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Feed: SCIENCEDAILY: LATEST SCIENCE NEWS
Breaking science news and articles on global warming, extrasolar planets, stem cells, bird flu, autism, nanotechnology, dinosaurs, evolution -- the latest discoveries in astronomy, anthropology, biology, chemistry, climate & environment, computers, engineering, health & medicine, math, physics, psychology, technology, and more -- from the world's leading universities and research organizations.
Brainstem, spinal cord images hidden in Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel fresco
29-Jul-10
Michelangelo, the 16th century master painter and accomplished anatomist, appears to have hidden an image of the brainstem and spinal cord in a depiction of God in the Sistine Chapel's ceiling, a new study reports. These findings by a neurosurgeon and a medical illustrator may explain long controversial and unusual features of one of the frescoes' figures.
Sleep disorder may signal dementia, Parkinson's disease up to 50 years early
29-Jul-10
A new study shows that a sleep disorder may be a sign of dementia or Parkinson's disease up to 50 years before the disorders are diagnosed.
Planets found in unusually intimate dance around dying star
29-Jul-10
Astronomers have found two extrasolar planetary systems with gas giant planets locked in an orbital embrace. In one system -- a planetary pair orbiting the massive, dying star HD 200964, located roughly 223 light-years from Earth -- the intimate dance is closer and tighter than any previously seen.
An HPV vaccine cheap enough for the developing world? Could be
29-Jul-10
Vaccine manufacturers in India and other developing countries may be able to produce a lower-cost HPV vaccine in spite of the complicated array of patent protections on the technology, say researchers.
NASA simulates space exploration at remote Arctic crater site
29-Jul-10
NASA personnel are among a group of international researchers who are in the Canadian Arctic assessing concepts for future planetary exploration as part of the Haughton-Mars Project, or HMP-2010. Scientists are using the arid, rocky environment of the Haughton Crater on Devon Island, Canada to simulate conditions that might be encountered by explorers on other planetary bodies. The latest edition of the HMP-2010 began July 19 and includes three weeks of crew and mission control activities and robotic testing.
Can't place that face?
29-Jul-10
Researchers are trying to understand the mechanisms at work in the face area of the brain called the "fusiform gyrus" by combining cognitive psychology with techniques like brain imaging and electrophysiology. This research may help business executives better match names with faces, and can lead to better facial recognition software to identify terrorists or criminals.
Quantum phenomenon observed: Atoms form organized structure from unorganized one
29-Jul-10
Physicists have experimentally observed a quantum phenomenon, where an arbitrarily weak perturbation causes atoms to build an organized structure from an initially unorganized one.
Dense bones linked to raised risk for prostate cancer
29-Jul-10
Men who develop prostate cancer, especially the more aggressive and dangerous forms that spread throughout the body, tend to retain denser bones as they age than men who stay free of the disease, suggests new research.
Birth of a hurricane
29-Jul-10
Summer storms are a regular feature in the North Atlantic, and while most pose little threat to our shores, a choice few become devastating hurricanes. To decipher which storms could bring danger, and which will not, atmospheric scientists are heading to the tropics to observe these systems as they form and dissipate--or develop into hurricanes.
Women with gestational diabetes have increased risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies, study finds
29-Jul-10
There is an increased risk of recurring gestational diabetes in pregnant women who developed gestational diabetes during their first and second pregnancies, according to new study.
New tool for improving switchgrass
29-Jul-10
Scientists have developed a new tool for deciphering the genetics of a native prairie grass being widely studied for its potential as a biofuel. The genetic map of switchgrass is expected to speed up the search for genes that will make the perennial plant a more viable source of bioenergy.
Teachers can close gender gap in classroom leadership during medical school, study finds
29-Jul-10
A new study shows that female medical students volunteer for leadership roles in the classroom significantly less than their male peers. Subtle pep talks from teachers can even out the playing field.
Marine biodiversity strongly linked to ocean temperature
29-Jul-10
Scientists have mapped and analyzed global biodiversity patterns for over 11,000 marine species ranging from tiny zooplankton to sharks and whales.
Diabetes care: Implanted glucose sensor works for more than a year in animal studies
29-Jul-10
Bioengineers have developed an implantable glucose sensor and wireless telemetry system that continuously monitors tissue glucose and transmits the information to an external receiver. A new article describes the use of this glucose-sensing device as an implant in animals for over one year. After human clinical trials and FDA approval, the device may be useful to people with diabetes as an alternative to finger sticking and short-term, needle-like glucose sensors that have to be replaced every three to seven days.
A future with or without trees: Greenhouse gas emissions from Brazilian Amazon state
29-Jul-10
Researchers have estimated future emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane in the Brazilian Amazon state of Mato Grosso. The estimates were made by combining 105 years of historical data on land-use changes with possible scenarios for future deforestation and land use in the region.
Weight issues move up need for walkers, canes, other devices
29-Jul-10
Obese older adults are more likely to use walkers, canes and other mobility devices at a younger age, and may run the risk of using them incorrectly, according to new research.
Talking touchscreens aid patients
29-Jul-10
Multimedia talking touchscreens, housed in computer kiosks at clinics and hospitals, are helping researchers and clinicians at local health care centers enhance patient-centered care for patients with diverse language, literacy and computer skills.
Penalty points system driver's license reduces accidents on a temporary basis, Spanish study finds
29-Jul-10
Researchers have determined that after the implementation in 2006 of the penalty points system driver's license in Spain, there has been a reduction of 12.6 percent in the number of deaths in highway accidents. However, the effect on fatal accidents lasted only two years.
Hormonal birth control alters scent communication in primates
29-Jul-10
Hormonal contraceptives change the ways captive ring-tailed lemurs relate to one another both socially and sexually, according to a study that combined analyses of hormones, genes, scent chemicals and behavior.
Sirtuin1 may boost memory and learning ability; Discovery could lead to new drugs to fight Alzheimer's, other neurological diseases
29-Jul-10
The same molecular mechanism that increases life span through calorie restriction may help boost memory and brainpower, researchers report.
Genomes behave as social entities: Alien chromatin minorities evolve through specificities reduction
29-Jul-10
Researchers in Portugal and the U.S. studied the introgression -- the movement of a gene from one species into the gene pool of another -- of rye alien chromatin in the wheat genome, and showed that genomes behave like social entities.
Millions of Americans in early stages of kidney disease need stroke monitoring, research finds
29-Jul-10
Millions of Americans in the early stages of chronic kidney disease are at an increased risk of having atrial fibrillation -- a major risk factor for stroke -- according to new research.
Three-year investigation of military munitions sea disposal site in Hawaii completed
29-Jul-10
The University of Hawaii at Manoa's School of Ocean Earth Science and Technology completed a three-year long investigation of Sea Disposal Site Hawaii Number 5, a deep-water military munitions disposal site in US coastal waters approximately 5 miles south of Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii. This complex investigation required the use of high-resolution sidescan sonar and remotely operated underwater vehicles to locate sea disposed munitions in water as deep as 1,500 feet.
Narcissistic heterosexual men target their hostility primarily at heterosexual women, the objects of their desires, study finds
29-Jul-10
Heterosexual women bear the brunt of narcissistic heterosexual men's hostility, while heterosexual men, gay men and lesbian women provoke a softer reaction, according to a new study.
Western diet link to ADHD, Australian study finds
29-Jul-10
A new study from Australia shows an association between ADHD and a "Western-style" diet in adolescents. The study examined the dietary patterns of 1800 adolescents from the long-term Raine Study and classified diets into 'Healthy' or 'Western' patterns.
No safe level: First study to show teenage binge drinkers harm abilities in later life
29-Jul-10
Researchers in the UK have demonstrated a link between teenage binge drinking and damage to prospective memory.
New light on speciation and biodiversity of marine microorganisms
29-Jul-10
The world’s oceans are host to an enormous diversity of drifting, microscopic organisms, known as plankton. How this biodiversity has arisen has puzzled biologists for decades. An international team of researchers has now succeeded in elucidating how new planktonic species are formed, providing an explanation for the large biodiversity seen today.
Mystery of healthy fat people: Why some obese people go on to become diabetic while others do not
29-Jul-10
It is common to find obese people – even morbidly obese people – who are healthier than their condition would normally allow. Working with subjects with a body mass index of about 56, a team of researchers investigated the inflammatory and insulin signaling pathways in the patients’ visceral adipose tissue.
Computer game helps nurses master drug calculations
29-Jul-10
Drug calculations is a very hard course for many nursing students. A specially made computer game, developed in Norway, is set to help them pass a vitally important exam.
'Sea urchin'-shaped nanostructures grown in the lab
29-Jul-10
Researchers have succeeded in growing sea-urchin shaped nanostructures from minute balls of polystyrene beads using a simple electrochemical process. The spines of the sea urchin consist of zinc oxide nanowires. The structured surface should help increasing the efficiency of photovoltaic devices.
Popular diabetes drugs associated with fractures in type 2 diabetic patients, study finds
29-Jul-10
Postmenopausal women with diabetes taking thiazolidinediones (TZDS), including rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, may be at increased risk for fractures, according to a new study. Men with diabetes taking both loop diuretics and TZDs may also be at increased risk of fractures.
Vitamin D deficiency linked to arterial stiffness in black teens
29-Jul-10
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with arterial stiffness, a risk factor for heart disease and stroke, in black teens, according to a new study. Black teens taking vitamin D supplementation of 2,000 international units per day had a decrease in central arterial stiffness.
Chronic myeloid leukemia: New lab test could identify imatinib resistance
29-Jul-10
Scientists in Japan may have developed a way to accurately predict those patients who will resist treatment with imatinib, which is the standard of care for chronic myeloid leukemia.
Ancient DNA identifies donkey ancestors, people who domesticated them
29-Jul-10
In a finding that says much about the people who lived in northern Africa 5,000 years ago, scientists believe domestication of the donkey was achieved by nomadic people responding to the growing borders of the Sahara. Scientists also determined the endangered African wild ass is the living ancestor of the modern donkey and found hints that one strain of African wild ass thought to be extinct may still be alive.
Mysterious workings of cholera bacteria uncovered
29-Jul-10
Researchers have found that an enzyme in the bacteria that causes cholera uses a previously unknown mechanism in providing the bacteria with energy. Because the enzyme is not found in most other organisms, including humans, the finding offers insights into how drugs might be created to kill the bacteria without harming humans.
Nanomaterials poised for big impact in construction
29-Jul-10
Nanomaterials are poised for widespread use in the construction industry, where they can offer significant advantages for a variety of applications ranging from making more durable concrete to self-cleaning windows. But widespread use in building materials comes with potential environmental and health risks when those materials are thrown away. Those are the conclusions of a new study.
Middle school students co-author research on enzyme for activating promising disease-fighters
29-Jul-10
Two middle school students from Wisconsin joined a team of scientists who are reporting the first glimpse of the innermost structure of a key bacterial enzyme. It helps activate certain antibiotics and anti-cancer agents so that those substances do their job.
Nanotechnology for water purification
29-Jul-10
Researchers in India are investigating the use of several nanotechnology approaches to water purification. Water purification using nanotechnology exploits nanoscopic materials such as carbon nanotubes and alumina fibers for nanofiltration
Novel algorithm cuts the risks of choosing ineffectual team members
29-Jul-10
Choosing team members is a risky business whether the field is world-class soccer management or car manufacture. Researchers describe a novel algorithm that can cut the risks associated with choosing ineffectual members and so bolster success in any field involving teamwork.
Marine phytoplankton declining: Striking global changes at the base of the marine food web linked to rising ocean temperatures
29-Jul-10
A new article reveals for the first time that microscopic marine algae known as phytoplankton have been declining globally over the 20th century. Phytoplankton forms the basis of the marine food chain and sustains diverse assemblages of species ranging from tiny zooplankton to large marine mammals, seabirds, and fish.
Huntington's disease discovery provides new hope for treatment
29-Jul-10
Australian scientists have identified the behavior of the mutant protein "huntingtin" which leads to the fatal Huntington's disease providing potential targets to treat the disease, a new study reveals.
Making eco-friendly diesel fuel from butter
29-Jul-10
The search for new raw materials for making biodiesel fuel has led scientists to an unlikely farm product -- butter. In a new study, researchers report that butter could be used as an eco-friendly feedstock, or raw material, for making diesel fuel.
Multiple sclerosis: Antihypertensive drug ameliorates inflammation in the brain
29-Jul-10
Researchers have discovered a new signaling pathway of brain cells that explains how widely used antihypertensive drugs could keep inflammation in multiple sclerosis in check.
Clean technology in 'hot water'
29-Jul-10
What if work performed in space could improve the treatment of household and nuclear waste on Earth? That's what investigators are hoping to do with the results of a fluid physics study in progress on the International Space Station. The experiment, called DECLIC-HTI, is studying supercritical water that could lead to spin-offs in the field of clean technologies for treating waste here on Earth.
Why fad diets work well for some, but not others
29-Jul-10
Using fruit flies, researchers have found that genes interacting with diet, rather than diet alone, are the main cause of variation in metabolic traits, such as body weight. This helps explain why some diets work better for some people than others, and suggests that future diets should be tailored to an individual's genes rather than to physical appearance.
Artificially controlling water condensation leads to 'room-temperature ice'
28-Jul-10
Researchers in Spain have studied the underlying mechanisms of water condensation in the troposphere and found a way to make artificial materials to control water condensation and trigger ice formation at room temperature.
Morphine blocks tumor growth, study suggests
28-Jul-10
Current research suggests that taking morphine can block new blood vessel and tumor growth.
Electronic cigarettes require more suction than conventional brands
28-Jul-10
Stronger suction is required to smoke "electronic cigarettes" than conventional brands, with possible adverse effects on human health, researchers report. Using a smoking machine to compare the smoking properties of eight conventional cigarettes with five e-cigarette brands, the researchers also found that in the case of e-cigarettes, the aerosol density dropped after the first ten puffs, requiring still stronger suction thereafter to produce aerosol.
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