ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• U.S. experiences warm and dry June; drought expands to 56% of lower 48
• June global temperatures fourth highest on record
• Dairy researchers identify bacterial spoilers in milk
• Fifty metric tons of marine debris from Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
• Sweat glands grown from newly identified stem cells
• Solar corona revealed in super-high-definition
• Radiation damage bigger problem in microelectronics than previously thought
• Severe flu increases risk of Parkinson's
• Highly transparent solar cells for windows that generate electricity
• Better security for web and mobile applications
• Genetic markers for testosterone, estrogen level regulation identified
• River networks on Saturn's largest moon, Titan, point to a puzzling geologic history
• Paramedics can speed treatment for severe heart attacks with use of ECGs
• Stone Age tools help to streamline modern manufacturing
• Unique mechanism identified in bacteria as potential target for developing new antibiotics
• Key to life in the desert: What new research reveals about the importance of soil crusts
• Eradicating weed species in New Zealand poses a larger challenge than expected
• Angry Birds meets bioinformatics
• Stem cell research aids understanding of cancer
• 3-D tumor models improve drug discovery success rate
• Beneficial bacteria may help ward off infection
• Cell research opens new avenues in combating neurodegenerative diseases
• Modifying surfaces by means of nanostructured reliefs to prevent the spread of bacteria
• DNDi and Cipla to develop four-in-one pediatric antiretroviral drug combination
• Anxiety disorders in poor moms likely to result from poverty, not mental illness, study suggests
• Parkinson's: Newly discovered antibody could facilitate early diagnosis
• Go-fast 'dimples' may be the secret to running success
• Dominant deer hinds choose the best food
• How hosts recognize bacteria
• 'Seeds' of massive black holes found at the center of the Milky Way galaxy
• Vitamin D may protect lung function in smokers

U.S. experiences warm and dry June; drought expands to 56% of lower 48 Posted: 20 Jul 2012 05:55 PM PDT The average temperature for the contiguous U.S. during June was 71.2°F, 2.0°F above the 20th century average, ranking as the 14th warmest June on record. Scorching temperatures during the second half of the month broke or tied over 170 all-time temperature records in cities across America. June temperatures also contributed to a record-warm first half of the year and the warmest 12-month period the nation has experienced since recordkeeping began in 1895.

June global temperatures fourth highest on record Posted: 20 Jul 2012 05:49 PM PDT The globally averaged temperature for June 2012 marked the fourth warmest June since record keeping began in 1880. The combined average temperature over global land and ocean surfaces was 61.03°F, 1.13°F above the 20th century average. June 2012 also marks the 36th consecutive June and 328th consecutive month with a global temperature above the 20th century average. The last below-average temperature June was June 1976 and the last below-average temperature month was February 1985.

Dairy researchers identify bacterial spoilers in milk Posted: 20 Jul 2012 05:15 PM PDT Our days of crying over spoiled milk could be over, thanks to food scientists. Milk undergoes heat treatment -- pasteurization -- to kill off microbes that can cause food spoilage and disease, but certain bacterial strains can survive this heat shock as spores and cause milk to curdle in storage.

Fifty metric tons of marine debris from Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Posted: 20 Jul 2012 05:07 PM PDT NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette arrived back in its homeport of Honolulu a few days ago after a month in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The team of 17 scientists collected nearly 50 metric tons of marine debris, which threatens monk seals, sea turtles and other marine life in the coral reef ecosystem, in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI).

Sweat glands grown from newly identified stem cells Posted: 20 Jul 2012 05:01 PM PDT To date, few fundamentals have been known about the most common gland in the body, the sweat glands that are essential to controlling body temperature, allowing humans to live in the world's diverse climates. Now, in a tour de force, researchers have identified, in mice, the stem cell from which sweat glands initially develop as well as stem cells that regenerate adult sweat glands.

Solar corona revealed in super-high-definition Posted: 20 Jul 2012 04:55 PM PDT Astronomers have just released the highest-resolution images ever taken of the Sun's corona, or million-degree outer atmosphere, in an extreme-ultraviolet wavelength of light. The 16-megapixel images were captured by NASA's High Resolution Coronal Imager, or Hi-C. The Hi-C telescope provides five times more detail than the next-best observations by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.

Radiation damage bigger problem in microelectronics than previously thought Posted: 20 Jul 2012 04:54 PM PDT The amount of damage that radiation causes in electronic materials may be at least 10 times greater than previously thought. That is the surprising result of a new characterization method that uses a combination of lasers and acoustic waves to that allows scientists to peer through solid materials to pinpoint the size and location of detects buried deep inside with unprecedented precision.

Severe flu increases risk of Parkinson's Posted: 20 Jul 2012 10:57 AM PDT Severe influenza doubles the odds that a person will develop Parkinson's disease later in life, according to researchers.

Highly transparent solar cells for windows that generate electricity Posted: 20 Jul 2012 10:57 AM PDT Researchers have developed a new transparent solar cell that is an advance toward giving windows in homes and other buildings the ability to generate electricity while still allowing people to see outside.

Better security for web and mobile applications Posted: 20 Jul 2012 10:57 AM PDT When it comes to computer security, who checks the checker? Computer scientists have developed a new tool that could lead to increased security and enhanced performance for commonly used web and mobile applications. Called RockSalt, the clever bit of code can verify that native computer programming languages comply with a particular security policy.

Genetic markers for testosterone, estrogen level regulation identified Posted: 20 Jul 2012 07:35 AM PDT Scientists have identified genetic markers that influence a protein involved in regulating estrogen and testosterone levels in the bloodstream.

River networks on Saturn's largest moon, Titan, point to a puzzling geologic history Posted: 20 Jul 2012 07:35 AM PDT New findings suggest the surface of Saturn's largest moon may have undergone a recent transformation. For many years, Titan's thick, methane- and nitrogen-rich atmosphere kept astronomers from seeing what lies beneath. Saturn's largest moon appeared through telescopes as a hazy orange orb, in contrast to other heavily cratered moons in the solar system. Researchers have now analyzed images of Titan's river networks and determined that in some regions, rivers have created surprisingly little erosion.

Paramedics can speed treatment for severe heart attacks with use of ECGs Posted: 20 Jul 2012 07:35 AM PDT A new program that trains emergency medical service technicians to read electrocardiograms so that they can evaluate patients with chest pain, and expedite treatment for the severe heart condition known as ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, a serious form of heart attack, has excellent results and should become the standard of care, according to two new studies.

Stone Age tools help to streamline modern manufacturing Posted: 20 Jul 2012 07:35 AM PDT Innovative research uses laser microscopes to explore how stone tools were used in prehistory, and the process has helped streamline surface measurement techniques for modern manufacturers.

Unique mechanism identified in bacteria as potential target for developing new antibiotics Posted: 20 Jul 2012 07:34 AM PDT Researchers have identified a unique mechanism in bacteria that has the potential to serve as a target for developing new antibiotics for diseases such as AIDS and soft tissue infections including respiratory and urogenital tracts, which are currently difficult to treat.

Key to life in the desert: What new research reveals about the importance of soil crusts Posted: 20 Jul 2012 07:34 AM PDT Biological soil crust organisms found to play an active role in the development of soil structures and the allocation of water and nutrients.

Eradicating weed species in New Zealand poses a larger challenge than expected Posted: 20 Jul 2012 07:33 AM PDT New Zealand is a very weedy country. Indigenous plant species are matched in number by naturalized, exotic species, and about 20 new invaders are discovered each year. Thus, a weed eradication program has been under way for the past 10 years, but completely eradicating an unwanted plant species is much more difficult than it might seem.

Angry Birds meets bioinformatics Posted: 20 Jul 2012 07:33 AM PDT Informatics researchers create an experimental framework for online, clinic-ready apps and ask others to embrace and expand it.

Stem cell research aids understanding of cancer Posted: 20 Jul 2012 06:22 AM PDT Scientists have discovered a novel marker that plays an important role in our understanding of how cancer develops in the liver, pancreas and esophagus.

3-D tumor models improve drug discovery success rate Posted: 20 Jul 2012 06:22 AM PDT Imagine millions of cancer cells organized in thousands of small divots. Hit these cells with drugs and when some cells die, you have a candidate for a cancer drug. But a new review argues that these 2-D models in fact offer very little information about a potential drug's effects in the body and may often give researchers misleading results.

Beneficial bacteria may help ward off infection Posted: 20 Jul 2012 06:22 AM PDT Scientists have explored the role of Lactobaccilus reuteri -- a natural resident of the human gut -- to protect against food-borne infection.

Cell research opens new avenues in combating neurodegenerative diseases Posted: 20 Jul 2012 06:22 AM PDT Scientists have uncovered how the internal mechanisms in nerve cells wire the brain. The findings open up new avenues in the investigation of neurodegenerative diseases by analyzing the cellular processes underlying these conditions.

Modifying surfaces by means of nanostructured reliefs to prevent the spread of bacteria Posted: 20 Jul 2012 06:21 AM PDT Researchers are designing, by means of laser application, nanostructured reliefs on surfaces so that they acquire antibacterial properties and are more resistant to the formation of bacterial biofilms. Researchers say that in the preliminary tests carried out so far with the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus there has been a 65-70% reduction in bacteria adhesion.

DNDi and Cipla to develop four-in-one pediatric antiretroviral drug combination Posted: 20 Jul 2012 05:33 AM PDT Researchers are working to develop and produce an improved first-line antiretroviral combination therapy specifically adapted to meet the treatment needs of the youngest children living with HIV/AIDS.

Anxiety disorders in poor moms likely to result from poverty, not mental illness, study suggests Posted: 20 Jul 2012 05:33 AM PDT Poor mothers are more likely to be classified as having the mental illness known as generalized anxiety disorder because they live in poverty -- not because they are suffering from a psychiatric disorder, according to researchers.

Parkinson's: Newly discovered antibody could facilitate early diagnosis Posted: 20 Jul 2012 05:30 AM PDT Conditions such as Parkinson's disease are a result of pathogenic changes to proteins. In the neurodegenerative condition of Parkinson's disease, which is currently incurable, the alpha-synuclein protein changes and becomes pathological. Until now, there have not been any antibodies that could help to demonstrate the change in alpha-synuclein associated with the disease. Medical researchers have now discovered a new antibody that actually possesses this ability.

Go-fast 'dimples' may be the secret to running success Posted: 20 Jul 2012 05:30 AM PDT In the run-up to London's 2012 Olympic Games, research revealed by a sports science expert has highlighted how the design of running shoes could boost an athlete's performance.

Dominant deer hinds choose the best food Posted: 20 Jul 2012 05:30 AM PDT When food is abundant, it seems that animals do not have to compete but dominant deer hinds still uphold rivalry and select the most nutritious food to maintain their status. This is the case according to a study carried out on the Albacete experimental deer farm in Spain.

How hosts recognize bacteria Posted: 20 Jul 2012 05:30 AM PDT We are surrounded by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. The fact that we nevertheless do not fall prey to infections is thanks to certain cellular sensor molecules such as toll-like receptors (TLR), which recognize the molecular structure of pathogens and intercede by ensuring an often completely unnoticeable elimination of the invaders. Their immune-activating abilities were only detected in 1998, a discovery which was awarded with the Nobel Prize. Now scientists are examining the complex recognition of bacteria.

'Seeds' of massive black holes found at the center of the Milky Way galaxy Posted: 20 Jul 2012 05:30 AM PDT Many galaxies contain enormous amounts of molecular gas in small areas near their nuclei. Highly condensed molecular gas is a birthplace of lots of stars. Moreover, it is considered to closely relate to activities of galactic nuclei. Therefore, it is important to investigate the physical state and chemical properties of molecular gas at galaxy centers through observation. To obtain detailed observation data, it is best to survey the center of the Milky Way Galaxy in which our solar system exists.

Vitamin D may protect lung function in smokers Posted: 20 Jul 2012 05:18 AM PDT Vitamin D deficiency is associated with worse lung function and more rapid decline in lung function over time in smokers, suggesting that vitamin D may have a protective effect against the effects of smoking on lung function, according to a new study.

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ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Colorful science sheds light on solar heating
• Better management of traumatic brain injury
• Triangles guide the way for live neural circuits in a dish
• Being in awe can expand time and enhance well-being
• Novel anti-malarial drug target identified
• Disorderly conduct: Probing the role of disorder in quantum coherence
• New report describes seven essential steps toward an AIDS-free generation
• Red hair is a sign of oxidative stress in wild boars, but gray is A-OK
• Farmers tough on artificial limbs
• An earthquake in a maze: Highest-resolution observations yet of the complex 2012 Sumatra earthquake
• What 10,000 fruit flies have to tell us about differences between the sexes
• Scientists read monkeys' inner thoughts: Brain activity decoded while monkeys avoid obstacle to touch target
• Scientists connect seawater chemistry with ancient climate change and evolution
• Understanding hot nuclear matter that permeated the early universe
• Rapid diagnostic test for pathogens, contaminants
• A wrinkle in space-time: Math shows how shockwaves could crinkle space
• Virus discovered in Cultus Lake sport fish
• In utero exposure to diesel exhaust a possible risk factor for obesity
• Viruses' copying mechanism demystified, opening the door to new vaccine strategies
• Entire genetic sequence of individual human sperm determined
• New technique reveals cross-talk between two essential cellular processes
• Unprecedented snapshot of single sperm cell's genome
• Locating muscle proteins
• One step closer to growing a tooth
• Potent new compound virtually eliminates HIV in cell culture
• Menu labeling requirements lead to healthier options at chain restaurants
• Scientists discover melanoma-driving genetic changes caused by sun damage
• Hundreds of random mutations in leukemia linked to aging, not cancer
• Inflammatory pathway spurs cancer stem cells to resist HER2-targeted breast cancer treatment
• Does presence of oxidants early in life help determine life span?
• Like a transformer? Protein unfolds and refolds for new function
• Cell division: Puzzling findings relating to centromere structure reconciled
• The yin and yang of stem cell quiescence and proliferation
• Anti-tau drug improves cognition, decreases tau tangles in Alzheimer's disease models
• Global CO₂ emissions continued to increase in 2011, with per capita emissions in China reaching European levels
• Reorganizing brain could lead to new stroke, tinnitus treatments
• Innovation promises to cut massive power use at big data companies in a flash
• Crossing the gap: Civil engineers develop improved method for detecting, measuring bridge damage
• A good night's sleep could keep you out of a nursing home
• Leopard in dramatic photo traced to 2004 camera trap
• 'Caffeinated' coastal waters: Possible sources include sewer overflows, septic tanks
• Could volcanic eruptions in the south-west Pacific save the Great Barrier Reef?
• What would Batman eat?
• High dolphin deaths in Gulf of Mexico due to oil spill and other environmental factors, study finds
• NASA sees sun send out mid-level solar flare
• How does fat influence flavor perception?
• How to build a middleweight black hole: New model for intermediate black hole formation parallels growth of giant planets
• Progress in search for neutrino-less double-beta decay of Xenon-136
• Fastest-growing cities not the most prosperous
• Success of pink bacteria in oceans of the world
• Skin has an internal clock
• Mild HIV type slows development of AIDS and makes new preventive treatments possible
• New agents join the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria
• Scientists have developed a way to detect superparasites
• You may never need to clean your car again, thanks to new coating technology
• Spatial knowledge vs. spatial choice: The hippocampus as conflict detector?
• Short-term intestinal parasite infection triggers specific cytokines that can prevent the development of type 1 diabetes
• New ultracapacitor delivers a jolt of energy at a constant voltage
• NASA completes another successful Orion parachute test
• Cassini spots daytime lightning on Saturn

Colorful science sheds light on solar heating Posted: 19 Jul 2012 06:27 PM PDT Using a new technique a solar scientist has created images of the sun reminiscent of Van Gogh, with broad strokes of bright color splashed across a yellow background. But it's science, not art.

Better management of traumatic brain injury Posted: 19 Jul 2012 06:27 PM PDT New treatments to lessen the severity of the more than 21,000 traumatic brain injury cases that occur in Australia each year are on the horizon.

Triangles guide the way for live neural circuits in a dish Posted: 19 Jul 2012 06:26 PM PDT Scientists have used tiny stars, squares and triangles as a toolkit to create live neural circuits in a dish. They hope the shapes can be used to create a reproducible neural circuit model that could be used for learning and memory studies as well as drug screening applications; the shapes could also be integrated into the latest neural tissue scaffolds to aid the regeneration of neurons at injured sites in the body, such as the spinal cord.

Being in awe can expand time and enhance well-being Posted: 19 Jul 2012 01:19 PM PDT It doesn't matter what we've experienced -- whether it's the breathtaking scope of the Grand Canyon, the ethereal beauty of the Aurora Borealis, or the exhilarating view from the top of the Eiffel Tower -- at some point in our lives we've all had the feeling of being in a complete and overwhelming sense of awe.

Novel anti-malarial drug target identified Posted: 19 Jul 2012 01:18 PM PDT Scientists have identified the first reported inhibitors of a key enzyme involved in survival of the parasite responsible for malaria. Their findings may provide the basis for anti-malarial drug development.

Disorderly conduct: Probing the role of disorder in quantum coherence Posted: 19 Jul 2012 12:33 PM PDT New work looks at the curious relation between disorder (usually a disruptive thing) and quantum coherence.

New report describes seven essential steps toward an AIDS-free generation Posted: 19 Jul 2012 12:33 PM PDT The end of AIDS is within our reach. But as the authors point out, new financial investments -- and renewed commitments -- from countries around the world will be critical to fully implement proven treatment and prevention tools already at hand and to continue essential scientific research.

Red hair is a sign of oxidative stress in wild boars, but gray is A-OK Posted: 19 Jul 2012 12:33 PM PDT A coat of a certain color could be costly for wild boars, according to new research. The research found that boars with more reddish hair tend to have higher levels of oxidative stress -- damage that occurs as toxins from cell respiration build up. The reason for this, the researchers suggest, is that the process of producing reddish pigment eats up a valuable antioxidant that would otherwise be fighting the free radicals that lead to oxidative stress.

Farmers tough on artificial limbs Posted: 19 Jul 2012 12:33 PM PDT When a farmer or rancher is injured on the job, there's an 11 percent chance that an amputation will occur. That's two and a half times more likely than in any other industry. Most of these amputations involve fingers or toes. But the artificial hands, arms, legs, feet and other prostheses used by agricultural workers with a major limb amputation don't seem to be durable, affordable or adaptable enough for their lifestyles, according to a new study.

An earthquake in a maze: Highest-resolution observations yet of the complex 2012 Sumatra earthquake Posted: 19 Jul 2012 11:18 AM PDT The powerful magnitude-8.6 earthquake that shook Sumatra on April 11, 2012, was the largest strike-slip quake ever recorded. Now, as researchers report on their findings from the first high-resolution observations of the underwater temblor, they point out that the earthquake was also unusually complex -- rupturing along multiple faults that lie at nearly right angles to one another, as though racing through a maze.

What 10,000 fruit flies have to tell us about differences between the sexes Posted: 19 Jul 2012 11:18 AM PDT What do you get when you dissect 10,000 fruit fly larvae? Scientists have discovered a way in which cells can adjust the activity of many different genes at once. Their findings overturn commonly held views and reveal an important mechanism behind sex differences.

Scientists read monkeys' inner thoughts: Brain activity decoded while monkeys avoid obstacle to touch target Posted: 19 Jul 2012 11:18 AM PDT Scientists who were decoding the activity of populations of neurons in the motor cortex discovered that they could tell how a monkey was planning to approach a reaching task. By chance the two monkeys chosen for the study had completely different cognitive styles. One was a hyperactive type, who kept jumping the gun, and the other was a smooth operator, who waited for the entire setup to be revealed before planning his next move.

Scientists connect seawater chemistry with ancient climate change and evolution Posted: 19 Jul 2012 11:18 AM PDT Humans get most of the blame for climate change with little attention paid to the contribution of other natural forces. Now, scientists are shedding light on one potential cause of the cooling trend of the past 45 million years that has everything to do with the chemistry of the world's oceans.

Understanding hot nuclear matter that permeated the early universe Posted: 19 Jul 2012 11:17 AM PDT A review article describes groundbreaking discoveries that have emerged from the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory, synergies with the heavy-ion program at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Europe, and the compelling questions that will drive this research forward on both sides of the Atlantic. The research helps enlighten our understanding of the hot nuclear matter that permeated the early universe.

Rapid diagnostic test for pathogens, contaminants Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:29 AM PDT Using nanoscale materials, researchers have developed a single-step method to rapidly and accurately detect viruses, bacteria and chemical contaminants. The scientists were able to detect compounds such as lactic acid and albumin in highly diluted samples and in mixtures that included dyes and other chemicals. Their results suggest the same system could be used to detect pathogens and contaminants in biological mixtures such as food, blood, saliva and urine.

A wrinkle in space-time: Math shows how shockwaves could crinkle space Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:29 AM PDT Mathematicians have come up with a new way to crinkle up the fabric of space-time -- at least in theory.

Virus discovered in Cultus Lake sport fish Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:29 AM PDT A fish-population statistician has uncovered evidence of a potentially deadly virus in a freshwater sport fish in B.C.

In utero exposure to diesel exhaust a possible risk factor for obesity Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:29 AM PDT Pregnant mice exposed to high levels of air pollution gave birth to offspring with a significantly higher rate of obesity and insulin resistance in adulthood than those that were not exposed to air pollution. This effect seemed especially prevalent in male mice, which were heavier regardless of diet. These findings suggests a link between diesel exhaust exposure in utero and bulging waistlines in adulthood.

Viruses' copying mechanism demystified, opening the door to new vaccine strategies Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:28 AM PDT Certain kinds of viruses such as those that cause the common cold and hepatitis, copy themselves using a unique mechanism, according to scientists. The discovery sheds light on a never-before-understood region of an enzyme associated with the process of replicating genetic material. The research is an important step toward designing vaccines against viruses that have eluded vaccination strategies in the past, and improving existing vaccines.

Entire genetic sequence of individual human sperm determined Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:28 AM PDT The entire genomes of 91 human sperm from one man have been sequenced. The results provide a fascinating glimpse into naturally occurring genetic variation in one individual, and are the first to report the whole-genome sequence of a human gamete -- the only cells that become a child and through which parents pass on physical traits.

New technique reveals cross-talk between two essential cellular processes Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:28 AM PDT Scientists have simultaneously mapped two of the most important types of protein-modification in cells, revealing their extensive cooperation during an essential cellular process.

Unprecedented snapshot of single sperm cell's genome Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:28 AM PDT Every sperm cell looks essentially the same, with that characteristic tadpole appearance. But inside, sperm cells carry differences within their genes. Now, researchers provide a detailed picture of how the cell's DNA varies. The techniques used could be helpful for understanding male reproductive disorders or, when applied to other areas of research, for characterizing normal and diseased cells in the body.

Locating muscle proteins Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:27 AM PDT Scientists are bringing the basis of muscle movement into sharper focus. Muscle contraction and many other movement processes are controlled by the interplay between myosin and actin filaments. Two further proteins, tropomyosin and troponin, regulate how myosin binds to actin. While theoretical models have in fact described exactly how these muscle proteins interact, this interaction has never previously been observed in detail.

One step closer to growing a tooth Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:27 AM PDT To build a tooth, a detailed recipe to instruct cells to differentiate towards proper lineages and form dental cells is needed. Researchers have now found a marker for dental stem cells. They showed that the transcription factor Sox2 is specifically expressed in stem cells of the mouse front tooth.

Potent new compound virtually eliminates HIV in cell culture Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:27 AM PDT A new study shows, in cell culture, a natural compound can virtually eliminate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in infected cells. The compound defines a novel class of HIV anti-viral drugs endowed with the capacity to repress viral replication in acutely and chronically infected cells.

Menu labeling requirements lead to healthier options at chain restaurants Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:27 AM PDT The recent Supreme Court decision on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has cleared the way for national requirements about posting nutritional information at chain restaurants. Listing calories, fat content, and sodium levels of menu items at the point of purchase has been promoted as a way to address the obesity epidemic. Increased awareness may lead to healthier consumer choices, and may encourage restaurants to adapt their menus to meet demand.

Scientists discover melanoma-driving genetic changes caused by sun damage Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:26 AM PDT It's been a burning question in melanoma research: Tumor cells are full of ultraviolet (UV)-induced genetic damage caused by sunlight exposure, but which mutations drive this cancer?

Hundreds of random mutations in leukemia linked to aging, not cancer Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:26 AM PDT Hundreds of mutations exist in leukemia cells at the time of diagnosis, but nearly all occur randomly as a part of normal aging and are not related to cancer, new research shows.

Inflammatory pathway spurs cancer stem cells to resist HER2-targeted breast cancer treatment Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:26 AM PDT Researchers have discovered one reason why the cancer cells become resistant to Herceptin: They turn on a completely different pathway, one that is involved in inflammation, fueling the cancer independently of HER2.

Does presence of oxidants early in life help determine life span? Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:25 AM PDT Why do we age, and what makes some of us live longer than others? For decades, researchers have been trying to answer these questions by elucidating the molecular causes of aging. The ability to deal with and recover from early oxidative stress might be a harbinger of lifespan, an animal study suggests.

Like a transformer? Protein unfolds and refolds for new function Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:25 AM PDT New research has shown that a protein does something that scientists once thought impossible: It unfolds itself and refolds into a completely new shape. When it refolds, it acquires a new function – another finding researchers would not have predicted.

Cell division: Puzzling findings relating to centromere structure reconciled Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:25 AM PDT Scientists have developed an innovative method to count the number of fluorescent molecules in a cluster and then applied the novel approach to settle a debate rampant among cell biologists —- namely, how DNA twists into a unique chromosomal structure called the centromere. Knowing this helps explain how cells navigate the hazards of division and avoid the disastrous consequences of ending up with the wrong number of chromosomes.

The yin and yang of stem cell quiescence and proliferation Posted: 19 Jul 2012 10:25 AM PDT Non-canonical Wnt-signaling maintains a quiescent pool of blood-forming stem cells in mouse bone marrow.

Anti-tau drug improves cognition, decreases tau tangles in Alzheimer's disease models Posted: 19 Jul 2012 08:52 AM PDT An anti-tau treatment called epithilone D (EpoD) was effective in preventing and intervening the progress of Alzheimer's disease in animal models, improving neuron function and cognition, as well as decreasing tau pathology.

Global CO<sub>2</sub> emissions continued to increase in 2011, with per capita emissions in China reaching European levels Posted: 19 Jul 2012 08:51 AM PDT Global emissions of carbon dioxide increased by 3% last year, reaching an all-time high of 34 billion tonnes in 2011. In China, the world's most populous country, average emissions of CO2 increased by 9% to 7.2 tonnes per capita. China is now within the range of 6 to 19 tonnes per capita emissions of the major industrialized countries. In the European Union, CO2 emissions dropped by 3% to 7.5 tonnes per capita. The United States remains one of the largest emitters of CO2, with 17.3 tones per capita, despite a decline due to the recession in 2008-2009, high oil prices and an increased share of natural gas.

Reorganizing brain could lead to new stroke, tinnitus treatments Posted: 19 Jul 2012 08:13 AM PDT Researchers recently demonstrated how nerve stimulation paired with specific experiences, such as movements or sounds, can reorganize the brain. This technology could lead to new treatments for stroke, tinnitus, autism and other disorders.

Innovation promises to cut massive power use at big data companies in a flash Posted: 19 Jul 2012 08:13 AM PDT Researchers have developed a technique to allow flash memory to substitute for RAM in many applications, allowing for savings in equipment costs and power consumption.

Crossing the gap: Civil engineers develop improved method for detecting, measuring bridge damage Posted: 19 Jul 2012 08:09 AM PDT A new ratings system could keep bridges safer and help prevent catastrophic collapses. The researchers have created a bridge health index, which is a rating system that more accurately describes the amount of damage in a bridge. Additionally, the health index can extend beyond bridges and apply to other structures, such as gas pipelines, dams, buildings and airplanes.

A good night's sleep could keep you out of a nursing home Posted: 19 Jul 2012 08:09 AM PDT Scientists have discovered another possible benefit of a night of restful and uninterrupted sleep. According to researchers, fragmented or interrupted sleep could predict future placement in a nursing home or assisted living facility.

Leopard in dramatic photo traced to 2004 camera trap Posted: 19 Jul 2012 08:09 AM PDT A dramatic photo of a male leopard dragging a massive gaur (or Indian bison) calf in Karnataka's Bandipur Tiger Reserve turned out to be the same animal photographed by a WCS camera trap nearly eight years ago.

'Caffeinated' coastal waters: Possible sources include sewer overflows, septic tanks Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:53 AM PDT A new study finds elevated levels of caffeine at several sites in Pacific Ocean waters off the coast of Oregon -- though not necessarily where researchers expected. This study is the first to look at caffeine pollution off the Oregon coast.

Could volcanic eruptions in the south-west Pacific save the Great Barrier Reef? Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:52 AM PDT Could the pumice that surges into the ocean once a volcano erupts in Tonga or elsewhere in the south-west Pacific save the Great Barrier Reef? New research conducted by Queensland University of Technology geologist Dr Scott Bryan indicates that yes, this is not only possible, but could be how the Great Barrier Reef formed in the first place.

What would Batman eat? Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:52 AM PDT Researches examined whether the priming of a role model's food choices or the priming of healthy foods could influence children to make healthier fast food choices. Forty-five percent of the children selected apple fries after being shown pictures of superheroes and other role models, compared to 9 percent who chose apple fries with no superhero prompts. Parents using this tactic with their kids might be a realistic step to a healthier fast-food world.

High dolphin deaths in Gulf of Mexico due to oil spill and other environmental factors, study finds Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:52 AM PDT The largest oil spill on open water to date and other environmental factors led to the historically high number of dolphin deaths in the Gulf of Mexico, concludes a two-year scientific study.

NASA sees sun send out mid-level solar flare Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:52 AM PDT A new image was captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on July 19, 2012 of an M7.7 class solar flare. The image represents light in the 131 Angstrom wavelength, which is particularly good for seeing flares, and which is typically colorized in teal.

How does fat influence flavor perception? Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:50 AM PDT Fat in food can reduce activity in several areas of the brain which are responsible for processing taste, aroma and reward.

How to build a middleweight black hole: New model for intermediate black hole formation parallels growth of giant planets Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:50 AM PDT A new model shows how an elusive type of black hole can be formed in the gas surrounding their supermassive counterparts. In new research, scientists propose that intermediate-mass black holes -- light-swallowing celestial objects with masses ranging from hundreds to many thousands of times the mass of the sun -- can grow in the gas disks around supermassive black holes in the centers of galaxies.

Progress in search for neutrino-less double-beta decay of Xenon-136 Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:50 AM PDT Physicists recently reported results of an experiment conducted in a salt mine one-half mile under Carlsbad, N.M., part of a decades-long search for evidence of the elusive neutrino-less double-beta decay of Xenon-136. They succeeded in setting a new lower limit for the half-life of this ephemeral nuclear decay. Though no one has yet seen it, important progress was made.

Fastest-growing cities not the most prosperous Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:50 AM PDT As communities seek new ways to emerge from the recession, many may look to growing their population as a strategy. However, the belief that population growth will bring jobs and economic prosperity for local residents is a myth.

Success of pink bacteria in oceans of the world Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:50 AM PDT Researchers have now discovered that, through plasmids, representatives of the Roseobacter group may exchange such important genetic characteristics as the capability to perform photosynthesis. This type of horizontal gene transfer across the species boundary might make it possible for bacteria of the Roseobacter clade to quickly and effectively conquer new ecological niches.

Skin has an internal clock Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:36 AM PDT Human skin has an internal clock responsible for the time-based steering of its repair and regeneration, among other things. Our skin is one of the body's essential organs and perhaps the most versatile: Besides representative, communicative and sensory functions, it serves as our body's boundary to the environment, forms an active and passive barrier against germs and helps keeping conditions constant for other important systems of the body, even though environmental conditions can change drastically. Frost, heat, sunlight and moisture — a variety of challenges for our skin — have different effects depending on the time of day.

Mild HIV type slows development of AIDS and makes new preventive treatments possible Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:36 AM PDT A new study has opened the way for new approaches to slowing the development of AIDS in HIV-1-infected patients. It is hoped that this could lead to better treatment methods and preventive measures to combat HIV and AIDS.

New agents join the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:35 AM PDT The World Health Organization (WHO) has named antimicrobial resistance one of the most important threats to human health. Scientists have now demonstrated that a new class of chemically produced antimicrobial agents could become a future infection treatment alternative. These findings are another advance for researchers in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Scientists have developed a way to detect superparasites Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:35 AM PDT Scientists have made a breakthrough in bridging high tech molecular biology research on microbial pathogens and the needs of the poorest of the poor. After sequencing the complete genome of Leishmania donovani (a parasite causing one of the most important tropical diseases after malaria) in hundreds of clinical isolates, they identified a series of mutations specific of 'superparasites' and developed a simple assay that should allow tracking them anywhere.

You may never need to clean your car again, thanks to new coating technology Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:35 AM PDT A new coating with self-repairing surface functionality has been developed. Researchers in the Netherlands have developed a coating with a surface that repairs itself after damage. This new coating has numerous potential applications -- for example mobile phones that will remain clean from fingerprints, cars that never need to be washed, and aircraft that need less frequent repainting.

Spatial knowledge vs. spatial choice: The hippocampus as conflict detector? Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:35 AM PDT Hippocampal NMDA receptors in the brain help to make the right decision when faced with complex orientation problems

Short-term intestinal parasite infection triggers specific cytokines that can prevent the development of type 1 diabetes Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:32 AM PDT Short-term infection with intestinal worms may provide long-term protection against type I diabetes (TID), suggests a new study. The incidence of TID is relatively low in developing countries. One explanation for this phenomenon is the prevalence of chronic intestinal worm infections, which dampen the self-aggressive T cells that cause diabetes and other autoimmune diseases.

New ultracapacitor delivers a jolt of energy at a constant voltage Posted: 19 Jul 2012 07:32 AM PDT Scientists have designed an ultracapacitor that maintains a near steady voltage. The novel constant-voltage design may one day help ultracapacitors find new uses in low-voltage electric vehicle circuits and handheld electronics.

NASA completes another successful Orion parachute test Posted: 19 Jul 2012 05:35 AM PDT NASA completed another successful test July 18 of the Orion crew vehicle's parachutes high above the Arizona desert in preparation for the spacecraft's orbital flight test in 2014. Orion will carry astronauts deeper into space than ever before, provide emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during space travel and ensure a safe re-entry and landing.

Cassini spots daytime lightning on Saturn Posted: 19 Jul 2012 05:31 AM PDT Saturn was playing the lightning storm blues. NASA's Cassini spacecraft has captured images of last year's storm on Saturn, the largest storm seen up-close at the planet, with bluish spots in the middle of swirling clouds. Those bluish spots indicate flashes of lightning and mark the first time scientists have detected lightning in visible wavelengths on the side of Saturn illuminated by the sun.

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