ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Martian polygons and deep-sea polygons on Earth: More evidence for ancient Martian oceans?
• Fluoxetine (a.k.a. Prozac) is effective as an anti-viral, study suggests
• Tumor cells' inner workings predict cancer progression
• Scientists use microbes to make 'clean' methane
• Novel therapy may prevent damage to the retina in diabetic eye diseases
• A new Amish community is founded every three-and-a-half weeks in US, experts estimate
• Researchers find link between childhood abuse and age at menarche
• Boys' impulsiveness may result in better math ability
• The longer you're awake, the slower you get
• Laser achieves world record power at one pulse per second
• Nano-FTIR: A new era in modern analytical chemistry
• Computers can predict effects of HIV policies, study suggests
• Bio-inspired nanoantennas for light emission
• 'Diving board' sensors key to DNA detection
• Climate change could open trade opportunities for some vulnerable nations
• Standard radiation therapy dose provides pain relief for painful heel spurs (plantar fasciitis)
• Breakthrough treatment reduces post-surgical scarring for glaucoma patients
• Future of California high-speed rail looks green
• In-utero exposure to magnetic fields associated with increased risk of obesity in childhood
• The Olympics and bare feet: What have we learned?
• Accelerated resolution therapy significantly reduces PTSD symptoms, researchers report
• Turbulences at a standstill
• A novel eye writing device
• Lucid dreamers help scientists locate the seat of meta-consciousness in the brain
• Molecule found that inhibits recovery from stroke
• Shift work linked to increased risk of heart attack and stroke
• World’s greatest plant diversity for the Paleogene: Over a hundred different plant species recorded at the Messel fossil site
• New research method provides better insights into the world of microbes
• Molecular causes for life-threatening fungal infections in case of sepsis unraveled
• Newly discovered scaffold supports turning pain off

Martian polygons and deep-sea polygons on Earth: More evidence for ancient Martian oceans? Posted: 27 Jul 2012 02:19 PM PDT Debate over the origin of large-scale polygons (hundreds of meters to kilometers in diameter) on Mars remains active even after several decades of detailed observations. Similarity in geometric patterns on Mars and Earth has long captured the imagination. Geologists have examined these large-scale polygons and compared them to similar features on Earth's seafloor, which they believe may have formed via similar processes.

Fluoxetine (a.k.a. Prozac) is effective as an anti-viral, study suggests Posted: 27 Jul 2012 02:19 PM PDT Using molecular screening of small molecule libraries, a team of researchers has been able to identify fluoxetine (commonly known as Prozac), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, as a potent inhibitor of coxsackievirus replication.

Tumor cells' inner workings predict cancer progression Posted: 27 Jul 2012 12:40 PM PDT Using a new assay method to study tumor cells, researchers have found evidence of clonal evolution in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The assay method distinguishes features of leukemia cells that indicate whether the disease will be aggressive or slow-moving, a key factor in when and how patients are treated.

Scientists use microbes to make 'clean' methane Posted: 27 Jul 2012 11:45 AM PDT Microbes that convert electricity into methane gas could become an important source of renewable energy, according to scientists. Researchers are raising colonies of microorganisms, called methanogens, which have the remarkable ability to turn electrical energy into pure methane -- the key ingredient in natural gas. The scientists' goal is to create large microbial factories that will transform clean electricity from solar, wind or nuclear power into renewable methane fuel and other valuable chemical compounds for industry.

Novel therapy may prevent damage to the retina in diabetic eye diseases Posted: 27 Jul 2012 11:41 AM PDT Targeting a key protein blocks two important pathways related to blood vessel leakage in diabetic retinopathy

A new Amish community is founded every three-and-a-half weeks in US, experts estimate Posted: 27 Jul 2012 10:15 AM PDT A new census of the Amish population in the United States estimates that a new Amish community is founded, on average, about every 3.5 weeks, and shows that more than 60 percent of all existing Amish settlements have been founded since 1990.

Researchers find link between childhood abuse and age at menarche Posted: 27 Jul 2012 09:14 AM PDT Researchers have found an association between childhood physical and sexual abuse and age at menarche.

Boys' impulsiveness may result in better math ability Posted: 27 Jul 2012 08:13 AM PDT In a new study, girls and boys started grade school with different approaches to solving arithmetic problems, with girls favoring a slow and accurate approach and boys a faster but more error prone approach. Girls' approach gave them an early advantage, but by the end of sixth grade boys had surpassed the girls. The study found that boys showed more preference for solving arithmetic problems by reciting an answer from memory, whereas girls were more likely to compute the answer by counting.

The longer you're awake, the slower you get Posted: 27 Jul 2012 08:13 AM PDT Regardless of how tired you perceive yourself to be, lack of sleep can influence the way you perform certain tasks.

Laser achieves world record power at one pulse per second Posted: 27 Jul 2012 08:12 AM PDT The laser system for BELLA, the Berkeley Lab Laser Accelerator, has delivered a petawatt of power -- a quadrillion watts -- in a pulse just 40 femtoseconds long -- a quadrillionth of a second -- at one pulse per second. No other laser system has achieved this peak power at this pulse rate. BELLA's laser should soon be driving electron beams to 10-billion-electron-volt energies in an accelerator just one meter long.

Nano-FTIR: A new era in modern analytical chemistry Posted: 27 Jul 2012 08:12 AM PDT Nanoscience researchers have developed a new instrument that solves a prime question of materials science and nanotechnology: how to chemically identify materials at the nanometer scale.

Computers can predict effects of HIV policies, study suggests Posted: 27 Jul 2012 08:12 AM PDT Policymakers in the fight against HIV/AIDS may have to wait years, even decades, to know whether strategic choices among possible interventions are effective. How can they make informed choices in an age of limited funding? A reliable, well-calibrated, predictive computer simulation could be a great help.

Bio-inspired nanoantennas for light emission Posted: 27 Jul 2012 08:11 AM PDT Just as radio antennas amplify the signals of our mobile phones and televisions, the same principle can apply to light. For the first time, researchers have succeeded in producing a nanoantenna from short strands of DNA, two gold nanoparticles and a small fluorescent molecule that captures and emits light. This work could in the longer term lead to the development of more efficient light-emitting diodes, more compact solar cells or even be used in quantum cryptography.

'Diving board' sensors key to DNA detection Posted: 27 Jul 2012 08:11 AM PDT A tiny vibrating cantilever sensor could soon help doctors and field clinicians quickly detect harmful toxins, bacteria and even indicators of certain types of cancer from small samples of blood or urine. Researchers are in the process of refining a sensor technology that they developed to measure samples at the cellular level into an accurate method for quickly detecting traces of DNA in liquid samples.

Climate change could open trade opportunities for some vulnerable nations Posted: 27 Jul 2012 07:24 AM PDT Unlike many developing nations, Tanzania has the potential to benefit from climate change, according to university researchers and the World Bank. In the future, the African country may be able to both increase maize exports and take advantage of higher commodity prices with trading partners.

Standard radiation therapy dose provides pain relief for painful heel spurs (plantar fasciitis) Posted: 27 Jul 2012 07:24 AM PDT Patients with plantar fasciitis (painful bone heel spur) experience significantly less pain and improved quality of life following a standard dose of external beam radiation therapy, a common cancer treatment similar to receiving an X-ray, according to a randomized, cooperative group study.

Breakthrough treatment reduces post-surgical scarring for glaucoma patients Posted: 27 Jul 2012 07:24 AM PDT Scientists have developed an innovative way to combat post-surgical scarring for glaucoma patients. A clinical trial has shown that the use of a new drug delivery method has resulted in 40 percent fewer injections needed by glaucoma patients to prevent scarring after surgery. This also means fewer hospital visits for these patients in future.

Future of California high-speed rail looks green Posted: 27 Jul 2012 07:24 AM PDT A comprehensive life-cycle assessment by transportation researchers gives the green seal of approval for California's high-speed rail project. The analysis comes on the heels of a state Legislature vote authorizing $8 billion for initial construction, set to begin in 2013, of the high-speed system.

In-utero exposure to magnetic fields associated with increased risk of obesity in childhood Posted: 27 Jul 2012 07:24 AM PDT In-utero exposure to relatively high magnetic field levels was associated with a 69 percent increased risk of being obese or overweight during childhood compared to lower in-utero magnetic field levels, according to a new study.

The Olympics and bare feet: What have we learned? Posted: 27 Jul 2012 07:24 AM PDT A researcher finds that after Ethiopian Olympic runner Abebe Bikila introduced barefoot running to American in 1960, researchers still don't know if it promotes or prevents injuries. She presents a technique to help people ease into it.

Accelerated resolution therapy significantly reduces PTSD symptoms, researchers report Posted: 27 Jul 2012 07:24 AM PDT Brief treatments with an innovative behavioral treatment known as Accelerated Resolution Therapy substantially reduced symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder including, depression, anxiety, sleep dysfunction and other physical and psychological symptoms, reports an initial study.

Turbulences at a standstill Posted: 27 Jul 2012 06:55 AM PDT Energy flowing from large-scale to small-scale places may be prevented from flowing freely in specific conditions. For one theoretical physicists, devising models of chaos and turbulence is his bread and butter. He has found an exception in a model of turbulence, indicating that there are energy flows from large to small scale in confined space.

A novel eye writing device Posted: 27 Jul 2012 06:55 AM PDT A novel device that makes it possible to draw and write using just eye movements has just been developed. People can use it like a pen to write numbers, letters, figures, their signature and even use their eyes to draw using a very simple technique comprising an oculometer and a computer screen. This remarkable feat is based on a visual illusion that enables the eyes to follow smooth and clear trajectories after only several hours of training.

Lucid dreamers help scientists locate the seat of meta-consciousness in the brain Posted: 27 Jul 2012 06:55 AM PDT Studies of lucid dreamers show which centers of the brain become active when we become aware of ourselves in dreams. The human capacity of self-perception, self-reflection and consciousness development are among the unsolved mysteries of neuroscience. Now scientists are shedding new light on this area.

Molecule found that inhibits recovery from stroke Posted: 27 Jul 2012 06:55 AM PDT Researchers have identified a novel molecule in the brain that, after stroke, blocks the formation of new connections between neurons. As a result, it limits the brain's recovery. In a mouse model, the researchers showed that blocking this molecule—called ephrin-A5--induces axonal sprouting, that is, the growth of new connections between the brain's neurons, or cells, and as a result promotes functional recovery.

Shift work linked to increased risk of heart attack and stroke Posted: 27 Jul 2012 05:25 AM PDT Shift work is associated with an increased risk of major vascular problems, such as heart attacks and strokes, concludes a new study.

World’s greatest plant diversity for the Paleogene: Over a hundred different plant species recorded at the Messel fossil site Posted: 27 Jul 2012 05:25 AM PDT Scientists have investigated the extensive collection of fruits and seeds from the Messel pit. They found 140 different plant species, 65 of which were previously unknown. They show that Messel had one of the world's most diverse floras of the Paleogene – the era between about 65 and 23 million years ago.

New research method provides better insights into the world of microbes Posted: 27 Jul 2012 05:25 AM PDT Researchers have developed a research method that will allow scientists to study microbes in more depth than ever before.

Molecular causes for life-threatening fungal infections in case of sepsis unraveled Posted: 27 Jul 2012 05:25 AM PDT With infectious diseases, it is often not the pathogen itself, but rather an excessive inflammatory immune response (= sepsis) that contributes to the patient's death, for instance as a result of organ damage. On intensive care units, sepsis is the second-most common cause of death worldwide. In patients with a severely compromised immune system specially, life-threatening candida fungal infections represent a high risk of sepsis.

Newly discovered scaffold supports turning pain off Posted: 27 Jul 2012 05:24 AM PDT Scientists have discovered a "scaffolding" protein that holds together multiple elements in a complex system responsible for regulating pain, mental illnesses and other complex neurological problems.

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