10 Jan 2012 12:17 PM PST A new analysis of satellite data from the late 1990s documents for the first time the "uplift" of ground above a site of underground nuclear testing, providing researchers a potential new tool for analyzing the strength of detonation. The findings provide another forensic tool for evaluation, especially for the potential explosive yield estimates.

Pinpointing a black hole's outburst Posted: 10 Jan 2012 12:17 PM PST Simultaneous radio and X-ray observations allow astronomers to calculate exact time when superfast "bullets" of material were ejected from the close vicinity of a black hole.

Quick-cooking nanomaterials in microwave to make tomorrow's air conditioners Posted: 10 Jan 2012 11:04 AM PST Engineering researchers have developed a new method for creating advanced nanomaterials that could lead to highly efficient refrigerators and cooling systems requiring no refrigerants and no moving parts. The key ingredients for this innovation are a dash of nanoscale sulfur and a normal, everyday microwave oven.

Who's wealthy? Beyond net worth, asset and debt levels change our perceptions Posted: 10 Jan 2012 11:04 AM PST Will borrowing money to buy a new car make you feel richer? It depends on your net worth, says a new study. "People's perceptions of wealth vary not only as a function of their net worth, but also of the amount of assets and debt they have," says a psychology graduate student.

The path less traveled: Research is driving solutions to improve unpaved roads Posted: 10 Jan 2012 11:04 AM PST To improve the quality of unpaved roads, a graduate student is working with lignin, a sustainable material found in all plants. Lignin's adhesive properties make it good for binding soil particles together and protecting unpaved roads from erosion.

El Gordo: A 'fat' distant galaxy cluster Posted: 10 Jan 2012 11:04 AM PST An extremely hot, massive young galaxy cluster is the largest ever seen in the distant universe. The newly discovered galaxy cluster has been nicknamed El Gordo -- the "big" or "fat one" in Spanish. It consists of two separate galaxy subclusters colliding at several million kilometres per hour, and is so far away that its light has travelled for seven billion years to reach Earth.

Dramatic links found between climate change, elk, plants, and birds Posted: 10 Jan 2012 11:02 AM PST Climate change in the form of reduced snowfall in mountains is causing powerful and cascading shifts in mountainous plant and bird communities through the increased ability of elk to stay at high elevations over winter and consume plants, according to a groundbreaking study.

Unexpected discovery opens up new opportunities for targeting cancer Posted: 10 Jan 2012 11:02 AM PST Scientists have opened up a whole new approach to the therapeutic intervention for a family of anti-cancer drug targets, thanks to a completely new and unexpected finding.

Early-stage breast cancer patients lack knowledge; may not receive treatment they prefer Posted: 10 Jan 2012 11:02 AM PST Many early-stage breast cancer survivors lacked knowledge about their disease and were not meaningfully involved in treatment discussions or asked their preferences regarding the approach to treatment, according to new research. As a result, the study's investigators determined that there is a need for improvements in the quality of the surgical decision-making process for these patients.

Diabetes study shines spotlight on lifestyle interventions Posted: 10 Jan 2012 11:02 AM PST A new study assesses real-world lifestyle interventions to help delay or prevent the costly chronic disease that affects nearly 26 million Americans.

Renewable fuel: Clearing a potential road block to bisabolane Posted: 10 Jan 2012 11:02 AM PST Researchers have determined the three-dimensional crystal structure of a protein that is key to boosting the microbial-based production of bisabolane as a clean, green and renewable biosynthetic alternative to D2 diesel fuel.

Disruption of biological clocks causes neurodegeneration, early death, study suggests Posted: 10 Jan 2012 11:02 AM PST New research provides evidence for the first time that disruption of circadian rhythms -- the biological "clocks" found in many animals -- can clearly cause accelerated neurodegeneration, loss of motor function and premature death.

Reuse of municipal wastewater has potential to augment future drinking water supplies Posted: 10 Jan 2012 11:02 AM PST With recent advances in technology and design, treating municipal wastewater and reusing it for drinking water, irrigation, industry, and other applications could significantly increase the nation's total available water resources, particularly in coastal areas facing water shortages.

An apple a day isn't enough: Many people not eating enough fruits and vegetables Posted: 10 Jan 2012 11:02 AM PST Adults from 30 to 60 years old, especially those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, aren't consuming the daily recommended levels of fruits and vegetables.

Scientists paint new picture of dance between protein and binding partners Posted: 10 Jan 2012 11:02 AM PST Using a blend of technologies, scientists have painted a new picture of how biochemical information can be transmitted through the modification of a protein. Previously, scientists believed that during the pairing of proteins and their binding partners ("ligands"), proteins modified their shape while ligands remained stable. The new study shows this one-size-fits-all solution is not entirely accurate.

Molecular 'culprit' in rise of planetary oxygen Posted: 10 Jan 2012 11:02 AM PST A turning point in the history of life occurred two to three billion years ago with the unprecedented appearance and dramatic rise of molecular oxygen. Now researchers report they have identified an enzyme that was the first – or among the first – to generate molecular oxygen on Earth.

Novel anti-viral immune pathway discovered in mosquito Posted: 10 Jan 2012 08:45 AM PST Virginia Tech researchers have identified a novel anti-viral pathway in the immune system of culicine mosquitoes, the insect family to which mosquitoes that spread yellow fever, West Nile fever, dengue fever, and chikungunya fever belong.

Backing out of the nanotunnel Posted: 10 Jan 2012 08:45 AM PST Nanopores provide a versatile tool for probing molecular structures. A new study shows that one can obtain more detailed information about the dynamic behavior of nucleic acids during passage through nanopores by directing them to asymmetric pores for the return journey.

'Tiger mothers' should tame parenting approach, expert says Posted: 10 Jan 2012 08:45 AM PST A new study is refuting the "tiger mother" approach to parenting that pushes children to excel at all costs.

Swallow a pill and let your doctor tour your insides Posted: 10 Jan 2012 08:44 AM PST Researchers have successfully tested a controllable endoscopic capsule, inspired by science fiction, that has the ability to "swim" through the body and could provide clinicians with unprecedented control when photographing the inside of the human body.

New hope for better treatment of psoriasis Posted: 10 Jan 2012 08:44 AM PST Researchers are developing a promising new treatment for psoriasis. The study focuses on the psoriasin protein.

Helping chemistry become more environmentally-friendly Posted: 10 Jan 2012 08:44 AM PST Chemists often have to resort to destructive methods to analyze samples. For instance, they need to extract samples and apply substances like nitric acid to measure the concentration of metals in sediments. Now researchers are laying foundations so that "greener" techniques can be used in the future.

Fusion plasma research helps neurologists to hear above the noise Posted: 10 Jan 2012 08:44 AM PST Fusion plasma researchers and neuroscientists are significantly improving our understanding of the data obtained from noninvasive study of the fast dynamics of networks in the human brain.

Increased risk of developing asthma by age of three after Cesarean Posted: 10 Jan 2012 08:44 AM PST A new study supports previous findings that children delivered by Cesarean section have an increased risk of developing asthma.

Farthest developing galaxy cluster ever found Posted: 10 Jan 2012 08:43 AM PST NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has uncovered a cluster of galaxies in the initial stages of construction — the most distant such grouping ever observed in the early universe. In a random sky survey made in near-infrared light, Hubble spied five tiny galaxies clustered together 13.1 billion light-years away. They are among the brightest galaxies at that epoch and very young, existing just 600 million years after the universe's birth in the big bang.

Metal oxide simulations could help green technology Posted: 10 Jan 2012 07:21 AM PST Researchers have proposed a radical new way of thinking about the chemical reactions between water and metal oxides, the most common minerals on Earth. The new paradigm could lead to a better understanding of corrosion and how toxic minerals leach from rocks and soil. It could also help in the development of "green" technology: new types of batteries, or catalysts for splitting water to produce hydrogen fuel.

Protein changes identified in early-onset Alzheimer's Posted: 10 Jan 2012 07:21 AM PST Researchers have identified chemical changes taking place in the brains of persons destined to develop Alzheimer's disease at least 10 years before symptoms or diagnosis occur. This knowledge will provide potential new targets for drug interventions, and possibly tailor treatments to individuals, depending on the "type" of Alzheimer's they have.

Brain activity linked to delusion-like experience Posted: 10 Jan 2012 07:20 AM PST People with schizophrenia showed greater brain activity during tests that induce a brief, mild form of delusional thinking. This effect wasn't seen in a comparison group without schizophrenia.

Predicting which lung cancer drugs are most likely to work Posted: 10 Jan 2012 07:18 AM PST Researchers have shown that DNA changes in a gene that drives the growth of a form of lung cancer can make the cancer's cells resistant to cancer drugs. The findings show that some classes of drugs won't work, and certain types of so-called kinase inhibitors like erlotinib—may be the most effective at treating non-small cell lung cancers with those DNA changes. Some kinase inhibitors block a protein known as EGFR from directing cells to multiply.

Cancer cells feed on sugar-free diet Posted: 10 Jan 2012 07:18 AM PST Cancer cells have been long known to have a "sweet tooth," using vast amounts of glucose for energy and for building blocks for cell replication. Now, a study shows that lymph gland cancer cells called B cells can use glutamine in the absence of glucose for cell replication and survival, particularly under low-oxygen conditions, which are common in tumors.

3-D modeling software benefits kids with autism Posted: 10 Jan 2012 06:37 AM PST A new study describes how workshops to teach Google's 3D modeling software to kids with autism have benefited the intergenerational relationships within the participants' families.

Comprehensive picture of the fate of oil from Deepwater Horizon spill Posted: 10 Jan 2012 06:36 AM PST A new study provides the composite picture of the environmental distribution of oil and gas from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico. It amasses a vast collection of available atmospheric, surface and subsurface chemical data to assemble a "mass balance" of how much oil and gas was released, where it went and the chemical makeup of the compounds that remained in the air, on the surface, and in the deep water.

Stem cell therapy reverses diabetes: Stem cells from cord blood used to re-educate diabetic's own T cells Posted: 09 Jan 2012 06:18 PM PST Type 1 diabetes is caused by the body's own immune system attacking its pancreatic islet beta cells and requires daily injections of insulin to regulate the patient's blood glucose levels. A new method uses stem cells from cord blood to re-educate a diabetic's own T cells and consequently restart pancreatic function reducing the need for insulin.

Bacteria in the gut of autistic children different from non-autistic children Posted: 09 Jan 2012 06:18 PM PST The underlying reason autism is often associated with gastrointestinal problems is an unknown, but new results reveal that the guts of autistic children differ from other children in at least one important way: many children with autism harbor a type of bacteria in their guts that non-autistic children do not.

New strategy in fight against infectious diseases Posted: 09 Jan 2012 12:57 PM PST New research shows that infectious disease-fighting drugs could be designed to block a pathogen's entry into cells rather than to kill the bug itself. Historically, medications for infectious diseases have been designed to kill the offending pathogen. This new strategy is important, researchers say, because many parasites and bacteria can eventually mutate their way around drugs that target them, resulting in drug resistance.

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