ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

---

• Blue Origin tests rocket engine thrust chamber
• Curiosity rover's second scoop discarded, third scoop of Martian soil commanded
• A long and winding road: Cassini celebrates 15 years
• World Food Day 2012: Food scientists working to find sustainable solutions to world hunger
• Research highlights necessity of simulation training for improved operative performance and increased patient safety
• Patients tell how magnetic therapy lifted their depression
• Researchers set sights on new era in neuroprotection
• Evidence does not support three-strikes law as crime deterrent, California study finds
• Personalized genomic medicine: How much can it really empower patients?
• New rapid and point of care hepatitis C tests could be global game changers
• New light shed on cancer risks associated with night work
• Realizing the potential of stem cell therapy: Studies report progress in developing treatments for diseases and injuries
• New findings could help speed recovery, alleviate pain associated with spinal cord injury
• Can vaccines be delivered via the lungs instead of by injection?
• Even your fat cells need sleep, according to new research
• NASA's WISE colors in unknowns on Jupiter asteroids
• Calling Miss Congeniality: Do attractive people have attractive traits and values?
• People with severe psoriasis nearly twice at risk for diabetes
• Compounds that could thwart post-traumatic stress disorder identified
• Study identifies characteristics of sunbed users, motivation for tanning
• Weight loss surgery may be associated with increased substance use following surgery
• Men diagnosed with ADHD as children had worse outcomes as adults, study suggests
• Does motherhood dampen cocaine’s effects?
• Wide discrepancy in surveillance and control of infections in ICUs
• A better way to prevent deadly blood clots?
• Plaque build-up in your brain may be more harmful than having Alzheimer's gene
• Do re mi fa ... How do you know what comes next?
• Freezing electrons in flight: Physicists catch electrons getting knocked out of atoms
• Substandard, non-approved drugs put patients at risk: Physicians urged to think twice before they prescribe compounded drugs
• Gold nanoparticle prostate cancer treatment found safe in dogs, study shows
• Stem cell model for hereditary disease developed
• Ebola antibody treatment, produced in plants, protects monkeys from lethal disease
• Language structure arises from balance of clear and effective communication, study finds
• Intermittent binge drinking could cause significant brain impairment within months, study suggests
• Genetic 'remix' key to evolution of bee behavior, researchers find
• Evolution mostly driven by brawn, not brains, analysis finds
• Tropical cyclones are occurring more frequently than before, study shows
• New research moves scientists closer to lung cancer blood test
• Halloween candy: How much is too much?
• Researcher pieces together AML prognosis puzzle
• Neuroscientists find the molecular 'when' and 'where' of memory formation
• Circumbinary planet in quadruple star system discovered by astronomers aided by volunteer 'Planet Hunters'
• Additive effect of small gene variations can increase risk of autism spectrum disorders
• Prebiotic may help patients with intestinal failure grow new and better gut
• 'Biggest Loser' study finds modest diet and exercise can sustain weight loss
• NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center opens
• Research team develops single-crystal pump for miniaturized DNA forensics
• Companies should use caution when using unpopular puzzle interviews
• Medication beliefs strongly affect individuals' management of chronic diseases, expert says
• New way to mimic the color and texture of butterfly wings
• Strengthening a billion-dollar gene in soybeans
• Researchers find new way to prevent cracking in nanoparticle films
• No fear: Why teens are likelier to take gambles
• Missing link between mental health disorders and chronic diseases in Iraq war refugees
• Native plant fares well in pilot green roof research study
• Fearful flyers willing to pay more and alter flight plans, according to travel study
• Scientists provide window on space radiation hazards
• Gene suppression can reduce cold-induced sweetening in potatoes
• Mystery of nematode pest-resistant soybeans cracked: Gene also correlates with human diseases
• Higher-dose use of certain statins often best for cholesterol issues

Blue Origin tests rocket engine thrust chamber Posted: 15 Oct 2012 04:59 PM PDT NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP) partner Blue Origin has successfully fired the thrust chamber assembly for its new 100,000 pound thrust BE-3 liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen rocket engine. As part of Blue's Reusable Booster System (RBS), the engines are designed eventually to launch the biconic-shaped Space Vehicle the company is developing.

Curiosity rover's second scoop discarded, third scoop of Martian soil commanded Posted: 15 Oct 2012 04:48 PM PDT Commands will be sent to Curiosity today instructing the rover to collect a third scoop of soil from the "Rocknest" site of windblown Martian sand and dust. Pending evaluation of this Sol 69 (Oct. 15, 2012) scooping, a sample from the scoopful is planned as the first sample for delivery -- later this week -- to one of the rover's internal analytical instruments, the Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) instrument.

A long and winding road: Cassini celebrates 15 years Posted: 15 Oct 2012 04:45 PM PDT NASA's Cassini spacecraft celebrates 15 years of uninterrupted drive time, earning it a place among the ultimate interplanetary road warriors.

World Food Day 2012: Food scientists working to find sustainable solutions to world hunger Posted: 15 Oct 2012 03:24 PM PDT In honor of World Food Day on October 16, 2012, the Institute of Food Technologists is highlighting the role of food science in environmental sustainability—a key component to solving the world's hunger problem.

Research highlights necessity of simulation training for improved operative performance and increased patient safety Posted: 15 Oct 2012 03:24 PM PDT A new study shows surgical proficiency levels are achieved at variable rates and suggests current protocols insufficiently evaluate residents' skills.

Patients tell how magnetic therapy lifted their depression Posted: 15 Oct 2012 03:24 PM PDT Three patients who have suffered periodic major depression tell how their lives have been transformed by a new magnetic therapy.

Researchers set sights on new era in neuroprotection Posted: 15 Oct 2012 03:24 PM PDT A research team has identified a set of experimental drugs called LRRK2 inhibitors that may go beyond symptom relief to directly counter the inflammation and nerve cell death at the root of Parkinson's disease. At least, these effects have been suggested in mouse and cell culture studies meant to approximate human disease.

Evidence does not support three-strikes law as crime deterrent, California study finds Posted: 15 Oct 2012 03:24 PM PDT Contrary to what police, politicians and the public believe, research by a University of California, Riverside criminologist has found that the state's three-strikes law has done nothing to reduce the crime rate.

Personalized genomic medicine: How much can it really empower patients? Posted: 15 Oct 2012 02:13 PM PDT Personalized genomic medicine is hailed as a revolution that will empower patients to take control of their own health care, but it could end up taking control away from patients and limiting their treatment choices, concludes a new article.

New rapid and point of care hepatitis C tests could be global game changers Posted: 15 Oct 2012 02:13 PM PDT Timely screening and diagnosis is critical to the success of new treatments and ultimately to the survival of hepatitis C patients. A new study is the first to show that hepatitis C rapid and point of care tests with a quick turnaround time are highly accurate and reliable as conventional first-line laboratory tests.

New light shed on cancer risks associated with night work Posted: 15 Oct 2012 02:13 PM PDT Night work can increase cancer risk in men, according to a new study. The study is one of the first in the world to provide evidence among men of a possible association between night work and the risk of prostate, colon, lung, bladder, rectal, and pancreatic cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Realizing the potential of stem cell therapy: Studies report progress in developing treatments for diseases and injuries Posted: 15 Oct 2012 02:10 PM PDT New animal studies provide additional support for investigating stem cell treatments for Parkinson's disease, head trauma, and dangerous heart problems that accompany spinal cord injury, according to research findings.

New findings could help speed recovery, alleviate pain associated with spinal cord injury Posted: 15 Oct 2012 02:10 PM PDT New research demonstrates how new scientific knowledge is driving innovative treatments for spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord damage is debilitating and life-altering, limiting or preventing movement and feeling for millions worldwide, and leading to chronic health conditions and pain.

Can vaccines be delivered via the lungs instead of by injection? Posted: 15 Oct 2012 02:10 PM PDT In addition to the obvious benefit of eliminating the need for an injection, new vaccine delivery methods via the lungs offer particular advantages for protecting against infectious agents that enter the body through the respiratory track.

Even your fat cells need sleep, according to new research Posted: 15 Oct 2012 02:08 PM PDT Challenging the old notion that the function of sleep is to rest the brain, researchers show that not getting enough sleep can harm fat cells, reducing by 30 percent their ability to respond to insulin, a hormone that regulates energy. This is the first description of a molecular mechanism directly connecting sleep loss to the disruption of energy regulation.

NASA's WISE colors in unknowns on Jupiter asteroids Posted: 15 Oct 2012 01:35 PM PDT Scientists using data from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, have uncovered new clues in the ongoing mystery of the Jovian Trojans -- asteroids that orbit the sun on the same path as Jupiter. Like racehorses, the asteroids travel in packs, with one group leading the way in front of the gas giant, and a second group trailing behind. The observations are the first to get a detailed look at the Trojans' colors: both the leading and trailing packs are made up of predominantly dark, reddish rocks with a matte, non-reflecting surface. What's more, the data verify the previous suspicion that the leading pack of Trojans outnumbers the trailing bunch.

Calling Miss Congeniality: Do attractive people have attractive traits and values? Posted: 15 Oct 2012 01:24 PM PDT It's difficult to resist the temptation of assuming that a person's outward appearance reflects something meaningful about his or her inner personality. Research shows that people tend to perceive attractive adults as more social, successful, and well-adjusted than less attractive adults, a phenomenon that's been termed the "what is beautiful is good" stereotype. But is this really true? A new article investigates whether the stereotype holds up in the real world.

People with severe psoriasis nearly twice at risk for diabetes Posted: 15 Oct 2012 01:24 PM PDT An analysis of 27 studies linking psoriasis in 314,000 individuals with diabetes has found strong correlation between the scaly skin rash and the blood sugar disorder that predisposes patients to heart disease.

Compounds that could thwart post-traumatic stress disorder identified Posted: 15 Oct 2012 01:24 PM PDT A brain pathway that is stimulated by traumatic or fearful experiences can be disrupted by two compounds that show promise for preventing post-traumatic stress disorder, researchers have reported.

Study identifies characteristics of sunbed users, motivation for tanning Posted: 15 Oct 2012 01:24 PM PDT A telephone survey of 4,851 individuals in Germany suggests the overall prevalence of sunbed use was nearly 40 percent for participants who had ever used one and 14.6 percent had used a tanning bed within the last 12 months.

Weight loss surgery may be associated with increased substance use following surgery Posted: 15 Oct 2012 01:24 PM PDT Patients who undergo bariatric weight loss surgery may be at increased risk for substance use (drug use, alcohol use and cigarette smoking) following surgery, particularly among patients who undergo laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery who appear to be at increased risk for alcohol use following surgery.

Men diagnosed with ADHD as children had worse outcomes as adults, study suggests Posted: 15 Oct 2012 01:24 PM PDT Men who were diagnosed as children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) appeared to have significantly worse educational, occupational, economic and social outcomes in a 33-year, follow-up study that compared them with men without childhood ADHD.

Does motherhood dampen cocaine’s effects? Posted: 15 Oct 2012 01:19 PM PDT Mother rats respond much differently to cocaine than female rats that have never given birth, according to new research that looks at both behavior and brain chemistry. The findings may help lay the groundwork for more tailored human addiction treatment.

Wide discrepancy in surveillance and control of infections in ICUs Posted: 15 Oct 2012 01:19 PM PDT Screening practices for multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in intensive care units (ICUs) vary widely from hospital to hospital, according to a new study.

A better way to prevent deadly blood clots? Posted: 15 Oct 2012 01:19 PM PDT A computerized checklist system designed to help physicians identify and use the best methods of preventing potentially deadly blood clots in hospitalized trauma patients dramatically reduced the number of these dangerous venous thromboembolisms (VTEs), new research suggests.

Plaque build-up in your brain may be more harmful than having Alzheimer's gene Posted: 15 Oct 2012 01:19 PM PDT A new study shows that having a high amount of beta amyloid or "plaques" in the brain associated with Alzheimer's disease may cause steeper memory decline in mentally healthy older people than does having the APOE [4 allele, also associated with the disease.

Do re mi fa ... How do you know what comes next? Posted: 15 Oct 2012 01:18 PM PDT How do you remember a song -- and why is it that a beginning pianist who forgets the middle of a melody needs to start over again to recall the tune? The answer, say researchers, is that two different areas of the brain are used -- one to learn a sequence and another to recall it -- and that higher motor areas participate in both.

Freezing electrons in flight: Physicists catch electrons getting knocked out of atoms Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:45 PM PDT Using the world's fastest laser pulses, which can freeze the ultrafast motion of electrons and atoms, physicists have caught the action of molecules breaking apart and electrons getting knocked out of atoms. Their research helps us better understand molecular processes and ultimately be able to control them in many possible applications.

Substandard, non-approved drugs put patients at risk: Physicians urged to think twice before they prescribe compounded drugs Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:25 PM PDT The recent outbreak of meningitis in the US -- and the subsequent deaths of 15 individuals -- has renewed scrutiny on the contemporary practice of pharmacy compounding. The risks to patients, and associated liability risk to prescribing physicians, largely outweigh the benefits when the practice goes beyond the traditional, extemporaneous role, according to experts.

Gold nanoparticle prostate cancer treatment found safe in dogs, study shows Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:20 PM PDT Scientists have demonstrated that a new form of prostate cancer treatment that uses radioactive gold nanoparticles is safe to use in dogs.

Stem cell model for hereditary disease developed Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:20 PM PDT Scientists have reprogrammed stem cells to develop into cells that are genetically similar to and react to drugs in a similar way as cells from patients with Gaucher disease. The stem cells will allow the scientists to test potential new therapies in a dish, accelerating the process toward drug discovery, according to a new article.

Ebola antibody treatment, produced in plants, protects monkeys from lethal disease Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:20 PM PDT A new Ebola virus study has shown promising preliminary results, preventing disease in infected nonhuman primates using monoclonal antibodies. When treatment was administered one hour after infection, all animals survived. Two-thirds of the animals were protected even when the treatment, known as MB-003, was administered 48 hours after infection.

Language structure arises from balance of clear and effective communication, study finds Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:20 PM PDT When learning a new language, we automatically organize words into sentences that will be both clearly understood and efficient (quick) to communicate. That's the finding of a new study that challenges opposing theories on why and how languages come to be organized the way they are.

Intermittent binge drinking could cause significant brain impairment within months, study suggests Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:20 PM PDT A study of binge-drinking rodents suggests that knocking back a few drinks every few days may swiftly reduce one's capacity to control alcohol intake. Scientists found signs of cognitive impairment in rats similar to that seen in established alcoholism after the animals had only a few months of intermittent access to alcohol. Remarkably, these impairments did not appear at all in rats with 24/7 access to alcohol, whose alcohol intake remained stable.

Genetic 'remix' key to evolution of bee behavior, researchers find Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:20 PM PDT Worker bees have become a highly skilled work force because the genes that determine their behavior are shuffled frequently, helping natural selection to build a better bee, research suggests. A new study sheds light on how worker bees -- who are sterile -- evolved charismatic and cooperative behaviors. Researchers discovered that the genes associated with worker behavior were found in areas of the genome that have the highest rate of recombination.

Evolution mostly driven by brawn, not brains, analysis finds Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:20 PM PDT The most common measure of intelligence in animals, brain size relative to body size, may not be as dependent on evolutionary selection on the brain as previously thought, according to a new analysis by scientists.

Tropical cyclones are occurring more frequently than before, study shows Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:20 PM PDT Are there more tropical cyclones now than in the past -- or is it just something we believe because we now hear more about them through media coverage and are better able detect them with satellites? New research shows that there is an increasing tendency for cyclones when the climate is warmer, as it has been in recent years.

New research moves scientists closer to lung cancer blood test Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:12 PM PDT Early signs of lung cancer could be diagnosed using a simple blood test following a new discovery.

Halloween candy: How much is too much? Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:11 PM PDT As we enter the sweet season, parents are worried kids might indulge their way to obesity by gobbling up too many Halloween candy. But having a little fun with candy once a year will not lead to childhood obesity, says a pediatrics expert.

Researcher pieces together AML prognosis puzzle Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:11 PM PDT When patients suffering from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) express high levels of the gene, MN1, an already aggressive leukemia is accelerated and shortens survival time. While that's a known fact, the mechanisms involved aren't well understood -- which is why a researcher decided to take a closer look.

Neuroscientists find the molecular 'when' and 'where' of memory formation Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:11 PM PDT Neuroscientists have isolated the "when" and "where" of molecular activity that occurs in the formation of short-, intermediate-, and long-term memories. Their findings offer new insights into the molecular architecture of memory formation and, with it, a better road map for developing therapeutic interventions for related afflictions.

Circumbinary planet in quadruple star system discovered by astronomers aided by volunteer 'Planet Hunters' Posted: 15 Oct 2012 12:00 PM PDT A joint effort of citizen scientists and professional astronomers has led to the first reported case of a planet orbiting twin suns that in turn is orbited by a second distant pair of stars. Only six planets are known to orbit two stars, according to researchers, and none of these are orbited by distant stellar companions.

Additive effect of small gene variations can increase risk of autism spectrum disorders Posted: 15 Oct 2012 11:24 AM PDT An increased risk of autism spectrum disorders could result from an accumulation of many small, common gene genetic variations rather than large-effect, rare changes in the genetic code, according to a multi-center team. Their findings provide new insights into the genetic factors that underlie the neurodevelopmental condition.

Prebiotic may help patients with intestinal failure grow new and better gut Posted: 15 Oct 2012 11:24 AM PDT Adding the right prebiotic to the diets of pediatric patients with intestinal failure could replace intravenous feeding, according to a new study.

'Biggest Loser' study finds modest diet and exercise can sustain weight loss Posted: 15 Oct 2012 11:24 AM PDT Exercise and healthy eating reduce body fat and preserve muscle in adults better than diet alone, according to a new study.

NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center opens Posted: 15 Oct 2012 11:20 AM PDT The NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center, which houses one of the world's most powerful supercomputers dedicated to the geosciences, officially opens today. Scientists at NCAR and universities across the country are launching a series of initial scientific projects on the center's flagship, a 1.5-petaflop IBM supercomputer known as Yellowstone.

Research team develops single-crystal pump for miniaturized DNA forensics Posted: 15 Oct 2012 11:20 AM PDT A research team has developed a new type of micro pump that can be used in forensic DNA profiling. The pump represents a giant leap in miniaturization.

Companies should use caution when using unpopular puzzle interviews Posted: 15 Oct 2012 10:26 AM PDT In today's tough job market, more job-seekers could be facing interview questions like this: Why are manholes round? Or how many barbershops are there in San Francisco? Puzzle questions are especially popular in the tech and financial industries. New research finds that people generally see the questions as unfair and unrelated to job skills and performance, compared to traditional interview questions about past work performance and goals.

Medication beliefs strongly affect individuals' management of chronic diseases, expert says Posted: 15 Oct 2012 10:26 AM PDT Aging adults' poor adherence to prescribed medication regimens is connected to their beliefs about the necessity of prescriptions and concerns about long-term effects and dependency, a researcher finds. Failure to use medications as directed increases patients' risk for side effects, hospitalizations, reduced quality of life and shortened lifespans. Researcher recommends that health practitioners use behavior-change tactics to encourage patients to take medications as prescribed.

New way to mimic the color and texture of butterfly wings Posted: 15 Oct 2012 10:25 AM PDT The colors of a butterfly's wings are unusually bright and beautiful and are the result of an unusual trait; the way they reflect light is fundamentally different from how color works most of the time. A team of researchers has found a way to generate this kind of "structural color" that has the added benefit of another trait of butterfly wings: super-hydrophobicity, or the ability to strongly repel water.

Strengthening a billion-dollar gene in soybeans Posted: 15 Oct 2012 10:25 AM PDT Soybean cyst nematode does hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of damage each year. Crop sciences researchers think they may have found a way to strengthen plant resistance.

Researchers find new way to prevent cracking in nanoparticle films Posted: 15 Oct 2012 10:25 AM PDT Making uniform coatings is a common engineering challenge, and, when working at the nanoscale, even the tiniest cracks or defects can be a big problem. New research has shown a new way of avoiding such cracks when depositing thin films of nanoparticles.

No fear: Why teens are likelier to take gambles Posted: 15 Oct 2012 10:18 AM PDT A new study finds that adolescents commonly take more risks than younger children and adults because they are more willing to accept risks when consequences are unknown, rather than because they are attracted to danger, as often assumed.

Missing link between mental health disorders and chronic diseases in Iraq war refugees Posted: 15 Oct 2012 10:18 AM PDT Researchers may have discovered why people exposed to war are at increased risk to develop chronic problems like heart disease years later. And the culprit that links the two is surprising.

Native plant fares well in pilot green roof research study Posted: 15 Oct 2012 10:18 AM PDT In a University of Cincinnati pilot study of plants best suited for the region's green roofs, the North American native, nodding wild onion, and a sedum commonly known as goldmoss sedum were the most likely to survive both heat and little rainfall, conditions common to Southwest Ohio's summer months.

Fearful flyers willing to pay more and alter flight plans, according to travel study Posted: 15 Oct 2012 10:18 AM PDT Fearful flyers seek flight attributes that may be primarily reassuring, such as schedule, aircraft size and carrier origin, but have little effect on the low, actual risk, according to a new study.

Scientists provide window on space radiation hazards Posted: 15 Oct 2012 10:18 AM PDT Astrophysicists have created the first online system for predicting and forecasting the radiation environment in near-Earth, lunar, and Martian space environments. The near real-time tool will provide critical information as preparations are made for potential future manned missions to the moon and Mars.

Gene suppression can reduce cold-induced sweetening in potatoes Posted: 15 Oct 2012 10:18 AM PDT Preventing activity of a key enzyme in potatoes could help boost potato quality by putting an end to cold-induced sweetening, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists.

Mystery of nematode pest-resistant soybeans cracked: Gene also correlates with human diseases Posted: 15 Oct 2012 10:18 AM PDT The secrets of nematode resistant soybean plants are finally coming to light. Surprisingly, one of the genes related to nematode resistance in soybeans also has been associated with human diseases including lymphocytic leukemia, spina bifida and cardiovascular disease, according to a team of researchers.

Higher-dose use of certain statins often best for cholesterol issues Posted: 15 Oct 2012 10:15 AM PDT A comprehensive new review on how to treat high cholesterol and other blood lipid problems suggests that intensive treatment with high doses of statin drugs is usually the best approach. But some statins work much better for this than others, the review concluded, and additional lipid-lowering medications added to a statin have far less value.

You are subscribed to email updates from ScienceDaily: Latest Science News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610