ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Iconic New Zealand reptile shows chewing is not just for mammals
• 21st century bloodletting reduces cardiovascular risk
• Antioxidant shows promise as treatment for certain features of autism
• Mathematicians can conjure matter waves inside an invisible hat
• Copper-nickel nanowires could be perfect fit for printable electronics
• Chemical fingerprinting tracks the travels of little brown bats
• Facts in scientific drug literature may not be
• Gap exists between seniors' opinion of driving ability and performance
• Myth of the disconnected telecommuter debunked
• Discovery of historical photos sheds light on Greenland ice loss
• Ghostly gamma-ray beams blast from Milky Way's center
• Diabetes drug could be a promising therapy for traumatic brain injury
• Older adults may need more vitamin D to prevent mobility difficulties, study suggests
• What your Facebook picture says about your background
• Greenland's loss of ice mass during the last 10 years is unusually high compared to last 50 years
• Three percent of US executions since 1900 were botched, study finds
• Children exposed to the common pollutant naphthalene show signs of chromosomal damage
• Why swine flu virus is developing drug resistance
• Neuron function restored in brains damaged by Huntington's disease
• Ion-based electronic chip to control muscles: Entirely new circuit technology based on ions and molecules
• World's largest release of comprehensive human cancer genome data helps researchers everywhere speed discoveries
• The science of re-runs: Why we watch our favorite episode of a TV show, or listen to a favorite song, over and over again
• Bananas are as beneficial as sports drinks, study suggests
• Land and sea species differ in climate change response
• Marine reserves provide baby bonus to fisheries
• PCB exposure linked to increased abdominal fat
• Too much vitamin D can be as unhealthy as too little, study suggests
• 16th-century Korean mummy provides clue to hepatitis B virus genetic code
• Mediterranean diet is definitively linked to quality of life
• Evil eyebrows and pointy chin of a cartoon villain make our ‘threat’ instinct kick in
• Blowing in the wind: How hidden flower features are crucial for bees
• Commonly used painkillers may protect against skin cancer
• Beetle flight: Flapping protective wings increase lift
• Inequality dates back to Stone Age: Earliest evidence yet of differential access to land
• Earlier detection of bone loss may be in future: Isotope analysis rather than x-ray used for measurement
• Climate change led to collapse of ancient Indus civilization, study finds
• 'Unzipped' carbon nanotubes could help energize fuel cells and batteries
• T cells 'hunt' parasites like animal predators seek prey, a new study reveals
• Public apathy over climate change unrelated to science literacy

Iconic New Zealand reptile shows chewing is not just for mammals Posted: 29 May 2012 06:17 PM PDT The tuatara, an iconic New Zealand reptile, chews its food in a way unlike any other animal on the planet -- challenging the widespread perception that complex chewing ability is closely linked to high metabolism.

21st century bloodletting reduces cardiovascular risk Posted: 29 May 2012 06:16 PM PDT It seems that  while the practice of bloodletting throughout history had little or no effect on most diseases, and the practice was abandoned in the 19th century, new research demonstrates that blood donation has real benefits for obese people with metabolic syndrome. Two sessions of bloodletting were enough to improve blood pressure and markers of cardiovascular disease.

Antioxidant shows promise as treatment for certain features of autism Posted: 29 May 2012 03:27 PM PDT A specific antioxidant supplement may be an effective therapy for some features of autism, according to a pilot trial that involved 31 children with the disorder.

Mathematicians can conjure matter waves inside an invisible hat Posted: 29 May 2012 03:27 PM PDT Mathematicians have devised an amplifier that can boost light, sound or other waves while hiding them inside an invisible container.

Copper-nickel nanowires could be perfect fit for printable electronics Posted: 29 May 2012 03:27 PM PDT Chemists have mixed some nickel into their recipe for low-cost copper nanowires to prevent them from turning green like old pennies. The flexible, electrically conductive nanowires conduct electricity even under conditions that break down the transfer of electrons in plain silver and copper nanowires. Films made with copper-nickel nanowires are stable and inexpensive, good candidates for printed electronics, electronic paper, smart packaging and interactive clothing, said a chemist.

Chemical fingerprinting tracks the travels of little brown bats Posted: 29 May 2012 03:12 PM PDT A novel technique using stable hydrogen isotopes —- a chemical fingerprint found in tissues such as hair —- has enabled researchers to determine where hibernating bats originated. Knowing that could help predict and ultimately manage the spread of white-nose syndrome.

Facts in scientific drug literature may not be Posted: 29 May 2012 03:11 PM PDT A growing concern with fraud and misconduct in published drug studies has led researchers to investigate the extent and reasons for retractions in the research.

Gap exists between seniors' opinion of driving ability and performance Posted: 29 May 2012 11:43 AM PDT The majority of older adults rate themselves as excellent drivers though one in four had a wreck in previous five years.

Myth of the disconnected telecommuter debunked Posted: 29 May 2012 11:43 AM PDT The assumption that employees who regularly telecommute will feel less attached to the organization they work for due to feeling isolated and disconnected is a myth, according to a new study.

Discovery of historical photos sheds light on Greenland ice loss Posted: 29 May 2012 11:43 AM PDT A chance discovery of 80-year-old photo plates in a Danish basement is providing new insight into how Greenland glaciers are melting today.

Ghostly gamma-ray beams blast from Milky Way's center Posted: 29 May 2012 10:37 AM PDT As galaxies go, our Milky Way is pretty quiet. Active galaxies have cores that glow brightly, powered by supermassive black holes swallowing material, and often spit twin jets in opposite directions. In contrast, the Milky Way's center shows little activity. But it wasn't always so peaceful. New evidence of ghostly gamma-ray beams suggests that the Milky Way's central black hole was much more active in the past.

Diabetes drug could be a promising therapy for traumatic brain injury Posted: 29 May 2012 10:37 AM PDT A researcher says that a common FDA-approved diabetes drug significantly minimizes brain damage when administered shortly after a traumatic injury suffered in an explosion or car accident.

Older adults may need more vitamin D to prevent mobility difficulties, study suggests Posted: 29 May 2012 10:37 AM PDT Older adults who don't get enough vitamin D -- either from diet, supplements or sun exposure -- may be at increased risk of developing mobility limitations and disability, according to new research.

What your Facebook picture says about your background Posted: 29 May 2012 10:36 AM PDT For millions of its Western users, the picture they choose to illustrate themselves on Facebook is an important decision to make. They know it can be the first impression that anyone in the world receives of them, so they're often deeply conscious of what features are displayed and what flaws are hidden by their chosen image. But despite their careful deliberation the decision may not be a personal or independent one at all – the choice may be more conditioned by cultural factors than anyone assumes.

Greenland's loss of ice mass during the last 10 years is unusually high compared to last 50 years Posted: 29 May 2012 10:36 AM PDT Loss through melting and iceberg calving during the last 10 years is unusually high compared to the last 50 years. The Greenland ice sheet continues to lose mass and thus contributes at about 0.7 millimeters per year to the currently observed sea level change of about 3 mm per year. This trend increases each year by a further 0.07 millimeters per year. The pattern and temporal nature of loss is complex. The mass loss is largest in southwest and northwest Greenland; the respective contributions of melting, iceberg calving and fluctuations in snow accumulation differing considerably.

Three percent of US executions since 1900 were botched, study finds Posted: 29 May 2012 10:34 AM PDT Of approximately 9,000 executions that took place from 1900 to 2011, 270 of them involved some problem, according to a new study. Researchers created a database of all the "departures from the protocol of killing someone sentenced to death" in the past 111 years.

Children exposed to the common pollutant naphthalene show signs of chromosomal damage Posted: 29 May 2012 08:36 AM PDT Children exposed to high levels of the common air pollutant naphthalene are at increased risk for chromosomal aberrations (CAs), which have been previously associated with cancer. These include chromosomal translocations, a potentially more harmful and long-lasting subtype of CAs.

Why swine flu virus is developing drug resistance Posted: 29 May 2012 08:36 AM PDT Computer chips of a type more commonly found in game consoles have been used by scientists to reveal how the flu virus resists anti-flu drugs such as Relenza and Tamiflu.

Neuron function restored in brains damaged by Huntington's disease Posted: 29 May 2012 08:36 AM PDT Researchers have restored neuron function to parts of the brain damaged by Huntington's disease (HD) by successfully transplanting HD-induced pluripotent stem cells into animal models.

Ion-based electronic chip to control muscles: Entirely new circuit technology based on ions and molecules Posted: 29 May 2012 08:35 AM PDT An integrated chemical chip has just been developed. An advantage of chemical circuits is that the charge carrier consists of chemical substances with various functions. This means that we now have new opportunities to control and regulate the signal paths of cells in the human body. The chemical chip can control the delivery of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This enables chemical control of muscles, which are activated when they come into contact with acetylcholine.

World's largest release of comprehensive human cancer genome data helps researchers everywhere speed discoveries Posted: 29 May 2012 08:33 AM PDT The world's largest release of comprehensive human cancer genome data helps researchers everywhere speed discoveries.

The science of re-runs: Why we watch our favorite episode of a TV show, or listen to a favorite song, over and over again Posted: 29 May 2012 08:33 AM PDT It's one of the biggest moneymakers for Hollywood and its media empire: reruns. Reruns of television shows and movies allow for people to watch their favorite moments over and over again. But why do people do it? What drives so much consumer motivation to enjoy the same activity repeatedly? Researchers have determined that the "re-consumption" as she calls it, is due to the guaranteed outcome, the enhanced viewing that results from the repeated action, or the rediscovery of subtle details.

Bananas are as beneficial as sports drinks, study suggests Posted: 29 May 2012 08:32 AM PDT Bananas have long been a favorite source of energy for endurance and recreational athletes. Bananas are a rich source of potassium and other nutrients, and are easy for cyclists, runners or hikers to carry.

Land and sea species differ in climate change response Posted: 29 May 2012 07:24 AM PDT Marine and terrestrial species will likely differ in how they respond to climate change according to a new study by Simon Fraser University and Australia's University of Tasmania.

Marine reserves provide baby bonus to fisheries Posted: 29 May 2012 07:24 AM PDT Scientists have gathered the first conclusive evidence that marine reserves can help restock exploited fish populations on neighboring reefs which are open to both commercial and recreational fishing. The groundbreaking study was carried out in the Keppel Island group on Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

PCB exposure linked to increased abdominal fat Posted: 29 May 2012 07:24 AM PDT There is a correlation between high levels of the environmental toxin PCB and the distribution of body fat to the abdomen. Abdominal fat is already known to increase the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure, among other conditions.

Too much vitamin D can be as unhealthy as too little, study suggests Posted: 29 May 2012 07:23 AM PDT Scientists know that vitamin D deficiency is not healthy. However, new research now indicates that too high a level of the essential vitamin is not good either. The study is based on blood samples from 247,574 Copenhageners.

16th-century Korean mummy provides clue to hepatitis B virus genetic code Posted: 29 May 2012 07:22 AM PDT The discovery of a mummified Korean child with relatively preserved organs enabled an Israeli-South Korean scientific team to conduct a genetic analysis on a liver biopsy which revealed a unique hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype C2 sequence common in Southeast Asia.

Mediterranean diet is definitively linked to quality of life Posted: 29 May 2012 07:22 AM PDT For years the Mediterranean diet has been associated with a lesser chance of illness and increased well-being. A new study has now linked it to mental and physical health too. The Mediterranean diet, which is characterized by the consumption of fruit, vegetables, pulses (beans, peas, chickpeas and lentils) fish, olive oil and nuts, has been demonstrated to be beneficial to the health in terms of a lesser chance of chronic illness and a lower mortality rate. A new study has revealed that those who follow a Mediterranean diet score higher on a quality of life questionnaire than those who don't.

Evil eyebrows and pointy chin of a cartoon villain make our ‘threat’ instinct kick in Posted: 29 May 2012 04:46 AM PDT Why do the evil eyebrows and pointy chin of a cartoon villain make our 'threat' instinct kick in? Psychologists have found that a downward pointing triangle can be perceived to carry threat just like a negative face in a crowd.

Blowing in the wind: How hidden flower features are crucial for bees Posted: 29 May 2012 04:38 AM PDT As gardeners get busy filling tubs and borders with colorful bedding plants, scientists have discovered more about what makes flowers attractive to bees rather than humans. New research reveals that Velcro-like cells on plant petals play a crucial role in helping bees grip flowers – especially when the wind gets up.

Commonly used painkillers may protect against skin cancer Posted: 29 May 2012 04:38 AM PDT A new study suggests that aspirin and other similar painkillers may help protect against skin cancer. New findings indicate that skin cancer prevention may be added to the benefits of these commonly used medications.

Beetle flight: Flapping protective wings increase lift Posted: 29 May 2012 04:38 AM PDT The forewings of beetles, the elytra, are hardened structures which protect the insect's flying wings and body. The function of the forewings in flight has been questioned, which is what prompted researchers to study how the forewings and the underlying flying wings work in dung beetles. The researchers studied the air flow created by the wings when the beetles fly in a wind tunnel.

Inequality dates back to Stone Age: Earliest evidence yet of differential access to land Posted: 28 May 2012 12:49 PM PDT Hereditary inequality began over 7,000 years ago in the early Neolithic era, with new evidence showing that farmers buried with tools had access to better land than those buried without.

Earlier detection of bone loss may be in future: Isotope analysis rather than x-ray used for measurement Posted: 28 May 2012 12:49 PM PDT Scientists are developing a new approach to the medical challenge of detecting bone loss by applying a technique that originated in the Earth sciences.

Climate change led to collapse of ancient Indus civilization, study finds Posted: 28 May 2012 12:49 PM PDT A new study combining the latest archaeological evidence with state-of-the-art geoscience technologies provides evidence that climate change was a key ingredient in the collapse of the great Indus or Harappan civilization almost 4000 years ago. The study also resolves a long-standing debate over the source and fate of the Sarasvati, the sacred river of Hindu mythology.

'Unzipped' carbon nanotubes could help energize fuel cells and batteries Posted: 27 May 2012 12:38 PM PDT Multi-walled carbon nanotubes riddled with defects and impurities on the outside could replace some of the expensive platinum catalysts used in fuel cells and metal-air batteries, according to scientists.

T cells 'hunt' parasites like animal predators seek prey, a new study reveals Posted: 27 May 2012 12:38 PM PDT By pairing an intimate knowledge of immune-system function with a deep understanding of statistical physics, a cross-disciplinary team has arrived at a surprising finding: T cells use a movement strategy to track down parasites that is similar to strategies that predators such as monkeys, sharks and bluefin tuna use to hunt their prey.

Public apathy over climate change unrelated to science literacy Posted: 27 May 2012 12:38 PM PDT Are members of the public divided about climate change because they don't understand the science behind it? If Americans knew more basic science and were more proficient in technical reasoning, would public consensus match scientific consensus? A new study suggests that the answer to both questions is no.

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