ScienceDaily Top Science Headlines
for Tuesday, July 8, 2008
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Good Golf Players See The Hole As Larger Than Poor Players (July 8, 2008) -- Golfers who play well are more likely to see the hole as larger than their poor-playing counterparts, according to new research. "Golfers have said that when they play well the hole looks as big as a bucket or basketball hoop, and when they do not play well they've been quoted as saying the hole looks like a dime or the inside of a donut," according to the researcher. ... > full story
Newborn Vitamin A Reduces Infant Mortality (July 8, 2008) -- A single, oral dose of vitamin A, given to infants shortly after birth in the developing world can reduce their risk of death by 15 percent, according to a new study in the journal Pediatrics. ... > full story
MRI Technique To ID Microstructural Changes In Asthma (July 8, 2008) -- Scientists have developed a novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that -- for the first time ever -- identified microscopic structural damages deep in the lungs of patients with asthma. ... > full story
New Treatment Approach Promising For Lymphoma Patients In Developing World (July 8, 2008) -- Preliminary results suggest that patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the developing world might benefit from a modified chemotherapy regimen, researchers say. ... > full story
Tiny Changes At Nanometer Scale Can Have A Colossal Effect On Properties Of A Material: Now Researchers Can Predict Changes (July 8, 2008) -- Tiny changes at the nanometer scale can have a colossal effect on the properties of a material, and for the first time researchers may have a method to see and even predict those changes. ... > full story
Political Borders, Health-care Issues Complicate Pandemic Planning (July 8, 2008) -- Panic, staffing issues and geographic boundaries are some of the challenges that public health experts need to address as they plan for a possible influenza pandemic, according to a new report. ... > full story
Baby's Smile Is A Natural High (July 8, 2008) -- The baby's smile that gladdens a mother's heart also lights up the reward centers of her brain, researchers report in the journal Pediatrics. ... > full story
PTSD Causes Early Death From Heart Disease, Study Suggests (July 8, 2008) -- A new study sheds light on the link between PTSD and heart disease. Vietnam veterans with PTSD suffered higher rates of heart disease death than veterans without PTSD. The more severe the PTSD diagnosis, the greater the likelihood of death from heart disease, the study showed. ... > full story
Dividing Cells Find Their Middle By Following A Protein 'Contour Map' (July 8, 2008) -- Self-organization keeps schools of fish, flocks of birds and colonies of termites in sync. It's also, according to new research, the way cells regulate the final stage of cell division. Scientists have shown that a protein-chemistry-based contour map, which helps individual proteins locate the center of their cell without direction from a "master organizer," is key to ensuring accurate division during mitosis. ... > full story
Innovative Program Focuses On Improved Care For Children With ADHD (July 8, 2008) -- An innovative program is helping busy primary care physicians improve the care they provide for school-aged children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, according to a new study. The study is the first to intervene with an entire community of primary care physicians and help them more accurately diagnose and effectively monitor treatment response of their patients with ADHD, researchers said. ... > full story
Bacterial Peptide Provides New Insight Into Common Tumor Suppressor (July 8, 2008) -- Scientists have identified a new anti-tumor drug that might prove useful in developing treatments for a multiple human cancers. The research advances the understanding of one of the most frequently disrupted tumor suppressor proteins in human cancer and provides new insight into the regulation of the complex process of cellular protein degradation under normal and pathological conditions. ... > full story
Relationship Violence Appears Common Among College Students (July 8, 2008) -- Violence between partners, friends and acquaintances appears prevalent both during and before college, according to results of a survey of students at three urban college campuses. ... > full story
Birds Migrate Together At Night In Dispersed Flocks, New Study Indicates (July 7, 2008) -- A new analysis indicates that birds don't fly alone when migrating at night. Some birds, at least, keep together on their migratory journeys, flying in tandem even when they are 200 meters or more apart. ... > full story
Molecule That Kills Kidney Cancer Cells Discovered (July 7, 2008) -- Kidney cancer patients generally have one option for beating their disease: surgery to remove the organ. But that could change, thanks to a new molecule found by Stanford University School of Medicine researchers that kills kidney cancer cells. ... > full story
Best Treatment For Multiple Sclerosis May Depend On Disease Subtype (July 7, 2008) -- In animal studies, scientists discover different inflammatory pathways at work. Relatively new drugs now help some patients, but not others, with the most common form of multiple sclerosis. That may be because patients with the same symptoms experience different types of inflammation, suggests a new study in animals. If the differences are found in people, future treatments may be tailored to specific subtypes of the disease. ... > full story
Counting Tumor Cells In Blood Predicts Treatment Benefit In Prostate Cancer (July 7, 2008) -- Counting the number of tumor cells circulating in the bloodstream of patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer can accurately predict how well they are responding to treatment, new results show. Researchers showed that changes in the number of circulating tumor cells predicted the outcome after chemotherapy in this hard to treat cancer. ... > full story
Special Horseshoes Measure Acceleration In Horses, Evaluate Methods of Rehabilitation (July 7, 2008) -- Scientists have carried out studies both into the advantages of different rider techniques in reducing injury risk to horses, and into the benefits of a method of equine rehabilitation. By using computer modelling and specialist horseshoes to measure acceleration, these investigations suggest that aqua-training rehabilitation methods are beneficial whereas rising trot may not be as advantageous as previously thought. ... > full story
Families With Children Without A Genetic Or Gestational Link To Their Parents Are Functioning Well (July 7, 2008) -- The emotional well-being of families where children lack a genetic or gestational link to one or both of their parents -- where the children have been conceived through surrogacy, egg donation or donor insemination -- has long been a subject of debate. Now, scientists have shown that relationships within such families appear to be functioning well, and that there are few differences between them and families in whom children were conceived naturally. ... > full story
Computers Used To Hone Cancer-fighting Strategies (July 7, 2008) -- Medical researchers are using high-powered computers to determine how substances known as recombinant immunotoxins can best be modified in order to attack and kill malignant tumors while doing minimal harm to a patient's healthy cells. ... > full story
Can Recycling Be Used To Treat Cancer? (July 7, 2008) -- We already know that recycling benefits our planet; and now new research suggests that the cellular version might be useful for battling cancer. Scientists have identified a molecule that uses this unexpected pathway to selectively kill cancer cells. The research may drive treatment strategies for cancer in an entirely new direction. ... > full story
Simian Foamy Virus Found To Be Widespread Among Chimpanzees (July 7, 2008) -- Simian foamy virus is widespread among wild chimpanzees throughout equatorial Africa. Recent studies have shown that humans who hunt wild primates, including chimpanzees, can acquire SFV infections. Since the long-term consequences of these cross-species infections are not known, it is important to determine to what extent wild primates are infected with simian foamy viruses. ... > full story
Researchers Clarify Function Of Glucose Transport Molecule, May Lead To New Diabetes, Cancer Drugs (July 7, 2008) -- Scientists have solved the structure of a class of proteins known as sodium glucose co-transporters, which pump glucose into cells. The solution of the SGLT structure will accelerate development of new drugs designed to treat patients with diabetes and cancer. The journal Science publishes the findings. ... > full story
Geologists Study China Earthquake For Glimpse Into Future (July 7, 2008) -- The May 12 earthquake that rocked Sichuan Province in China was the first there in recorded history and unexpected in its magnitude. Now a team of geoscientists is looking at the potential for future earthquakes due to earthquake-induced changes in stress. ... > full story
Surrogacy Still Stigmatized, Though Attitudes Changing Among Younger Women (July 7, 2008) -- Although younger people are becoming more positive towards surrogate mothers, current day attitudes to surrogacy are still broadly negative. Researchers say that previous stigmatization of surrogate mothers in the media had added to the reluctance to undertake this treatment option. ... > full story
Amorphous Materials: How Some Solids Flow Like Liquids (July 7, 2008) -- Scientists have provided the first proof that amorphous materials, also known as soft glasses, deform and flow through a collective movement of their particles. These materials (which include chocolate mousse, shaving cream, mayonnaise, metallic glasses, granular materials and mud) are amorphous solids, in other words, they are resistant like solids but, like liquids, lack a crystalline structure. ... > full story
Male Biological Clock Also 'Ticking': Fertility Problems Greater For Men Over 35 (July 7, 2008) -- Pregnancy rates decrease and miscarriages were found to increase when a father is over 35 years of age. Researchers say that this is the first time that such a strong paternal effect on reproductive outcomes has been shown. ... > full story
Visualizing Atomic-scale Acoustic Waves In Nanostructures (July 7, 2008) -- Acoustic waves play many everyday roles -- from communication between people to ultrasound imaging. Now the highest frequency acoustic waves in materials, with nearly atomic-scale wavelengths, promise to be useful probes of nanostructures such as LED lights. ... > full story
Potential Treatment For TB Solves Puzzle (July 7, 2008) -- Scientists have uncovered a new target for the potential treatment of TB, finally resolving a long-running debate about how the bacterial cell wall is built. The research, published in Microbiology reveals several molecules that could be developed into drugs to treat tuberculosis. Multi drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes TB, sparked concern but the recent emergence of extensively drug-resistant strains means the search for new treatments is imperative. ... > full story
Cancer Therapies From The Ocean? (July 7, 2008) -- Scientists have studied the properties of natural products derived from animals found in Fijian waters, and shown that not only may certain compounds have potential use in anti-cancer therapies, but others may also be useful for improving drug delivery, currently one of the most significant problems faced by medical researchers. ... > full story
Children Born After Donor Insemination Should Be Told As Soon As Possible About Their Conception (July 7, 2008) -- It is better for children conceived by donor insemination to be told of their origins at an early age, according to the first large-scale study of people who are aware of their donor conception. If the children are not told until they are 18 or older, they are more likely to have feelings of shock and anger. ... > full story
First DNA Molecule Made Almost Entirely Of Artificial Parts (July 7, 2008) -- Chemists in Japan report development of the world's first DNA molecule made almost entirely of artificial parts. The finding could lead to improvements in gene therapy, futuristic nano-sized computers, and other high-tech advances, they say. ... > full story
Mimic Molecules To Protect Against Plague (July 7, 2008) -- Bacteria that cause pneumonic plague can evade our first-line defenses, making it difficult for the body to fight infection. In fact, a signature of the plague is the lack of an inflammatory response. Now, scientists have discovered a way to protect against death following infection with plague bacteria, by using molecules that can mimic the pathogens. According to research published in Microbiology, these molecules make antibiotics more effective and can even be used to protect against other diseases. ... > full story
Artichoke Leaf Extract Lowers Cholesterol (July 7, 2008) -- Researchers have found that an over-the-counter Artichoke Leaf Extract (ALE) from the globe artichoke plant can lower cholesterol in otherwise healthy individuals with moderately raised levels. Cardiovascular diseases are the chief causes of death in the UK, and are associated with raised circulating levels of total cholesterol in the plasma. Once plasma cholesterol reaches a certain level, drugs such as statins are often prescribed to help reduce it. Intervention before concentrations reaches these levels may help reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases without the need for drugs. ... > full story
Tumor Suppressor That Manages Cellular Cleaning And Recycling Proceses Identified (July 7, 2008) -- Researchers have identified a specific tumor suppressor that manages membrane traffic routes for cellular cleaning and recycling. ... > full story
Understanding And Controlling Optical Damage Caused By Lasers On Crystals (July 7, 2008) -- A new study has advanced current understanding as well as the control of optical damage in crystals, offering new ways to increase light-power output of future optical integrated circuits. Many of the lasers used today, both in scientific or technological applications have such a high light output power that the light itself damages or even destroys the crystals used to control, guide or manipulate it inside photonic devices (devices that only work with light). ... > full story
Screening For Heart Disorders In Competitive Athletes Would Save Lives (July 7, 2008) -- Athletes who take part in competitive sport should be screened for potentially fatal heart problems before they compete, according to a study. ... > full story
When Using Gestures, Rules Of Grammar Remain The Same (July 7, 2008) -- The mind apparently has a consistent way of ordering an event that defies the order in which subjects, verbs and objects typically appear in languages. Although speakers of different languages describe events using the word orders prescribed by their language, when the same speakers are asked to "speak" with their hands and not their mouths, they ignore these orders -- they all use exactly the same order when they gesture. ... > full story
Aggressive Treatment Of Childhood Eczema Could Help Prevent Asthma, New Study Suggests (July 7, 2008) -- More aggressive treatment of childhood eczema may be an important step in preventing asthma, says a new Australian study. ... > full story
Researchers Tug At Molecules With Optical Tweezers (July 7, 2008) -- Researchers have developed a novel technique to measure the strength of the bonds between two protein molecules important in cell machinery: gently tugging them apart with light beams. ... > full story
Topical Oral Syrup Prevents Early Childhood Caries, Study Shows (July 7, 2008) -- Dental researchers have reported a significant reduction of tooth decay in toddlers who were treated with the topical syrup xylitol, a naturally occurring non-cavity-causing sweetener. ... > full story
Rabbits, Mice And Prickly Shrubs Help Establish Natural Diversity (July 7, 2008) -- Small mammals, such as rabbits and mice, play a major role in the development of natural diversity. Biologists researched how scrub becomes established in natural grassland. It seems that prickly shrubs are important in protecting plants and preventing animal species from grazing. Researchers have also demonstrated that natural disturbances such as flooding and animal diseases are very important for the diversity of natural areas. ... > full story
Children Overestimate Cute Animals In Rainforests, While Underestimating Insects And Annelids (July 7, 2008) -- Researchers investigated children's perceptions of rainforest biodiversity by asking young museum visitors to draw their ideal rainforest, as part of a competition, and found that while children have a sophisticated understanding of rainforest ecosystems, they tend to overestimate the relative numbers of some taxa (mainly "cuter" mammals, birds and reptiles) while underestimating the proportions of less charismatic taxa, such as insects and annelids. ... > full story
Rubber 'Snake' Could Help Wave Power Get A Bite Of The Energy Market (July 7, 2008) -- A device consisting of a giant rubber tube may hold the key to producing affordable electricity from the energy in sea waves. Named after the snake of the same name because of its long thin shape, the Anaconda is closed at both ends and filled completely with water. It is designed to be anchored just below the sea's surface, with one end facing the oncoming waves. ... > full story
Potential New Drug Candidates To Combat 'Bird Flu' Identified (July 7, 2008) -- As the specter of a worldwide outbreak of avian or "bird flu" lingers, health officials recognize that new drugs are desperately needed since some strains of the virus already have developed resistance to the current roster of anti-flu remedies. ... > full story
Ancient Marine Invertebrate Diversity Less Explosive Than Thought (July 7, 2008) -- Diversity among the ancestors of such marine creatures as clams, sand dollars and lobsters showed only a modest rise beginning 144 million years ago with no clear trend afterwards, according to researchers. This contradicts previous work showing dramatic increases beginning 248 million years ago and may shed light on future diversity. ... > full story
Shedding Light On The Molecular Basis Of Crib Death (July 7, 2008) -- Sudden infant death syndrome is a condition that unexpectedly and unexplainably takes the lives of seemingly healthy babies aged between a month and a year. Now researchers have developed a mouse model of the so-called crib or cot death. The model, published in the journal Science, reveals that an imbalance of the neuronal signal serotonin in the brain stem is causes sudden death in mice. ... > full story
World's Smallest High Performance, Low Energy Sensor (July 7, 2008) -- Scientists are developing the world's smallest, high-performance and low-power sensor in silicon which will have applications in biosensing and environmental monitoring. ... > full story
Brain Noise Is Good: New Study Overturns Notion That Brain Noise Quiets Down With Maturity (July 7, 2008) -- Canadian scientists have shown that a noisy brain is a healthy brain. "Brain noise" is a term that has been used by neuroscientists to describe random brain activity that is not important to mental function. Intuitive notions of brain-behavior relationships would suggest that this brain noise quiets down as children mature into adults and become more efficient and consistent in their cognitive processing. But new research overturns this notion. ... > full story
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