ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Scientists develop tools to make more complex biological machines from yeast
• Novel therapy discovered for Crohn's disease
• Warm weather puts trees on fast forward
• Facebook's dark side
• Identifying specific cancers using molecular analysis
• Biplane to break the sound barrier: Cheaper, quieter and fuel-efficient biplanes could put supersonic travel on the horizon
• One solution to global overfishing found
• Discovery provides blueprint for new drugs that can inhibit hepatitis C virus
• Circadian rhythms have profound influence on metabolic output
• New antibiotic could make food safer and cows healthier
• Clinical trial examines antioxidant effects for Alzheimer's disease on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers
• Beer and bling in Iron Age Europe
• Experients may force revision of astrophysical models of the universe
• Geologic map of Jupiter's moon Io details an otherworldly volcanic surface
• Cosmic rays alter chemistry of lunar ice, may create building blocks of life
• Polycrystalline diamond drill bits open up options for geothermal energy
• Focus on technology overlooks human behavior when addressing climate change
• Diagnosis of ADHD on the rise
• Genetic variation in human gut viruses could be raw material for inner evolution
• How bacteria resist a 'Trojan horse' antibiotic
• Smoking may restore tapped-out self-control resources
• Global sea level likely to rise as much as 70 feet for future generations
• Targeted X-ray treatment of mice prevents glaucoma
• Scientists break through pancreas cancer treatment barrier
• A new tool to reveal structure of proteins
• How monarch butterflies recolonize northern breeding range
• Genetic research develops tools for studying diseases, improving regenerative treatment
• Reintroducing the American chestnut tree
• Tracking Lake Erie water snake in fight against invasive fish
• Young children learn about prejudice by instruction, older children by experience
• To combat identity theft, protect computer, experts say
• Including ads in mobile apps poses privacy, security risks
• Some orbits more popular than others in solar systems
• Researchers building melanoma vaccine to combat skin cancer
• Styling practices can lead to serious hair and scalp diseases for African Americans
• Marine Protected Areas are keeping turtles safe
• Tracking proteins behaving badly provides insights for treatments of brain diseases
• First complete full genetic map of promising energy crop
• Solving the mystery of blood clotting
• Japanese traditional therapy, honokiol, blocks key protein in inflammatory brain damage, study suggests
• The Viking journey of mice and men
• Nerve cells grow on nanocellulose
• Antibiotic treatment increases the severity of asthma in young mice
• Lifestyle study highlights key differences in relapsing and progressive onset multiple sclerosis
• No fear of the 'big bad wolf:' Feeding habits of German wolves investigated
• Type 1 diabetes: Artificial pancreas approved for US outpatient testing
• Nuclear clock will be accurate over billions of years
• Smell is a symphony: New model for how the brain is organized to process odor information
• Researchers boost potency, reduce side effects of IL-2 protein used to treat cancer
• Looking at quantum gravity in a mirror
• Hazy shades of life on early Earth
• How a single gene mutation leads to uncontrolled obesity

Scientists develop tools to make more complex biological machines from yeast Posted: 19 Mar 2012 04:43 PM PDT Scientists are one step closer to making more complex microscopic biological machines, following improvements in the way that they can "re-wire" DNA in yeast, according to new research.

Novel therapy discovered for Crohn's disease Posted: 19 Mar 2012 04:42 PM PDT Medical researchers have discovered important new information on the efficacy of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in treating Crohn's disease, a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). CLA is a naturally occurring acid found in meat and dairy products known for its anti-cancer and immune modulatory properties.

Warm weather puts trees on fast forward Posted: 19 Mar 2012 04:40 PM PDT Flowers are popping open and pollen is flying, driven by higher-than-normal temperatures across the eastern United States.

Facebook's dark side Posted: 19 Mar 2012 04:40 PM PDT For the average narcissist, Facebook "offers a gateway for hundreds of shallow relationships and emotionally detached communication," one expert says. More importantly, for this study, social networking in general allows the user a great deal of control over how he or she is presented to and perceived by peers and other users, he added.

Identifying specific cancers using molecular analysis Posted: 19 Mar 2012 04:40 PM PDT Researchers have discovered a method to identify cancer-causing rearrangements of genetic material called chromosomal translocations quickly, accurately, and inexpensively.

Biplane to break the sound barrier: Cheaper, quieter and fuel-efficient biplanes could put supersonic travel on the horizon Posted: 19 Mar 2012 01:38 PM PDT A researcher has come up with a concept that may solve many of the problems that grounded the Concorde. An assistant professor of aeronautics and astronautics, says the solution, in principle, is simple: Instead of flying with one wing to a side, why not two?

One solution to global overfishing found Posted: 19 Mar 2012 01:38 PM PDT A new study indicates that "co-management" -- a collaborative arrangement between local communities, conservation groups, and governments -- provides one solution to a vexing global problem: overfishing.

Discovery provides blueprint for new drugs that can inhibit hepatitis C virus Posted: 19 Mar 2012 01:38 PM PDT Chemists have produced the first high resolution structure of a molecule that when attached to the genetic material of the hepatitis C virus prevents it from reproducing.

Circadian rhythms have profound influence on metabolic output Posted: 19 Mar 2012 01:38 PM PDT By analyzing the hundreds of metabolic products present in the liver, researchers have discovered that circadian rhythms -- our own body clock -- greatly control the production of such key building blocks as amino acids, carbohydrates and lipids.

New antibiotic could make food safer and cows healthier Posted: 19 Mar 2012 01:38 PM PDT Food-borne diseases might soon have another warrior to contend with, thanks to a new molecule discovered by chemists. The new antibiotic, an analog of the widely used food preservative nisin, also has potential to be a boon to the dairy industry as a treatment for bovine mastitis.

Clinical trial examines antioxidant effects for Alzheimer's disease on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers Posted: 19 Mar 2012 01:37 PM PDT An antioxidant combination of vitamin E, vitamin C and alpha-lipoic acid was not associated with changes in some cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers related to Alzheimer's disease in a randomized controlled trial, according to a new study.

Beer and bling in Iron Age Europe Posted: 19 Mar 2012 01:37 PM PDT Celtic burial mounds in southwest Germany, offer a glimpse of how Iron Age people lived in a time before written records were kept. Using both old-school archaeology and new technology, the researchers were able to reconstruct elements of dress and ornamentation and also social behavior of those aspiring status.

Experients may force revision of astrophysical models of the universe Posted: 19 Mar 2012 12:11 PM PDT In a challenge to current astrophysical models of the universe, researchers have found that current estimates of the interiors of so-called ice giant planets within and without the solar system overstate water's compressibility by as much as 30 percent, forcing revisions in estimates of other elements.

Geologic map of Jupiter's moon Io details an otherworldly volcanic surface Posted: 19 Mar 2012 12:11 PM PDT More than 400 years after Galileo's discovery of Io, the innermost of Jupiter's largest moons, a team of scientists has produced the first complete global geologic map of the Jovian satellite.

Cosmic rays alter chemistry of lunar ice, may create building blocks of life Posted: 19 Mar 2012 10:52 AM PDT Space scientists report they have quantified levels of radiation on the moon's surface from galactic cosmic ray (GCR) bombardment that over time causes chemical changes in water ice and can create complex carbon chains similar to those that help form the foundations of biological structures. In addition, the radiation process causes the lunar soil, or regolith, to darken over time, which is important in understanding the geologic history of the moon.

Polycrystalline diamond drill bits open up options for geothermal energy Posted: 19 Mar 2012 10:52 AM PDT Nearly two-thirds of the oil we use comes from wells drilled using polycrystalline diamond compact bits, originally developed nearly 30 years ago to lower the cost of geothermal drilling. Scientists recently brought the technology full circle, showing how geothermal drillers might use the original PDC technology, incorporating decades of subsequent improvements by the oil and gas industry.

Focus on technology overlooks human behavior when addressing climate change Posted: 19 Mar 2012 10:52 AM PDT Technology alone won't help the world turn away from fossil fuel-based energy sources, says a sociologist. A shift in political and economic policies to is needed to embrace the concept that continued growth in energy consumption is not sustainable, experts say.

Diagnosis of ADHD on the rise Posted: 19 Mar 2012 10:42 AM PDT The number of American children leaving doctors' offices with an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnosis has risen 66 percent in 10 years, according to a new study.

Genetic variation in human gut viruses could be raw material for inner evolution Posted: 19 Mar 2012 10:42 AM PDT A growing body of evidence underscores the importance of human gut bacteria in modulating human health, metabolism, and disease. Yet bacteria are only part of the story. Viruses that infect those bacteria also shape who we are. A new study sequenced the DNA of viruses -- the virome -- present in the gut of healthy people.

How bacteria resist a 'Trojan horse' antibiotic Posted: 19 Mar 2012 10:42 AM PDT A new study describes how bacteria use a previously unknown means to defeat an antibiotic. The researchers found that the bacteria have modified a common "housekeeping" enzyme in a way that enables the enzyme to recognize and disarm the antibiotic.

Smoking may restore tapped-out self-control resources Posted: 19 Mar 2012 10:42 AM PDT When researchers deplete a smoker's self control, smoking a cigarette may restore self-control, new research suggests.

Global sea level likely to rise as much as 70 feet for future generations Posted: 19 Mar 2012 10:42 AM PDT Even if humankind manages to limit global warming to 2 degrees C (3.6 degrees F), as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recommends, future generations will have to deal with sea levels 12 to 22 meters (40 to 70 feet) higher than at present, according to new research.

Targeted X-ray treatment of mice prevents glaucoma Posted: 19 Mar 2012 10:41 AM PDT Researchers have demonstrated that a single, targeted x-ray treatment of an individual eye in young, glaucoma-prone mice provided that eye with apparently life-long and typically complete protection from glaucoma. They used sophisticated genomics methods to uncover some of the very first pathways to change during glaucoma in these mice. The first pathway they detected to change suggests a critical mechanism that could be responsible for the earliest damage that glaucoma inflicts on the optic nerve.

Scientists break through pancreas cancer treatment barrier Posted: 19 Mar 2012 10:39 AM PDT Pancreas cancer tumors spread quickly and are notoriously resistant to treatment, making them among the deadliest of malignancies. Their resistance to chemotherapy stems in part from a unique biological barrier the tumor builds around itself. Now scientists have found a way to break through that defense, and their research represents a potential breakthrough in the treatment of pancreas cancer.

A new tool to reveal structure of proteins Posted: 19 Mar 2012 08:18 AM PDT A new method to reveal the structure of proteins could help researchers understand biological molecules -- both those involved in causing disease and those performing critical functions in healthy cells. For roughly a decade, a technique called solid state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has allowed researchers to detect the arrangements of atoms in proteins that defy study by traditional laboratory tools such as X-ray crystallography.

How monarch butterflies recolonize northern breeding range Posted: 19 Mar 2012 08:18 AM PDT New research reveals how monarchs recolonize the northern reaches of their breeding grounds -- information that will help preserve this migratory species threatened by loss of critical food and habitat.

Genetic research develops tools for studying diseases, improving regenerative treatment Posted: 19 Mar 2012 08:18 AM PDT Researchers may make it easier to recover after spinal cord injury or to study neurological disorders. His research can greatly improve animal and human health by developing technology to advance cellular therapy and regenerative medicine.

Reintroducing the American chestnut tree Posted: 19 Mar 2012 08:18 AM PDT Reintroduction of the American chestnut tree after billions died due to blight could be accomplished more effectively thanks to a software tool.

Tracking Lake Erie water snake in fight against invasive fish Posted: 19 Mar 2012 08:18 AM PDT Researchers have used a surgically implanted device to record the habits of snakes in their natural environment for the first time. This particular study holds promise in "keeping score" as Ohio's Lake Erie water snake defends its native habitat against an invasive fish species.

Young children learn about prejudice by instruction, older children by experience Posted: 19 Mar 2012 08:18 AM PDT For a six-year-old, one of the most powerful educational tools may be direct instruction, according to new research on how children learn about prejudice. Scientists found that as children get closer to age 10, they begin to rely more on their own experiences rather than what people tell them -- but for youngsters, instruction trumps experience.

To combat identity theft, protect computer, experts say Posted: 19 Mar 2012 08:17 AM PDT Having a triple-threat combination of protective software on your computer greatly reduces your chances of identity theft, according to a new study.

Including ads in mobile apps poses privacy, security risks Posted: 19 Mar 2012 08:17 AM PDT Researchers have found that including ads in mobile applications poses privacy and security risks. In a recent study of 100,000 apps in the official Google Play market, researchers noticed that more than half contained so-called ad libraries. And 297 of the apps included aggressive ad libraries that were enabled to download and run code from remote servers -- which raises significant privacy and security concerns.

Some orbits more popular than others in solar systems Posted: 19 Mar 2012 08:16 AM PDT Computer simulations have revealed a plausible explanation for a phenomenon that has puzzled astronomers: Rather than occupying orbits at regular distances from a star, giant gas planets similar to Jupiter and Saturn appear to prefer to occupy certain regions in mature solar systems while staying clear of others.

Researchers building melanoma vaccine to combat skin cancer Posted: 19 Mar 2012 08:15 AM PDT Researchers have trained mouse immune systems to eradicate skin cancer from within, using a genetic combination of human DNA from melanoma cells and a cousin of the rabies virus.

Styling practices can lead to serious hair and scalp diseases for African Americans Posted: 19 Mar 2012 08:15 AM PDT Styling practices can lead to serious hair and scalp diseases for some African Americans, say researchers.

Marine Protected Areas are keeping turtles safe Posted: 19 Mar 2012 06:50 AM PDT Marine Protected Areas are providing sea turtles with an ideal habitat for foraging and may be keeping them safe from the threats of fishing. A new study shows that 35 percent of the world's green turtles are found within MPAs. This is much higher that would be expected as only a small proportion of shallow oceans are designated as MPAs.

Tracking proteins behaving badly provides insights for treatments of brain diseases Posted: 19 Mar 2012 06:50 AM PDT Scientists have developed a novel technique that tracks diseased proteins behaving badly by forming clusters in brain diseases such as Huntington's and Alzheimer's.

First complete full genetic map of promising energy crop Posted: 19 Mar 2012 06:50 AM PDT The first high-resolution, comprehensive genetic map of a promising energy crop called miscanthus has been completed.

Solving the mystery of blood clotting Posted: 19 Mar 2012 06:50 AM PDT New research helps to better understand the blood clotting process. Researchers were able to determine the molecular 3-D structure of a protein in blood platelets and a receptor that sticks through the membrane of the cell to the outside.

Japanese traditional therapy, honokiol, blocks key protein in inflammatory brain damage, study suggests Posted: 19 Mar 2012 06:48 AM PDT Microglia are the first line defense of the brain and are constantly looking for infections to fight off. Overactive microglia can cause uncontrolled inflammation within the brain, which can in turn lead to neuronal damage. New research shows that, honokiol (HNK) is able to down-regulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory enzymes in activated microglia via Klf4, a protein known to regulate DNA.

The Viking journey of mice and men Posted: 19 Mar 2012 06:48 AM PDT House mice happily live wherever there are humans. When populations of humans migrate the mice often travel with them. New research has used evolutionary techniques on modern day and ancestral mouse mitochondrial DNA to show that the timeline of mouse colonization matches that of Viking invasion. During the Viking age (late 8th to mid 10th century) Vikings from Norway established colonies across Scotland, the Scottish islands, Ireland, and Isle of Man. They also explored the north Atlantic, settling in the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Newfoundland and Greenland. While they intentionally took with them domestic animals such as horses, sheep, goats and chickens they also inadvertently carried pest species, including mice.

Nerve cells grow on nanocellulose Posted: 19 Mar 2012 06:47 AM PDT Researchers have shown that nanocellulose stimulates the formation of neural networks. This is the first step toward creating a three-dimensional model of the brain. Such a model could elevate brain research to totally new levels, with regard to Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, for example.

Antibiotic treatment increases the severity of asthma in young mice Posted: 19 Mar 2012 06:45 AM PDT Treatment with the antibiotic vancomycin increases the severity of allergic asthma in young mice, researchers in Canada have revealed. The results are consistent with the "hygiene hypothesis" that links the loss of beneficial bacteria in the community of microorganisms in the gut, collectively known as the microbiota, to the onset of asthma.

Lifestyle study highlights key differences in relapsing and progressive onset multiple sclerosis Posted: 19 Mar 2012 06:45 AM PDT Patients with relapsing onset Multiple Sclerosis (MS) who consumed alcohol, wine, coffee and fish on a regular basis took four to seven years longer to reach the point where they needed a walking aid than people who never consumed them. However the study did not observe the same patterns in patients with progressive onset MS.

No fear of the 'big bad wolf:' Feeding habits of German wolves investigated Posted: 19 Mar 2012 06:45 AM PDT Scientists have been investigating the feeding habits of wolves in the first eight years since their appearance in Germany. The results are reassuring: The proportion of livestock on the menu lies at less than one percent.

Type 1 diabetes: Artificial pancreas approved for US outpatient testing Posted: 19 Mar 2012 06:44 AM PDT A newly-developed artificial pancreas that could potentially automate care for millions of Type 1 diabetes patients has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for a key testing phase. The FDA recently approved the first U.S. outpatient clinical trials for the device.

Nuclear clock will be accurate over billions of years Posted: 19 Mar 2012 06:44 AM PDT A clock accurate to within a tenth of a second over 14 billion years – the age of the universe – is the goal of new research. The research provides the blueprint for a nuclear clock based on a single thorium ion.

Smell is a symphony: New model for how the brain is organized to process odor information Posted: 19 Mar 2012 06:43 AM PDT Just like a road atlas faithfully maps real-word locations, our brain maps many aspects of our physical world: Sensory inputs from our fingers are mapped next to each other in the somatosensory cortex; the auditory system is organized by sound frequency. The olfactory system was believed to map similarly, where groups of chemically related odorants - amines, ketones, or esters, for example - register with clusters of cells that are laid out next to each other.

Researchers boost potency, reduce side effects of IL-2 protein used to treat cancer Posted: 18 Mar 2012 11:40 AM PDT The utility of a naturally occurring protein given, sometimes to great effect, as a drug to treat advanced cancers is limited by the severe side effects it sometimes causes. But scientists have now generated a mutant version of the protein whose modified shape renders it substantially more potent than the natural protein while reducing its toxicity.

Looking at quantum gravity in a mirror Posted: 18 Mar 2012 11:40 AM PDT Einstein's theory of gravity and quantum physics are expected to merge at the Planck-scale of extremely high energies and on very short distances. Now scientists have proposed a new quantum experiment using Planck-mass mirrors.

Hazy shades of life on early Earth Posted: 18 Mar 2012 11:39 AM PDT When microbes ruled the world -- new research provides evidence of the key role played by microorganisms in the creation of our atmosphere and the development of complex life on Earth.

How a single gene mutation leads to uncontrolled obesity Posted: 18 Mar 2012 11:39 AM PDT Researchers have revealed how a mutation in a single gene is responsible for the inability of neurons to effectively pass along appetite suppressing signals from the body to the right place in the brain. What results is obesity caused by a voracious appetite.

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