ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Ovenbirds eavesdrop on chipmunks to protect nests
• Drug side effect linked with increased health risks for over 65s, study finds
• Dairy manure goes urban: Organic compost improves soil, enhances ornamental plants in residential landscapes
• To fix diabetic nerve damage, blood vessels and support cells may be the real targets of treatment
• A step toward controlling Huntington's disease? Potential new way of blocking activity of gene that causes HD
• Landscape coefficients prove useful for urban water conservation efforts; New strategies provide important irrigation information, promote water savings
• New and old threats to soybean production
• Study of phytoremediation benefits of 86 indoor plants published; Japanese royal fern tops list for formaldehyde removal effectiveness
• Slow growth of childhood brain tumors linked to genetic process seen in skin moles
• Model of a migraine indicates increased neuronal excitability as a possible cause
• How the body learns to make accurate movements: In motor learning, it's actions -- not intentions -- that count
• Hereditary colon cancer syndrome marked by abnormally dense blood vessel growth in mouth
• Long-term inhaled corticosteroid use increases fracture risk in lung disease patients, study finds
• Barrett’s esophagus, often a precursor to esophageal cancer, results from residual, embryonic cells
• Solar wind samples give insight into birth of solar system
• 'Motivational' interviews reduce depression, increase survival after stroke, study finds
• Compound may provide drug therapy approach for Huntington's disease
• Contaminated cocaine triggers decaying, dying skin
• Model helps pinpoint cyanobacterial genes that capture the sun's energy
• Space research gives birth to new ultrasound tools for health care in orbit, on Earth
• Dawn spacecraft nears start of year-long stay at giant asteroid Vesta
• NASA Mars rover arrives in Florida after cross-country flight
• Sun and planets constructed differently than thought, NASA mission suggests
• Potential new approaches to treat myelofibrosis
• Migration patterns of marine predators
• 'Orca ears' inspire researchers to develop ultrasensitive undersea microphone
• Policies that promote healthy eating, activity and sleep are needed to curb obesity in infants, toddlers and preschoolers
• Outpatient treatment proves safe, effective for low-risk patients with pulmonary embolism, study suggests
• Modern fish communities live fast and die young
• New application for iPhone may support monitoring and research on Parkinson's disease
• Sleep switch found in fruit flies
• Building a better math teacher
• Thermometer for dinosaurs: Researchers identify body temperature of these long-extinct giant saurians
• When matter melts: Scientists map phase changes in quark-gluon plasma
• Even in flies, enriched learning drives need for sleep, study finds
• Social amoeba rely on genetic 'lock and key' to identify kin
• Body temperatures of dinosaurs measured for first time: Some dinosaurs were as warm as most modern mammals
• Genes at the flick of a light switch: Human cells fitted with synthetic signaling cascade
• Hybrid Leishmania parasites on the loose
• In search of the memory molecule, researchers discover key protein complex
• Sepsis: Leaking blood vessels may be cause of infection-spreading condition, researchers suggest
• Athletic coaches must be open to self-examination, lifelong learning, experts argue
• Community health worker interventions improve rates of US mammography screening
• Science education: U.S. report recommends ways to improve K-12 STEM education, calls on policymakers
• Obese dieters' brain chemistry works against their weight-loss efforts
• Smartphone app helps you find friends in a crowd
• Best policy options to reduce petroleum use
• Youth cybercrime linked to friends' influence
• High technology, not low taxes, may drive US states' economic growth
• Protein unique to avian retina contributes to visual acuity by helping eyes 'breathe'
• Lowering the color of crystals in sugar factories
• Language tests being misused, UK study suggests
• Scientists uncover an unhealthy herds hypothesis
• Chemist solves riddle of killer diseases
• Marine turtle movements tracked
• Brain-like computing a step closer to reality
• Scientists a step closer to understanding 'natural antifreeze' molecules
• Queensland fruit fly scientists in race against time to protect Australia's fruit and vegetable industry
• Who goes there? Novel complex senses viral infection
• Cautionary tale for people with diabetes: Dog consumed part of a sleeping patient's toe

Ovenbirds eavesdrop on chipmunks to protect nests Posted: 23 Jun 2011 04:13 PM PDT Ground-nesting birds face an uphill struggle to successfully rear their young, many eggs and fledglings falling prey to predators. Now, scientists have found that some birds eavesdrop on their enemies, using this information to find safer spots to build their nests.

Drug side effect linked with increased health risks for over 65s, study finds Posted: 23 Jun 2011 04:08 PM PDT A side effect of many commonly used drugs appears to increase the risks of both cognitive impairment and death in older people, according to new research.

Dairy manure goes urban: Organic compost improves soil, enhances ornamental plants in residential landscapes Posted: 23 Jun 2011 02:42 PM PDT Researchers tested whether the addition of compost, with or without the application of shallow tillage or aeration, improves soil properties and plant growth compared with an unamended control in simulated residential landscapes. Results suggested that the addition of composted dairy manure solids can improve soil properties and enhance plant growth in residential landscapes when sandy fill soils are used. Shallow tillage and aeration methods had little effect on soil properties or plant growth.

To fix diabetic nerve damage, blood vessels and support cells may be the real targets of treatment Posted: 23 Jun 2011 02:42 PM PDT Blood vessels and supporting cells appear to be pivotal partners in repairing nerves ravaged by diabetic neuropathy, and nurturing their partnership with nerve cells might make the difference between success and failure in experimental efforts to regrow damaged nerves, researchers report in a new study.

A step toward controlling Huntington's disease? Potential new way of blocking activity of gene that causes HD Posted: 23 Jun 2011 02:41 PM PDT Researchers have identified a natural mechanism that might one day be used to block the expression of the mutated gene known to cause Huntington's disease. Their experiments offer not an immediate cure, but a potential new approach to stopping or even preventing the development of this relentless neurodegenerative disorder.

Landscape coefficients prove useful for urban water conservation efforts; New strategies provide important irrigation information, promote water savings Posted: 23 Jun 2011 02:41 PM PDT Researchers studied the use of landscape coefficients as a tool in irrigation decision-making and resulting water savings in urban landscapes. They compared landscape crop coefficients by landscape plant treatment and determined if seasonal differences in KL occur within sites. The results showed that the use of a landscape coefficient for irrigating mixed-species landscapes has potential for use in planning regional water usage.

New and old threats to soybean production Posted: 23 Jun 2011 02:41 PM PDT Researchers have identified the top pathogens, pests and weeds affecting soybean production in a new article. Soybean aphid, soybean rust, soybean cyst nematode, Sclerotina stem rot and the exotic pathogen, red leaf blotch, are discussed as some of the top biotic constraints that may affect soybean production now and in the future.

Study of phytoremediation benefits of 86 indoor plants published; Japanese royal fern tops list for formaldehyde removal effectiveness Posted: 23 Jun 2011 02:41 PM PDT Scientists determined the formaldehyde removal efficiency of a diverse cross-section of 86 indoor plant species. Ferns had the highest formaldehyde removal efficiency of the five classes of plants used in the experiments. Osmunda japonica (Japanese royal fern) was the most effective at removing formaldehyde of the species tested, proving 50 times more effective than the least-efficient species. All plants in the study were classified as excellent, intermediate, and poor based on formaldehyde removal efficiency.

Slow growth of childhood brain tumors linked to genetic process seen in skin moles Posted: 23 Jun 2011 02:41 PM PDT Researchers have found a likely explanation for the slow growth of the most common childhood brain tumor, pilocytic astrocytoma. Using tests on a new cell-based model of the tumor, they concluded that the initial process of tumor formation switches on a growth-braking tumor-suppressor gene, in a process similar to that seen in skin moles.

Model of a migraine indicates increased neuronal excitability as a possible cause Posted: 23 Jun 2011 02:41 PM PDT Familial hemiplegic migraine is a rare and severe subtype of migraine with aura, an unusual sensory experience preceding the migraine attack. Researchers in Italy have developed a mouse model of familial hemiplegic migraine type 2 and used it to investigate the migraine's cause.

How the body learns to make accurate movements: In motor learning, it's actions -- not intentions -- that count Posted: 23 Jun 2011 02:41 PM PDT Albert Einstein defined insanity as "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Practicing the same task repetitively, though, tends to be the default procedure when trying to learn a new motor skill. A new study suggests that simple task repetition may not be the most efficient way for the brain to learn a new move.

Hereditary colon cancer syndrome marked by abnormally dense blood vessel growth in mouth Posted: 23 Jun 2011 01:19 PM PDT Researchers have found that a hereditary colon cancer syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, is associated with abnormally dense blood vessel growth in the skin lining the mouth.

Long-term inhaled corticosteroid use increases fracture risk in lung disease patients, study finds Posted: 23 Jun 2011 01:19 PM PDT Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who use inhaled corticosteroids to improve breathing for more than six months have a 27 percent increased risk of bone fractures, new research suggests.

Barrett’s esophagus, often a precursor to esophageal cancer, results from residual, embryonic cells Posted: 23 Jun 2011 01:19 PM PDT Researchers discovered a new mechanism for the origin of Barrett's esophagus, an intestine-like growth in the esophagus that is triggered by acid reflux and often progresses to esophageal cancer. The key finding is that Barrett's esophagus arises not from mutant cells in the esophagus but rather a small group of previously overlooked cells present in all adults that can rapidly expand to cancer precursors when the normal esophagus is damaged by acid.

Solar wind samples give insight into birth of solar system Posted: 23 Jun 2011 01:19 PM PDT The first oxygen and nitrogen isotopic measurements of the Sun are complete, demonstrating that they are very different from the same elements on Earth. These results were the top two priorities of NASA's Genesis mission, which crashed on reentry to Earth. But the Los Alamos National Laboratory's Solar Wind Concentrator survived the crash and eventually yielded today's solar secrets.

'Motivational' interviews reduce depression, increase survival after stroke, study finds Posted: 23 Jun 2011 01:19 PM PDT Stroke patients who meet with therapists to discuss recovery and life expectations, and potential obstacles, within one month after stroke show fewer signs of depression, according to a new study. Death rates for those receiving early, talk-based therapy were lower compared to patients receiving standard stroke care.

Compound may provide drug therapy approach for Huntington's disease Posted: 23 Jun 2011 12:12 PM PDT Researchers have identified compounds that appear to inhibit a signaling pathway in Huntington's disease, a finding that may eventually lead to a potential drug therapy to help slow the progression of degenerative nerve disorders.

Contaminated cocaine triggers decaying, dying skin Posted: 23 Jun 2011 12:12 PM PDT If the obvious reasons for avoiding recreational drug use aren't off-putting enough, physicians have another consequence to add -- crusty, purplish areas of dead skin that are extremely painful and can open the door to nasty infections. The condition is called purpura. Typical causes include some rare disorders, but it is also associated with the use of cocaine. Not just any cocaine, though: physicians believe cocaine contaminated with a de-worming drug is the culprit.

Model helps pinpoint cyanobacterial genes that capture the sun's energy Posted: 23 Jun 2011 12:12 PM PDT A new model of the single-celled marine cyanobacterium Cyanothece could help researchers use blue-green algae to make renewable energy by predicting which of its genes are central to capturing energy from sunlight.

Space research gives birth to new ultrasound tools for health care in orbit, on Earth Posted: 23 Jun 2011 12:12 PM PDT Space biomedical researchers have developed tools that expand the use of ultrasound to provide better health care for astronauts during flight. The benefits are not just limited to spaceflight, though. These tools are now being used to improve health care around the world, especially in remote and underserved locations.

Dawn spacecraft nears start of year-long stay at giant asteroid Vesta Posted: 23 Jun 2011 11:58 AM PDT NASA's Dawn spacecraft is on track to begin the first extended visit to a large asteroid. The mission expects to go into orbit around Vesta on July 16 and begin gathering science data in early August. Vesta resides in the main asteroid belt and is thought to be the source of a large number of meteorites that fall to Earth.

NASA Mars rover arrives in Florida after cross-country flight Posted: 23 Jun 2011 11:57 AM PDT NASA's next Mars rover, also known as Curiosity, has completed the journey from its California birthplace to Florida in preparation for launch this fall.

Sun and planets constructed differently than thought, NASA mission suggests Posted: 23 Jun 2011 11:54 AM PDT Researchers analyzing samples returned by NASA's 2004 Genesis mission have discovered that our sun and its inner planets may have formed differently than previously thought.

Potential new approaches to treat myelofibrosis Posted: 23 Jun 2011 11:16 AM PDT A new study sheds light on a possible new approach to treat the bone marrow disease known as myelofibrosis by inhibiting an enzyme that connects extracellular fibers.

Migration patterns of marine predators Posted: 23 Jun 2011 11:16 AM PDT Researchers have concluded a two year study tracking apex marine predator movements in the ocean.

'Orca ears' inspire researchers to develop ultrasensitive undersea microphone Posted: 23 Jun 2011 11:16 AM PDT Researchers have developed a microphone that can be used at any depth in the ocean, even under crushing pressure, and is sensitive to a wide range of sounds, from a whisper in a library to an explosion of TNT. They modeled their device after the extraordinarily acute hearing of orcas.

Policies that promote healthy eating, activity and sleep are needed to curb obesity in infants, toddlers and preschoolers Posted: 23 Jun 2011 11:16 AM PDT Limiting television and other media use, encouraging infants and young children in preschool and child care to spend more time in physically active play, and requiring child care providers to promote healthy sleeping practices are some of the actions needed to curb high rates of obesity among America's youngest children, says a new report.

Outpatient treatment proves safe, effective for low-risk patients with pulmonary embolism, study suggests Posted: 23 Jun 2011 11:13 AM PDT Outpatient care for certain low-risk patients with pulmonary embolism can be safely and effectively used in place of inpatient care, according to a randomized, multicenter study in 19 emergency departments. The findings support current practice guidelines that are rarely followed by physicians.

Modern fish communities live fast and die young Posted: 23 Jun 2011 11:13 AM PDT Fish communities in the 21st century live fast and die young. That's the main finding of a recent study that compared fish recently caught in coastal Kenya with the bones of fish contained in ancient Swahili refuse heaps.

New application for iPhone may support monitoring and research on Parkinson's disease Posted: 23 Jun 2011 11:13 AM PDT Researchers have developed a novel iPhone application that may enable persons with Parkinson's disease and certain other neurological conditions to use the ubiquitous devices to collect data on hand and arm tremors and relay the results to medical personnel.

Sleep switch found in fruit flies Posted: 23 Jun 2011 11:13 AM PDT Rather than count sheep, drink warm milk or listen to soothing music, many insomniacs probably wish for a switch they could flick to put themselves to sleep. Scientists have discovered such a switch in the brains of fruit flies.

Building a better math teacher Posted: 23 Jun 2011 11:13 AM PDT For years, it has been assumed that teachers -- specifically math teachers -- need to master the content they intend to teach. And the best way to do this is to take courses beyond that content. Yet new research does not support this common belief. There is little evidence that advanced courses in mathematics contribute to more effective teaching.

Thermometer for dinosaurs: Researchers identify body temperature of these long-extinct giant saurians Posted: 23 Jun 2011 11:13 AM PDT Small heads, large bodies, and a slow metabolism -- these are the characteristics that make us think of dinosaurs as dull, lethargic and cold-blooded giants. However, this image seems to be deceiving. These giant saurians that have been extinct for 65 million years may have been high-performance models of evolution. Researchers have now determined that the body temperature of some large herbivorous dinosaurs was between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius.

When matter melts: Scientists map phase changes in quark-gluon plasma Posted: 23 Jun 2011 11:13 AM PDT For a few millionths of a second after the big bang, quarks could move freely, but soon normal matter "froze out" of this quark-matter soup. For the first time scientists have compared quantum theory calculations and data from the STAR experiment at Brookhaven's Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider to map out the energies and temperatures where ordinary matter melts and the quark-gluon plasma freezes.

Even in flies, enriched learning drives need for sleep, study finds Posted: 23 Jun 2011 11:13 AM PDT Just like human teenagers, fruit flies that spend a day buzzing around the "fly mall" with their companions need more sleep. That's because the environment makes their brain circuits grow dense new synapses and they need sleep to dial back the energy needs of their stimulated brains, according to a new study by sleep researchers.

Social amoeba rely on genetic 'lock and key' to identify kin Posted: 23 Jun 2011 11:13 AM PDT Scientists have identified the genetic "lock and key" that enable the amoeba to tell kin from non-kin. Just as the uniforms of armies enable soldiers to differentiate foe from friend, these amoeba use the protruding proteins as a kind of flag. In this case, the flag that protruded differs among strains of the Dictyostelium. These differences are critical to the kin/non-kin discrimination.

Body temperatures of dinosaurs measured for first time: Some dinosaurs were as warm as most modern mammals Posted: 23 Jun 2011 11:13 AM PDT Were dinosaurs slow and lumbering, or quick and agile? It depends largely on whether they were cold or warm blooded. Now, a team of researchers has developed a new approach to take body temperatures of dinosaurs for the first time, providing new insights into whether dinosaurs were cold or warm blooded.

Genes at the flick of a light switch: Human cells fitted with synthetic signaling cascade Posted: 23 Jun 2011 11:12 AM PDT Researchers from Switzerland have fitted human cells with a synthetic signaling cascade that can be used to switch on and regulate genes via blue light. This "gene light switch" makes interesting therapies possible, which could be used to treat type 2 diabetes, for instance.

Hybrid Leishmania parasites on the loose Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:34 AM PDT What we anxiously fear in the influenza virus – a cross between two strains, resulting in a new variant we have no resistance against – has occurred in another pathogen, the Leishmania parasite. The new hybrid species might not be more dangerous than their parents, but it's too early to know.

In search of the memory molecule, researchers discover key protein complex Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:09 AM PDT Have a tough time remembering where you put your keys, learning a new language or recalling names at a cocktail party? New research points to a molecule that is central to the process by which memories are stored in the brain.

Sepsis: Leaking blood vessels may be cause of infection-spreading condition, researchers suggest Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:09 AM PDT Researchers have put forward a new theory as to what causes sepsis, an often fatal condition that occurs when infection spreads throughout the body. Leaking blood vessels may actually be a cause of sepsis, rather than a symptom as previously thought.

Athletic coaches must be open to self-examination, lifelong learning, experts argue Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:09 AM PDT Coaches are often lauded as experts at what they do, and, consequently, it can blind them to their athletes' individual needs. As a result many problems in sport are misunderstood or solved ineffectively. To address this, coaches need to engage in the critical examination of the knowledge and assumptions that inform their problem-solving approaches for them to become a positive force for change in making thoughtful, healthy, ethical decisions and choices for their athletes, experts argue.

Community health worker interventions improve rates of US mammography screening Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:09 AM PDT Community health worker interventions improve rates of US mammography screening, especially in medical and urban settings and when the worker's race or ethnicity matches that of the women served.

Science education: U.S. report recommends ways to improve K-12 STEM education, calls on policymakers Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:09 AM PDT State, national and local policymakers should elevate science education in grades K-12 to the same level of importance as reading and mathematics, says a new report from the U.S. National Research Council. The report recommends ways that leaders at all levels can improve K-12 education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Obese dieters' brain chemistry works against their weight-loss efforts Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:09 AM PDT When obese individuals reduce their food intake too drastically, their bodies appear to resist their weight loss efforts, new research shows. The researcher particularly cautions against beginning a diet with a fast or cleansing day, which appears to trigger significant alterations in the immune system that work against weight loss.

Smartphone app helps you find friends in a crowd Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:09 AM PDT Can a smartphone app enable meaningful, face-to-face conversation? Engineers are trying to find out, with software that helps people locate their friends in a crowd -- and make new friends who share similar interests.

Best policy options to reduce petroleum use Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:07 AM PDT It will take more than tougher fuel economy standards for US transportation to significantly cut its oil use over the next half century. It will likely require a combination of measures that foster consumer and supplier interest in vehicle fuel economy, alternative fuels, and a more efficient transportation system, says a new report from the National Research Council.

Youth cybercrime linked to friends' influence Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:07 AM PDT Peer influence and low self-control appear to be the major factors fueling juvenile cybercrime such as computer hacking and online bullying, according to a new study.

High technology, not low taxes, may drive US states' economic growth Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:07 AM PDT High-tech training may trump tax breaks for creating more jobs and improving a state's economy, according to a economists.

Protein unique to avian retina contributes to visual acuity by helping eyes 'breathe' Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:07 AM PDT Say what you will about bird brains, but our feathered friends sure have us -- and all the other animals on the planet -- beat in the vision department, and that has a bit to do with how their brains develop.

Lowering the color of crystals in sugar factories Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:07 AM PDT Like diamonds, sugar crystals ideally are very pure and low in color. Now studies have provided a better understanding of the source of undesirable color in factory sugar.

Language tests being misused, UK study suggests Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:07 AM PDT An article on language testing argues that some agencies are using unsuitable language tests to achieve policy ends.

Scientists uncover an unhealthy herds hypothesis Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:07 AM PDT Biologists worldwide subscribe to the healthy herds hypothesis, but could it be that predators can also make prey populations more susceptible to other predators or even parasites? Biologists have now discovered at least one animal whose defenses against a predator make it a good target for one opportunistic parasite.

Chemist solves riddle of killer diseases Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:07 AM PDT Using the tools of synthetic chemistry, a Copenhagen chemist has copied the endotoxin of bacteria causing diseases such as anthrax. This paves the way for new and efficient antibiotics.

Marine turtle movements tracked Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:07 AM PDT Biologists have monitored the movements of an entire sub-population of marine turtle for the first time. The study confirms that through satellite tracking we can closely observe the day-to-day lives of marine turtles, accurately predicting their migrations and helping direct conservation efforts.

Brain-like computing a step closer to reality Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:07 AM PDT The development of 'brain-like' computers has taken a major step forward. A new study involved the first ever demonstration of simultaneous information processing and storage using phase-change materials. This new technique could revolutionize computing by making computers faster and more energy-efficient, as well as making them more closely resemble biological systems.

Scientists a step closer to understanding 'natural antifreeze' molecules Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:03 AM PDT Scientists have made an important step forward in their understanding of cryoprotectants -- compounds that act as natural "antifreeze" to protect drugs, food and tissues stored at sub-zero temperatures.

Queensland fruit fly scientists in race against time to protect Australia's fruit and vegetable industry Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:03 AM PDT Parts of Australia's fruit and vegetable industry are under threat, with Queensland scientists racing to find new ways to control a major horticultural pest before chemical treatments are restricted.

Who goes there? Novel complex senses viral infection Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:03 AM PDT Scientists have identified a novel sensor that is necessary to activate the immune response to viral infection. The research enhances our understanding of the complex and overlapping mechanisms our immune cells use to thwart infection.

Cautionary tale for people with diabetes: Dog consumed part of a sleeping patient's toe Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:03 AM PDT In a case study that illustrates the need for people with diabetes to be cautious of foot injuries and to protect themselves from pets, a woman with numbness in her feet caused by diabetic neuropathy slept through a traumatic episode in which her Jack Russell terrier chewed off part of her slightly infected big toe, according to a new article.

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